Method and Apparatus for Changing Display Orientations on a Monitor of a Portable Computer

• US 20080259095A1
• Filed: 04/17/2007
• Published: 10/23/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lenovo Singapore Pte Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Lenovo Singapore Pte Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Inventors: Thrasher, James J., Zawacki, Jennifer G., Dubs, Justin T.
• Application Number:
  US11/736,070
• Publication Number:
  US 20080259095A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/659
• 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: G09G 2340/0407 Resolution change, inclusive of the use of different resolutions for different screen areas
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2340/0492 Change of orientation of the displayed image, e.g. upside-down, mirrored
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/00 Control arrangements or circuits for visual indicators common to cathode-ray tube indicators and other visual indicators image data processing or generation, in general G06T

Abstract

A method for changing the display orientation on a monitor of a portable computer after the portable computer has been rotated by a user is disclosed. In response to a detection that the portable computer has been physically rotated, a determination is made whether or not the new physical orientation is unchanged within a predetermined period of time. If the new physical orientation has been changed within the predetermined period of time, the portable computer continues to detect for a physical rotation. If the new physical orientation is unchanged within the predetermined period of time, a display orientation on a monitor of the portable computer is adjusted to accommodate the new physical orientation.

Claims

1. A method for changing the display orientation on a monitor of a portable computer, said method comprising:

detecting for a rotation of said portable computer;

in response to a detection of said portable computer has been rotated to a new physical orientation, determining whether or not said new physical orientation is to be intended;

in a determination that said new physical orientation is not to be intended, continue detecting for a rotation of said portable computer; and

in a determination that said new physical orientation is to be intended, adjusting a display orientation of said monitor to accommodate said new physical orientation.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said determining further includes determining whether or not said new physical orientation is unchanged within a predetermined period of time.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said determining further includes determining whether or not said portable computer has been placed in said new physical orientation twice within a predetermined period of time.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said new physical orientation includes the tilt of said portable computer.

5. A computer usable medium having a computer program product for changing the display orientation on a monitor of a portable computer, said computer usable medium comprising:

computer program code for detecting for a rotation of said portable computer;

computer program code for, in response to a detection of said portable computer has been rotated to a new physical orientation, determining whether or not said new physical orientation is to be intended;

computer program code for, in a determination that said new physical orientation is not to be intended, continue detecting for a rotation of said portable computer; and

computer program code for, in a determination that said new physical orientation is to be intended, adjusting a display orientation of said monitor to accommodate said new physical orientation.

6. The computer usable medium of claim 5, wherein said computer program code for determining further includes computer program code for determining whether or not said new physical orientation is unchanged within a predetermined period of time.

7. The computer usable medium of claim 5, wherein said computer program code for determining further includes computer program code for determining whether or not said portable computer has been placed in said new physical orientation twice within a predetermined period of time.

8. The computer usable medium of claim 5, wherein said new physical orientation includes the tilt of said portable computer.

10. The portable computer of claim 5, wherein said processor for determining further includes processor for determining whether or not said new physical orientation is unchanged within a predetermined period of time.

9. A portable computer capable of changing the display orientation on a monitor, said portable computer comprising:

a motion sensor for detecting for a rotation of said portable computer;

a processor for, in response to a detection of said portable computer has been rotated to a new physical orientation, determining whether or not said new physical orientation is to be intended;

a graphics adapter for, in a determination that said new physical orientation is not to be intended, continue detecting for a rotation of said portable computer; and

said graphics adapter for, in a determination that said new physical orientation is to be intended, adjusting a display orientation of said monitor to accommodate said new physical orientation.

11. The portable computer of claim 9, wherein said processor for determining further includes processor for determining whether or not said portable computer has been placed in said new physical orientation twice within a predetermined period of time.

12. The portable computer of claim 9, wherein said new physical orientation includes the tilt of said portable computer.