Motion Triggered Data Transfer

• US 20080195735A1
• Filed: 01/25/2007
• Published: 08/14/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Izadi, Shahram, Butler, David Alexander, Hodges, Stephen
• Granted Patent: US 8,391,786 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/227
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/042 using digital processors G05B19/05 takes precedence
• 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 1/1694 the I/O peripheral being a single or a set of motion sensors for pointer control or gesture input obtained by sensing movements of the portable computer
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/64 file transfer between terminals

Abstract

Methods of controlling the transfer of data between devices are described in which the manner of control is determined by a movement experienced by at least one of the devices. The method involves detecting a triggering movement and determining a characteristic of this movement. The transfer of data is then controlled based on the characteristic which has been identified.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

detecting a triggering motion at a device;

determining a characteristic of said triggering motion; and

controlling transfer of data between said device and at least a second device based on said characteristic.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein controlling transfer of data between said device and at least a second device based on said characteristic comprises:

accessing a mapping between said characteristic and a control parameter; and

controlling transfer of data between said device and at least a second device according to said control parameter.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein said control parameter comprises at least one of:

a direction of data flow, a data rate, data selection criteria and rules defining a relationship between said device and said at least a second device.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein said characteristic comprises at least one of:

an orientation of the device during said motion, a direction of said motion and a magnitude of said motion.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein said triggering motion comprises an impact and said characteristic comprises at least one of:

a magnitude of said impact, an orientation of the device at said impact and a location of said impact on said device.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein controlling transfer of data between said device and at least a second device based on said characteristic comprises:

initiating transfer of data to said at least a second device.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein controlling transfer of data between said device and at least a second device based on said characteristic comprises:

identifying data for transfer based on said characteristic; and

initiating transfer of said data to said at least a second device.

8. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

establishing a communication link between said device and said at least a second device,

and wherein controlling transfer of data between said device and at least a second device based on said characteristic comprises;

controlling transfer of data between said device and at least a second device over said communication link based on said characteristic.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein said communication link comprises a wireless communication link.

10. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

on detection of said triggering motion, changing an aspect of operation of said device to assist in identification of said device by said at least a second device.

11. A method according to claim 1, wherein determining a characteristic of said triggering motion comprises:

accessing data relating to said triggering motion stored at said device;

receiving data relating to said triggering motion from said at least a second device; and

analyzing said data stored at said device and said data received from said at least a second device to determine a characteristic of said triggering motion.

12. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

monitoring for devices located in proximity to said device; and

on detection of said at least a second device in proximity, monitoring motion of said device.

13. A method according to claim 1, wherein said device is a mobile device.

14. One or more device-readable media with device-executable instructions for performing steps comprising:

detecting a triggering motion at a device;

determining a characteristic of said triggering motion; and

controlling transfer of data between said device and at least a second device based on said characteristic.

15. A device comprising:

at least one sensor;

data transfer means;

motion detection and analysis means arranged to detect a triggering motion, to determine a characteristic of said triggering motion and to control transfer of data by said data transfer means based on said characteristic.

16. A device according to claim 15 wherein said data transfer means comprises a transmitter and a receiver.

17. A device according to claim 15 wherein said motion detection and analysis means comprises a processor.

18. A device according to claim 17, further comprising:

memory arranged to store a plurality of mappings, each mapping being between at least one of a plurality of candidate characteristics and at least one of a plurality of control parameters;

and wherein said processor is arranged to;

select said characteristic from said plurality of candidate characteristics;

access a mapping between said characteristic and at least one control parameter; and

control transfer of data by said data transfer means based on said control parameter.

19. A device according to claim 15 wherein said at least one sensor comprises one of:

a motion sensor, an accelerometer, a microphone, a light sensor, a vibration detector, a camera, a pressure sensor, a proximity sensor, a switch and a magnetic sensor.