Sensing proximity utilizing a wireless radio subsystem
In particular embodiments, a wireless communications device includes an RF transceiver, a plurality of antennas coupled to the transceiver, and processing circuitry. The device may transmit an RF reference signal using the RF transceiver. When the RF reference signal is reflected back from each of the plurality of antennas, the device may determine at least one characteristic of the RF reference signal (e.g., amplitude, phase, dispersion, waveform shape, or distortion). The device may then characterize at least one aspect of the environment around the device based on the characteristic and control a function of the device based on the at least one aspect. For example, the device may detect that an object (e.g., a hand or other body part) is approaching the device but not yet in contact with the device and activate a first feature of the device based on the characterization.
1. A wireless communications device comprising:
an RF transceiver;
a touch sensor;
a plurality of antennas coupled to the transceiver; and
processing circuitry coupled to the RF transceiver and the touch sensor, the processing circuitry configured to:
cause the RF transceiver to transmit an RF reference signal;
determine at least one characteristic of the RF reference signal reflected back from each of the plurality of antennas; and
control at least one function of the device, by:
based on the at least one determined characteristic, characterizing at least one aspect of an environment around the device to determine that an object is approaching the device;
based on determining that the object is approaching the device, activating a first feature of the device, wherein the first feature is activated prior to the object being in contact with the device; and
activating a second feature of the device based on a signal received from the touch sensor indicating that the object is in contact with the device.
2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one characteristic includes at least one of:
amplitude;
phase;
dispersion;
waveform shape; or
distortion.
3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one aspect includes at least one of:
the presence or absence of the object;
the distance of the object from the device;
the location of the object relative to the device;
movement of the object relative to the device;
orientation of the object relative to the device;
a disposition of the device; or
a time-of-flight measurement of the object to the device.
4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the object includes a body part.
5. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a motion sensor, wherein a third feature of the device is activated upon detecting that the device is in motion while the object is in contact with the device.
6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first feature comprises downloading information or content to the device, the information or content comprising email, newsfeed items, images, videos, links, music, communications, articles, or blogs.
7. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first feature comprises reducing a volume of a sound generated by the device.
8. The device of claim 1 , wherein the second feature comprises illuminating a display screen of the device.
9. The device of claim 1 , wherein the second feature comprises muting a sound generated by the device.
10. A method comprising:
transmitting, by an RF transceiver of a wireless communications device, an RF reference signal;
determining, by a processor of the device, at least one characteristic of the RF reference signal reflected back from each of a plurality of antennas coupled to the transceiver; and
controlling, by the processor, at least one function of the device, by:
based on the at least one determined characteristic, characterizing at least one aspect of an environment around the device to determine that an object is approaching the device;
based on determining that the object is approaching the device, activating a first feature of the device, wherein the first feature is activated prior to the object being in contact with the device; and
activating a second feature of the device based on a signal received from a touch sensor of the device, the signal indicating that the object is in contact with the device.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the at least one aspect includes at least one of:
the presence or absence of the object;
the distance of the object from the device;
the location of the object relative to the device;
movement of the object relative to the device;
orientation of the object relative to the device;
a disposition of the device; or
a time-of-flight measurement of the object to the device.
12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the object includes a body part.
13. The method of claim 10 , further comprising:
detecting, by a motion sensor of the device, that the device is in motion while the object is in contact with the device; and
activating a third feature of the device.
14. The method of claim 10 , wherein the at least one characteristic includes at least one of:
amplitude;
phase;
dispersion;
waveform shape; or
distortion.
15. The method of claim 10 , wherein the first feature comprises downloading information or content to the device, the information or content comprising email, newsfeed items, images, videos, links, music, communications, articles, or blogs.
16. The method of claim 10 , wherein the first feature comprises reducing a volume of a sound generated by the device.
17. The method of claim 10 , wherein the second feature comprises illuminating a display screen of the device.
18. The method of claim 10 , wherein the second feature comprises muting a sound generated by the device.
19. One or more computer-readable non-transitory storage media embodying software that is operable when executed to:
transmit, by an RF transceiver of a wireless communications device, an RF reference signal;
determine, by a processor of the device, at least one characteristic of the RF reference signal reflected back from each of a plurality of antennas coupled to the transceiver; and
control, by the processor, at least one function of the device, by:
based on the at least one determined characteristic, characterizing at least one aspect of an environment around the device to determine that an object is approaching the device;
based on determining that the object is approaching the device, activating a first feature of the device, wherein the first feature is activated prior to the object being in contact with the device; and
activating a second feature of the device based on a signal received from a touch sensor of the device, the signal indicating that the object is in contact with the device.
20. The media of claim 19 , wherein the at least one characteristic includes at least one of:
amplitude;
phase;
dispersion;
waveform shape; or
distortion.
21. The media of claim 19 , wherein the at least one aspect includes at least one of:
the presence or absence of the object;
the distance of the object from the device;
the location of the object relative to the device;
movement of the object relative to the device;
orientation of the object relative to the device;
a disposition of the device; or
a time-of-flight measurement of the object to the device.
22. The media of claim 19 , wherein the object includes a body part.
23. The media of claim 19 , wherein the software is further operable when executed to:
detect, by a motion sensor of the device, that the device is in motion while the object is in contact with the device; and
activate a third feature of the device.
24. The media of claim 19 , wherein the first feature comprises downloading information or content to the device, the information or content comprising email, newsfeed items, images, videos, links, music, communications, articles, or blogs.
25. The media of claim 19 , wherein the first feature comprises reducing a volume of a sound generated by the device.
26. The media of claim 19 , wherein the second feature comprises illuminating a display screen of the device.
27. The media of claim 19 , wherein the second feature comprises muting a sound generated by the device.