Photosensor array gesture detection

A computing device comprising:

• a display device;
• a photosensor array having a plurality of photosensors;
• and
• a gesture detection system configured to:
• define gestures that correspond to changes in photocurrent produced at least in part by blocking the ambient light reaching the plurality of photosensors in the photosensor array, the blocking being caused by movement of a user's hand over the photosensor array;
• and
• ascertain changes in the photocurrent for the photosensor array to recognize the defined gestures and cause the computing device to perform corresponding operations.

One or more computer-readable storage media storing instructions that, when executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to implement a gesture detection system configured to perform operations including:

• collecting photocurrent data via an array of light emitting diodes (LEDs) configured to operate as photosensors, the photocurrent data indicative of changes in light levels for the array of LEDs over time that correlate to interaction of a user with the computing device, the changes in light levels being caused, at least in part, by blocking the light;
• analyzing the collected photocurrent data to detect patterns of changes in the light levels for the array of LEDs indicative of particular user interaction with the computing device;
• recognizing an above surface gesture corresponding to a pattern of changes in the light levels that is detected based on the analyzing;
• and
• causing the computing device to perform operations corresponding to the recognized above surface gesture.