SYSTEM, DEVICE AND METHOD FOR STEERING A MOBILE TERMINAL

• US 20080183313A1
• Filed: 01/29/2007
• Published: 07/31/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications USA Incorporated (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications USA Incorporated (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Lundquist, Johan
• Application Number:
  US11/668,071
• Publication Number:
  US 20080183313A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/84
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1684 Constructional details or arrangements related to integrated I/O peripherals not covered by groups G06F1/1635 - G06F1/1675
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1636 Sensing arrangement for detection of a tap gesture on the housing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text

Abstract

An impact detecting system for a mobile terminal, and a method for detecting an impact, is used for controlling functionality in a mobile terminal. The system comprising the mobile terminal having a control unit that is operatively connected to an impact detector adapted to recognize different impacts on the mobile terminal, which control unit is adapted to control the functionality of the mobile terminal in accordance with the impact data.

Claims

1. A system for controlling functionality in a mobile device, comprising:

a mobile device with a control unit that is operatively connected to an impact detector adapted to recognize different impacts on the mobile device;

which control unit is adapted to control the functionality of the mobile device in accordance with the detected impact data.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to compare the detected impact with impact data stored in a memory, and to control the functionality of the mobile device in accordance with the comparison of impact data.

3. A system according to claim 2, wherein the control unit is configured to enable, disable or maintain a current functionality mode for the mobile device in accordance with the comparison of impact data.

4. A system according to claim 2, wherein the control unit is configured to enable, disable or maintain an answering mode for the mobile device in accordance with the comparison of impact data.

5. A system according to claim 2, wherein the control unit is configured to enable, disable or maintain a music playing mode for the mobile device in accordance with the comparison of impact data.

6. A system according to claim 1, wherein the impact detector is an accelerometer.

7. A system according to claim 1, wherein the impact detector is a microphone adapted to recognize sound corresponding to different impacts on the mobile device.

8. A system according to claim 1, wherein the impact detector is the shell/housing of the mobile device acting as a key adapted to be actuated by the impacts on the mobile device.

9. A system according to claim 1, wherein the impact detector is the shell/housing of the mobile device being made of a material that is adapted to react/respond to the impacts on the mobile device.

10. A system according to claim 1, wherein the impact detector is a coil and magnet used in the loudspeaker and/or the auto-focus of the mobile device.

11. A system according to claim 1, wherein the impact detector is a piezo-electric device.

12. A system according to claim 1, wherein the impact detector is a pressure gauge.

13. A mobile device, comprising a control unit that is operatively connected to an impact detector and a memory.

14. A method for steering the functionality of a mobile device, comprising:

transmitting an impact to an impact detector of the mobile device;

detecting the impact;

and controlling the functionality of the mobile device in accordance with the detected impact data.

15. A method according to claim 14, comprising comparing the detected impact with impact data stored in a memory, and, performing an activity that controls the functionality of the mobile device in accordance with the comparison of impact data.

16. A method according to claim 15, comprising:

enabling, disabling or maintaining a current mode/setting/profile for the mobile device in accordance with the comparison of impact data.

17. A method according to claim 16, comprising:

enabling, disabling or maintaining an answering mode for the mobile device in accordance with the comparison of impact data.

18. A method according to claim 16, comprising:

enabling, disabling or maintaining a music playing mode for the mobile device in accordance with the comparison of impact data.

19. A method according to claim 14, wherein the impacts are detected by an accelerometer.

20. A method according to claim 14, wherein the impacts are detected by a microphone recognizing sound corresponding to the impacts on the mobile device.

21. A method according to claim 14, wherein the impacts are detected by the shell/housing of the mobile device actuated as a key by the impacts on the mobile device.

22. A method according to claim 14, wherein the impacts are detected by the shell/housing of the mobile device reacting to the impacts on the mobile device.

23. A method according to claim 14, wherein the impacts are detected by a coil and magnet used in the loudspeaker and/or the auto-focus of the mobile device.

24. A method according to claim 14, wherein the impacts are detected by a piezo-electric device.

25. A method according to claim 14, wherein the impacts are detected by a pressure gauge.