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Electronic device with sensing assembly and method for interpreting consecutive gestures

  • US 8,619,029 B2
  • Filed: 12/21/2009
  • Issued: 12/31/2013
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/22/2009
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method for interpreting at least two consecutive gestures, wherein each gesture is a specified pattern of movement of an external object relative to an electronic device, the method comprising:

  • providing as part of the electronic device a sensing assembly including at least one photoreceiver and a plurality of phototransmitters, wherein each phototransmitter is positioned to emit infrared light away from the electronic device about a corresponding central transmission axis, wherein each central transmission axis is oriented in a different angular direction with respect to the others;

    controlling emission of infrared light by each of the phototransmitters during each of a plurality of time periods;

    for each of the plurality of phototransmitters and for each of the plurality of time periods, generating a corresponding measured signal indicative of a respective amount of infrared light which originated from that phototransmitter during that time period and was reflected by the external object prior to being received by a photoreceiver;

    evaluating the measured signals to identify a first gesture;

    controlling the electronic device in response to the identification of the first gesture according to a first mode of operation of the electronic device;

    determining a parameter of a second gesture; and

    controlling the electronic device in response to the determined parameter of the second gesture according to a second mode of operation.

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