An information handling system may be implemented as a notebook, comprising a first assembly, a second assembly, a hinge mechanically coupling the first assembly to the second assembly wherein the hinge comprises a surface having an apparent reflectivity of light which is variable from a first location of the surface to a second location of the surface, a source of light configured to project light onto a surface of the hinge, and a sensor configured to detect an intensity of light reflected from the surface of the hinge.