# US 2014/0197698 A1 · Electronic device with automatic mode switching > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0197698 A1 - Document ID: US20140197698A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/199,719 - Filed: 2014-03-06 - Published: 2014-07-17 - Earliest claimed: 2005-12-29 - Assignees: Apple Inc. - Applicants: Apple Inc. - Inventors: Fletcher R. Rothkopf - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140197698A1 ## CPC - G06F 9/44505: {Configuring for program initiating, e.g. using registry, configuration files} - G06F 1/1626: {with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]} - G06F 1/1684: {Constructional details or arrangements related to integrated I/O peripherals not covered by groups G06F1/1635 - G06F1/1675} - G06F 1/169: {the I/O peripheral being an integrated pointing device, e.g. trackball in the palm rest area, mini-joystick integrated between keyboard keys, touch pads or touch stripes (G06F1/1643 takes precedence; constructional details of pointing devices G06F3/033)} - G06F 1/1694: {the I/O peripheral being a single or a set of motion sensors for pointer control or gesture input obtained by sensing movements of the portable computer} - G06F 1/3231: Monitoring the presence, absence or movement of users - G06F 1/3234: Power saving characterised by the action undertaken - G06F 3/0346: with detection of the device orientation or free movement in a three-dimensional [3D] space, e.g. 3D mice, 6-DOF [six degrees of freedom] pointers using gyroscopes, accelerometers or tilt-sensors - G06N 5/022: Knowledge engineering; Knowledge acquisition - H01H 9/00: Details of switching devices, not covered by groups H01H1/00 - H01H7/00 - H01H 35/006: {Switches operated by mechanical overload condition, e.g. transmitted force or torque becoming too high} - Y02D 10/00: Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management - Y02D 30/50: in wire-line communication networks, e.g. low power modes or reduced link rate - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - G06N: COMPUTING ARRANGEMENTS BASED ON SPECIFIC COMPUTATIONAL MODELS - H01H: ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES (contact cables H01B7/10; electrolytic self-interrupters H01G9/18; emergency protective circuit arrangements H02H; switching by electronic means without contact-making H03K17/00) - Y02D: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES [ICT], I.E. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES AIMING AT THE REDUCTION OF THEIR OWN ENERGY USE ## Abstract An electronic device for predicting or anticipating a user's operational desires. The electronic device is ready to perform the anticipated function without input from the user by using sensors to sense environmental attributes. The sensors can include an ambient light sensor, a force sensor, a temperature sensor, an ambient noise sensor, and a motion sensor. The electronic device also includes a control mechanism for switching between modes for the device. ## Claims ### Claim at position 1 1-45. (canceled) ### Claim 46 A method of operating a portable electronic device, comprising: measuring a temperature on the outer surface of the electronic device to determine if a triggering event should be initiated; and performing a task associated with the triggering event in the event that the triggering event is initiated. ### Claim 47 (depends on 46) The method of claim 46, wherein the operation of measuring the temperature on the outer surface of the electronic device includes determining if the temperature changed by a predetermined amount. ### Claim 48 (depends on 46) The method of claim 46, wherein the operation of measuring the temperature on the outer surface of the electronic device includes determining if the temperature exceeded a predetermined threshold. ### Claim 49 (depends on 46) The method of claim 46, wherein the operation of performing a task associated with the triggering event includes automatically switching the electronic device between a first mode and a second mode when the triggering event is initiated. ### Claim 50 (depends on 49) The method of claim 49, wherein in the first mode, the electronic device is enabled to receive inputs; and in the second mode, the electronic device is not enabled to receive inputs. ### Claim 51 (depends on 50) The method of claim 50, wherein the operation of switching the electronic device between a first and second mode includes switching the electronic device into the first mode if the temperature on the outer surface of the electronic device exceeds a predetermined threshold. ### Claim 52 (depends on 50) The method of claim 50, wherein the operation of switching the electronic device between a first and second mode includes switching the electronic device into the second mode if the temperature on the outer surface of the electronic device is less than a predetermined threshold. ### Claim 53 (depends on 49) The method of claim 49, wherein in the first mode, a control feature of the electronic device is set to play; and in the second mode, the control feature of the electronic device is set to pause. ### Claim 54 (depends on 49) The method of claim 49, wherein in the first mode, an alert mechanism of the electronic device is set to ring; and in the second mode, the alert mechanism of the electronic device is set to vibrate. ### Claim 55 (depends on 49) The method of claim 49, wherein in the first mode, electronic device power is on; and in the second mode, electronic device power is off. ### Claim 56 (depends on 49) The method of claim 49, wherein in the first mode, a first playlist is initiated; and in the second mode, a second playlist is initiated. ### Claim 57 A portable electronic device, comprising; one or more temperature sensors configured to sense a temperature on an outer surface of the electronic device; and a control mechanism operatively coupled to the one or more sensors, the control mechanism configured to measure the temperature on the surface of the electronic device and to perform a task responsive to the temperature. ### Claim 58 (depends on 57) The electronic device of claim 57, wherein the control mechanism measures the temperature on the outer surface to determine if the temperature changed by a predetermined amount. ### Claim 59 (depends on 57) The electronic device of claim 57, wherein the control mechanism measures the temperature on the outer surface to determine if the temperature exceeded a predetermined threshold. ### Claim 60 (depends on 57) The electronic device of claim 57, wherein the control mechanism performs a task associated with the triggering event by automatically switching the electronic device between a first mode and a second mode when the triggering event is initiated. ### Claim 61 (depends on 60) The electronic device of claim 60, wherein in the first mode, the electronic device is enabled to receive inputs; and in the second mode, the electronic device is not enabled to receive inputs. ### Claim 62 (depends on 60) The electronic device of claim 60, wherein in the first mode, a control feature of the electronic device is set to play; and in the second mode, the control feature of the electronic device is set to pause. ### Claim 63 (depends on 60) The electronic device of claim 60, wherein in the first mode, an alert mechanism of the electronic device is set to ring; and in the second mode, the alert mechanism of the electronic device is set to vibrate. ### Claim 64 (depends on 60) The electronic device of claim 60, wherein in the first mode, electronic device power is on; and in the second mode, electronic device power is off. ### Claim 65 (depends on 60) The electronic device of claim 60, wherein in the first mode, a first playlist is initiated; and in the second mode, a second playlist is initiated.