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Method and apparatus for controlling the operational mode of electronic devices in response to sensed conditions

  • US 9,009,505 B2
  • Filed: 03/17/2010
  • Issued: 04/14/2015
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/22/1996
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. An electronic device configured to switch between a plurality of operational modes, the device comprising:

  • one or more sensors configured to generate data indicative of a physical characteristic associated with the electronic device, wherein said physical characteristic comprises proximity of a user'"'"'s eyes to the electronic device and a change in position or attitude;

    a display; and

    a processor configured to operate the electronic device in a plurality of operational modes, wherein the processor is further configured to;

    receive the data indicative of the physical characteristic associated with the electronic device;

    detect the proximity of the user'"'"'s eyes to the electronic device based on the received data; and

    determine that the proximity of the user'"'"'s eyes to the electronic device is associated with a specified range of characteristics indicative of a change to a different one of the plurality of operational modes;

    activate the different one of the plurality of operational modes based on the proximity of the user'"'"'s eyes to the electronic device, wherein different one of the plurality of operational modes comprises an operational mode related to the display of the device;

    determine whether the position or attitude of the electronic device has changed;

    determine whether a time limit has elapsed; and

    activate the different one of the plurality of operational modes based on whether the position or attitude of the electronic device has changed and whether the time limit has elapsed, wherein the different one of the plurality of operational modes comprises the operational mode related to the display of the electronic device.

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