Kenneth Gay

US Patent:

8149000, Apr 3, 2012

Filed:

Oct 11, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/870529

Inventors:

Ian F. Harris - Kings Park NY, US
Drew J. Dutton - Austin TX, US
Kenneth W. Gay - Tucson AZ, US

Assignee:

Standard Microsystems Corporation - Hauppauge NY

International Classification:

G01R 27/26

US Classification:

324661

Abstract:

System and method for determining closure of an electronic device. The electronic device may include a top portion and a bottom portion, and may be connecting via a hinge or other closing mechanism. The top portion and/or the bottom portion may include one or more capacitive sensors which provide signals corresponding to physical contact and a controller coupled to the one or more capacitive sensors. The controller may operate to receive the signals from the one or more capacitive sensors, determine if the electronic device has been closed based on the received signals, and initiate a sequence of events corresponding to the closure of the electronic device. The sequence of events may result in the device entering a low power state.