Method, Electronic Device, and Accessory for Carrying Out Functions Based on Reflected Electromagnetic Radiation
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.
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The present disclosure is related generally to wireless device communication and, more particularly, to an electronic device carrying out functions based on reflected electromagnetic radiation from an accessory.
BACKGROUNDWith the introduction of short-range communication technologies, such Bluetooth®, electronic devices, such as smart phones, can be wirelessly connected with many types of accessories. When such connection occurs, the accessory typically communicates its capabilities and properties to the electronic device so that the electronic device can interact appropriately with the accessory. There are many types of accessories, however, that have no wireless capability and, in many cases, no power. Such non-wireless accessories include cases, skins, holsters, and folios. Yet there are many possible functions that could be performed with respect to such accessories if there were some mechanism for the electronic devices to obtain information about them.
While the appended claims set forth the features of the present techniques with particularity, these techniques, together with their objects and advantages, may be best understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:
This disclosure is generally directed to a method and electronic device for carrying out functions based on electromagnetic radiation (“EMR”) reflected from an accessory. According to various embodiments, the accessory has physical characteristics or physical features that reflect EMR with an identifiable profile. Examples of such physical characteristics include the color, shape, finish, texture, unique stickers, or material of the accessory. Examples of physical features include a pattern, sticker, barcode, or hole on the accessory. Different reflection profiles are stored in the electronic device and each profile is mapped to a particular function of the electronic device.
In one embodiment, the method can be used to distinguish between different folios. For example, each folio can have a unique reflective surface (unique color, texture, size, pattern, etc.). As the folio is closed over the device (e.g., over the display that the folio protects) and over a proximity detector (EMR sensor) of the electronic device, the range between the folio cover and the EMR sensor is reduced (e.g., from about 1 foot, when the folio is not attached to the device to zero inches, when the folio is closed). The electronic device sweeps the power of one or more EMR transmitters (e.g., the power of infrared light-emitting diodes (LEDs)), the sensitivity of the EMR sensor, or both until the output of the EMR sensor is out of saturation (e.g., from 1 inch to 0 inches). The electronic device then captures a received reflection profile. Relying on colors may allow a limited number of folios to be identified. In one embodiment, the electronic device simply determines whether the color is bright, dark, or medium.
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In an embodiment of the disclosure, the sensor hub 224, in addition to controlling the various sensors, also serves to control operation of the display 104 (and the functionality that supports it) when the electronic device 100 is in a sleep mode. In contrast, which the electronic device 100 is awake, the display 104 (and the functionality that supports it) is under the control of the application processor 203.
Possible implementations of the application processor 203 include a microprocessor, microcomputer, and application-specific integrated circuit. One or both the application processor 203 and the sensor hub 224 execute instructions retrieved from the memory 205 in order to carry out methods and functions of the electronic device as described herein.
It is to be understood that
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In an embodiment, the electronic device 100 (
According to an embodiment, one or more characteristics of the reflected EMR translate to a code, such as a binary code. An example scenario is as follows: reflected EMR that is predominately blue translates to a binary zero, while reflected EMR that is predominately red translates to a binary one.
According to an embodiment, the EMR sources 120 transmit EMR in a sequential manner so that their reflected EMR translates into a multi-bit binary code. In this embodiment, when the cover 108 is closed (
In one example, the first EMR source 120A pulses EMR for a 9.6 microsecond pulse every 10 millisecond interval beginning at time 0, the second EMR source 120B pulses EMR for a 9.6 microsecond pulse every 10 millisecond interval beginning at time 120 microseconds (which is the gap between pulses) and the third EMR source 120C pulses EMR for a 9.6 microsecond pulse every 10 millisecond interval beginning at time 240 microseconds. In this way, the EMR sensor 118 detects the reflected EMR from each EMR source at a distinct moment in time and translates each instance into a binary zero and a binary one, resulting in a three bit number. Each three bit number might be associated with a different folio or even a different accessory altogether. The mapping data structure 206 (
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In one example, the processor mapping data structure 206 (
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Put another way, the transmit power of the EMR sources 120, the gain of the EMR sensor 118, or both are swept following closure of the cover 108 from high to low or low to high (low corresponds to little or no detection by the EMR sensor 118, while high corresponds to high detection or saturation detection). The electronic device 100 captures the reflected EMR while sweeping the transmit power of the EMR sources 120 or receive gain of the EMR sensor 118, or both, over a range of transmit powers and sensitivities. This capture represents a reflection profile.
Each folio color or folio material maps to a reflection profile. For example, bright colors cause the EMR detector 118 to generate an output signal sooner and reach saturation levels much earlier than other colors when the cover 108 of the folio 106 is closed and vice versa. Each folio has a profile associated with it (slope, curve shape, etc.). These profiles are stored in the mapping data structure 206 (
According to another embodiment, depicted in
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It can be seen from the foregoing that a method, electronic device, and accessory for carrying out functions based on reflected electromagnetic radiation have been described. It should be understood that the exemplary embodiments described therein should be considered in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Descriptions of features or aspects within each embodiment should typically be considered as available for other similar features or aspects in other embodiments.
While one or more embodiments of the have been described with reference to the figures, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from their spirit and scope of as defined by the following claims.
Claims
1. A method carried out by an electronic device, the method comprising:
- transmitting electromagnetic radiation (“EMR”) to an accessory;
- detecting a reflection of the transmitted EMR off of the accessory, wherein a characteristic of the reflected EMR maps to a predetermined function of the electronic device, the predetermined function being associated with the accessory; and
- performing the predetermined function.
2. The method claim 1, wherein the electronic device comprises a plurality of EMR sources and transmitting EMR to an accessory comprises a plurality of EMR light sources of the transmitting EMR to the accessory.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the EMR is chosen from the group consisting of infrared light, visible light, and radio frequency EMR.
4. The method of claim 1,
- wherein transmitting EMR comprises: transmitting EMR having a first characteristic during a first timeslot; and transmitting EMR having a second, different characteristic during a second, non-overlapping timeslot;
- wherein the detecting a reflection of the transmitted EMR comprises: detecting a reflection of the transmitted EMR of the first time slot off of the accessory; detecting a reflection of the transmitted EMR of the second time slot off the accessory; and
- wherein performing the predetermined function comprises performing the predetermined function based on a code represented by the detected reflections of the first time slot and the second time slot.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein
- transmitting EMR having a first characteristic in a first timeslot comprises a first EMR source transmitting the EMR having a first characteristic in a first timeslot; and
- transmitting EMR having a second characteristic in a second timeslot comprises a second EMR source transmitting the EMR having a second characteristic in a first timeslot
6. The method of claim 1, wherein
- transmitting EMR comprises transmitting the EMR over a range of transmission powers and over a range of distances between the electronic device and the accessory;
- the characteristic of the reflected light comprises a reflection profile that is based on the reflection of the EMR transmitted over the range of transmission powers and over the range of distances;
- the electronic device selects the predetermined function based on a comparison between the reflection profile and one or more known reflection profiles.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic device comprises an EMR sensor, the method further comprising:
- adjusting one or both of the sensitivity of the EMR sensor over a range of sensitivities; and the power of the transmitted EMR over a range of transmit powers, wherein
- the characteristic of the reflected light comprises a reflection profile that is based on the reflection of the EMR as detected over the range of sensitivities or over the range of distances;
- the selection is based on a comparison between the reflection profile and a known reflection profile.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein
- the accessory is attached to the electronic device;
- a portion of the accessory is pivotable with respect to the electronic device over a range of angles;
- transmitting EMR comprises transmitting the EMR over one or both of a range of EMR transmission powers; and the range of angles;
- the characteristic of the reflected light comprises a reflection profile that is based on the reflection of the EMR transmitted over the range of transmission powers and over the range of angles; and
- the information is based on a comparison between the reflection profile and one or more known reflection profiles.
9. The method of claim 1,
- wherein the electronic device comprises an EMR sensor;
- wherein the accessory is a folio and the portion is a cover of the folio,
- wherein the electronic device comprises an EMR sensor that performs the detecting step, the method further comprising: varying the gain of the transmitted EMR, or the gain of the EMR sensor, or both, to take the EMR sensor out of a saturated state when the cover closes on the electronic device, wherein the characteristic of the of EMR is a reflection profile of the angle between the cover of the folio and the EMR sensor versus an output signal of the EMR sensor, including when the EMR sensor is in the saturated state; and selecting the function based on a comparison between the reflection profile and a stored reflection profile, wherein the stored profile is associated with a particular type of accessory.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the characteristic of the reflected light is at least one of: its wavelength, frequency, reflection profile, reflection pattern, and reflection amplitude.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic device includes a display, and performing the predetermined function comprises one or more of: changing the lighting of the display, painting a particular area of the display, changing the color images on the display, turning on the display, turning off the display, changing an alert type for the device, changing the volume of the device, changing the call handling of the device, launching an application, turning the electronic device on, turning the electronic device off, and putting the electronic device into sleep mode.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein
- the accessory is a cover for the electronic device; and
- performing the predetermined function comprises displaying an image on a location of a display of the electronic device, wherein the location corresponds to an area of the cover through which the image can be seen.
13. An assembly comprising:
- an electronic device configured to transmit EMR; and
- an accessory for the electronic device wherein the accessory comprises a physical characteristic or physical feature configured to reflect the transmitted EMR; the physical characteristic or physical feature conveys information regarding a predetermined function of the electronic device, the predetermined function being associated with the accessory;
- wherein the electronic device is further configured to: detect the reflected EMR; and perform a function based on the information.
14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the physical characteristic is one or more of a color of the accessory, the material of the accessory, finish of accessory, a reflective pattern on the accessory, size, and the shape of a reflective surface on the accessory
15. The assembly of claim 13, wherein
- the electronic device includes: a sensor; and an EMR source that transmits the transmitted EMR; and
- the accessory includes a waveguide configured to direct the reflected EMR or a portion thereof from the EMR source to the sensor.
16. An accessory for an electronic device, the accessory comprising:
- a reflective portion configured to reflect EMR, the reflective portion having a physical characteristic that indicates, based on the reflected EMR, a predetermined function to be taken by the electronic device with respect to the accessory.
17. The accessory of claim 16, wherein the physical characteristic is one or more of a color, shape, finish, texture, or material of the accessory.
18. The accessory of claim 16, wherein the physical feature is one or more of a pattern, sticker, barcode, or hole on the accessory.
19. The accessory of claim 16, wherein the EMR reflected by the reflective portion represents a code that indicates the predetermined function.
20. The accessory of claim 16, wherein the accessory is selected from the group consisting of a cover for the electronic device, a stylus for the electronic device, a dock for an electronic device (100), and a wearable product.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 27, 2013
Publication Date: May 14, 2015
Applicant: Motorola Mobility LLC (Libertyville, IL)
Inventors: Rachid M. Alameh (Crystal Lake, IL), Michael David McLaughlin (San Jose, CA)
Application Number: 14/142,644
International Classification: H04M 1/725 (20060101);