Handheld computing platform with integrated pressure sensor and associated methods of use
First Claim
1. A handheld computing platform with an integrated pressure sensor to facilitate receipt of user input, the handheld computing platform comprising:
- a housing body configured to house components of the handheld computing platform;
a pressure sensor disposed within the housing body, the pressure sensor being configured to provide a pressure signal conveying information associated with a compressive pressure applied to the housing body, the pressure signal being provided responsive to the housing body being squeezed by two opposing forces applied to opposing surfaces of the housing body;
an accelerometer disposed within the housing body, the accelerometer being configured to provide an accelerometer signal conveying information associated with a position and/or a change in position of the handheld computing platform; and
one or more hardware processors disposed within the housing body, the one or more hardware processors being configured by machine-readable instructions to control one or more aspects of operation of the handheld computing platform based on one or both of the pressure signal or the accelerometer signal;
wherein the one or more aspects of operation of the handheld computing platform include manipulation facilitated by the one or more hardware processors of a virtual object presented in a three-dimensional space (1) such that the virtual object is virtually grasped responsive to the handheld computing platform being squeezed and (2) such that a position of the virtual object is controlled through corresponding position and/or change in position of the handheld computing platform.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Receipt of user input may be facilitated using a handheld computing platform with an integrated pressure sensor. Exemplary implementations may allow a user to simply squeeze the handheld computing platform in order to control one or more aspects of operation of the handheld computing platform. That is, instead of tapping a touch screen or pressing buttons, a user may merely need to apply compressive pressure to the handheld computing platform by applying opposing forces to opposing surfaces of the handheld computing platform. By way of non-limiting example, the one or more aspects of operation controlled by squeezing the handheld computing platform may include one or more of input of a value, selection from a menu, manipulation of a virtual object, entry of a password or a code, interaction with a fitness program, interaction with a rehabilitation and/or medical treatment program, interaction with a game, and/or other aspects of operation.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A handheld computing platform with an integrated pressure sensor to facilitate receipt of user input, the handheld computing platform comprising:
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a housing body configured to house components of the handheld computing platform; a pressure sensor disposed within the housing body, the pressure sensor being configured to provide a pressure signal conveying information associated with a compressive pressure applied to the housing body, the pressure signal being provided responsive to the housing body being squeezed by two opposing forces applied to opposing surfaces of the housing body; an accelerometer disposed within the housing body, the accelerometer being configured to provide an accelerometer signal conveying information associated with a position and/or a change in position of the handheld computing platform; and one or more hardware processors disposed within the housing body, the one or more hardware processors being configured by machine-readable instructions to control one or more aspects of operation of the handheld computing platform based on one or both of the pressure signal or the accelerometer signal; wherein the one or more aspects of operation of the handheld computing platform include manipulation facilitated by the one or more hardware processors of a virtual object presented in a three-dimensional space (1) such that the virtual object is virtually grasped responsive to the handheld computing platform being squeezed and (2) such that a position of the virtual object is controlled through corresponding position and/or change in position of the handheld computing platform. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of facilitating receipt of user input using a handheld computing platform with an integrated pressure sensor, the method comprising:
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receiving, using one or more processors, a pressure signal conveying information associated with a compressive pressure applied to a housing body of the handheld computing platform, the pressure signal being provided by a pressure sensor disposed within the housing body, the pressure signal being provided responsive to the housing body being squeezed by two opposing forces applied to opposing surfaces of the housing body; receiving, using one or more hardware processors, an accelerometer signal conveying information associated with a position and/or a change in position of the handheld computing platform, the accelerometer signal being provided by an accelerometer disposed within the housing body; and controlling, using one or more hardware processors, one or more aspects of operation of the handheld computing platform based on one or both of the pressure signal or the accelerometer signal; wherein the one or more aspects of operation of the handheld computing platform include manipulation facilitated by one or more hardware processors of a virtual object presented in a three-dimensional space (1) such that the virtual object is virtually grasped responsive to the handheld computing platform being squeezed and (2) such that a position of the virtual object is controlled through corresponding position and/or change in position of the handheld computing platform. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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20. An apparatus having an integrated pressure sensor for facilitating user input involving variable forces and/or positions on which forces are applied, the apparatus comprising:
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a housing body configured to house a portion of a handheld computing platform; a pressure sensor integrated within the housing body, the pressure sensor being configured to provide a first signal conveying information associated with a first force applied to the housing body; and an accelerometer disposed within the housing body, the accelerometer being configured to provide an accelerometer signal conveying information associated with a position and/or a change in position of the handheld computing platform; wherein the pressure sensor is configured to be communicatively coupled with one or more hardware processors, the one or more hardware processors being configured to interpret the signal provided by the pressure sensor to determine user input based on one or both of (1) a magnitude of the first force or (2) a position on the housing body on which the first force was applied; wherein the user input controls one or more aspects of operation of the handheld computing platform; and wherein the one or more aspects of operation of the handheld computing platform include manipulation facilitated by the one or more hardware processors of a virtual object presented in a three-dimensional space (1) such that the virtual object is virtually grasped responsive to the handheld computing platform being squeezed and (2) such that a position of the virtual object is controlled through corresponding position and/or change in position of the handheld computing platform. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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24. A handheld computing platform with an integrated pressure sensor to facilitate receipt of user input, the handheld computing platform comprising:
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a housing body configured to house components of the handheld computing platform; a pressure sensor disposed within the housing body, the pressure sensor being configured to provide a pressure signal conveying information associated with a compressive pressure applied to the housing body, the pressure signal being provided responsive to the housing body being squeezed by two opposing forces applied to opposing surfaces of the housing body; an accelerometer disposed within the housing body, the accelerometer being configured to provide an accelerometer signal conveying information associated with a position and/or a change in position of the handheld computing platform; and one or more hardware processors disposed within the housing body, the one or more hardware processors being configured by machine-readable instructions to control one or more aspects of operation of the handheld computing platform based on one or both of the pressure signal or the accelerometer signal; wherein the one or more aspects of operation of the handheld computing platform include manipulation facilitated by the one or more hardware processors of a menu digitally displayed by the handheld computing platform such that (1) scrolling through the menu and (2) selecting items from the menu are controlled based on the pressure signal.
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Specification