Infrared reflection based cover detection
A system and method for improving power consumption by providing the ability to detect whether a cover is placed on top of Infrared, IR, touch device. While the cover is in the open state, a certain amount of the light transmitted by the IR transmitters is directed upward and away from the IR receivers in the device. When the cover is closed, this light is reflected off of the cover and is incident on the IR receivers. The system of the present invention recognizes this increased level of received IR light and determines that the cover is in a closed position. Having made such a determination that the cover is placed on the device, the device's power savings system can switch to an appropriate power saving mode.
1. A method for controlling a initiating a power saving mode on an electronic device, the electronic device having light emitters and light detectors for detecting the presence of an object on a screen of the electronic device, the method comprising:
operating the light emitters and light detectors;
establishing a baseline of light detected by the light detectors in the absence of an object on the screen and in the absence of a cover on the electronic device;
detecting a change in the light detected by the light detectors;
determining if the change in the light detected by the light detectors is an increase in the level of light;
if the change in detected light is an increase, determining if the increase is due to a cover being placed on the electronic device by determining if a predetermined number of light detectors detected an increase; and
if the increase is due to a cover being placed on the electronic device, initiating the entry of the power savings mode.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the act of determining if the increase is due to a cover being placed on the electronic device further comprises:
determining if the increase was detected for at least a predetermined amount of time.
3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the act of determining if the increase is due to a cover being placed on the electronic device further comprises:
determining if the increase in light detected by the predetermined number of light detectors was detected for at least a predetermined amount of time.
4. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:
if the change in detected light is a decrease, performing object detection processing.
5. A non-transitory computer-readable media comprising a plurality of instructions that, when executed by at least one electronic device, cause the at least one electronic device to:
operate the light emitters and light detectors;
establish a baseline of light detected by the light detectors in the absence of an object on the screen and in the absence of a cover on the electronic device;
detect a change in the light detected by the light detectors;
determine if the change in the light detected by the light detectors is an increase in the level of light;
if the change in detected light is an increase, determine if the increase is due to a cover being placed on the electronic device; and
if the increase is due to a cover being placed on the electronic device, initiate entry of the at least one electronic device into a power savings mode.
6. The non-transitory computer-readable media according to claim 5 , wherein the instructions further cause the at least one electronic device to:
determine if a predetermined number of light detectors detected an increase.
7. The non-transitory computer-readable media according to claim 5 , wherein the instructions further cause the at least one electronic device to:
determine if the increase was detected for at least a predetermined amount of time.
8. The non-transitory computer-readable media according to claim 5 , wherein the instructions further cause the at least one electronic device to
determine if a predetermined number of light detectors detected an increase; and
determine if the increase was detected for at least a predetermined amount of time.
9. A system for formatting and displaying content on an electronic device comprising:
a memory that includes instructions for operating the electronic device;
an orientation sensor;
a display screen;
a plurality of light emitting devices arrayed on the display screen;
a plurality of light detecting devices arrayed on the display screen opposite the light emitting devices; and
control circuitry coupled to the memory, coupled to the plurality of light emitting devices, coupled to the plurality of light detecting devices, and coupled to the display screen, the control circuitry executing the instructions and is operable to:
detect a first orientation of the electronic device using the orientation sensor;
operate the light emitters and light detectors;
establish a baseline of light detected by the light detectors in the absence of an object on the screen and in the absence of a cover on the electronic device;
detect a change in the light detected by the light detectors;
determine if the change in the light detected by the light detectors is an increase in the level of light;
if the change in detected light is an increase, determine if the increase is due to a cover being placed on the electronic device; and
if the increase is due to a cover being placed on the electronic device, initiate entry of the at least one electronic device into a power savings mode.
10. The system according to claim 9 , wherein the control circuitry executing the instructions and is further operable to:
determine if a predetermined number of light detectors detected an increase.
11. The system according to claim 9 , wherein the control circuitry executing the instructions and is further operable to:
determine if the increase was detected for at least a predetermined amount of time.
12. The system according to claim 9 , wherein the control circuitry executing the instructions and is further operable to:
determine if a predetermined number of light detectors detected an increase; and
determine if the increase was detected for at least a predetermined amount of time.