METHOD FOR CONTROLLING PORTABLE DEVICE BY USING HUMIDITY SENSOR AND PORTABLE DEVICE THEREOF

• US 20140141761A1
• Filed: 04/24/2013
• Published: 05/22/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: YUN, Sangwon
• Granted Patent: US 8,983,444 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/418
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/026 Details of the structure or mounting of specific components
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72454 according to context-related or environment-related conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72463 to restrict the functionality of the device
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724631 by limiting the access to the user interface, e.g. locking a touch-screen or a keypad
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/04 including near field communication means, e.g. RFID
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion telephones including GPS signal receivers H04M2250/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/22 Processing or transfer of terminal data, e.g. status or physical capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A method of controlling a portable device having a humidity sensor is provided. The method includes measuring a humidity level around the portable device using the humidity sensor when a call event occurs, comparing the measured humidity level with a preset threshold value, and controlling on/off of a display unit of the portable device according to a comparison outcome.

Claims

1. A method of controlling a portable device having a humidity sensor, comprising:

measuring a variation in a humidity level around the portable device when a call event occurs and when performing a call connection;

comparing the measured variation with a preset threshold value; and

selectively controlling on/off of a display unit of the portable device according to a comparison outcome.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the measuring step comprises measuring the humidity level around the portable device according to a preset time interval.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the comparing step comprises determining whether the measured variation is greater than or equal to the preset threshold value.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the controlling step comprises:

turning off the display unit when the measured variation is greater than or equal to the preset threshold value; and

turning on the display unit when the measured variation is less than the preset threshold value.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the measuring step comprises:

setting the humidity level at the time of the occurrence of the call event as an initial value.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining whether the portable device nears a head portion area using a proximity sensor; and

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the controlling step comprises:

turning off the display unit when it is determined, via the proximity sensor, that the portable device is placed near the head portion area.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the humidity sensor is installed adjacent to a voice input unit of the portable device.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

determining whether the proximity sensor is operational, and if not, selectively controlling on/off of the display unit of the portable device according to the comparison outcome using the humidity sensor.

10. A portable device having a display unit, comprising:

a humidity sensor for measuring a variation of a humidity level around the portable device when a call event occurs and when performing a call connection; and

a controller for controlling the humidity sensor to measure the humidity level around the portable device, comparing the measured variation with a preset threshold value, and selectively controlling on/off of the display unit according to comparison outcome.

11. The portable device of claim 10, wherein the controller determines whether the measured variation is greater than or equal to the preset threshold value.

12. The portable device of claim 11, wherein the controller controls the display unit to be turned off when the measured variation is greater or equal the present threshold value and turned on when the measured variation is less than the preset threshold value.

13. The portable device of claim 10, wherein the controller sets the humidity level at the time of the occurrence of the call event as an initial value.

14. The portable device of claim 10, further comprising:

a proximity sensor for sensing when the portable device nears a head portion area,

wherein the controller determines whether the portable device nears the head portion area using the proximity sensor and controls the humidity sensor to measure the humidity level around the portable terminal when there is no detection using the proximity sensor.

15. The portable terminal of claim 14, wherein the controller controls the display unit to be turned off when it is determined that the portable device nears the head portion area.

16. The portable terminal of claim 10, further comprising:

a voice input unit; and

a case having an opening for an inflow of external air, the case surrounding the voice input unit,

wherein the humidity sensor is installed adjacent to the voice input unit inside of the case.

17. The portable device of claim 16, further comprising:

a wall disposed between the humidity sensor and the voice input unit.

18. The portable device of claim 16, wherein the opening of the case is shared by the humidity sensor and the voice input unit.