Motion based input selection

• US 20100042954A1
• Filed: 08/12/2008
• Published: 02/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Nakajima, Taido Lantz, Lin, Gloria, Rosenblatt, Michael, Mayo, Sean Anthony
• Application Number:
  US12/228,369
• Publication Number:
  US 20100042954A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/863
• 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 1/1694 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: G06F 21/35 communicating wirelessly
• 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: G06F 3/017 Gesture based interaction, e.g. based on a set of recognized hand gestures interaction based on gestures traced on a digitiser G06F3/04883
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0346 with detection of the device orientation or free movement in a 3D space, e.g. 3D mice, 6-DOF [six degrees of freedom] pointers using gyroscopes, accelerometers or tilt-sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04845 for image manipulation, e.g. dragging, rotation, expansion or change of colour
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/14 Digital output to display device ; Cooperation and interconnection of the display device with other functional units
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00174 Electronically operated locks; Circuits therefor; Nonmechanical keys therefor, e.g. passive or active electrical keys or other data carriers without mechanical keys mechanical locks with electric permutation E05B49/00; arrangements for sensing or reading record carriers G06K7/00; electronic switching H03K17/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion telephones including GPS signal receivers H04M2250/10

Abstract

A method for selecting an input value based on sensed motion is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes varying a graphical element displayed on a handheld device in response to sensed motion to identify an input value. The motion-based input may be used to perform a function on the handheld device or on an external device. For example, the input may be used to open a lock or to rotate a displayed image. Various additional methods, devices, and systems employing motion-based inputs are also provided.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

displaying a user interface on a handheld device; and

varying the user interface based on contemporaneously acquired motion data to identify an input value.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the varying the user interface comprises adjusting a first graphical element to align the input value with a second graphical element.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first graphical element comprises a pointer and the second graphical element comprises a stationary dial displaying the input value.

4. The method of claim 1, comprising transmitting the input value by near field communication to an external device.

5. The method of claim 1, comprising displaying an indication corresponding to the input value in response to a selection input.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the selection input includes a motion-based input.

7. The method of claim 1, comprising acquiring the motion data from a one, two, or three axis accelerometer.

8. The method of claim 1, comprising transmitting the input value to open a lock.

9. The method of claim 1, comprising transmitting the input value to rotate a document displayed on an external device.

10. An electronic device, comprising:

a graphical user interface configured to facilitate selection of an input value; and

a processor configured to vary the user interface in response to acquired motion data to identify the input value.

11. The device of claim 10, comprising a near field communication channel configured to transmit the input value to an external device.

12. The device of claim 10, wherein the graphical user interface is configured to simulate rolling a die.

13. The device of claim 10, wherein the graphical user interface is configured to simulate opening a combination lock.

14. The device of claim 10, comprising a motion sensing device configured to acquire the motion data.

15. A system, comprising:

a handheld device configured to generate a motion-based input;

an electronic device configured to validate the motion-based input against a stored value and perform a function based on the input; and

an interface for determining the stored value.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the electronic device includes a near field communication device for receiving the input.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the electronic device is configured to authorize communication with the handheld device based on identification information received from the handheld device.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the function includes at least one of opening a lock of the electronic device or adjusting an image displayed on the electronic device.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein the interface is included within the handheld device.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein the electronic device is configured to transmit an alert through the interface in response to a failed validation.

21. A method, comprising:

receiving a motion-based input from a handheld device over a near field communication channel; and

verifying the input to open a lock.

22. The method of claim 21, comprising verifying identification information received from the handheld device to authorize communication with the handheld device.

23. The method of claim 21, comprising transmitting a security alert if the verification fails.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein the input includes a three digit code with corresponding motion data.

25. A method, comprising:

displaying a user interface for controlling an external device from a handheld device;

varying the user interface in response to sensed motion of the handheld device to facilitate selection of an input value; and

transmitting the input value by near field communication to the external device to control the external device.

26. One or more tangible media, comprising executable code configured to vary the display of one or more graphical elements in response to contemporaneously acquired motion data to identify an input value.

27. A method comprising:

identifying an input value on a handheld device based on contemporaneously acquired motion data; and

transmitting the input value to perform a function.

28. The method of claim 27, comprising establishing a communication link with an external device configured to perform the function.

29. The method of claim 28, comprising transmitting identification information to the external device to obtain authorization for transmitting the input value.

30. The method of claim 27, comprising:

sensing an external device; and

displaying an interface determined based on a property of the external device.