Orientation dependent functionality of an electronic device
View Patent ↗An electronic device is provided that includes a housing, a plurality of modules, a sensor and a selection mechanism. The housing has multiple housing segments, with each segment housing one of the plurality of modules. The sensor detects an orientation of the electronic device. The selection mechanism automatically selects at least one, but nor all, of the plurality of modules to be active, based on the detected orientation of the electronic device.
1. An electronic device comprising:
a housing having first and second housing segments;
a first module contained in the first housing segment, wherein the first module includes one or more user-interface features provided with the first housing segment;
a second module contained in the second housing segment, wherein the second module includes one or more user-interface features provided with the second housing segment for use with the second module and not the first module;
a sensor to detect an orientation of the electronic device;
a selection mechanism to automatically select at least one, but not all, of the plurality of modules to be active, based on the detected orientation of the electronic device; and
wherein the one or more user-interface features of each of the first module and the second module includes at least one component to provide output to a user and one component to enable the user to enter input.
2. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the user-interface features of each of the first and second modules is at least partially controllable by the selection mechanism, and wherein the selection mechanism enables the at least one of the user-interface features of the at least one selected module to be operational.
3. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the first housing segment has a first exterior panel that provides of the one or more user-interface features of the first module, and the second housing segment has a second exterior panel that provides the one or more user-interface features of the second module, and wherein the selection mechanism selects one of the user-interface features of the first module or the second module to be operational.
4. The electronic device of claim 3 , wherein the first exterior panel opposes the second exterior panel.
5. The electronic device of claim 3 , wherein the sensor determines whether the first exterior panel or the second exterior panel is positioned downward.
6. The electronic device of claim 5 , wherein the sensor detects a direction of gravity.
7. The electronic device of claim 6 , wherein the sensor is an accelerometer.
8. The electronic device of claim 3 , wherein the first housing segment is detachably coupled to the second housing segment.
9. The electronic device of claim 3 , wherein the one or more user-interface features of the first module includes a display and a plurality of actuatable surfaces.
10. The electronic device of claim 9 , wherein the one or more user-interface features of the second module includes a display and a plurality of actuatable surfaces.
11. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the selection mechanism is a processor configured to enable each of the modules individually.
12. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the selection mechanism detects a new orientation, and selects a different module in response to the detected new orientation.
13. An electronic device comprising:
a first module having a combination of logic and one or more user-interface features;
a second module having a combination of logic and one or more user-interface features coupled to the first module; and
an orientation detection mechanism to select one of the first and second modules for activation according to an orientation of the electronic device;
wherein at least one of said first and second modules is configured to engage in at least one form of wireless communication; and
wherein the one or more user-interface features of each of the first module and the second module includes at least one component to provide output to a user and one component to enable the user to enter input.
14. The electronic device of claim 13 , wherein the orientation detection mechanism includes a sensor that detects the orientation.
15. The electronic device of claim 14 , wherein the orientation detection mechanism includes a processor that activates the selected module.
16. The electronic device of claim 14 , wherein the orientation detection mechanism includes a processor that deactivates the selected module.
17. An electronic device comprising:
a housing having a first surface and a second surface;
a first set of user-interface features provided on the first surface;
a second set of user-interface features provided on the second surface;
a detection mechanism to detect an orientation of the electronic device;
a selection mechanism to automatically select one of the first or second set of user-interface features to be active, based on the detected orientation of the electronic device; and
a common component that can be functionally engaged by the first set of user-interface features when they are active, and by the second set of user-interface features when they are active; and
wherein each of the first set and second set of user-interface features includes at least one component to provide output to a user and one component to enable the user to enter input.
18. The electronic device of claim 17 , wherein the first set of user-interface features and the second set of user-interface features each include one or more user-interface features selected from the group consisting of a display, a button, a contact-sensitive display, pre-programmed input mechanisms appearing on the contact sensitive display, a speaker, and a microphone.
19. The electronic device of claim 17 , wherein the selection mechanism is a component selected from a group of components consisting of a processor, a display driver, and a switch.
20. The electronic device of claim 17 , wherein the detection mechanism is a sensor capable of detecting gravity.
21. The electronic device of claim 17 , wherein the first surface is on a first panel, and wherein the second surface is on a second panel that opposes the first panel.
22. The elcctronic devicc of claim 1 , wherein the first housing segment is detachably coupled to the second housing segment.
23. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the first module is configured to operate in an alternative mode wherein the first and second modules are operational concurrently.
24. The electronic device according to claim 13 , wherein the at least one form of wireless communication is selected from a group of wireless communication activities consisting of global positioning system activity, cellular telephone activity, modem activity, wireless receiver activity, and combinations thereof.
25. The electronic device according to claim 24 , wherein the cellular telephone activity includes at least one of cellular voice mode, text messaging, e-mail accessing, and web browsing.
26. The electronic device according to claim 17 wherein the common component is a processor.