Proximity sensor
View Patent ↗In one embodiment, a method includes monitoring detection by a sensing element of a key touch on a touch screen; determining an amount of time that has elapsed since the sensing element last detected a change of capacitance indicative of a key touch on the touch screen; and, if the amount of time that has elapsed exceeds a predetermined time duration, then initiating a particular function of an apparatus.
1. An apparatus comprising:
a sensing element; and
one or more computer-readable non-transitory storage media embodying logic that is operable when executed to:
determine an amount of time that has elapsed since the sensing element last detected a change of capacitance indicative of an object being in proximity to the sensing element; and
if the amount of time that has elapsed exceeds a predetermined time duration, then initiate a particular function of the apparatus.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the particular function comprises deactivation of measurement of changes in capacitance by the sensing element.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the particular function comprises recalibration of measurement of changes in capacitance by the sensing element.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the logic is further operable to calculate the predetermined time duration based on one of a plurality of power supply voltages or an output voltage of the sensing element.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the logic is further operable to calculate the predetermined time duration based on one of a plurality of delay multipliers determined by a polarity of a voltage pulse.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the particular function comprises turning off the apparatus.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a control circuit.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the sensing element comprises a pattern of electrodes within a touch screen, the electrodes being coupled to the control circuit.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the electrodes comprise indium tin oxide (ITO).
10. A method comprising:
monitoring, by a control circuit, capacitance measurements of a sensing element of an apparatus;
determining an amount of time that has elapsed since the sensing element last detected a change of capacitance indicative of an object being in proximity to the sensing element; and
if the amount of time that has elapsed exceeds a predetermined time duration, then initiating a particular function of the apparatus.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the particular function comprises deactivating measurement of changes in capacitance by the sensing element.
12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the particular function comprises recalibrating measurement of changes in capacitance by the sensing element.
13. The method of claim 10 , further comprising calculating the predetermined time duration based on one of a plurality of power supply voltages or an output voltage of the sensing element.
14. The method of claim 10 , further comprising calculating the predetermined time duration based on one of a plurality of delay multipliers determined by a polarity of a voltage pulse.
15. The method of claim 10 , wherein the particular function comprises turning off power to the apparatus.
16. A computer-readable non-transitory storage media embodying logic that is operable when executed to:
monitor capacitance measurements of a sensing element of an apparatus;
determine an amount of time that has elapsed since the sensing element last detected a change of capacitance indicative of an object being in proximity to the sensing element; and
if the amount of time that has elapsed exceeds a predetermined time duration, then initiate a particular function of the apparatus.
17. The media of claim 16 , wherein the particular function comprises deactivation of measurement of changes in capacitance by the sensing element.
18. The media of claim 16 , wherein the particular function comprises recalibration of measurement of changes in capacitance by the sensing element.
19. The media of claim 16 , wherein the logic is further operable to calculate the predetermined time duration based on one of a plurality of power supply voltages or an output voltage of the sensing element.
20. The media of claim 16 , wherein the logic is further operable to calculate the predetermined time duration based on one of a plurality of delay multipliers determined by a polarity of a voltage pulse.