Automatic answering of a mobile phone
First Claim
1. A method of answering a mobile phone, comprising:
- detecting that the mobile phone is receiving a call;
checking whether a proximity sensor detects a presence of a nearby object, which is a first object;
if the proximity sensor detects the presence of the nearby object, checking that the proximity sensor changes state to not detecting the presence of the nearby object;
after the proximity sensor changes state to not detecting the presence of the nearby object, determining whether the pitch and roll of the mobile phone are within predetermined limits;
if the pitch and roll are within predetermined limits, then checking whether the proximity sensor changes state to detecting a nearby object, which is a second object so that the same proximity sensor changes state at least three times through a process of answering the mobile phone; and
if the proximity sensor changes state to detecting the second object, then automatically answering the call.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present disclosure relates to a mobile phone and a method for answering such a phone automatically without user input. In one embodiment, the mobile phone detects that a call is being received. A proximity sensor is then used to detect the presence of a nearby object. For example, this allows a determination to be made whether the mobile phone is within a pocket of the user while the phone is ringing. Then a determination is made whether the proximity sensor changes states. For example, if a user removes the phone from their pocket, the proximity sensor switches from detecting something proximal to detecting that the phone is no longer in the user'"'"'s pocket. Next, a determination is made whether the proximity sensor is again next to an object, such as an ear. If so, the mobile phone can be automatically answered without further user input.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of answering a mobile phone, comprising:
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detecting that the mobile phone is receiving a call; checking whether a proximity sensor detects a presence of a nearby object, which is a first object; if the proximity sensor detects the presence of the nearby object, checking that the proximity sensor changes state to not detecting the presence of the nearby object; after the proximity sensor changes state to not detecting the presence of the nearby object, determining whether the pitch and roll of the mobile phone are within predetermined limits; if the pitch and roll are within predetermined limits, then checking whether the proximity sensor changes state to detecting a nearby object, which is a second object so that the same proximity sensor changes state at least three times through a process of answering the mobile phone; and if the proximity sensor changes state to detecting the second object, then automatically answering the call. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of answering a mobile phone, comprising:
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detecting that the mobile phone is receiving a call; checking, as a first check, whether a proximity sensor detects a presence of a nearby object by detecting a first nearby object; if the proximity sensor detects the presence of the first nearby object, checking, as a second check, that the proximity sensor changes state to not detecting the presence of the first nearby object for at least a predetermined period of time; if the proximity sensor, as the second check, changes state to not detecting the presence of the first nearby object, then checking, as a third check, a pitch and roll of the mobile phone and determining whether the pitch and roll are indicative of user movement to answer the mobile phone checking, as a fourth check, whether the proximity sensor returns to a state of detecting a nearby object, by detecting a second nearby object, wherein the first, second, third and fourth checks all occur during a process of answering the same call on the mobile phone; and automatically answering the call if the proximity sensor returns to the state of detecting a nearby object by detecting the second nearby object. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon for executing a method of answering a mobile phone, the method comprising:
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detecting that the mobile phone is receiving a call; checking, as a first check, whether a proximity sensor detects a presence of a nearby object by detecting a first nearby object; if the proximity sensor detects the presence of the first nearby object, checking, as a second check, that the proximity sensor changes state to not detecting the presence of the first nearby object for at least a predetermined period of time; checking, as a third check, whether a pitch and roll of the mobile phone are within predetermined limits; if the pitch and roll are within the predetermined limits, checking, as a fourth check, whether the proximity sensor returns to a state of detecting a nearby object, by detecting a second nearby object, wherein the first check, second check and third check all occur during a process of answering the call; and automatically answering the call if the proximity sensor returns to the state of detecting a nearby object by detecting the second nearby object. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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Specification