Database Info

[IDEA/REQ] In-Call Lock Screen with Light and G-Sensors

Hi,
I recently bought a HTC Touch HD, and I think that the "shutdown-screen-when-you-answer-a-call" function of phones like Diamonds, Touch Pro and HD is the dumbest way to prevent accidental presses on the touch screen.
Our devices have a light sensor, that could be used to switch off the screen if the phone is near the ear (like the phone using an "i" word ) and keep it on when you answer with loudspeaker for example.
The "problem" with this function is that when you're already in a "no-light" environment, the screen lock function doesn't work.
To resolve this issue, I think we could use the G-Sensor. Indeed, if the place has no light, then, the phone cannot detect the proximity of a ear. But when you put the phone next to the ear, you hold it a the vertical...
To make it short, the app should do :
Do nothing in normal use.
When a call arrives :
- it monitors the ambient light
If there's light :
- when you answer the call, if there's light then no more (you stick the phone next to the ear), it switches off the screen and continue to monitor.
- while in call, if there's light again (you want to see some info on the screen for example), it switches on the screen and continue to monitor.
- and so on until you end the call
If there's no light :
- when you answer the call, but let it at the horizontal (you let it on the desk for example), it does nothing
- if you take the phone on the vertical position (you stick the phone next to the ear), it switches the screen off.
- if the phone, during a call, goes from vertical to horizontal of horizontal to vertical, the screen is switches on/of
- and so on until you end the call
Obviously, you could replace the "switch on/off screen" with "lock/unlock screen".
What do you think about ?
UPDATE :
After playing a bit with the HD, it appears that HTC DOES use the light sensor for turning the screen off during a call.
Let's do a test :
In a place with plenty light :
- put your mobile with the face up
- call a number (always face up) : the screen will not be switched off until the light sensor detects a loss of luminosity or a timeout set in the registry.
So, my conclusion is that HTC already use the light sensor to switch the screen off during a call, but they do it in an absurd way :
- they poll the sensor just to shut down the screen, not to switch it on.
- once the screen has been switched off, they do not longer poll at all.
Do you think it could be a way to "hack" their system to do what we want to do ?

no one has an opinion on this idea ? if there's nobody that want / have the time to develop a soft, I understand, but at least please, give me just your opinion

I agree with your idea for such an application. I must admit that I am very used to just pushing the power button when I answer a call (from Polaris use) to ensure I am not going into other programmes as I rub the phone against my ear. On the other hand I am trying to get used to the Touch HD's modern automatic method but I can't help not feeling relaxed that it has worked and keep trying to look at the screen in the corner of my eye to see if it did go off or not.
If it does not come now I am sure there will be such an app very soon just as you describe especially as all the latest models now have it.

i'd use the half of it that doesn't require the G-sensor as i don't have a diamond or HD...
but i'm certainly sick and tired of my ear operating my touch screen while i'm speaking.

I've written a prototype to do exactly what you are talking about although the one crucial part I am missing is the lock code. Every example or suggestion for locking the screen is very hacky and never feels like a good approach. If anyone has a good solution for locking the screen (especially in managed code) I would be happy to complete what I have started and release it with source so it could be improved upon.
So far, the best locking utility I have seen is PocketShield although I'm not sure what approach was used for locking in that case. It almost feels like a form that captures all windows events but I'm not sure exactly.

fireweed said:
I've written a prototype to do exactly what you are talking about although the one crucial part I am missing is the lock code. Every example or suggestion for locking the screen is very hacky and never feels like a good approach. If anyone has a good solution for locking the screen (especially in managed code) I would be happy to complete what I have started and release it with source so it could be improved upon.
So far, the best locking utility I have seen is PocketShield although I'm not sure what approach was used for locking in that case. It almost feels like a form that captures all windows events but I'm not sure exactly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe the simpliest way to "protect" the screen is to switch it off. I suppose it must be some API to do that ?
Concerning the "locking", I think the simpliest way is to put on focus an empty window (transparent if it can be ).
I'm really happy to know that you're working on an app like that

lpaso said:
Hi,
I recently bought a HTC Touch HD, and I think that the "shutdown-screen-when-you-answer-a-call" function of phones like Diamonds, Touch Pro and HD is the dumbest way to prevent accidental presses on the touch screen.
Our devices have a light sensor, that could be used to switch off the screen if the phone is near the ear (like the phone using an "i" word ) and keep it on when you answer with loudspeaker for example.
The "problem" with this function is that when you're already in a "no-light" environment, the screen lock function doesn't work.
To resolve this issue, I think we could use the G-Sensor. Indeed, if the place has no light, then, the phone cannot detect the proximity of a ear. But when you put the phone next to the ear, you hold it a the vertical...
To make it short, the app should do :
Do nothing in normal use.
When a call arrives :
- it monitors the ambient light
If there's light :
- when you answer the call, if there's light then no more (you stick the phone next to the ear), it switches off the screen and continue to monitor.
- while in call, if there's light again (you want to see some info on the screen for example), it switches on the screen and continue to monitor.
- and so on until you end the call
If there's no light :
- when you answer the call, but let it at the horizontal (you let it on the desk for example), it does nothing
- if you take the phone on the vertical position (you stick the phone next to the ear), it switches the screen off.
- if the phone, during a call, goes from vertical to horizontal of horizontal to vertical, the screen is switches on/of
- and so on until you end the call
Indeed, you could replace the "switch on/off screen" with "lock/unlock screen".
What do you think about ?
I searched the forum for an existing app that could do this, but I didn't find anything.
If there's already an app that do this stuff, I'm truely sorry for this post.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm looking for this.. If you find a solution send me a PM, I will do the same
Thanks!

We need this app, how does the iphone acheive this?
I think the 'easiest' way to make this app would be to keep the phone doing what it does currently (put the phone on standby when answering a call) then have the light sensor take the phone out of standby when it receives light, (taking it away from your ear)?
Obviously if its dark then we would have to use the power butten as we currently do now or have the Gsensor do it with a twisting motion (vertical to horizontal).
If anyone has an idea how to program this i'm willing to help in any way, the current systems seems so crude on such tech devices!
DB

lpaso said:
Hi,
I searched the forum for an existing app that could do this, but I didn't find anything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There a program, that can help you. Not full, but it can switch off screen, using g-sensor. However its using not vertical aligment of the phone. There are using changing orientation of the phone to decide when phone near the ear.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=2622590&postcount=45

I have always wondered why our WM phones don't do what the iphone does...
For the SE Xperia X1, the light sensor is right near the earpiece (along with the little front facing camera), so it would go to virtually 100% darkness when near the ear. I would presume unless you are using the phone also in 100% darkness (which should be pretty rare I would guess) then it would work like the iphone.
I have also been quite annoyed by the fact that after a phonecall, sometimes I found i'm in a note taking program or weather program or something else. It just seems dumb, considering our phone HAVE these lightsensors?!

I think it's a fantastic idea to solve a VERY FRUSTRATING PROBLEM
lpaso said:
no one has an opinion on this idea ? if there's nobody that want / have the time to develop a soft, I understand, but at least please, give me just your opinion
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would rank myself this way:
Not a newbie who's just gotten a touchscreen phone and is now discovering the quirks when holding screen to ear,
and not a developer,
but a power-user. I have installed all sorts of XDA-developed features/enhancements for my phone.
But now I have 4 years experience -- starting with the T-Mobile MDA, and its successor, the T-Mobile WING. And despite all of the advancements expected in that time, STILL, I inadvertently end a call, or put it on hold accidentally, ALL THE TIME. Between that and trying to retrieve the phone from my pocket just to answer the damn ringing phone, I would say I have, on the average, a 20% success rate -- and 80% of the time the call is disrupted. And at least once a day my ohone, in my pocket, even when using s2u2, manages to REDIAL my latest conversation, so mcuh so that all my friends say "why don;t you get rid of that phone. It does all these whiz bang things but still can't reliably manage a basic phone call.
My most recent experiment was to call someone, then when they answered, press the s2U2 key to lock the phone screen. Only I came to find out from A_C that this is no good: S2u2 does not have recognition that you're ending the call, thus, since it's in lock-mode, the "END CALL" or Hang-Up hard key does not work.
So by all means, I would even pay for an app that once and for all handles the baseline problems of simply making a phone call. Thanks for making this request.

fireweed, have you contacted A_C, author of s2u2 ?
There may just be perfect synergy between the two of you. His "best of breed" screen-lock app is widely used -- and other developers, like supbro, for example, author of iDialer, have collaborated on small code-bits from A_C to solve some integration problems.
If for any reason you are unfamiliar with A_C, go to his website: www.ac-s2.com -- where his apps are explained, and all link back to XDA.
He's even managed to make the screen lock work, yet, have it selectively overridden when you insert headphone jack -- such that his s2p (slide to play) app opens and allows you to switch music tracks etc while otherwise the screen and buttons are all fully locked...
fireweed said:
I've written a prototype to do exactly what you are talking about although the one crucial part I am missing is the lock code. Every example or suggestion for locking the screen is very hacky and never feels like a good approach. If anyone has a good solution for locking the screen (especially in managed code) I would be happy to complete what I have started and release it with source so it could be improved upon.
So far, the best locking utility I have seen is PocketShield although I'm not sure what approach was used for locking in that case. It almost feels like a form that captures all windows events but I'm not sure exactly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Hi,
After playing a bit with the HD, it appears that HTC DOES use the light sensor for turning the screen off during a call.
Let's do a test :
In a place with plenty light :
- put your mobile with the face up
- call a number (always face up) : the screen will not be switched off until the light sensor detects a loss of luminosity or the timeout set in the registry expires.
So, my conclusion is that HTC already use the light sensor to switch the screen off during a call, but they do it in an absurd way :
- they poll the sensor just to shut down the screen, not to switch it on.
- once the screen has been switched off, they do not longer poll at all.
Do you think it could be a way to "hack" their system to do what we want to do ?

I think HTC does not only switch off the display but goes to standby (phone works independent if you didn't know yet). Your idea is a lot different in terms of programming.

I don't know if it goes to standby : when the screen is switched off during a call, a press on any button switch it on again. In the registry, the key controlling the timeout before the screen is shut off is named "LightSensorToScreenOff" so I think it is just switching off the screen...

lpaso said:
I don't know if it goes to standby : when the screen is switched off during a call, a press on any button switch it on again. In the registry, the key controlling the timeout before the screen is shut off is named "LightSensorToScreenOff" so I think it is just switching off the screen...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well if thats the case, its HALF of what the iphone does... it turns off the screen based on the light sensor going dark suddenly (next to ear) but then fails to turn the screen back on after you move the phone away from your ear...
Anyone know how to enable this?

Interested in having this feature too. Isn't it possible to have the G-Sensor determine when the phone is vertical and shut the screen and then when it is lying flat to turn the screen back on again. Believe that the Iphone does it this way, not with the light sensor.

Hmm... I never had my ear 'navigating' my phone during in-call before....
I never allowed the screen to touch my face anyway, and the speaker is facing the ear canal, when I receive or make calls...
But i do understand that s2u2 can do what you guys might need, it locks the screen during in call.

Hennyb said:
Interested in having this feature too. Isn't it possible to have the G-Sensor determine when the phone is vertical and shut the screen and then when it is lying flat to turn the screen back on again. Believe that the Iphone does it this way, not with the light sensor.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think the Iphone has something called proximity sensor, which senses the distance from the ear to the phone, hence when the phone rest on the outer ear, the phone screen shut off.
Or am I wrong?

Section9 said:
I think the Iphone has something called proximity sensor, which senses the distance from the ear to the phone, hence when the phone rest on the outer ear, the phone screen shut off.
Or am I wrong?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, you're right. It uses an iR sensor to know if there's something near the phone.

Tasker : Help needed to create profile

Hi,
I would like to use Tasker to control screen on/off times based on following conditions:
1) Keep screen on when reading/using mobile:
a)IF SCREEN IS ON: If handset is in vertical position (reading position), either in portrait or landscape depending on orientation set in android then screen should stay on. This would presume mobile is being used.
b) When handset is laid down on table then screen should turn off after 7 secs automatically or when screen is manually turned off.
note: It would be nice to have a window period of 10 secs after screen off wherein if the handset is picked up within that period, (after the initial 7 secs and before another 10 secs) then screen automatically turns on.
2) NOTIFICATIONS
If notifications are received, have a window period of 15-30 secs where if position of android is changed from desk horizontal to vertical then screen automatically comes on without the need to press power button.This presumes we picked up mobile to view the notification event.
Again first rule applies and screen stays on when reading and turns off auto or manually as per first rule
I have tried but not able to configure rules.
One conflict in mind:-
What if mobile is kept in trouser pocket and notifications are received? Here the gyro won't change as it will go from vertical to vertical position....how to deal with that? Also rule 2 should not auto trigger upon receiving notifications, sensing orientation is vertical when in trouser pocket.
Any help?
Thanks in advance

About the conflict, I think I saw that you can implement a profile that check if your face is in front of the tablet or not (like on S3).
As a personal comment, I would go all way to this aproach: check if you are in front of the camera and decide when to turn screen on.

okty2k said:
About the conflict, I think I saw that you can implement a profile that check if your face is in front of the tablet or not (like on S3).
As a personal comment, I would go all way to this aproach: check if you are in front of the camera and decide when to turn screen on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
The problem with using the front camera is that it will cause battery drain. The camera would constantly have to keep checking for movement and this would definitely drain battery. I am more inclined to use the gyro for this.

I agree with you, but you can at least double the gyro with camera check. even if it will consume some battery, it will avoid other problems.
Or maybe you can also use the proximity sensor?
Another way I can think is to try and detect the shakes (combination of proximity and gyro). Considering the power of Tasker, I think it can be done.
If you manage to succeed, please let me know. I am also interested in something like this, I just never have the time to build such complex scenarios.

okty2k said:
I agree with you, but you can at least double the gyro with camera check. even if it will consume some battery, it will avoid other problems.
Or maybe you can also use the proximity sensor?
Another way I can think is to try and detect the shakes (combination of proximity and gyro). Considering the power of Tasker, I think it can be done.
If you manage to succeed, please let me know. I am also interested in something like this, I just never have the time to build such complex scenarios.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I could not get it to work thats why asking for help.

Improve one handed usage on smartphones.

So, with all the sensors and bio metric measures going on in our smartphones, many of them being more gimmicky than useful, paired with our constant need for big screens, how about improving the one handed usage of our future devices?
I mean, for starters, app menus aren't properly designed for one handed usage. Many require you to swipe from the left edge oh the screen to right to bring out a menu located on the left of your screen, starting from top to bottom.
Now you try reaching the top left corner menu of your handy smartphone without having to hold your phone in an uncomfortable, dangerous way (danger of dropping it) to reach the option you want to manipulate, be it the inbox, or recent messages, or compose an email, all of those options are usually located top left corner.
I know there are some solutions, some very archaic, like iPhone Plus' solution, that turns the big screen into a small one, or the more usual one handed keyboard found on your every Android phone.
But in my experience these solutions are not optimal, because, for example, in my Xperia, I have to go through like 3 clicks to turn the keyboard into a smaller one handed variation. Non optimal for quick access.
Why don't we have menu lists start from bottom to top so they are more within reach of our available hand/thumb? Why don't they design adaptable apps?
And that's where sensors come in, how come we don't have sensors in our smartphones that detect the with which hand we are holding our phone?
Be it left or right handed, in order to accommodate menus and tools within reach of your thumb, and have the interface of our smart apps adapt quickly and automatically to the hand we are holding our phone with, relying on sensor information. Be it the keyboard, email app, camera, or whatever your mind is capable of imagine.
Because let's be real, sometimes we quickly pull out our phone with either hand that's available on the go, and seamless access I think is needed in our everyday fast lives.
What do you think of this idea? Is it remotely doable? I'm no developer, but everyday usage create needs that are easily covered with current tech I think. I want to hear your thoughts.

I have worked with android sensors but I cannot imagine what kind of sensor the phone would have to have to detect if you are holding the phone with left or right hand. However somehow I imagine that this kind of sensor would not be difficult to make.
Someday I want to be a designer solving this kinds of problems and improving user experiences even by small amounts.

I think a touch sensor on the bezels would be enough.

DrKrFfXx said:
I think a touch sensor on the bezels would be enough.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also envisioned something like this first. Now however I and thinking that maybe proximity sensor could be used to recognize the thumb.

Shouldn't be too hard to detect which hand you're using based on touches on the touchscreen when you scroll.
Sent from my LG-D855 using Tapatalk

[Request] Lift to Face Unlock

Face unlock currently requires a double tap, which is annoying because it doesn't work half the time
Even though they are trying to fix this in the next update, a better implementation would be when you raise the phone, it shows the lock screen (not ambient display screen), and simultaneously turns on the front camera to face unlock your phone
Gravity screen can do this, but requires a heavy wakelock to do so. Using the same 'raise to wake' method as ambient display [which seems to work without a heavy wakelock], but then showing the lock screen instead of ambient display, should achieve this

I would LOVE this feature, it would be a complete game changer!!

I use gravity screen and don't lose much battery

Use the power button since it's more reliable anyways ?

Bradl79 said:
I use gravity screen and don't lose much battery
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's still a fair amount of battery loss. Oneplus raise to wake seems to be able to do the same action without any battery loss

This was so fine on Op5 and 5T. Open Beta, of course!

Update: I've installed the wave up app. It basically wakes the phone when proximity sensor is uncovered
So when I take the phone out of my pocket, it authenticates my face automatically and unlocks, in a split second. I don't need to touch anything
Similarly if I keep my phone face down on a desk (not ideal), when I flip it over to look at it, it unlocks.
No messing around with d2tw which is more like quadruple tap to wake since this functionality is broken

3473 said:
Update: I've installed the wave up app. It basically wakes the phone when proximity sensor is uncovered
So when I take the phone out of my pocket, it authenticates my face automatically and unlocks, in a split second. I don't need to touch anything
Similarly if I keep my phone face down on a desk (not ideal), when I flip it over to look at it, it unlocks.
No messing around with d2tw which is more like quadruple tap to wake since this functionality is broken
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi i use the original flip case from OP and as soon as i open my case door it unlocks witch is very easy and convenient.

Shall check with tasker.
Update: could not succeed.

I face no trouble in dt2w it wakes as it's intended to and unlocks with face within a split second, face unlock has become slower since the 5.1.9 and in dp3 but still fast enough

If my hand is dirty i just say Hey or Ok google.

Agree. it would be a great thing

How to add more than 3 Fingerprints?

Hi,
This is strange that my old S8 allowed 5 fingerprints to be stored but the Note 10 lite allows only 3. Is it a limitation or can it be bypassed? If yes, how?

You can add 4 fingers at once. Just keep switching fingers and keep rotating the phone while registering your impression (For instance, one time you use thumb, rotate your phone 90 degrees and register your index finger and so on). This way, you can both the thumbs and both the index fingers registered under just one profile. This helps the fingerprint scan become faster, while also leaving 2 free slots to register someone else's fingerprints or add your own for increased accuracy.