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: Present teachings relate to a method for controlling a service running at least partially on an electronic device, the method comprising the steps of: —Determining, using a proximity sensor in the electronic device, a first parameter indicative of the physical distance between the electronic device and a user; and—Adapting at least one operation of the electronic device dependent upon the first parameter.

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 controlling an electronic device comprising a touch-sensitive surface and a proximity sensor, comprising the steps of:—Changing the device from a screen-on state to a near state in response to a near event being detected by the proximity sensor and the near event occurs when an input object is determined to be in proximity of the electronic device by the proximity sensor;—While the device is in the near state, processing a first category touch event, and in response to the processing of the first category touch event, performing at least one function on the electronic device;—While the device is in the near state, ignoring a second category touch event, wherein the second category touch event is distinct from the first category touch event.

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: Approaches are described which enable a computing device (e.g., mobile phone, tablet computer) to display alternate views or layers of information within a window on the display screen when a user's finger (or other object) is detected to be within a particular range of the display screen of the device. For example, a device displaying a road map view on the display screen may detect a user's finger near the screen and, in response to detecting the finger, render a small window that shows a portion of a satellite view of the map proximate to the location of the user's finger. As the user's finger moves laterally above the screen, the window can follow the location of the user's finger and display the satellite views of the various portions of the map over which the user's finger passes.

Abstract: Present teachings relate to a method for initiating an authentication process on an electronic device, the method comprising transmitting an ultrasound signal from an ultrasound transmitter, generating a measured signal by receiving at an ultrasound receiver an echo of the ultrasound signal being reflected by an object, analyzing the echo by processing the measured signal, and initiating the authentication process on the electronic device based on the processing of the measured signal. The present teachings also relate to a method for maintaining an authenticated state of an object. The present teachings also relate to an electronic device comprising an ultrasound system for initiating an authenticating process. The present teaching also relate to an electronic device comprising an ultrasound system for retaining an authenticated state of an object. The present teachings also relate to a computer software product for implementing any method steps disclosed herein.

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: 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 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 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: 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.

Abstract: Systems and approaches are provided for presenting incoming notifications to a computing device based on a determined context of the computing device. Various sensors of the device can be used to determine the context of the device with respect to a user, the state of the device itself, or the context of the device with respect to the environment in which the device is situated. The user can then be informed of received notifications in a manner likely to get the user's attention while not being overly obtrusive to the user or others within the vicinity of the user.

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.

Abstract: Systems and approaches are provided for presenting incoming notifications to a computing device based on a determined context of the computing device. Various sensors of the device can be used to determine the context of the device with respect to a user, the state of the device itself, or the context of the device with respect to the environment in which the device is situated. The user can then be informed of received notifications in a manner likely to get the user's attention while not being overly obtrusive to the user or others within the vicinity of the user.

Abstract: Systems and approaches are provided for presenting incoming notifications to a computing device based on a determined context of the computing device. Various sensors of the device can be used to determine the context of the device with respect to a user, the state of the device itself, or the context of the device with respect to the environment in which the device is situated. The user can then be informed of received notifications in a manner likely to get the user's attention while not being overly obtrusive to the user or others within the vicinity of the user.

Abstract: Systems and approaches are provided for presenting incoming notifications to a computing device based on a determined context of the computing device. Various sensors of the device can be used to determine the context of the device with respect to a user, the state of the device itself, or the context of the device with respect to the environment in which the device is situated. The user can then be informed of received notifications in a manner likely to get the user's attention while not being overly obtrusive to the user or others within the vicinity of the user.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to systems and methods for generating a narrative of images based on image classification, selection, and arrangement based, at least in part, on time, location, content, color, complexity, and/or faces. The image classification may be based on image analysis or analyzing information attached to the images.

Abstract: Approaches are described which enable a computing device (e.g., mobile phone, tablet computer) to display alternate views or layers of information within a window on the display screen when a user's finger (or other object) is detected to be within a particular range of the display screen of the device. For example, a device displaying a road map view on the display screen may detect a user's finger near the screen and, in response to detecting the finger, render a small window that shows a portion of a satellite view of the map proximate to the location of the user's finger. As the user's finger moves laterally above the screen, the window can follow the location of the user's finger and display the satellite views of the various portions of the map over which the user's finger passes.