Patent ID: 8552979

Claim:
A proximity sensor for facilitating an operation of a graphical user interface navigation button, the proximity sensor comprising: an infrared radiation emitter operable to emit a navigation infrared radiation; an infrared radiation sensor positioned relative to the infrared radiation emitter to sense a reflection of the navigation infrared radiation off of a navigation object proximate the infrared radiation emitter and the infrared radiation sensor, wherein the infrared radiation sensor corresponds to a specific navigation direction of movement on a graphical user interface; and an infrared radiation source differentiator in electrical communication with the infrared radiation sensor, the infrared radiation source differentiator to: generate a first infrared sensing signal in response to sensing the reflection of the navigation infrared signal from the infrared radiation emitter; generate a second infrared sensing signal in response to sensing ambient infrared radiation emitted by an infrared radiation source other than the infrared radiation emitter; and provide a navigation mode signal indicative of at least the first infrared sensing signal; wherein the operation of the graphical user interface navigation button is facilitated by the proximity sensor in response to the navigation mode signal indicating at least a sensing by the infrared radiation sensor of the reflection of the navigation infrared radiation in the navigation direction corresponding to the infrared radiation sensor.