Electronic devices including keypads that illuminate in response to proximity of a user and methods of operating such electronic devices

摘要

An electronic device includes a keypad and a sensor that indicates proximity of a user to the electronic device, whereupon the keys of the keypad are illuminated. In particular, when the distance between the user and the sensor is less than a predetermined threshold, the keypad is illuminated in anticipation of the user providing keypad input to the electronic device. The sensor can be an infrared, an ultrasonic or a capacitive sensor. Alternately, the sensor can indicate contact between the user and the sensor, wherein the contact does not provide keypad input to the electronic device, for example, when the user touches but does not push a key of the keypad.