Using ambient light sensor to augment proximity sensor output
First Claim
1. A method of sensing proximity, the method comprising:
- receiving a first intensity level output from a proximity sensor;
determining an estimated distance value between the proximity sensor and a surface of an object based on the received first intensity level output from the proximity sensor;
receiving a second intensity level output from an ambient light sensor (ALS);
determining, based on the second intensity level output from the ambient light sensor that the estimated distance value between the proximity sensor and the surface of the object is incorrect;
changing, by a data processing system, the estimated distance value using the second intensity level output from the ambient light sensor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatuses and methods to sense proximity of an object and operate a proximity sensor of a portable device. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving an ambient light sensor (ALS) output, and altering, based on the ALS output, an effect of a proximity sensor output on control of a proximity determination. The ALS sensor and the proximity sensor may be located adjacent to an earpiece of a portable device. In some cases, the proximity determination may be a proximity of an object to the proximity sensor, and altering the effect may include changing the proximity of the object from a proximity greater than a first threshold to a proximity less than the first threshold. Other apparatuses and methods and data processing systems and machine readable media are also described.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method of sensing proximity, the method comprising:
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receiving a first intensity level output from a proximity sensor; determining an estimated distance value between the proximity sensor and a surface of an object based on the received first intensity level output from the proximity sensor; receiving a second intensity level output from an ambient light sensor (ALS); determining, based on the second intensity level output from the ambient light sensor that the estimated distance value between the proximity sensor and the surface of the object is incorrect; changing, by a data processing system, the estimated distance value using the second intensity level output from the ambient light sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A non-transitory machine readable medium containing executable program instructions which when executed cause a method of operating a data processing system, the method comprising:
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receiving a first intensity level output from a proximity sensor; determining an estimated distance value between the proximity sensor and a surface of an object based on the received first intensity level output from the proximity sensor; receiving a second intensity level output from an ambient light sensor; determining, based on the second intensity level output from the ambient light sensor that the estimated distance value between the proximity sensor and the surface of the object is incorrect; changing, by a data processing system, the estimated distance value using the second intensity level output from the ambient light sensor.
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23. A portable data processing device comprising:
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a means for receiving a first intensity level output from a proximity sensor; a means for determining an estimated distance value between the proximity sensor and a surface of an object based on the received first intensity level output from the proximity sensor; a means for receiving a second intensity level output from an ambient light sensor; a means for determining, based on the second intensity level output from the ambient light sensor that the estimated distance value between the proximity sensor and the surface of the object is incorrect; a means for changing, by a data processing system, the estimated distance value using the second intensity level output from the ambient light sensor.
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24. A portable data processing device comprising:
hardware logic for; receiving a first intensity level output from a proximity sensor; determining an estimated distance value between the proximity sensor and a surface of an object based on the received first intensity level output from the proximity sensor; receiving a second intensity level output from an ambient light sensor; determining, based on the second intensity level output from the ambient light sensor that the estimated distance value between the proximity sensor and the surface of the object is incorrect; changing, by a data processing system, the estimated distance value using the second intensity level output from the ambient light sensor.
Specification