Abstract: A keypad with optical sensors is provided. The keypad comprises keycaps, each keycap having a top surface. One or more optical sensors are located beneath top surfaces of adjacent keycaps. One or more light guides extend from a respective optical sensor towards the top surfaces.

Abstract: A mobile device includes at least one speaker and an audio subsystem for providing an audio signal to the at least one speaker for playback by the at least one speaker. The audio subsystem operates by detecting a distance to a user of the mobile device using a proximity sensor and controlling volume output of the at least one speaker based on the distance to the user of the mobile device and the operational status of the proximity sensor. If it is determined that the proximity sensor is functional, the audio subsystem applies a gain factor to the audio signal that varies based on the distance to the user or limits the maximum allowable speaker output based on the distance. A high or low gain setting may be applied for when the user is far away or in close proximity to the mobile device.

Abstract: A light assembly for providing a notification light on an electronic device is described. The light assembly comprises a first light source for providing a background portion for the notification light, a second light source for providing a patterned portion for the notification light, and at least one pattern element to generate the pattern portion.

Abstract: A display arrangement includes a decoration layer, a light source underneath the decoration layer, and a lens layer arranged between the decoration layer and the light source. The decoration layer includes at least one void formed in the shape of a character when viewed from above. The lens layer is at least semi-transparent to permit transmission of light from the light source through the void. An optical structure is arranged in alignment with the void and is adapted to reduce intensity of the light in a peripheral region of the void so as to reduce a halo effect. The decoration layer may be formed as an external layer of a key or a button of a portable electronic device, or an outer casing of a portable electronic device.

Abstract: A light guide guides light from a light emitter that is adjacent to an aperture of an electronic device. The light is eventually emitted from the aperture, to thereby provide lighting. The light guide can include a plurality of prisms which can thereby permit reduction in the overall thickness of the electronic device.

Abstract: Systems and method to generate more readable modified images that are presented on electronic displays in bright ambient light, such as direct sunlight. Images normally presented in lower ambient light are modified to generate modified images that have higher contrast and that contain less information. For example, modified images contain pixels that are either “on” or “off” and may be inverted to present a black on white background image on the display. Some information, such as text fields or icons, is removed from the modified image to increase readability in bright ambient light. A backlight level of the display is also able to be increased in bright ambient light.

Abstract: A method is set forth for automatically adjusting keypad brightness on a mobile electronic device having a light sensor, a keypad and a backlight for the keypad, comprising obtaining light level samples from the light sensor, turning the backlight from off to on in the event a current light level sample is less than a threshold value below which backlight illumination becomes necessary in order to read the keypad, and from off to on after a predetermined time period in the event the current light level sample is greater than the threshold value.

Abstract: A light guide apparatus for an electronic device is described. The light guide apparatus includes a light guide having a first surface and an second surface; a light source, the light guide and the light source being arranged to couple light from the source into the light guide through the second surface of the light guide, the second surface and the light source defining a gap therebetween; and a reflector positioned above the light source and the light guide, and extending over at least a portion of the gap and at least a portion of the front surface of the light guide.

Abstract: A proximity sensor assembly including a light source, a first detector, and a first light focusing device. The light source is operative to emit light toward a first target area. The first detector is operative to detect light, including light emitted by the light source and reflected from the first target area. The first light focusing device is in a first optical path between the light source and the first detector. The first optical path includes an optical path from the light source and reflected from the first target area.

Abstract: A method is set forth for automatically adjusting display brightness on a mobile electronic device having a light sensor, display screen and orientation sensor, for legibility under varying lighting conditions and orientations of the device. The method includes obtaining light level samples from the light sensor, and orientation from the orientation sensor, and adjusting backlight intensity of the display responsive to the light level samples and orientation of the device. Preferably, backlight adjustments are made from dim to bright notwithstanding orientation of the device whereas adjustments from bright to dim are made only for orientations of the device where the light sensor is unlikely to be covered.

Abstract: A display arrangement includes a decoration layer, a light source underneath the decoration layer, and a lens layer arranged between the decoration layer and the light source. The decoration layer includes at least one void formed in the shape of a character when viewed from above. The lens layer is at least semi-transparent to permit transmission of light from the light source through the void. An optical structure is arranged in alignment with the void and is adapted to reduce intensity of the light in a peripheral region of the void so as to reduce a halo effect. The decoration layer may be formed as an external layer of a key or a button of a portable electronic device, or an outer casing of a portable electronic device.

Abstract: A method and system are set forth for automatically adjusting keypad luminance based on display content. In one embodiment, the method comprises calculating a lighting level based on ambient light; calculating a luminance level of an image on the display; setting a maximum lighting level to the luminance level of the image on the display; and in the event the calculated lighting level exceeds the maximum lighting level then selecting the maximum lighting level, and in the event the calculated lighting level does not exceed the maximum lighting level then selecting the calculated lighting level.

Abstract: A user input device for an electronic device includes an illumination source and image sensor module. A translucent layer is disposed above the illumination source and the image sensor module. The translucent layer includes at least a first set of patterns disposed thereon. A deformable layer is disposed above the translucent layer. The deformable layer includes at least a second set of patterns. The illumination source is configured to illuminate at least the portion of the translucent layer. The image sensor module includes a field of view that corresponds to at least a portion of the translucent layer. The image sensor module being configured to detect a third set of patterns when the first set of patterns and the second set of patterns are displaced with respect to each other.

Abstract: A light guide apparatus for an electronic device is described. The light guide apparatus includes a light guide having a first surface and an second surface; a light source, the light guide and the light source being arranged to couple light from the source into the light guide through the second surface of the light guide, the second surface and the light source defining a gap therebetween; and a reflector positioned above the light source and the light guide, and extending over at least a portion of the gap and at least a portion of the front surface of the light guide.

Abstract: A mobile device includes at least one speaker and an audio subsystem for providing an audio signal to the at least one speaker for playback by the at least one speaker. The audio subsystem operates by detecting a distance to a user of the mobile device using a proximity sensor and controlling volume output of the at least one speaker based on the distance to the user of the mobile device and the operational status of the proximity sensor. If it is determined that the proximity sensor is functional, the audio subsystem applies a gain factor to the audio signal that varies based on the distance to the user or limits the maximum allowable speaker output based on the distance. A high or low gain setting may be applied for when the user is far away or in close proximity to the mobile device.

Abstract: A light guide guides light from a light emitter that is adjacent to an aperture of an electronic device. The light is eventually emitted from the aperture, to thereby provide lighting. The light guide can include a plurality of prisms which can thereby permit reduction in the overall thickness of the electronic device.

Abstract: Systems and method to generate more readable modified images that are presented on electronic displays in bright ambient light, such as direct sunlight. Images normally presented in lower ambient light are modified to generate modified images that have higher contrast and that contain less information. For example, modified images contain pixels that are either “on” or “off” and may be inverted to present a black on white background image on the display. Some information, such as text fields or icons, is removed from the modified image to increase readability in bright ambient light. A backlight level of the display is also able to be increased in bright ambient light.

Abstract: A method of adjusting electromagnetic radiation transmitted by an optical element is described. The method includes sensing the electromagnetic radiation transmitted by the optical element to produce sensed electromagnetic radiation information, and adjusting the sensed electromagnetic radiation information to produce adjusted electromagnetic radiation information based on the a spectral transmission of the optical element.

Abstract: Concepts are described pertaining to controlling a brightness level of a display of a portable electronic device as a function of the ambient light, and controlling the display brightness level to accommodate human light or dark adaptation.

Abstract: A device is provided that includes an ambient light level sensor, a proximity sensing system, and a processor. The ambient light level sensor generates a signal as a function of an ambient light level at the device. The proximity sensing system comprises an emitter component. The processor is configured to receive the signal from the ambient light level sensor and to adjust an electrical current through the emitter component based on the signal.