a system and method for improving power consumption by providing the ability to detect whether a cover is placed on top of infrared , ir , touch device . while the cover is in the open state , a certain amount of the light transmitted by the ir transmitters is directed upward and away from the ir receivers in the device . when the cover is closed , this light is reflected off of the cover and is incident on the ir receivers . the system of the present invention recognizes this increased level of received ir light and determines that the cover is in a closed position . having made such a determination that the cover is placed on the device , the device &# 39 ; s power savings system can switch to an appropriate power saving mode .