United States Patent [19J
`Martinez et al.
`
`I 1111111111111111 11111 111111111111111 111111111111111 IIIII IIIIII Ill lllll llll
`US006137468A
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`6,137,468
`Oct. 24, 2000
`
`[54] METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ALTERING
`A DISPLAY IN RESPONSE TO CHANGES IN
`ATTITUDE RELATIVE TO A PLANE
`
`[75]
`
`Inventors: Anthony Edward Martinez; Sarka
`Martinez, both of Austin, Tex.
`
`[73] Assignee: International Business Machines
`Corporation, Armonk, N.Y.
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 08/730,593
`
`[22] Filed:
`
`Oct. 15, 1996
`
`Int. Cl.7 ....................................................... G09G 5/34
`[51]
`[52] U.S. Cl. ............................................. 345/126; 345/121
`[58] Field of Search ..................................... 345/121, 158,
`345/126, 352, 348, 115, 905, 681, 145,
`51
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4,267,555
`4,542,377
`5,134,390
`5,181,181
`5,189,404
`5,329,289
`5,661,632
`5,708,561
`5,732,228
`
`5/1981 Boyd et al. ............................. 345/126
`9/1985 Hagen et al. ........................... 345/126
`7/1992 Kishimoto et al. ..................... 345/126
`1/1993 Glynn ...................................... 364/566
`2/1993 Masimo et al. ......................... 345/121
`7/1994 Sakamoto et al. ...................... 345/126
`8/1997 Register .................................. 345/905
`1/1998 Huilogol et al. ........................ 361/681
`3/1998 Jaaskelainen ........................... 345/145
`
`5,742,331
`5,774,233
`5,784,045
`5,798,750
`
`4/1998 Uomori et al. ........................... 345/51
`6/1998 Sakamoto ................................ 345/126
`7/1998 Chine et al. ............................ 345/121
`8/1998 Ozaki ...................................... 345/126
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Cowart, Robert, Mastering Windows 3.1 Special Edition;
`SYBEX; pp. 66-67, 1993.
`"Force-Accommodating Moves in Manipulators", IBM
`Technical Dislcosure Bulletin, vol. 20 No. 5, Oct. 1977.
`"Method for Enabling and Controlling Computer Input from
`Plurality of Pointing Devices", IBM Technical Disclosure
`Bulletin, vol. No. 03, Mar. 1995.
`
`Primary Examiner-Steven J. Saras
`Assistant Examiner-Alecia D. Nelson
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Leslie A. Van Leeuwen; Felsman,
`Bradley, Vaden, Gunter & Dillon, LLP
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`The present invention provides a method and apparatus for
`altering the display of an object on a display device in a data
`processing system. Changes in the attitude of a device within
`the data processing system are detected relative to a refer(cid:173)
`ence plane. The device may be a display device or some
`other device within the data processing system. The display
`of the object is altered in response to detecting selected
`changes in the attitude of the device.
`
`15 Claims, 10 Drawing Sheets
`
`600
`
`EX-1007
`Microsoft Inc. v. LiTL LLC
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 24, 2000
`
`Sheet 1 of 10
`
`6,137,468
`
`104
`
`Pig. ljl
`
`CJ
`
`_,1100
`
`102
`
`106
`
`1 5 2
`
`,,,,,__J 1 5 0
`
`Pig. 1(}3
`
`

`

`244
`
`Pi{j. 2
`
`228 □
`
`SLOTS
`EMPTY
`
`CONTROLLER
`PARALLEL
`
`CONTROLLER
`
`VIDEO
`VGA
`
`204
`
`CONTROLLER
`
`OMA
`
`CONTROLLER
`
`KEYBOARD
`
`MOUSE
`
`0
`0
`0
`N
`~,J;..
`N
`!""'"
`I")
`0
`
`~ = ......
`~ ......
`~
`•
`r:JJ.
`d •
`
`200
`
`242
`
`222
`
`220
`
`21 8
`
`21 6
`
`SYSTEM BUS
`
`CONTROLLER
`
`DISK
`
`CONTROLLER
`
`SERIAL
`
`CONTROLLER
`
`DISKETTE
`
`RAM
`CMOS
`
`ROM
`
`RAM
`
`214
`
`232
`
`0
`c:=J
`
`238
`
`210
`
`206
`
`208
`
`SYSTEM PLANAR
`
`224
`
`202
`
`PENTIUM
`
`CONTROLLER
`INTERRUPT
`
`CONTROLLER
`
`BUS
`
`CONTROLLER
`
`MEMORY
`212
`
`

`

`---------------10.,__-----------~ ..
`
`◄-
`
`!""'"
`I")
`0
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 24, 2000
`
`Sheet 3 of 10
`
`300
`
`t
`
`I
`
`I
`
`--------~304
`
`6,137,468
`
`' ' ' ' ' • I
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`
`I
`I
`I
`
`' I
`
`I t
`
`I
`I
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 24, 2000
`
`Sheet 4 of 10
`
`6,137,468
`
`SENSOR READOUT
`
`x=O
`y=O
`
`300
`
`Pig. 4)l
`
`X = + 45
`y=O
`
`X = -4 5
`y=O
`
`X=O
`y = - 9 0
`
`Pig. 4<B
`
`Pig. 4C
`
`Pig. 4(})
`
`

`

`P1fJ. 5C
`
`Pig. 5<.B
`
`00
`
`301
`
`504
`506
`
`00. •
`~ •
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 24, 2000
`
`Sheet 5 of 10
`
`6,137,468
`
`Pig. 5)1_
`
`504
`
`502
`
`

`

`Pig. 6C
`
`0
`0
`0
`N
`~,J;..
`N
`!""'"
`I")
`0
`
`7 5°
`
`4 5°
`
`Pig. 6}l
`
`602
`
`301
`
`

`

`Pig. 7
`
`!""'"
`I")
`0
`
`706
`
`DISPLAY
`
`.
`
`-
`
`704
`
`ALTERATION
`
`DISPLAY
`
`
`
`--
`
`700
`
`-DETERMINATION
`
`Tl LT
`
`702
`
`SENSOR
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 24, 2000
`
`Sheet 8 of 10
`
`6,137,468
`
`Begin
`
`End
`
`Wait until a
`selected amount
`of predefined
`movement is
`detected
`
`Query and save
`the tilt degree
`
`81 2
`
`The tilt degree
`is sent to the
`application
`
`Yes
`
`808
`
`81 0
`
`Update system
`coordinates
`table to reflect
`tilt degree
`
`All windows are
`redrawn using
`updated system
`coordinates table
`
`Pig.
`
`8
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 24, 2000
`
`Sheet 9 of 10
`
`6,137,468
`
`Begin
`
`Pig. 9
`
`End
`
`Wait until a
`movement
`is detected
`
`Query tilt
`
`Save tilt
`
`908
`
`Arrange windows
`
`Arrange icons
`
`Wait for a
`defined amount
`of time or until
`a movement
`is detected
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 24, 2000
`
`Sheet 10 of 10
`
`6,137,468
`
`Begin
`
`Wait until a
`movement
`is detected
`
`Query the tilt
`
`Save tilt degree
`and direction
`
`Is the
`degree within
`the defined
`trigger range ?
`
`Wait tor a defined
`amount ot time
`
`Save the new
`tilt degree
`
`Pig. 10
`
`End
`
`gree w1
`the defined
`rigger range .
`
`Determine the
`direction using
`the old and new
`tilt degree
`
`Yes
`
`Move windows
`to the maximum
`Y axis position
`
`Arrange windows
`
`

`

`1
`METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ALTERING
`A DISPLAY IN RESPONSE TO CHANGES IN
`ATTITUDE RELATIVE TO A PLANE
`
`6,137,468
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`1. Technical Field
`The present invention relates generally to an improved
`data processing system and in particular to an improved
`display within a data processing system. Still more
`particularly, the present invention relates to an improved 10
`method and apparatus for altering a display within a data
`processing system in response to a change in orientation in
`hardware associated with the data processing system.
`2. Description of the Related Art
`The manipulation of data in a data processing system is
`well known in the prior art. Data may be manipulated in
`many ways in a modern state-of-the-art data processing
`system including data accessing, data encoding, data
`communications, data compression, data conversion, data
`exchange, data linking, data locking, data mapping, data
`modeling, data sorting, data recording, and data transferring.
`The large amounts of data that are available to the user of a
`modern state-of-the-art data processing system often
`becomes overwhelming in magnitude and complexity.
`As a result of the increase in complexity of data process(cid:173)
`ing systems, attempts have been made to simplify the
`interface between a user and the large amounts of data
`present within a modern data processing system. One
`example of an attempt to simplify the interface between a 30
`user and a data processing system is the utilization of a
`graphic user interface (GUI) to provide an intuitive in
`graphical interphase between the user and the data process-
`ing system. A GUI is an interface system, including devices,
`by which a user interacts with a data processing system, 35
`system components, and/or system applications via win(cid:173)
`dows or via ports, icons, menus, pointing devices, etc.
`Another advancement in the computer art allows a user to
`simultaneously access, display, and manipulate data from a
`variety of related and/or unrelated computer application 40
`programs. This process is generally referred to as "multi(cid:173)
`tasking". In a true multi-tasking system, several application
`programs are simultaneously active. Displays from each of
`these applications may be provided within a two dimen(cid:173)
`sional display by presenting overlapping data collections 45
`and multiple layers in a simulated three-dimensional manner
`within the display of a data processing system. Each of these
`layers presents data associated with a particular data collec(cid:173)
`tion and these layers typically overlap and may partially or
`completely obscure each other and other data therein.
`Other advances in data processing systems include chang(cid:173)
`ing the presentation of data in response to changes in
`hardware. For example, display systems are presently avail(cid:173)
`able in which the monitor can be pivoted to either a
`landscape or a portrait mode. Additionally, the video driver 55
`associated with the display detects the change in display
`modes and switches a software to provide for the change.
`Such a system is restricted to detecting changes in one
`access, in one direction, for a 90° arc from 0° to 90°.
`Additionally, as pivoting occurs, the monitor goes blank 60
`until the end of the arc is reached. No intermediate positions
`or sampling is provided by such a system. Therefore, it
`would be advantageous to have a method and apparatus to
`detect various changes in orientation of hardware associated
`with a data processing system in which the display is altered
`in response to various changes in orientation of the hard-
`ware.
`
`5
`
`2
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`It is therefore on object of the present invention to provide
`an improved data processing system.
`
`It is another object of the present invention to provide an
`improved display within a data processing system.
`
`It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
`an improved method and apparatus for altering a display
`within a data processing system in response to a change in
`orientation and hardware associated with the data processing
`system.
`
`The present invention provides a method and apparatus
`for altering the display of an object on a display device in a
`15 data processing system. Changes in the attitude of a device
`within the data processing system are detected relative to a
`reference plane. The device may be a display device or some
`other device within the data processing system. The display
`of the object is altered in response to detecting selected
`20 changes in the attitude of the device.
`
`The display may be altered by maintaining the object
`level relative to the reference plane although the display
`device or some other device incurs changes in attitude.
`25 Alternatively, various objects, such as windows or icons
`displayed on the display device may be arranged or altered
`in response to the changes in attitude.
`
`The above as well as additional objects, features, and
`advantages of the present invention will become apparent
`with the following detailed description.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. lAis a pictorial representation of a computer system
`depicted in which the present invention may be implemented
`in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
`invention.
`FIG. lB is an illustration of a laptop computer in which
`the present invention may be implemented.
`FIG. 2 depicts a block diagram of selected components in
`personal computer 100 or laptop computer in which a
`preferred embodiment of the present invention may be
`implemented.
`
`FIG. 3 is an illustration of orientations of a laptop
`computer according to the present invention.
`
`FIGS. 4A-4D depicts data obtained from a sensor in
`response to different attitudes of laptop 300 according to the
`50 present invention.
`FIGS. 5A-5C are diagrams of different displays accord(cid:173)
`ing to the present invention.
`FIGS. 6A-6C depict illustrations of a process for main(cid:173)
`taining window objects level through changes in attitude
`according to the present invention.
`
`FIG. 7 is a block diagram of components used to alter the
`display of a data processing system in response to a change
`in attitude according to the present invention.
`
`FIG. 8 depicts a flowchart of a process for rotating
`windows according to the present invention.
`
`FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a process to open windows and
`arrange icons according to the present invention.
`
`FIG. 10 depicts a flowchart of a process for aligning
`windows according to the present invention.
`
`65
`
`

`

`3
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF IBE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`
`6,137,468
`
`With reference now to the figures and in particular with
`reference to FIG. lA, a pictorial representation of a com(cid:173)
`puter system is depicted in which a preferred embodiment of
`the present invention may be implemented in accordance
`with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. A
`personal computer 100 is depicted which includes a system
`unit 102, a video display terminal 104, a keyboard 106, and
`a mouse 108. Personal computer 100 may be implemented
`utilizing any suitable computer such as an IBM PS/2
`computer, a product of International Business Machines
`Corporation. "PS/2" is a registered trademark of Interna(cid:173)
`tional Business Machines Corporation. Although the
`depicted embodiment involves a personal computer, a pre(cid:173)
`ferred embodiment of the present invention may be imple(cid:173)
`mented in other types of data processing systems, such as for
`example, intelligent work stations or mini-computers. A
`sensor for detecting changes in position may be located
`within the data processing system or externalized with a 20
`peripheral device associated with the data processing
`system, such as a mouse or some other pointing device.
`Computer 100 may be implemented utilizing any suitable
`computer, such as an IBM PS/2 computer, a product of
`International Business Machines Corporation.
`In FIG. lB, a laptop computer 150 is depicted in which
`the present invention may be implemented. Laptop com(cid:173)
`puter 150 includes a display 152 and a system unit 154
`containing a keyboard 156. Laptop computer 150 may be 30
`implemented using any suitable computer, such as an IBM
`ThinkPad. "ThinkPad" is a trademark of International Busi(cid:173)
`ness Machines Corporation.
`With reference now to FIG. 2, a block diagram of selected
`components in personal computer 100 or laptop computer
`150 is depicted in which a preferred embodiment of the
`present invention may be implemented. System unit 102 or
`154 preferably includes a system bus 200 for interconnect-
`ing and establishing communication between various com(cid:173)
`ponents in system unit 102 or 154. Microprocessor 202 is 40
`connected to system bus 200. Direct Memory Access con(cid:173)
`troller 204 is also connected to system bus 200 and allows
`various devices to appropriate cycles from microprocessor
`202 during large 1/0 transfers.
`Read only memory ("ROM") 206 is mapped into the 45
`microprocessor 202 address space in the range from 640K to
`1 megabyte. Read Only Memory ("ROM") 206 and Random
`Access Memory ("RAM") 208 are also connected to system
`bus 200. ROM 206 contains the power-on self test ("POST")
`and the Basic Input/Output System ("BIOS"), which control 50
`hardware operations, such as those involving disk drives and
`the keyboard. Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor
`Random Access Memory (CMOS RAM) 210 is attached to
`system bus 200 and contains system configuration informa(cid:173)
`tion.
`Also connected to system bus 200 are memory controller
`212, bus controller 214, and interrupt controller 216, which
`serve to aid in the control of data flow through system bus
`200 between various peripherals, adapters, and devices.
`System unit 102 or 154 also contains various input/output 60
`("1/0") controllers such as: keyboard and mouse controller
`218, video controller 220, parallel controller 222, serial
`controller 232, and diskette controller 238. Keyboard and
`mouse controller 218 provide a hardware interface for
`keyboard 224 and mouse 226. Video controller 220 provides 65
`a hardware interface for video display device 228. Parallel
`controller 222 provides a hardware interface for devices
`
`25
`
`4
`such as printer 230. Serial controller 232 provides a hard(cid:173)
`ware interface for devices such as a modem 236. Diskette
`controller 234 provides a hardware interface for floppy disk
`unit 238. Expansion cards may also be added to system bus
`5 200, such as disk controller 240, which provides a hardware
`interface for hard disk unit 242. Empty slots 224 for receiv(cid:173)
`ing adapter cards or PC cards are provided so that other
`peripherals, adapters, and devices may be added.
`Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the hardware
`10 depicted in FIG. 2 may vary for specific applications. For
`example, other peripheral devices such as optical disk
`media, audio adapters, or chip programming devices such as
`a Programmable Logic Array (PLA) or Erasable,
`Electrically-Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM)
`15 programming device, and the like also may be utilized in
`addition to or in place of the hardware already depicted.
`Turning now to FIG. 3, an illustration of different orien-
`tations of a laptop computer is depicted according to the
`present invention. Orientation of laptop computer 300 is
`determined relative to plane 302 having an X axis and a Y
`axis. Rotating laptop 300 around the Y axis along arrow 304
`results in a change in orientation in the X value while
`rotating laptop 300 around the X axis along arrow 306
`results in a change in orientation also referred to as "atti(cid:173)
`tude" along the Y value. Changes in "attitude" are rotations
`relative to a fixed plane (i.e. plane 302).
`Turning to FIGS. 4A-4D, the data obtained from a sensor
`in response to different attitudes of laptop 300 is depicted
`according to the present invention. In FIG. 4A, the attitude
`of laptop 300 relative to a reference plane provides a sensor
`readout of X=0° and Y =0°. In FIG. 4B, laptop 300 is rotated
`around the Y axis resulting in a X value equal to +45° and
`a Y value equal to 0°. The X value equals -45° while Y =0°
`when laptop 300 is rotated in the opposite direction from that
`shown in FIG. 4B. In FIG. 4D, the rotation of laptop 300
`results in an X value of 0° and a Y value of -90°. Other
`changes in attitude of laptop 300 will result in other com-
`binations of X and Y values according to the present
`invention.
`The present invention can adjust visual components on a
`display device so that the components are level regardless of
`the position of the display device. In this manner, one can
`change the display from a "landscape" mode to a "portrait"
`mode by simply rotating the display 90° either way around
`one axis. Additionally, the present invention can be
`employed to adjust the content of the windows such that the
`content is level regardless of the attitude of the display
`device at any rotation granularity.
`Turning now to FIGS. 5A-5C, diagrams of different
`displays are illustrated according to the present invention.
`With reference to FIG. SA, laptop computer 300 contains
`windows 500 and 502 and icons 504-508. In FIG. SB, laptop
`300 has been rotated 90° and display 301 is now in a portrait
`55 mode. Laptop 300 has been rotated 90° in the other direction
`from the attitude in FIG. SA also resulting in display 301
`presenting windows 500 and 502 and icons 504--508 in a
`portrait mode.
`Turning now to FIGS. 6A-6C, illustrations of a process
`for maintaining window objects level through changes in
`attitude is depicted according to the present invention. In
`FIG. 6A, laptop 300 has a "level" attitude within display 301
`window 600 contains object 602, which includes the letters
`"X", "Y", and "Z" in a level attitude with respect to laptop
`computer 300's initial attitude. In FIG. 6B, laptop computer
`300 has been rotated 45°. As can be seen in FIG. 6B, object
`602 in window 600 remains level even though laptop
`
`35
`
`

`

`6,137,468
`
`5
`computer 300 has been rotated 45°. With a further rotation
`to 75° from the attitude in FIG. 6A, laptop computer 300 in
`FIG. 6C shows object 602 remaining level although display
`301 and window 600 have changed orientation. This process
`may be applied to other objects, such as window 600 or 5
`icons.
`Turning now to FIG. 7, a block diagram of components
`used to alter the display in a data processing system in
`response to a change in attitude is depicted according to the
`present invention. Tilt determination block 700 receives an 10
`input from sensor block 702. The input is in the form of data
`indicating the change in attitude of the hardware of interest.
`Specifically, the input may be in the form of various types
`of data, such as, for example, changes in X and/or Y axes
`and the direction of the change in attitude. Display alteration
`block 704 functions to determine the alteration to the display 15
`that is to occur in response to the change in attitude detected
`by sensor block 702. Display block 706 drives the display of
`the data on a display device within the data processing
`system. Display 706 is for example, a standard display
`driver with display alteration block 704 providing the 20
`needed changes to the data being displayed in response to
`changes in attitude determined by tilt determination block
`700.
`Sensor 702 is attached to the hardware of interest, such as
`the host computer or a peripheral (e.g., a display device or
`a mouse). Sensor 702 provides numeric values to a register.
`These values may represent data such as the tilt of the
`hardware relative to a reference plane. The register is
`available to the operating system or application executing on
`the data processing system. A low level routine, such as tilt 30
`determination block 700, samples the values of the sensor by
`reading the register. Components, such as display alteration
`block 704, designed to react to the tilt or change in attitude
`of the hardware can query the software routine for data. In
`the depicted example, the values output by the sensor are in 35
`degree increments. These degree increments range from
`-179 to + 179 in the X axis and -179 to + 179 in the Y axis.
`The value of X=0 and Y =0 correspond to a level sensor in
`the depicted example.
`With reference now to FIG. 8, a flowchart of a process for
`rotating windows is depicted according to the present inven(cid:173)
`tion. As the device is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise,
`the present invention maintains the windows level with
`respect to a preselected reference plane. Alternatively, the
`contents within the windows may be maintained level rela(cid:173)
`tive to the plane in response to rotation of the data process(cid:173)
`ing system. The process begins by determining whether the
`"rotate" feature has been turned on (step 800). If the rotate
`feature is on, the process then waits until a selected amount
`of predefined movement is detected (step 802). Next, a
`query is made to determine the amount of tilt or change in
`attitude with this data being saved (step 804). A determina(cid:173)
`tion is then made as to whether the windows are to be rotated
`(step 806). If the windows are to be rotated, the system
`coordinate table is updated with the results (step 808).
`System coordinate tables are normally used by most oper(cid:173)
`ating systems to define where pixel locations are on the
`physical screen. Thereafter, the windows are redrawn in
`response to the update of the system coordinates table (step
`810) with the process returning to step 800 thereafter.
`With reference again to step 806, if the windows are not
`to be rotated, the tilt degree is sent to the applications (step
`812) with the process then returning to step 800. With
`reference to step 800, if the rotated feature is off, the process
`then terminates.
`With reference now to FIG. 9, a flowchart of a process to
`open windows and arrange icons is depicted according to the
`
`6
`present invention. Under the shake feature, tilting the device
`to the left and to the right in rapid secession twice within a
`period of time results in the windows and icons being
`automatically arranged according to the present invention.
`The process begins by determining whether the "shake"
`feature for opening windows and arranging icons has been
`enabled (step 900). "Shake" means to shake the object
`containing the sensor to the left and right relative to the user.
`Thereafter, the process waits until movement is detected
`(step 902). Upon detecting movement, the amount of tilt
`detected by the sensor is obtained (step 904). Thereafter, the
`process determines whether this is the first time movement
`is detected (step 906). If this is the first time movement has
`been detected, the process saves the tilt (step 908) and then
`returns to step 902. Otherwise, a determination is made as to
`whether the direction is equal to the saved direction (step
`910). If the direction is equal to the saved direction, a
`determination is then made as to whether the tilt is greater
`than or equal to a default amount of tilt (step 912). The
`default tilt in the depicted example is 20°. This default tilt
`may be changed by the user or preset at some other amount
`in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
`invention. If the answer to this query is yes, the process then
`waits for a defined amount of time or until movement is
`detected (step 914). Upon reaching the defined amount of
`25 time or a detection of movement, the process then deter(cid:173)
`mines whether the movement is in the same direction or if
`a timeout has occurred (step 916). A timeout occurs if no
`movement occurs within the defined amount of time. If a
`timeout has occurred, the process returns to step 900. The
`process also returns to step 900 if the movement is in the
`same direction.
`Otherwise, the process then arranges the windows (step
`918). For example, the windows could be arranged in a tile
`or cascading fashion. Next, the icons are arranged (step
`920). The icons can be arranged in any preselected manner
`the user or programmer desires. Thereafter, the process
`returns to step 900.
`With reference now to FIG. 10, a flowchart of a process
`for aligning windows is depicted according to the present
`40 invention. Under this process, tilting the device to one side
`and holding it at that attitude for a short amount of time
`results in the windows aligning to the side that is held lower
`relative to the reference plane. The process begins by
`determining whether the "side to side" feature for aligning
`45 objects is enabled (step 1000). If the feature is enabled, the
`process waits until a movement of the device is detected
`(step 1002). The process then queries the tilt to determine the
`amount of tilt that has occurred (step 1004). The tilt in
`degrees and direction is then saved (step 1006). A determi-
`50 nation is then made as to whether the tilt is within a
`predefined trigger range (step 1008). The trigger range is a
`range of degrees defining how much one side must be lifted
`or tilted. This trigger range may vary depending on the user
`or data processing system. If the degree of tilt is within the
`55 predefined trigger range, the process then waits for a defined
`amount of time (step 1009). Thereafter, a determination is
`made as to whether a significant movement has occurred
`(step 1010). In the depicted example, a significant amount of
`movement is 45° to 90° starting from 0° (the device laying
`60 flat). If a significant amount of movement has occurred, the
`new tilt is stored (step 1012). A determination is then made
`as to whether the tilt is within the defined trigger range (step
`1016). If the answer to this determination is yes, the process
`then determines the direction using the old and new tilt (step
`65 1018).
`Next, a determination is made as to whether the direction
`is to the left or to the right relative to the device and the user
`
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`6,137,468
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`20
`
`7
`(step 1020). If the direction is to the left, the windows are
`moved to the minimum Y axis position (step 1022) with the
`process then returning to step 1000. If the direction is to the
`right, the process then moves the windows to the maximum
`Y axis position (step 1024) with the process then returning 5
`to step 1000. With reference again to step 1016, if the degree
`of tilt is not within the predefined trigger range, the process
`also returns to step 1000. Additionally, the process returns to
`step 1000 from step 1012 if a significant amount of move(cid:173)
`ment has not occurred, the process returns to step 1000 from 10
`step 1008 if the degree of tilt is not within the predefined
`trigger range. If the feature in step 1000 is not enabled, the
`process then terminates. In accordance with a preferred
`embodiment of the present invention, audio feedback in the
`form of a beep or some other sound may be provided when 15
`the tilt is within the predefined trigger range.
`The process in FIG. 10 also may be applied to other
`objects other than windows. For example, the alignment
`process may be employed for icons and other objects
`displayed within a data processing system.
`It is important to note that while the present invention has
`been described in the context of a data processing system,
`those skilled in the art will appreciated that the mechanisms
`of the present invention are capable of being distributed in 25
`the form of a computer readable medium of instructions in
`a variety of forms, and that the present invention applies
`equally regardless of the particular type of signal bearing
`media used to actually carry out the distribution of the
`instruction. Examples of computer readable media include:
`recordable type media such as floppy disks and CD-ROMs
`and transmission type media such as digital and analog
`communication links.
`Thus, the present invention provides an ideal mechanism
`for altering the display in data processing systems such as
`laptop computers and hand-held computers because the
`present invention provides for an easy mechanism to quickly
`change spacial attitude. Additionally, a sensor may be
`installed in a remote device, such as a mouse, for large
`desktop computers.
`While the invention has been particularly shown and
`described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will
`be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes
`in form and detail may be made therein without departing
`from the spirit and scope of invention.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A method for altering a display of objects on a display
`device comprising:
`detecting changes in an attitude of a sensor relative to a
`plane;
`determining a magnitude of the change in the attitude of
`the sensor during a selected amount of time; and
`in response to detecting at least one change in the attitude
`of a threshold amount within the selected amount of 55
`time, altering the display of objects on the display
`device.
`2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one change
`in the attitude of a threshold amount within the selected
`amount of time is a shaking of the display device, wherein 60
`the display of objects are windows and icons, and wherein
`the step of altering the display of objects on the display
`device further comprises:
`rearranging the windows and icons.
`3. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one change 65
`in the attitude of a threshold amount within the selected
`amount of time is a shaking of the display device, wherein
`
`8
`the display of objects are windows, and wherein the step of
`altering the display of objects on the display device further
`comprises:
`arranging icons within the display.
`4. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of arranging
`windows comprises arranging the windows in a tile fashion.
`5. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of arranging
`windows comprises arranging the windows in a cascading
`fashion.
`6. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one change
`in the attitude of a threshold amount within the selected
`amount of time is a lowering of one side of the display below
`a selected plane for the selected amount of time and wherein
`the step of altering comprises aligning the windows along
`the side below the selected plane.
`7. A data processing system for altering a display of
`objects on a display device, comprising:
`means for detecting changes in an attitude of a sensor
`relative to a plane;
`determination means for determining a magnitude of the
`change in the attitude of the sensor during a selected
`amount of time; and
`altering means, responsive to detecting at least one
`change in the attitude of a threshold amount within the
`selected amount of time, for altering the display of
`objects on the display device.
`8. The data processing system of claim 7, wherein the at
`least one change in the attitude of a threshold amount within
`the selected amount of time is a shaking of the display
`device, wherein the display of objects are windows and
`30 icons, and wherein the altering means comprises means for
`rearranging the windows and icons.
`9. The data processing system of claim 7, wherein the at
`least one c