Patent Grant
7292875
This invention relates generally to the field of electronic devices. More particularly, this invention relates to an electronic device, such as a radiotelephone, having an ambient light sensor.
Electronic devices are often constructed of two pieces, the two pieces being moveable between an open position and a closed position with respect to each other. It is sometimes desirable to operate the electronic device in a different mode of operation when the two pieces are in the closed position. An example of such a device is a folding portable radiotelephone, also known as a clamshell phone or flip phone. The two-piece folding design, which has a first piece and second piece connected by a hinge, allows the portable radiotelephone to be compact and, when closed, the second piece provides protection for the keyboard and the display screen.
Other radiotelephones use a sliding second piece that provides similar functionality.
When the second piece is closed, the radiotelephone may be switched to a ‘standby’ mode of operation, in which the screen and other energy consuming operations are deactivated to conserve battery power, or switched off. Conventionally, a mechanical switch on the hinge is used to detect whether the second piece is open or closed. More recently, a Hall Effect sensor has been used to detect when the second piece is closed. However, mechanical switches are subject to failure after prolonged use and Hall Effect sensors, which use a magnetic field, may interfere with the radio of the radiotelephone.
Other electronic devices, such as PDA's and portable computers, also incorporate hinged, sliding or removable second pieces. It is also desirable to operate these devices in different modes depending upon whether the second piece is open or closed
The present invention relates generally to electronic devices, such as portable radiotelephones and portable computers. Objects and features of the invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of the invention.
One embodiment of the invention relates to a two-piece electronic device having a first piece and a second piece. The second piece is moveable between an open position and a closed position with respect to the first piece. An ambient light sensor, located in the second piece or the first piece, is operable to sense the position of the second piece. The electronic device is operated in a first mode when the second piece is in an open position and in a second mode when the second piece is in the closed position. The second mode may be a standby mode, in which the electronic device is operated at a lower power level as compared to the first mode.
The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as the preferred mode of use, and further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing(s), wherein:
While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail one or more specific embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as exemplary of the principles of the invention and not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments shown and described. In the description below, like reference numerals are used to describe the same, similar or corresponding parts in the several views of the drawings.
One embodiment of the invention provides an electronic device that is operable in first and second modes. For example, the first mode may be an activated mode and the second mode may be a standby mode or an ‘off’ mode. The device comprises a first piece, a second piece moveable between an open position and a closed position with respect to the first piece and a processing circuit operable to control operation of the electronic device. An ambient light sensor is operable to sense the position of the second piece with respect to the first piece and to signal the processing circuit to operate the electronic device in the first mode and in the second mode when the second piece is closed.
The invention will be described with respect to a portable radiotelephone, however it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention has application to a range of electronic devices including, but not limited to, clamshell and sliding-cover radiotelephones, computers, GPS receivers, PDA's, electronic calculators, wireless email devices, portable audio and video players, still and video cameras, pagers and gaming devices.
A representation of an exemplary folding radiotelephone is shown in
A folding telephone is also referred to as a clamshell phone or a flip phone. However, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention has application to other electronic devices having a first piece and a second piece. Further, the second piece may be moveable attached to the first piece or may be separable from the first piece.
In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, the radiotelephone is equipped with an ambient light sensor, such as photoelectric sensor, that is operable to detect even low levels of ambient light. When the second piece is in a closed position, ambient light to the photoelectric sensor is blocked. In one embodiment, as shown in
In one embodiment of the invention, the spectral sensitivity of the ambient light sensor is chosen to approximate the spectral intensity of the human eye and to have continuous sensitivity through a wide range of viewing angles.
In a further embodiment, the ambient light sensor generates an electrical signal in response to received ambient light and compares to the electrical signal to a threshold level to determine if ambient light is present. The threshold level is chosen such that even low levels of ambient light are detected.
A side view of a radiotelephone is shown in
The ambient light sensor may be operated intermittently or continuously.
A diagrammatic representation of a radiotelephone in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is shown in
While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, permutations and variations will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended that the present invention embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the scope of the appended claims.
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