Input detection system for a portable electronic device

Abstract

A proximity input detection system for an electronic device. In one embodiment, the present invention utilizes an inductive field sensor to detect a change in a magnetic field when an input device with a coil is within a threshold distance. In another embodiment, the present invention utilizes a capacitive sensor which can locate the position of an electrically conductive object which is within a threshold distance. The capacitive sensor can also be used, for example, as a switch to activate the device if a user picks it up. The present invention allows user inputs to be detected without actually touching the electronic device. The present invention can also be used to detect inputs through intervening non-metallic layers such as a protective cover or another display of the device without using additional input sensors.

1 . A portable electronic device comprising: 
 a housing;    a processor disposed within said housing;    a memory disposed within said housing;    a sensor disposed within said housing and for sensing handling of said housing by a user; and    a display physically coupled to said housing for displaying graphical objects, said display further for reorienting said display of said graphical objects in response to said handling of said housing.    
     
     
         2 . The portable electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein said sensor comprises a touch screen sensor operable to detect finger gestures of a user, and wherein said processor is further operable to manipulate said display of said graphical objects in response to said detected finger gestures.  
     
     
         3 . The portable electronic device of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a touch screen sensor for detecting user inputs.    
     
     
         4 . The portable electronic device of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a port for communicating with a cradle, said cradle operable to physically interface with said housing.    
     
     
         5 . The portable electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein said housing comprises a bezel-less design.  
     
     
         6 . The portable electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein said processor is further for enabling communication over a telephone network.  
     
     
         7 . The portable electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein said processor is further for enabling transmission and reception of data over a wireless network.  
     
     
         8 . The portable electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein said processor is further for communicating with at least one other computer system over the Internet.  
     
     
         9 . The portable electronic device of  claim 8 , wherein said communicating with at least one other computer system comprises accessing a web site.  
     
     
         10 . A method for interacting with a user of a portable electronic device, said method comprising: 
 displaying graphical objects in a first orientation on a display of said portable electronic device;    detecting handling of said portable electronic device by a user; and    in response to said handling, displaying said graphical objects in a second orientation on said display of said portable electronic device.    
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising: 
 detecting user inputs to said portable electronic device using a touchscreen sensor of said portable electronic device.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising: 
 communicating with a cradle using a port of said portable electronic device, said cradle operable to physically interface with said portable electronic device.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said portable electronic device comprises a mobile phone, and wherein said method further comprises: 
 communicating over a telephone network using said portable electronic device.    
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising: 
 transmitting data over a wireless network using said portable electronic device; and    receiving data over said wireless network using said portable electronic device.    
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising: 
 communicating, using said portable electronic device, with at least one other computer system over the Internet.    
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said communication with at least one other computer system comprises accessing a web site.  
     
     
         17 . A portable electronic device comprising: 
 a housing;    a processor disposed within said housing;    a memory disposed within said housing;    a display physically coupled to said housing;    a touchscreen sensor disposed within said housing and for sensing handling of said housing by a user, said touchscreen sensor further for detecting user inputs; and    wherein said processor is operable to power up said portable electronic device in response to said handling of said housing by said user.    
     
     
         18 . The portable electronic device of  claim 17 , wherein said touchscreen sensor is further operable to sense when said housing is not handled by a user, and wherein said processor is further operable to power down said portable electronic device in response thereto.  
     
     
         19 . The portable electronic device of  claim 17 , wherein said touchscreen sensor comprises a capacitive sensor.  
     
     
         20 . The portable electronic device of  claim 17 , wherein said touchscreen sensor comprises an inductive sensor.  
     
     
         21 . The portable electronic device of  claim 17  further comprising: 
 a second display physically coupled to said housing, wherein said processor is further operable to selectively activate an active display in response to a user input detected by said touchscreen sensor, and wherein said active display is selected from a group consisting of said display and said second display.    
     
     
         22 . The portable electronic device of  claim 17  further comprising: 
 a protective cover for interfacing with said housing.    
     
     
         23 . The portable electronic device of  claim 22 , wherein said touchscreen display is further operable to detect user inputs and sense handling of said portable electronic device with said protective cover in place.  
     
     
         24 . The portable electronic device of  claim 17  further comprising: 
 at least one button for activation by a user.