System and method for optimizing the position of a mobile device

• US 8,493,227 B2
• Filed: 09/28/2010
• Issued: 07/23/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Ranta, Craig Eric
• Primary Examiner(s): CROSLAND, DONNIE L
• Application Number:
  US12/892,161
• Publication Number:
  US 20120075111A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,029 Days
• Field of Search: 340/689, 340/539.11, 340/539.13
• US Class Current: 340/689
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6041 Portable telephones adapted for handsfree use
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72427 for supporting games or graphical animations
• 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 system and method for providing a visual indicator for optimizing the position of a mobile device when the mobile device is being used in a hands free mode. One or more position components in the mobile device can determine the position of the mobile device. The position of the mobile device can be compared to ideal or predetermined positions for improved performance quality. A visual indicator can be provided to provide an indication on whether the mobile device is in an optimal position. The visual indicator can take several forms including an illustration showing how the mobile device should be moved, an animation showing how the mobile device should be moved, colors providing an indication whether the position is acceptable, or any combination thereof.

Claims

1. An electronic device comprising;

a display;

a position component configured to detect position data of the electronic device; and

a processor communicatively coupled to the position component and configured to;

receive the position data from the position component;

compare the position data to one or more predetermined position data;

render, on the display, a visual indicator of the electronic device, the visual indicator including a first orientation indicator; and

adjust a characteristic of the first orientation indicator based on the comparison of the position data and the one or more predetermined position data, the characteristic adjustment identifying a direction to re-position the electronic device.

2. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the position component is an accelerometer.

3. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the position component is one of a gyroscope and a mercury switch.

4. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the position data comprises roll, pitch, and yaw data.

5. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the predetermined position data comprises acceptable limits for the position of the mobile device.

6. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the visual indicator comprises an image displayed on the display communicatively coupled with the processor, the image illustrating how the electronic device should be moved.

7. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the visual indicator comprises an animation displayed on the display communicatively coupled with the processor, the animation illustrating how the electronic device should be moved.

8. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the visual indicator comprises displaying at least one color on the display communicatively coupled with the processor with the color indicating whether the position of the electronic device is in an acceptable position.

9. The electronic device of claim 8 wherein the at least one color is green indicating the electronic device is in an acceptable position and the at least one color is red indicating the mobile device is not in an acceptable position.

10. The electronic device of claim 1 further comprising:

a green light emitting diode (LED) communicatively coupled to the processor and configured to provide the visual indicator by illuminating in the event the position of the electronic device is in an acceptable position; and

a red LED communicatively coupled to the processor and configured to provide the visual indicator by illuminating in the event the position of the electronic device is not in an acceptable position.

11. The electronic device of claim 1 further comprising a single LED communicatively coupled to the processor and configured to provide the visual indicator by illuminating green in the event the position of the electronic device is in an acceptable position and illuminating red in the event the position of the electronic device is not in an acceptable position.

12. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the one or more predetermined position data enhance an audio quality for the electronic device.

13. The electronic device of claim 4 wherein the first orientation indicator corresponds to the roll data and wherein the processor is configured to:

render, on the display, the visual indicator of the electronic device, the visual indicator including a second orientation indicator that corresponds to the pitch data, and a third orientation indicator that corresponds to the yaw data; and

adjust a characteristic of at least one of the first orientation indicator, the second orientation indicator, and the third orientation indicator based on the comparison of the position data and the one or more predetermined position data, the characteristic adjustment identifying a direction to re-position the electronic device.

14. A method comprising:

determining, by a position component, a position of the electronic device;

comparing, by a processor, the determined position to one or more predetermined positions;

rendering, on a display, a visual indicator of the electronic device, the visual indicator including a first orientation indicator; and

adjusting a characteristic of the first orientation indicator based on the comparison of the position data and the one or more predetermined position data, the characteristic adjustment identifying a direction to re-position the electronic device.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the position of the electronic device comprises roll, pitch, and yaw data.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the one or more predetermined position includes limits for the position of the electronic device.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein rendering the visual indicator further comprises displaying an image of the electronic device, the image illustrating the direction to re-position the electronic device.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein rendering the visual indicator further comprises displaying an animation of the electronic device, the animation illustrating the direction to re-position the electronic device.

19. The method of claim 16 wherein rendering the visual indicator further comprises displaying at least one color on the display of the electronic device, the at least one the color indicating whether the position of the electronic device is in an acceptable position.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the at least one color is green indicating the electronic device is in an acceptable position and the at least one color is red indicating the electronic device is not in an acceptable position.

21. The method of claim 14 further comprising updating the rendering of the visual indicator in response to a change in the position of the electronic device.

22. The method of claim 14 further comprising updating the rendering of the visual indicator on a predetermined basis.

23. The method of claim 14 wherein the one or more predetermined positions enhance an audio quality for the electronic device.

24. The method of claim 14 wherein the first orientation indicator corresponds to the roll data and wherein the method further comprises:

rendering, on the display, the visual indicator of the electronic device, the visual indicator including a second orientation indicator that corresponds to the pitch data, and a third orientation indicator that corresponds to the yaw data; and

adjusting a characteristic of at least one of the first orientation indicator, the second orientation indicator, and the third orientation indicator based on the comparison of the position data and the one or more predetermined position data, the characteristic adjustment identifying a direction to re-position the electronic device.