US 12,000,929 B2 · Detecting user presence

Abstract

Techniques and apparatuses are described that implement an ultrasonic sensor capable of detecting user presence. This ultrasonic sensor can detect user presence without relying on time-of-flight techniques. In particular, the ultrasonic sensor can determine that a user is present based on the occlusion of at least one receiving transducer (e.g., microphone occlusion), the occlusion of at least one transmitting transducer (e.g., speaker occlusion), or a detected change in an audible noise floor of at least one transducer. In this way, the ultrasonic sensor can continue to detect user presence in situations in which a user occludes one or more transducers of the ultrasonic sensor. The ultrasonic sensor can also control operation of another component within a computing device based on the presence of the user to improve the user experience and/or improve power management.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method of operating an ultrasonic sensor, the method comprising:

receiving an ultrasonic receive signal using a first transducer of the ultrasonic sensor, the ultrasonic receive signal comprising a version of an ultrasonic transmit signal;
detecting that a second transducer of the ultrasonic sensor is occluded, the detecting that the second transducer is occluded comprising:
failing to receive, by the second transducer, a second ultrasonic receive signal that includes a version of the ultrasonic transmit signal;
or
determining, in response to receiving the second ultrasonic receive signal by the second transducer, that an amplitude of a version of the ultrasonic transmit signal in the second ultrasonic receive signal is less than a threshold;
and
determining, responsive to the reception of the ultrasonic receive signal using the first transducer and the detection that the second transducer of the ultrasonic sensor is occluded, that an object is present.

4 more elements

An apparatus comprising:

an ultrasonic sensor;
at least one processor;
and
at least one computer-readable storage media storing one or more instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to:
receive, using a first transducer of the ultrasonic sensor, an ultrasonic receive signal comprising a version of an ultrasonic transmit signal;
detect that a second transducer of the ultrasonic sensor is occluded, the detection that the second transducer is occluded comprises:
fail to receive, by the second transducer, a second ultrasonic receive signal that includes a version of the ultrasonic transmit signal;
or
determine, in response to a receipt of the second ultrasonic receive signal by the second transducer, that an amplitude of a version of the ultrasonic transmit signal in the second ultrasonic receive signal is less than a threshold;
and
determine, responsive to the reception of the ultrasonic receive signal using the first transducer and the detection that the second transducer is occluded, that an object is present.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Detecting user presence

Life of this patent

Detecting user presence

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20