US 12,627,757 B2 · Hand-grip location detection using ultrasound

Abstract

Techniques and apparatuses are described that implement hand-grip location detection using ultrasound. In particular, an ultrasonic sensor determines a location that a user's hand grips a user device. While gripping the user device, the hand creates an additional aperture area, which amplifies ultrasonic signals that are received by one or more transducers of the ultrasonic sensor that are proximate to the user's hand. By analyzing the amplitude (or power) of received ultrasonic signals, the ultrasonic sensor can detect if the user's hand is proximate to a particular transducer. In some implementations, the ultrasonic sensor utilizes speakers and/or microphones that are present within the user device. In this way, the ultrasonic sensor can have a relatively small footprint and fit within space-constrained devices.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method for hand-grip location detection using ultrasound, the method comprising:

transmitting an ultrasonic transmit signal using an ultrasonic sensor, the ultrasonic transmit signal propagating in an environment that is external to a device that includes the ultrasonic sensor;
receiving, via a first transducer of the ultrasonic sensor, a first ultrasonic receive signal, the first ultrasonic receive signal comprising a first version of the ultrasonic transmit signal;
receiving, via a second transducer of the ultrasonic sensor, a second ultrasonic receive signal, the second ultrasonic receive signal comprising a second version of the ultrasonic transmit signal;
comparing a power level of the first ultrasonic receive signal to a power level of the second ultrasonic receive signal;
and
determining, based on the comparison, a location of a user's grip on the device that includes the ultrasonic sensor.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Hand-grip location detection using ultrasound

Life of this patent

Hand-grip location detection using ultrasound

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20