Mobile electronic device input actuation

A method for preventing and allowing actuation of an input mechanism in a mobile electronic device, the mobile electronic device comprising a sensor and a moveable blocking member at least partially surrounding the input mechanism, the method comprising:

• using signals at least from the sensor to determine that a user's hand is not proximate to the mobile electronic device;
• based at least on determining that the user's hand is not proximate to the mobile electronic device, moving the moveable blocking member to a blocking position that prevents actuation of the input mechanism;
• using signals at least from the sensor to determine that a user's hand is proximate to the mobile electronic device;
• and
• based at least on determining that the user's hand is proximate to the mobile electronic device, moving the moveable blocking member to an open position that allows actuation of the input mechanism.

A mobile electronic device, comprising:

• a chassis configured to be held by a user and defining a first aperture;
• a moveable blocking member located at least partially within the first aperture and at least partially surrounding an input mechanism, the input mechanism comprising a contacting surface configured to be depressed to actuate the input mechanism, the moveable blocking member defining a second aperture through which the contacting surface of the input mechanism extends when the moveable blocking member is in an open position;
• an actuator coupled to the moveable blocking member;
• a stiffener plate positioned over the second aperture in the moveable blocking member, the stiffener plate at least partially overlapping and immediately adjacent to an upper surface of the moveable blocking member when the moveable blocking member is in a blocking position that prevents movement of the stiffener plate towards the input mechanism;
• a cover affixed to the chassis and extending over the stiffener plate and the moveable blocking member;
• a sensor configured to detect at least a user's hand proximate to the cover;
• a processor;
• and
• a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to:
• use signals at least from the sensor to determine that the user's hand is proximate to the cover;
• and
• based at least on determining that the user's hand is proximate to the cover, activating the actuator to move the moveable blocking member from the blocking position to the open position that allows the stiffener plate to move towards and contact the contacting surface of the input mechanism.