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: Eyewear includes a frame and one or more stems extending distally from the frame. One or more processors are disposed within one or more of the frame or the stems, and one or more proximity sensor components are disposed within the stems defining thermal reception beams oriented in a rearward facing direction. Each proximity sensor component can include an infrared signal receiver to receive an infrared emission from an object. The one or more processors can execute a control operation when the proximity sensor components receive the infrared emission from the object.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing, a user interface, and one or more processors operable with the user interface. The user interface includes a fingerprint sensor proximately located with at least one proximity sensor component. The proximity sensor component can include an infrared signal receiver to receive an infrared emission from an object external to the housing. The proximity detector component is to actuate the fingerprint sensor when the infrared signal receiver receives the infrared emission from the object.

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 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: 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 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 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, 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 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: 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: 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 portable electronic device includes a housing having at least one major face. One or more processors are operable in the device. At least two discrete signal emitters are disposed along the at least one major face. At least two discrete signal receivers are also disposed along the at least one major face. A first discrete signal emitter is proximately located with a first discrete signal receiver to form a first discrete signal emitter-receiver pair, while a second discrete signal emitter is proximately located with a second discrete signal receiver to form a second discrete signal emitter-receiver pair. The first discrete signal emitter-receiver pair is distally located along the at least one major face from the second discrete signal emitter-receiver pair, and can receive gesture input in a first mode of operation and proximity input in a second mode of operation.

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 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 method for controlling an electronic device includes detecting, with one or more sensors, that the electronic device is disposed within a repository container, such as a purse as a function of at least an intensity of received ambient light being below a predefined threshold, an absence of touch sensor actuation along a housing of the electronic device, and an approximately common temperature occurring at both a first location of the electronic device and a second location of the electronic device. When the in-container condition is detected, one or more processors operable with the one or more sensors can perform a control operation.

Abstract: Eyewear includes a frame and one or more stems extending distally from the frame. One or more processors are disposed within one or more of the frame or the stems, and one or more proximity sensor components are disposed within the stems defining thermal reception beams oriented in a rearward facing direction. Each proximity sensor component can include an infrared signal receiver to receive an infrared emission from an object. The one or more processors can execute a control operation when the proximity sensor components receive the infrared emission from the object.

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.