Controlling user input devices based upon detected attitude of a handheld electronic device
First Claim
1. A wireless handheld electronic device comprising:
- a transmitter and receiver through which data is respectively transmitted to and received from a communication network utilizing radio frequency signals;
a microprocessor-based control means for receiving, processing and outputting data;
a display means in data-communication with said control means, said display means presenting information for user observation thereupon based on data output from said control means to said display means;
a user input means in data-communication with said control means and through which a user inputs information to said control means;
an attitude sensing means in data-communication with said control means, said attitude sensing means detecting the attitude of the device as held by a user and communicating data to said control means indicative of the detected attitude of the device;
said control means receiving and processing the communicated data from the attitude sensing means that is indicative of the detected attitude of the device and said control means disabling said user input means from receiving information when the detected attitude of the device matches a predetermined attitude criteria; and
a user informing means in data-communication with said control means, said user informing means outputting a notification signal when said user input means is disabled from receiving information when the detected attitude of the device matches the predetermined attitude criteria, said notification signal indicating said user input means is disabled.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A wireless handheld electronic device configured to send and receive text messages. A microprocessor for receiving, processing and outputting data is located within the handheld device. A display screen in data-communication with the microprocessor presents information for user observation based upon data output from the microprocessor. A sensor is provided within the handheld device that detects the attitude of the device as held by the user. The sensor communicates data that is indicative of the detected attitude of the device to the microprocessor. The microprocessor is further enable to disable a user input device when the detected attitude of the device matches a predetermined attitude criteria.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A wireless handheld electronic device comprising:
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a transmitter and receiver through which data is respectively transmitted to and received from a communication network utilizing radio frequency signals; a microprocessor-based control means for receiving, processing and outputting data; a display means in data-communication with said control means, said display means presenting information for user observation thereupon based on data output from said control means to said display means; a user input means in data-communication with said control means and through which a user inputs information to said control means; an attitude sensing means in data-communication with said control means, said attitude sensing means detecting the attitude of the device as held by a user and communicating data to said control means indicative of the detected attitude of the device; said control means receiving and processing the communicated data from the attitude sensing means that is indicative of the detected attitude of the device and said control means disabling said user input means from receiving information when the detected attitude of the device matches a predetermined attitude criteria; and a user informing means in data-communication with said control means, said user informing means outputting a notification signal when said user input means is disabled from receiving information when the detected attitude of the device matches the predetermined attitude criteria, said notification signal indicating said user input means is disabled. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 29)
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17. A wireless handheld electronic device comprising:
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a transmitter and receiver through which data is respectively transmitted to and received from a communication network utilizing radio frequency signals; a microprocessor for receiving, processing and outputting data; a display screen in data-communication with said microprocessor, said display screen presents information for user observation thereupon based on data output from said microprocessor to said display screen; a user input device in data-communication with said microprocessor and through which a user inputs information to said microprocessor; a sensor in data-communication with said microprocessor, said sensor detects the attitude of the device as held by a user and communicates data to said microprocessor indicative of the detected attitude of the device; said microprocessor receives and processes the communicated data from the sensor that is indicative of the detected attitude of the device and said microprocessor disables said user input device from receiving information when the detected attitude of the device matches a predetermined attitude criteria; and a user informing device in data-communication with said microprocessor, said user informing device outputting a notification signal when said user input device is disabled from receiving information when the detected attitude of the device matches the predetermined attitude criteria, said notification signal indicating said user input device is disabled. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method for disabling at least one user input device on a wireless handheld electronic device comprising:
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detecting an attitude of a wireless handheld electronic device; communicating data indicative of the detected attitude of the device to a microprocessor; receiving the communicated data by the microprocessor; disabling a user input device from receiving information when the data indicative of the detected attitude matches a predetermined attitude criteria; and providing a notification signal when said user input means is disabled from receiving information when the detected attitude of the device matches the predetermined attitude criteria, said notification signal indicating said user input means is disabled.
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Specification