Method and apparatus for detecting imminent use of an electronic device

A method for determining imminent use of an electronic device using a digital infrared sensor, comprising:

• limiting an amount of ambient light that falls on the infrared sensor with a mask, the mask comprising a mask opening that allows some ambient light to fall on a first sensing element of the infrared sensor, the mask opening sized to define an activation distance in front of the electronic device that, when breached by a human hand, causes an electronic signal to be generated by the infrared sensor;
• receiving the electronic signal by the processor;
• and
• in response to receiving the electronic signal, causing one or more illumination devices to illuminate the electronic device.

A method for determining imminent use of an electronic device using a passive pyroelectric sensor, comprising:

• limiting an amount of ambient light that falls on the passive pyroelectric sensor with a mask, the mask comprising a mask opening that allows some ambient light to fall on the passive pyroelectric sensor, the mask opening sized to define an activation distance in front of the electronic device that, when breached by a human hand, causes the electronic device to become illuminated;
• generating an electric signal by the passive pyroelectric sensor in response to detecting a change in infrared energy;
• amplifying the electric signal to form an amplified signal;
• filtering the amplified electric signal to create a filtered signal;
• comparing the filtered signal to a threshold;
• determining that a human hand has breached the activation distance when the filtered signal exceeds the threshold;
• and
• in response to determining that the human hand has breached the activation distance, causing one or more illumination devices located on or within the electronic device to illuminate the electronic device.