Electronic device with automatic mode switching

• US 8,670,222 B2
• Filed: 02/25/2013
• Issued: 03/11/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Rothkopf, Fletcher R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jackson, Stephen W
• Application Number:
  US13/775,969
• Publication Number:
  US 20130169067A1
• Time in Patent Office: 379 Days
• Field of Search: 361/173
• US Class Current: 361/173
• 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 1/1684 Constructional details or arrangements related to integrated I/O peripherals not covered by groups G06F1/1635 - G06F1/1675
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/169 the I/O peripheral being an integrated pointing device, e.g. trackball in the palm rest area, mini-joystick integrated between keyboard keys, touch pads or touch stripes G06F1/1643 takes precedence; constructional details of pointing devices G06F3/033
• 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 1/3231 Monitoring the presence, absence or movement of users
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3234 Power saving characterised by the action undertaken
• 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 9/44505 Configuring for program initiating, e.g. using registry, configuration files
• CPC Class Codes: G06N 5/022 Knowledge engineering; Knowledge acquisition
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 35/006 Switches operated by mechanical overload condition, e.g. transmitted force or torque becoming too high
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/00 Details of switching devices, not covered by groups H01H1/00 - H01H7/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/50 in wire-line communication networks, e.g. low power modes or reduced link rate

Abstract

An electronic device for predicting or anticipating a user'"'"'s operational desires. The electronic device is ready to perform the anticipated function without input from the user by using sensors to sense environmental attributes. The sensors can include an ambient light sensor, a force sensor, a temperature sensor, an ambient noise sensor, and a motion sensor. The electronic device also includes a control mechanism for switching between modes for the device.

Claims

1. A method of operating a portable electronic device, comprising:

sensing a force exerted on an outer surface of the electronic device;

measuring the force exerted on the outer surface of the electronic device to determine if a triggering event should be initiated; and

performing a task associated with the triggering event in the event that the triggering event is initiated.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the operation of measuring the force exerted on the outer surface of the electronic device includes determining if the force changed by a predetermined amount.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the operation of measuring the force exerted on the outer surface of the electronic device includes determining if the force exceeded a predetermined threshold.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the operation of performing a task associated with the triggering event includes automatically switching the electronic device between a first mode and a second mode when the triggering event is initiated.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein

in the first mode, the electronic device is enabled to receive inputs;

and

in the second mode, the electronic device is not enabled to receive inputs.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the operation of switching the electronic device between a first and second mode includes switching the electronic device into the first mode if a constant force is exerted to the outer surface of the electronic device.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the operation of switching the electronic device between a first and second mode includes switching the electronic device into the second mode if a variable force is exerted to the outer surface of the electronic device.

8. The method of claim 4, wherein

in the first mode, a control feature of the electronic device is set to play;

and

in the second mode, the control feature of the electronic device is set to pause.

9. The method of claim 4, wherein

in the first mode, an alert mechanism of the electronic device is set to ring;

and

in the second mode, the alert mechanism of the electronic device is set to vibrate.

10. The method of claim 4, wherein

in the first mode, electronic device power is on;

and

in the second mode, electronic device power is off.

11. The method of claim 4, wherein

in the first mode, a first playlist is initiated;

and

in the second mode, a second playlist is initiated.

12. A portable electronic device, comprising;

one or more force sensors configured to sense a force exerted on an outer surface of the electronic device; and

a control mechanism operatively coupled to the one or more sensors, the control mechanism configured to measure the force exerted on the surface of the electronic device and to perform a task responsive to the force.

13. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the control mechanism measures the force exerted on the outer surface to determine if the force changed by a predetermined amount.

14. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the control mechanism measures the force exerted on the outer surface to determine if the force exceeded a predetermined threshold.

15. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the control mechanism performs a task associated with the triggering event by automatically switching the electronic device between a first mode and a second mode when the triggering event is initiated.

16. The electronic device of claim 15, wherein

in the first mode, the electronic device is enabled to receive inputs;

and

in the second mode, the electronic device is not enabled to receive inputs.

17. The electronic device of claim 15, wherein

in the first mode, a control feature of the electronic device is set to play;

and

in the second mode, the control feature of the electronic device is set to pause.

18. The electronic device of claim 15, wherein

in the first mode, an alert mechanism of the electronic device is set to ring;

and

in the second mode, the alert mechanism of the electronic device is set to vibrate.

19. The electronic device of claim 15, wherein

in the first mode, electronic device power is on;

and

in the second mode, electronic device power is off.

20. The electronic device of claim 15, wherein

in the first mode, a first playlist is initiated;

and

in the second mode, a second playlist is initiated.