Patent ID: 8508356

Claim:
A portable electronic device, comprising: a housing enclosing a circuit that is configured to perform user-requested functions in response to input from a user interface device, the circuit further configured to cause the portable electronic device to automatically perform a locating function comprising emitting a locating signal, in response to detecting a predetermined first wireless signal using at least one sensor coupled to the circuit and distinct from the user interface device, wherein the circuit is further responsive to sensor input from the at least one sensor to automatically control a level of sensitivity of, but not disable, the circuit to the first wireless signal in response to determining that the sensor input satisfies a predetermined threshold condition before the device emits the locating signal, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a first sensor and a different second sensor connected to the circuit, wherein the first sensor is configured to detect the first wireless signal and the second sensor is configured to provide the sensor input in response to a signal distinct from the first wireless signal, wherein the circuit operates to prevent normal ambient signals from triggering the portable electronic device to perform the locating function, and wherein the circuit decreases the level of sensitivity based on the second sensor sensing an absence of at least one of ambient noise or light.