US 7,957,762 B2 · Using ambient light sensor to augment proximity sensor output

Abstract

Apparatuses and methods to sense proximity of an object and operate a proximity sensor of a portable device. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving an ambient light sensor (ALS) output, and altering, based on the ALS output, an effect of a proximity sensor output on control of a proximity determination. The ALS sensor and the proximity sensor may be located adjacent to an earpiece of a portable device. In some cases, the proximity determination may be a proximity of an object to the proximity sensor, and altering the effect may include changing the proximity of the object from a proximity greater than a first threshold to a proximity less than the first threshold. Other apparatuses and methods and data processing systems and machine readable media are also described.

Claims24

Dependent claims

A method of sensing proximity, the method comprising:

receiving a first intensity level output from a proximity sensor;
determining an estimated distance value between the proximity sensor and a surface of an object based on the received first intensity level output from the proximity sensor;
receiving a second intensity level output from an ambient light sensor (ALS);
determining, based on the second intensity level output from the ambient light sensor that the estimated distance value between the proximity sensor and the surface of the object is incorrect;
changing, by a data processing system, the estimated distance value using the second intensity level output from the ambient light sensor.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Using ambient light sensor to augment proximity sensor output

Life of this patent

Using ambient light sensor to augment proximity sensor output

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims24