IP Library Granted Patent US 9,354,740
Granted Patent B2
US 9,354,740 · App. 14/061,338 · Granted May 31, 2016

Object orientation determination

Inventor: Martin John Simmons (Whitely, GB)
Assignee: Atmel Corporation
G06F3/0416G06F3/044G06F3/0488G06F2203/0339G06F2203/04101
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,354,740
App. No.
14/061,338
Granted
May 31, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, from one or more touch sensors of a computing device, signals corresponding to one or more touch or proximity inputs occurring substantially simultaneously within a touch-sensitive area of each of the touch sensors. At least a portion of the touch-sensitive areas of at least one of the touch sensors is disposed substantially along an edge of the computing device. The method also includes determining, based on the signals, an orientation of an object causing the touch or proximity inputs; and initiating a pre-determined function of the computing device based at least in part on the orientation of the object.

Claims (43)

1. A method comprising:

receiving, from one or more touch sensors of a computing device, signals corresponding to one or more touch or proximity inputs occurring substantially simultaneously within a touch-sensitive area of each of the touch sensors, at least a portion of the touch-sensitive areas of at least one of the touch sensors being disposed substantially along an edge of the computing device, wherein the signals correspond to a first point and a second point;

determining, based on the signals, an orientation of a hand causing the one or more touch or proximity inputs, wherein the determination comprises:

interpolating a line between the first point and the second point; and

determining a slope of the interpolated line, wherein the slope is a non-zero slope relative to an axis spanning a width of the computing device; and

initiating a pre-determined function of the computing device based at least in part on the orientation of the hand.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the touch sensors comprise a plurality of one-dimensional (1D) touch sensors disposed substantially along a plurality of opposing edges of a bottom surface or a plurality of side surfaces of the computing device; and

the determination further comprises interpolating the line based on a spatial difference between a point of a top or a bottom boundary of each touch-sensitive area that includes the touch or proximity input to determine whether the hand is a right or a left hand holding the computing device.

3. The method of claim 2 , at least one touch or proximity input of the one or more touch or proximity inputs comprises a plurality of signals.

4. The method of claim 2 , further comprising inferring the computing device is being held with the right or left hand based at least in part on whether the slope of the interpolated line is positive or negative, wherein a positive slope corresponds to an upward orientation of the left hand and a negative slope corresponds to an upward orientation of the right hand.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pre-determined function comprises modifying an arrangement of interactive elements of a graphical user interface (GUI) of the computing device.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein one or more of the touch sensors comprises a touch sensor disposed between the edges of computing device.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the touch sensors comprise a 1D touch sensor substantially disposed along a side surface of the computing device.

8. A computer-readable non-transitory storage medium embodying logic configured when executed to:

receive, from one or more touch sensors of a computing device, signals corresponding to one or more touch or proximity inputs occurring substantially simultaneously within a touch-sensitive area of each of the touch sensors, at least a portion of the touch-sensitive areas of at least one of the touch sensors being disposed substantially along an edge of the computing device, wherein the signals correspond to a first point and a second point;

determine, based on the signals, an orientation of a hand causing the one or more touch or proximity inputs, wherein the determination comprises:

interpolating a line between the first point and the second point; and

determining a slope of the interpolated line, wherein the slope is a non-zero slope relative to an axis spanning a width of the computing device; and

initiate a pre-determined function of the computing device based at least in part on the orientation of the hand.

9. The medium of claim 8 , wherein:

the touch sensors comprise a plurality of one-dimensional (1D) touch sensors disposed substantially along a plurality of opposing edges of a bottom surface or a plurality of side surfaces of the computing device; and

the logic is further configured to interpolate the line based on a spatial difference between a point of a top or a bottom boundary of each touch-sensitive area that includes the touch or proximity input to determine whether the hand is a right or a left hand holding the computing device.

10. The medium of claim 9 , wherein at least one touch or proximity input of the one or more touch or proximity inputs comprises a plurality of signals.

11. The medium of claim 9 , wherein the logic is further configured to infer the computing device is being held with the right or left hand based at least in part on whether the slope of the interpolated line is positive or negative, a positive slope corresponding to an upward orientation of the left hand and a negative slope corresponding to an upward orientation of the right hand.

12. The medium of claim 8 , wherein the pre-determined function comprises modifying an arrangement of interactive elements of a graphical user interface (GUI) of the computing device.

13. The medium of claim 8 , wherein one or more of the touch sensors comprises a touch sensor disposed between the edges of computing device.

14. The medium of claim 8 , wherein the touch sensors comprise a 1D touch sensor substantially disposed along a side surface of the computing device.

15. A device comprising:

one or more touch sensors; and

a computer-readable non-transitory storage medium coupled to the touch sensors and embodying logic configured when executed to:

receive, from the touch sensors of the device, signals corresponding to one or more touch or proximity inputs occurring substantially simultaneously within a touch-sensitive area of each of the touch sensors, at least a portion of the touch-sensitive areas of at least one of the touch sensors being disposed substantially along an edge of the device, wherein the signals correspond to a first point and a second point;

determine, based on the signals, an orientation of a hand causing the one or more touch or proximity inputs, wherein the determination comprises:

interpolating a line between the first point and the second point; and

determining a slope of the interpolated line, wherein the slope is a non-zero slope relative to an axis spanning a width of the computing device; and

initiate a pre-determined function of the device based at least in part on the orientation of the hand.

16. The device of claim 15 , wherein:

the touch sensors comprise a plurality of one-dimensional (1D) touch sensors disposed substantially along a plurality of opposing edges of a bottom surface or a plurality of side surfaces of the device; and

the logic is further configured to interpolate the line based on a spatial difference between a point of a top or a bottom boundary of each touch-sensitive area that includes the touch or proximity input to determine whether the hand is a right or left hand holding the device.

17. The device of claim 16 , wherein at least one touch or proximity input of the one or more touch or proximity inputs comprises a plurality of signals.

18. The device of claim 17 , wherein the logic is further configured to infer the device is being held with the right or left hand based at least in part on whether the slope of the interpolated line is positive or negative, a positive slope corresponding to an upward orientation of the left hand and a negative slope corresponding to an upward orientation of the right hand.

19. The device of claim 15 , wherein the pre-determined function comprises modifying an arrangement of interactive elements of a graphical user interface (GUI) of the device.

20. The device of claim 15 , wherein one or more of the touch sensors comprises a touch sensor disposed between the edges of device.

Assignments (13)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 9, 2022
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 059358/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 28, 2022
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: ATMEL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 059262/0105 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 25, 2022
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 059333/0222 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 5, 2019
From: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY GERMANY GMBH
To: NEODRÓN LIMITED
Reel/Frame 048259/0840 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN CERTAIN PATENT RIGHTS Recorded Dec 21, 2018
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED; ATMEL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 047976/0884 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN CERTAIN PATENT RIGHTS Recorded Dec 21, 2018
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED; ATMEL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 047976/0937 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 18, 2018
From: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 047103/0206 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 25, 2018
From: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 046426/0001 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 10, 2017
From: ATMEL CORPORATION
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 041715/0747 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT COLLATERAL Recorded Apr 7, 2016
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: ATMEL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 038376/0001 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 3, 2014
From: ATMEL CORPORATION
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC. AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 031912/0173 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 11, 2013
From: ATMEL TECHNOLOGIES U.K. LIMITED
To: ATMEL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 031574/0487 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 23, 2013
From: SIMMONS, MARTIN JOHN
To: ATMEL TECHNOLOGIES U.K. LIMITED
Reel/Frame 031462/0790 →
Continuity (1)
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