Control device and method of use

• US 6,969,964 B2
• Filed: 01/26/2004
• Issued: 11/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Co. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Pendergrass, Isaac
• Primary Examiner(s): IP, SHIK LUEN PAUL
• Application Number:
  US10/765,755
• Publication Number:
  US 20050162115A1
• Time in Patent Office: 673 Days
• Field of Search: 318280-284, 318/480, 340/435, 340/545.6, 340/438, 340/540, 340/686.6, 340/545.1, 49/25, 49/26, 49/28, 369/75.1, 220/200, 220/211, 250/221, 250/222.1, 345/863, 345/156, 345/157, 348/734, 348/155, 348/169, 360/92
• US Class Current: 318/480
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/00 Power-operated mechanisms for wings motor-operated accessories in locks for completing closing or initiating opening of a wing E05B17/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/73 responsive to movement or presence of persons or objects
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/86 by hand
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2999/00 Subject-matter not otherwise provided for in this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/94 characterised by the way in which the control signals are generated
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/94052 with evaluation of actuation pattern or sequence, e.g. tapping

Abstract

A control device and method of used includes receiving a signal from a first sensor and receiving a signal from a second sensor after receiving the signal from the first sensor. In response to the received signals, the electronic device executes the function.

Claims

1. A method for opening and closing a media door, comprising:

a user moving a hand within range of a first sensor;

the user moving the hand within range of a second sensor;

a latching and timing device controlling the opening state of the media door in response to the hand moving within range of the first sensor followed by moving the hand within range of the second sensor;

the user moving the hand within range of the first sensor for a second time;

the user moving the hand within range of the second sensor for a second time; and

the latching and timing device closing the media door in response to the hand moving within range of the first sensor for a second time followed by moving the hand within range of the second sensor for a second time.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second sensors is an infrared sensor.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first moving step further comprises the user moving the hand to within 100 millimeters of the first sensor.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

the user moving the hand within range of the second sensor;

the user moving the hand within range of the first sensor, wherein

responsive to the hand moving within range of the second sensor followed by moving within range of the first sensor causes the latching and timing device to control the state of a second media door.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the latching and timing device performs computing functions.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the latching and timing device performs entertainment functions.

7. An electronic device, comprising:

a media door;

first and second sensors disposed on a surface of the electronic device;

a latching and timing module coupled to the media door and to the first and second sensors, wherein

the logic module receives a first signal from the first sensor, followed by a first signal from the second sensor, and, responsive to the signals from the first and second sensors, opens the media door, and wherein

the logic module receives a second signal from the first sensor, followed by a second signal from the second sensor, and, responsive to the second signals from the first and second sensors, closes the media door.

8. The electronic device of claim 7, further comprising:

a second media door, wherein

the logic module receives an additional signal from the second sensor, followed by an additional signal from the first sensor, and, responsive to the additional signals, opens the second media door.

9. The electronic device of claim 7, wherein the first and second sensors respond to energy captured at infrared wavelengths.

10. The electronic device of claim 7, wherein the media door accepts an optical storage media.

11. In an electronic device, a method for controlling a door, comprising:

receiving a first signal from a first sensor;

receiving a first signal from a second sensor after receiving the signal from the first sensor;

receiving a first latching and timing signal opening the door responsive to the received signals;

receiving a second signal from the first sensor;

receiving a second signal from the second sensor after receiving the second signal from the first sensor; and

receiving a second latching and timing signal

closing the door responsive to the received signals.

12. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein receiving the signal from the first sensor followed by receiving the signal from the second sensor opens the door, and wherein receiving the signal from the second sensor followed by receiving the signal from the first sensor opens a second door.

13. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the door controls access to removable media used by the electronic device.

14. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein the electronic device is one of a computing device and an entertainment device.

15. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the first and second sensors are infrared sensors.