Computing device and an apparatus having sensors configured for measuring spatial information indicative of a position of the computing devices

• US 9,619,071 B2
• Filed: 09/10/2014
• Issued: 04/11/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Perek, David R., Schwager, Michael A., Drasnin, Sharon, Seilstad, Mark J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Ramesh
• Application Number:
  US14/482,983
• Publication Number:
  US 20140379942A1
• Time in Patent Office: 944 Days
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 11/1064 with a coil spring perpendicular to the pivot axis
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 5/08 with springs
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/46 Magnets
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/38 by folding , e.g. pivoting or scissors tong mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 11/01 electric
• 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 1/1618 the display being foldable up to the back of the other housing with a single degree of freedom, e.g. by 360° rotation over the axis defined by the rear edge of the base enclosure
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1637 Details related to the display arrangement, including those related to the mounting of the display in the housing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1654 the display being detachable, e.g. for remote use
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/166 related to integrated arrangements for adjusting the position of the main body with respect to the supporting surface, e.g. legs for adjusting the tilt angle
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1662 Details related to the integrated keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1669 Detachable keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1681 Details related solely to hinges hinge details related to the transmission of signals or power are classified in G06F1/1683
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1683 for the transmission of signal or power between the different housings, e.g. details of wired or wireless communication, passage of cabling
• 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 1/1686 the I/O peripheral being an integrated camera
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3089 Monitoring arrangements determined by the means or processing involved in sensing the monitored data, e.g. interfaces, connectors, sensors, probes, agents software debugging using additional hardware using a specific debug interface G06F11/3656; performance evaluation by tracing or monitoring G06F11/3466
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/102 where the programme performs an interfacing function, e.g. device driver G06F13/105 takes precedence; scheduling within device drivers G06F9/52; contention policies within device drivers G06F9/4881
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/002 Specific input/output arrangements not covered by G06F3/01 - G06F3/16 other optical apparatus G02B27/00
• 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 3/02 : Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 : Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 : Special purpose keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/023 : Arrangements for converting discrete items of information into a coded form, e.g. arrangements for interpreting keyboard generated codes as alphanumeric codes, operand codes or instruction codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0233 : Character input methods
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0414 : using force sensing means to determine a position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0416 : Control or interface arrangements specially adapted for digitisers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0487 : using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 : using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 : by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/541 : via adapters, e.g. between incompatible applications
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 11/00 : Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture of electric switches processes specially adapted for manufacture of rectilinearly movable switches having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboards, H01H13/88
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/14 : Operating parts, e.g. push-button
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/702 : with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/703 : characterised by spacers between contact carrying layers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/704 : characterised by the layers, e.g. by their material or structure H01H13/703 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/78 : characterised by the contacts or the contact sites
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/785 : characterised by the material of the contacts, e.g. conductive polymers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/79 : characterised by the form of the contacts, e.g. interspersed fingers or helical networks
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/807 : characterised by the spatial arrangement of the contact sites, e.g. superimposed sites
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/82 : characterised by contact space venting means
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2201/036 : Variable resistance
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2203/02 : Interspersed fingers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2203/036 : to solve particular problems
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2203/058 : Contact area function of position on layered keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2205/006 : mounted on spacer
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2211/004 : Adhesive
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2211/006 : Individual areas
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2213/016 : in adhesive layer
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/004 : Larger or different actuating area
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/006 : Different feeling for different switch sites
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/01 : Off centre actuation
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2227/032 : Operating force
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/26 : for interlocking two or more switches H01H13/568 takes precedence; by a detachable member H01H9/28 ; for electromagnetic relays H01H50/323
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0216 : Foldable in one direction, i.e. using a one degree of freedom hinge
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0245 : using open/close detection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0254 : comprising one or a plurality of mechanically detachable modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72409 : by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0226 : Hinges
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0234 : Feet; Stands; Pedestals, e.g. wheels for moving casing on floor
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 : Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 : Assembling or joining

Abstract

Sensor fusion algorithm techniques are described. In one or more embodiments, behaviors of a host device and accessory devices are controlled based upon an orientation of the host device and accessory devices, relative to one another. A combined spatial position and/or orientation for the host device may be obtained based on raw measurements that are obtained from at least two different types of sensors. In addition, a spatial position and/or orientation for an accessory device is ascertained using one or more sensors of the accessory device. An orientation (or position) of the accessory device relative to the host computing device may then be computed based on the combined spatial position/orientation for the host computing device and the ascertained spatial position/orientation for the accessory device. The relative orientation that is computed may then be used in various ways to control behaviors of the host computing device and/or accessory device.

Claims

1. A method implemented by a computing device comprising:

measuring, via one or more sensors, first spatial information indicative of a position of the computing device;

receiving, via an interface of the computing device, second spatial information indicative of a position of an accessory device in communication with the computing device; and

causing, by a controller in communication with the one or more sensors and the interface, modification of behaviors of the computing device based on the first spatial information and the second spatial information.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the one or more sensors comprise at least one of a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a magnetometer, or a hall effect sensor.

3. A method as recited in claim 2, wherein the one or more sensors comprise an array of multiple sensors used to provide multiple raw measurements that are combined to compute the first spatial information indicative of the position of the computing device.

4. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising using a sensor fusion module to compute a relative orientation from the first spatial information and the second spatial information that describes a spatial relationship between the computing device and the accessory device.

5. A method as recited in claim 4, wherein the sensor fusion module is implemented via the controller.

6. A method as recited in claim 5, further comprising exposing information regarding the relative orientation for use by applications of the computing device via a sensor fusion application programming interface (API).

7. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising directing by the controller a behavior module to perform operations to control one or more behaviors of the computing device based at least in part upon an orientation of the computing device relative to the accessory device.

8. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the interface is configured to provide a communicative and physical connection between the accessory device and the computing device.

9. A method implemented by a first device comprising:

receiving by an interface first spatial information indicative of a position of a first device and second spatial information indicative of a position of a second device; and

controlling by a controller of the first device behaviors of the first device based on the first spatial data and the second spatial data.

10. A method as recited in claim 9, wherein the interface is configured to obtain the first spatial information and the second spatial information from multiple sensors associated with the first device and the second device.

11. A method as recited in claim 9, wherein the interface is configured as a flexible hinge that provides a communicative and physical connection between the first device and the second device.

12. A method as recited in claim 9, wherein the controller is further configured to control behaviors of the second device based on the first spatial information and the second spatial information.

13. A method as recited in claim 9, wherein controlling of the behaviors by the controller includes one or more of:

managing power states;

selecting operational modes or device states;

adjusting sensitivity of one or more sensors associated the first device and the second device;

controlling interaction between the first device and the second device;

modifying device functionality;

enabling and disabling network connections;

activating and deactivating applications;

or

setting application states.

14. The method as recited in claim 9, further comprising computing by the controller a relative orientation of the first device relative to the second device based upon the first spatial information and the second spatial information.

15. A computing system comprising:

a first device and a second device coupled via an interface of the computing system configured to enable interaction and communication between the first device and the second device;

a controller implemented at least partially by hardware of the computing system configured to;

obtain via the communication interface first spatial information indicative of a position of the first device and second spatial information indicative of a position of the second device; and

aggregate the first spatial information and the second spatial information to;

compute a relative orientation of the first device relative to the second device; and

modify behaviors of the first device based on the relative orientation.

16. A computing system as recited in claim 15, further comprising an application programming interface (API) operable to expose information regarding the relative orientation that is computed for use by applications associated with the first device and the second device.

17. A computing system as recited in claim 15, wherein:

the first spatial information and the second spatial information include multiple measurements of position obtained from sensors associated with the first device and the second device; and

computation of the relative orientation by the controller comprises applying a sensor fusion algorithm to derive the relative orientation by combining the multiple measurements of position.

18. A computing system as recited in claim 15, wherein modification of the behaviors by the controller comprises at least one of:

managing power states of the first device based on the relative orientation;

o controlling interaction between the first device and the second device based the relative orientation;

enabling or disabling network connections based on the relative orientation;

or

activating or deactivating applications based on the relative orientation.

19. A computing system as recited in claim 15, wherein the communication interface is configured to support wireless communication between the first device and the second device.

20. A computing system as recited in claim 15, further comprising an array of multiple sensors associated with the first device and the second device configured to collect the first spatial information and the second spatial information.