Electronic device with automatic mode switching
First Claim
1. A portable electronic device, comprising;
- a control mechanism that provides a first mode and a second mode for the portable electronic device; and
one or more sensors that provide cues for automatically switching between the first and second modes based on the sensor output, wherein the one or more sensors includes at least one of the following;
a force sensor configured to measure a force exerted on an outer surface of the portable electronic device and an orientation sensor configured to sense whether the portable electronic device is upside down or right side up.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An automatic hold switch is disclosed. The automatic hold switch provides a means for automatically switching a hold feature on and off. When the hold feature is on, one or more input devices of a portable electronic device are disabled or prevented from providing input signals. When the hold feature is off, one or more input devices of a portable electronic device are enabled or allowed to provide input signals. Because the user no longer has to manually control the hold feature, the number of actions that need to be taken by the user is reduced. In one example, the automatic hold switch is embodied with light sensors that detect when the device is in a dark environment and when the device is in a light environment. A dark environment indicates to the portable electronic device that the user wishes not to input and therefore the hold feature is turned on. A lighted environment indicates to the portable electronic device that the user wishes to input and therefore the hold feature is turned off.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A portable electronic device, comprising;
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a control mechanism that provides a first mode and a second mode for the portable electronic device; and one or more sensors that provide cues for automatically switching between the first and second modes based on the sensor output, wherein the one or more sensors includes at least one of the following;
a force sensor configured to measure a force exerted on an outer surface of the portable electronic device and an orientation sensor configured to sense whether the portable electronic device is upside down or right side up. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of operating a portable electronic device, comprising:
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monitoring a condition of or surrounding the device, wherein monitoring includes monitoring a force exerted on an outer surface of the device or monitoring orientation of the device to determine whether the device is upside down or right side up; determining whether a triggering event should be initiated based on the monitored condition; and changing the portable electronic device from a first mode to a second mode when the triggering event is initiated. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 16)
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14. A method of operating a portable electronic device, comprising:
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monitoring a condition of or surrounding the device, wherein monitoring includes monitoring a force exerted on an outer surface of the device, monitoring motion of the device, or measuring an ambient condition surrounding the device; determining whether a triggering event should be initiated based on the monitored condition; and changing the portable electronic device from a first mode to a second mode when the triggering event is initiated, wherein changing the modes of the portable electronic device includes automatically switching between an input mode where all or a select number of input devices are unlocked and a hold mode where all or a select number of input devices are locked. - View Dependent Claims (15, 18)
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17. A method of operating a portable electronic device, comprising:
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monitoring a condition of or surrounding the device, wherein monitoring includes monitoring a force exerted on an outer surface of the device, monitoring motion of the device, or measuring an ambient condition surrounding the device, wherein monitoring is preformed by an ambient condition sensor; determing whether a triggering event should be initiated based on the monitored condition; and changing the portable electronic device from a first mode to a second mode when the triggering event is initiated, wherein the first mode is a ring mode and the second mode is a vibrate mode.
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19. A portable electronic device, comprising:
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a control mechanism that provides a first mode and a second mode for the portable electronic device; and one or more sensors that provide cues for automatically switching between the mode and the second mode based on the sensor output, wherein the one or more sensors includes at least one of the following;
a force sensor configured to measure a force exerted on an outer surface of the portable electronic device and an orientation sensor configured to sense whether the portable electronic device is upside down or right side up. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification