an embodiment relates generally to a method of operating a device . the method includes providing for a plurality of sensors , where each sensor is configured to sense and transmit data values associated with an interaction with the device by a user . a subset of the sensors of the plurality of sensors is associated with a respective facing on a housing of the device . the method also includes operating the plurality of sensors to detect the interaction with the device by the user and receiving sensor data associated with the interaction from the plurality of sensors . the method further includes determining a user mode of the device based on the sensor data associated with the interaction .