Patent ID: 8744418
Filing Date: 2014-06-03
Classification: H04M

Abstract:
1. A method of managing characteristics of a mobile device based upon capacitive detection of materials proximate the mobile device, the method comprising: receiving location data of the mobile device; receiving a first capacitive sensor measurement with a first capacitive sensor of the mobile device, wherein the first capacitive sensor measurement is a measurement of surface charge on the first capacitive sensor; determining a type of material adjacent to the mobile device based on the first capacitive sensor measurement, location data of the mobile device, and stored values in a metadata library in a memory of the mobile device corresponding to types of materials having different dielectric constants, wherein the metadata library tracks capacitive sensor measurements over time to account for changes in the stored values corresponding to different materials having different dielectric constants; storing information to the metadata library, wherein the information comprises (1) one or more of the following: the first capacitive sensor measurement and a calculated dielectric constant based on the first capacitive sensor measurement, (2) location data of the mobile device, and (3) the determined type of material; and sending data for adjusting a user interface output characteristic or a radio frequency communication characteristic of the mobile device based on the determined type of material adjacent to the mobile device.