Electronic device having a proximity detector
First Claim
1. A portable electronic device having a housing to house a plurality of electronic components, the electronic components including a signal processor and an alerting device operatively connected to the signal processor, said portable device comprising:
- a first opto-electronic component disposed on the housing; and
a second opto-electronic component disposed on the housing in relationship to the first opto-electronic component, wherein the first opto-electronic component comprises a light emitter for emitting light in a light emitting path substantially outside the housing, and the second opto-electronic component comprises a light detector for detecting light coming from a part of the light emitting path, the light detector operatively connected to the signal processor, so that when an object is present in a light emitting path, causing part of the light emitted by the light emitter to be sensed by the light detector, a detection signal is provided to the signal processor for producing an alerting signal on the alerting device.
2 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
A smoke detection device for use in a portable device such as a mobile terminal. The smoke detection device comprises a light emitter and a light detector disposed on different locations on the portable device so that when smoke or an intruding object is presence in the light path of the light emitter outside the device housing, it causes the light emitted by the light emitter to be scattered or reflected. When the light detector senses the scattered or reflected light, it can cause an alarm signal to be produced by the portable device. The emitted light can be in the infrared region so that the detection is independent of the ambient light. Alternatively, the light emitter is operated in a pulsed mode. Additional light emitter and light detectors can be disposed on the portable device for proximity sensing in addition to smoke detection.
109 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A portable electronic device having a housing to house a plurality of electronic components, the electronic components including a signal processor and an alerting device operatively connected to the signal processor, said portable device comprising:
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a first opto-electronic component disposed on the housing; and
a second opto-electronic component disposed on the housing in relationship to the first opto-electronic component, wherein the first opto-electronic component comprises a light emitter for emitting light in a light emitting path substantially outside the housing, and the second opto-electronic component comprises a light detector for detecting light coming from a part of the light emitting path, the light detector operatively connected to the signal processor, so that when an object is present in a light emitting path, causing part of the light emitted by the light emitter to be sensed by the light detector, a detection signal is provided to the signal processor for producing an alerting signal on the alerting device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification