Multi-panel electronic device

• US 9,009,984 B2
• Filed: 09/03/2009
• Issued: 04/21/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Caskey, Mark S., Dahl, Sten Jorgen Ludvig, Gregory, Sherman A.
• Primary Examiner(s): GUADALUPE, YARITZA
• Application Number:
  US12/553,829
• Publication Number:
  US 20100064536A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,056 Days
• Field of Search: 333/03, 333/55.R, 333/56
• US Class Current: 33/355.R
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 17/00 Compasses; Devices for ascertaining true or magnetic north for navigation or surveying purposes using gyroscopic effect G01C19/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1641 the display being formed by a plurality of foldable display components G06F1/1647 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1649 the additional display being independently orientable, e.g. for presenting information to a second user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1654 the display being detachable, e.g. for remote use
• 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 1/1684 Constructional details or arrangements related to integrated I/O peripherals not covered by groups G06F1/1635 - G06F1/1675
• 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 2200/1614 Image rotation following screen orientation, e.g. switching from landscape to portrait mode
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1635 Stackable modules
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1637 Sensing arrangement for detection of housing movement or orientation, e.g. for controlling scrolling or cursor movement on the display of an handheld computer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1446 display composed of modules, e.g. video walls
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2300/026 Video wall, i.e. juxtaposition of a plurality of screens to create a display screen of bigger dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2340/0492 Change of orientation of the displayed image, e.g. upside-down, mirrored
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2360/04 Display device controller operating with a plurality of display units
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2360/06 Use of more than one graphics processor to process data before displaying to one or more screens
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/14 Display of multiple viewports
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/022 The hinge comprising two parallel pivoting axes
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0247 comprising more than two body parts
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/16 : including more than one display unit

Abstract

A multi-panel electronic device and method are disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a method includes receiving first acceleration data from a first sensor coupled to a first portion of an electronic device. The method further includes receiving second acceleration data from a second sensor coupled to a second portion of the electronic device, where a position of the first portion is movable with respect to a position of the second portion. The method further includes determining a configuration of the electronic device at least partially based on the first acceleration data and the second acceleration data.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving first acceleration data from a first sensor coupled to a first portion of an electronic device, wherein the first portion includes a first panel;

receiving second acceleration data from a second sensor coupled to a second portion of the electronic device, wherein the second portion includes a second panel, wherein a position of the first portion is movable with respect to a position of the second portion, and wherein the first panel is rotatably coupled to the second panel; and

determining a configuration of the electronic device at least partially based on the first acceleration data and the second acceleration data, wherein determining the configuration comprises;

determining a first orientation of the first portion at least partially based on a first gravitational component of the first acceleration data; and

determining a second orientation of the second portion at least partially based on a second gravitational component of the second acceleration data.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first gravitational component of the first acceleration data has a first magnitude and a first direction relative to the first panel,

wherein the second gravitational component of the second acceleration data has a second magnitude and a second direction relative to the second panel,

wherein the first panel is determined to be folded against the second panel when the first magnitude is substantially equal to the second magnitude and the first direction is substantially opposite to the second direction, and

wherein the first panel is determined to be extended from the second panel when the first magnitude is substantially equal to the second magnitude and the first direction is substantially equal to the second direction.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving third acceleration data from a third sensor coupled to a third portion of the electronic device, the third portion including a third panel rotatably coupled to the second panel, wherein the configuration is determined further based on the third acceleration data.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the first gravitational component of the first acceleration data has a first magnitude and a first direction relative to the first panel,

wherein the second gravitational component of the second acceleration data has a second magnitude and a second direction relative to the second panel,

wherein a third gravitational component of the third acceleration data has a third magnitude and a third direction relative to the third panel, and

wherein the configuration of the electronic device is determined at least partially based on the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the configuration is determined to be a folded configuration when the first direction is substantially the same as the third direction and the first direction is substantially opposite to the second direction.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the configuration is determined to be an extended configuration when the first direction is substantially the same as the second direction and substantially the same as the third direction and the first magnitude is substantially the same as the second magnitude and substantially the same as the third magnitude.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein the configuration is determined to be a dual-screen configuration when the first direction is substantially opposite to the second direction and the third direction is substantially the same as the second direction.

8. The method of claim 4, wherein the configuration is determined to be a video conferencing configuration when the first direction is substantially the same as the second direction and the third direction is substantially opposite to the second direction.

9. The method of claim 4, wherein the configuration is determined to be a travel clock configuration when the first direction is substantially equal to the second direction and substantially equal to the third direction, the third magnitude is approximately twice the first magnitude, and the third magnitude is approximately twice the second magnitude.

10. An apparatus comprising:

a first sensor comprising a first accelerometer coupled to a first portion of an electronic device;

a second sensor comprising a second accelerometer coupled to a second portion of the electronic device, wherein a position of the first portion is movable with respect to a position of the second portion;

a third sensor coupled to a third portion of the electronic device, wherein the first portion is rotatably coupled to the second portion, and wherein the third portion is rotatably coupled to the second portion; and

an orientation module configured to determine a configuration of the electronic device at least partially based on first acceleration data received from the first sensor, second acceleration data received from the second sensor, and third acceleration data received from the third sensor.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first portion includes a first panel having a first display surface, wherein the second portion includes a second panel having a second display surface, wherein the third portion includes a third panel having a third display surface, and wherein the first panel is hinged to a first edge of the second panel and wherein the third panel is hinged to a second edge of the second panel.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the orientation module is configured to determine the configuration based on a first orientation of the first display surface relative to a direction of gravity, a second orientation of the second display surface relative to the direction of gravity, and a third orientation of the third display surface relative to the direction of gravity.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising:

a processor configured to automatically adjust a graphical user interface provided to at least one of the first display surface, the second display surface, and the third display surface, based on a detected change of the configuration.

14. A computer readable storage medium storing computer executable code comprising:

code for receiving first acceleration data from a first sensor coupled to a first portion of an electronic device, wherein the first portion includes a first panel;

code for receiving second acceleration data from a second sensor coupled to a second portion of the electronic device, wherein the second portion includes a second panel, wherein a position of the first portion is movable with respect to a position of the second portion, and wherein the first panel is rotatably coupled to the second panel; and

code for determining a configuration of the electronic device at least partially based on the first acceleration data and the second acceleration data, wherein the code for determining the configuration comprises;

code for determining a first orientation of the first portion at least partially based on a first gravitational component of the first acceleration data; and

code for determining a second orientation of the second portion at least partially based on a second gravitational component of the second acceleration data.

15. The computer readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein the first gravitational component of the first acceleration data has a first magnitude and a first direction relative to the first panel,

wherein the second gravitational component of the second acceleration data has a second magnitude and a second direction relative to the second panel,

wherein the first panel is determined to be folded against the second panel when the first magnitude is substantially equal to the second magnitude and the first direction is substantially opposite to the second direction, and

wherein the first panel is determined to be extended from the second panel when the first magnitude is substantially equal to the second magnitude and the first direction is substantially equal to the second direction.

16. The computer readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein the computer executable code further comprises code for receiving third acceleration data from a third sensor coupled to a third portion of the electronic device, the third portion including a third panel rotatably coupled to the second panel, wherein the configuration is determined further based on the third acceleration data.

17. An apparatus comprising:

first sensing means comprising a first accelerometer for generating first acceleration data, the first sensing means coupled to a first portion of an electronic device;

second sensing means comprising a second accelerometer for generating second acceleration data, the second sensing means coupled to a second portion of the electronic device, wherein a position of the first portion is movable with respect to a position of the second portion;

third sensing means for generating third acceleration data, the third sensing means coupled to a third portion of the electronic device, wherein the first portion is rotatably coupled to the second portion, wherein the third portion is rotatably coupled to the second portion; and

means for determining a configuration of the electronic device at least partially based on the first acceleration data, the second acceleration data, and the third acceleration data.

18. An apparatus comprising:

a first sensor, configured to generate first acceleration data, coupled to a first portion of an electronic device, wherein the first portion includes a first panel;

a second sensor, configured to generate second acceleration data, coupled to a second portion of the electronic device, wherein the second portion includes a second panel, wherein a position of the first portion is movable with respect to a position of the second portion, and wherein the first panel is rotatably coupled to the second panel; and

an orientation module configured to determine a configuration of the electronic device at least partially based on the first acceleration data and the second acceleration data, wherein the orientation module is configured to;

determine a first orientation of the first portion based on a first gravitational component of the first acceleration data; and

determine a second orientation of the second portion based on a second gravitational component of the second acceleration data.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the first gravitational component of the first acceleration data has a first magnitude and a first direction relative to the first panel,

wherein the second gravitational component of the second acceleration data has a second magnitude and a second direction relative to the second panel,

wherein the first panel is determined to be folded against the second panel when the first magnitude is substantially equal to the second magnitude and the first direction is substantially opposite to the second direction, and

wherein the first panel is determined to be extended from the second panel when the first magnitude is substantially equal to the second magnitude and the first direction is substantially equal to the second direction.

20. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a third acceleration sensor configured to generate third acceleration data coupled to a third portion of the electronic device, the third portion including a third panel rotatably coupled to the second panel, wherein the configuration is determined further based on the third acceleration data.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the first gravitational component of the first acceleration data has a first magnitude and a first direction relative to the first panel,

wherein the second gravitational component of the second acceleration data has a second magnitude and a second direction relative to the second panel,

wherein a third gravitational component of the third acceleration data has a third magnitude and a third direction relative to the third panel, and

wherein the configuration of the electronic device is determined at least partially based on the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the configuration is determined to be a folded configuration when the first direction is substantially the same as the third direction and the first direction is substantially opposite to the second direction.

23. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the configuration is determined to be an extended configuration when the first direction is substantially the same as the second direction and substantially the same as the third direction and the first magnitude is substantially the same as the second magnitude and substantially the same as the third magnitude.

24. An apparatus comprising:

means for receiving first acceleration data from a first sensor coupled to a first portion of an electronic device, wherein the first portion includes a first panel;

means for receiving second acceleration data from a second sensor coupled to a second portion of the electronic device, wherein the second portion includes a second panel, wherein a position of the first portion is movable with respect to a position of the second portion, and wherein the first panel is rotatably coupled to the second panel; and

means for determining a configuration of the electronic device at least partially based on the first acceleration data and the second acceleration data, wherein means for determining the configuration comprises;

means for determining a first orientation of the first portion at least partially based on a first gravitational component of the first acceleration data; and

means for determining a second orientation of the second portion at least partially based on a second gravitational component of the second acceleration data.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the first gravitational component of the first acceleration data has a first magnitude and a first direction relative to the first panel,

wherein the second gravitational component of the second acceleration data has a second magnitude and a second direction relative to the second panel,

wherein the first panel is determined to be folded against the second panel when the first magnitude is substantially equal to the second magnitude and the first direction is substantially opposite to the second direction, and

wherein the first panel is determined to be extended from the second panel when the first magnitude is substantially equal to the second magnitude and the first direction is substantially equal to the second direction.

26. The apparatus of claim 24, further comprising a means for receiving third acceleration data from a third sensor coupled to a third portion of the electronic device, the third portion including a third panel rotatably coupled to the second panel, wherein the configuration is determined further based on the third acceleration data.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the first gravitational component of the first acceleration data has a first magnitude and a first direction relative to the first panel,

wherein the second gravitational component of the second acceleration data has a second magnitude and a second direction relative to the second panel,

wherein a third gravitational component of the third acceleration data has a third magnitude and a third direction relative to the third panel, and

wherein the configuration of the electronic device is determined at least partially based on the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the configuration is determined to be a folded configuration when the first direction is substantially the same as the third direction and the first direction is substantially opposite to the second direction.

29. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the configuration is determined to be an extended configuration when the first direction is substantially the same as the second direction and substantially the same as the third direction and the first magnitude is substantially the same as the second magnitude and substantially the same as the third magnitude.

30. A method comprising:

generating first acceleration data with a first accelerometer coupled to a first portion of an electronic device;

generating second acceleration data with a second accelerometer coupled to a second portion of the electronic device, wherein a position of the first portion is movable with respect to a position of the second portion;

generating third acceleration data with a third accelerometer coupled to a third portion of the electronic device, wherein the first portion is rotatably coupled to the second portion, wherein the third portion is rotatably coupled to the second portion; and

determining a configuration of the electronic device at least partially based on the first acceleration data, the second acceleration data, and the third acceleration data.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the first portion includes a first panel having a first display surface, wherein the second portion includes a second panel having a second display surface, wherein the third portion includes a third panel having a third display surface, and wherein the first panel is hinged to a first edge of the second panel and wherein the third panel is hinged to a second edge of the second panel.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein determining the configuration comprises determining the configuration based on a first orientation of the first display surface relative to a direction of gravity, a second orientation of the second display surface relative to the direction of gravity, and a third orientation of the third display surface relative to the direction of gravity.

33. The method of claim 32, further comprising:

automatically adjusting a graphical user interface provided to at least one of the first display surface, the second display surface, and the third display surface, based on a detected change of the configuration.

34. A computer readable storage medium storing computer executable code comprising:

code for generating first acceleration data with a first accelerometer coupled to a first portion of an electronic device;

code for generating second acceleration data with a second accelerometer coupled to a second portion of the electronic device, wherein a position of the first portion is movable with respect to a position of the second portion;

code for generating third acceleration data with a third accelerometer coupled to a third portion of the electronic device, wherein the first portion is rotatably coupled to the second portion, wherein the third portion is rotatably coupled to the second portion; and

code for determining a configuration of the electronic device at least partially based on the first acceleration data, the second acceleration data, and the third acceleration data.

35. The computer readable storage medium of claim 34, wherein the first portion includes a first panel having a first display surface, wherein the second portion includes a second panel having a second display surface, wherein the third portion includes a third panel having a third display surface, and wherein the first panel is hinged to a first edge of the second panel and wherein the third panel is hinged to a second edge of the second panel.

36. The computer readable storage medium of claim 35, wherein the code for determining the configuration comprises code for determining the configuration based on a first orientation of the first display surface relative to a direction of gravity, a second orientation of the second display surface relative to the direction of gravity, and a third orientation of the third display surface relative to the direction of gravity.

37. The computer readable storage medium of claim 36, further comprising:

code for automatically adjusting a graphical user interface provided to at least one of the first display surface, the second display surface, and the third display surface, based on a detected change of the configuration.