USE OF PROXIMITY SENSORS FOR INTERACTING WITH MOBILE DEVICES

• US 20130288655A1
• Filed: 04/26/2012
• Published: 10/31/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Foruntanpour, Babak, Sheynblat, Leonid, Bednar, David L.
• Granted Patent: US 8,838,085 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/418
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6008 in the transmitter circuit
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/605 involving control of the receiver volume to provide a dual operational mode at close or far distance from the user
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72448 with means for adapting the functionality of the device according to specific conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72454 according to context-related or environment-related conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72469 for operating the device by selecting functions from two or more displayed items, e.g. menus or icons
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72472 wherein the items are sorted according to specific criteria, e.g. frequency of use
• 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: H04M 2250/22 including a touch pad, a touch sensor or a touch detector digitizers for touch screens G06F3/041

Abstract

Various arrangements for handling a call by a mobile device and/or selecting a function for execution by the mobile device are presented. A phone call may be commenced by a mobile device. During the phone call, the mobile device may collect proximity data that indicates the mobile device is not proximate to an ear of a user. The microphone of the mobile device may be muted in response to the proximity data that indicates the mobile device is not proximate to the ear of the user.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

commencing, by a mobile device, a voice phone call;

during the phone call, collecting, by the mobile device, proximity data that indicates the mobile device is not proximate to an ear of a user; and

muting, by the mobile device, a microphone of the mobile device in response to the proximity data that indicates the mobile device is not proximate to the ear of the user.

2. The method of claim 1, the method further comprising:

during the phone call, collecting, by the mobile device, acceleration data that indicates the mobile device is being held such that a face of the mobile device faces downward, wherein;

muting, by the mobile device, the microphone of the mobile device in response to the proximity data that indicates the mobile device is not proximate to the ear of the user is also in response to the acceleration data.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the proximity data is received from a plurality of proximity sensors;

a first proximity sensor of the plurality of proximity sensors is proximate to a speaker of the mobile device;

a second proximity sensor of the plurality of proximity sensors is proximate to the microphone of the mobile device; and

a third proximity sensor of the plurality of proximity sensors is proximate to a grip location of the mobile device.

4. The method of claim 1, the method further comprising:

following muting the microphone of the mobile device, during the phone call, collecting, by the mobile device, additional proximity data that indicates the mobile device is proximate to the ear of the user; and

unmuting, by the mobile device, the microphone of the mobile device in response to the additional proximity data that indicates the mobile device is proximate to the ear of the user.

5. The method of claim 1, the method further comprising:

during the phone call, collecting, by the mobile device, additional proximity data that indicates the mobile device is not being gripped by the user; and

enabling, by the mobile device, a speakerphone in response to the proximity data and the additional proximity data.

6. A mobile device comprising:

a proximity sensor;

a microphone;

a processor; and

a memory communicatively coupled with and readable by the processor and having stored therein processor-readable instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to;

during a voice phone call, analyze proximity data from the proximity sensor that indicates the mobile device is not proximate to an ear of a user; and

cause the microphone to be muted in response to the proximity data that indicates the mobile device is not proximate to the ear of the user.

7. The mobile device of claim 6, the mobile device further comprising:

an accelerometer;

wherein the processor-readable instructions further comprise processor-readable instructions, which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to;

during the voice phone call, analyze acceleration data from the accelerometer that indicates the mobile device is being held such that a face of the mobile device faces downward, wherein;

the processor-readable instructions that cause the processor to mute the microphone of the mobile device in response to the proximity data that indicates the mobile device is not proximate to the ear of the user is also in response to the acceleration data.

8. The mobile device of claim 6, further comprising:

a plurality of proximity sensors, comprising the proximity sensor, a second proximity sensor, and a third proximity sensor, wherein;

the proximity data is received from the plurality of proximity sensors;

the proximity sensor is proximate to a speaker of the mobile device;

the second proximity sensor is proximate to the microphone of the mobile device; and

the third proximity sensor is proximate to a grip location of the mobile device.

9. The mobile device of claim 6, wherein:

the processor-readable instructions further comprise processor-readable instructions, which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to;

following muting the microphone of the mobile device and during the voice phone call, collect additional proximity data that indicates the mobile device is proximate to the ear of the user; and

unmute the microphone of the mobile device in response to the additional proximity data that indicates the mobile device is proximate to the ear of the user.

10. The mobile device of claim 6, wherein the processor-readable instructions further comprise processor-readable instructions, which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:

during the phone call, collect additional proximity data that indicates the mobile device is not being gripped by the user; and

enable a speakerphone in response to the additional proximity data.

11. A computer program product, the computer program product comprising processor-readable instructions, which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:

during a voice phone call, analyze proximity data from a proximity sensor that indicates a mobile device is not proximate to an ear of a user; and

cause a microphone to be muted in response to the proximity data that indicates the mobile device is not proximate to the ear of the user.

12. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the processor-readable instructions further comprise processor-readable instructions, which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:

during the voice phone call, analyze acceleration data from an accelerometer that indicates the mobile device is being held such that a face of the mobile device faces downward, wherein;

the processor-readable instructions that cause the processor to mute the microphone of the mobile device in response to the proximity data that indicates the mobile device is not proximate to the ear of the user is also in response to the acceleration data.

13. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the processor-readable instructions further comprise processor-readable instructions, which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:

following muting the microphone of the mobile device and during the voice phone call, collect additional proximity data wherein the additional proximity data indicates the mobile device is proximate to the ear of the user; and

cause the microphone of the mobile device to be unmuted in response to the additional proximity data that indicates the mobile device is proximate to the ear of the user.

14. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the processor-readable instructions further comprise processor-readable instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:

during the voice phone call, collect additional proximity data that indicates the mobile device is not being gripped by the user; and

enable a speakerphone in response to the additional proximity data.

15. An apparatus comprising:

means for conducting the phone call;

means for collecting proximity data during a voice phone call, wherein the proximity data indicates a mobile device is not proximate to an ear of a user; and

means for muting a microphone of the mobile device in response to the proximity data that indicates the mobile device is not proximate to the ear of the user.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, the apparatus further comprising:

means for collecting acceleration data during the phone call, wherein the acceleration data indicates the mobile device is being held such that a face of the mobile device faces downward, wherein;

the means for muting the microphone of the mobile device in response to the proximity data that indicates the mobile device is not proximate to the ear of the user is also in response to the acceleration data.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, the apparatus further comprising:

means for collecting additional proximity data, following muting the microphone of the mobile device and during the phone call, wherein the additional proximity data indicates the mobile device is proximate to the ear of the user; and

means for unmuting the microphone of the mobile device in response to the additional proximity data that indicates the mobile device is proximate to the ear of the user.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, the apparatus further comprising:

means for collecting additional proximity data during the phone call, wherein the additional proximity data indicates the mobile device is not being gripped by the user; and

means for enabling a speakerphone of the mobile device in response to the additional proximity data.

19. A method for comprising:

collecting, by a mobile device, proximity data;

collecting, by the mobile device, acceleration data;

selecting, by the mobile device, a function for execution using the proximity data and the acceleration data, wherein;

the function is selected from a set of functions configured to be executed by the mobile device.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein selecting the function for execution using the proximity data and the acceleration data comprises:

selecting a subset of functions from the set of functions using the proximity data; and

selecting the function for execution from the subset of functions using the acceleration data.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein selecting the function for execution using the proximity data and the acceleration data comprises:

selecting a subset of functions from the set of functions using the acceleration data; and

selecting the function for execution from the subset of functions using the proximity data.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the proximity data indicates how the mobile device is being held by a user.

23. A mobile device comprising:

a proximity sensor;

an accelerometer;

a processor; and

a memory communicatively coupled with and readable by the processor and having stored therein processor-readable instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to;

analyze proximity data from the proximity sensor;

analyze acceleration data from the accelerometer;

select a function for execution using the proximity data and the acceleration data, wherein;

the function is selected from a set of functions configured to be executed by the mobile device.

24. The mobile device of claim 23, wherein the processor-readable instructions configured to cause the processor to select the function for execution using the proximity data and the acceleration data comprises processor-readable instructions configured, which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:

select a subset of functions from the set of functions using the proximity data; and

select the function for execution from the subset of functions using the acceleration data.

25. The mobile device of claim 23, wherein the processor-readable instructions configured to cause the processor to select the function for execution using the proximity data and the acceleration data comprises processor-readable instructions configured, which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:

select a subset of functions from the set of functions using the acceleration data; and

select the function for execution from the subset of functions using the proximity data.

26. The mobile device of claim 23 wherein the processor-readable instructions, which, when executed by the processor, are configured to cause the processor to analyze the proximity data are further configured to cause the processor to determine how the mobile device is being held by a user using the proximity data.

27. A computer program product, the computer program product comprising processor-readable instructions, which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:

analyze proximity data collected by a proximity sensor;

analyze acceleration data collected by an accelerometer;

select a function for execution using the proximity data and the acceleration data, wherein;

the function is selected from a set of functions configured to be executed by the mobile device.

28. The computer program product of claim 27, wherein the processor-readable instructions configured to cause the processor to select the function for execution using the proximity data and the acceleration data comprises processor-readable instructions configured, which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:

select a subset of functions from the set of functions using the proximity data; and

select the function for execution from the subset of functions using the acceleration data.

29. The computer program product of claim 27, wherein the processor-readable instructions, which, when executed by the processor, are configured to cause the processor to select the function for execution using the proximity data and the acceleration data comprises processor-readable instructions configured, which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:

select a subset of functions from the set of functions using the acceleration data; and

select the function for execution from the subset of functions using the proximity data.

30. An apparatus comprising:

means for collecting proximity data;

means for collecting acceleration data;

means for selecting a function for execution using the proximity data and the acceleration data, wherein;

the function is selected from a set of functions configured to be executed by a mobile device.

31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the means for selecting the function for execution using the proximity data and the acceleration data comprises:

means for selecting a subset of functions from the set of functions using the proximity data; and

means for selecting the function for execution from the subset of functions using the acceleration data.

32. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the means for selecting the function for execution using the proximity data and the acceleration data comprises:

means for selecting a subset of functions from the set of functions using the acceleration data; and

means for selecting the function for execution from the subset of functions using the proximity data.

33. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the proximity data indicates how the mobile device is being held by a user.

34. A method comprising:

receiving, by a mobile device, an indication of a function being executed by a second mobile device;

collecting, by the mobile device, proximity data; and

selecting, by the mobile device, the function for execution using the indication of the function being executed by the second mobile device and the proximity data.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein selecting, by the mobile device, the function for execution using the indication of the function being executed by the second mobile device and the proximity data comprises:

selecting a subset of functions from a set of functions using the proximity data; and

selecting the function for execution from the subset of functions using the indication of the function being executed by the second mobile device.

36. The method of claim 34, wherein selecting, by the mobile device, the function for execution using the indication of the function being executed by the second mobile device and the proximity data comprises:

selecting a subset of functions from a set of functions using the indication of the function being executed by the second mobile device; and

selecting the function for execution from the subset of functions using the proximity data.

37. The method of claim 34, wherein receiving the indication of the function being executed by the second mobile device comprises receiving the indication via a peer-to-peer communication protocol.

38. A mobile device configured to select a function for execution, the mobile device comprising:

a proximity sensor;

a processor; and

a memory communicatively coupled with and readable by the processor and having stored therein processor-readable instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to;

receive an indication of the function being executed by a second mobile device;

receive proximity data from the proximity sensor; and

select the function for execution using the indication of the function being executed by the second mobile device and the proximity data.

39. The mobile device configured to select the function for execution of claim 38, wherein the processor-readable instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to select the function for execution using the indication of the function being executed by the second mobile device and the proximity data further comprises processor-readable instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:

select a subset of functions from a set of functions using the proximity data; and

select the function for execution from the subset of functions using the indication of the function being executed by the second mobile device.

40. The mobile device configured to select the function for execution of claim 38, wherein the processor-readable instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to select the function for execution using the indication of the function being executed by the second mobile device and the proximity data further comprises processor-readable instructions, which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:

select a subset of functions from a set of functions using the indication of the function being executed by the second mobile device; and

select the function for execution from the subset of functions using the proximity data.

41. The mobile device configured to select the function for execution of claim 38, wherein the processor-readable instructions, which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive the indication of the function being executed by the second mobile device further comprises processor-readable instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:

receive the indication via a peer-to-peer communication protocol.

42. A computer program product for selecting a function for execution on a mobile device, the computer program product comprising processor-readable instructions, which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:

receive an indication of the function being executed by a second mobile device;

collect proximity data using a proximity sensor; and

select the function for execution using the indication of the function being executed by the second mobile device and the proximity data.

43. The computer program product for selecting the function for execution on the mobile device of claim 42, wherein the processor-readable instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to select the function for execution using the indication of the function being executed by the second mobile device and the proximity data further comprises processor-readable instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:

select a subset of functions from a set of functions using the proximity data; and

select the function for execution from the subset of functions using the indication of the function being executed by the second mobile device.

44. The computer program product for selecting the function for execution on the mobile device of claim 42, wherein the processor-readable instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to select the function for execution using the indication of the function being executed by the second mobile device and the proximity data further comprises processor-readable instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:

select a subset of functions from a set of functions using the indication of the function being executed by the second mobile device; and

select the function for execution from the subset of functions using the proximity data.

45. The computer program product for selecting the function for execution on the mobile device of claim 42, wherein the processor-readable instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive the indication of the function being executed by the second mobile device further comprises processor-readable instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:

receive the indication via a peer-to-peer communication protocol.

46. An apparatus for selecting a function for execution by a mobile device, the apparatus comprising:

means for receiving an indication of the function being executed by a second mobile device;

means for collecting proximity data; and

means for selecting the function for execution using the indication of the function being executed by the second mobile device and the proximity data.

47. The apparatus for selecting the function for execution by the mobile device of claim 46, wherein the means for selecting the function for execution using the indication of the function being executed by the second mobile device and the proximity data comprises:

means for selecting a subset of functions from a set of functions using the proximity data; and

means for selecting the function for execution from the subset of functions using the indication of the function being executed by the second mobile device.

48. The apparatus for selecting the function for execution by the mobile device of claim 46, wherein the means for selecting the function for execution using the indication of the function being executed by the second mobile device and the proximity data comprises:

means for selecting a subset of functions from a set of functions using the indication of the function being executed by the second mobile device; and

means for selecting the function for execution from the subset of functions using the proximity data.

49. The apparatus for selecting the function for execution by the mobile device of claim 46, wherein the means for receiving the indication of the function being executed by the second mobile device comprises means for receiving the indication via a peer-to-peer communication protocol.

50. A method for selecting a function for execution by a mobile device, the method comprising:

collecting, by the mobile device, proximity data;

selecting, by the mobile device, a subset of functions from a set of functions using the proximity data; and

displaying, by the mobile device, indications of the subset of functions.

51. The method for selecting the function for execution by the mobile device of claim 50, wherein the subset of functions is selected from the set of functions based on each function of the subset of functions being associated with a position indicated by the proximity data.

52. The method for selecting the function for execution by the mobile device of claim 51, wherein the position is a grip position.

53. The method for selecting the function for execution by the mobile device of claim 52, wherein positions of the indications of the subset of functions are at least partially based on the grip position indicated by the proximity data.

54. The method for selecting the function for execution by the mobile device of claim 50, further comprising:

receiving, by the mobile device, a selection of the function from the subset of functions; and

executing the function in response to the selection.

55. A mobile device configured to select a function for execution, the mobile device comprising:

a proximity sensor;

a touch screen display;

a processor; and

a memory communicatively coupled with and readable by the processor and having stored therein processor-readable instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to;

receive proximity data from the proximity sensor;

select a subset of functions from a set of functions using the proximity data; and

display, via the display, indications of the subset of functions.

56. The mobile device configured to select the function for execution of claim 55, wherein the subset of functions is selected from the set of functions based on each function of the subset of functions being associated with a grip position indicated by the proximity data.

57. The mobile device configured to select the function for execution of claim 55, wherein the processor-readable instructions further comprise processor-readable instructions, which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:

receive a selection via the touch screen display of the function from the subset of functions; and

execute the function in response to the selection.

58. A computer program product for selecting a function for execution on a mobile device, the computer program product comprising processor-readable instructions, which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:

receive proximity data from a proximity sensor;

select a subset of functions from a set of functions using the proximity data; and

cause indications of the subset of functions to be displayed via a touch screen display.

59. The computer program product for selecting the function for execution on the mobile device of claim 58, wherein the subset of functions is selected from the set of functions based on each function of the subset of functions being associated with a grip position indicated by the proximity data.

60. The computer program product for selecting the function for execution on the mobile device of claim 58, wherein the processor-readable instructions further comprise processor-readable instructions, which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:

receive a selection via the touch screen display of the function from the subset of functions; and

execute the function in response to the selection.

61. An apparatus for selecting a function for execution by a mobile device, the apparatus comprising:

means for collecting proximity data;

means for selecting a subset of functions from a set of functions using the proximity data; and

means for displaying indications of the subset of functions.

62. The apparatus for selecting the function for execution by the mobile device of claim 61, wherein the subset of functions is selected from the set of functions based on each function of the subset of functions being associated with a grip position indicated by the proximity data.

63. The apparatus for selecting the function for execution by the mobile device of claim 61, further comprising:

means for receiving a selection of the function from the subset of functions; and

means for executing the function in response to the selection.