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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.
I was moving a surveillance camera earlier tonight, and had the video from the camera up on my phone. The camera does not have an IR filter because it has night vision. I was standing under the camera within view of it looking at the video to figure out if it was aimed properly, and notice that the trackpad button thingy was flashing extremely brightly. Look closely at your button, it's not black, it's actually a really really dark transparent blue color.
It was flashing almost like it was designed to be an activity light of some sort. A few things:
- It's BRIGHT. If it's doing this all the time, it has to be a significant battery drain.
- I wonder if there is a way to turn it off.
- Can it be controlled to use an an IR remote? It's not exactly in the right position on the phone to make it convenient to use as a remote. But an interesting thought nonetheless.
Why would they put an IR emitter on the phone and have it flashing all the time?
You can test this yourself by looking at your phone through a digital camera that has a poor IR filter, or the IR filter removed. A Sony camcorder on NightShot mode would be able to see it also. Any nightvision surveillance cam will see it too.
You know how an optical mouse has a red laser on the bottom of it? The one that tracks the location for you instead of a little ball like on the old mouses (mice)?
Same thing.
Yes, I just started my webcam and yes it's a sensor to track your finger when you want to use the trackpad. Also it looks red to the naked eye. If your in a darkroom, and the phone is off, you might be able to see, there was a thread around about this before too.
any chance this thing has enough power to work as an IR blaster? I've seen schematics for pretty simple 3.5mm dongles, but if the hardware is already there it may just be a matter of some soft hacking.
It could be the proximity sensor.
Finally got my app up and running on the Market and being a die hard Galaxy Note and xda user, I thought it would only be appropriate to post it here for fellow users to enjoy. =)
IntelliCover is a utility which uses your device’s proximity sensor to control its display and allow fast and efficient access to your phone or tablet.
It turns the screen turns off automatically when you put your device in your pockets, close its flip cover, store the device in a bag, or even just leave the device facing down on a table. As soon as the device is back in your hand the proximity sensor is triggered again, the screen turns back on and your phone is instantly ready for use.
IntelliCover is more feature-filled than any other similar application on the market. And the best part? It's FREE!
Click here to visit the market page and download the app for free
P.S. If you find a bug, I'd appreciate if you could report it to me before giving a bad rating because it usually only takes me less than a day to fix.
*** Features ***
Calibration:-
Proximity Sensor Delay – Add a delay to the time takes to trigger the sensor and turn the screen off.
Application Settings:-
Automatic Unlock – Automatically dismiss the Unlock Screen, provided there is no password. *Experimental*
Disable in Landscape Mode – Disable the proximity sensor when an application is in landscape mode.
Go to Home Screen – Show the home screen when the screen turns on.
Screen Off Only – The screen will turn off but not on when the proximity sensor is triggered.
Screen On Only – The screen will turn on but not off when the proximity sensor is triggered.
Start on Boot – Automatically start the IntelliCover service when the device turns on.
Notifications:-
Proximity Warning – Vibrate every time the proximity sensor is triggered.
Status Bar Notification – Show an ongoing notification in the status bar.
Screen On and Off Actions:-
Airplane Mode – Enable or disable airplane mode.
Auto Rotate (will be removed) – Activate or deactivate.
Auto Sync – Activate or deactivate auto-sync.
Bluetooth – Enable or disable Bluetooth.
Haptic Feedback (will be removed) – Activate or deactivate haptic feedback.
Ringer Mode – Switch ringer mode to Normal (Sound with Vibration), Vibrate or Silent.
Wi-fi – Enable or disable wi-fi.
*** Frequently Asked Questions ***
Q) Is it really free? Where are the ads?
Ans) IntelliCover is completely free and has no ads whatsoever!
Q) Do I require a rooted device to use IntelliCover?
Ans) Nope. IntelliCover works on all supported phones and tablets, rooted or unrooted.
Q) Doesn’t using the proximity sensor consume a lot of battery?
Ans) Actually, the proximity sensor consumes minimal power, almost little enough to be insignificant.
Q) What are the ‘Screen On’ and ‘Screen Off’ actions?
Ans) IntelliCover allows you to set events to be triggered when the screen turn on or off. For example, by setting wi-fi to turn on when your screen turns on and setting it to turn off when the screen turns off, you could save a huge amount of battery power.
Q) Can I request a feature?
Ans) Of course! Head over to the Contact section to drop me an e-mail.
Q) Why does IntelliCover keep running in the background?
Ans) It has to run in the background to know when the proximity sensor is triggered.
Q) How can I uninstall the application?
Ans) First you must go into Security settings and remove IntelliCover from System Administrator. Then it can be uninstalled like any other application.
Q) Can I donate to the developer?
Ans) Not yet but hopefully I’ll have something set up soon.
*** Permissions Required ***
INTERNET - Required for error logging (to send crash reports)
WAKE_LOCK - Required to unlock screen
WRITE_SETTINGS - Required to toggle ringer mode
VIBRATE - Required to vibrate phone
RECEIVE_BOOT_COMPLETED - Required to detect phone boot
WRITE_SYNC_SETTINGS - Required to toggle autosync
READ_SYNC_SETTINGS - Required to toggle autosync
BLUETOOTH - Required to toggle bluetooth
BLUETOOTH_ADMIN - Required to toggle bluetooth
ACCESS_WIFI_STATE - Required to toggle WiFi
UPDATE_DEVICE_STATS - Required to toggle WiFi
CHANGE_WIFI_STATE - Required to toggle WiFi
*** Contact ***
Feel free to contact me at [email protected] with any issues, bug reports, feature requests, suggestions or queries. Please read the FAQ above before sending an e-mail to avoid redundancy.
Click here to visit the market page and download the app for free
Nice one mate.really good work.
Keep it up:thumbup:
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda app-developers app
awsome app . really good
but need some work as ... i may close the phone an put it over the table ..... need option to not turn on the screen when its turn off manual
what happen when my hand somehow moves to the proximity sensor?
shivg86 said:
Nice one mate.really good work.
Keep it up:thumbup:
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! It's my first app so hearing from happy users is really exciting and inspiring.
engfantom said:
awsome app . really good
but need some work as ... i may close the phone an put it over the table ..... need option to not turn on the screen when its turn off manual
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh I get it. Thanks for pointing that out. I'll try to fix it as soon as possible. I have exams right now but after that (in a week probably) I'll release a fixed, updated version. And thanks also for the rating. With a new app, it really helps to get good ratings
meethere said:
what happen when my hand somehow moves to the proximity sensor?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well there is a delay option. So you could set a delay of 2-3 seconds or more so that if you move your hand by mistake to the proximity sensor, it won't just turn off, it'll be delayed. Or you could set the vibrate function on so if your hand goes there, the phone will vibrate to warn you about it. :good:
Downloaded and voted with five stars.
Thanks mate. :laugh:
Downloading rite now..
good idea ! But, it's not working with flip cover.
Indeed, the screen turn off when the flip cover is at 5mm of the sensor but it turns on again when completely closed!!!
can you fix that?
keep on the good work ...
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda app-developers app
samvox said:
good idea ! But, it's not working with flip cover.
Indeed, the screen turn off when the flip cover is at 5mm of the sensor but it turns on again when completely closed!!!
can you fix that?
keep on the good work ...
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm...not sure. It works with my flip cover. Almost all phones (like Galaxy Note) have a proximity sensor that only detects FAR or NEAR. So even though I've told the application to turn the screen off when an object comes to a certain distance, either the hardware itself or the phone's firmware doesn't have the ability to detect the distance. Proximity sensors are only made to be used when on a call so it doesn't really need to detect distance in its regular everyday usage I guess.
I did have a similar problem to yours when testing with a sort of snake-skin leather Zenus case because it had some tiny ridges in it, but in most test cases it worked. I'll try my best to see if I can dig up a solution. =)
If I remember well, it depends on the color of the cover.
Darker means that the proximity doesn't work very well.
I have another proximity app, I'll switch to this one very soon, and I have to put a little white stripe on the cover,where the sensor is, to make it work correctly.
If I'm not wrong,is an issue with all the sensors and not a program fault.
Inviato dal mio GT-N7000 con Tapatalk 2
raistlin74 said:
If I remember well, it depends on the color of the cover.
Darker means that the proximity doesn't work very well.
I have another proximity app, I'll switch to this one very soon, and I have to put a little white stripe on the cover,where the sensor is, to make it work correctly.
If I'm not wrong,is an issue with all the sensors and not a program fault.
Inviato dal mio GT-N7000 con Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now that I think about it, that actually makes alot of sense. I don't know what it is with ALL sensors and black but they do tend to freak out. I even have an amazing Logitech mouse that works on mirrors and glass and see-through plastic and anywhere else except for on pitch black surfaces lol. The only crude fix I could think of is to use a combo of proximity sensor and light sensor somehow but it would be a waste of battery in my opinion.
Just tried your app, but didn't really worked : when I flip my (black) cover (or when I hide the sensor with my finger), the screens goes off but just for few seconds before getting on again. I'm using WidgetLocker btw, I don't know if it affects your app or not.
Edit : if you need logs or anything, feel free to ask
Sine. said:
Just tried your app, but didn't really worked : when I flip my (black) cover (or when I hide the sensor with my finger), the screens goes off but just for few seconds before getting on again. I'm using WidgetLocker btw, I don't know if it affects your app or not.
Edit : if you need logs or anything, feel free to ask
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi! I'm still searching into it but it would seem that darker colors do not work well with the proximity sensor. Since this doesn't really have much to do with the actual programming itself I'm not sure I can do much about that.
BUT it should work when you use your finger. WidgetLocker shouldn't make a difference, it just works like any other lockscreen so it won't affect the functionality of my app. The fact that it turns on after a while baffles me though, because programmatically it doesn't make sense to me.
If you don't mind, could you please try putting the phone down on a surface or putting it in your pocket to test it? The proximity sensor is pretty sensitive so if you'd moved your finger even a bit it could have gotten triggered. Let me know if it still doesn't work and then we can move on to the messy part.
*yawn* Time for bed
This is happening right now!
Sorry, was just shocked when I actually saw the posting dates/time, I always assume apps have been around and had the bugs worked out, but I see this is newly born! So, for an i717 Note (AT&T Branded) this should essentially work the same, right? I mean there are no processor specific requirements or such? I am a releatively new Note owner - just a few days, and I have rooted, flashed a nice ROM, and ordered an awesome leather cover (NOT the cheesy flip cover) and I went looking for a proximity sensor based "cover detection app" - this sounds good, nice options to fine tune, and the dev sounds really into making this work well. Sounds like a winner. I will grab this now, but will not have my cover till Monday. It is NOT black, LOL, so I will test and report how well it works soon after i get my cover. I also got the Samsung branded car mount (I am going broke getting these, for my HTC phones, then GSII, then GSII Skyrocket (slightly larger) and now Note (LOTS LARGER, LOL!) Oh, so why am I telling you about my car dock? Because it's awesome, LOL!!! Nah, just kidding, (but it IS awesome) - I am wondering if being in a darkened car, like at night might trip the proximity sensors threshold for available light and kill the screen. Anyway, if you don't know that's okay. If it does trip the sensor, I will let you know.
Thanks again for a quality app, with no ads, and free. Always a pleasure - gonna put a price on it when it's perfect? If so remember your testers, hehe.
awsome app, nice job !:good:
SmartAs$Phone said:
Sorry, was just shocked when I actually saw the posting dates/time, I always assume apps have been around and had the bugs worked out, but I see this is newly born! So, for an i717 Note (AT&T Branded) this should essentially work the same, right? I mean there are no processor specific requirements or such? I am a releatively new Note owner - just a few days, and I have rooted, flashed a nice ROM, and ordered an awesome leather cover (NOT the cheesy flip cover) and I went looking for a proximity sensor based "cover detection app" - this sounds good, nice options to fine tune, and the dev sounds really into making this work well. Sounds like a winner. I will grab this now, but will not have my cover till Monday. It is NOT black, LOL, so I will test and report how well it works soon after i get my cover. I also got the Samsung branded car mount (I am going broke getting these, for my HTC phones, then GSII, then GSII Skyrocket (slightly larger) and now Note (LOTS LARGER, LOL!) Oh, so why am I telling you about my car dock? Because it's awesome, LOL!!! Nah, just kidding, (but it IS awesome) - I am wondering if being in a darkened car, like at night might trip the proximity sensors threshold for available light and kill the screen. Anyway, if you don't know that's okay. If it does trip the sensor, I will let you know.
Thanks again for a quality app, with no ads, and free. Always a pleasure - gonna put a price on it when it's perfect? If so remember your testers, hehe.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol Well let's get one thing out the way. This app is and will be free (and ad-free) forever. So don't worry about that. Who knows, maybe a long way into the future I might release a paid app to earn a little cash but I don't plan on doing so anytime soon, and surely not to this app.
As for compatibility, as long as your phone has a proximity sensor the app should work (though I'm working out some problems on the smaller phones) so yes, it should work on your phone, no problem. Just hope it works out with your cover though. My cover is sort of a really dark deep brown and it doesn't work at times so I tend not to use that one. I do alot of coding and testing at night btw, and it doesn't just trigger the proximity sensor, so I strongly doubt a darkened car would trigger it.
Good luck with your Note btw. I really think you made the right choice. I've had mine for a year now. I'm just in college so I can't buy Note 2 or I would have. The way Samsung talks about Note 2 though makes me believe I'll have the chance to grab a Note 3 sometime in the future. =)
YES! FINALLY! Fix for all Gingerbread devices coming soon. Should be up within a day or two after some testing. Then I'll work on widgets and optimization and other stuff after I'm done with exams.
i installed this app. but when i close the flip cover, it just locks the screen . opening the cover does nothing
it doesn't properly works
I don't know why, but when I put my finger on sensor it works, with my black cover don't
nokiamodeln91 said:
i installed this app. but when i close the flip cover, it just locks the screen . opening the cover does nothing
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you please give me a little more information? Just basic stuff like the device model and Android version and whatever else you think is important, and I'll look into the issue.
Giopon said:
I don't know why, but when I put my finger on sensor it works, with my black cover don't
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, unfortunately this isn't a problem with the application. Proximity sensors don't work well on darker colors. That's why it might work with your finger and maybe in your pocket but not with a black cover. Sorry, this is a problem with hardware, not with the app, so I can't fix that. Only thing I can tell you is that you're not alone. Pretty much all proximity sensors have trouble with black, not just yours.
I am working on a project with Hall Sensor in Samsung Galaxy S4. It works fine but the problem is i dont know how to use the sensors for realtime apps except smart sview. If you post the idea's then we can use my hall sensor class with the activity app to create variety of apps.
Also i want to know how much magnetic force needed to activate sensor. i dont want to damage my sensor with power full magnet while testing. and couple of ideas to get low power magnets from which toys suitable for this project.
sanris said:
I am working on a project with Hall Sensor in Samsung Galaxy S4. It works fine but the problem is i dont know how to use the sensors for realtime apps except smart sview. If you post the idea's then we can use my hall sensor class with the activity app to create variety of apps.
Also i want to know how much magnetic force needed to activate sensor. i dont want to damage my sensor with power full magnet while testing. and couple of ideas to get low power magnets from which toys suitable for this project.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi since i am seeing you working with the hall sensor, hope you can solve or suggest whats wrong in my GTi9500 India version. the S-view display comes by itself, when i am just holding the phone in my hand[ without the actual S-view cover].
Details.
My GTi9500 is just having its own back cover, nothing extra,
when i make a call and hold the phone in my hand, i can see the call screen of the s-view mode flashing for a brief and then goes back to normal. i understand that the sensor is right below the volume button, and when i am holding this area with my hand i can see this s-view display flicker.
it also happened couple of times in app drawer screen and the stock browser screen.
my phone is complete stock, i havent rooted it and changed the rom/kernel/modem.
have run the diagnostics via *#0*# Diagmode
am seeing the sensor test results are PASS>
so how can i solve this. or is this a hardware issue and do i go for a repair?
First you need to confirm whether the problem occurs when phone in a wooden table without surrounding by magnetic flux. Just find a better place with very magnetic field, etc and put in a wooden table and confirm whether it changes or not. In couple of days, i will release the hall sensor monitor. you can use it too to find it instead of looking into phone for long time.
Second, if it happens only in hand, then
if you wearing any magnet rings or other iron (may magnetized by flux), etc then remove it then operate the phone and confirm whether your problem is solved or not.
Hall Sensor, is a very sensitive sensor which is just below the volume buttons and few mm away from edge.
Hall Sensor working based on sensitive magnetic flux attraction. (not sure whether its south pole or north pole. i dont have testing magnet with pole identifications)
Hall Sensor activates automatically if the magnetic field is > xx (minimum) level. In S-View cover, its very very tiny magnet not easy to notice by novice users. so your phone may act abnormal when you using your rings, bracelets, etc.
--
if your phone works abnormally when in isolated wooden table and there is no high radiation towers near you then its hardware defect. you need to contact customer care service centre.
sanris said:
First you need to confirm whether the problem occurs when phone in a wooden table without surrounding by magnetic flux. Just find a better place with very magnetic field, etc and put in a wooden table and confirm whether it changes or not. In couple of days, i will release the hall sensor monitor. you can use it too to find it instead of looking into phone for long time.
Second, if it happens only in hand, then
if you wearing any magnet rings or other iron (may magnetized by flux), etc then remove it then operate the phone and confirm whether your problem is solved or not.
Hall Sensor, is a very sensitive sensor which is just below the volume buttons and few mm away from edge.
Hall Sensor working based on sensitive magnetic flux attraction. (not sure whether its south pole or north pole. i dont have testing magnet with pole identifications)
Hall Sensor activates automatically if the magnetic field is > xx (minimum) level. In S-View cover, its very very tiny magnet not easy to notice by novice users. so your phone may act abnormal when you using your rings, bracelets, etc.
--
if your phone works abnormally when in isolated wooden table and there is no high radiation towers near you then its hardware defect. you need to contact customer care service centre.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your feedback, lemme try this and comeback...
Still issues
ksenthi5 said:
Thanks for your feedback, lemme try this and comeback...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, the problem still persisted even when the phone is just in the wooden table, hence i went to service center and they changed the mother board.
[not sure whether the sensor gets changed with this], as the executives don't even have knowledge of sensors...
but with the new board also am facing the same problem.
note: i owned a S4 for three months prior to this, and was walking.using, working in the same environment. and with same environment am still there. but facing this issue only in the new phone...
what shall i do... force to get my phone replaced?????
Contact customer care online and submit a complaint about malfunction of Hall sensor as well as problem persist after changing motherboard. Then go to customer care with the online complaint and ask them to replace hall sensor.
Sent from my GT-I9500 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
One doubt
sanris said:
Contact customer care online and submit a complaint about malfunction of Hall sensor as well as problem persist after changing motherboard. Then go to customer care with the online complaint and ask them to replace hall sensor.
Sent from my GT-I9500 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As am not so novice on Hardware, when you ask me to request the service technician to change the hall sensor, even after changing the motherboard, do you mean that the Change of board doesnt constitute hall sensor change?.
is that a seperate entity
ksenthi5 said:
As am not so novice on Hardware, when you ask me to request the service technician to change the hall sensor, even after changing the motherboard, do you mean that the Change of board doesnt constitute hall sensor change?.
is that a seperate entity
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
samsung replace the phone only if problem unable to resolve after changing parts several times. thats why i told you like that.
there is only three kind of problems.
1. sensors not working properly
2. sensors working properly but sensorhub ic(u805) or corresponding ic unable to process values from sensor and fail to send further.
3. environment makes the sensor work ubnormaly.
in motherboard it has most of sensors as well as ic's u805 , u807 & u600 .
in small piece of pcb in bottom have humidity and temperature sensors which feed data to the above ic's.
few sensors may not directly in motherboard and feed data to motherboard.
i just want to know few things
1. whats your exact problem ? (screen goes blank sometimes or do you see the mini window ). screen goes blank in two situations. 1) when samsung service receive DOOR_CLOSED event from hall sensor , 2) proximity sensor detect close objects and during call (by software program) it turn off display.
2. settings > My Device > Accessory > S View Cover - make sure this setting is disabled for you.
3. how you checked your hall sensor is malfunctioning ?
----------------------------------------------
To activate hallsensor
SIMPLY USE MAGNETIC SCREW DRIVER . see the snapshots
also pls send your email id to me in PM, i will send you some reference materials and circuits. so you can understand better.
sanris said:
samsung replace the phone only if problem unable to resolve after changing parts several times. thats why i told you like that.
there is only three kind of problems.
1. sensors not working properly
2. sensors working properly but sensorhub ic(u805) or corresponding ic unable to process values from sensor and fail to send further.
3. environment makes the sensor work ubnormaly.
in motherboard it has most of sensors as well as ic's u805 , u807 & u600 .
in small piece of pcb in bottom have humidity and temperature sensors which feed data to the above ic's.
few sensors may not directly in motherboard and feed data to motherboard.
i just want to know few things
1. whats your exact problem ? (screen goes blank sometimes or do you see the mini window ). screen goes blank in two situations. 1) when samsung service receive DOOR_CLOSED event from hall sensor , 2) proximity sensor detect close objects and during call (by software program) it turn off display.
2. settings > My Device > Accessory > S View Cover - make sure this setting is disabled for you.
3. how you checked your hall sensor is malfunctioning ?
----------------------------------------------
To activate hallsensor
SIMPLY USE MAGNETIC SCREW DRIVER . see the snapshots
also pls send your email id to me in PM, i will send you some reference materials and circuits. so you can understand better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
see the photos to generate sviewcover door close event
sorry, i just read your first message again. your problem definetly related with hallsensor (if actually available). other wise its related to magnetic sensor. i will open my s4 and confirm you whether hall sensor is in motherboard or separated OR magnetic sensor acting as a hall sensor.
problem is only with hall sensor or sensorhub ic u805. you can also check whether the aluminium frame magnetized or not by using a iron piece. and try to turn off the S View Cover feature in my display> acc... like i mentioned in previous post.
for hall sensor testing, i almost finished my new android app, i will publish it and upload into xda soon. its running as a service+activity (b'cause. when doorcloses the activity get freezed and unable to log status. it log status again only after phone wakes. so i wrote part of sensor readings in service and display report in activity) and log the status when ever the door event raises. i mean Doorclosed/DoorOpen. and you need to open the application activity and see the report with timings and door state changes.
sanris said:
sorry, i just read your first message again. your problem definetly related with hallsensor (if actually available). other wise its related to magnetic sensor. i will open my s4 and confirm you whether hall sensor is in motherboard or separated OR magnetic sensor acting as a hall sensor.
problem is only with hall sensor or sensorhub ic u805. you can also check whether the aluminium frame magnetized or not by using a iron piece. and try to turn off the S View Cover feature in my display> acc... like i mentioned in previous post.
for hall sensor testing, i almost finished my new android app, i will publish it and upload into xda soon. its running as a service+activity (b'cause. when doorcloses the activity get freezed and unable to log status. it log status again only after phone wakes. so i wrote part of sensor readings in service and display report in activity) and log the status when ever the door event raises. i mean Doorclosed/DoorOpen. and you need to open the application activity and see the report with timings and door state changes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks, in the idea of getting my phone replaced, again i visited the service center today, and they have taken it for service. ok
Please let me know about both senor - magnetic and Hall sensor... whether these two are separated from motherboard or attached to it.
Hi,
the app works well as far as I can say. Just one request: would it be possible to have the closed cover turn the screen off instead of locking the phone?
With the phone lock set to password, the time delay between screen off (time out or using the button) and phone lock is not respected.
Thanks!
Sent from my GT-I9505 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
sanris said:
I am working on a project with Hall Sensor in Samsung Galaxy S4. It works fine but the problem is i dont know how to use the sensors for realtime apps except smart sview. If you post the idea's then we can use my hall sensor class with the activity app to create variety of apps.
Also i want to know how much magnetic force needed to activate sensor. i dont want to damage my sensor with power full magnet while testing. and couple of ideas to get low power magnets from which toys suitable for this project.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you released your app? I'm also curious how you receive the events from the sensor, and would be very happy if you could share the knowledge.
sanris said:
...
for hall sensor testing, i almost finished my new android app, i will publish it and upload into xda soon. its running as a service+activity (b'cause. when doorcloses the activity get freezed and unable to log status. it log status again only after phone wakes. so i wrote part of sensor readings in service and display report in activity) and log the status when ever the door event raises. i mean Doorclosed/DoorOpen. and you need to open the application activity and see the report with timings and door state changes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
I just stumbled across your thread searching for Hall Sensor.
Is your app available somewhere? Also, sorry if this is a stupid question (I'm not into Android dev), but does your app depend on Samsung / TW framework / API or does it work with alternative ROMS (CM, AOSP, PA,..)?
AFAIK those ROMs do not support the S-View, so if your solution is not tied to Samsung framework / API, this would probably help a lot of people (like myself) running non-Samsung ROMs on their S4, Note 3.
As for different uses, there might be plenty but a good idea, I think, would be to develop a Tasker plugin. This would open a lot of possibilities.
Thanks.
LuMe96 said:
Hi,
I just stumbled across your thread searching for Hall Sensor.
Is your app available somewhere? Also, sorry if this is a stupid question (I'm not into Android dev), but does your app depend on Samsung / TW framework / API or does it work with alternative ROMS (CM, AOSP, PA,..)?
AFAIK those ROMs do not support the S-View, so if your solution is not tied to Samsung framework / API, this would probably help a lot of people (like myself) running non-Samsung ROMs on their S4, Note 3.
As for different uses, there might be plenty but a good idea, I think, would be to develop a Tasker plugin. This would open a lot of possibilities.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First, it's worth to mention I'm not involved in development of this app in any way.
One way to get the app is to install F-Droid, the alternate open source market. Then look for Hall Monitor.
The app doesn't depend on TW, it's developed from scratch. It definitely works on CM @ Galaxy S4 and should work on any device with magnetic sensor, but I didn't test it on any other device or ROM.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Hi,
Thanks a lot for the information.
Envoyé de mon GT-N5120 en utilisant Tapatalk
Hall monitor 0.2.2 is great for use with cm11.
Just found it and it works great. I just think it has unneeded permissions. Other than that it's a great app.
sanris said:
I am working on a project with Hall Sensor in Samsung Galaxy S4. It works fine but the problem is i dont know how to use the sensors for realtime apps except smart sview. If you post the idea's then we can use my hall sensor class with the activity app to create variety of apps.
Also i want to know how much magnetic force needed to activate sensor. i dont want to damage my sensor with power full magnet while testing. and couple of ideas to get low power magnets from which toys suitable for this project.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hall sensor is not for generic use. The sole purpose of this sensor is to handle S-View cover. State of this sensor monitored in framework and there is no way to use it in 3rd party apps. Well, unless you root and hack the ROM (which is completely different story).
I have a similar kind of problem, when i turn on mobile data or when i am on a call, the S view will flash through the screen for few milliseconds.
Any idea on this guys ?
Thanks
It seems to be there is no dedicated hall sensor in device. magnetic sensor seems to be acting as hall sensor. in samsung galaxy s4, the the samsung core framework update the hallsensor data file with wrong values mistakenly. for example, change the door to CLOSED state even the door is open due to tiny fluctuation in magnetic sensor reading. samsung need to change hall sensor value from OPEN to CLOSED only when strong magnetic field. may be they fix this in next update.
For now, there seems to be 5 solutions.
1. you can turn off S-VIEW in settings
2. replace your magnetic sensor
3. root the device and write-protect the file hall_data in system folder with value "CLOSED"
4. root the device and try to disable S-VIEW
5. try other non-samsung rom
Karthik
I have just developed an app which presently does not use XDA Framework but would in the future. Perhaps, once done, I would be able to publish the app where the XDA developers do.
Because I am a new member and not allowed to publish links, I can explain where the app is. One can search the web for Steven Stanley Bayes com and find the web site with the same name, just with dashes. The app is on the front page where there is a link ProximitySensor app right on the index page. Some automatically inserted advertisements best be closed.
This app allows the user to select whether the proximity sensor controls the screen and whether the screen is always on.
When proximity sensor control is chosen, the screen of the phone powers down when there is an object close to the proximity sensor. Thus, the screen will automatically power down when one puts the phone in the pocket. This works regardless whether the user has chosen to keep the screen powered always or whether the screen is normally controlled by the OS.
When the screen has been chosen to be always on, the user can use the phone as a flash light which can easily be turned on by, say, placing the phone close to the chest. This way, the user can shine light for a while to see around, then, quickly stop the light and then, whenever needed, to quickly turn the light on again with just a movement of one hand. This way, the user would save battery energy as compared to constantly flashing light which may not be needed. The power button still works but the proximity sensor, when used as a switch, is easier to use than the power button.
Nice app here is the link to it everyone. www.Steven-Stanley-Bayes.com/ProximitySensor.apk :good:
Completely bewildering.
I think this app might, somewhere in its many convoluted settings, do what I am looking for. But after trying to read the tome of instructions, I am completely lost, as they were impossibly complex and convoluted to follow.
What I am looking for is a way to keep my smartphone screen OFF when calls are received while I am using a connected Bluetooth headset. I need the screen not to come on, and most especially to STAY OFF when the call is ended. Carrying my phone in my pocket, and having the screen come on when I get a call, exposes the touch interface of the screen to misinterpreted false inputs, especially in hot weather when perspiration is an added factor. What usually happens is some misinterpreted screen contact will disconnect my Bluetooth headset immediately after taking the call. I then have to dig my phone out and try to reconnect the headset while the other party is wondering why they can't hear me say anything. Very frustrating.
If your app can indeed do this, could you please reply with very specific instructions on which of its huge set of menu choices would be the correct one, and how to set it up? As it stands I won't try, because I have no clue which of them might be the one I want, with the multiple variety of similar-sounding functions.