Method for controlling portable device by using humidity sensor and portable device thereof

• US 8,983,444 B2
• Filed: 04/24/2013
• Issued: 03/17/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Yun, Sangwon
• Primary Examiner(s): TAYLOR, BARRY W
• Application Number:
  US13/869,282
• Publication Number:
  US 20140141761A1
• Time in Patent Office: 692 Days
• Field of Search: 455/418, 455/566, 455/550.1, 455/574, 455/556.1
• US Class Current: 455/418
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/026 Details of the structure or mounting of specific components
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72454 according to context-related or environment-related conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72463 to restrict the functionality of the device
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724631 by limiting the access to the user interface, e.g. locking a touch-screen or a keypad
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/04 including near field communication means, e.g. RFID
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion telephones including GPS signal receivers H04M2250/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/22 Processing or transfer of terminal data, e.g. status or physical capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A method of controlling a portable device having a humidity sensor is provided. The method includes measuring a humidity level around the portable device using the humidity sensor when a call event occurs, comparing the measured humidity level with a preset threshold value, and controlling on/off of a display unit of the portable device according to a comparison outcome.

Claims

1. A method of controlling a portable device having a humidity sensor, comprising:

setting, if a call event is detected, a humidity level at the time of the occurrence of the call event as an initial value;

measuring a variation of the humidity level around the portable device;

comparing the variation with a preset threshold value; and

selectively controlling on/off of a display unit of the portable device according to a comparison outcome.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the variation is measured according to a preset time interval during the call event.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the comparing step comprises determining whether the measured variation is greater than or equal to the preset threshold value.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the controlling step comprises:

turning off the display unit when the variation is greater than or equal to the preset threshold value; and

turning on the display unit when the variation is less than the preset threshold value.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining whether the portable device nears a head portion area using a proximity sensor.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the controlling step comprises:

turning off the display unit when it is determined, via the proximity sensor, that the portable device is placed near the head portion area.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the humidity sensor is installed adjacent to a voice input unit of the portable device.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

determining whether the proximity senor is operational, and if not, selectively controlling on/off of the display unit of the portable device according to the comparison outcome using the humidity sensor.

9. A portable device having a display unit, comprising:

a humidity sensor configured to measure a variation of a humidity level around the portable device; and

a controller configured to set, if a call event is detected, the humidity level at the time of the occurrence of the call event as an initial value, to measure a variation of the humidity level around the portable device from the initial value, to compare the variation with a preset threshold value, and to selectively control on/off of the display unit according to comparison outcome.

10. The portable device of claim 9, wherein the controller further configured to determines whether the variation is greater than or equal to the preset threshold value.

11. The portable device of claim 10, wherein the controller further configured to controls the display unit to be turned off when the variation is greater or equal the present threshold value and turned on when the variation is less than the preset threshold value.

12. The portable device of claim 9, further comprising:

a proximity sensor for sensing when the portable device nears a head portion area,

wherein the controller further configured to determines whether the portable device nears the head portion area using the proximity sensor and controls the humidity sensor to measure the humidity level around the portable device when there is no detection using the proximity sensor.

13. The portable device of claim 12, wherein the controller further configured to controls the display unit to be turned off when it is determined that the portable device nears the head portion area.

14. The portable device of claim 9, further comprising:

a voice input unit; and

a case having an opening for an inflow of external air, the case surrounding the voice input unit,

wherein the humidity sensor is installed adjacent to the voice input unit inside of the case.

15. The portable device of claim 14, further comprising:

a wall disposed between the humidity sensor and the voice input unit.

16. The portable device of claim 14, wherein the opening of the case is shared by the humidity sensor and the voice input unit.