Portable electronic device and method for controlling operation thereof based on user motion

1. A method for controlling operation of a portable electronic device, the method comprising:

detecting, by a motion sensor of the portable electronic device, an alternating signature motion of the portable electronic device about a virtual axis;

detecting, by the motion sensor, a stabilization time to establish an end of the alternating signature motion;

subsequent to and within a predetermined time period from detecting the end of the alternating signature motion, detecting, by the motion sensor, a display positioning motion, wherein the display positioning motion is associated with directing a display of the portable electronic device towards a view angle of the user; and

controlling, by the portable electronic device, at least one function based on the alternating signature motion and the display positioning motion.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, prior to detecting the alternating signature motion of the portable electronic device, positioning the portable electronic device peripherally about the virtual axis.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the predetermined time period comprises a first predetermined time period;

the alternating signature motion of the portable electronic device includes at least two sets of alternating signature motions within a second predetermined time period; and

each set of the at least two sets of alternating signature motions includes rotating in a first direction about the virtual axis and rotating in a second direction opposite the first direction about the virtual axis.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein controlling the at least one function includes controlling the at least one function of a display of the portable electronic device.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein controlling the at least one function includes transitioning a display of the portable electronic device from an inactive mode to an active mode.

6. A method for controlling operation of a portable electronic device, the portable electronic device including an accelerometer capable of detecting three dimensional acceleration, the method comprising:

detecting, by the accelerometer, acceleration along at least one axis of X, Y and Z axes, wherein acceleration peaks of the X and Z axes alternate with each other;

detecting, by the accelerometer, a stabilization time to establish an end of the acceleration along at least one axis of X, Y and Z axes;

subsequent to and within a predetermined time period from detecting the end of the acceleration along the at least one axis of X, Y and Z axes, detecting, by the accelerometer, acceleration along the Z axis indicating that a display of the portable electronic device is directed at least, in part, upward in direction; and

controlling, by the portable electronic device, at least one function based on the acceleration along the at least one axis of the X, Y and Z axes and the acceleration along the Z axis.

7. The method of claim 6 , further comprising, prior to detecting acceleration along at least one axis of X, Y and Z axes, positioning the portable electronic device peripherally about a virtual axis substantially parallel to the Y axis and substantially orthogonal to the X and Z axes.

8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the predetermined time period comprises a first predetermined time period, and wherein detecting acceleration along at least one axis of X, Y, and Z axes comprises detecting that the acceleration peaks of the X and Z axes alternate with each other at least twice within a second predetermined time period.

9. The method of claim 6 , wherein controlling the at least one function includes controlling the at least one function of a display of the portable electronic device.

10. The method of claim 6 , wherein controlling the at least one function includes transitioning a display of the portable electronic device from an inactive mode to an active mode.

11. A portable electronic device comprising:

a motion sensor configured to detect:

an alternating signature motion of the portable electronic device about a virtual axis;

a stabilization time to establish an end of the alternating signature motion; and

subsequent to and within a predetermined time period from detecting the end of the alternating signature motion, a display positioning motion, wherein the display positioning motion is associated with directing a display of the portable electronic device towards a view angle of the user; and

a controller configured to:

control at least one function based on the alternating signature motion and the display positioning motion.

12. The portable electronic device of claim 11 , wherein:

the motion sensor detects the alternating signature motion as acceleration along at least one axis of X, Y and Z axes, wherein acceleration peaks of the X and Z axes alternate with each other and acceleration of the Y axis remains substantially steady relative to the X and Y axes.

13. The portable electronic device of claim 11 , wherein:

the predetermined time period comprises a first predetermined time period;

the alternating signature motion includes at least two sets of signature motions within a second predetermined time period; and

each set of signature motions includes rotating in a first direction about the virtual axis and rotating in a second direction opposite the first direction about the virtual axis.

14. The portable electronic device of claim 11 , wherein the at least one function includes at least one function of a display of the portable electronic device.

15. The portable electronic device of claim 11 , wherein the controller is configured to transition a display of the portable electronic device from an inactive mode to an active mode.