Motion-based input system for handheld devices
View Patent ↗A motion-based input system including a motion sensor coupled to a device. The motion sensor provides a motion signal corresponding to the movement of the device. The system further includes a processor responsive to the motion signal and configured to distinguish between a tap command and a position command and provides, in response to a tap command, one or more actions, and in response to a position command, one or more different actions to control and operate the device.
1. A motion-based input system comprising:
a motion sensor coupled to a device, the motion sensor providing a motion signal corresponding to the movement of the device; and
a processor responsive to the motion signal and configured to: distinguish between a tap command and a position command and to provide, in response to a tap command, one or more actions, and in response to a position command, one or more different actions to control and operate the device, wherein the processor detects a tap command by computing the power spectral density of the motion signal and comparing the energy level of the computed power spectral density of the motion signal with a predetermined threshold energy level for a predetermined threshold frequency range.
2. The motion-based input system of claim 1 in which the predetermined threshold levels are configured to adjust the sensitivity or the tap detected by the processor.
3. The motion-based input system of claim 2 in which the predetermined threshold frequency detected by the processor is greater than or equal to 5 Hz.
4. The motion-based input system of claim 1 in which the predetermined threshold levels are stored in a memory.
5. The motion-based input system of claim 1 in which the processor is a microprocessor.
6. The motion-based input system of claim 1 further including an interface between the processor and an operating system resident on the device.
7. The motion-based input system of claim 6 further including controlling software to control end operate the device based on the processor actions.
8. The motion-based input system of claim 7 in which the controlling software is programmed to display a graphical representation which indicates the direction of a current or a proposed position command.
9. The motion-based input system of claim 8 in which a continuous input mode provides continuous cursor or pointer movement in the direction of the current position command.
10. The motion-based input system of claim 9 in which the rate of cursor or pointer movement provided by the continuous input mode is proportional to the magnitude of the position command.
11. The motion-based input system of claim 10 in which the controlling software is programmed to display a graphical representation to indicate the direction of the continuous cursor or pointer movement.
12. The motion-based input system of claim 8 in which a stepped input mode indicates the direction of a proposed position command and moves the cursor or pointer in the direction of the proposed position command in response to a tap command.
13. The motion-based input system of claim 12 in which the controlling software is programmed to display a graphical representation to indicate the direction of the proposed position command.
14. The motion-based input system of claim 8 in which the processor is configured to select a continuous input mode or a stepped input mode depending on an active software application.
15. The motion-based input system of claim 1 in which the motion sensor is an accelerometer.
16. The motion-based input system of claim 1 in which the device is an electronic device.
17. A motion-based input system comprising:
a motion sensor coupled to a device, the motion sensor providing a motion signal corresponding to the movement of the device; and
a processor, responsive to the motion signal and configured to: detect a tap command; and provide, in response to the tap command, one or more actions to operate and control the device, wherein the processor detects a tap command by computing the power spectral density of the motion signal and comparing the energy level of the computed power spectral density of the motion signal with a predetermined threshold energy level for a predetermined threshold frequency range.
18. The motion-based input system of claim 17 in which the predetermined threshold frequency detected by the processor is greater than or equal to 5 Hz.