Switching an application, user and security context based on device orientation

• US 20060230267A1
• Filed: 04/11/2005
• Published: 10/12/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Mathew, Ashvin J., Estroff, Eric J., Schauer, Josef
• Granted Patent: US 7,779,462 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/168
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1601 Constructional details related to the housing of computer displays, e.g. of CRT monitors, of flat displays constructional details related to flat displays integrated in a portable computer, e.g. laptop, handheld computer G06F1/1637; constructional details related to television receivers H04N5/64
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/84 output devices, e.g. displays or monitors
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1637 Sensing arrangement for detection of housing movement or orientation, e.g. for controlling scrolling or cursor movement on the display of an handheld computer
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/126 the source of the received data
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks

Abstract

A computer is adapted for changing one or more of the application, security, or user contexts based on the orientation of a component, such as a monitor. Changing the context responsive to the reorientation allows two or more users to use the same hardware to complete a transaction requiring at least two perspectives, for example, buyer and seller. In the background, transaction end points may be changed as well as establishment of a secure channel for supporting confidentiality of a user and their personal information. The computer so equipped may be applicable to many situations involving two parties, such as hospitals, personnel/human relations, banking, government benefits, and retail.

Claims

1. A computer supporting a plurality of user contexts comprising:

a component adapted for use in a plurality of orientations;

a memory for storing data corresponding to a plurality of user contexts;

a sensor for reporting an orientation of the component; and

a processing unit coupled to the sensor, wherein the processing unit selects a user context from the plurality of user contexts responsive to the orientation of the component.

2. The computer of claim 1, wherein the selected user context comprises at least one of display information, input data capture, and information security.

3. The computer of claim 1, wherein the selected user context comprises one of a human user and a function-defined user.

4. The computer of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of user contexts corresponds to a user identity.

5. The computer of claim 4, wherein the user identity comprises one of a customer, a clerk, a supervisor, a data entry person, a client, and an administrator.

6. The computer of claim 1, wherein the processing unit interprets the sensor data to determine a first user zone and a second user zone for the component.

7. The computer of claim 6, wherein the processing unit interprets the sensor data to determine a transition zone between the first and second user zones.

8. The computer of claim 1, wherein the component is a display.

9. A computer-readable media adapted to store executable instructions comprising:

a first module for monitoring the orientation of a component logically coupled to a computer; and

a second module for activating a security context responsive to a change in the orientation of the component.

10. The computer-readable media of claim 9, adapted to store executable instructions wherein the security context comprises at least one of a secure communication channel for communicating with a remote process and a digitally signed application presenting a user interface.

11. The computer-readable media of claim 9, adapted to store executable instructions further comprising:

a third module for activating a user context responsive to a change in the orientation of the component of the computer.

12. The computer-readable media of claim 9, adapted to store executable instructions further comprising:

a fourth module for activating an application responsive to a change in the orientation of the component of the computer.

13. The computer-readable media of claim 9, adapted to store executable instructions wherein the component logically coupled to the computer is one of a display and a movable mount.

14. The computer-readable media of claim 9, adapted to store executable instructions wherein the second module further comprises executable instructions for establishing a secure communication channel between the computer and a server.

15. The computer-readable media of claim 9, adapted to store executable instructions wherein the application is one of a data entry application and an approval application.

16. A method of adapting a computer for use in multiple contexts comprising:

providing a component of the computer adapted for use in a plurality of orientations;

associating an operating environment with the each of the plurality of orientations of the component;

determining a current orientation from the plurality of orientations of the component of the computer;

selecting the operating environment associated with the current orientation of the component; and

establishing the operating environment associated with the current orientation of the component.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the determining the current orientation of the component comprises monitoring data from a sensor, the data corresponding to a position of the component.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the operating environment comprises a first user environment and a second user environment, each of the operating environments comprising an application context and a security context.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the operating environment comprises a user identity, the user identity comprising one of a human user and a function-defined user.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the associating an operating environment with each of the plurality of orientations comprises associating one of a data entry context and an approval context with each of the plurality of orientations.