Abstract:
An embodiment relates generally to a method of operating a device. The method includes providing for a plurality of sensors, where each sensor is configured to sense and transmit data values associated with an interaction with the device by a user. A subset of the sensors of the plurality of sensors is associated with a respective facing on a housing of the device. The method also includes operating the plurality of sensors to detect the interaction with the device by the user and receiving sensor data associated with the interaction from the plurality of sensors. The method further includes determining a user mode of the device based on the sensor data associated with the interaction.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    This invention relates to selecting applications in a mobile device, more particularly, to methods, systems and apparatus for user selectable programmable housing skin sensors on the mobile device for user mode optimization and control. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART 
       [0002]    Presently, mobile communication devices and hand held portable devices such as mobile phones, pagers, portable games, remote controls, and the like, provide communication and other functionality for users on the go. For example, a user with a mobile phone can place a call while engaging in another activity, such as walking. 
         [0003]    Each user may hold a mobile phone slightly different from the next user. This can adversely affect microphone and speaker performance, which results in poor detection of the user&#39;s voice and non-optimal volume output from the speaker, respectively. Furthermore, the user may hold the phone with the antenna at a varying distance from the user&#39;s head. This can adversely affect antenna and transmission performance because of sub-optimal tuning of antenna matching circuitry. 
         [0004]    In addition, as the user is engaged in another activity, it can be difficult for the user to select the proper mode of operation of the hand held portable device. One example can be switching from a call mode to an image capture mode on the device while driving. Safety concerns demand that full attention to be paid to the driving activity. Moreover, as part of switching operating modes of a handheld portable device, conventional devices often require the user to navigate through numerous menus to select a mode or function (e.g., text messaging, camera, game, etc.). 
         [0005]    Accordingly, there is a need in the art to be able to personalize the functions of a mobile telephone to the use habits of the user to optimize performance of the mobile telephone. Moreover, there is a need for the mobile telephone to find a mechanism to switch modes in a more efficient manner. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    An embodiment relates generally to a method of operating a device. The method includes providing for a plurality of sensors, where each sensor is configured to sense and transmit data values associated with an interaction with the device by a user. A subset of the sensors of the plurality of sensors is associated with a respective facing on a housing of the device. The method also includes operating the plurality of sensors to detect the interaction with the device by the user and receiving sensor data associated with the interaction from the plurality of sensors. The method further includes determining a user mode of the device based on the sensor data associated with the interaction and/or handling of the device. 
         [0007]    Another embodiment pertains generally to an apparatus for customizing a user experience. The apparatus includes a controller and a housing configured to enclose the controller. The apparatus also includes a plurality of sensors, where each sensor is configured to sense and transmit data values to the controller in response to an interaction with the apparatus by a user and where at least one sensor of the plurality of sensors is associated with a side of a housing. The apparatus further includes a user personalization module coupled with the controller and configured to personalize the device by storing a plurality of user modes. The controller is configured to receive sensor data associated with the interaction from the plurality of sensors and to determine a selected user mode from the plurality of user modes based on the received sensor data associated with the interaction from the plurality of sensors. 
         [0008]    Yet another embodiment relates generally to a method of personalizing a mobile telephone. The method includes providing for a plurality of sensors, where each sensor is configured to sense and transmit data values associated with an interaction with the mobile telephone by a user and a subset of the sensors of the plurality of sensors is associated with a respective facing on a housing of the mobile telephone. The method also includes storing a plurality of user modes for the mobile telephone, where each user mode is associated with a set of sensor values from the plurality of sensors. The method further includes operating the plurality of sensors to detect a current interaction with the mobile telephone by the user and selecting a user mode of the mobile telephone based on the sensor data from the plurality of sensors associated with the current interaction. 
         [0009]    Accordingly, a user can personalize a mobile telephone with the respective use habits of the user. As a result, a user can use the mobile telephone more efficiently and in a safer manner while engaged in other activities. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    Various features of the embodiments can be more fully appreciated, as the same become better understood with reference to the following detailed description of the embodiments when considered in connection with the accompanying figures, in which: 
           [0011]      FIGS. 1A-C , collectively, depict distribution of skin sensors on the housing of a mobile telephone in accordance with an embodiment; 
           [0012]      FIGS. 2A-D , collectively, illustrate exemplary sensors in accordance with various embodiments; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  illustrates a block diagram of a mobile telephone in accordance with yet another embodiment; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  depicts a block diagram of a controller and the sensor network in accordance with yet another embodiment; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  illustrates an exemplary flow diagram executed by the controller in accordance with yet another embodiment; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  shows another exemplary flow diagram in accordance with yet another embodiment; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  depicts yet another exemplary flow diagram in accordance with yet another embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0018]    For simplicity and illustrative purposes, the principles of the present invention are described by referring mainly to exemplary embodiments thereof. However, one of ordinary skill in the art would readily recognize that the same principles are equally applicable to, and can be implemented in, all types of mobile communication devices, and that any such variations do not depart from the true spirit and scope of the present invention. Moreover, in the following detailed description, references are made to the accompanying figures, which illustrate specific embodiments. Electrical, mechanical, logical and structural changes may be made to the embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. 
         [0019]    Embodiments pertain generally to methods and apparatus for personalizing a mobile telephone. More particularly, a controller can be configured to couple with a network of sensors. The sensors can be distributed over the housing of the mobile telephone. Each sensor can be assigned to an area of the housing and can be implemented as a capacitive, pressure, conductive, or other touch sensitive sensor. 
         [0020]    The controller can execute a personalization module that can be configured to personalize or program the mobile telephone to the user. More specifically, the personalization module can generate an image of a mode, e.g., talking, of the mobile telephone for the user to emulate in a calibration (or configuration, program, etc.) mode. As the user emulates the displayed image, the personalization module can then be configured to collect the data from the network of sensors through the controller to obtain a set of data for a predetermined amount of time as a sensor profile. The received sensor profile is associated with the mode and stored. Subsequently, as the user manipulates the mobile telephone, the mobile telephone can determine a use mode by comparing the stored sensor profiles with the current sensor profile. 
         [0021]    The personalization module can also be configured to update the configuration data associated with a (use) mode. More particularly, a user may eventually drift from the initial position captured by the data collection during the programming mode, i.e., tactile interaction. Accordingly, the personalization module can periodically collect data from the network of sensors during a selected mode as a current sensor profile and compare the use data with the associated configuration data, i.e., stored sensor profiles. If the variance between the current sensor profile and the stored sensor profiles exceeds a predetermined threshold, the personalization module can be configured to initiate the programming mode for the selected mode. Alternatively, the personalization module can update the stored sensor profile with the current sensor profile. 
         [0022]      FIGS. 1A-C  collectively illustrate an exemplary distribution of sensors over a housing of a mobile telephone. For the shown embodiments, it should be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the number of sensors and the placements of the sensors can be varied without departing from the scope and breadth of the claimed invention. Moreover,  FIGS. 1A-C  share some common features. Accordingly, the description of the common features in the latter figures are being omitted and that the description of these feature with respect to the first figure are being relied upon to provide adequate description of the common features. 
         [0023]      FIG. 1A  shows a front view of a mobile telephone  100  and  FIG. 1B  depicts a back view of the mobile telephone  100 . The mobile telephone  100  includes an exterior display  105  and a housing  110 . The housing  110  can be a “clamshell” configuration. Other embodiments of the housing  110  can be a “candy-bar”, a slider configuration, or other mobile telephone housings. The housing  110  can be partitioned into sensor areas  115 . Each sensor area  115  can be serviced by a single sensor or multiple sensors (e.g., tactile, distance, gyroscope, accelerometer, etc.). 
         [0024]      FIG. 1C  illustrates a side view of the mobile telephone  100  with side sensor areas  120 . In some embodiments, the side sensor areas  120  can be part of respective sensor area  115  from the top and bottom of the housing  110 . 
         [0025]      FIG. 1D  shows a view of the mobile telephone  100  in an open configuration. As shown 9 in  FIG. 1D , the interior sensor areas  125  can be placed surrounding the speaker  130 , an interior display  135 , a keypad  140 , and a microphone  145 . While the sensors associated with a particular surface are illustrated as being fairly uniform in size and shape, one skilled in the art will readily recognize that the size, shape and concentration of discrete sensors can vary relative to different areas of a particular housing surface of the handheld device without departing from the teachings of the present invention. For example, there may be an increase in the density of discrete sensors and a corresponding increase in the number of sensors proximate an area where a user is more likely to interact with the housing. 
         [0026]    The sensor(s) (not shown in  FIGS. 1A-D ) servicing each sensor area  115 ,  120 , and  125  can be implemented as sensor deposits. The sensor can be deposited as carbon paint during the housing manufacturing phase, which is then painted over (in the event of outside skin deposits) to internal sensing deposits placed on the inside of the housing material. The sensor deposits can be prepared from materials such as copper, carbon, or other materials with some level of conductivity. 
         [0027]    Other methods for applying conductive material on exterior surfaces can include a flex circuit, a conductive paint, a conductive label, plating, vacuum metallization, plasma coating, in mold decoration (conductive ink), film insert molding (conductive ink), metal insert (e.g., glob label or decorative metal bezel), conductive plastic molding, etc. 
         [0028]    The sensor deposits can be designed to make contact with a hardware contact of the sensor network that connects the sensors with the controller. The controller can be configured with numerous integrated electrical switches, which then drives the sensing hardware. The switches can be controlled by the processor of the mobile telephone and can be re-programmed as needed. Examples of the electrical interface between the sensor deposits and the sensor network are shown in  FIGS. 2A-D . 
         [0029]      FIG. 2A  shows a capacitive interconnect  200 A between an exterior conductive material  205 A and an interior conductive material  210 A. The exterior conductive material  205 A can be deposited over the interior conductive material  210 A, which is then coupled to an external sensor plate (not shown). 
         [0030]      FIG. 2B  depicts an insert molded contact configuration  200 B in accordance with another embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 2B , the configuration  200 B has a metal clip  205 B that can be insert molded into a plastic  210 B. The plastic  210 B can be flush with an exterior surface of the housing  110 . An in mold/film decoration  215 B can be used as a conductive surface with a decorative/protective overcoat  220 B. In other embodiments, the mold/film decoration  215  can be painted with a conductive paint. 
         [0031]      FIG. 2C  illustrates a spring contact configuration  200 C in accordance with yet another embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 2C , the configuration  200 C can comprise a protective surface  205 C deposited over a cosmetic layer  210 C and underneath the housing of the mobile telephone. The cosmetic layer  210 C can be adjacent to a conductive sensor material  215 C, which abuts a wall  220 C of the housing  110 . The wall  220 C can then be positioned next to the interior of the mobile telephone. 
         [0032]    The cosmetic layer  210  can have a voided area that exposes the conductive sensor material  215 C. A spring clip can then be used to connect the exterior contact zone to the interior part of the phone. The configuration  200 C can require an opening in the housing  110 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 2D  shows a flex/conductive label contact configuration  200 D in accordance with yet another embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 2D , configuration  200 D can comprise a cosmetic overlay layer  205 D deposited over a flex circuit  210 D embedded within housing wall  215 D. In this embodiment, a tail portion of the flex circuit  210 D can be coupled through a housing opening for contact to the interior electronics. A pressure contact  220 D can be coupled to a capacitive touch sensor circuit  225 D. As a user presses or holds the exterior of the housing wall, the housing wall can make contact with flex circuit  210 D and complete the circuit of the flex circuit  210 D, the pressure contact  220 D and the capacitive touch sensor circuit  225 D. 
         [0034]      FIG. 3  illustrates a block diagram  300  of the mobile telephone  100  in accordance with yet another embodiment. It should be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the block diagram depicted in  FIG. 3  represents a generalized schematic illustration and that other components may be added or existing components may be removed, combined or modified. 
         [0035]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , the mobile telephone  100  can include a controller  310 , input/output (I/O) circuitry  320 , transmitter circuitry  330 , receiver circuitry  340 , and a bus  350 . In operation, the bus  350  allows the various circuitry and components of the mobile telephone  100  to communicate with each other. The I/O circuitry  320  provides an interface for the I/O devices such as the exterior display  105 , the speaker  130 , the display  135 , the keypad  140 , and the microphone  145 . The transmitter circuitry  330  provides for the transmission of communication signals to other mobile communication devices, base stations, or the like. The receiver circuitry  340  provides for the reception of communication signals from other mobile telephones, base stations, or the like. The controller  310  controls the operation of the mobile telephone  100 . 
         [0036]    In some embodiments, the controller  310  can be interfaced with a sensor network as shown in  FIG. 4 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the controller  310  can be coupled to a sensor network  405  through a switch  410 . The sensor network  405  can be implemented with skin sensors as previously described. One or more skin sensors can be implemented in a sensor area (see  FIGS. 1A-D , areas  110 ,  115 ,  120 , and  125 ) on the housing  110  of the mobile telephone  100 . The switch  410  can be configured to direct data from the sensor network  405  to the controller  310  for processing. 
         [0037]    The controller  310  can be configured to include a personalization module as shown in  FIG. 5 , which depicts an exemplary block diagram of the personalization module  500  in accordance with yet another embodiment. It should be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the block diagram  500  depicted in  FIG. 5  represents a generalized schematic illustration and that other components may be added or existing components may be removed or modified. 
         [0038]    As shown in  FIG. 5  the personalization module  500  can comprise a manager module  505 , a sensor module  510 , a mode library module  515  and a sensor profile module  520 . The manager module  505  can be configured to provide the functionality of the personalization module  500  as described previously and in greater detail below. The manager module  505  can be coupled to the sensor module  510 . The sensor module  510  can be configured to interface with the sensor network  405  through the switch  410 . The sensor module  510  can then provide an interface for the manager module  505  to collect data from the respective sensors  415  of the sensor network  405 . 
         [0039]    The manager module  505  can also be coupled with the mode library module  515 . The mode library module  515  can be configured to store images or icons associated with respective modes of the mobile telephone. For example, image  525 A can be an image of a user holding a telephone to represent or image  525 B can be an image of a user using the telephone in a speakerphone mode. Accordingly, when the manager module  505  is placed in a calibration (or personalization, program, etc.) mode, the manager module  505  can display a selected image of a user mode for a user to emulate. As the user is emulating the displayed image, the manager module  505  can then collect a set of configuration/calibration data, i.e., a sensor profile, from the sensors  415  of the sensor network  405  through the sensor module  510 . Subsequently, the manager module  505  can store and associate the received sensor profile with the selected mode in the sensor profile module  520 . As a result of storing sensor profiles for each mode of operation of the mobile telephone, a user can operate a mobile telephone in different modes by merely changing how the user holds the mobile telephone. 
         [0040]    The sensor profile module  520  can store use modes such as anticipation modes. One example of an anticipation mode can be a mobile telephone can initiate full power on, the display being turned on, etc. in response to detecting that it is being picked up by the user. Another example of an anticipation mode can be the mobile telephone changing ring tone, increasing the volume, turning off the display, etc., in response to detecting that it is being put on a table. Yet another example of an anticipation mode can be the mobile telephone enabling an idle mode in response to detecting that it is plugged to a charger. 
         [0041]      FIG. 6  shows a flow diagram  600  executed by the manager module  505  in accordance with yet another embodiment. It should be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the flow diagram  600  depicted in  FIG. 6  represents a generalized schematic illustration and that other steps may be added or existing steps may be removed or modified. 
         [0042]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , the manager module  505  can be configured to be in a calibration mode, in step  600 . More particularly, a user may have manipulated the keypad  140  of the mobile telephone  100  to enter a configuration/calibration mode. The manager module  505  can be configured to display a predetermined number of images that represent each mode of the mobile telephone. A user could scroll through the images by operating appropriate buttons of the keypad  140 . The manager module  505  can then enter a wait state until a user selects a mode to calibrate or program. 
         [0043]    In step  610 , the manager module  505  can receive the selection of the mode to program. Accordingly, the manager module  505  can display the selected image on the LCD  140 . 
         [0044]    In step  615 , the manager module  505  can be configured to collect data from the sensors  415  of the sensor network  405  for a predetermined amount of time. The manger module  505  can buffer the incoming data from sensor network. 
         [0045]    In step  620 , the manager module  505  can be configured to store the collected data as a set of configuration data, i.e., a sensor profile, for the selected mode. The manager module  505  can then store the sensor profile linked with the selected mode in the sensor profile module  520 . Subsequently, the manager module  505  can then exit the calibration/programming mode. 
         [0046]      FIG. 7  shows a flow diagram  700  executed by the manager module  505  in accordance with yet another embodiment. It should be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the flow diagram  700  depicted in  FIG. 7  represents a generalized schematic illustration and that other steps may be added or existing steps may be removed or modified. 
         [0047]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , the manager module  505  of the personalization module  500  can be configured to detect a tactile interaction by the user, in step  705 . More particularly, the sensor module  510  can receive a set of operating data as a current sensor profile from the active sensors  415  of the sensor  405 . 
         [0048]    In step  710 , the manager module  505  can be configured to initially buffer the current sensor profile from the sensor module  510 . In step  715 , the manager module  505  can be configured to determine a mode based on the collected sensor profiles stored in the sensor profile module  520 . More particularly, the manager module  505  can compare the current sensor profile with the stored sensor profiles. 
         [0049]    If there is a match between the current sensor profile and a stored sensor profile, in step  720 , the manager module  505  can notify the controller  310  to operate the mobile telephone in the matching mode, in step  725 . Subsequently, the manager module  505  can enter a monitoring state, in step  730 . 
         [0050]    Otherwise, if there is not a match, in step  720 , the manager module  505  can be configured to determine whether the current sensor profile is within a predetermined threshold of any of the stored sensor profiles, in step  735 . 
         [0051]    If one of the stored sensor profiles is within the predetermined threshold, the manager module  505  can be configured to update the matching sensor profile with the current sensor profile, in step  750 , thereby allowing the previously stored interaction associated with a particular mode to migrate and/or change over time without necessarily requiring a new interaction to be associated with an existing mode to be expressly detected and stored to accommodate an aggregate of multiple subtle migratory changes in user interaction over time, which might no longer match the originally stored interaction. Subsequently, the manager module  505  can then enter the monitoring state, in step  755 . 
         [0052]    If none of the stored sensor profiles are within the predetermined threshold, in step  735 , the manager module  505  can be configured to collect the operating parameters of the mobile telephone  100 , in step  740 . The manager module  505  can then be configured to associate the current sensor profile with the current operating parameters of the mobile telephone  100  as a new mode. The manager module  505  can then store the sensor profile in the sensor profile module  520 . Subsequently, the manager module  505  can enter a monitoring state of step  730 . 
         [0053]    Certain embodiments may be performed as a computer program. The computer program may exist in a variety of forms both active and inactive. For example, the computer program can exist as software program(s) comprised of program instructions in source code, object code, executable code or other formats; firmware program(s); or hardware description language (HDL) files. Any of the above can be embodied on a computer readable medium, which include storage devices and signals, in compressed or uncompressed form. Exemplary computer readable storage devices include conventional computer system RAM (random access memory), ROM (read-only memory), EPROM (erasable, programmable ROM), EEPROM (electrically erasable, programmable ROM), and magnetic or optical disks or tapes. Exemplary computer readable signals, whether modulated using a carrier or not, are signals that a computer system hosting or running the present invention can be configured to access, including signals downloaded through the Internet or other networks. Concrete examples of the foregoing include distribution of executable software program(s) of the computer program on a CD-ROM or via Internet download. In a sense, the Internet itself, as an abstract entity, is a computer readable medium. The same is true of computer networks in general. 
         [0054]    While the invention has been described with reference to the exemplary embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art will be able to make various modifications to the described embodiments without departing from the true spirit and scope. The terms and descriptions used herein are set forth by way of illustration only and are not meant as limitations. In particular, although the method has been described by examples, the steps of the method may be performed in a different order than illustrated or simultaneously. Those skilled in the art will recognize that these and other variations are possible within the spirit and scope as defined in the following claims and their equivalents.