Removable protective cover with embedded proximity sensors
First Claim
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1. A cover for a handheld electronic device, comprising:
- a cover piece that fits over a side surface of a handheld electronic device;
a plurality of proximity sensors mounted in said cover piece, and directed outward from the side surface, for detecting user gestures performed outside the side surface, comprising;
alternating light emitters and light receivers; and
lenses that direct light beams from said light emitters outwards of the side surface of the electronic device,wherein a finger that covers one or more of said lenses reflects the directed light beams back into said cover piece and, via said lenses, onto one or more of said light receivers;
wireless communication circuitry; and
a processor configured to operate said proximity sensors, and to cause said wireless communication circuitry to transmit commands to the electronic device in response to gestures detected by said proximity sensors.
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Abstract
A cover for a handheld electronic device, including a cover piece that fits over a side surface of a handheld electronic device, a plurality of proximity sensors mounted in the cover piece, and directed outward from the side surface, for detecting user gestures performed outside the side surface, wireless communication circuitry, and a processor configured to operate the proximity sensors, and to cause the wireless communication circuitry to transmit commands to the electronic device in response to gestures detected by the proximity sensors.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A cover for a handheld electronic device, comprising:
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a cover piece that fits over a side surface of a handheld electronic device; a plurality of proximity sensors mounted in said cover piece, and directed outward from the side surface, for detecting user gestures performed outside the side surface, comprising; alternating light emitters and light receivers; and lenses that direct light beams from said light emitters outwards of the side surface of the electronic device, wherein a finger that covers one or more of said lenses reflects the directed light beams back into said cover piece and, via said lenses, onto one or more of said light receivers; wireless communication circuitry; and a processor configured to operate said proximity sensors, and to cause said wireless communication circuitry to transmit commands to the electronic device in response to gestures detected by said proximity sensors. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification