Intel Corporation
METHODS AND APPARATUS TO DETECT PROXIMITY OF OBJECTS TO COMPUTING DEVICES USING NEAR ULTRASONIC SOUND WAVES

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus to detect proximity of objects to computing devices using near ultrasonic sound waves are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a frequency analyzer to determine power levels of noise in different frequency bands associated with sound waves sensed by a microphone of a computing device. The example apparatus further includes a signal generator to cause a speaker to produce a series of acoustic pulses. A central frequency of the pulses is defined based on the power levels of noise in the different frequency bands. The sound waves are sensed by the microphone to include the pulses and echoes of the pulses reflected off objects in a vicinity of the computing device. The example apparatus also includes an object detection analyzer to determine whether a first object is within an activation region associated with the computing device based on the pulses and the echoes sensed by the microphone.