(12) INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT)
`
`(19) World Intellectual Property Organization
`International Bureau
`
`(43) International Publication Date
`5 January 2012 (05.01.2012)
`
`(51) International Patent Classification:
`H04M 1/725 (2006.01)
`G06F 3/01 (2006.01)
`
`(21) International Application Number:
`
`(22) International Filing Date:
`
`(25) Filing Language:
`
`(26) Publication Language:
`
`PCT/IB20 10/053057
`
`2 July 2010 (02.07.2010)
`
`English
`
`English
`
`(71) Applicant (for all designated States except US) NOKIA
`CORPORATION [FI/FI]; Keilalahdentie 4, FIN-02150
`Espoo (FI).
`
`(72) Inventor; and
`(for US only): LUNDIN, Claes [SE/
`(75) Inventor/Applicant
`SE]; Nikolaigatan 4a, S-21 821 Malmo (SE).
`
`(10) International Publication Number
`WO 2012/001464 Al
`
`AO, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BH, BR, BW, BY, BZ,
`CA, CH, CL, CN, CO, CR, CU, CZ, DE, DK, DM, DO,
`DZ, EC, EE, EG, ES, FI, GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, GT,
`HN, HR, HU, ID, IL, IN, IS, JP, KE, KG, KM, KN, KP,
`KR, KZ, LA, LC, LK, LR, LS, LT, LU, LY, MA, MD,
`ME, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, MY, MZ, NA, NG, NI,
`NO, NZ, OM, PE, PG, PH, PL, PT, RO, RS, RU, SC, SD,
`SE, SG, SK, SL, SM, ST, SV, SY, TH, TJ, TM, TN, TR,
`TT, TZ, UA, UG, US, UZ, VC, VN, ZA, ZM, ZW.
`
`(84) Designated States (unless otherwise indicated, for every
`kind of regional protection available): ARIPO (BW, GH,
`GM, KE, LR, LS, MW, MZ, NA, SD, SL, SZ, TZ, UG,
`ZM, ZW), Eurasian (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ,
`TM), European (AL, AT, BE, BG, CH, CY, CZ, DE, DK,
`EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HR, HU, IE, IS, GG
`, LT, LU,
`LV, MC, MK, MT, NL, NO, PL, PT, RO, SE, SI, SK,
`SM, TR), OAPI (BF, BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, GQ,
`GW, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG).
`
`(74) Agents: HAWKRIGG, Christine et al; Swindell &
`Pearson Ltd, 48 Friar Gate, Derby Derbyshire DEI 1GY Published:
`(GB).
`
`— with international search report (Art. 21(3))
`
`(81) Designated States (unless otherwise indicated, for every
`kind of national protection available): AE, AG, AL, AM,
`
`(54) Title: AN APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DETECTING A ROCKING MOVEMENT OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE
`AND EXECUTE A FUNCTION IN RESPONSE TO THE DETECTED MOVEMENT
`
`7 1
`
`o©
`
`FIG. 6A
`
`© (57) Abstract: An apparatus, method and computer program wherein the apparatus comprises: a housing comprising a convex
`portion configured to enable the apparatus to rock in response to an impulse provided by a user; and a processor configured to en-
`Q able a function of the apparatus to be performed in response to the detection of the rocking of the apparatus.
`
`Petitioner Samsung Ex-1050, 0001
`
`

`

`A n apparatus and method for detecting a rocking movement of an electronic
`device and execute a function in response to the detected movement
`
`TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD
`
`Embodiments of the present
`
`invention relate to an apparatus, method and
`
`computer program.
`
`In particular, they relate to an apparatus having a casing
`
`comprising a curved portion and a method and computer program for
`
`controlling such an apparatus.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`Apparatus such as mobile telephones or gaming devices may have a large
`
`number of functions which are accessible to a user.
`
`It
`
`is useful to enable a
`
`user to easily access the functions of the apparatus.
`
`BRIEF SUMMARY
`
`According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention
`
`there is provided an apparatus comprising: a housing comprising a convex
`
`portion configured to enable the apparatus to rock in response to an impulse
`
`provided by a user; and a processor configured to enable a function of the
`
`apparatus to be performed in response to detection of
`
`the rocking of the
`
`apparatus.
`
`In some embodiments of the invention the apparatus may also comprise a
`
`detector configured to detect the rocking of the apparatus.
`
`In some embodiments of
`
`the invention the rocking of
`
`the apparatus may
`
`comprise the apparatus rolling, at least one of, backwards and forwards while
`
`Petitioner Samsung Ex-1050, 0002
`
`

`

`the convex portion supports the apparatus. At least one point of the convex
`
`portion may remain in contact with an external surface when the apparatus is
`
`rocking.
`
`In some embodiments of the invention the convex portion may be configured
`
`to enable the apparatus to rest on a substantially horizontal surface in a stable
`
`equilibrium. The convex portion of the apparatus may be configured so that
`
`the apparatus returns to the stable equilibrium without any further input from
`
`the user after the impulse has been provided.
`
`In some embodiments of the invention the housing may comprise a rear face
`
`and the convex portion may be provided on the rear face. The housing may
`
`comprise a front face and the front face may comprise a concave portion.
`
`In some embodiments of the invention the processor may be configured to
`
`enable a function to be performed in response to the detection of
`
`simultaneous rocking of the apparatus and an input event. The input event
`
`may be associated with the provision of an audio output. The input event may
`
`comprise an incoming communication.
`
`In some embodiments of the invention the apparatus may comprise a user
`
`input device such that when the user input device is configured in a locked
`
`mode the function may be performed while the user input device is in the
`
`locked mode.
`
`In some embodiments of the invention the function may comprise disabling an
`
`audio output of the apparatus.
`
`In some embodiments of the invention the function may comprise the display
`
`of information on a display.
`
`Petitioner Samsung Ex-1050, 0003
`
`

`

`In some embodiments of the invention the apparatus may be arranged in a
`
`plurality of operational modes and the function which is enabled may be
`
`dependent on the operational mode of the apparatus.
`
`In some embodiments of
`
`the invention the detector may comprise an
`
`accelerometer.
`
`In some embodiments of
`
`the invention the detector may comprise a tilt
`
`sensor.
`
`According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention
`
`there may also be provided a method comprising; detecting rocking of an
`
`apparatus wherein the apparatus comprises a housing comprising a convex
`
`portion configured to enable the apparatus to rock in response to an impulse
`
`provided by a user; and enabling a function of the apparatus to be performed
`
`in response to detection of the rocking of the apparatus.
`
`In some embodiments of
`
`the invention the rocking of
`
`the apparatus may
`
`comprise the apparatus rolling at least one of backwards and forwards while
`
`the convex portion supports the apparatus. At least one point of the convex
`
`portion may remain in contact with an external surface when the apparatus is
`
`rocking.
`
`In some embodiments of the invention the convex portion may be configured
`
`to enable the apparatus to rest on a substantially horizontal surface in a stable
`
`equilibrium. The convex portion of the apparatus may be configured so that
`
`the apparatus returns to the stable equilibrium without any further input from
`
`the user after the impulse has been provided.
`
`In some embodiments of the invention the housing may comprise a rear face
`
`and the convex portion may be provided on the rear face. The housing may
`
`comprise a front face and the front face may comprise a concave portion.
`
`Petitioner Samsung Ex-1050, 0004
`
`

`

`In some embodiments of
`
`the invention the method may further comprise
`
`detecting an input event simultaneously to the rocking of the apparatus and
`
`enabling the function to be performed in
`
`response to detection of
`
`simultaneous rocking of the apparatus and the input event. The input event
`
`may be associated with the provision of an audio output. The input event may
`
`comprise an incoming communication.
`
`In some embodiments of
`
`the invention the method may further comprise
`
`configuring a user input device in a locked mode and enabling the function to
`
`be performed while the user input device is in the locked mode.
`
`In some embodiments of the invention the function may comprise disabling an
`
`audio output of the apparatus.
`
`In some embodiments of the invention the function may comprise the display
`
`of information on a display.
`
`In some embodiments of the invention the apparatus may be arranged in a
`
`plurality of operational modes and the function which is enabled may be
`
`dependent on the operational mode of the apparatus.
`
`In some embodiments of the invention the rocking of the apparatus may be
`
`detected by an accelerometer.
`
`In some embodiments of the invention the rocking of the apparatus may be
`
`detected by a tilt sensor.
`
`According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention
`
`there may also be provided a computer program comprising computer
`
`program instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, enable
`
`an apparatus at least to perform: detecting rocking of an apparatus wherein
`
`Petitioner Samsung Ex-1050, 0005
`
`

`

`the apparatus comprises a housing comprising a convex portion configured to
`
`enable the apparatus to rock in response to an impulse provided by a user;
`
`and enabling a function of
`
`the apparatus to be performed in response to
`
`detection of the rocking of the apparatus.
`
`In some embodiments of the invention there may also be provided a computer
`
`program comprising program instructions for causing a computer to perform a
`
`method as described in any of the preceding paragraphs.
`
`In some embodiments of the invention there may also be provided a physical
`
`entity embodying a computer program as described in any of the preceding
`
`paragraphs.
`
`In some embodiments of
`
`the invention there may also be provided an
`
`electromagnetic carrier signal carrying a computer program as described in
`
`any of the preceding paragraphs.
`
`According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention
`
`there may also be provided an apparatus comprising: means for enabling the
`
`apparatus to rock in response to an impulse provided by a user; and means
`
`for enabling a function of the apparatus to be performed in response to the
`
`detection of the rocking of the apparatus.
`
`In some embodiments of
`
`the invention the apparatus may also comprise
`
`means for detecting the rocking of the apparatus.
`
`In some embodiments of the invention the means for enabling the apparatus
`
`to rock may comprise a convex portion of a housing of the apparatus.
`
`According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention
`
`there may also be provided an apparatus comprising: a housing comprising a
`
`convex portion configured to enable the apparatus to rock in response to an
`
`Petitioner Samsung Ex-1050, 0006
`
`

`

`impulse provided by a user at least one processor: and at least one memory
`
`including computer program code; wherein the at least one memory and the
`
`computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor,
`
`enable the apparatus to: detect
`
`rocking of
`
`the apparatus; and enable a
`
`function of the apparatus to be performed in response to the detection of the
`
`rocking of the apparatus.
`
`The apparatus may be for wireless communication.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`For a better understanding of various examples of embodiments of
`
`the
`
`present invention reference will now be made by way of example only to the
`
`accompanying drawings in which:
`
`Fig. 1 illustrates an apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the
`
`invention;
`
`Fig. 2 schematically illustrates an apparatus according to an exemplary
`
`embodiment of the invention;
`
`Fig. 3 schematically illustrates an apparatus according to another exemplary
`
`embodiment of the invention;
`
`Fig. 4 is a flow diagram which schematically illustrates a method according to
`
`an exemplary embodiment of the invention
`
`Fig. 5 is a flow diagram which schematically illustrates a method according to
`
`another exemplary embodiment of the invention; and
`
`Figs. 6A to 6D illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the invention in use.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`The Figures illustrate an apparatus 1, method and computer program for
`
`controlling the apparatus 1 wherein the apparatus 1 comprises: a housing 2 1
`
`comprising a convex portion 27 configured to enable the apparatus 1 to rock
`
`in response to an impulse provided by a user; and a processor 3 configured to
`
`Petitioner Samsung Ex-1050, 0007
`
`

`

`enable a function of the apparatus 1 to be performed in response to detection
`
`of the rocking of the apparatus 1. The apparatus 1 may also comprise a
`
`detector 45 configured to detect rocking of the apparatus 1.
`
`Fig. 1 illustrates an apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the invention.
`
`The apparatus 1 may be an electronic apparatus. The apparatus 1 may be,
`
`for example, a mobile cellular telephone, a personal computer, a camera, a
`
`gaming device, a personal digital assistant, a personal music player, a
`
`navigation device such as a global positioning system (GPS) device or any
`
`other apparatus which enables a user to make user inputs to control
`
`the
`
`apparatus 1. The apparatus 1 may be a handheld apparatus 1 which can be
`
`carried in a user's hand, handbag or jacket pocket for example.
`
`The apparatus 1 comprises a housing 2 1. The housing 2 1 provides an
`
`external casing for the apparatus 1. The components of the apparatus 1,
`
`which are illustrated schematically in Fig. 2 , may be contained within the
`
`housing 2 1 . The housing 2 1 may provide protection for the components of
`
`the apparatus 1. For example, the housing 2 1 may protect the components of
`
`the apparatus 1 from atmospheric conditions such as moisture or temperature
`
`variations. The housing 2 1 may also be configured to protect the components
`
`of the apparatus 1 from mechanical shocks.
`
`In some embodiments of the
`
`invention the housing 2 1 may be rigid.
`
`The housing 2 1 comprises a front
`
`face 25 and a rear face 23. An edge
`
`portion 24 is provided between the front and rear faces. The front face 25
`
`comprises a display 15 which enables information to be displayed.
`
`In some
`
`embodiments of the invention the display 15 may be a touch sensitive display
`
`which enables a user to make inputs by actuating the display 15 .
`
`In the
`
`embodiment
`
`illustrated in Fig. 1 the apparatus 1 is a communication device
`
`and comprises a microphone 3 1 and a loudspeaker 33 positioned at opposite
`
`ends of the front face 25.
`
`Petitioner Samsung Ex-1050, 0008
`
`

`

`In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig. 1 both the front face 25
`
`and the rear
`
`face 23 comprise a curved portion.
`
`In this exemplary
`
`embodiment
`
`the rear face 23 comprises a convex portion 27 and the front
`
`face 25 comprises a concave portion 29. The curvature of the housing 2 1
`
`may be arranged so as to improve the ergonomics of the apparatus 1, for
`
`example,
`
`the curvature of
`
`the housing 2 1 may be designed to make the
`
`apparatus 1 comfortable for a user to hold in their hands or, where the
`
`apparatus is a telephone, to enable the microphone 3 1 to be positioned closer
`
`to a user's mouth and the loudspeaker 33 to be positioned closer to a user's
`
`ear.
`
`The radius of curvature of the curved portion 27 of the rear face 23 is such
`
`that when the rear face 23 of the apparatus 1 is resting on a substantially
`
`horizontal surface the curved portion 27 may support the apparatus 1. When
`
`the curved portion 27 is resting on a substantially horizontal surface the
`
`apparatus 1 may be in a stable equilibrium so that a small displacement
`
`from
`
`the resting position will cause the apparatus 1 to return to the resting position.
`
`In the illustrated embodiment both the front
`
`face 25 and the rear face 23
`
`comprise a curved portion.
`
`It is to be appreciated that in other embodiments
`
`of the invention only one of the faces may comprise a curved portion,
`
`for
`
`example the rear face 23 may be concave while the front face 25 may be
`
`substantially flat. Also in the illustrated embodiments the whole of the rear
`
`face 23 is curved.
`
`It
`
`is to be appreciated that in other embodiments of the
`
`invention only a portion of the rear surface 23 may be curved.
`
`Fig. 2 schematically illustrates an apparatus 1 according to an exemplary
`
`embodiment of the invention.
`
`Only features referred to in the following description are included in the
`
`schematic illustration of Fig. 2 . It should be understood that the apparatus 1
`
`may comprise additional
`
`features that are not
`
`illustrated.
`
`For example,
`
`in
`
`Petitioner Samsung Ex-1050, 0009
`
`

`

`embodiments of
`
`the invention where the apparatus 1 is a mobile cellular
`
`telephone,
`
`the apparatus 1 may also comprise a transmitter and receiver
`
`configured to enable wireless communication.
`
`The apparatus 1 may also
`
`comprise additional user input means which enable a user to make different
`
`types of user inputs.
`
`The apparatus 1 illustrated in Fig. 2 comprises: a user interface 13, a detector
`
`45 and a controller 4 .
`
`In the illustrated embodiment the controller 4 comprises
`
`at least one processor 3 and at least one memory 5 and the user interface 13
`
`comprises a display 15 and a user input device 17 .
`
`The controller 4 provides means for controlling the apparatus 1.
`
`The
`
`controller 4 may be implemented using instructions that enable hardware
`
`functionality, for example, by using executable computer program instructions
`
`11 in one or more general-purpose or special-purpose processors 3 that may
`
`be stored on a computer readable storage medium 43 (e.g. disk, memory etc)
`
`to be executed by such processors 3 .
`
`The controller 4 may be configured to control the apparatus 1 to perform a
`
`plurality of different
`
`functions.
`
`For example, where the apparatus 1 is a
`
`mobile cellular telephone the controller 4 may be configured to control
`
`the
`
`apparatus 1 to make and receive telephone calls and also to perform other
`
`functions such as send messages or access communication networks such as
`
`local area networks or the internet.
`
`In other embodiments the controller 4
`
`may be configured to control the apparatus 1 to render content such as audio
`
`or visual files, thereby enabling a user to listen to music or watch videos using
`
`the apparatus 1.
`
`In other embodiments of the invention the apparatus 1 may
`
`be configured in a gaming mode to enable a user to play a game.
`
`The controller 4 may also be configured to enable the apparatus 1 to detect
`
`rocking of the apparatus 1 where the apparatus 1 is rocking in response to an
`
`impulse provided by a user; and enable a function of the apparatus 1 to be
`
`Petitioner Samsung Ex-1050, 0010
`
`

`

`performed in response to the detection of the rocking of the apparatus 1. The
`
`controller 4 may comprise a detector module for detecting the rocking of the
`
`apparatus 1.
`
`The at least one processor 3 is configured to receive input commands from
`
`the user interface 13 and also to provide output commands to the user
`
`interface 13. The at least one processor 3 is also configured to write to and
`
`read from the at least one memory 5 . Outputs of the user interface 13 are
`
`provided as inputs to the controller 4 . The at least one processor 3 is also
`
`configured to receive input commands from the detector 45. The at least one
`
`processor 3 may also be configured to provide output commands to the
`
`detector 45.
`
`In the embodiment
`
`illustrated in Fig. 2 the user interface 13 comprises a
`
`display 15 and a user input device 17 .
`
`The user input device 17 provides means for enabling a user of the apparatus
`
`1 to input information which may be used to control the apparatus 1. The user
`
`input device 17 may also enable a user to input information which may be
`
`stored in the one or more memories 5 of the apparatus 1. The user input
`
`device 17 may comprise any means which enables a user to input information
`
`into the apparatus 1. For example the user input device 17 may comprise a
`
`keypad or a portion of a touch sensitive display or a combination of a number
`
`of different types of user input devices.
`
`In some embodiments of
`
`the invention the user input device 17 may be
`
`configured in a locked mode or an unlocked mode. When the user input
`
`device 17 is in a locked mode the user
`
`input device 17 may be non-
`
`responsive to actuation except
`
`for a predetermined subset of
`
`inputs. The
`
`predetermined subset of inputs may comprise unlocking inputs. An unlocking
`
`input may require that specific sections of a user input device 17 are actuated
`
`in a specific sequence. The locked mode of the user input device 17 prevents
`
`Petitioner Samsung Ex-1050, 0011
`
`

`

`accidental actuation of the user input device, for example when the apparatus
`
`1 is being carried in a user's bag or pocket. When the user input device 17 is
`
`in the unlocked mode the user input device 17 may be responsive to actuation
`
`to access applications of the apparatus 1 and to control the apparatus 1.
`
`The user interface 13 may also comprise a display 15 . The display 15 may
`
`comprise any means which enables information or content
`
`to be displayed.
`
`The information which is displayed on the display
`
`15 may comprise
`
`information which is stored in the one or more memories 5 . The information
`
`may also comprise information which has been received by the apparatus 1 or
`
`which has been input using the user input device 17.
`
`In some embodiments of
`
`the invention the display 15 and the user input
`
`device 17 may be integrated to form a touch sensitive display.
`
`The apparatus 1 also comprises a detector 45.
`
`The detector 45 may
`
`comprise any means which enables motion of the apparatus 1 to be detected.
`
`The motion may be for example, a rocking motion of the apparatus 1.
`
`In
`
`some embodiments
`
`of
`
`the invention the detector may comprise an
`
`accelerometer, a tilt sensor, optical sensors or any other suitable means.
`
`The detector 45 is configured to provide an output signal to the at least one
`
`processor 3 . The output signal which is provided by the detector 45 may be
`
`dependent upon the movement which has been detected by the detector 45.
`
`The signal provided by the detector 45 may be used to control the apparatus
`
`1.
`
`The at least one memory 5 stores a computer program code 9 comprising
`
`computer program instructions 11 that control the operation of the apparatus 1
`
`when loaded into the at
`
`least one processor 3 . The computer program
`
`instructions 11 provide the logic and routines that enable the apparatus 1 to
`
`perform the methods illustrated in Fig. 3 . The at least one processor 3 by
`
`Petitioner Samsung Ex-1050, 0012
`
`

`

`reading the at least one memory 5 is able to load and execute the computer
`program 9 .
`
`The computer program instructions 11 may provide computer
`
`readable
`
`program means configured to control
`
`the apparatus 1.
`
`The program
`
`instructions 11 may provide, when loaded into the controller 4 ; means for
`
`detecting rocking of an apparatus 1 wherein the apparatus 1 comprises a
`
`housing comprising a convex portion 27 configured to enable the apparatus 1
`
`to rock in response to an impulse provided by a user; and enabling a function
`
`of the apparatus 1 to be performed in response to the detection of the rocking
`
`of the apparatus 1.
`
`The computer program code 9 may arrive at the apparatus 1 via any suitable
`
`delivery mechanism. The delivery mechanism may comprise, for example, a
`
`computer-readable storage medium, a computer program product 43, a
`
`memory device, a record medium such as a CD-ROM or DVD, an article of
`
`manufacture that
`
`tangibly embodies the computer program code 9 . The
`
`delivery mechanism may comprise a signal 4 1 configured to reliably transfer
`
`the computer program code 9 . The apparatus 1 may propagate or transmit
`
`the computer program code 9 as a computer data signal.
`
`Although the memory 5 is illustrated as a single component
`
`it may be
`
`implemented as one or more separate components some or all of which may
`
`be integrated/removable and/or may provide permanent/semi-permanent/
`
`dynamic/cached storage.
`
`References to 'computer-readable storage medium',
`
`'computer program
`
`product',
`
`'tangibly embodied
`
`computer program' etc. or a 'controller',
`
`'computer',
`
`'processor' etc. should be understood to encompass not only
`
`computers having different architectures such as single/multi- processor
`
`architectures and sequential
`
`(e.g. Von Neumann)/parallel architectures but
`
`also specialized circuits such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA),
`
`Petitioner Samsung Ex-1050, 0013
`
`

`

`application integration specific circuits (ASIC), signal processing devices and
`
`other devices. References to computer program,
`
`instructions, code etc.
`
`should be understood to encompass software for a programmable processor
`
`or firmware such as, for example,
`
`the programmable content of a hardware
`
`device whether
`
`instructions for a processor, or configuration settings for a
`
`fixed-function device, gate array or programmable logic device etc.
`
`Fig. 3 illustrates an apparatus 1' according to another embodiment of the
`
`invention. The apparatus 1' illustrated in Fig. 3 may be a chip or a chip-set.
`
`The apparatus 1' comprises at least one processor 3 and at least one memory
`
`5 as described above in relation to Fig. 1.
`
`Methods of controlling the apparatus 1, according to exemplary embodiments
`
`of the invention, are illustrated schematically in Figs. 4 and 5 .
`
`Fig.4 illustrates a method according to a first embodiment of the invention. At
`
`block 5 1 the user provides an impulse to the apparatus 1. The apparatus 1
`
`may be resting on a substantially horizontal surface so that the convex portion
`
`27 of
`
`the rear surface 23 is in contact with the horizontal surface and
`
`supporting the apparatus 1. The apparatus 1 may be resting in a stable
`
`equilibrium position. When the user provides the impulse to the apparatus 1
`
`this causes the apparatus 1 to be displaced from the equilibrium position,
`
`however, provided that the displacement
`
`is small the apparatus 1 will return to
`
`the stable equilibrium position without any further input from the user.
`
`The impulse may cause the apparatus 1 to rock on the substantially horizontal
`
`surface. When the apparatus 1 is rocking it may roll backwards and forwards
`
`on the substantially horizontal surface. When the apparatus 1 is rocking there
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`may always be at least one point of the convex portion 27 of the housing 1 in
`
`contact with the substantially horizontal surface. The rocking motion may
`
`comprise simple harmonic motion.
`
`Petitioner Samsung Ex-1050, 0014
`
`

`

`At block 53 the detector 45 detects the rocking motion of the apparatus 1.
`The detector 45 provides a signal to the processor 3 indicating that a rocking
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`motion has been detected.
`
`In some embodiments of the invention the detector 45 may determine that the
`motion is a rocking motion and the signal which is provided to the processor 3
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`may indicate that the motion has been determined to be a rocking motion.
`
`In
`
`other embodiments of the invention the signal provided to the processor 3
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`may indicate that motion has been detected and the processor 3 may
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`determine that it is a rocking motion which has been detected.
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`At block 55, in response to the receipt of the signal from the detector 45 the
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`processor controls the apparatus 1 to enable a function of the apparatus 1.
`
`The function which is enabled may depend upon the mode of operation of the
`
`apparatus 1. For example, where the apparatus 1 has a plurality of different
`
`applications the function which is performed may depend upon the application
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`which is currently accessed when the rocking motion is detected.
`
`The function may be, for example, silencing an audio alert of the apparatus.
`
`The silencing of the audio alert may be temporary, for example it may silence
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`only a currently playing audio alert.
`
`In other embodiments of the invention the
`
`function may comprise enabling information to be displayed on the display 15.
`
`The information displayed on the display 15 may include information relating
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`to the status of the apparatus 1, for example whether or not a communication
`
`has been received or may include information such as the time.
`
`The
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`information may be displayed on the display 15 for a short period of time.
`
`In embodiments of the invention where the apparatus 1 is used to render
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`content
`
`the function may enable the user
`
`to control
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`the content being
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`rendered. For example it may enable a user to change the content which is
`
`Petitioner Samsung Ex-1050, 0015
`
`

`

`being rendered, by switching music tracks or selecting a different piece of
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`content.
`
`In embodiments of the invention where the apparatus 1 enables a game to be
`
`played the function which is enabled may be controlling a participant or object
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`in a game.
`
`In some embodiments of the invention where the user input device 17 may
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`have been configured in a locked mode before the user provides the impulse
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`to the apparatus 1.
`
`In such embodiments the function may be performed
`
`while the user input device 17 remains in the locked mode so that the user
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`input device 17 remains non-responsive to actuation.
`
`Fig. 5 illustrates a method according to a second embodiment of
`
`the
`
`invention. At block 6 1 the user provides an impulse to the apparatus 1. Block
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`6 1 of the method of Fig. 5 corresponds to block 5 1 of the method of Fig. 4 . At
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`block 63 the detector 45 detects the rocking motion of the apparatus 1 and
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`provides a signal
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`to the processor 3 . Block 63 of
`
`the method of Fig. 5
`
`corresponds to block 53 of the method of Fig. 4 .
`
`At block 65 an input event is detected. The detection of the input event may
`
`occur simultaneously to the detection of the rocking of the apparatus 1.
`
`In
`
`other embodiments of the invention the input event may be detected before
`
`the rocking motion. The input event may occur immediately between the
`
`rocking motion so that only a very short period of time elapses before the
`
`input event and the rocking motion. The input event may comprise any event
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`which may be detected by the detector 45 or other part of the apparatus and
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`which occurs in addition to the rocking motion may be an incoming
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`communication,
`
`for example,
`
`it may be an incoming call or message. The
`
`input event may be associated with providing an audio output to a user, for
`
`example, an audio alert may be provided when an incoming call or message
`
`Petitioner Samsung Ex-1050, 0016
`
`

`

`is received or a user may set an alarm or reminder with an associated audio
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`output.
`
`At block 67, in response to the receipt of the signal from the detector 45 and
`
`the detection of the input event
`
`the at
`
`least one processor 3 controls the
`
`apparatus 1 to enable a function of the apparatus 1. The function which is
`
`enabled may depend upon the mode of operation of the apparatus 1 and the
`
`input event.
`
`For example, where the input event
`
`is an incoming call or
`
`message the function of
`
`the apparatus which is performed may be the
`
`silencing of
`
`the audio alert which is associated with the incoming call or
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`message. The silencing may silence the apparatus,
`
`just
`
`for the detected
`
`incoming communication or it may configure the apparatus 1 in a silent mode
`
`which disables all audio outputs until the silent mode is deactivated.
`
`Figs. 6A to 6D illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the invention in use.
`
`In
`
`Fig. 6A the apparatus 1 is resting on a substantially horizontal surface 73 so
`
`that the convex portion 27 of the rear surface 23 is resting on the substantially
`
`horizontal surface 73. The convex portion 27 is supporting the apparatus 1.
`
`A contact point 77A of the convex portion 27 touches the horizontal surface
`
`73.
`
`In the rest position the apparatus 1 is in a stable equilibrium so that a
`
`minor displacement of
`
`the apparatus 1 from this position will cause the
`
`apparatus 1 to return to the same rest position.
`
`In the rest position the centre
`
`of mass of the apparatus 1 may be positioned over the contact point 77A of
`
`the apparatus 1.
`
`In the exemplary embodiment
`
`the contact point 77A is
`
`provided in the centre of the apparatus 1.
`
`In Fig. 6A the user provides an impulse to the apparatus 1 by using their hand
`
`7 1 to push downwards on one end of the apparatus 1 in the direction of the
`
`arrow 75. The impulse provides a torque which causes the apparatus 1 to
`
`rock on the substantially horizontal surface 73.
`
`Petitioner Samsung Ex-1050, 0017
`
`

`

`The apparatus 1 rocks by rolling backwards and forwards on the convex
`
`portion 27. At least one point of the convex portion 27 may always be in
`
`contact with the horizontal surface 73. The rocking motion may not include
`
`any translation motion.
`
`Fig. 6B illustrates the apparatus just after the user has provided the impulse.
`
`The impulse has forced one end of the apparatus 1 down so that a second
`
`point 77B of the curved portion 27 now contacts the substantially horizontal
`
`surface 73. The second point 77B is provided towards a first end of the
`
`apparatus 1.
`
`The first contact point 77A is no longer in contact with the
`
`substantially horizontal surface 73. As the centre of mass of the apparatus 1
`
`is no longer directly above a p