Mobile Device User Interface Change Based On Motion

• US 20120001843A1
• Filed: 07/01/2010
• Published: 01/05/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cox Communications Incorporated (Cox Enterprises Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Cox Communications Incorporated (Cox Enterprises Incorporated)
• Inventors: Gravino, Douglas David
• Granted Patent: US 10,976,784 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/156
• 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 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 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72454 according to context-related or environment-related conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion

Abstract

Adapting a user interface of a mobile computing device when the mobile computing device is in a motion state is provided. Upon detecting that a mobile computing device is in motion by utilization of a location or motion determining system, such as a GPS navigation and/or accelerometer system, a motion mode UI may be activated on the device, wherein a display of device functionalities may be simplified by modifying one or more displayed elements of the device user interface.

Claims

1. A method for providing a simplified user interface of a mobile computing device while the mobile computing device is in motion, the method comprising:

detecting a motion state of the mobile computing device;

determining if the motion state of the mobile computing device meets a prescribed threshold; and

altering one or more characteristics of the user interface if the motion state of the mobile computing device meets the prescribed threshold.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining if the motion state of the mobile computing device meets a prescribed threshold includes safeguarding against a false motion state detection.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein detecting a motion state of a mobile computing device and determining if the motion state of the computing device meets a prescribed threshold comprises deriving speed information for the mobile computing device from a location determining system.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein determining if the motion state of the mobile computing device meets a prescribed threshold includes determining whether the mobile computing device is moving at or above a prescribed speed.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein detecting a motion state of a mobile computing device and determining if the motion state of the computing device meets a prescribed threshold comprises deriving acceleration information from an accelerometer.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein determining if the motion state of the mobile computing device meets a prescribed threshold includes determining whether the mobile computing device is moving at or above a prescribed speed.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting a motion state of a mobile computing device and determining if the motion state of the computing device meets a prescribed threshold comprises deriving acceleration information from a network-based location determining system.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein determining if the motion state of the mobile computing device meets a prescribed threshold includes determining whether the mobile computing device is moving at or above a prescribed speed.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein altering one or more characteristics of the user interface if the motion state of the mobile computing device meets the prescribed threshold includes changing a display of selectable functionalities in the user interface to enhance use of the selectable functionalities when the motion state of the mobile computing device meets the prescribed threshold.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein altering one or more characteristics of the user interface if the motion state of the mobile computing device meets the prescribed threshold includes changing at least one of font typography, font size, colors used, overall screen layout, screen brightness, iconography, icon sizing, onscreen visual elements, onscreen control elements, ringer settings, notification settings, manual button functionalities, availability of various phone applications, availability of various phone features, availability of various settings, voice command and control functionalities, or audible feedback.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising preventing an altering of at least one characteristic of the user interface while the motion state of the mobile computing device meets the prescribed threshold.

12. A system for providing a simplified user interface of a mobile computing device in a vehicle, the system comprising:

a motion detection system operative to detect a motion state of a mobile computing device and operative to determine if the motion state of the computing device meets a prescribed threshold; and

an application operative to alter at least one characteristic of the mobile computing device user interface while the motion state of the mobile computing device meets the prescribed threshold.

13. The system of claim 12, the motion detection system further operative to safeguard against a false motion state detection.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the system operative to detect a motion of a mobile computing device and determine if the motion state of the computing device meets a prescribed threshold is a location determining system.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the prescribed threshold comprises a speed threshold.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the system operative to detect a motion of a mobile computing device and determine if the motion state of the computing device meets a prescribed threshold is an accelerometer.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the prescribed threshold includes an acceleration threshold.

18. The system of claim 12, wherein the application is further operative to alter one or more functionalities of the mobile computing device including altering at least one of font typography, font size, colors used, overall screen layout, screen brightness, iconography, icon sizing, onscreen visual elements, onscreen control elements, ringer settings, notification settings, manual button functionalities, availability of various phone applications, availability of various phone features, availability of various settings, voice command and control functionalities, or audible feedback.

19. The system of claim 12, wherein the application is further operative to prevent an altering of at least one characteristic of the user interface while the motion state of the mobile computing device meets the prescribed threshold.

20. A computer readable medium containing computer executable instructions which when executed by a computer perform a method for providing a simplified user interface of a mobile computing device while the mobile computing device is in motion, the method comprising:

detecting a motion state of the mobile computing device;

determining if the motion state of the mobile computing device meets a prescribed threshold; and

altering one or more characteristics of the user interface if the motion state of the mobile computing device meets the prescribed threshold.

21. The computer readable medium of claim 20, wherein detecting a motion state of a mobile computing device and determining if the motion state of the computing device meets a prescribed threshold comprises deriving motion information from a location determining system.

22. The computer readable medium of claim 20, wherein altering one or more characteristics of the user interface if the motion state of the mobile computing device meets the prescribed threshold includes changing at least one of font typography, font size, colors used, overall screen layout, screen brightness, iconography, icon sizing, onscreen visual elements, onscreen control elements, ringer settings, notification settings, manual button functionalities, availability of various phone applications, availability of various phone features, availability of various settings, voice command and control functionalities, or audible feedback.