Abstract: In embodiments of display viewing detection, a presence module, implemented on an electronic device, enables a first sensor to detect an object responsive to detecting audio via one or more microphones of the electronic device. The first sensor generates data that is used by the presence module to determine that the object is within a viewing range of the electronic device and that movement of the object is below a predetermined threshold. The presence module then enables at least a second sensor to confirm the object is viewing a display of the electronic device. When the object is detected by the second sensor, the presence module enables the display for viewing by the object.

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. At least one proximity detector component can be operable with the one or more processors and can include a signal emitter and a corresponding signal receiver. The one or more processors can actuate the at least one proximity detector component when the at least one proximity sensor component receives the infrared emission from the object, thereby causing the signal emitter to transmit a beacon having a unique identifier encoded therein. The beacon allows the device to determine the number and identity of other devices or persons within a thermal detection radius.

Abstract: A method, electronic device, and accessory for carrying out functions based on reflected electromagnetic radiation are provided. According to one implementation, an electronic device transmits electromagnetic radiation (“EMR”) to an accessory and detects a reflection of the transmitted EMR off of the accessory. A characteristic of the reflected EMR maps to a predetermined function associated with the accessory, which the electronic device performs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing a nap mode on an electronic device includes an electronic device configured to monitor sleeping for a user of the electronic device during a sleep-monitoring time interval and determine a sleep quality score for the user based on the monitoring. When the sleep quality score is less than a threshold sleep quality score, the electronic device is configured to monitor for the user to be napping during a nap-monitoring time interval that is nonconcurrent with the sleep-monitoring time interval. The electronic device is further configured to detect during the nap-monitoring time interval that the user is napping and to initiate the nap mode on the electronic device in response to detecting the user is napping, wherein the nap mode includes disabling an audible alert on the electronic 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: Systems and methods are provided for controlling functions associated with a touch-sensitive device (100) capable of being worn by a user. The touch-sensitive device (100) includes a substrate (110) with an outside surface (112) and an inside surface (114) opposite from the outside surface (112). A first contact sensing component (120) generates a first signal upon detection of a first contact with the outside surface (112), and a second contact sensing component (130) generates a second signal upon detection of a second contact with the inside surface (114). A processor (140) may be configured to interface with the first contact sensing component (120) and the second contact sensing component (130) and perform operations including: analyzing the first signal and the second signal to determine that a predetermined condition is satisfied, and in response to the analyzing, initiating a function associated with the predetermined condition.

Abstract: An electronic system utilizes a method (500) for authenticating access to a multi-level secure environment. According embodiments, the system stores (501) fingerprint data for at least one authorized human user of the system. The fingerprint data for each authorized user includes copies of fingerprints for two or more fingers of the user. Some time after storing the fingerprint data, the system senses (503) one or more fingers of an individual who is attempting to use the system and compares (505) the sensed finger data to the stored fingerprint data. When at least some of the sensed finger data matches copies of fingerprints in the stored fingerprint data, the system determines (509) a quantity of matching fingerprints. The system then determines (525) a security level for the individual based on the quantity of matching fingerprints and provides access (527) to particular functionality of the system based on the determined security level.

Abstract: A method and system for identifying location of a touched body part. The method includes initializing a tracking system for monitoring travel of a pointer useful for indicating a touching operation, wherein the touching operation is performed on a body part. In addition, the method includes monitoring the travel of the pointer from a predetermined first location to a second location, wherein the second location coincides with a touch endpoint on a body part; and identifying the location of body part that was touched by the pointer.

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: A method in an electronic device includes determining, with at least one proximity sensor component proximately located with a fingerprint sensor, that an object is proximately located with the fingerprint sensor. In response to this, the method includes transitioning the fingerprint sensor from a low-power or sleep mode to an active mode of operation. The method then detects, with the fingerprint sensor, the object touching the fingerprint sensor. The method also detects, with the fingerprint sensor, an action of the object along the fingerprint sensor. The method then performs a control operation as a function of the action.

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 method and system for identifying location of a touched body part. The method includes initializing a tracking system for monitoring travel of a pointer useful for indicating a touching operation, wherein the touching operation is performed on a body part. In addition, the method includes monitoring the travel of the pointer from a predetermined first location to a second location, wherein the second location coincides with a touch endpoint on a body part; and identifying the location of body part that was touched by the pointer.

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 includes an infrared signal receiver to receive an infrared emission from an object external to the housing. At least one proximity detector component is also operable with the one or more processors and includes a signal emitter and corresponding signal receiver. The one or more processors can actuate the at least one proximity detector component when the at least one proximity sensor component receives the infrared emission from the object.

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 device includes a thermal infrared sensor and a processor, operatively coupled to the thermal IR sensor. The processor is configured to determine that the device has been successfully unlocked by a user using a security procedure, obtain a thermal signature for the user using thermal sensor data from the thermal infrared sensor, monitor proximity of the user to the device using the thermal signature and maintain the device unlocked if the thermal signature is detectable and is within the detection proximity of the thermal infrared sensor.

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: An electronic device includes a housing, one or more processors, and one or more proximity sensor components, each having an infrared signal receiver to receive an infrared emission from an object external to the housing. The proximity sensor component is disposed by a first aperture and a second aperture, the first aperture having a first axis oriented in a first direction and the second aperture having a second axis oriented in a second direction. Attenuation of infrared emissions can occur through one of the first aperture or the second aperture. The one or more processors can determine whether a received infrared emission is attenuated to detect whether the received infrared emission was received from the first direction or the second direction.

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 having a cumulative beam reception angle. The cumulative beam reception angle of any one proximity sensor component overlaps the cumulative beam reception angle of at least one other proximity sensor component. The one or more processors can detect whether a single person or a plurality of people are within a thermal reception radius of the electronic device. Where the single person is within the thermal reception radius, the one or more processors can operate the electronic device in a first mode of operation, and where the plurality of people are within the thermal reception radius, operate the electronic device in a second mode of operation.

Abstract: A system and method for sensing a user presence via thermal signature sensing employs adaptive filtering of a motion spectrum to discern a user presence signature over background thermal noise. In an embodiment, adaptive sub-band filters are applied within the motion spectrum, and a user presence is indicated by the presence of a thermal signature having at least a predetermined magnitude or profile within any searched sub-band. In an embodiment, a low pass filter is applied to search for a stationary presence if the sub-band search procedure does not yield a user thermal signature.

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.