Initialize a computing device to perform an action

• US 9,110,663 B2
• Filed: 01/30/2014
• Issued: 08/18/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Gyorfi, Julius S, Shah, Jagatkumar V, Beals, Travis Roland
• Primary Examiner(s): DAO, TUAN C.
• Application Number:
  US14/168,084
• Publication Number:
  US 20140208128A1
• Time in Patent Office: 565 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/32 Means for saving power
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3206 Monitoring of events, devices or parameters that trigger a change in power modality
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3287 by switching off individual functional units in the computer system
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/01 Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer G06F3/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/445 Program loading or initiating bootstrapping G06F9/4401; security arrangements for program loading or initiating G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/542 Event management; Broadcasting; Multicasting; Notifications
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management

Abstract

A method uses a computing device that includes a first processor in a first, inactive state operatively coupled to a second processor in an active state. While the first processor is in the first state (301) the second processor uses sensors to determine (303) that a first condition occurred. In response to determining that the first condition has occurred, the first processor initializes (305) to a second, active state. If the first or second processor determines (311) that a second condition has occurred within a given time period (307 and 309) after the first condition occurred, the first processor performs (315) a first action such as launching a software application, capturing a digital photograph, or placing a phone call.

Claims

1. A method, at a computing device that includes a first processor operatively coupled to a second processor, comprising:

determining by the second processor that an accelerometer reading of the computing device is above a threshold, the threshold based on a combination of a static value and a dynamically-determined value, wherein the dynamically-determined value is based on a recent history of accelerometer readings;

waking up the first processor from an inactive mode of operation to an active mode of operation, in response to the determining by the second processor;

determining by the first processor in response to waking up that a gyroscope reading of the computing device is substantially similar to a predefined movement gesture, wherein the predefined movement gesture comprises a second movement that occurs within a predetermined time period after a first movement; and

launching a software application, in response to the determining by the first processor.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the threshold indicates a large movement of the computing device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the inactive mode of operation uses less power than the active mode of operation.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the predefined movement gesture comprises:

a first jerk movement of the computing device in a clockwise direction; and

a second jerk movement of the computing device in an anti-clockwise direction.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the second jerk movement occurs within a predetermined time period after the first jerk movement.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the predefined movement gesture comprises:

a first jerk movement of the computing device in an anti-clockwise direction; and

a second jerk movement of the computing device in a clockwise direction.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the predefined movement gesture comprises:

a first jerk movement of the computing device in a first linear direction; and

a second jerk movement of the computing device in a second linear direction that is opposite the first linear direction.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the second jerk movement occurs within a predetermined time period after the first jerk movement.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the launching comprises:

securely unlocking the computing device.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the software application comprises:

a camera application.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the software application comprises:

a browser application.