INPUT DETECTION SYSTEM FOR A PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE
A proximity input detection system for an electronic device. In one embodiment, the present invention utilizes an inductive field sensor to detect a change in a magnetic field when an input device with a coil is within a threshold distance. In another embodiment, the present invention utilizes a capacitive sensor which can locate the position of an electrically conductive object which is within a threshold distance. The capacitive sensor can also be used, for example, as a switch to activate the device if a user picks it up. The present invention allows user inputs to be detected without actually touching the electronic device. The present invention can also be used to detect inputs through intervening non-metallic layers such as a protective cover or another display of the device without using additional input sensors.
1 . A portable electronic device comprising:
a housing;
a processor disposed within said housing;
a memory disposed within said housing;
a display device coupled with said housing;
a sensor disposed within said housing and operable to detect an object in proximity to said housing; and
wherein said processor is operable to initiate an operation responsive to a detection of said object by said sensor.
2 . The portable electronic device of claim 1 , wherein said sensor is a capacitive sensor.
3 . The portable electronic device of claim 1 , wherein said sensor is a MultiTouch sensor.
4 . The portable electronic device of claim 1 , wherein said object is selected from a group consisting of an electrically conductive material, a metal, a stylus, a hand of a user, and a finger of said user.
5 . The portable electronic device of claim 1 , wherein said object comprises a body part of a user, and wherein said sensor is further operable to detect a gesture made with said body part.
6 . The portable electronic device of claim 1 , wherein said sensor is further operable to detect said object in proximity to a portion of said housing outside of a display area associated with said display device.
7 . The portable electronic device of claim 1 , wherein said sensor is further operable to detect said object in proximity to a back portion of said housing.
8 . The portable electronic device of claim 1 , wherein said operation is selected from a group consisting of making said display device active, making said display device inactive, and changing a color of said display device.
9 . The portable electronic device of claim 1 , wherein said operation is selected from a group consisting of powering up said portable electronic device and powering down said portable electronic device.
10 . A method of operating a portable electronic device, said method comprising:
detecting, using a sensor of said portable electronic device, an object in proximity to a housing of said portable electronic device, wherein said portable electronic device further comprises a display device; and
initiating an operation in response to said detecting said object.
11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein said sensor is a capacitive sensor.
12 . The method of claim 10 , wherein said sensor is a MultiTouch sensor.
13 . The method of claim 10 , wherein said object is selected from a group consisting of an electrically conductive material, a metal, a stylus, a hand of a user, and a finger of said user.
14 . The method of claim 10 , wherein said object comprises a body part of a user, and wherein said detecting further comprises detecting a gesture made with said body part.
15 . The method of claim 10 , wherein said detecting further comprises detecting said object in proximity to a portion of said housing outside of a display area associated with said display device.
16 . The method of claim 10 , wherein said detecting further comprises detecting said object in proximity to a back portion of said housing.
17 . The method of claim 10 , wherein said operation is selected from a group consisting of making said display device active, making said display device inactive, and changing a color of said display device.
18 . The method of claim 10 , wherein said operation is selected from a group consisting of powering up said portable electronic device and powering down said portable electronic device.
19 . A portable electronic device comprising:
a housing;
a processor disposed within said housing;
a memory disposed within said housing;
a display device coupled with said housing;
a sensor disposed within said housing and operable to detect handling of said housing by a user; and
wherein said processor is operable to initiate an operation responsive to a detection of said handling of said housing.
20 . The portable electronic device of claim 19 , wherein said sensor is a capacitive sensor.
21 . The portable electronic device of claim 19 , wherein said sensor is a MultiTouch sensor.
22 . The portable electronic device of claim 19 , wherein said sensor is further operable to detect an object in proximity to said housing, and wherein said object is selected from a group consisting of an electrically conductive material, a metal, a stylus, a hand of a user, and a finger of said user.
23 . The portable electronic device of claim 22 , wherein said object comprises a body part of a user, and wherein said sensor is further operable to detect a gesture made with said body part.
24 . The portable electronic device of claim 22 , wherein said sensor is further operable to detect said object in proximity to a portion of said housing outside of a display area associated with said display device.
25 . The portable electronic device of claim 22 , wherein said sensor is further operable to detect said object in proximity to a back portion of said housing.
26 . The portable electronic device of claim 19 , wherein said operation is selected from a group consisting of making said display device active, making said display device inactive, and changing a color of said display device.
27 . The portable electronic device of claim 19 , wherein said operation is selected from a group consisting of powering up said portable electronic device and powering down said portable electronic device.