Method and apparatus for controlling a computing system
View Patent ↗A handheld computing device is introduced comprising a motion detection sensor(s) and a motion control agent. The motion detection sensor(s) detect motion of the computing device in one or more of six (6) fields of motion and generate an indication of such motion. The motion control agent, responsive to the indications of motion received from the motion sensors, generate control signals to modify, one or more of the operating state and/or the displayed content of the computing device based, at least in part, on the received indications.
1. A computing device, comprising:
a sensor configured to sense:
a first motion in a first direction or a first rotational direction exceeding a first motion threshold; and
a second motion in a second direction or a second rotational direction exceeding a second motion threshold, the second direction or the second rotational direction being reverse to the first direction or the first rotational direction, respectively; and
a controller configured to:
generate a control signal based at least in part on sensing the first motion and the second motion in a predetermined sequence during a predetermined time period;
determine a current operating state of the computing device; and
modify the current operating state of the computing device based at least in part on the control signal;
wherein the first direction or the second direction comprises x, y, or z directions; and
wherein the first rotational direction or the second rotational direction comprises rotation about x, y, or z axes.
2. The computing device of claim 1 ,
wherein the controller is further configured to change the current operating state of the computing device from a first operating state to a second operating state of the computing device.
3. The computing device of claim 1 ,
wherein the control signal is configured to trigger a display of content on the computing device.
4. The computing device of claim 1 ,
wherein the controller is further configured to generate the control signal in response to an enable signal.
5. The computing device of claim 1 ,
wherein the controller is further configured to control highlighting of an active icon displayed on the computing device.
6. The computing device of claim 1 ,
wherein the controller is further configured to control invoking an application associated with an icon displayed on the computing device.
7. The computing device of claim 1 ,
wherein the controller is further configured to control modifying content displayed on the computing device by scrolling, zooming, or moving content.
8. The computing device of claim 1 ,
wherein the sensor comprises a micro-accelerometer, a mercury switch, a shock detector, or a gyroscope.
9. A method, comprising:
sensing, using a sensor, a first motion of a computing device in a first direction or a first rotational direction exceeding a first motion threshold;
sensing, using the sensor, a second motion of the computing device in a second direction or a second rotational direction exceeding a second motion threshold, the second direction or the second rotational direction being reverse to the first direction or the first rotational direction, respectively;
determining a current operating state of the computing device; and
modifying the current operating state of the computing device based at least in part on sensing the first motion and the second motion in a predetermined sequence during a predetermined time period;
wherein the first direction or the second direction comprises x, y, or z directions; and
wherein the first rotational direction or the second rotational direction comprises rotation about x, y, or z axes.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein modifying the current operating state of the computing device further comprises moving a highlighted active region of a graphical user interface from one icon to another icon based at least in part on sensing the first motion and the second motion.
11. The method of claim 9 , further comprising modifying display of content on the computing device in response to the control signal.
12. The method of claim 9 , further comprising generating the control signal in response to an enable signal.
13. The method of claim 9 , further comprising controlling highlighting of an active icon displayed on the computing device.
14. The method of claim 9 , further comprising controlling invoking an application associated with an icon displayed on the computing device.
15. The method of claim 9 , further comprising controlling modifying content displayed on the computing device by scrolling, zooming, or moving content.
16. A device, comprising:
a memory device configured to store instructions; and
a processing device configured to execute the instructions stored in the memory device to:
sense a first motion of a computing device in a first direction or a first rotational direction exceeding a first motion threshold;
sense a second motion of the computing device in a second direction or a second rotational direction exceeding a second motion threshold, the second direction or the second rotational direction being reverse to the first direction or the first rotational direction, respectively;
determine a current operating state of the device; and
modify the current operating state of the device based at least in part on sensing the first motion and sensing the second motion in a predetermined sequence during a predetermined time period;
wherein the first direction or the second direction comprises x, y, or z directions; and
wherein the first rotational direction or the second rotational direction comprises rotation about x, y, or z axes.
17. The device of claim 16 , wherein the processing device is further configured to execute the instructions stored in the memory device to change the current operating state of the computing device from an operating system to an application.
18. The device of claim 16 , wherein the processing device is further configured to execute the instructions stored in the memory device to modify display of content on the computing device.
19. The device of claim 16 ,
wherein the processing device is further configured to execute the instructions stored in the memory device to generate a control signal; and
wherein the processing device is further configured to execute the instructions stored in the memory device to control the computing device in response to the control signal.
20. The device of claim 16 , wherein the processing device is further configured to execute the instructions stored in the memory device to control highlighting of an active icon displayed on the computing device.
21. The device of claim 16 , wherein the processing device is further configured to execute the instructions stored in the memory device to control invoking an application associated with an icon displayed on the computing device.
22. The device of claim 16 , wherein the processing device is further configured to execute the instructions stored in the memory device to control modifying content displayed on the computing device by scrolling, zooming, or moving content.