Method of device selection using sensory input and portable electronic device configured for same

1. A method for use in a portable electronic device for selecting a peripheral device for connection with the portable electronic device, comprising:

measuring magnetic fields within the vicinity of the portable electronic device;

identifying at least two peripheral devices in accordance with measured magnetic fields and one or more distinct characteristics of a magnetic field generated by each of the at least two peripheral devices which uniquely identify each of the at least two peripheral devices;

determining a relative location of the at least two peripheral devices in accordance with a magnetic flux density of the measured magnetic fields and a relationship between magnetic flux density and relative location;

receiving a selection input;

identifying the peripheral device from the at least two peripheral devices in accordance with the selection input;

selecting the identified peripheral device; and

connecting the portable electronic device to the selected peripheral device using a wireless communications path.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the selection input is a received gesture.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the selection input is a directional input.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the identifying comprises:

comparing the directional input with the relative locations of the at least two available peripheral devices;

determining which of the at least two available peripheral devices has a relative location nearest to a direction of the directional input; and

selecting the peripheral device having a relative location nearest to the direction of the directional input.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein the directional input is a touch gesture detected by a touch-sensitive display.

6. The method of claim 3 wherein the directional input is a motion gesture.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

sending requests to one or more peripheral devices in response to receiving input to connect to a peripheral device or switch the peripheral device which the portable electronic device is connected to;

receiving responses from the at least two peripheral devices, wherein the responses include identifying information concerning the at least two peripheral devices.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising:

generating on the at least two peripheral devices a magnetic field having one or more distinct characteristics which are uniquely associated with a particular peripheral device in response to receiving the request.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the requests are only sent to peripheral devices for which a profile is stored in a memory of the portable electronic device.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least two peripheral devices generate a time varying magnetic field which provides a distinct magnetic signature which provides the one or more distinct characteristics of a magnetic field generated by each of the at least two peripheral devices.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the wireless communication path is a BLUETOOTH communication path.

12. An electronic device, comprising:

a processor;

a magnetic sensor coupled to the processor for detecting magnetic fields within the vicinity of the electronic device;

a wireless communication subsystem coupled to the processor;

wherein the processor is configured for:

measuring magnetic fields within the vicinity of the portable electronic device;

identifying at least two peripheral devices in accordance with measured magnetic fields and one or more distinct characteristics of a magnetic field generated by each of the at least two peripheral devices which uniquely identify each of the at least two peripheral devices;

determining a relative location of the at least two peripheral devices in accordance with a magnetic flux density of the measured magnetic fields and a relationship between magnetic flux density and relative location;

detecting a touch gesture on a touch-sensitive display;

comparing a direction of the touch gesture with the relative locations of the at least two available peripheral devices;

determining which of the at least two available peripheral devices has a relative location nearest to the direction of the touch gesture;

selecting the peripheral device having a relative location nearest to the direction of the touch gesture; and

connecting to the selected peripheral device using a wireless communication path.

13. The method of claim 10 , wherein the time varying magnetic field has a characteristic period, offset and/or amplitude.

14. The method of claim 10 , wherein the time varying magnetic field has a characteristic waveform type.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the time varying magnetic field is a sinusoidal wave, square wave, triangular wave, saw tooth wave or pulse wave.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the time varying magnetic field has a characteristic period, offset and/or amplitude.

17. A method for use in a portable electronic device for selecting a peripheral device for connection with the portable electronic device, comprising:

measuring magnetic fields within the vicinity of the portable electronic device;

identifying at least two peripheral devices in accordance with measured magnetic fields and one or more distinct characteristics of a magnetic field generated by each of the at least two peripheral devices which uniquely identify each of the at least two peripheral devices;

determining a relative location of the at least two peripheral devices in accordance with a magnetic flux density of the measured magnetic fields and a relationship between magnetic flux density and relative location;

detecting a touch gesture on a touch-sensitive display;

comparing a direction of the touch gesture with the relative locations of the at least two peripheral devices;

determining which of the at least two peripheral devices has a relative location nearest to the direction of the touch gesture;

selecting the peripheral device having a relative location nearest to the direction of the touch gesture; and

connecting the portable electronic device to the selected peripheral device using a wireless communications path.