Mobile computer device binding feedback

• US 7,864,517 B2
• Filed: 03/30/2009
• Issued: 01/04/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Fuller, Andrew J., Miller, Michael C., Dodge, Steven P., Parks, Gregory H.
• Primary Examiner(s): LEA EDMONDS, LISA S
• Application Number:
  US12/413,827
• Publication Number:
  US 20100245106A1
• Time in Patent Office: 645 Days
• Field of Search: 361/679.27, 345/1.1, 710/7, 710/14, 710/15, 710/16, 710/18
• US Class Current: 361/679.27
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1618 the display being foldable up to the back of the other housing with a single degree of freedom, e.g. by 360° rotation over the axis defined by the rear edge of the base enclosure
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1647 including at least an additional display G06F1/1692 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1677 for detecting open or closed state or particular intermediate positions assumed by movable parts of the enclosure, e.g. detection of display lid position with respect to main body in a laptop, detection of opening of the cover of battery compartment
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1679 for locking or maintaining the movable parts of the enclosure in a fixed position, e.g. latching mechanism at the edge of the display in a laptop or for the screen protective cover of a PDA G06F1/1681 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1614 Image rotation following screen orientation, e.g. switching from landscape to portrait mode
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/167 Audio in a user interface, e.g. using voice commands for navigating, audio feedback
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/14 Display of multiple viewports

Abstract

Embodiments of mobile computer device binding feedback are described. In embodiments, an application interface for a device application is displayed on a first display that is integrated in a first housing of a dual-display mobile computer device. The application interface can also be displayed on a second display that is integrated in a second housing of the dual-display mobile computer device. Binding position data is received that is associated with a binding system that movably connects the first housing and the second housing. Application context data that is associated with the device application is also received. Feedback can then be generated that correlates to the binding position data and to the application context data.

Claims

1. A dual-display mobile computer device, comprising:

a first housing that includes a first display configured to display an application interface when generated for a device application;

a second housing that includes a second display configured to display the application interface, the second housing movably connected to the first housing with a binding system;

a position controller configured to;

receive binding position data associated with the binding system;

receive application context data associated with the device application; and

initiate feedback that correlates to the binding position data and the application context data.

2. A dual-display mobile computer device as recited in claim 1, wherein the feedback includes at least one of audio feedback, video feedback, display feedback, or haptic feedback.

3. A dual-display mobile computer device as recited in claim 1, wherein the position controller is further configured to receive device setting data, and initiate the feedback that correlates to the device setting data.

4. A dual-display mobile computer device as recited in claim 1, wherein the feedback includes locking the binding system to hold the first housing and the second housing in a secure posture.

5. A dual-display mobile computer device as recited in claim 1, wherein the feedback includes stiffening the binding system to hold the first housing and the second housing in a display posture.

6. A dual-display mobile computer device as recited in claim 1, wherein the feedback includes vibration of the binding system to indicate movement of at least one of the first housing or the second housing approaching a display posture.

7. A dual-display mobile computer device as recited in claim 1, wherein the feedback indicates a display posture in which to position the first display and the second display, and wherein the application interface is displayed according to the application context data.

8. A dual-display mobile computer device as recited in claim 7, wherein the feedback indicates a laptop display posture when the application context data correlates to a landscape display mode of the application interface, and when the binding position data correlates to an angle between the first display and the second display that is less than one-hundred and eighty degrees (180°

).

9. A dual-display mobile computer device as recited in claim 7, wherein the feedback indicates a book display posture when the application context data correlates to a portrait display mode of the application interface, and when the binding position data correlates to an angle between the first display and the second display that is less than one-hundred and eighty degrees (180°

).

10. A dual-display mobile computer device as recited in claim 7, wherein the feedback indicates a presentation display posture when the application interface is displayed in approximate opposing directions on the first display and on the second display, and when the binding position data correlates to an angle between the first display and the second display that is greater than one-hundred and eighty degrees (180°

) and less than three-hundred and sixty degrees (360°

).

11. A dual-display mobile computer device as recited in claim 7, wherein the feedback indicates a surface display posture when the binding position data correlates to an angle between the first display and the second display that is approximately one-hundred and eighty degrees)(180°

).

12. A dual-display mobile computer device as recited in claim 7, wherein the feedback indicates a tablet display posture when the binding position data correlates to an angle between the first display and the second display that is approximately three-hundred and sixty degrees (360°

).

13. A mobile computer device, comprising:

a first display device configured to display a graphical interface;

at least a second display device configured to display at least one of the graphical interface or an additional graphical interface;

a binding system configured to movably connect the first display device and the at least second display device; and

a position controller configured to generate feedback based on a context of the graphical interface and a position of the first display with reference to the at least second display.

14. A mobile computer device as recited in claim 13, wherein the position controller is further configured to generate the feedback as at least one of audio feedback, video feedback, display feedback, or haptic feedback.

15. A mobile computer device as recited in claim 13, wherein the position controller is further configured to generate the feedback based on device setting data of the mobile computer device.

16. A mobile computer device as recited in claim 13, wherein the position controller is further configured to lock the binding system as the generated feedback to hold the first display and the second display in a secure posture.

17. A mobile computer device as recited in claim 13, wherein the position controller is further configured to stiffen the binding system as the generated feedback to hold the first display and the second display in a display posture.

18. A mobile computer device as recited in claim 13, wherein the position controller is further configured to simulate detents of the binding system as the generated feedback to indicate a display posture in which to position the first display and the second display, the detents simulated as at least one of physical impulses or aural clicks of the binding system to indicate acquisition during movement of a display posture.

19. A mobile computer device as recited in claim 13, wherein the position controller is further configured to indicate a display posture in which to position the first display and the second display.

20. A mobile computer device as recited in claim 13, wherein the display posture correlates to the position of the first display and the second display to display the graphical interface according to the context of the graphical interface.