Abstract: Techniques described herein provide modifications to a communication session based on a proximity context. Various implementations establish a communication session between a local communication device and a remote communication device. In response to establishing the communication session, one or more implementations determine a proximity context associated with an area around the local device, such as by detecting a proximity of various objects to the local device. Upon determining the proximity context, various embodiments alter various operating parameters associated the communication session, such as by reducing a speaker volume and/or announcing the presence of a person within proximity to the local device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selecting between multiple gesture recognition systems includes an electronic device determining a context of operation for the electronic device that affects a gesture recognition function performed by the electronic device. The electronic device also selects, based on the context of operation, one of a plurality of gesture recognition systems in the electronic device as an active gesture recognition system for receiving gesturing input to perform the gesture recognition function, wherein the plurality of gesture recognition systems comprises an image-based gesture recognition system and a non-image-based gesture recognition system.

Abstract: Techniques described herein provide modifications to a communication session based on a proximity context. Various implementations establish a communication session between a local communication device and a remote communication device. In response to establishing the communication session, one or more implementations determine a proximity context associated with an area around the local device, such as by detecting a proximity of various objects to the local device. Upon determining the proximity context, various embodiments alter various operating parameters associated the communication session, such as by reducing a speaker volume and/or announcing the presence of a person within proximity to the local device.

Abstract: Techniques described herein provide modifications to a communication session based on a proximity context. Various implementations establish a communication session between a local communication device and a remote communication device. In response to establishing the communication session, one or more implementations determine a proximity context associated with an area around the local device, such as by detecting a proximity of various objects to the local device. Upon determining the proximity context, various embodiments alter various operating parameters associated the communication session, such as by reducing a speaker volume and/or announcing the presence of a person within proximity to the local device.

Abstract: An electronic device includes one or more processors, a motion detector, a temperature sensor, and/or one or more proximity sensor components. The one or more processors can detect the electronic device is disposed within a pocket. This can be done as a function of at least motion of the electronic device, an absence of finger touch along a housing of the electronic device, and an approximately common temperature occurring at both a first end of the electronic device and a second end of the electronic device. When the electronic device is detected in-pocket, the one or more processors can perform a control operation.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing and a user interface. One or more processors are operable with the user interface. The user interface includes a touch sensor that includes a fingerprint sensor and at least one proximity sensor component. The proximity sensor component can be collocated with a thermally conductive band circumscribing the fingerprint sensor, or can be concentrically located with the fingerprint sensor. The proximity sensor component can actuate the fingerprint sensor upon receiving an infrared emission from an object external to the housing. The fingerprint sensor or proximity sensor component can then be optionally used to control the electronic device.

Abstract: Techniques described herein provide modifications to a communication session based on a proximity context. Various implementations establish a communication session between a local communication device and a remote communication device. In response to establishing the communication session, one or more implementations determine a proximity context associated with an area around the local device, such as by detecting a proximity of various objects to the local device. Upon determining the proximity context, various embodiments alter various operating parameters associated the communication session, such as by reducing a speaker volume and/or announcing the presence of a person within proximity to the local device.

Abstract: A display system includes a display and a control circuit operable with the display. The display is configured to provide visual output having a presentation orientation. When user input is received, the control circuit can alter the presentation orientation from an initial orientation in response to user input. When non-user events or device events are detected, the control circuit can revert the presentation orientation to the initial orientation in response to the non-user event or device event. Where the presentation orientation has a user input configuration associated therewith, the user input configuration can either be altered with the presentation orientation or retained in an initial disposition.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices for a gesture-enabled tool that enables a user to assemble a data bundle using a single continuous gesture to select items for the data bundle from a plurality of menus or lists and to deliver the data bundle to a recipient as part of the single continuous gesture.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selecting between multiple gesture recognition systems includes an electronic device determining a context of operation for the electronic device that affects a gesture recognition function performed by the electronic device. The electronic device also selects, based on the context of operation, one of a plurality of gesture recognition systems in the electronic device as an active gesture recognition system for receiving gesturing input to perform the gesture recognition function, wherein the plurality of gesture recognition systems comprises an image-based gesture recognition system and a non-image-based gesture recognition system.

Abstract: A system and method for iris authentication in an electronic device employ an array of steered gesture recognition IR (infrared) LEDs (light emitting diodes) to provide illumination suited for each of a number of device operational modes. The gesture recognition IR LEDs are steered via mirror steering in an embodiment. One or more device operational state sensors detect user contact, device orientation, and device motion to determine the device operational mode and the gesture recognition IR LEDs are steered in accordance with the determined mode.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing, a user interface, and one or more processors operable with the user interface. At least one proximity sensor component is operable with the one or more processors and can include an infrared signal receiver to receive an infrared emission from an object external to the housing. The one or more processors can be operable to actuate one or more user interface devices when the infrared signal receiver receives the infrared emission from an object external to the housing. The actuation can be a function of distance, in accordance with a prioritization, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: An electronic device is able to alter one or more settings of its imager based on the motion of a user that the device is attempting to authenticate. The electronic device, in one implementation, captures a first set of image data of the user (e.g., a video or still photo of the user), detects motion of the user, alters a setting of the imager based on the motion, captures a second set of image data of the user, and authenticates the user based on the second set of image data. In some implementations, the electronic device has multiple imagers, and activates one or more additional imagers based on the detected motion of the user.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing and one or more processors. At least one proximity sensor component is operable with the one or more processors and can include an infrared signal receiver to receive an infrared emission from an object external to the housing. The one or more processors can operate the at least one proximity sensor component at a first sensitivity until the infrared signal receiver receives the infrared emission from the object, and then operate the at least one proximity sensor component at a second sensitivity after the infrared signal receiver receives the infrared emission from the object. A motion detector can be actuated when the infrared signal receiver receives the infrared emission from the object at the first distance.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing and one or more processors. At least one proximity sensor component is operable with the one or more processors and can include an infrared signal receiver to receive an infrared emission from an object external to the housing. The one or more processors can receive, with a communication circuit, an incoming communication from a remote communication device and determine whether a person is within a thermal reception radius of the at least one proximity sensor component. Where the person is not within the thermal reception radius, the one or more processors can perform a control operation in response to receiving the incoming communication.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing and a user interface. One or more processors are operable with the user interface. The user interface includes a touch sensor that includes a fingerprint sensor and at least one proximity sensor component. The proximity sensor component can be collocated with a thermally conductive band circumscribing the fingerprint sensor, or can be concentrically located with the fingerprint sensor. The proximity sensor component can actuate the fingerprint sensor upon receiving an infrared emission from an object external to the housing. The fingerprint sensor or proximity sensor component can then be optionally used to control the electronic device.

Abstract: A user device can include finger print sensor, a thermopile, and a housing. The finger print sensor can be configured to sense a finger print of a user of the apparatus. The thermopile, proximate to the finger print sensor, can be configured to sense a change in thermal energy from the user proximate to the finger print sensor. The housing can include a thermal path for the thermal energy from the user to reach the thermopile. The thermopile can trigger a configuration change of at least one of a hardware element of the apparatus and a software application executing on the apparatus in response to the thermopile sensing the change in the thermal energy.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing. One or more processors are operable with a plurality of proximity sensor components that can be disposed behind a grille defining a plurality of reception beams with at least a first reception beam oriented at least partially in a first direction and at least a second reception beam oriented at least partially in a second direction. The one or more processors can detect a person is within a thermal reception radius along the first direction, and can determine whether another person is within the thermal reception radius along the second direction. Where only the person is within the thermal reception radius, the electronic device can operate in a first mode of operation. When the person and another person are within the thermal reception radius, the electronic device can operate in a second mode of operation.

Abstract: A user device can include a first thermopile, a second thermopile, a housing, and a controller. The first thermopile can be configured to sense a change in thermal energy from a user of the apparatus. The second thermopile can be configured to sense the change in the thermal energy from the user of the user device. The housing can include a thermal path for the thermal energy from the user to reach the first and second thermopiles. The first and second thermopiles can be diagonally positioned from each other relative to the housing. The controller can be coupled to the first and second thermopiles. The controller can be configured to change a configuration of at least one of a hardware element of the apparatus and a software application executing on the user device in response to coordinated sensing by the first and second thermopiles of the change in the thermal energy.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for detecting presence and motion by an electronic device are disclosed. In an example device, the device includes a housing defining an opening, an infrared (“IR”) sensor located within the housing and generating an indication signal when the IR sensor detects an IR signal. The example device may further include a mirror disposed within the housing and having an unobstructed path and line of sight to outside of the electronic device via the opening and oriented to direct the first IR signal towards the IR sensor.