AUTOMATIC ANSWERING OF A MOBILE PHONE
First Claim
1. A method of answering a mobile phone, comprising:
- detecting that the mobile phone is receiving a call;
checking whether a proximity sensor detects a presence of a nearby object;
if the proximity sensor detects the presence of a nearby object, checking that the proximity sensor changes state to not detecting the presence of a nearby object;
checking whether the proximity sensor changes state to detecting a nearby object; and
determining whether a pitch and roll of the phone are within predetermined limits and, if so, automatically answering the call.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present disclosure relates to a mobile phone and a method for answering such a phone automatically without user input. In one embodiment, the mobile phone detects that a call is being received. A proximity sensor is then used to detect the presence of a nearby object. For example, this allows a determination to be made whether the mobile phone is within a pocket of the user while the phone is ringing. Then a determination is made whether the proximity sensor changes states. For example, if a user removes the phone from their pocket, the proximity sensor switches from detecting something proximal to detecting that the phone is no longer in the user'"'"'s pocket. Next, a determination is made whether the proximity sensor is again next to an object, such as an ear. If so, the mobile phone can be automatically answered without further user input.
12 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A method of answering a mobile phone, comprising:
-
detecting that the mobile phone is receiving a call; checking whether a proximity sensor detects a presence of a nearby object; if the proximity sensor detects the presence of a nearby object, checking that the proximity sensor changes state to not detecting the presence of a nearby object; checking whether the proximity sensor changes state to detecting a nearby object; and determining whether a pitch and roll of the phone are within predetermined limits and, if so, automatically answering the call. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A method of answering a mobile phone, comprising:
-
detecting that the mobile phone is receiving a call; checking whether a proximity sensor detects a presence of a nearby object; if the proximity sensor detects the presence of a nearby object, checking that the proximity sensor changes state to not detecting the presence of a nearby object for at least a predetermined period of time; checking whether the proximity sensor returns to its initial state of detecting a nearby object; and automatically answering the call if the proximity sensor returns to its initial state. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. A mobile phone with automatic answering of incoming calls, comprising:
-
a processor; a proximity sensor coupled to the processor for detecting whether the phone is in a pocket or enclosed area when an incoming call is received on the mobile phone, the proximity sensor also for detecting when the phone has left the enclosed area, and when the phone is within a predetermined distance to a user'"'"'s ear; a pitch and roll detector coupled to the processor for detecting that the mobile phone is within predetermined limits of pitching and rolling after the proximity sensor determines that the mobile phone has left the enclosed area; and the processor for automatically answering the call without user input in response to signals received from the proximity sensor and the pitch and roll detector. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
-
Specification