Proximity and multi-touch sensor detection and demodulation
The use of one or more proximity sensors in combination with one or more touch sensors in a multi-touch panel to detect the presence of a finger, body part or other object and control or trigger one or more functions in accordance with an “image” of touch provided by the sensor outputs is disclosed. In some embodiments, one or more infrared (IR) proximity sensors can be driven with a specific stimulation frequency and emit IR light from one or more areas, which can in some embodiments correspond to one or more multi-touch sensor “pixel” locations. The reflected IR signal, if any, can be demodulated using synchronous demodulation. In some embodiments, both physical interfaces (touch and proximity sensors) can be connected to analog channels in the same electrical core.
1. An electronic device comprising:
a first input device configured to detect a presence of an object;
a second input device capable of switching between a normal power mode and a reduced power mode; and
a processor in communication with the first input device and the second input device and configured to switch the second input device to the reduced power mode based on a detection of the presence of the object by the first input device.
2. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the first input device comprises a proximity sensor configured to detect the presence of the object.
3. The electronic device of claim 2 , wherein the first input device comprises a keyboard.
4. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured such that the presence of the object is detected by the first input device without the first input device receiving any operation-specific input.
5. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the reduced power mode of the second input device comprises an off mode.
6. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the second input device comprises a proximity sensor configured to detect the presence of an object.
7. The electronic device of claim 6 , wherein the processor is further configured to turn off the first input device when the presence of the object is detected by the second input device.
8. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the second input device comprises a touch panel, and wherein the normal power mode of the second input device is a touch-enabled mode and the reduced power mode of the second input device is a touch-disabled mode.
9. A method of reducing power consumption by an electronic device, the electronic device comprising a first input device and a second input device, the method comprising:
detecting, by the first input device, a presence of an object; and
switching the second input device from a normal power mode to a reduced power mode in response to a detection of the presence of the object by the first input device.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the first input device comprises a proximity sensor and detecting the presence of the object comprises detecting the object's proximity to the first input device.
11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the first input device comprises a touch sensor and detecting the user's presence comprises detecting the user touching the first input device.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the presence of the object is detected by the first input device without the first input device receiving any operation-specific input.
13. The method of claim 9 , wherein the reduced power mode of the second input device comprises an off mode.
14. A method performed by an electronic device comprising a first input device and a second input device, the method comprising:
detecting a presence of an object from data captured by either the first input device or the second input device; and
disabling the other of the first input device and the second input device in response to the detected object presence.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the data captured by either the first input device or the second input device comprises either proximity data or touch data.
16. An apparatus for reducing power consumption by an electronic device, comprising:
first means for detecting a presence of an object;
second means for switching between a normal power mode and a reduced power mode; and
means for switching the second means from the normal power mode to the reduced power mode in response to a detection of the presence of the object by the first means.
17. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the first means comprises a proximity sensor and detecting the presence of the object comprises detecting the object's proximity to the first means.
18. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the first means comprises a touch sensor and detecting the presence of the object comprises detecting the object touching the first means.
19. The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the presence of the object is detected by the first means without the first means receiving any operation-specific input.
20. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the reduced power mode of the second means comprises an off mode.