METHODS AND DEVICES FOR ADJUSTING SENSITIVITY OF PROXIMITY SENSOR

• US 20140302893A1
• Filed: 04/05/2013
• Published: 10/09/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: DHAVALOGANATHAN, Thusenth
• Granted Patent: US 9,451,076 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/566
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• 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

Abstract

Methods and electronic devices for adjusting sensitivity of a proximity sensor are described. In an example aspect, the present application describes a method implemented by a processor of an electronic device for adjusting sensitivity of a proximity sensor associated with the electronic device. The proximity sensor is positioned biased towards a longitudinal side of the electronic device. The electronic device also includes an orientation sensor that generates orientation data based on an orientation of the electronic device. The method includes: obtaining orientation data from the orientation sensor; and increasing the sensitivity of the proximity sensor when the orientation of the electronic device is at a first tilted orientation based on the orientation data.

Claims

1. A method implemented by a processor of an electronic device for adjusting sensitivity of an associated proximity sensor, the proximity sensor positioned biased towards a longitudinal side of the electronic device, the electronic device having an orientation sensor for generating orientation data based on an orientation of the electronic device, the method comprising:

obtaining orientation data from the orientation sensor; and

increasing the sensitivity of the proximity sensor when the orientation of the electronic device is at a first tilted orientation based on the orientation data.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising decreasing the sensitivity of the proximity sensor when the orientation of the electronic device is at a second tilted orientation based on the orientation data.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the longitudinal side is a right longitudinal side of a front side of the electronic device, and wherein the electronic device is in closer proximity to a left side of a head at the first tilted orientation.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the longitudinal side is a left longitudinal side of a front side of the electronic device, and wherein the electronic device is in closer proximity to a right side of a head at the first tilted orientation.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

obtaining sensor data from the proximity sensor; and

detecting a head based on the sensor data.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising in response to detecting the head, disabling processing of instructions input, via a touchscreen display, to the electronic device.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first tilted orientation is within a predetermined range of orientations associated with a first side of a head.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein increasing the sensitivity of the proximity sensor includes increasing the range of the proximity sensor to detect an object.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein increasing the sensitivity of the proximity sensor includes increasing the level of power of the proximity sensor.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a mobile communication device, the method further comprising initiating a phone call on the mobile communication device, and wherein increasing the sensitivity of the proximity sensor is performed in response to initiating the phone call.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the orientation sensor is any one of an accelerometer or a gyroscope.

12. An electronic device comprising:

a proximity sensor positioned biased towards a longitudinal side of the electronic device;

an orientation sensor for generating orientation data based on an orientation of the electronic device;

a memory; and

a processor coupled with the proximity sensor, the orientation sensor, and the memory, the processor configured to;

obtain orientation data from the orientation sensor; and

increase the sensitivity of the proximity sensor when the orientation of the electronic device is at a first tilted orientation based on the orientation data.

13. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the processor is further configured to decrease the sensitivity of the proximity sensor when the orientation of the electronic device is at a second tilted orientation based on the orientation data;

and

14. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the longitudinal side is a right longitudinal side of a front side of the electronic device, and wherein the electronic device is in closer proximity to a left side of a head at the first tilted orientation.

15. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the longitudinal side is a left longitudinal side of a front side of the electronic device, and wherein the electronic device is in closer proximity to a right side of a head at the first tilted orientation.

16. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the processor is further configured to:

obtain sensor data from the proximity sensor; and

detect a head based on the sensor data.

17. The electronic device of claim 16, further comprising a touchscreen display and wherein the processor is further configured to, in response to detecting the head, disable processing of instructions input, via the touchscreen display, to the electronic device.

18. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the first tilted orientation is within a predetermined range of orientations associated with a first side of a head.

19. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein increasing the sensitivity of the proximity sensor includes increasing the range of the proximity sensor to detect an object.

20. A computer readable storage medium comprising computer executable instructions which, when executed, configure a processor of an electronic device having a proximity sensor positioned biased towards a longitudinal side of the electronic device and an orientation sensor for generating orientation data based on an orientation of the electronic device, to:

obtain orientation data from the orientation sensor; and

increase the sensitivity of the proximity sensor when the orientation of the electronic device is at a first tilted orientation based on the orientation data.