IP Library Granted Patent US 12,360,597
Granted Patent B2
US 12,360,597 · App. 17/665,516 · Granted Jul 15, 2025

Computing device

Inventors: Mark Christopher Heidenfeldt (Apex, NC); Justin Michael Ringuetta (Morrisville, NC); Mark K. Summerville (Apex, NC); Richard Todd. Wall (Clayton, NC)
Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
G06F3/016G06F3/0446
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,360,597
App. No.
17/665,516
Granted
Jul 15, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method can include receiving vibration signals responsive to an object contacting a location on a housing of a computing device; analyzing the vibration signals to determine the location; associating the location with a predetermined value; and transmitting the predetermined value.

Claims (38)

1. A method comprising:

receiving vibration signals responsive to an object contacting a location on a housing of a computing device;

analyzing the vibration signals to determine the location;

associating the location with a predetermined value as a response to a question; and

transmitting the predetermined value via wireless communication circuitry of the computing device for compiling a plurality of the predetermined values from a number of the computing devices to determine at least a number of correct responses to the question.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the vibration signals comprise microphone signals.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the vibration signals comprise accelerometer signals.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the analyzing comprises utilizing time of arrival.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the analyzing comprises utilizing cross correlation.

6. The method of claim 1 , comprising issuing a notification signal via circuitry of the computing device.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the circuitry comprises LED circuitry.

8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the circuitry comprise audio speaker circuitry.

9. The method of claim 1 , comprising calibrating the computing device to associate calibration vibration signals and locations on the housing.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the associating comprises accessing a data structure that comprises a plurality of predetermined values for a plurality of locations.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the plurality of predetermined values corresponds to test answer values.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the location comprises a grid location of a grid.

13. The method of claim 1 , comprising receiving, by the computing device, a plurality of the predetermined values from a plurality of computing devices.

14. The method of claim 13 , comprising compiling the plurality of the predetermined values to determine the at least a number of correct responses to the question.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the receiving vibration signals comprises receiving multiple types of vibration signals.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the multiple types of vibration signals comprise accelerometer signals and microphone signals.

17. The method of claim 1 , comprising receiving at least one antenna signal indicative of presence of a human hand proximate to the housing of the computing device.

18. The method of claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises a display housing of the computing device.

19. A computing device comprising:

a processor;

memory accessible to the processor;

wireless communication circuitry;

a housing;

a vibration sensor;

and processor-executable instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to instruct the computing device to:

receive vibration signals via the vibration sensor responsive to an object contacting a location on the housing;

analyze the vibration signals to determine the location;

associate the location with a predetermined value as a response to a question; and

transmit the predetermined value via the wireless communication circuitry for compiling a plurality of the predetermined values from a number of the computing devices to determine at least a number of correct responses to the question.

20. One or more computer-readable storage media comprising computer-executable instructions executable to instruct a computing device to:

receive vibration signals responsive to an object contacting a location on a housing of the computing device;

analyze the vibration signals to determine the location;

associate the location with a predetermined value as a response to a question; and

transmit the predetermined value via wireless communication circuitry of the computing device for compiling a plurality of the predetermined values from a number of the computing devices to determine at least a number of correct responses to the question.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 3, 2022
From: LENOVO (UNITED STATES) INC.
To: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
Reel/Frame 061880/0110 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 5, 2022
From: HEIDENFELDT, MARK CHRISTOPHER; RINGUETTE, JUSTIN MICHAEL; SUMMERVILLE, MARK K; WALL, RICHARD TODD
To: LENOVO (UNITED STATES) INC.
Reel/Frame 058900/0286 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20230273683A1 · Aug 31, 2023
References Cited (4)
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