Mobile device with user interaction capability and method of operating same

• US 8,970,486 B2
• Filed: 08/26/2013
• Issued: 03/03/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Alameh, Rachid M, Merrell, Thomas Y, Paitl, Kenneth A
• Primary Examiner(s): Chow, Van
• Application Number:
  US14/010,465
• Publication Number:
  US 20130344862A1
• Time in Patent Office: 554 Days
• Field of Search: 345/156
• 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 3/011 Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/017 Gesture based interaction, e.g. based on a set of recognized hand gestures interaction based on gestures traced on a digitiser G06F3/04883
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/22 Processing or transfer of terminal data, e.g. status or physical capabilities

Abstract

In one embodiment a method of operating a mobile device includes sensing either an orientation or a movement of the mobile device, determining a command based on the sensed orientation or sensed movement, sensing a proximity of an object in relation to at least a portion of the mobile device, and executing the command upon the proximity of the object being sensed. In another embodiment, a method of operating a mobile device governs a manner of interaction of the mobile device relative to one or more other mobile devices. In at least some embodiments, at least one of the mobile devices includes an accelerometer and an infrared proximity sensor, and operation of the mobile device is determined based upon signals from those components.

Claims

1. A method of operating a mobile device having an accelerometer, an infrared proximity sensor, and a processor, wherein each of the accelerometer and the infrared proximity sensor is coupled to the processor, the method comprising:

sensing at least one of an orientation or a movement of the mobile device by way of the accelerometer, the accelerometer providing an accelerometer signal to the processor indicative of the sensed orientation or movement;

determining, based at least in part upon the accelerometer signal, whether a criterion has been met;

upon determining that the criterion has been met;

selecting a command based on the at least one of the sensed orientation or movement; and

entering a state of readiness in which the processor is prepared the execute the command upon receiving an infrared proximity sensor signal; and

while in the state of readiness;

sensing a proximity of an object in relation to at least a portion of the mobile device by way of the infrared proximity sensor, the infrared proximity sensor providing the infrared proximity sensor signal to indicate the proximity of the object; and

executing the command upon the sensing of the proximity of the object.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensing of the at least one of the orientation or movement includes:

sensing a transition of the mobile device from a first resting orientation to a second resting orientation,

wherein a sensed relative motionless of the mobile device serves as a cue that the mobile device is potentially about to be moved in a manner that signifies that a command selection is forthcoming.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensing of the at least one of the orientation or movement includes:

sensing an acceleration of the mobile device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the proximity of the object is sensed as the object passes by the mobile device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the command is repeatedly executed upon repeated sensing of the proximity of either the object or at least one additional object.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensing of the at least one of the orientation or movement includes sensing of the movement, and wherein the command is determined by comparing the sensed movement to a predefined list of associated commands.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the command relates to at least one of turning of a page of an electronic book or changing a television channel.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the movement is a twitching motion, and wherein the command that is executed relates to the turning of the page.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving additional information from an additional mobile device indicative of an additional orientation of the additional mobile device, and wherein the command pertains to a transfer of data from the mobile device to the additional mobile device.

10. A method of operating a mobile device having an accelerometer, an infrared proximity sensor, and a processor, wherein each of the accelerometer and the infrared proximity sensor is coupled to the processor, the method comprising:

sensing a movement of the mobile device by way of the accelerometer, the accelerometer providing an accelerometer signal to the processor indicative of the sensed movement;

selecting a command based on the sensed movement, wherein the command is determined by comparing the sensed movement to a predefined list of associated commands;

entering into a state of readiness for receiving a trigger signal upon the selecting of the command;

sensing a proximity of an object in relation to at least a portion of the mobile device by way of the infrared proximity sensor, the infrared proximity sensor providing an infrared proximity sensor signal that is the trigger signal and that is indicative of the proximity of the object; and

executing the command upon the sensing of the proximity of the object.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the command pertains to a transfer of data from the mobile device to an additional mobile device.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the sensing of the movement includes sensing a transition of the mobile device from a first resting orientation to a second resting orientation, and wherein a sensed relative motionless of the mobile device serves as a cue that the mobile device is potentially about to be moved in a manner that signifies that a command selection is forthcoming.