Why is the proximity sensor glowing red? - Galaxy S III Q&A, (US Carriers)

In a dark room I can see the proximity sensor emitting a dark red light. It's this a failure mode or just an infrared device with tolerances into the deep red visible spectrum. Is there a test sequence to run for diagnostic purposes?
Edit: does anyone know the specifications (operational numbers of the proximity sensor. Now I'm curious to know what it is capable of doing.

Search button exist for a reason...
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b-eock said:
Search button exist for a reason...
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Correct. The five results I perused did not provide a technical reason. I would like to know if anyone has or can measure the functional output of the device's proximity sensor.

Related

Red Light "Special"

Okay so during a phone call there's this red light next to the front facing camera, once the call is over it disappears!
Are we bring recorded?!!? Lol
But seriously does anyone know what the red light is and/or why it is there?
Thanks in advance
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Red Light
Stixho said:
Okay so during a phone call there's this red light next to the front facing camera, once the call is over it disappears!
Are we bring recorded?!!? Lol
But seriously does anyone know what the red light is and/or why it is there?
Thanks in advance
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using XDA App
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It's not a light at all, it's the proximity sensor.
Lol whats with all the conspiricys on here lately
The proximity sensor doesn't light up. Its the infrared light for the sensor.
Sent from my Galaxy S II (i777)
AT&T is recording all your phone calls and sending the information to companies so that you can get more personalized results. It's part of the terms and conditions that you sign...Now, you can be talking to your friend about these new jeans you really want to buy, end the call, and boom, Amazon's link to that pair is ready and waiting.
@yahoowizard: I knew it!!! LOL
@quarlow: Figured, just wanted to have a fun thread! LOL
Some people have better near-IR sensitivity than others... Just like old people have less sensitivity to high frequencies than young, leading to some old fogeys using "squealers" to implement "get off my lawn!".
The light during calls is the near-IR component of the prox sensor. It's how the phone turns off the screen and disables touch when your face is next to it.
This thread made me laugh.
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@akira: That's one of the main reasons I wrote it!
I knew it. This proveo wasnt crazy I always say a red light on this and the captivate
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Red light near speaker?

Has anyone else noticed a red light near the speaker (the one you put up to your ear) on the left side above the (proximity?) sensor? I have had my rezound just over 2 months and noticed it for the third time today and am courious what it is.
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yep it's like an RF signal..that's the proximity sensor
Yeah it is the proximity sensor. It uses IR... sometimes when it is on full power you can see it is dim lit areas.
Also has the lught sensor in it for auto screen brightness..
Oh ok, makes sense. I was confused because I only got to see it a few times. Thanks guys.
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[Q] What App Turns off display when covered?

Hi guys, Ive heard about an app that will turn the display of the touchpad off when the display is covered (using official HP folio case). I am using the latest official CM9 nightly, I've tried searching for it but to no avail, any help would be much appreciated.
Many Thanks
Liam
There isn't one, because it would constantly have to be on, and enabled, and scanning, so it would most likely kill your battery more than it would help.
There's a thread about this in the Q&A section asking the very same question, and that's the answer given there. However, if you can find a way to make it work, please feel free.
Actually there is its called smart screen of if I remembered correctly and no it does not take as much battery
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Thanks for that I've just downloaded it and will give it a go and report back.
Many thanks
Liam
I sit corrected. Thank you for that. I'm glad to be proven wrong.
Did anybody get this to work? I've downloaded it and so far hasn't worked .....either that or the proximity sensor on CM9 isn't working
I couldn't get it to work either, I tried to apps both similar in nature but neither would work. Would be good if anyone has any luck getting it to work to post their set up on here so others could try it. I tried it on stock official nightly.
yalkowni said:
Actually there is its called smart screen of if I remembered correctly and no it does not take as much battery
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The app uses a proximity sensor usually located next to the earphone of most cellphones. To my knowledge the touchpad has no proximity sensor so it won't work. Very useful app on any device though.
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You sure it doesn't operate using the camera? I remember one which operated using the camera hence would not work on cm9
spidernix said:
The app uses a proximity sensor usually located next to the earphone of most cellphones. To my knowledge the touchpad has no proximity sensor so it won't work. Very useful app on any device though.
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the touchpad has a proximity sensor....its in the right corner of the screen the side where the camera is, visible if you hover a led flashlight you'll see a circular red thing glinting.
ace9988 said:
the touchpad has a proximity sensor....its in the right corner of the screen the side where the camera is, visible if you hover a led flashlight you'll see a circular red thing glinting.
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Never noticed that lol.
But don't these apps use front-facing cams?
turdferguson92 said:
Never noticed that lol.
But don't these apps use front-facing cams?
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hit thanks if that helped
the description for the app says it uses the prox sensor.....my guess is the sensor's drivers aren't on android for the touchpad yet
I don't think it's functional in android. It's not been a major priority. I tried a few apps that leverage the sensor, but to no avail.
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I read this the other day and decided to use one called Case Switch. It uses the light sensor/ proximity sensor to determine if the light is low enough to turn off. Anyway, been using it for several days, love it! I recommend setting your lower min at 48lux. This setting allows for the screen not to turn off under evening low light settings. When I got this on Sunday the 24th there was a free demo and the pro version was $1.00.
Like I say, it works very well and its an excellent addition to or already amazing tabs.
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Kbybee9 said:
I read this the other day and decided to use one called Case Switch. It uses the light sensor/ proximity sensor to determine if the light is low enough to turn off. Anyway, been using it for several days, love it! I recommend setting your lower min at 48lux. This setting allows for the screen not to turn off under evening low light settings. When I got this on Sunday the 24th there was a free demo and the pro version was $1.00.
Like I say, it works very well and its an excellent addition to or already amazing tabs.
Sent from my cm_tenderloin using xda app-developers app
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I don't see any app in the marketplace called "Case Switch."
Edit: I'm assuming you meant Case Sensor? That app works perfectly for the touch pad.
Touchpad has NO proximity sensor, just an ambient light sensor for auto brightness. The small purple dot next to the volume rockers.
cf3esbestia said:
I don't see any app in the marketplace called "Case Switch."
Edit: I'm assuming you meant Case Sensor? That app works perfectly for the touch pad.
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It is called Caseswitch. It is made by MaxInvention.
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Question about LED

ok so i got my phone...LOVE IT so far...i do have a question thats not really an issue. when i connect it to the charger the LED doesn't light up red unless the screen is dark/not awake/locked (u guys get the idea). Ive checked the settings and it is checked for it to be lit when its charging. And when i wake up or unlock the screen then the LED light goes off. Is this how it is on everyones? am i missing something?
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This is how it is supposed to work in my understanding.
I believe that the LED light is supposed to turn off when the screen turns on in all circumstances. I believe someone would have to develop something specifically to modify this behavior.
Someone please correct me if I am mistaken.
Thanks. Like I said wasn't a big deal.just wondering if maybe I have a messed up.device.
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Think you are good

[Q] red light near earpiece

Hey I just want to ask what this little red light that turns on when the screen is on, it's the one beside the earpiece on the right side.
This is on my mom's phone so I won't know what this is, hence the question
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Proximity sensor
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nodstuff said:
Proximity sensor
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Is it supposed to light up?
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Doodsz said:
Is it supposed to light up?
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When it's being used..
How come on my Galaxy Nexus and Nexus S they aren't lit up when screen is on
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Because they're different phones.
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Doodsz said:
How come on my Galaxy Nexus and Nexus S they aren't lit up when screen is on
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Touchwiz uses the proximity sensor doesn't it? AOSP roms do not. It doesn't light up on my S3 with an AOSP rom.
Alright thanks for answering my questions. Lol
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Oh okay, thanks
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Mines never lit up, on stock or any custom rom. I'll check again maybe when it comes close to the head it comes on.
sak500 said:
Mines never lit up, on stock or any custom rom. I'll check again maybe when it comes close to the head it comes on.
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I just found out why it lights up
It lights up when you have motion enabled
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Doodsz said:
I just found out why it lights up
It lights up when you have motion enabled
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I have all motion options enabled but still can't see it turn on.
Anyone else has it working?
sak500 said:
I have all motion options enabled but still can't see it turn on.
Anyone else has it working?
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What's funny is I have the exact opposite situation, I have all motion options disabled but occasionally see it, I can't remember when I see it and under what conditions so I'll post back when I have more useful info. It looks like an infrared light so I'm wondering if it might be able to take commands from another device.
Here are links to 2 other forums speaking about this issue:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=28588879#post28588879
http://androidforums.com/samsung-galaxy-s3/577797-red-light-whilst-text-messages.html
Guys the question has already been answered in the 2nd post. Its the proximity sensor and it can light up on different occasions, such as during calls and possibly in text messages etc if you have direct call enabled.
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sxi200 said:
Guys the question has already been answered in the 2nd post. Its the proximity sensor and it can light up on different occasions, such as during calls and possibly in text messages etc if you have direct call enabled.
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We all read it thanks for pointing it out. We are talking about it's lighting up or not lighting up in what conditions.... NOT what it's supposed to do, do read the comments above urs.
He was referring th lordazoroth who believed it to be a infrared emitter/receiver.
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sak500 said:
We all read it thanks for pointing it out. We are talking about it's lighting up or not lighting up in what conditions.... NOT what it's supposed to do, do read the comments above urs.
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Click to collapse
Ok. Let me make it a bit clearer for you. When your in a dark environment, dial a number and it will turn on. If direct dial is also on, when you put it near your head, as it starts to dial remove it and you will also see it lit. Nothing more nothing less as far as I know. The reason most people don't notice it is because the light is very feint and on most occassions can't be seen.
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Alright I have more information, I do not have direct calling enabled so when I'm texting the light does not turn on. However when I'm in the middle of a call, I'll see the little red dot light up faintly and the screen will turn off when my head gets close to it. Interestingly enough, there is a cone of detection coming from the light (or directly next to the light). When I move my finger within the cone of detection, projecting from the light, the screen will turn off. When my hand or head is close to the phone without blocking this cone of detection, the phones screen will not shut off. I would assume that due to how dark my testing conditions were (including the screen being nearly pitch black), this would appear to be an infrared detection system. Therefore it should serve any purposes in which proximity detection is needed, including direct calling and automatic screen control. If a program were written, I'm guessing this infrared sensor could be used for any number of things, including remote control and even data transfer.
Interestingly, my Nexus S 4g seems to have a very different detection system, there is no tiny red light nor is there a cone of detection projecting from the front. Instead when anything sizable comes near the top of the device (from the front, top, and/or back) the screen shuts off during a call, which indicates some type of field detection. I'm guessing these two devices have different proximity detection systems either for power conservation, cost of manufacture, or both.
Its proximity sensor. . . Don't worry its not causing any harm. and near to this is RGB sensor.
sxi200 said:
Ok. Let me make it a bit clearer for you. When your in a dark environment, dial a number and it will turn on. If direct dial is also on, when you put it near your head, as it starts to dial remove it and you will also see it lit. Nothing more nothing less as far as I know. The reason most people don't notice it is because the light is very feint and on most occassions can't be seen.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
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Thanks, i was thinking it would be easily visible but it's really faint light and visible under dark conditions only. My guess is it might be infrared light for the sensor. I used to have night vision option in video camera and could see bright light coming out of remote controls dont' know where i placed my old handy cam but if someone has it they can test it out and see if it emits IR light as well.

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