U.S. patent application number 14/142644 was filed with the patent office on 2015-05-14 for method, electronic device, and accessory for carrying out functions based on reflected electromagnetic radiation.
This patent application is currently assigned to Motorola Mobility LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Motorola Mobility LLC. Invention is credited to Rachid M. Alameh, Michael David McLaughlin.
Application Number | 20150133183 14/142644 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53044228 |
Filed Date | 2015-05-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150133183 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Alameh; Rachid M. ; et
al. |
May 14, 2015 |
Method, Electronic Device, and Accessory for Carrying Out Functions
Based on Reflected Electromagnetic Radiation
Abstract
A method, electronic device, and accessory for carrying out
functions based on reflected electromagnetic radiation are
provided. According to one implementation, an electronic device
transmits electromagnetic radiation ("EMR") to an accessory and
detects a reflection of the transmitted EMR off of the accessory. A
characteristic of the reflected EMR maps to a predetermined
function associated with the accessory, which the electronic device
performs.
Inventors: |
Alameh; Rachid M.; (Crystal
Lake, IL) ; McLaughlin; Michael David; (San Jose,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Motorola Mobility LLC |
Libertyville |
IL |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Motorola Mobility LLC
Libertyville
IL
|
Family ID: |
53044228 |
Appl. No.: |
14/142644 |
Filed: |
December 27, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61903499 |
Nov 13, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
455/550.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 1/72569 20130101;
H04M 1/72575 20130101; H04M 1/0245 20130101; H04M 1/185
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/550.1 |
International
Class: |
H04M 1/725 20060101
H04M001/725 |
Claims
1. A method carried out by an electronic device, the method
comprising: transmitting electromagnetic radiation ("EMR") to an
accessory; detecting a reflection of the transmitted EMR off of the
accessory, wherein a characteristic of the reflected EMR maps to a
predetermined function of the electronic device, the predetermined
function being associated with the accessory; and performing the
predetermined function.
2. The method claim 1, wherein the electronic device comprises a
plurality of EMR sources and transmitting EMR to an accessory
comprises a plurality of EMR light sources of the transmitting EMR
to the accessory.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the EMR is chosen from the group
consisting of infrared light, visible light, and radio frequency
EMR.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting EMR comprises:
transmitting EMR having a first characteristic during a first
timeslot; and transmitting EMR having a second, different
characteristic during a second, non-overlapping timeslot; wherein
the detecting a reflection of the transmitted EMR comprises:
detecting a reflection of the transmitted EMR of the first time
slot off of the accessory; detecting a reflection of the
transmitted EMR of the second time slot off the accessory; and
wherein performing the predetermined function comprises performing
the predetermined function based on a code represented by the
detected reflections of the first time slot and the second time
slot.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting EMR having a first
characteristic in a first timeslot comprises a first EMR source
transmitting the EMR having a first characteristic in a first
timeslot; and transmitting EMR having a second characteristic in a
second timeslot comprises a second EMR source transmitting the EMR
having a second characteristic in a first timeslot
6. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting EMR comprises
transmitting the EMR over a range of transmission powers and over a
range of distances between the electronic device and the accessory;
the characteristic of the reflected light comprises a reflection
profile that is based on the reflection of the EMR transmitted over
the range of transmission powers and over the range of distances;
the electronic device selects the predetermined function based on a
comparison between the reflection profile and one or more known
reflection profiles.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic device comprises
an EMR sensor, the method further comprising: adjusting one or both
of the sensitivity of the EMR sensor over a range of sensitivities;
and the power of the transmitted EMR over a range of transmit
powers, wherein the characteristic of the reflected light comprises
a reflection profile that is based on the reflection of the EMR as
detected over the range of sensitivities or over the range of
distances; the selection is based on a comparison between the
reflection profile and a known reflection profile.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the accessory is attached to the
electronic device; a portion of the accessory is pivotable with
respect to the electronic device over a range of angles;
transmitting EMR comprises transmitting the EMR over one or both of
a range of EMR transmission powers; and the range of angles; the
characteristic of the reflected light comprises a reflection
profile that is based on the reflection of the EMR transmitted over
the range of transmission powers and over the range of angles; and
the information is based on a comparison between the reflection
profile and one or more known reflection profiles.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic device comprises
an EMR sensor; wherein the accessory is a folio and the portion is
a cover of the folio, wherein the electronic device comprises an
EMR sensor that performs the detecting step, the method further
comprising: varying the gain of the transmitted EMR, or the gain of
the EMR sensor, or both, to take the EMR sensor out of a saturated
state when the cover closes on the electronic device, wherein the
characteristic of the of EMR is a reflection profile of the angle
between the cover of the folio and the EMR sensor versus an output
signal of the EMR sensor, including when the EMR sensor is in the
saturated state; and selecting the function based on a comparison
between the reflection profile and a stored reflection profile,
wherein the stored profile is associated with a particular type of
accessory.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the characteristic of the
reflected light is at least one of: its wavelength, frequency,
reflection profile, reflection pattern, and reflection
amplitude.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic device includes a
display, and performing the predetermined function comprises one or
more of: changing the lighting of the display, painting a
particular area of the display, changing the color images on the
display, turning on the display, turning off the display, changing
an alert type for the device, changing the volume of the device,
changing the call handling of the device, launching an application,
turning the electronic device on, turning the electronic device
off, and putting the electronic device into sleep mode.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein the accessory is a cover for the
electronic device; and performing the predetermined function
comprises displaying an image on a location of a display of the
electronic device, wherein the location corresponds to an area of
the cover through which the image can be seen.
13. An assembly comprising: an electronic device configured to
transmit EMR; and an accessory for the electronic device wherein
the accessory comprises a physical characteristic or physical
feature configured to reflect the transmitted EMR; the physical
characteristic or physical feature conveys information regarding a
predetermined function of the electronic device, the predetermined
function being associated with the accessory; wherein the
electronic device is further configured to: detect the reflected
EMR; and perform a function based on the information.
14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the physical characteristic
is one or more of a color of the accessory, the material of the
accessory, finish of accessory, a reflective pattern on the
accessory, size, and the shape of a reflective surface on the
accessory
15. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the electronic device
includes: a sensor; and an EMR source that transmits the
transmitted EMR; and the accessory includes a waveguide configured
to direct the reflected EMR or a portion thereof from the EMR
source to the sensor.
16. An accessory for an electronic device, the accessory
comprising: a reflective portion configured to reflect EMR, the
reflective portion having a physical characteristic that indicates,
based on the reflected EMR, a predetermined function to be taken by
the electronic device with respect to the accessory.
17. The accessory of claim 16, wherein the physical characteristic
is one or more of a color, shape, finish, texture, or material of
the accessory.
18. The accessory of claim 16, wherein the physical feature is one
or more of a pattern, sticker, barcode, or hole on the
accessory.
19. The accessory of claim 16, wherein the EMR reflected by the
reflective portion represents a code that indicates the
predetermined function.
20. The accessory of claim 16, wherein the accessory is selected
from the group consisting of a cover for the electronic device, a
stylus for the electronic device, a dock for an electronic device
(100), and a wearable product.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure is related generally to wireless
device communication and, more particularly, to an electronic
device carrying out functions based on reflected electromagnetic
radiation from an accessory.
BACKGROUND
[0002] With the introduction of short-range communication
technologies, such Bluetooth.RTM., electronic devices, such as
smart phones, can be wirelessly connected with many types of
accessories. When such connection occurs, the accessory typically
communicates its capabilities and properties to the electronic
device so that the electronic device can interact appropriately
with the accessory. There are many types of accessories, however,
that have no wireless capability and, in many cases, no power. Such
non-wireless accessories include cases, skins, holsters, and
folios. Yet there are many possible functions that could be
performed with respect to such accessories if there were some
mechanism for the electronic devices to obtain information about
them.
DRAWINGS
[0003] While the appended claims set forth the features of the
present techniques with particularity, these techniques, together
with their objects and advantages, may be best understood from the
following detailed description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings of which:
[0004] FIG. 1A is an overview of a the interaction between an
electronic device and an accessory according to an embodiment;
[0005] FIG. 1B and FIG. 1C depict an electronic device attached to
a folio according to an embodiment;
[0006] FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram of a representative
electronic device according to an embodiment;
[0007] FIG. 3 shows the interaction between a folio cover and the
electronic device according to an embodiment;
[0008] FIG. 4 shows two example reflection profiles;
[0009] FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C show how an electronic device obtains a
reflection profile from a folio cover by using a pattern on a folio
cover according to an embodiment;
[0010] FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C show how an electronic device obtains a
reflection profile from a folio cover by using a pattern on the
folio cover according to another embodiment; and
[0011] FIG. 7 shows steps taken by the electronic device to carry
out functions based on reflected electromagnetic radiation
according to an embodiment.
DESCRIPTION
[0012] This disclosure is generally directed to a method and
electronic device for carrying out functions based on
electromagnetic radiation ("EMR") reflected from an accessory.
According to various embodiments, the accessory has physical
characteristics or physical features that reflect EMR with an
identifiable profile. Examples of such physical characteristics
include the color, shape, finish, texture, unique stickers, or
material of the accessory. Examples of physical features include a
pattern, sticker, barcode, or hole on the accessory. Different
reflection profiles are stored in the electronic device and each
profile is mapped to a particular function of the electronic
device.
[0013] In one embodiment, the method can be used to distinguish
between different folios. For example, each folio can have a unique
reflective surface (unique color, texture, size, pattern, etc.). As
the folio is closed over the device (e.g., over the display that
the folio protects) and over a proximity detector (EMR sensor) of
the electronic device, the range between the folio cover and the
EMR sensor is reduced (e.g., from about 1 foot, when the folio is
not attached to the device to zero inches, when the folio is
closed). The electronic device sweeps the power of one or more EMR
transmitters (e.g., the power of infrared light-emitting diodes
(LEDs)), the sensitivity of the EMR sensor, or both until the
output of the EMR sensor is out of saturation (e.g., from 1 inch to
0 inches). The electronic device then captures a received
reflection profile. Relying on colors may allow a limited number of
folios to be identified. In one embodiment, the electronic device
simply determines whether the color is bright, dark, or medium.
[0014] Turning to FIG. 1A, according to various embodiments, an
electronic device 100 transmits EMR 96 (e.g., infrared light, radio
waves, or visible light), which is reflected off of an accessory 94
of the electronic device 100. The electronic device 100 senses the
reflected EMR 98 and, based on characteristics of the reflected EMR
98, carries out a predetermined function with respect to the
accessory. Possible implementations of the electronic device 100
include a cell phone, smartphone, personal digital assistant,
dedicated camera, and portable music player. Although depicted in
FIG. 1 as a mobile electronic device, the electronic device 100
need not be mobile. Possible implementations of the accessory 94
include a folio, stylus, headset, a wearable product, and a dock
for the electronic device (which could reflect a code for
auto-pairing).
[0015] Turning to FIG. 1B, the electronic device 100, according to
an embodiment, has housing 102, and a display 104 integrated with
the housing 102. The electronic device 100 is attached to a folio
106. The folio 106 has a cover 108 that is attached to the rest of
the folio 106 by a hinge 110. The cover 108 has an interior surface
112. Integrated with the housing 102 and on or embedded within an
upper surface 114 of the electronic device 100 are an EMR sensor
118, a first EMR source 120A, a second EMR source 120B, and a third
EMR source 120C (referred to generically as EMR source or sources
120). Possible implementations of the EMR sources 120 include
infrared light sources (such as infrared light emitting diodes),
radio frequency sources, and visible light sources.
[0016] Turning to FIG. 1C, the cover 108 of the folio 106 has an
embedded waveguide 122 which, in one embodiment, is a thin, plastic
structure such as a fiber fishing line. When the cover 108 is
closed over the electronic device 100, the waveguide 122 couples
the second EMR source 120B and the third EMR source 120C to the EMR
sensor 118 so that EMR originating from the second and third EMR
sources 120B and 120C are directed to the EMR sensor 118. According
to an embodiment, areas 121 are transparent to the EMR emitted by
the EMR sources 120, thereby allowing interaction with the
electronic device 100 using the EMR sources 120 and the EMR sensor
118 to take place when the cover 108 is closed. According to one
embodiment, the EMR sensor 118 receives three serial reflections
when cover 108 is closed (from the three EMR sources 120). As will
be described in further detail below, these serial pulses result in
potential nine potential folio combinations (000, 001, 010, 011,
100, 101, 110, 111) for a given color.
[0017] Turning to FIG. 2, the electronic device 100 (FIG. 1)
further includes one or more wireless transceivers 201, an
application processor 203, a memory 205, one or more output
components 207 (including the first, second, and third EMR sources
120A, 120B, and 120C), and one or more input components 209
(including, if implemented with a touch screen, the display 104).
Stored within the memory 105 is a mapping data structure 206. An
accelerometer 225 and the EMR sensor 118 are electrically coupled
to the sensor hub 224. The sensor hub 224 may be implemented as a
low-power processor (i.e., a processor that consumes less power
than the application processor 203), which can carry out methods
described herein. The term "processor" may refer to either the
sensor hub 224 or to the application processor 203. Other
components of the electronic device 100 include a electronic device
interface 215 and a power supply 217. The components depicted in
FIG. 2 are coupled directly or indirectly with one another by one
or more communication links 218 (e.g., an internal communication
bus). The wireless transceivers 201 include a cellular transceiver
211 and a wireless local area network ("WLAN") transceiver 213.
[0018] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the sensor hub 224, in
addition to controlling the various sensors, also serves to control
operation of the display 104 (and the functionality that supports
it) when the electronic device 100 is in a sleep mode. In contrast,
which the electronic device 100 is awake, the display 104 (and the
functionality that supports it) is under the control of the
application processor 203.
[0019] Possible implementations of the application processor 203
include a microprocessor, microcomputer, and application-specific
integrated circuit. One or both the application processor 203 and
the sensor hub 224 execute instructions retrieved from the memory
205 in order to carry out methods and functions of the electronic
device as described herein.
[0020] It is to be understood that FIG. 2 is provided for
illustrative purposes only, and is not intended to be a complete
schematic diagram of the various components required for an
electronic device.
[0021] Continuing with FIG. 2, the mapping data structure 206 maps
different EMR characteristics (as detected by the EMR sensor 118)
to different functions to be carried out by the electronic device
100. Examples of functions include changing the lighting of the
display 104, painting a particular area of the display 104,
changing the color images on the display 104, turning on the
display 104, turning off the display 104, changing an alert type
for the device 100, changing the volume of the device 100, changing
the call handling of the device 100, launching an application,
turning the electronic device 100 on, turning the electronic device
100 off, redirecting display updates (and user touch interactions)
to/from a second (alternative) display, and putting the electronic
device 100 into sleep mode
[0022] Turning back to FIG. 1B, one or more of the EMR sources 120
project EMR, which is reflected off of the accessory 94 (FIG. 1A).
The EMR sensor 118 detects the reflected EMR and generates a signal
based on characteristics of the reflected EMR. Such characteristics
may include one or more of wavelength, frequency, waveform,
reflection profile, reflection pattern, and reflection amplitude,
of the reflected EMR 98 (FIG. 1A). The sensor hub 224 receives the
signal and provides the signal to the application processor 203
(FIG. 2). The application processor 203 references the mapping data
structure 206 (FIG. 2) to select a function the electronic device
100 should perform.
[0023] Continuing with FIG. 1B, an example of a mapping between EMR
characteristics and functions of electronic device 100 is as
follows: a first set of EMR characteristics maps to turning the
electronic device 100 off, a second set of EMR characteristics maps
to putting the electronic device 100 into a low-power mode, and a
third set of EMR characteristics maps to displaying a clock at
location 104A. In addition to mapping EMR characteristics directly
the functions, the mapping data structure 206 (FIG. 2) may also map
the visible light characteristics to the type or model of the
accessory or to capabilities of the electronic device.
[0024] In an embodiment, the electronic device 100 (FIG. 1B)
transmits EMR having different characteristics in different time
slots. This allows the device 100 to identify which EMR source
transmitted the EMR that reflected off of the accessory and is
ultimately detected by EMR sensor 118. In one example, the first
EMR source 120A transmits in the first time slot, the second EMR
source 120B transmits in the second time slot, and the third EMR
source 120C transmits in the third time slot, with the process
repeating.
[0025] According to an embodiment, one or more characteristics of
the reflected EMR translate to a code, such as a binary code. An
example scenario is as follows: reflected EMR that is predominately
blue translates to a binary zero, while reflected EMR that is
predominately red translates to a binary one.
[0026] According to an embodiment, the EMR sources 120 transmit EMR
in a sequential manner so that their reflected EMR translates into
a multi-bit binary code. In this embodiment, when the cover 108 is
closed (FIG. 1C) the EMR sensor 118 receives three serial
reflections--one from the first EMR source 120A (proximity
reflection), one from the second EMR source 120B (via the waveguide
122 or by allowing it to exit the folio through a window in that
specific folio type and reflect off of the user) and one from the
third EMR source 120C (via the waveguide 122 or allowing it to exit
as previously discussed). These serial pulses could constitute a
code that may potentially map to nine different folios (000, 001,
010, 011, 100, 101, 110, 111). Additionally, such a code can
include not just colors and sequence--but could mix-in other
reflection characteristics as well to create a more comprehensive
code (from reflections).
[0027] In one example, the first EMR source 120A pulses EMR for a
9.6 microsecond pulse every 10 millisecond interval beginning at
time 0, the second EMR source 120B pulses EMR for a 9.6 microsecond
pulse every 10 millisecond interval beginning at time 120
microseconds (which is the gap between pulses) and the third EMR
source 120C pulses EMR for a 9.6 microsecond pulse every 10
millisecond interval beginning at time 240 microseconds. In this
way, the EMR sensor 118 detects the reflected EMR from each EMR
source at a distinct moment in time and translates each instance
into a binary zero and a binary one, resulting in a three bit
number. Each three bit number might be associated with a different
folio or even a different accessory altogether. The mapping data
structure 206 (FIG. 2) could also map each three bit number to a
different function that the electronic device 100 is to take, where
each action is associated to the folio 106 or other type of
accessory 94 (FIG. 1A) with which the electronic device 100 is
associated.
[0028] Turning FIG. 3, a description of the interaction between the
electronic device 100 and the folio 106 in an embodiment of the
disclosure will now be provided. Under normal use, the distance 302
between the folio cover 108 and the EMR sensor 118 as well as the
angle 300 between them varies as a user opens or closes the folio
cover 108. In one embodiment, the electronic device 100 determines
a function to perform with respect to the folio cover 108 by
varying the transmit power of one or more of the EMR sources 120
the receive power of the EMR sensor 118, or both, so as to take the
EMR sensor 118 out of a saturated state. The electronic device 100
determines the reflection profile of the folio cover 108 which, in
this embodiment, is the curve of output signal EMR sensor 118
versus the angle of the folio cover 108 with respect to the EMR
sensor 118. The electronic device 100 then refers to the mapping
data structure 206 (FIG. 2) to determine the function to which the
reflection profile maps. The reflection profile represents the
color of the folio cover 108, and the function to which the profile
maps may relate one or both the color and reflectance of the folio
cover 108. For example, if the reflection profile relates to the
color red, the function to which the profile maps may be to display
a clock shown on the display 104 at location 104A a red tint.
[0029] In one example, the processor mapping data structure 206
(FIG. 2) indicates that, based on the reflection profile, the
electronic device 100 should, when the folio cover 108 is closed,
display the time on the display 104 at position 104A--e.g., because
the folio cover 108 has a translucent window at position 112A. In
another example, if no window is available, the electronic device
100 should turn off the display 104 to conserve power.
[0030] Continuing with FIG. 3, according to an embodiment, for the
electronic device 100 to be able to distinguish colors, the EMR
sensor 118 needs to operate in the linear region (not saturated).
For example, if the accessory is the folio 106, then after the
electronic device 100 detects the cover 108 has been closed--i.e.,
the electronic device 100 sweeps the transmit power of the EMR
sources 120 or the gain of the EMR sensor 118, or both--the
electronic device monitors the rise in the output of the EMR sensor
118 from zero toward saturation. Alternatively, the electronic
device 100 could start the sweep at saturation and end at zero.
Based on the rise profile while in the linear region (i.e., the
reflection profile), the electronic device 100 begins to determine
what the color the cover 108 is or what type of folio the folio 106
is.
[0031] Put another way, the transmit power of the EMR sources 120,
the gain of the EMR sensor 118, or both are swept following closure
of the cover 108 from high to low or low to high (low corresponds
to little or no detection by the EMR sensor 118, while high
corresponds to high detection or saturation detection). The
electronic device 100 captures the reflected EMR while sweeping the
transmit power of the EMR sources 120 or receive gain of the EMR
sensor 118, or both, over a range of transmit powers and
sensitivities. This capture represents a reflection profile.
[0032] Each folio color or folio material maps to a reflection
profile. For example, bright colors cause the EMR detector 118 to
generate an output signal sooner and reach saturation levels much
earlier than other colors when the cover 108 of the folio 106 is
closed and vice versa. Each folio has a profile associated with it
(slope, curve shape, etc.). These profiles are stored in the
mapping data structure 206 (FIG. 2). Once the cover 108 is detected
and closed, the electronic device 100 compares the detected profile
with the stored profiles in order to identify the folio and sets
the functionality of the electronic device 100 accordingly.
[0033] FIG. 4 depicts reflection profiles 400 according to an
embodiment. The reflection profiles 400 is plotted on a graph whose
x-axis is the angle 300 (FIG. 3) between the folio cover 108 and
the EMR sensor 118, and whose y-axis is the output signal of the
EMR sensor 118. Region S represents the saturation region of the
EMR sensor 118. The first reflection profile 402 shows a lower
reflectance for the lower surface 112, thus indicating that the
lower surface 112 has one or more of the following qualities: a
lower reflectance color, a darker color (e.g., black), flatter
material, or coarser material. In contrast, the second reflection
profile 404 shows a higher reflectance for the lower surface 112
(requiring further separation between the device and folio to get
out of saturation), thus indicating that the lower surface 112 has
one or more of the following qualities: a higher reflectance color,
a lighter color (e.g., silver), a higher reflectance (e.g., shiny)
material, or a smooth.
[0034] According to another embodiment, depicted in FIGS. 5A, 5B,
and 5C, the lower surface 112 of the folio cover 108 has a first
pattern 500 that indicates a first function that the electronic
device 100 is to perform. Accordingly, the mapping data structure
206 maps the different patterns to respective functions of the
electronic device 100. The first pattern has white portions 504 and
dark portions 506. As the folio cover 108 is closed--i.e., the
angle 502 between the lower surface 112 of the folio cover 108
changes, the EMR transmitted from the EMR source 120 moves across
different parts of the first pattern 500. As the EMR from the EMR
source reflects off of a dark portion 506 of the pattern 500, the
output signal (FIG. 5C) of the EMR sensor 118 (which is based on
the reflected EMR) drops, whereas when the EMR from the EMR source
120 reflects off of a white portion 504, the output signal
rises.
[0035] FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C depict the lower surface 112 of the
folio cover 108 having a second, broken pattern 600 that indicates
a second function that the electronic device 100 is to perform. The
second pattern 600 has white portions 604 and dark portions 606. As
with the example of FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C, when the folio cover 108
is closed, the angle 602 between the lower surface 112 of the folio
cover 108 changes, and the EMR transmitted from the EMR source 120
moves across different parts of the second pattern 600. As the EMR
from the EMR source reflects off of a dark portion 606 of the
pattern 600, the output signal (FIG. 6C) of the EMR sensor 118
drops, whereas when the EMR from the EMR source 120 reflects off of
a white portion 604, the output signal rises.
[0036] Turning to FIG. 7, a method 700 according to an embodiment
of the disclosure proceeds as follows. At block 702, the electronic
device (FIG. 1A) transmits EMR to an accessory 94 (arrow 96). At
block 704, the electronic device 100 detects a reflection of the
EMR off of the accessory 94 (arrow 98). A characteristic of the
reflected EMR maps to a predetermined function of the electronic
device 100, and the predetermined function is associated with the
accessory 94. At block 706, the electronic device 100 performs the
predetermined function.
[0037] It can be seen from the foregoing that a method, electronic
device, and accessory for carrying out functions based on reflected
electromagnetic radiation have been described. It should be
understood that the exemplary embodiments described therein should
be considered in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes of
limitation. Descriptions of features or aspects within each
embodiment should typically be considered as available for other
similar features or aspects in other embodiments.
[0038] While one or more embodiments of the have been described
with reference to the figures, it will be understood by those of
ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details
may be made therein without departing from their spirit and scope
of as defined by the following claims.
* * * * *