Abstract: The present invention relates to a proximity detection system and method for a computer or similar device. The computer includes at least two transducer units being capable of transmitting acoustic signals identifying the transducer within a predetermined frequency range. The transducer units are positioned at a distance from each other in said device, and at least one receiving transducer is capable of receiving acoustic signals within said frequency range and recognizing the transducer identification. The system is configured to measure the distance between each transducer unit and a reflecting object based on the transmitted and received signals based on the measured propagation time. The system is further configured to activate each of the transducer units and comparing the measured distance from each transducer unit thus calculating the direction of a reflecting object, and at the detecting of an object within a predetermined range of direction providing an activation signal to the device.

Abstract: The present teachings relate to an electronic device comprising: a first module for generating an audio signal; a second module for generating an ultrasonic signal; a mixer for generating a combined signal; a transmitter for outputting an acoustic signal dependent upon the combined signal; and, a processing means for controlling the ultrasonic signal; wherein, in response to receiving a first instruction signal for initiating the ultrasonic signal, the processing means is configured to increase the amount of the ultrasonic signal in the combined signal from an essentially zero value to a predetermined value over a predetermined enable time-period.

Abstract: The present teachings relate to an electronic device comprising: a first module for generating an audio signal; a second module for generating an ultrasonic signal; a mixer for generating a combined signal; a transmitter for outputting an acoustic signal dependent upon the combined signal; and, a processing means for controlling the ultrasonic signal; wherein, in response to receiving a first instruction signal for initiating the ultrasonic signal, the processing means is configured to increase the amount of the ultrasonic signal in the combined signal from an essentially zero value to a predetermined value over a predetermined enable time-period.

Abstract: Present teachings relate to a method for proximity detection on an electronic device, the method comprising the steps of: performing a first measurement using a first sensor; calculating, using a processing unit, a first distance value from the first measurement; the first distance value being indicative of the distance between a user and the electronic device; in response to the first distance value, through the processing unit, adapting an energy level on the electronic device, said energy level being related to the Specific Absorption Rate (“SAR”), such that predefined SAR requirements due to exposure of emitted energy from the electronic device are met. The present teaching further relate to an electronic device comprising a measurement system configured to control an energy level on the electronic device, said energy level being related to the Specific Absorption Rate (“SAR”). The present teachings also relate to a computer software product for implementing any method steps disclosed herein.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for detection of an object in proximity to an electronic device, which method comprises the steps of: —producing, via the processing unit using one or more parameters relating to a loudspeaker, a controlled audio signal; —amplifying using an amplifier at least said controlled audio signal, thereby producing an amplified audio signal at an amplifier output; wherein an amplitude of the controlled audio signal is such that the amplified audio signal is less than or equal to an amplitude determined to be safe for the loudspeaker in view of the one or more parameters, —analyzing at least one of said one or more parameters relating to the loudspeaker to detect a change in response of the loudspeaker; the change in response being caused by an object that is present in the acoustical path of the loudspeaker, —determining, based upon the analysis whether the object is located in close proximity to the electronic device.

Abstract: The present teachings relate to a proximity detection system for an electronic device comprising a transmitter and a receiver, the transmitter being arranged to transmit a signal, at least some portion of which is directed towards an object, and the receiver being arranged to receive a reflected signal, the reflected signal being a portion of the signal reflected from the object, wherein the system comprises a first processing unit configured to, load and execute an engine for controlling the transmission of the signal, and extracting one or more parameters related to the object from the reflected signal; wherein the system further comprises a second processing unit configured to receive sensor data from other sensors in the electronic device; and transmit the sensor data to the engine, wherein the engine is configured to generate a proximity event by analyzing at least one of the one or more parameters, and at least some of the sensor data.

Abstract: An electronic device comprises a speaker protection module (36) arranged to receive an audio signal (22) and to use one or more parameters relating to a loudspeaker to produce a controlled audio signal (34). An amplifier (40) is arranged to amplify the controlled audio signal to produce an amplified audio signal (24, 26) which is passed to the loudspeaker. The amplitude of the controlled audio signal (34) is such that the amplified audio signal (24, 26) is less than or equal to an amplitude determined to be safe for the loudspeaker in view of the one or more parameters. An ultrasound generator (16) is arranged to generate an ultrasound signal (30) that is mixed (32) with the controlled audio signal (34) before the controlled audio signal (34) is passed to the amplifier (40). The ultrasound generator (16) is capable of producing said ultrasound signal at a plurality of frequencies.

Abstract: A system for detecting a user input to a device comprises a display arrangement (4) arranged to provide a display (20) on a surface. An optical proximity sensing arrangement (6, 8) is configured to produce touch information relating to whether an input object is within a threshold distance of the surface. An acoustic position sensing arrangement (10, 12, 14, and 16) configured to produce position information relating to a position of the input object on the surface. A processing arrangement configured to determine an input to the device from the position information only when it determines from the touch information that the input object is within the threshold distance of the surface.

Abstract: Present teachings relate to a method for determining the proximity of an object to an electronic device, the electronic device comprising an ultrasonic sensor and a second sensor, which ultrasonic sensor comprising at least one ultrasonic transmitter and at least one ultrasonic receiver, which method comprising the steps of: transmitting from the ultrasonic transmitter an ultrasonic signal; receiving at the ultrasonic receiver an ultrasonic response signal; determining an ultrasonic response by processing the ultrasonic response signal using a processor; determining a sensor response by processing a second signal using a processor, said second signal being generated by the second sensor; configuring via the processor a power level of a second ultrasonic signal transmitted from the ultrasonic transmitter in response to the ultrasonic response meeting a first criterion, and the sensor response meeting a second criterion.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method as well as a computer product, system and device for controlling the frequency range of an emitted ultrasound signal from a device. The device includes a number of acoustic transducers, the method including the step of generating an electronic signal within a predetermined frequency range in the time domain, convolving the said electronic signal with a time envelope function thus providing an emission signal. The time envelop function is calculated based on a transformation of the predetermined frequency range of the emitted signal into the time domain, the emitted acoustic signal being generated by the emission signal.

Abstract: An electronic device (1) such as a cell phone, or a proximity detector for an electronic device (1), has an ultrasound transmitter (5), an ultrasound receiver (6), and a processing system. It transmits an ultrasonic sine-wave signal from the transmitter (5), and receives the ultrasonic sine-wave signal, through air, at the receiver (6). It detects when the frequency of the transmitted signal and a frequency of the received signal satisfy a predetermined difference criterion, and uses this to determine whether to disable or enable a touch or touchless input (2) on the device (1).

Abstract: An electronic device (202) includes an ultrasonic proximity sensor arrangement comprising an ultrasonic transmitter (4) and an ultrasonic receiver (6) recessed from a front surface (208) of the device. A barrier (218) extends between the transmitter and receiver in the direction of the front surface of the device. The ultrasonic proximity sensor arrangement is arranged to determine proximity of an object (16) to said front surface based on a signal (214) received by the ultrasonic receiver, wherein the received signal is a reflection from said object of a signal transmitted from the ultrasonic transmitter.

Abstract: A method for controlling content on a display of an electronic device includes emitting from an ultrasound transducer located in the electronic device, a first ultrasound signal at least some portion of which is directed towards the user. The method also includes receiving a second ultrasound signal at a receiver transducer located in the electronic device. The second ultrasound signal includes a portion constituted by a the first ultrasound signal being reflected from the user face. The method also includes computing a distance between the user and the electronic device using acoustic measurements involving at least one acoustic transducer. The electronic device includes a memory storing at least two sets of predetermined display features. The electronic device is set to display a first set when the distance between the electronic device and the user is above at least one chosen threshold and the second set of display features when the distance is less than the threshold.

Abstract: A portable electronic device comprises means 4 for transmitting ultrasonic signals 8, means 6 for receiving ultrasonic signals 12 reflected from an input object 10, and means for processing received ultrasonic signals to determine an input to the device. The device is configured to reduce the transmission power of the ultrasonic signals transmitted by the transmitting means in the event that: the device determines that a reflection 16 from an object 14 other than the input object meets a predetermined criterion; or if an event is detected which indicates that the user is or will be using a function of the device which does not support touchless interaction.

Abstract: A method of operating a touchless user interface on an electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device is configured to determine information regarding the position and/or movement of an input object. The method has the steps of: deciding that an engagement gesture has been performed; deciding that a related input gesture has been performed; and carrying out an operation on the device on the basis of the input gesture only if the engagement gesture has been recognized and if the input gesture is one of a subset of possible input gestures determined by the engagement gesture.

Abstract: A portable communications device comprises an interactive touchscreen display (20) having a transparent outer surface member occupying substantially all of a front surface of the communications device. A casing provides a rear surface of the communications device. The device further comprises an audible sound transmitter and an audible sound receiver arranged so as to receive vocal sounds produced by a user when the device is placed against the user's head. An ultrasonic transmitter (24) is separate from the audible sound transmitter. An elongate aperture (28) has a minimum dimension less than 100 ?m located between the transparent outer surface member and the casing. A channel connects the elongate aperture and the ultrasonic transmitter so as to permit ultrasonic signals to pass out of the elongate aperture.

Abstract: A method for controlling content on a display of an electronic device includes emitting from an ultrasound transducer located in the electronic device, a first ultrasound signal at least some portion of which is directed towards the user. The method also includes receiving a second ultrasound signal at a receiver transducer located in the electronic device. The second ultrasound signal includes a portion constituted by a the first ultrasound signal being reflected from the user face. The method also includes computing a distance between the user and the electronic device using acoustic measurements involving at least one acoustic transducer. The electronic device includes a memory storing at least two sets of predetermined display features. The electronic device is set to display a first set when the distance between the electronic device and the user is above at least one chosen threshold and the second set of display features when the distance is less than the threshold.

Abstract: A system includes first and second handheld devices. The first device transmits an acoustic signal, and the acoustic signal is reflected from an input object. The second device receives a received signal derived from a reflection of the acoustic signal from the input object. The second device determines information about the location or motion of the input object based on the received signal, and thereby detects a gesture performed by the input object.

Abstract: An electronic device comprising a touch-sensitive surface and a touchless detecting system for detecting movement of a finger towards the surface. The device is configured to associate said movement with a predicted touch on said surface and to issue a report of said predicted touch.

Abstract: A method alerts a user of a first device to the presence of a second device which can interact with the first device. The method includes using an ultrasonic signal transmitted by one of the devices to determine whether the first device is within a threshold distance of the second device. If the first device is determined to be within the threshold distance of the second device, a notification is triggered on the first device.