Method and handheld electronic device for detecting and providing notification of a device drop

1. A method for providing notification of a device drop on an electronic device having a processor coupled to a memory and an accelerometer, the method comprising:

receiving an input from the accelerometer;

monitoring to detect one or more secondary indications of a device drop; and

issuing an alert when the input indicates a freefall event and at least one secondary indication of a device drop has been detected.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the secondary indication of a device drop is inactivity of the electronic device, the method comprising:

issuing the alert when a freefall event and after a predetermined duration of inactivity of the electronic device has elapsed.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the secondary indication of a device drop is impact of the electronic device, the method comprising:

issuing the alert when the input indicates a freefall event and impact of the electronic device within a predetermined duration of the freefall event.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the secondary indication of a device drop is whether the electronic device is out of a holster, the method comprising determining whether the electronic device is out of a holster; wherein the alert is issued when the input indicates a freefall event and the electronic device is out of the holster.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the alert is issued when the electronic device is out of the holster and the input indicates freefall event within a predetermined duration of the electronic device being out of the holster.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the secondary indication of a device drop is based on images acquired by a digital camera of the electronic device, the method comprising:

capturing a series of two or more images using a digital camera of the electronic device when the input indicates a freefall event;

comparing the images in the series to determine a change in a reference value of the images; and

determining whether the reference value is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold;

wherein the alert is issued when the input indicates the freefall event and the reference value is greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the alert comprises one or any combination of a visual, audio and physical indication.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising automatically performing a data security action within a predetermined duration of the input indicating a freefall event.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the issuing includes sending an electronic communication to a designated address over a wireless communication link, the electronic communication including a map of a location of the electronic device.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the electronic communication includes the location of the electronic device.

11. The method of claim 10 , further comprising:

determining the location of the electronic device; and

generating the map of the location of the electronic device using a mapping application on the electronic device.

12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising generating the electronic communication to include the map and location of the electronic device.

13. The method of claim 9 , wherein the alert comprises one or any combination of a visual, audio and physical indication.

14. The method of claim 9 , further comprising automatically performing a data security action within a predetermined duration of the input indicating a freefall event.

15. A portable electronic device, comprising:

a controller;

a memory coupled to the controller;

an accelerometer coupled to the controller for measuring acceleration;

the controller being configured for receiving an input from the accelerometer, monitoring to detect one or more secondary indications of a device drop, and issuing an alert when the input indicates a freefall event and at least one secondary indication of a device drop has been detected.

16. The device of claim 15 , wherein the controller is configured to issue the alert when the input indicates a freefall event and after a predetermined duration of inactivity of the electronic device has elapsed.

17. The device of claim 15 , wherein the controller is configured to issue the alert when the input indicates a freefall event and the input indicates impact of the electronic device within a predetermined duration of the freefall event.

18. The device of claim 15 , wherein the controller is configured to issue the alert when the input indicates a freefall event and the electronic device is out of the holster.

19. The device of claim 18 , wherein the alert is issued when the electronic device is out of the holster and the input indicates a freefall event within a predetermined duration of the electronic device being out of the holster.

20. The device of claim 15 , further comprising a digital camera coupled to the controller, wherein the controller is further configured to capture a series of two or more images using the digital camera when the input indicates a freefall event, compare the images in the series to determine a change in a reference value of the images, determine whether the reference value is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold, and issue the alert when the input indicates a freefall event and the reference value is greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold.