Proximity Sensor Counter

In this app, the proximity sensor in your device is continually monitored and when the detection level is crossed, the counter is increased by one.

The proximity sensor is generally used to detect when the phone is placed to the head in answering calls. The proximity sensor is typically located near the speaker at the top of the phone. The proximity sensor usually comprises an Infrared (IR) transmitter and receiver.

The sensor returns values in cm corresponding to the distance to the nearby object. Most sensors will only report a near or far value corresponding to zero or the maximum range, which varies from device to device. Regardless of whether the in-between values are reported, the sensor can be used as a counter, incrementing each time something passes in front of the sensor. Whilst this app can be used for counting, it can also be used to investigate the sensing capability of the proximity sensor in your device.

• Detect on rising or falling past the detection level.

• Reduce double counts with optional no-count wait after detection.

• Graph and gauge to show proximity distance values.

• Counts indicated on graph and with optional 'click' sound.

Proximity sensors will vary in sampling speed, resolution and accuracy from one device to the next. For indication only.

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User Guide

The zero button resets the counter and clears the graph.

The pause button pauses measurement until it is pressed again.

Long tapping on the counter value allows its value to be copied to the clipboard.

Note that proximity sensors will vary in sampling speed, resolution and accuracy from one device to the next. Therefore this app is for indication only.

Count Detection

Level – To detect a count event, the measured proximity distance must cross the count detection level given in this section and shown on the graph with an yellow line. Use the arrows to adjust the level or enter a value by tapping the edit button.

No re-count time – To avoid signals being detected to close together, a wait can be added so that another count will not be registered until after the wait period has passed.

Direction - Select whether to detect counts either when the signal rises from below to above the detection level, or falls from above to below the the detection level.

Gauge

Above the graph is a gauge showing the current reading relative to maximum range of the sensor. The major markers correspond to 10% and the smaller markers 2% of the maximum range of the sensor.

Graph

The graph shows the proximity sensor readings versus time. It is auto scaling by default and scrolls once filled. If auto scale is turned off in the settings, then the scale can be manually set by panning or pinching on the graph. If the count detection level is within the auto scaled range, it is shown by an yellow line. When the signal crosses this line in the right direction, a count is registered and a red circle appears. A subsequent grey line follows where another count event cannot be registered as determined by the detection settings. After which the trace returns to the original color indicating that another count will be registered once the input level once again crosses the count detection level.

When auto scale is off, or the detection is paused, the graph can be manually scaled. A single touch allows the graph y axis scale to be moved up or down, or in the case of the x-axis, pan back to see more recent data. A double touch, i.e. pinching on the graph can change the scales of either axis. Since the graph is small, using fingers on opposite hands can make this task much easier.

Settings

Clicking the cogs button at the top left of the screen brings up a settings menu:

Proximity Distance Units – The proximity distance can be shown in either cm, inches, mm, m, or with no units.

Auto scale graph Y-Axis - The Y-Axis of the graph will be auto scaled when not paused. Otherwise panning or pinching on the graph can change the axis scales.

Stay awake – Check this option to stop the device from sleeping.

Sound On – Button presses and counts will make a click sound if this is enabled.

Beep when count detected – If both the sound and this option are on, then a 'click' sound will be played every time a new count is detected.

Vibrate On – Button presses and counts can cause the device to vibrate if this is enabled.

Vibrate when count detected – If both this and vibrate are on, then every time a count is registered the device will vibrate.

Measurement Speed – Three speed options for the update interval.

Reset to defaults – Resets all preferences back to their default values and zeros the counter.

Edit counter value – Use this if you need to adjust the counter value.

Edit detection values – You can also edit the detection values here, typing in the values rather than using the arrow buttons.