(12) INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (CT)
`
`(19) World Intellectual Property
`O
`izatio
`i
`gis
`aBit
`wyatt
`ga
`+
`gut
`gat
`.
`Intemational Bareau A
`
`
`
`(43) International Publication Date
`6 Gctober 2005 (06.10.2665)
`
`PCT
`
`(10) international Publication Number
`WO 7605/093550 A?
`
`(31) International Patent Classificadion’: GO6F 1/16, 3/033
`
`(1) Interaational Application Number:
`PCTATS2005 003590
`
`(22) Tufernational Wiig Date: 27 January 2005 (27.01.2008)
`
`(25) Filing Language:
`
`(26) Publication Language:
`
`English
`
`English
`
`30) Priory Duta:
`(38)
`oRity
`;
`10/79 1,495
`ees
`LO/986.738
`
`March2
`
`(G1 03.2004)
`
`“Whiely 3004 a307S008)
`12 November 2004 (12.11.2004)
`
`iS
`
`us
`US
`
`(71) Applicant (for all designated States except US): APPLE
`COMPUTER, INC.
`[US/US];
`1
`Infinite Loop - M/S
`3-PAT, Cupertine, CA 95014 CUS),
`
`(72) Inveniors; and
`(73) Inventors/Applicants (for US only}: WEETRENBERG,
`Paul, §. [USS]; 3516 Ross Road, Pale Alta, CA 94303
`CUS). DEEBA, Aaron [CA/US]; 365 Forest Avenue, Unite
`BA, Palo Alto, CA 94301 GUS). WILLIAMS, Rickard, C.
`PUS/OST, 13198 Via Madronas Drive, Saratoga, CA 98070
`(US). FALKENBURG, David, R. [US/US], 5199 Bela
`Drive, San Jose, CA 95129 (US). GURBARG, Lonis, G.
`FUS/UISH, 20800 Valley Green Drive, Apt. 417, Cupertino,
`CA 95014 (11S). CHANG,Ray, L. [US/ISI: 1671 Lederer
`Yirele, San Jose, CA 95131 CUS).
`C4ere Agents: SCHELLER, James, C. et al.; Blakely, Sokoloff,
`*
`ye
`;
`Taylor & Zafman LLP, 12400 Wilshire Roulevard, 7th
`Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90025 (US).
`(81) Designated States (unless otherwise indicated, for every
`kind of national protection available AT, AG, AL, AM,
`AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR, BW, BY, BY, CA, CH, CN,
`
`
`
`
`
`CG, CR, CU, CZ, DB, DB, DM, DY, BC, EE, BG, ES, FE
`
`GB, GD, GH, GH, GM, RR, HU, 0D, IL, IN, IS, TB RE,
`
`{Continued on next page}
`
`(84) ‘Tithe: METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR OPBRATING A PORTABLE DEVICE BASBD ON AN ACCHLBROMBTER
`
`Bticco
`
`(87) Abstract: Methods—and
`
`apparatuses for operating a portable
`device based on an accelerometer
`are described.
`According to one
`eotbodiment of
`the
`invention,
`as
`Boo
` derogiet
`attached to a portable
`device detects a movement of the
`
`
`
`
`
`a<
`
`f'
`
`Seaot
`af)
`uf)
`er}
`oN
`SsNO
`
`>=S
`
`ooot
`ey
`
`S
`
`Getect a movement ai a portable device (8.g., a laptop ortablet} using |
`an scoslerorater attached to the portable device.
`i
`
`ceed
`
`
`
`Necaertartental
`
`
`
`
`
`Selermine a dreation of tha movement of the porlable device based
`on the movement information (e.g., XY, & 2 axis information)
`yravided by the accelerometer,
`
`aoZ
`
`
`
`Execute a maching-exesulable onde (¢.9., application software} to
`perfann ona or more predeternined operations (e.g, advancing a
`neid page af a dacument arWeb sage, aic.} in response to ihe
`datermined direction.
`
`a
`In response,
`portable device.
`machine executable code is executed
`within the portable device to perform
`one or more predetermined user
`configurable
`operations.
`Other
`methods and apparatuses are also
`described.
`
`
`
`

`

`WO 2005/093850 A2
`
`CTT
`
`KG, KP ER, KZ, UC, LK, LE, LS, LT, LU, LV, MA, MB,
`MG, ME, MN, MW, Mx, MZ, NA, NINO, NZ OM, PG,
`PH, PL,
`PE RO, RU, SO, SB, SE, SG, SK, SL, SM. SY, TE
`
`TMAOEN, PROPERTS, UA, UG, US, OZ VC, VIN, YU, ZA,
`ZM,. ZW.
`
`(84)
`
`Designated States funless otherwise indicated, far every
`kind of regianal protection available}: ARIPO (BW, GH,
`GM, KE, LS, MW, MZ, NA, SD, SL, 82, T2, UG, 2M,
`ZW), Unrasian (AM, AZ, BY, 6G, KY, MD, RU, TY TM),
`European (AT, BE, BG, CH, CY, CZ, DE, DK, ER, BS. PL
`
`PR, GB, GR, WOTIS, TT, UT LU McC, NE, PL, PT, RO,
`
`SH,
`SY, SK, TR), GAPL (BR, BS, CR CG, CL CM, GA, GN,
`GQ, GW, MIL, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG).
`
`Published:
`~ without international search report and ia be republished
`upon receipt of that report
`
`Fortwo-letter codes and other abbreviations, refer to the “Guid-
`ance Notes on Codes and Abbreviations” appearing at the begin~
`ning of each regular issue of the PCT Gazette.
`
`ie
`
`

`

`WO 2803/6933359
`
`PCT/US2003/003399
`
`{8001}
`
`This application is a continuation-in-part (CIP) of co-pending US.
`
`Patent Application No. 10/890,856, filed July 13, 2004, whichis a continuation
`
`of co-pending U.S, Patent Application No. 10/348,465,filed January 21, 2003,
`now U.S. Patent No. 6,768,066, which is a divisional application of co-pending
`U.S. Patent Application No. 09/678,541, filed October 2, 2000, now US. Patent
`
`No. 6,528,013.
`
`10002)
`
`This application is also a continuation-im-part (CIP) ofco-pending
`
`U.S. Patent Application No. 10/791,495, filed March 1, 2004. The above-
`
`identified U.S. patent applications are hereby mcorporated by reference.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0003]
`
`The present invention relates generally to a portable device. More
`
`particularly, this invention relates to operating a portable device using an
`
`accelerometer of the portable device.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Accelerometers are devices widely used for applications as diverse as
`16004]
`vibration monitoring, appliance control, joysticks, industrial process control,
`space launches, satellite control, and many others. Por example, an accelerometer
`has been used in a yehicle as sensor to detect a variety of operatimg conditions
`
`while the vehicle is moving.
`
`{O005]
`
`As computers have been getting more popular, an accelerometer has
`
`been used in a computer to sense a sudden move, such as afree fall, of a
`
`computer. A typical appheation ofan accelerometer in a computeris to protect a
`
`read/write head of a hard drive. However, there has been a lack of applications
`
`wfe
`
`

`

`WO 200S8/093850
`
`POCT/US2005/003599
`
`that an accelerometer is used in conganction with software execulable within a
`
`computer.
`
`SUMMARYGF THE INVENTION
`
`10006]
`
`Methods and apparatuses for operating a portable device based on an
`
`accelerometer are described. According to one embodiment of the invention, an
`
`accelerometer attached tc a portable device detects a movement ofthe portable
`
`device. In response, a machine executable code is executed to perform a
`
`predetermined user configurable operation.
`16007]
`According to one embodiment of the invention, an accelerometer of a
`portable device may constantly or periodically monitor the movement of the
`
`portable device. As a resuli, an orientation ofthe portable device prior to the
`
`movement and after the movernent may be determined based on the movement
`
`data provided by the accelerometer attached to the portable device.
`
`{G608)]
`
`According to another embodiment ofthe invention, an accelerometer
`
`may be used to detect a movement of a portable device as a wayto trigger
`
`whether a page of document or image may be displayed.
`
`10009]=According to another embodiment of the invention, an accelerometer
`
`may be used in a navigation application. For example, a portable device having
`
`an accelerometer attached therein maybe used as a navigationtool to navigate a
`
`relatively large object or document that normally cannot be displayed entirelyat
`
`once within a display of the portable device.
`
`[8010]
`
`According to another embodiment of the invention, an accelerometer
`
`may be used in a gaming application, where the accelerometer may be used io
`
`detect a scene change during a video game running within a portable device.
`
`(Oo1T]
`
`According to another embodiment of the invention, an accelerometer
`
`may be used to detect a movement of a portable device and an orientation ofthe
`
`portable device may be determined based on the movement data provided bythe
`
`accelerometer. Thereafter, one or more interfaces of the portable device may be
`
`activated or deactivated based on the determined orientation after the movement.
`a]a
`
`

`

`WO 200S8/093850
`
`POCT/US2005/003599
`
`(a812]
`
`According to another embodiment of the invention, an accelerometer
`
`maybe used to detect and determine activities of a user (e.g., joggling) with a
`
`portable device having the accelerometer attached therein.
`
`fRiS]
`
`According to another embodiment of the invention, an accelerometer
`
`maybe used to determine whethera porlable device is moving (¢.g., carried by a
`
`user) and the portable device should be put in a proper operating state (e.g., a
`
`' sleep or hibernated mode).
`{0014}
`According to another embodimentofthe invention, an accelerometer
`maybe used to detect whether a portable device is moved accordimg to certain
`
`directions, in order to determine whether a password is entered correctly.
`
`{6015}
`
`According to another entbodiment of the invention, an accelerometer
`
`may be used to detect and record a sequence of movements of a portable device,
`
`where the recorded movement daia maybe used to recreate the moving history
`subsequently (e.g., offHine).
`|
`{0016}
`Other features of the present invention will be apparent from the
`
`accompanying drawings and from the detailed description which follows.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`(O017]
`
`The present inventionis illustrated by way of example and not
`
`limitation im the figures of the accompanying drawings in which lke references
`
`indicate similar elements.
`
`{O0i8]
`
`Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary architecture of a
`
`portable device according to one ombodiment of the invention.
`
`{O019]
`
`Figure 2 is a flowdiagram illustrating an exemplary process for
`
`operating a portable device in response to an event generated by an acceleromicter,
`
`according to one embodiment of the invention.
`
`(0028)
`
`Figures 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating an exemplary application
`
`that an accelerometer maybe utilized according to one embodiment of the
`
`invention,
`
`

`

`WO 2003/093556
`
`PCT/US2005/803599
`
`(6623)
`
`Figure 4 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary processor for
`
`reorienting a displayed document based onan accelerometer, according io one
`
`embodiment of the invention.
`
`{0622}
`
`Figures $A and 5B are diagrams ilustrating exemplary movements of
`
`a porlable device that may be used to trigger displaying a page of document,
`
`according to certain embodiments ofthe invention.
`
`{0023]=Fignre 6 1s 4 flowdiagram illustrating an exemplary process for
`
`presenting a document based on an accelerometer according to one embodiment
`
`of the invention.
`
`19624]
`
`Figures 7A and 7B are diagrams illustrating an exemplary navigation
`
`application based on anaccelerometer according to one embodiment of the
`
`invention.
`
`19025]
`
`Figure § 1s a flow diagram ifustrating an exemplaryprocess for
`
`navigating an image based on an accelerometer, according to one embodiment of
`
`the invention.
`
`[0026]
`
`Figures 9A and 9B are diagramsillustrating an exemplary gaming
`
`application based on an accelerometer, according to one embodiment of the
`
`invention.
`
`[0027]
`
`Figures 10A and 10B are diagrams ihusteating an exemplary gaming
`
`application based on an accelerometer, according to another embodiment of the
`
`mvention.
`
`je028]
`
`Figure ti is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplaryprocess for a
`
`parning application based on an accelerometer, according to one embodiment of
`
`the invention.
`
`[8029]
`
`Figures 124 and 12B are diagrams illustrating an exemplary
`
`mechanism for activating/deactivating interfaces of a portable device based on an
`
`accelerometer, according to one embodiment of the invention.
`
`(6030)
`
`Figore 13 is a flow diagram ilustrating an exemplary process for
`
`operating interfaces ofa poriable device based on an accelerometer, according to
`
`one ernbodiment of the invention.
`
`“de
`
`

`

`WO 2605/493350
`
`POT/OS20035803599
`
`(6031)
`
`Figures 144 and 145 are diagrams illustrating an exemplary
`
`mechanism for activating/deactivating nvwiltimedia interfaces of a portable device
`
`using an accelerometer, according to one embodiment of the invention.
`
`{6032}
`
`Figare 15 is a Howdiagram ilhustrating an exemplary process for
`
`reconfiguring multimedia interfaces based on an accelerometer, according to one
`
`embodiment of the invention.
`
`{9033}
`
`Figore 16 is a flow diagramiDustrating an exemplary process for
`
`playing multimedia contents based on an accelerometer, according to one
`
`embodiment of the invention.
`
`{0034}
`
`Figure 17 is a lowdiagramilhustrating an exemplary process for
`
`power management of a portable device according to one embodiment ofthe
`
`invention.
`
`{0035}
`
`Figure 18 is a Howdiagram illustrating an exemplaryprocess for
`
`processing password according to one embodiment of the invention.
`
`[0036]
`
`Figure 19 is flow diagram illustrating an exemplary process,for
`
`recreating a trail of movements using an accelerometer, according to one
`
`embodiment of the invention.
`
`{0037}
`
`Figure 20 is a block Giagram illustrating an exemplary portable device
`
`having an accelerometer according to one embodiment of the invention.
`
`{0038}
`
`Figure 21 is a block diagramof a digital processing system which may
`
`be used with one embodiment of the invention.
`
`{9039}
`
`Figure 22 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary process for
`
`motion compensation using an accelerometer according to one embodiment of the
`
`invention.
`
`[00498]
`
`Figure 23 is flow diagram illustrating an exemplary process for
`
`detecting an inmpulse using an accelerometer, according lo one embodiment ofthe
`
`invention,
`
`(0041)
`
`Figure 24 is flow diagramillustrating an exemplary process for
`
`operaling a component of a portable device using an accelerometer, aceording to
`
`one embodiment of the invention.
`
`

`

`WO 2805/99353)
`
`PCTUSIGOS003599
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`[6042]
`
`Methods and apparatuses for operating a portable device based on an
`
`accelerometer are described. According to certain embodiments, an
`
`accelerometer has been used within a portable device, such as, for example, a
`
`laptop computer, a tablet PC, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a cellular phone,
`
`and a digital multimedia player, etc. Once the accelerometer detects a movement
`
`ofthe portable device, a moving direction, also referred to as a moving vector or
`an acceleration vector, is determined based on the movement data provided by the
`
`accelerometer, The moving direction and/or the movement data may be provided
`
`to a software component (e.g., application software} executed within the portable
`device.
`In response to the detection ofthe movementof the portable device, the
`
`corresponding software component performs one or more predetermineduser
`
`configurable actions, such as, for example, advancing a page of document, ete.,
`
`based on the moving direction and/or movement data provided bythe
`
`accelerometer.
`
`[6043]
`
`in the following description, numerous details are set forth to provide
`
`amore thorough explanation of the present invention. It will be apparent,
`
`however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention maybe practiced
`
`without these specific details, In other instances, well-known structures and
`
`devices are shown in block diagram form, rather than in detail, in order to avoid
`
`obscuring the present invention.
`
`[8044]
`
`Some portions ofthe detailed descriptions whichfolloware presented
`
`in terms of algorithms and symbolic representations of operations on data bits
`
`within a computer memory. These algorithmic descriptions and representations
`
`are the means used bythose skilled in the data processing arts to most effectively
`
`conveythe substance of their work to others skilled in the art. An algorithm is
`
`here, and generally, conceived ta be a self-consistent sequence of steps leading ic
`
`a desired result. The steps are those requiring physical manipulations of physical
`
`quantities. Usually, though not necessarily, these quantities take the form of
`“Guwy
`
`

`

`WO 2003/093556
`
`PCT/US2005/803599
`
`electrical or magnetic signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined,
`
`compared, and otherwise manipulated. It has proven convenient at times,
`
`principally for reasons of common usage, to refer to these signals as bits, values,
`
`elements, symbols, characters, terms, mumbers, or the like.
`
`[0045]
`
`It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and similar tenns
`
`are io be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely
`
`convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unless specificallystated otherwise
`
`as apparent from the following discussion, it 1s appreciated that throughout the
`
`description, discussions utilizing terms such as "processing” or "computing" or
`
`"caleulating” or "determining" or "displaying"or the like, refer to the action and
`
`processes of a computer system, or similar electronic computing device, that
`
`manipulates and transforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities
`
`within the computer system's registers and memories into other data similarly
`
`represented as physical quantities within the computer system memories or
`
`registers or other such information storage, transmission or display devices.
`
`10046)
`
`The present invention also relates to apparatus for performing the
`
`operations herein. This apparatus maybe specially constracted forthe required
`
`purposes, or it may comprise a general purpose cormputer selectivelyactivated or
`
`reconfigured by a comptter program stored in the computer. Such a computer
`
`program niay be stored in a computer readable storage medium, such as, but is
`
`not limited to, any type of disk including floppydisks, optical disks, CD-ROMs,
`
`and magnetic-optical disks, read-only memories (ROMs), random access
`
`memories (RAMs), erasable programmable ROMs (EPROMs),electrically
`
`erasable programmable ROMs (EEPROMs}, magnetic or optical cards, or any
`
`type of media suitable for storing electronic instructions, and each coupled to a
`
`computer system bus.
`
`[8047]
`
`The algorithms and displays presented herein are not inherently related
`
`to any particular computer or other apparatus. Various general purpose systems
`
`may be used with programs in accordance with the teachings herein, or it may
`
`prove convenient to consinict more specialized apparatus to perform the required
`”wpe
`
`

`

`WO 2003/093556
`
`PCT/US2005/803599
`
`method steps. The required structure for a variety of these systems will appear
`
`from the description below. In addition, ihe present invention is not described
`
`with reference io any particular programming language. It will be appreciated
`
`that a variety of prograroming languages may be used to implementthe teachings
`
`of the invention as described herein.
`
`[O048)
`
`A machine-readable medium includes any mechanism for storing or
`
`transmitting inforraation in a form readable by a machine (¢.g., a computer). For
`
`example, a machine-readable medium includes read only memory ROM”);
`
`random access memory (“RAM”), magnetic disk storage media; optical storage
`
`media; flash memorydevices; electrical, optical, acoustical or other form of
`
`propagated signals {e.g., carrier waves, infrared signals, digital signals, etc.); ete.
`
`Overview
`
`10049]
`
`Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary architecture of a
`
`portable device according to one embodiment of the invention. In one
`
`embodiment, the exemplary system 100 includes, but is not limited to, a
`
`processor, a memory coupled to the processor, the memoryhaving instructions
`
`stored therein, and an accelerometer coupled to the processor and the memoryto
`
`detect movement of the portable device, where the processor executes
`
`fastructions from the memoryto perform one or more predetermined user
`
`configurable actions in response to the detection of the movement of the portabic
`
`device. In an alternative embodiment, the exemplary system 106 further includes
`
`a controller coupled to the accelerometer to determine a direction of the
`
`movement based on movement data provided by the accelerometer and to
`
`compare the determined direction of the movement with a predetermined
`
`direction to determine whether the determined direction relatively matches the
`
`predetermined direction in orderto execute the instructions.
`
`(0050)
`
`Referring to Figure 1, according to one embodiment, exemplary
`
`system 100 inchides one or more accelerometers 101, one or more controllers 102
`
`coupled to the accelerometers 101, a motion related firmware 103, motion
`2.
`
`

`

`WO 2803/8935S58
`
`POTAIS2005/003599
`
`software component 104, and one or more application software 105-107. The
`
`accelerometer 101 maybe attached to the portable device, suchas, for example, a
`
`motherboard of the portable device, Alternatively, the accelerometer 101 may be
`
`integrated with another component of the portable device. Por example, the
`
`accelerometer 101 may be integrated with a chipset of the portable device.
`
`18051]
`
`According to ene embodiment, the accelerometer 101 is able to detect
`
`amovement including an acceleration and/or de-aceeleration of the portable
`
`device, The accelerometer 101 may generate movement data for multiple
`
`dimensions, which may be used to determine a moving direction of the portable
`
`device. For exarnple, the accelerometer 101 may generate X, Y, and Z axis
`
`acceleration information when the accelerometer 101 detects that the portable
`
`device is moved. In one embodiment, the accelerometer 101 may be
`
`implemented as those described in U.S. Patent No. 6,520,013, whichis assigned
`
`to a commonassignee of the present application. Alternatively, the accelerometer
`
`101 maybe implemented using a variety of accelerometers commercially
`
`available. For example, the accelerometer 10] may be a KGFO1 accelerometer
`
`from Kionix or an ADXL311 accelerometer from Analog Devices.
`
`fooSzZ}
`
`In addition, the exemplary system 100 includes one or more
`
`controllers 102 coupled to the accelerometer(s} 101. The controller 102 may be
`
`used to calculate a moving direction, also referred to as moving vecior, of the
`
`portable device. The moving vector tnay be determined according to one or more
`
`predetermined formulas based on the movement data fe.g., X, Y, and £ axis
`
`moving information) provided bythe accelerometer 101. Certain embodiments
`
`afcalculations of a moving vector will be described in details further below.
`
`[8653]
`
`According to one embodiment, the controller 102 is responsible for
`
`moniioring one or more outputs of the accelerometer 101 and communicating
`
`with other components, such as, for example, a chipset (e.g., a memory controller
`
`or a north bridge) and/or a microprocessor(e.g,, a CPU}, of the portable device,
`
`The controller 102 may be iniplemented using a variety ofmicrocontrollers
`
`conunercially available. For example, controller 102 may be a PIC 16F818
`9
`
`

`

`WO 2005/893338
`
`PCT/US2008/G83399
`
`nucroconiroller from Microchip. Controller 102 maybe integrated with the
`
`accelerometer 101. Alternatively, controller 102 maybe integrated with other
`
`components, such as, for example, a chipset or a microprocessor, of the portable
`
`device,
`
`[0054]
`
`In one embodiment, the controller 162 may cormmunicate with other
`
`components via a bus, such as, for example, an I2C (imter-IC) bus, and an
`
`interrupt line. In response to the movement data, the controller 102 generates an
`
`interrupt, for example, a hardware interrupt, a soltware interrupt, or a
`
`combination of both, via an interrupt line to other components, such as, firmware
`
`103, to notify them of such a movement. In addition, the controller 102 may
`
`further calculate a moving vector based on the movement data provided by the
`
`accelerometer 11, Further detailed information concerning the communications
`
`between the controller 102 and other components of the portable device will be
`
`described further below.
`
`[0655]
`
`Referring back to Figure 1, motion firmware 103 includes one or more
`
`pieces of machine executable code, which may be embedded within one or more
`
`hardware components, such as, for example, controller 102 or a chipset (e.g. a
`
`part of BIOS, also referred io as basic imput/output system), of the portable
`
`device. In one embodiment, motion firmware 103 maybe stored in a read-only
`
`meniory (ROM)(e.g., a Hash memory) of controller 102. However, the machine
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`executable code of motion firmware 103 may be upgraded by uploading a newer
`
`version into the memory, for example, using a flash utility. The firmware 103
`
`may be responsible for detecting any events that are generated in response to the
`movement detection. According to one embodiment, the firmware 103 provides a
`primary communications mechanism between controller 102 and other
`
`components, such as, for example, an operating systern (OS), of the portable
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`device.
`
`[8086]
`
`Motionsoftware 104 maybe responsible for communicating between
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`the motion firmware 103 and the rest of software components, such as application
`
`software components 105-107, as well as the operating system. In one
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`embodiment, the motion software 104 may be implemented as a part of an
`
`operating system, such as, for example, a kernel component or 2 device driver,
`
`etc, The operating system may be implemented using a variety of operating
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`systems commercially available. For example, the operating system may be a
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`Mac OS from Apple Computer. Alternatively, the operating system may be a
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`Windows operating system from Microsoft. Other operating systems, suchas, for
`
`example, a Unix, a Linux, an embedded operating systemfe.g., a Palm OS), or a
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`real-time operating system, mayalso be implemented.
`
`[0087]
`
`According to one embodiment, in response to the motion detection
`
`event, which maybe sotified by the motion firmware 103, the motion software
`
`component 164 may coramunicate the event to one or more application software
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`105-107. In response to the detection, the application sottware 105-107 may
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`perform certain operations. The applications 105-107 may be a variety of
`
`different applications, such as, for example, a browser, a word processor, a slide
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`presentation, etc. Certain embodiments of the operations performed bythe
`
`applications 105-107 will be described in details further below.
`
`{HOSS}
`
`Figure 2 is a flow diagram dhustrating an exemplary process for
`
`operating a portable device in response to an event generated by an accelerometer,
`
`according to one embodiment ofthe invention. Exemplary process 200 may be
`
`performed by a processing logic that may comprise hardware (circuitry, dedicated
`
`logic, ete.), software (such as is ran on a dedicated machine}, or a combination of
`both. In one embodiment, exemplary process 200 inchides, but is not limited to,
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`detecting movement of a portable device using an accelerometer attached io the
`
`portable device, and executing machine-executable code to perform one or miore
`
`predetermined user configurable actions in response to the detection of the
`
`movement of the portable device.
`
`[5659]
`
`Referring to Figure 2, at block 201, a movement of a portable device,
`
`suchas, for example, a laptop computeror a tablet PC, is detected using an
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`accelerometer (e.g., accelerometer 101 of Figure 1) attached to the portable
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`device. In one embodiment, in response to the detection, the accelerometer may
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`generate movement data for multiple dimensions (¢.g., X, Y, and Z axes). In
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`response to the detection, at block 202, a direction of the movement is determined
`
`based on the movement data provided by the accelerometer. In one embodiment,
`
`ithe direction of the movement is determined by a controlfer (e.g., controller 102
`
`of Figure 1). In response to the determined direction, at block 203, one or more
`
`machine executable code (e.g., application software} may be executed to perform
`
`one or more predetermined user configurable actions, such as, for exarnple,
`
`advancing a Web page, ete. Other operations may alse be performed.
`
`Determining Orientation Based on an Accelerometer
`
`
`
`[O06u)
`
`According to one embodiment of the invention, an accelerometer ofa
`
`portable device mayconstantly or periodically monitor the movement ofthe
`
`portable device. As a result, an orientation of the portable device prior to the
`
`movement and after fhe movement may be determined based onthe movement
`
`data proviied bythe accelerometerattached to the portable device.
`
`[8061]
`
`Figures 3.4 and 3B are diagrams illustrating an exemplary application
`
`that an accelerometer maybe utilized according to one embodiment of the
`
`invention. In this embodiment, and throughout the application, a tablet device is
`
`used as an exampleof a portable device, But itis not so limited. It will he
`
`appreciated that other portable devices, suchas, a laptop computer, a personal
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`digital assistant (PDA), a personal communicator {e.g,, a blackberryfrom
`
`Research In Motion}, a cellular phone, or a mrultimedia player (e.g., an MP3
`
`player), etc., may also be utilized.
`
`10062]
`
`Referring to Figures 3A and 3B, initially according io one
`
`embodiment, the portable device is in an orientation 301 having a page of
`
`decument 303 displayed within adisplay of the portable device. In the
`
`orientation 301, the document page 303 is displayed properly from a viewpoint of
`
`a user facing the display given the orientation 301, which may be detected and
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`determined by an accelerometer and a controller associated with it, periodically or
`
`constantly.
`
`{0063}
`
`When the portable device is moved, for example, according to a
`
`moving direction 304, which ends up with an orientation 302, the accelerometer
`
`(aceclerometer 101 of Figure 1) maydetect such a movement. In response to the
`
`detection, the controller (e.g., controller 102 of Figure 1) may determine a moving
`
`direction based on the movement data provided by the accelerometer andnotify
`
`ihe appropriate components of the portable device, such as, firmware 103, motion
`
`software 104, and/or applications 105-107 of Figure 1. Such a notification may
`
`be performed via an interrupt or by pulling one or more registers of the controller
`
`and/or accelerometer. In addition, the controller mayfurther determine an
`
`orientation ofthe portable device after the movement.
`
`[9064]
`
`In response ic the notification, according to one embodiment, the
`
`orientation of the document page 303 maybe adjusted in accordance with the
`
`determined orientation after the movement, as shown in Figure 3B. In one
`
`embodiment, the orientation of the displayed document page may be adjusted
`
`after the movementto be relatively identical to the orientationprior to the
`
`movement. As a result, eyen though the orientation of the portable device has
`
`changed, the orientation of the displayed document page remains relativelythe
`
`same, particularly, in a viewpoint of a user facing the display of the portable
`
`device.
`
`[8665]
`
`In this embodiment, the adjustment of the orientation of the document
`
`page 303 may be performedby adisplay driver (¢.g., a video driver) that
`
`transmits the displayed data (e.g., the document page) to a display of the portable
`
`device. Alternatively, the adjustment of the orientation may be performed bythe
`
`original application software (e.g., applications 105-107 of Figure 1} that
`
`provides the document page 303 (e.g., a browser that provides a Web page or a
`
`word processor that provides a page of a document). Note that the moving
`
`direction 304 shownin Figures 3A and 3B is for dhistration purposes only. Other
`
`moving directions, such as those or a combination of those shown in Figure 5A,
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`may also be implemented. Further, as shownin Figures 3A and 3B,the portable
`
`device is rotated left in 90 degrees tor the illustration purposes only. The portable
`
`device maybe rotated, moved m parallel, or a combination of both or multiple
`
`dimensions and in any moving step sizes.
`
`{0066}
`
`Figure 4 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary processor for
`
`reorienting a displayed document based on an accelerometer, according to one
`
`embodiment of the invention. Exemplary process 400 may be performed bya
`
`processing logic that may comprise hardware (circuitry, dedicated logic, etc.),
`
`software (such as is nm on a dedicated machine}, or a combination of both. In
`
`one embodiment, exemplary process 400 includes, but is not limited to, detecting
`
`movement of a portable device using an accelerometer attached to the portable
`
`device, determining an orientation of the portable device after the movement
`
`based on movement data provided by the accelerometer, and displaying an image
`
`on a display of the portable device according to an orientation that is relatively
`
`identical to an orientation of the image prior to the movement.
`
`[0067]
`
`Referring to Figure 4, at block 401, a movement ofa portable device
`
`from a first orlentation is detected using an accelerometerattached to the portable
`
`device. In response, at block 402, a moving direction is determined based on
`
`movement data, such as X, Y, and Zaxis information, provided bythe
`
`accelerometer. In one embodiment, the determination maybe performed bya
`
`controller coupled to the accelerometer (e.g., controller 102 of Figure 1). The
`
`moving direction may be determined according to one or more predetermined
`
`formulas. At block 403, after the movement, a second orientation of the portable
`
`device may be determin