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.

We claim: 
     
         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.