Front camera as ear detector - Tilt, TyTN II, MDA Vario III Themes and Apps

HI,
Here's an idea for developers who doesn't know what app to write next.
I was thinking about using a front camera as a ear/face detector. You start it along with the dialer and monitor the output. As long as the picture is bright above set threshold app does nothing, once the picture tuns black (when you put the phone to your head) the app turns off the screen, turns off outer speaker etc.
There is of course problem of calls at night but still I think it would be nice and maybe even useful app.
So, anyone want to try ?

I'd have thought the biggest problem here would be telling the difference between my ear and the inside of my pocket.

a motion sensor would be helpfull here :/
there was a great discussion about wearable computing on the chaos communication congress a few weeks ago.
they mentioned problems like "where is the device" ie. tracking the position on your body. on possible solution is sending and recognizing a sound played by the external speaker and recorded via the mic thus you can determine if its in the pocket or not

dancj said:
I'd have thought the biggest problem here would be telling the difference between my ear and the inside of my pocket.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would this really be a problem? I'd think that turning the screen off while the device is in your pocket would be just as useful as while near your face.

rafgerm said:
HI,
There is of course problem of calls at night
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This could be at least partially solved by using the system clock to only have the app active during specified hours of the day.

sinning said:
Would this really be a problem? I'd think that turning the screen off while the device is in your pocket would be just as useful as while near your face.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not to mention that the idea mentioned in the original post suggested starting the "ear-detection" with the dialer. Hopefully you don't routinely use the dialer while it's in your pocket.

This is a great idea... but do get me wrong; a face recognition app to unlock the device could be a start

Ignore me I'm an idiot. I thought you wanted the phone to answer when it's up against your ear.

Related

Weird vibration gyro noise?

Stay with me now, I haven't seen anyone talk about this so this is either perfectly normal or something is wrong with my phone. I just got my phone today, but when you shake or lightly tap the top of the phone to your palm, the phone makes a noise as if something is lose inside, a rattle if you will.
To me it sounds like the internal weight that causes the phone to vibrate. I first noticed it simply setting the phone down on my desk this morning, and started trying to find ways to reproduce the noise (tapping to your palm works best)
What concerns me is that my G1 didn't make this noise, and i'm just wondering if everyone else's N1 does this. So if anyone can confirm my insanity, that would be great.
I can't say I am getting the same noise with my phone. (Thankfully)
I must say the biggest thing I **DON'T** miss is the SQUEEKY sounds my old G1 would make!!!!
No idea what youre talkin about
bofslime said:
Stay with me now, I haven't seen anyone talk about this so this is either perfectly normal or something is wrong with my phone. I just got my phone today, but when you shake or lightly tap the top of the phone to your palm, the phone makes a noise as if something is lose inside, a rattle if you will.
To me it sounds like the internal weight that causes the phone to vibrate. I first noticed it simply setting the phone down on my desk this morning, and started trying to find ways to reproduce the noise (tapping to your palm works best)
What concerns me is that my G1 didn't make this noise, and i'm just wondering if everyone else's N1 does this. So if anyone can confirm my insanity, that would be great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey, I totally know what you are talking about
Nothing is wrong with the phone Sounds like a normal plastic vibration. It is either the trackball or the accelerometer. Our it could be something else those are just my best guess.
As far as I am concerned it is just a little loose, but now that I think about it the headphone jack could be making the noise. That recedes into the phone body so requires a casing to insert the jack into the phone.
Nothing to be alarmed about.
Hrm, Well I can say its not the trackball (although that initially made the most sense!), I could still hear the noise wile holding the trackball. And I tried the same thing with headphones connected, and could still hear it. But, its reassuring that my phone isn't the only one doing this.
I get the same thing. Could be the vibra motor. like shaking a ps3 controller produces similar feedback of something moving around.
vas41 said:
I get the same thing. Could be the vibra motor. like shaking a ps3 controller produces similar feedback of something moving around.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it is either this or the accelerometer, you phone is fine, stop worrying...
JHaste said:
it is either this or the accelerometer, you phone is fine, stop worrying...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup, just wanted to make sure it was normal. I'm pretty sure this is accurate.
the rattle noise is most definatly the auto focus camera. It commonly affects the iPhone 3GS, it doesnt cause any problems, but if the rattle gets to you you can send it in if you so wish.
melterx12 said:
the rattle noise is most definatly the auto focus camera. It commonly affects the iPhone 3GS, it doesnt cause any problems, but if the rattle gets to you you can send it in if you so wish.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i stand corrected? regardless its still fine lol
melterx12 said:
the rattle noise is most definatly the auto focus camera. It commonly affects the iPhone 3GS, it doesnt cause any problems, but if the rattle gets to you you can send it in if you so wish.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey, you are 100% correct!. I can hear it after when I have it snap pictures, exact same noise. I probably won't be able to stand it and will have it fixed/replaced. But that is most defiantly it.
i wouldnt exactly go sending it in.. this is normal.. mine does the same thing.. so does my mother's eris..
Mine does this as well and I too find it extremely annoying. Can anyone possibly confirm if they all do this and if it is normal or not?
Bump (10 char)
How anyone can find this extremely annoying is beyond me..
Stop using your phone as maracas I say.
My Nexus One just recently started doing this, I haven't dropped it or banged it against anything either. It happens when I open and close any app that uses the camera.
webgrafix said:
I must say the biggest thing I **DON'T** miss is the SQUEEKY sounds my old G1 would make!!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol those squeeks were so fregin annoying.
i have the same thing on HTC Desire
I have the same rattling noise. I even hear it when I have the haptic feedback on. Each vibration leads to this rattling/crackling noise. Super annoying.
indeed it's the camera. i especially notice it when using the barcode scanner app.

[Video] There's something moving inside my Nexus 4

I'm sure you heard about those click sounds when you shake your device which could be the autofocus.
But I don't think this is normal, is it:
(It is a 10sec Video recorded WITH my N4)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aG8sesskCYA&feature
/e How the hell does the youtube tag work?
those quiet *click*s you hear everytime it "swaps over" (don't know how to say it) - that comes from inside the phone.
Anyone else have the same "problem"? :/
rest0ck
Yeah, it's the processor fans
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
LOL theres no fan in your phone!
i believe those clicks would be your accelerometer.
I was watching a video earlier today (posted somewhere on the forum), and I believe it's the little piston thingy you push with the SIM ejection tool moving around. If you eject your SIM and stuff the section a little, you'll notice the rattle go away. Also, if you hold that side of the phone firmly, you should notice the rattling noise lowers.
I don't let it bother me though. I don't intend on rapidly moving my phone or shaking it a lot.
polobreaka said:
LOL theres no fan in your phone!
i believe those clicks would be your accelerometer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Accelerometers now work by measuring the movements of atoms. The chip doesn't produce any audible vibrations unless it falls of the PCB.
Could be a component from the vibrator, I heard they used a linear type in this phone as opposed to the common rotation style.
Its either the sim or your loose volume rockers (they rattle too..haha).
Thanks for your answers.
I just put out my sim card and it is a little bit loose inside the holder but that doesn't produce those sounds. Also it is not the volume rocker or the on off button ..
And this is no "rapidly moving" like you see in the video .. its pretty slightly.
rest0ck
It's the volume buttons sliding. Notice that when the Nexus 4 is in a case it doesn't make those noises?
Why do I get the feeling a lot of people are actually trying their absolute hardest to find any fault with their devices? Just use the damn thing and stop whining about it. First we get people asking if they should RMA rev.10s just because they're rev.10s and now this. This site should be renamed XDA Whingers...
There s something moving inside my N4...
Sorry cannot stop picturing the Alien movie in my mind
I can hold the volume rocker while moving my phone and the sounds still appear.
@Azurael: I just want to make sure if my device is damaged or not. If you don't care, just ..dont post in here. Thanks.
Azurael said:
Why do I get the feeling a lot of people are actually trying their absolute hardest to find any fault with their devices? Just use the damn thing and stop whining about it. First we get people asking if they should RMA rev.10s just because they're rev.10s and now this. This site should be renamed XDA Whingers...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He just wanted to know what it is, he never said that he wants to RMA it or something like that.
Whining about something isn't the same as trying to find out what it is.
rest0ck said:
I'm sure you heard about those click sounds when you shake your device which could be the autofocus.
But I don't think this is normal, is it:
(It is a 10sec Video recorded WITH my N4)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aG8sesskCYA&feature
/e How the hell does the youtube tag work?
those quiet *click*s you hear everytime it "swaps over" (don't know how to say it) - that comes from inside the phone.
Anyone else have the same "problem"? :/
rest0ck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's the little thing you have to push in order to eject the SIM card. I actually ripped my phone open to get to the source of the problem.
It's not easy to tell but it seems like the direction (where the sound comes from) could really be the SIM Card .. so it's normal that those sounds even appear when the sim card holder isn't even in the phone?
I have this problem and this bothers me a lot. It seems that the noise comes from the processor or camera area. Does someone has fixed it.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4
Fix
The fix is very simple. Just attach a small peace of tape on the left side of sim card holder. The noise will disapear.
I have it too.
I hear the same 'click' sound from my phone too. And it seems it comes from the 'camera' area.
I can reproduce the 'click' sound without even moving the phone. What I do is:
Go to the 'camera' (Stock)
Turn on 'flash' from settings
Click a picture
Swipe from right to open that image and click the image to center it.
The 'click' sound will be produced. Sometimes there are two 'click' sounds and my phone reboots.
Don't know why this happens but it bugs me quite a bit.
Bruteadi said:
I hear the same 'click' sound from my phone too. And it seems it comes from the 'camera' area.
I can reproduce the 'click' sound without even moving the phone. What I do is:
Go to the 'camera' (Stock)
Turn on 'flash' from settings
Click a picture
Swipe from right to open that image and click the image to center it.
The 'click' sound will be produced. Sometimes there are two 'click' sounds and my phone reboots.
Don't know why this happens but it bugs me quite a bit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought I was the only with this problem. Its good to know I'm not the only with this issue. I think its has to do with the camera, I hate when it reboots.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
It's the auto-focus camera lens. All auto-focus cameras on phones do it.

Screen not turning off while on phone call

So when I'm talking on the phone up to my ear the screen isn't shutting off and its hitting all kinds of buttons with my cheek lol. Anyway to solve this or do I have a problem with that proximity sensor?
I have been hearing that due to the size of the phone and the location of the sensor, if you hold it to your left ear it may not register. I don't know if that is the case, just something I read on here somewhere.
cmdauria said:
I have been hearing that due to the size of the phone and the location of the sensor, if you hold it to your left ear it may not register. I don't know if that is the case, just something I read on here somewhere.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep I'm a lefty so that sounds right. I just trued doing it with my thumb and the screen shut off. Guess I'm gonna need to change my grip. Thanks
I have noticed this issue from time to time. I think I found the cause. For me, when my phone is connected to a bluetooth device, the screen doesn't turn off when I put the phone to my ear, even if I'm using the phone's speaker. This is a bug. It should be using the proximity sensor anytime the phones earpiece is used for calls, regardless of whether or not I'm connected to a bluetooth device.
EDIT: Now its working with bluetooth connected. Seems this one is hit or miss. I'll keep playing with it and try to isolate the steps to reproduce the bug.
same issue today
Just noticed the same things happening today. Been using the phone for a week and hadn't experienced this. First noticed when I heard a static sound, which turned out to be the screen activating. Mistakenly put two calls on hold. Will experiment with different grips. Please post any additional findings.
Sliding the phone on my ear actually did stop my problem, I was holding it too low which would be too far to the right, covering the camera and not the sensor which is on the left side of phone
curious to know if you guys have screen protectors on your phone... the one time i had this issue it was with a screen protector. took it off and problem went away. now i'm using an invisishield (?) protector and have not had any issues. thanks.
this is happening to me when I have Google Glass connected via Bluetooth. If I disconnect Glass from Bluetooth, the problem goes away. I will test it out connected to my car Bluetooth and report back. I am not using a screen protector, and it does not seem to matter how I hold the phone. disconnecting the Bluetooth device fixes it immediately.
kregstrong said:
So when I'm talking on the phone up to my ear the screen isn't shutting off and its hitting all kinds of buttons with my cheek lol. Anyway to solve this or do I have a problem with that proximity sensor?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

[Q] Proximity sensor problem in call

I'm having issues with my z3 compact.like when i'm in a call,the screen gets activated randomly when i move the phone .if i hold it straight onto my ears it works all good.But if i move the phone even if very little around or take away the phone from my face and put it back,the screen gets activated and randomly touched.Anyone having the issue while in call?
my past phones are, Sony live with walkman,HTC desire X,Moto G,LG G3,Moto X.So i know how it should be.Never had that kind of behavious before with sensors.
Not that sort of problem... my problem is the proximity sensor often does not reactivate the screen when I take the phone away from my face to end a call.
Do you have a screen protector on the front?
no I don't use any protector.and I have the problem you mentioned as well.
if I put the phone on my face at certain angle,proximity sensor won't turn off the display.with other phones I never had this sort of weird problems.
According to Antutu, there is no proximity sensor in my phone. Very surprised to find that out. Using D5833.
its very annoying, sometimes its working and sometimes you have no access to the display. When you call somebody and are in the mailbox, there is no way of hanging up, you have to wait till the other site quits the call. How can sony produce something like that?! Is there no quality control?
I would really appreciate If somebody has/finds a workaround for this issue.
Thanks in advance!
Thorsten
I have the same issue and I've figured out that it's more likely to happen when I hold it to my left ear than my right. It's probably due to the position of the proximity sensor. I always use my phone on my left ear but fortunately I don't see this as a very big issue.
Thorstenk said:
its very annoying, sometimes its working and sometimes you have no access to the display. When you call somebody and are in the mailbox, there is no way of hanging up, you have to wait till the other site quits the call. How can sony produce something like that?! Is there no quality control?
I would really appreciate If somebody has/finds a workaround for this issue.
Thanks in advance!
Thorsten
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the same problem, the issue started when I updated to SW version 5.1.1 did you ever found a solution?
Thanks

No loudspeaker sound

I was on CM12.1 earlier this morning. Suddenly I realised that my earpiece is not working while on calls. Neither did the screen turned black in effect of proximity sensor while on call. So I right away flashed stock to check whether its a hardware or software issue.
Digging more into the problem I could make out that its not the earpiece that is damaged but its the phone that thinks the headphone is still connected. I used an app called SoundAbout to check the media output. And it was confirmed that headphones is used for media output. Then I checked playing a song, it didnt through loudspeaker which also confirms that phone is detecting the headphone is plugged in while it is not.
Below I upload the screenshot of that app called SoundAbout which I used to find the problem. Sorry for such a long post.
Any help, suggestion, or any strange or extraordinary experience that could help?
Any help is appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!
Phoenix854 said:
I was on CM12.1 earlier this morning. Suddenly I realised that my earpiece is not working while on calls. Neither did the screen turned black in effect of proximity sensor while on call. So I right away flashed stock to check whether its a hardware or software issue.
Digging more into the problem I could make out that its not the earpiece that is damaged but its the phone that thinks the headphone is still connected. I used an app called SoundAbout to check the media output. And it was confirmed that headphones is used for media output. Then I checked playing a song, it didnt through loudspeaker which also confirms that phone is detecting the headphone is plugged in while it is not.
Below I upload the screenshot of that app called SoundAbout which I used to find the problem. Sorry for such a long post.
Any help, suggestion, or any strange or extraordinary experience that could help?
Any help is appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well if you are using SoundAbout why don't you then select where you want the sound to come out from? Isn't that the whole point of that app?
Also dunno about your proximity sensor issue but my phone suffers from similar ear piece issues as well and the issue crops up sporadically so I am still not sure sure its completely a hardware issue. I spent months looking for a solution but was finally about to hand it in for repairs when I the came upon the strangest solution somewhere. Here's what I do when this happens -
Plug my headphones in
Make a call
When you can hear anything in the headphones (call being connected, recipient's voice...heck just dial a non existent no. so you can hear the operator say it doesnt exist, any sound at all) , pull the headphones out and the sound comes out the earpiece.
I know it sounds silly but it works for me. It might not work the first time but after a couple of tries, it always does. Till date the only workaround I have found to this issue albeit a temporary one. Lasts me a few weeks before it happens again. Rinse and repeat.
One of these days I am gonna bite the bullet and hand it in for repairs. Remember reading someplace that this could be because some chip or something that supposed to switch sound depending on the task fails to do so though I am talking from memory here and this might be completely inaccurate.
Phoenix854 said:
I was on CM12.1 earlier this morning. Suddenly I realised that my earpiece is not working while on calls. Neither did the screen turned black in effect of proximity sensor while on call. So I right away flashed stock to check whether its a hardware or software issue.
Digging more into the problem I could make out that its not the earpiece that is damaged but its the phone that thinks the headphone is still connected. I used an app called SoundAbout to check the media output. And it was confirmed that headphones is used for media output. Then I checked playing a song, it didnt through loudspeaker which also confirms that phone is detecting the headphone is plugged in while it is not.
Below I upload the screenshot of that app called SoundAbout which I used to find the problem. Sorry for such a long post.
Any help, suggestion, or any strange or extraordinary experience that could help?
Any help is appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i saw some users have the same problem actually ....try to plug and unplug it several times and see what happens
and clean your headphone input plug then reboot ....if any of that didn't help then repair it
None of the above method worked for me. I will send it for repair very soon. Till then I will use the app to manually route audio to loudspeaker.
Phoenix854 said:
None of the above method worked for me. I will send it for repair very soon. Till then I will use the app to manually route audio to loudspeaker.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do let me know what the diagnosis is and the cost of repairs as well. If is a similar issue and doesn't cost the earth, I might repair mine too. Thanks.
Sent from my Xperia SP using XDA Free mobile app
XenolithicYardZone said:
Do let me know what the diagnosis is and the cost of repairs as well. If is a similar issue and doesn't cost the earth, I might repair mine too. Thanks.
Sent from my Xperia SP using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually the issue is called stuck in headphone mode. If you google it there are a number of methods to solve it. One of those you could try out is http://forums.webosnation.com/webos...37-stuck-headset-mode-permanent-easy-fix.html
Go to a hardware store, pick up a tube of graphite powder for around $3.
1) Gently squeeze a couple puffs of graphite powder into headset jack.
2) Turn phone upside down to let excess fall out.
3) Grab a pair of headphones and insert/remove them several times.
4) Enjoy your new, permanently fixed phone.
Im planning to try this out. Even u can!!!!!!!!!
I will report soon
Phoenix854 said:
Actually the issue is called stuck in headphone mode. If you google it there are a number of methods to solve it. One of those you could try out is http://forums.webosnation.com/webos...37-stuck-headset-mode-permanent-easy-fix.html
Go to a hardware store, pick up a tube of graphite powder for around $3.
1) Gently squeeze a couple puffs of graphite powder into headset jack.
2) Turn phone upside down to let excess fall out.
3) Grab a pair of headphones and insert/remove them several times.
4) Enjoy your new, permanently fixed phone.
Im planning to try this out. Even u can!!!!!!!!!
I will report soon
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol graphite powder?! Will pencil shavings do?
Well I suppose I now know why the method I posted was working for me. Was doing the same thing minus the graphite powder. Sticking the headphones in was causing the problem as well as solving it too. Mental.
Dude kindly gimme a sitrep as soon as you are done
XenolithicYardZone said:
Lol graphite powder?! Will pencil shavings do?
Well I suppose I now know why the method I posted was working for me. Was doing the same thing minus the graphite powder. Sticking the headphones in was causing the problem as well as solving it too. Mental.
Dude kindly gimme a sitrep as soon as you are done
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, pencil shaving would do.:laugh: Use this video as a reference
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRYYCiGNYJ0
XenolithicYardZone said:
Lol graphite powder?! Will pencil shavings do?
Well I suppose I now know why the method I posted was working for me. Was doing the same thing minus the graphite powder. Sticking the headphones in was causing the problem as well as solving it too. Mental.
Dude kindly gimme a sitrep as soon as you are done
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bingo!!!!!!!!!!! Problem solved!!!!!!!!
I used a sharpner and a pencil to extract the graphite & its solved.
Fully & completely
Phoenix854 said:
Bingo!!!!!!!!!!! Problem solved!!!!!!!!
I used a sharpner and a pencil to extract the graphite & its solved.
Fully & completely
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha...awesome Time for my SP to have a graphite powdering of it's own I guess
Since my ear piece is working now, i won't be and to tell the difference really but at least now i have a solution. I am gonna try it nevertheless. Thanks a lot man. This has been a long standing problem.
Sent from my Xperia SP using XDA Free mobile app
I am still not able to solve the issue.. i can clearly hear sound when i am on call with loudspeaker enabled but i cant hear anything from loudspeaker or earpiece otherwise. I am seriously getting frustrated with this issue now. will repair solve the issue?. what do you guys suggest?

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