U.S. patent application number 13/709591 was filed with the patent office on 2013-04-25 for method of device selection using sensory input and portable electronic device configured for same.
This patent application is currently assigned to RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED. The applicant listed for this patent is Research In Motion Limited. Invention is credited to Nazih Almalki, Antoine Gilles Joseph Boucher, Jeffrey Alton Hugh Dods, Sean Bartholomew Simmons.
Application Number | 20130103856 13/709591 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47091019 |
Filed Date | 2013-04-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130103856 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dods; Jeffrey Alton Hugh ;
et al. |
April 25, 2013 |
METHOD OF DEVICE SELECTION USING SENSORY INPUT AND PORTABLE
ELECTRONIC DEVICE CONFIGURED FOR SAME
Abstract
The present disclosure provides a method of device selection
using sensory input and portable electronic device configured for
same. In accordance with one example embodiment, there is provided
a method for use in a portable electronic device for selecting a
peripheral device for connection with the portable electronic
device, comprising: measuring magnetic fields within the vicinity
of the portable electronic device; identifying at least two
peripheral devices in accordance with measured magnetic fields and
one or more distinct characteristics of a magnetic field generated
by each of the at least two peripheral devices which uniquely
identify each of the at least two peripheral devices; and
connecting the portable electronic device to one of the at least
two peripheral devices using a wireless communications path.
Inventors: |
Dods; Jeffrey Alton Hugh;
(Kitchener, CA) ; Almalki; Nazih; (Waterloo,
CA) ; Simmons; Sean Bartholomew; (Waterloo, CA)
; Boucher; Antoine Gilles Joseph; (Kitchener,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Research In Motion Limited; |
Waterloo |
|
CA |
|
|
Assignee: |
RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
Waterloo
CA
|
Family ID: |
47091019 |
Appl. No.: |
13/709591 |
Filed: |
December 10, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13102124 |
May 6, 2011 |
8352639 |
|
|
13709591 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
710/3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 1/1698 20130101;
H04W 88/00 20130101; G06F 1/1626 20130101; G06F 1/1694
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
710/3 |
International
Class: |
H04W 88/00 20060101
H04W088/00 |
Claims
1. A method for use in a portable electronic device for selecting a
peripheral device for connection with the portable electronic
device, comprising: measuring magnetic fields within the vicinity
of the portable electronic device; identifying at least two
peripheral devices in accordance with measured magnetic fields and
one or more distinct characteristics of a magnetic field generated
by each of the at least two peripheral devices which uniquely
identify each of the at least two peripheral devices; and
connecting the portable electronic device to one of the at least
two peripheral devices using a wireless communications path.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising: determining a relative
location of the at least two peripheral devices in accordance with
a magnetic flux density of the measured magnetic fields and a
relationship between magnetic flux density and relative location;
and selecting one of the at least two peripheral devices in
accordance with the relative locations of the at least two
peripheral devices.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the peripheral device is selected
in accordance with the relative locations of the at least two
peripheral devices and a selection input.
4. The method of claim 2 wherein the selecting comprises: receiving
a selection input; identifying the peripheral device from the at
least two peripheral devices in accordance with the selection
input; and selecting the identified peripheral device.
5. The method of claim 3 wherein the selection input is a received
gesture.
6. The method of claim 3 wherein the selection input is a
directional input.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein the identifying comprises:
comparing the directional input with the relative locations of the
at least two available peripheral devices; determining which of the
at least two available peripheral devices has a relative location
nearest to a direction of the directional input; and selecting the
peripheral device having a relative location nearest to the
direction of the directional input.
8. The method of claim 6 wherein the directional input is a touch
gesture detected by a touch-sensitive display.
9. The method of claim 6 wherein the directional input is a motion
gesture.
10. The method of claim 1 further comprising: sending requests to
one or more peripheral devices in response to receiving input to
connect to a peripheral device or switch the peripheral device
which the portable electronic device is connected to; receiving
responses from the at least two peripheral devices, wherein the
responses include identifying information concerning the at least
two peripheral devices.
11. The method of claim 10 further comprising: generating on the at
least two peripheral devices a magnetic field having one or more
distinct characteristics which are uniquely associated with a
particular peripheral device in response to receiving the
request.
12. The method of claim 10 wherein the requests are only sent to
peripheral devices for which a profile is stored in a memory of the
portable electronic device.
13. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least two peripheral
devices generate a time varying magnetic field which provides a
distinct magnetic signature which provides the one or more distinct
characteristics of a magnetic field generated by each of the at
least two peripheral devices.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein the time varying magnetic field
has a characteristic period, offset and/or amplitude.
15. The method of claim 13 wherein the time varying magnetic field
has a characteristic waveform type.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein the time varying magnetic field
is a sinusoidal wave, square wave, triangular wave, saw tooth wave
or pulse wave.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein the time varying magnetic field
has a characteristic period, offset and/or amplitude.
18. The method of claim 1 wherein the wireless communication path
is a BLUETOOTH communication path.
19. An electronic device, comprising: a processor; a magnetic
sensor coupled to the processor for detecting magnetic fields
within the vicinity of the electronic device; a wireless
communication subsystem coupled to the processor; wherein the
processor is configured for: measuring magnetic fields within the
vicinity of the portable electronic device; identifying at least
two peripheral devices in accordance with measured magnetic fields
and one or more distinct characteristics of a magnetic field
generated by each of the at least two peripheral devices which
uniquely identify each of the at least two peripheral devices; and
connecting the portable electronic device to one of the at least
two peripheral devices using a wireless communications path.
20. A method for use on a peripheral device for generating a
magnetic field, comprising: receiving a request from a portable
electronic device; generating a magnetic field in response to
receiving the request, wherein the magnetic field has one or more
distinct characteristics which are uniquely associated with the
peripheral device; and connecting to the portable electronic device
using a wireless communication path.
21. The method of claim 20 wherein the magnetic field is a time
varying magnetic field which provides a distinct magnetic signature
uniquely associated with the peripheral device.
22. The method of claim 21 wherein the time varying magnetic field
has a characteristic period, offset and/or amplitude.
23. The method of claim 21 wherein the time varying magnetic field
has a characteristic waveform type.
24. The method of claim 23 wherein the time varying magnetic field
is a sinusoidal wave, square wave, triangular wave, saw tooth wave
or pulse wave.
25. The method of claim 24 wherein the time varying magnetic field
has a characteristic period, offset and/or amplitude.
26. The method of claim 20 wherein the wireless communication path
is a BLUETOOTH communication path.
27. A peripheral device comprising: a processor; a magnetic signal
subsystem coupled to the processor for generating a magnetic field
having one or more distinct characteristics; a wireless
communication subsystem coupled to the processor; wherein the
processor is configured for: receiving a request from a portable
electronic device; generating a magnetic field in response to
receiving the request, wherein the magnetic field has one or more
distinct characteristics which are uniquely associated with the
peripheral device; and connecting to the portable electronic device
using a wireless communication path.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/102,124, filed May 6, 2011, the content of
which is incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to portable electronic
devices, and more particularly to a method of device selection
using sensory input and portable electronic device configured for
same.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Electronic devices, including portable electronic devices,
are increasingly being configured for gestural control as part of
the movement towards ubiquitous computing in which devices are
adapted for more natural and intuitive user interaction instead of
requiring the user to adapt to the device. The majority of gestural
controls are in the form of touch gestures detected with a
touch-sensitive display or motion gestures detected with a motion
sensor such as an accelerometer. Alternative forms of gestural
control are desirable to provide a more natural and intuitive user
interaction with an electronic device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of components of a
portable electronic device in accordance with one example
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0005] FIG. 2 is a front view of an example of a portable
electronic device in a portrait orientation.
[0006] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a magnetic sensor subsystem in
accordance with one example embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0007] FIGS. 4A to 4C are schematic diagrams illustrating the
assignment of pitch and roll vectors of a three-axis accelerometer
in accordance with one example embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0008] FIG. 5A is a front view of a portable electronic device
showing sensing axes of three-axis accelerometer in accordance with
one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0009] FIG. 5B is a top view of the portable electronic device of
FIG. 5A.
[0010] FIG. 6 is a simplified block diagram of components of a
peripheral device in accordance with one example embodiment of the
present disclosure.
[0011] FIG. 7 is a simplified block diagram of a communication
system suitable for carrying out example embodiments of the present
disclosure.
[0012] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a method for device selection using
sensory input on a portable electronic device in accordance with
one embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS
[0013] Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings
which show, by way of example, example embodiments of the present
disclosure. For simplicity and clarity of illustration, reference
numerals may be repeated among the Figures to indicate
corresponding or analogous elements. Numerous details are set forth
to provide an understanding of the example embodiments described
herein. The example embodiments may be practiced without these
details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and
components have not been described in detail to avoid obscuring the
example embodiments described. The description is not to be
considered as limited to the scope of the example embodiments
described herein. Any reference to direction or orientation herein
is for convenience and is not intended to be limiting unless
explicitly stated herein.
[0014] The present disclosure generally relates to a portable
electronic device such as a handheld electronic device. The
portable electronic device may be a portable electronic device with
or without wireless communication capabilities. Examples of
handheld electronic devices include, but are not limited to,
pagers, mobile telephones, smartphones, tablet computing devices,
wireless organizers, personal digital assistants, electronic gaming
device, digital photograph album, digital camera, and so forth. The
portable electronic device, when a mobile telephone or smartphone,
may be provided in any form factor including, but not limited to, a
bar-style, brick-style device, slider-style device or flip-style
device. The teachings of present disclosure may also be applied
outside of the portable electronic device.
[0015] The present disclosure provides a solution for detecting,
selecting and connecting to peripheral devices from a portable
electronic device. A magnetic sensor in the portable electronic
device is used to detect the location of nearby peripheral devices.
After the location of the peripheral devices has been detected, the
portable electronic device can select one of the nearby peripheral
devices in accordance with selection input. A connection may then
be established between the portable electronic device and the
selected peripheral device.
[0016] In accordance with one example embodiment, there is provided
a method for use in a portable electronic device for selecting a
peripheral device for connection with the portable electronic
device, comprising: measuring a magnetic field within the vicinity
of the portable electronic device; determining a relative location
of at least two available peripheral devices in accordance with
magnetic fields uniquely associated with the at least two available
peripheral devices; selecting a peripheral device from the at least
two available peripheral devices in accordance with the measured
magnetic field; and connecting the portable electronic device to
the selected peripheral device using a wireless communications
path.
[0017] In accordance with another example embodiment, there is
provided an electronic device, comprising: a processor; a magnetic
sensor coupled to the processor for detecting a magnetic field
within the vicinity of the electronic device; a wireless
communication subsystem coupled to the processor; wherein the
processor is configured for: measuring a magnetic field within the
vicinity of the portable electronic device; selecting a peripheral
device from available peripheral devices in accordance with the
measured magnetic field; and connecting to the selected peripheral
device using a wireless communication path. In some examples, the
processor is configured for: determining a relative location of the
available peripheral devices in accordance with magnetic fields
uniquely associated with particular peripheral devices; receiving a
directional input; identifying the peripheral device from the
available peripheral devices in accordance with the relative
location of the available peripheral devices and the directional
input; and selecting the identified peripheral device. In some
examples, the electronic device further comprises a touch-sensitive
display coupled to the processor, wherein the directional input is
a touch gesture received using the touch-sensitive display. In some
examples, the electronic device further comprises a motion sensor
coupled to the processor, wherein the directional input is a motion
gesture using the motion sensor.
[0018] In accordance with a further example embodiment, there is
provided a method for use on a peripheral device of generating a
magnetic field, comprising: receiving a request from a portable
electronic device; sending a response to the portable electronic
device generating a magnetic field in response to receiving the
request; and connecting to the portable electronic device using a
wireless communication path. In some examples, the magnetic field
has one or more distinct characteristics which are uniquely
associated with the peripheral device. In some examples, the
magnetic field is a time varying magnetic field which provides a
distinct magnetic signature uniquely associated with the peripheral
device. In some examples, the wireless communication path is a
BLUETOOTH.RTM. communication path.
[0019] In accordance with yet a further example embodiment, there
is a peripheral device comprising: a processor; a magnetic signal
subsystem coupled to the processor for generating a magnetic field
having one or more distinct characteristics; a wireless
communication subsystem coupled to the processor; wherein the
processor is configured for: receiving a request from a portable
electronic device; sending a response to the portable electronic
device; generating a magnetic field in response to receiving the
request; and connecting to the portable electronic device using a
wireless communication path. In some examples, the magnetic field
has one or more distinct characteristics which are uniquely
associated with the peripheral device. In some examples, the
magnetic field is a time varying magnetic field which provides a
distinct magnetic signature uniquely associated with the peripheral
device. In some examples, the wireless communication path is a
BLUETOOTH.RTM. communication path.
[0020] In accordance with yet a further example embodiment, there
is provided a method for use in a portable electronic device for
selecting a peripheral device for connection with the portable
electronic device, comprising: measuring magnetic fields within the
vicinity of the portable electronic device; identifying at least
two peripheral devices in accordance with measured magnetic fields
and one or more distinct characteristics of a magnetic field
generated by each of the at least two peripheral devices which
uniquely identify each of the at least two peripheral devices; and
connecting the portable electronic device to one of the at least
two peripheral devices using a wireless communications path.
[0021] In accordance with yet a further example embodiment, there
is provided an electronic device, comprising: a processor; a
magnetic sensor coupled to the processor for detecting magnetic
fields within the vicinity of the electronic device; a wireless
communication subsystem coupled to the processor; wherein the
processor is configured for: measuring magnetic fields within the
vicinity of the portable electronic device; identifying at least
two peripheral devices in accordance with measured magnetic fields
and one or more distinct characteristics of a magnetic field
generated by each of the at least two peripheral devices which
uniquely identify each of the at least two peripheral devices; and
connecting the portable electronic device to one of the at least
two peripheral devices using a wireless communications path.
[0022] In accordance with yet a further example embodiment, there
is provided a method for use on a peripheral device for generating
a magnetic field, comprising: receiving a request from a portable
electronic device; generating a magnetic field in response to
receiving the request, wherein the magnetic field has one or more
distinct characteristics which are uniquely associated with the
peripheral device; and connecting to the portable electronic device
using a wireless communication path.
[0023] In accordance with yet a further example embodiment, there
is provided a peripheral device comprising: a processor; a magnetic
signal subsystem coupled to the processor for generating a magnetic
field having one or more distinct characteristics; a wireless
communication subsystem coupled to the processor; wherein the
processor is configured for: receiving a request from a portable
electronic device; generating a magnetic field in response to
receiving the request, wherein the magnetic field has one or more
distinct characteristics which are uniquely associated with the
peripheral device; and connecting to the portable electronic device
using a wireless communication path.
[0024] In accordance with yet a further embodiment of the present
disclosure, there is provided a computer program product comprising
a computer readable medium having stored thereon computer program
instructions for implementing a method on an electronic device, the
computer executable instructions comprising instructions for
performing the method(s) set forth herein.
[0025] Reference is made to FIG. 1, which illustrates in block
diagram form, a portable electronic device 100 to which example
embodiments described in the present disclosure can be applied. The
portable electronic device 100 includes multiple components, such
as a processor 102 that controls the overall operation of the
portable electronic device 100. Communication functions, including
data and voice communications, are performed through a
communication subsystem 104. Data received by the portable
electronic device 100 is decompressed and decrypted by a decoder
106. The communication subsystem 104 receives messages from and
sends messages to a wireless network 150. The wireless network 150
may be any type of wireless network, including, but not limited to,
data wireless networks, voice wireless networks, and networks that
support both voice and data communications. A power source 142,
such as one or more rechargeable batteries or a port to an external
power supply, powers the portable electronic device 100.
[0026] The processor 102 interacts with other components, such as
Random Access Memory (RAM) 108, memory 110 such as flash memory, a
display 112 (such as a liquid crystal display (LCD)) with a
touch-sensitive overlay 114 operably coupled to an electronic
controller 116 that together comprise a touch-sensitive display
118, one or more keys or buttons 120, a navigation device 122, a
magnetic sensor subsystem 123, one or more auxiliary input/output
(I/O) subsystems 124, a data port 126, a speaker 128, a microphone
130, a short-range wireless communication subsystem 132, other
device subsystems 134 and a motion detection subsystem 136.
User-interaction with a graphical user interface (GUI) rendered and
displayed on the touch-sensitive display 118 via the processor 102
is performed using input devices including the touch-sensitive
display 118. The GUI displays user interface screens on the display
112 which display information such as text, characters, symbols,
images, icons, and other items.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 2, the buttons 120, represented
individually by references 120A, 120B, 120C and 120D, are located
below the touch-sensitive display 118 on a front face of the
portable electronic device 100. The buttons 120 generate
corresponding input signals when activated. The buttons 120 may be
constructed using any suitable button (or key) construction such
as, for example, a dome-switch construction. The actions performed
by the device 100 in response to activation of respective buttons
120 are context-sensitive. The action performed depends on a
context that the button was activated. The context may be, but is
not limited to, a device state, application, screen context,
selected item or function, or any combination thereof.
[0028] The buttons 120, in the shown embodiment, are an answer (or
send) button 120A, menu button 120B, escape (or back) button 120C,
and a hang up (or end) button 120D. The send/answer button 120A may
be used for answering an incoming voice call, invoking a menu for a
phone application when there is no voice call in progress, or
initiating an outbound voice phone call from the phone application
when a phone number is selected in the phone application. The menu
button 120B may be used to invoke a context-sensitive menu
comprising context-sensitive menu options. The escape/back button
120C may be used to cancel a current action, reverse (e.g., "back
up" or "go back") through previous user interface screens or menus
displayed on the touch-sensitive display 118, or exit the current
application 148. The end/hang up button 120D may be used to end a
voice call in progress or hide the current application 148.
[0029] The navigation device 122 may be a depressible (or
clickable) joystick such as a depressible optical joystick, a
depressible trackball, a depressible scroll wheel, or a depressible
touch-sensitive trackpad or touchpad. When the navigation device
122 is a depressible optical joystick as shown in FIG. 2, movements
of the user's finger, such as vertical and horizontal movements,
are detected by an optical sensor of the optical joystick. Up,
down, left or right movements detected by the optical joystick are
interpreted as corresponding up, down, left or right navigation
commands. Typically, navigation via the optical joystick is by 1:1
movement so that each directional gesture or movement detected by
the optical joystick causes a corresponding navigation
movement.
[0030] The auxiliary I/O subsystems 124 may include other input
devices such as a keyboard or keypad.
[0031] To identify a subscriber for network access, the portable
electronic device 100 uses a Subscriber Identity Module or a
Removable User Identity Module (SIM/RUIM) card 138 for
communication with a network, such as the wireless network 150.
Alternatively, user identification information may be programmed
into memory 110.
[0032] The short-range wireless communication subsystem 132
provides a short-range wireless communication interface. The
short-range wireless communication interface is typically a
BLUETOOTH.RTM. interface but may be another type of short-range
wireless communication interface including, but not limited to, an
infrared (IR) interface such as an Infrared Data Association (IrDA)
interface, an IEEE 802.15.3a interface (also referred to as
UltraWideband (UWB)), Z-Wave interface, ZigBee interface or other
suitable short-range wireless communication interface.
[0033] The portable electronic device 100 includes an operating
system 146 and software applications 148 that are executed by the
processor 102 and are typically stored in a persistent, updatable
storage such as the memory 110. Additional applications 148 may be
loaded onto the portable electronic device 100 through the wireless
network 150, the auxiliary I/O subsystem 124, the data port 126,
the short-range wireless communication subsystem 132, or any other
suitable subsystem 134. The applications 148 include a device
selection module 162 for selecting peripheral devices using sensory
input, as described more fully below. The device selection module
162 may be a standalone application or part of the operating system
146.
[0034] A received signal such as a text message, an e-mail message,
or web page download is processed by the communication subsystem
104 and input to the processor 102. The processor 102 processes the
received signal for output to the display screen 112 and/or to the
auxiliary I/O subsystem 124. A subscriber may generate data items,
for example e-mail messages, which may be transmitted over the
wireless network 150 through the communication subsystem 104. For
voice communications, the overall operation of the portable
electronic device 100 is similar. The speaker 128 outputs audible
information converted from electrical signals, and the microphone
130 converts audible information into electrical signals for
processing.
[0035] FIG. 2 shows a front view of an example of the portable
electronic device 100 in portrait orientation. The portable
electronic device 100 includes a housing 200 that houses internal
components including internal components shown in FIG. 1 and frames
the touch-sensitive display 118 such that the touch-sensitive
display 118 is exposed for user-interaction therewith when the
portable electronic device 100 is in use. It will be appreciated
that the touch-sensitive display 118 may include any suitable
number of user-selectable features rendered thereon, for example,
in the form of virtual buttons for user-selection of, for example,
applications, options, or keys of a keyboard for user entry of data
during operation of the portable electronic device 100.
[0036] The touch-sensitive display 118 may be any suitable
touch-sensitive display, such as a capacitive, resistive, infrared,
surface acoustic wave (SAW) touch-sensitive display, strain gauge,
optical imaging, dispersive signal technology, acoustic pulse
recognition, and so forth, as known in the art. A capacitive
touch-sensitive display includes a capacitive touch-sensitive
overlay 114. The overlay 114 may be an assembly of multiple layers
in a stack including, for example, a substrate, a ground shield
layer, a barrier layer, one or more capacitive touch sensor layers
separated by a substrate or, other barrier, and a cover. The
capacitive touch sensor layers may be any suitable material, such
as patterned indium tin oxide (ITO).
[0037] One or more touches, also known as touch contacts or touch
events, may be detected by the touch-sensitive display 118. The
processor 102 may determine attributes of the touch, including a
location of a touch. Touch location data may include an area of
contact or a single point of contact, such as a point at or near a
centre of the area of contact. The location of a detected touch may
include x and y components, e.g., horizontal and vertical
components, respectively, with respect to one's view of the
touch-sensitive display 118. For example, the x location component
may be determined by a signal generated from one touch sensor, and
the y location component may be determined by a signal generated
from another touch sensor. A signal is provided to the controller
116 in response to detection of a touch. A touch may be detected
from any suitable object, such as a finger, thumb, appendage, or
other items, for example, a stylus, pen, or other pointer,
depending on the nature of the touch-sensitive display 118.
Multiple simultaneous touches may be detected.
[0038] Different types of touch events detected by the
touch-sensitive display 118, such as touch gestures, are
differentiated from each other by the duration of respective touch
events. A touch and hold gesture is detected or recognized when a
touch event occurs for a duration which is greater than or equal to
a threshold duration. The threshold duration may be, for example,
400 milliseconds in some embodiments. Other threshold durations are
possible. A tap gesture is detected or recognized when a touch
event occurs for a duration which is less than the threshold
duration. A tap gesture requires both a finger down and lift off
within the threshold duration to be detected by the touch-sensitive
display 118. A touch and hold gesture requires only a finger down
for the threshold duration before the touch-sensitive display 118
detects the touch and hold gesture.
[0039] A one-finger touch and hold gesture occurs when a user
touches a selectable onscreen item on the touch-sensitive display
118, such as a button or menu item, with one finger and holds the
finger in contact with the touch-sensitive display 118 for a
duration which exceeds the threshold duration. A two-finger touch
and hold gesture occurs when a user touches a selectable onscreen
item on the touch-sensitive display 118 with two-fingers and holds
both fingers in contact with the touch-sensitive display 118 for a
duration which exceeds the threshold duration. Touching a
selectable onscreen item comprises touching a location of the
touch-sensitive display 118 which is coincident with the selectable
onscreen item displayed on the display screen 112. A location is
coincident with the selectable onscreen item in that the centroid
of the touch event is within an input area of the user interface
screen assigned for receiving input for activating the selectable
onscreen item. The input area of the selectable onscreen item may
be different than the displayed area of the selectable onscreen
item on the display screen 112 in some embodiments, typically the
input area being larger than the displayed area in such embodiments
to accommodate touch offset of the user.
[0040] The result of a tap, one-finger touch and hold gesture, or
two-finger touch and hold gesture is context dependent.
[0041] A swipe gestures has a single direction which is evaluated
with respect to an initial contact point (e.g., centroid) of the
touch event at which the finger makes contact with the
touch-sensitive display 118 and a terminal or ending contact point
at which the finger is lifted from the touch-sensitive display 118
while in motion. This may reduce processing as the processor 102
does not utilize the information from all contact points of the
entire gesture to resolve the direction of the touch gesture.
[0042] Examples of swipe gestures include a horizontal swipe
gesture, a vertical swipe gesture, and a diagonal swipe gesture. A
horizontal swipe gesture typically comprises an initial contact
with the touch-sensitive display 118 towards its left or right edge
to initialize the gesture, followed by a horizontal movement of the
point of contact from the location of the initial contact to the
opposite edge while maintaining continuous contact with the
touch-sensitive display 118, and a breaking of the contact at the
opposite edge of the touch-sensitive display 118 to complete the
horizontal swipe gesture. Similarly, a vertical swipe gesture
typically comprises an initial contact with the touch-sensitive
display 118 towards its top or bottom edge to initialize the
gesture, followed by a vertical movement of the point of contact
from the location of the initial contact to the opposite edge while
maintaining continuous contact with the touch-sensitive display
118, and a breaking of the contact at the opposite edge of the
touch-sensitive display 118 to complete the vertical swipe
gesture.
[0043] A diagonal swipe gesture typically comprises an initial
contact with the touch-sensitive display 118 towards a corner to
initialize the gesture, followed by a diagonal movement of the
point of contact from the location of the initial contact to the
opposite corner while maintaining continuous contact with the
touch-sensitive display 118. Using the initial contact point and
the end contact point, the processor 102 determines the direction
of the gesture. For example, a horizontal swipe gesture could
correspond to either a left or right direction.
[0044] Swipe gestures can be of various lengths, can be initiated
in various places on the touch-sensitive display 118, and need not
span the full dimension of the touch-sensitive display 118. In
addition, breaking contact of a swipe can be gradual in that
contact pressure on the touch-sensitive display 118 is gradually
reduced while the swipe gesture is still underway.
[0045] The touch-sensitive display 118 is described herein in the
context of fingers of a device user for purposes of convenience
only. It will be appreciated that a stylus or other object may be
used for interacting with the touch-sensitive display 118 depending
on the type.
[0046] The motion detection subsystem 136 comprises at least one
sensor which is coupled to the processor 102 and which is
controlled by one or a combination of a monitoring circuit and
operating software. The sensor has a sensing element which detects
acceleration from motion and/or gravity. The sensor generates and
outputs an electrical signal representative of the detected
acceleration. Changes in movement of the portable electronic device
100 result in changes in acceleration which produce corresponding
changes in the electrical signal output of the sensor. The sensor
may be an accelerometer, such as a three-axis accelerometer having
three mutual orthogonally sensing axes. The accelerometer may be
digital or analog depending on the embodiment. The accelerometer
may be utilized to detect acceleration of the portable electronic
device 100, such as a direction of gravitational forces or
gravity-induced reaction forces. Other types of motion sensors may
be used by the motion detection subsystem 136 in addition to, or
instead of, an accelerometer. The other motion sensors may comprise
a proximity sensor, gyroscope, or both, which detect changes in the
proximity and orientation of portable electronic device 100.
[0047] Changes in acceleration, proximity and orientation detected
by the accelerometer, proximity sensor and/or gyroscope may be
interpreted by the portable electronic device 100 as motion of the
portable electronic device 100. When the changes in acceleration,
proximity and orientation are within threshold tolerance(s) of
regularity or predictability, the changes in acceleration,
proximity and orientation match predetermined motion criteria
(e.g., stored in the memory 110) and the changes may be interpreted
by the portable electronic device 100 as a pattern of motion.
Multiple patterns of motion may be recognized by the portable
electronic device 100.
[0048] Referring now to FIGS. 4A to 4C, the assignment of pitch and
roll vectors of a three-axis accelerometer in accordance with an
example embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. The
accelerometer has three mutually orthogonal sensing axes denoted
"x", "y" and "z". The x-axis and y-axis are aligned with a
horizontal plane defined with respect to the portable electronic
device 100. The z-axis is perpendicular to the horizontal plane of
the portable electronic device 100. The z-axis will detect when
portable electronic device 100 is moved vertically.
[0049] Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the alignment of the "x", "y"
and "z" axes of the accelerometer with axes of the portable
electronic device 100 in accordance with one embodiment of the
present disclosure is shown. The x-axis is aligned about an axis
extending laterally along the midpoint of the portable electronic
device 100 between the top and bottom ends respectively. The y-axis
is aligned about an axis extending longitudinally along the
midpoint of the portable electronic device 100 between the left and
right sides respectively. The z-axis extends perpendicularly
through the x-y plane defined by the x and y axes at the
intersection (origin) of these axes. It is contemplated that the
"x", "y" and "z" axes may be aligned with different features of the
portable electronic device 100 in other embodiments.
[0050] As shown in FIG. 4A, if the portable electronic device 100
is positioned horizontal (level with the ground), the z-axis
measures 1 g in the z-axis. When the portable electronic device 100
is tilted away from the horizontal, the z-axis baseline reading is
moved downwards away from 1 g level. As shown in FIG. 4B, pitch
(.phi.) is the angle of the x-axis relative to the ground. .theta.
is the angle of the z-axis relative to gravity. As shown in FIG.
4C, roll (.rho.) is the angle of the y-axis relative to the ground.
It will be appreciated that rotation may occur about any
combination of sensing axes. The concepts and methodology described
herein can be applied to any orientation and any combination of
pitch (.phi.), roll (.rho.) angles, and .theta. (the angle of the
z-axis relative to gravity). The pitch (.phi.), roll (.rho.) and
the angle of the z-axis relative to gravity (.theta.) may be
determined, for example, using standard equations.
[0051] Referring now to FIG. 3, one example embodiment of the
magnetic sensor subsystem 122 in accordance with the present
disclosure will be described. The magnetic sensor subsystem 122
comprises at least one magnetic sensor 302. In at least some
examples, the magnetic sensor 302 is a magnetometer which senses
and measures the strength and/or direction of the magnetic field
within the vicinity of the portable electronic device 100. The
magnetic field measured by the magnetic sensor 302 may be the
Earth's magnetic field, a magnetic field generated by one or more
magnets in a peripheral device 600 (also known as an accessory
device and described in more detail below), or a combination
thereof.
[0052] The magnetic sensor 302, when operable, obtains or otherwise
acquires readings including the direction of the magnetic field
within the vicinity of the portable electronic device 100 and its
strength. It will be appreciated that the magnetic sensor 302 is
capable of detecting and measuring the direction and strength of
the magnetic field within the vicinity of the portable electronic
device 100, the vicinity within which the magnetic sensor 302 can
measure the magnetic field depends on the particular type of
magnetic sensor 302 which is used in a given embodiment. The
readings are stored in a magnetic sensor readings data store (not
shown) in memory 110. Various applications 148, such as a compass
application (not shown), may utilize the readings in the data
store. The applications 148 may use readings in the data store to
determine a relative location (or directional heading) of a
peripheral device 600 in accordance with a detected magnetic field
generated by one or more magnets in the peripheral device 600. The
applications 148 may also provide a user interface (UI) on the
display 112, e.g. a real-time compass showing heading of the
portable electronic device 100. The magnetic sensor 302 may be
digital or analog depending on the embodiment.
[0053] The magnetic sensor 302, in at least some examples, may be a
three-axis magnetometer having three mutually orthogonal sensing
axes denoted "x", "y" and "z". The direction and strength of a
magnetic field detected by the magnetic sensor 302 can be
represented by the three axis values Hx, Hy and Hz. A relative
location can be determined by using the Hx and Hy and optionally Hz
components of the magnetic field. In some examples, a relative
location can be determined by using only the Hx and Hy components
of the magnetic field, that is, the directions planar with the
Earth's surface. The Hx and Hy components of the magnetic field may
be used, for example, when the portable electronic device 100 is
positioned horizontally (e.g., when held flat by the user or placed
on a flat surface). In some examples, the relative location of a
peripheral device 600 can be determined from the x and y readings
of the magnetic sensor 302, for example, using standard equations.
The relative location may be determined in degrees or other
suitable form.
[0054] The peripheral device 600, described in more detail below,
includes a magnet which generates a magnetic field having one or
more distinct characteristics that may be uniquely associated with
the peripheral device 600. This allows the magnetic field generated
by the peripheral device 600 to be differentiated from the Earth's
magnetic field and other sources such as a magnetic field generated
by other peripheral devices 600. When the one or more distinct
characteristics of the magnetic field generated by a particular
peripheral device 600 are known, e.g. stored in memory 110, the
processor 102 can identify the particular peripheral device 600
associated with the detected magnetic field. In some embodiments,
the portable electronic device 100 may be connected to one or a
number of peripheral devices 600 which each generate a time varying
magnetic field. The time varying magnetic field provides a distinct
magnetic signature which is uniquely associated with a particular
peripheral device 600. The time varying magnetic field may be
generated, for example, by a variable electromagnet.
[0055] The magnetic sensor 302 may include a Hall Effect sensor for
each sensing axis. A Hall Effect sensor is made of a semiconductor
material, such as silicon, and has a flat rectangular shape. A Hall
Effect sensor may be actuated by applying a current to its
longitudinal ends so that the current flows longitudinally through
the sensor. The longitudinal ends of the Hall Effect sensor are
coupled to a regulated voltage source (not shown) and ground (not
shown), respectively. When the current flows longitudinally through
the Hall Effect sensor, a voltage differential is created across
the sensor at its output(s) when a magnetic flux of proper polarity
passes perpendicularly through the plane of the Hall Effect sensor.
The magnitude of the voltage created is proportional to the
magnetic flux density of the vertical component of the magnetic
field.
[0056] Referring again to FIG. 3, the output of the magnetic sensor
302 is coupled to a differential amplifier 304. The differential
amplifier 304 is coupled in parallel to the voltage source and
ground. The differential amplifier 304 amplifies the voltage output
of the Hall Effect sensor to produce an amplified output which is
proportional to the magnetic flux density passing through the Hall
Effect sensor. The output of the differential amplifier 304 is a
signal proportional to magnetic flux density being received by the
Hall Effect sensor.
[0057] The output of the differential amplifier 304 is sent to an
analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 306 which converts the analog
values to digital values. The output of the ADC 306 is coupled to
the processor 102 which receives the digital value as input for
analysis. Alternatively, in other embodiments the output of the
differential amplifier 304 may be sent to and analysed by a
dedicated controller (not shown) which is coupled to the processor
102 via interrupt ports and optionally serial data ports. The
relationship between the magnetic flux density of a magnetic field
and the relative location or directional heading of a peripheral
device 600 having a magnet which generates a magnetic field is
stored in the memory 110 or an internal memory of the dedicated
controller, for example, in firmware. The relationship may be
defined, for example, by an equation or series of equations, or
empirical data.
[0058] When the device 600 is generating a magnetic field, changes
in the location of the peripheral device 600 relative to the
portable electronic device 100 cause changes in the magnetic field
sensed by the magnetic sensor 302. The changes in the magnetic
field result in changes in the output voltages of the magnetic
sensor 302, which represent the magnetic flux density sensed by the
magnetic sensor 302. The processor 102 compares magnetic flux
density to one or more predetermined criteria to determine a
location of the magnet relative to the portable electronic device
100. The relative location of the peripheral device 600 magnet may
be determined, for example, as a coordinate value in two
dimensional (e.g., x and y) or three dimensional (e.g., x, y and z)
coordinate space using the relationship between the magnetic flux
density and relative location.
[0059] Reference is now made to FIG. 6 which illustrates in block
diagram form a peripheral device 600 in accordance with one example
embodiment. The peripheral device 600 is an electronic device which
connects to a host portable electronic device 100. The peripheral
device 600 expands the capabilities of the host portable electronic
device 100 but does not form part of the portable electronic device
100, and is largely dependent on the host portable electronic
device 100 for its control and operation. The peripheral device 600
and portable electronic device 100, in at least some examples, may
have a master-slave relationship in which the operation of the
peripheral device 600 is controlled by the host portable electronic
device 100. Peripheral devices 600 are sometimes referred to as
accessories or external devices.
[0060] Examples of the peripheral device 600 include, but are not
limited to, an input device (such as a keyboard, mouse, touchpad,
camera or microphone), output device (such as a display,
speaker(s), ear-bud or headphones), hands-free calling device,
navigation device (such as a Global Positioning System (GPS)
navigation device), home theatre or stereo system, electronic
gaming device, digital photograph album (such as a digital picture
frame) or digital camera. The peripheral device 600 may be another
portable electronic device 100, for example, the peripheral device
600 may be a tablet computing device (commonly known as a tablet)
used as a display for output.
[0061] The peripheral device 600 includes multiple components, such
as a processor 602 that controls the overall operation of the
peripheral device 600. The processor 602 interacts with other
components, such as RAM 608, memory 610 such as flash memory,
display 612 such as an LCD, input device 620 such as a push button,
magnetic signal subsystem 622, data port 626, short-range wireless
communication subsystem 632, and power source 642, such as one or
more rechargeable batteries or a port to an external power supply,
powers the peripheral device 600. The processor 602 operates under
stored program control with software stored in the memory 610 or
firmware. In at least some examples, the stored programs include an
operating system 646 and software applications 648 that are
executed by the processor 602. The applications 648 include a
signal generation module 662 for generating a magnetic field, for
example, in response to an instruction received from the portable
electronic device 100 over the short-range wireless communication
subsystem 632. The signal generation module 662 may be a standalone
application or part of the operating system 646.
[0062] The peripheral device 600 can connect to the portable
electronic device 100 using the short-range wireless communication
subsystem 632 and possibly the data port 626. The short-range
wireless communication subsystem 632 provides a short-range
wireless communication interface and is of the same type as the
short-range wireless communication subsystem 132 of the portable
electronic device 100. Thus, the short-range wireless communication
interface 632 is typically a BLUETOOTH.RTM. interface but may be
another type of short-range wireless communication interface
including, but not limited to, an IR interface such as an IrDA
interface, an IEEE 802.15.3a interface (or UWB), Z-Wave interface,
ZigBee interface or other suitable short-range wireless
communication interface.
[0063] The magnetic signal subsystem 622 includes an
electric-to-magnetic transducer (not shown), typically in the form
of a wire coil, which converts electrical signals received from the
processor 602 into magnetic signals which form a magnetic field
having one or more distinct characteristics that may be uniquely
associated with a particular peripheral device 600. The magnetic
signals may be magnetic representations of a designated electrical
signal such as designated waveform. In at least some examples, the
magnetic signals form a varying magnetic field which varies with
respect to time similar to a hearing aid compatibility (HAC) coil.
The time varying magnetic field generated by the magnetic signal
subsystem 622 provide a variable electromagnet and may be used to
provide a distinct magnetic signature which is uniquely associated
with a particular peripheral device 600.
[0064] The magnetic field generated by the magnetic signal
subsystem 622 may be detected by the magnetic sensor subsystem 123
of the portable electronic device 100 when located in sufficient
proximity to the peripheral device 600. When the one or more
distinct characteristics of the magnetic field generated by a
particular peripheral device 600 are known, e.g. stored in memory
110, the processor 102 of the portable electronic device 100 can
identify the particular peripheral device 600 associated with the
detected magnetic field.
[0065] Parameters describing one or more distinct characteristics
of the magnetic field generated by the known peripheral devices 600
may be stored in the memory 110 of the portable electronic device
100 during a pairing process to enable short-range wireless
communication between the portable electronic device 100 and
peripheral devices 600. As noted above, the short-range wireless
communication interface is used for communication between the
portable electronic device 100 and peripheral devices 600 is a
BLUETOOTH.RTM. interface in at least some examples; however, other
short-range wireless communication technologies may be used in
other embodiments.
[0066] Some aspects of pairing of a portable electronic device 100
with a peripheral device 600 for communication using BLUETOOTH.RTM.
interfaces are well known. The portable electronic device 100
receives identifying information (such as a name and Media Access
Control (MAC) address) from the peripheral device 600 during the
pairing process. Further to the BLUETOOTH.RTM. pairing process, the
parameters describing one or more distinct characteristics of the
magnetic field may be provided by the peripheral device 600, or may
be determined by the portable electronic device 100 during pairing
in response to generation of the magnetic field by the peripheral
device 600. Other data may be exchanged between the portable
electronic device 100 and peripheral device 600 during pairing.
Pairing information, the identifying information and the parameters
describing one or more distinct characteristics of the magnetic
field generated by the peripheral device 600, is stored in a
profile, for example in the BLUETOOTH.RTM. profile, in the memory
110 of the portable electronic device 100 for the respective
peripheral device 600.
[0067] Reference is now made to FIG. 7 which shows an example of a
communication system 700 suitable for carrying out example
embodiments of the present disclosure. The communication system 700
includes one or more portable electronic device 100 (only one of
which is shown in FIG. 7) that are enabled to communicate with the
wireless network 150. The wireless network 150 may be, but is not
limited to a, Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN) or Wireless Local
Area Network (WLAN) that conforms to IEEE 802.11 standards such as
802.11a/b/g/n. The wireless network 150 may be connected through
intermediate communications links 702, comprising for example the
Internet, to one or more private communication networks 704 such as
an enterprise network.
[0068] A portable electronic device 100 may wirelessly connect to a
peripheral device 600 using a short-range wireless communication
path 706. The short-range wireless communication path 706 may be a
wireless personal area network (WPAN) or WLAN connection. The
short-range wireless communication path 706 is typically a
BLUETOOTH.RTM. connection but may be another type of short-range
wireless communication connection, including but not limited to, an
IR connection such as an IrDA connection, UWB connection, Z-Wave
connection, ZigBee connection or other suitable short-range
wireless communication connection.
[0069] A flowchart illustrating one example embodiment of a method
800 for connecting electronic devices is shown in FIG. 8. The
method is performed partly on the portable electronic device 100
and partly on a peripheral device 600. The method 800 may be
carried out at least in part by software in the form of the device
selection module 162 and signal generation module 662 which are
executed, by the processors 102, 602 of the portable electronic
device 100 and peripheral device 600 respectively. Coding of
software for carrying out the method 800 is within the scope of a
person of ordinary skill in the art provided the present
disclosure. The method 800 may contain additional or fewer
processes than shown and/or described, and may be performed in a
different order. Computer-readable code executable by the
processors 102, 602 to perform the method 800 may be stored in a
computer-readable medium of the portable electronic device 100 and
peripheral device 600 respectively such as the memory 110, 610.
[0070] The processor 102 monitors for and detects input to connect
to a peripheral device 600 when the portable electronic device 100
is not connected to a peripheral device 600, or input to change (or
switch) a peripheral device 600 with which the portable electronic
device 100 is connected over the short-range wireless communication
path 706 when the portable electronic device 100 is already
connected to one or more peripheral devices 600 (802). It will be
appreciated that the portable electronic device 100 may connect to
multiple peripheral devices 600 over the short-range wireless
communication path 706 (e.g., a BLUETOOTH.RTM. communication
path).
[0071] In one example use case, a portable electronic device 100
such as a handheld electronic device is BLUETOOTH.RTM. paired with
multiple peripheral devices 600. At least one of the peripheral
devices 600, such as a tablet, includes a relatively large display
viewing content. A user may desire to view an attachment to an
electronic message (e.g., email), downloaded content, or streamed
content on one of the paired peripheral devices 600 but may want to
select a particular one of the peripheral devices 600.
[0072] When input to connect to a peripheral device 600, or input
to change a peripheral device 600 is received, the portable
electronic device 100 actively scans for BLUETOOTH.RTM. enabled
peripheral devices 600 by sending probe requests to all
BLUETOOTH.RTM. enabled peripheral devices 600 having a
BLUETOOTH.RTM. profile stored in memory 110 (i.e., all
BLUETOOTH.RTM. enabled peripheral devices 600 with which the
portable electronic device 100 is paired) at 804. The probe
requests are a type of status request which requests that all
BLUETOOTH.RTM. enabled peripheral devices provide identifying
information and possibly a signal quality indication in a probe
response. The format and content of BLUETOOTH.RTM. probe requests
and responses are well known in the art as are probe requests and
responses for other types of short-range wireless communication
connections. It will be appreciated that the portable electronic
device 100 may be paired with a number of BLUETOOTH.RTM. enabled
peripheral devices 600 such as a tablet, ear-bud and hands-free
calling device. Each BLUETOOTH.RTM. enabled peripheral device 600
with which the portable electronic device 100 is paired has its own
BLUETOOTH.RTM. profile stored in memory 110.
[0073] When the BLUETOOTH.RTM. enabled peripheral devices 600
receive the probe request from the portable electronic device 100,
the processor 602 of the peripheral devices 600 causes a probe
response to be sent (e.g., a BLUETOOTH.RTM. probe response) using
the short-range wireless communication subsystem 632 and causes the
magnetic signal subsystem 622 to generate a magnetic field having
one or more distinct characteristics that may be uniquely
associated with the respectively particular peripheral devices 600.
As noted above, the magnetic field may be a time varying magnetic
field which provides a distinct magnetic signature which is
uniquely associated with a particular peripheral device 600. The
time varying magnetic field generated by the peripheral devices 600
may vary in period, offset and/or amplitude. The time varying
magnetic field generated by the peripheral devices 600 may be of a
distinct waveform type, such as a sinusoidal wave, square wave,
triangular wave, saw tooth wave or pulse wave, which varies in
period, offset and/or amplitude.
[0074] Alternatively, the identifying information and possibly a
signal quality indication of the available peripheral devices 600
are determined from incoming connection requests received by the
portable electronic device 100 from the available peripheral
devices 600.
[0075] The portable electronic device 100 receives responses from
the available peripheral devices 600. The processor 102 determines
whether any peripheral devices 600 are available in accordance with
whether any responses to the probe requests are received. The
processor 102 may also determine the available peripheral devices
600 from the responses to the probe requests which are received
(806).
[0076] The portable electronic device 100 then measures the
magnetic field within the vicinity of the portable electronic
device 100 using the magnetic sensor subsystem 123, for example,
using the magnetic sensor 302 (808). The magnetic field measured by
the magnetic sensor 302 may be the Earth's magnetic field, a time
varying magnetic field generated by available peripheral devices
600, or a combination thereof.
[0077] The processor 102 determines a relative location (or
directional heading) of available peripheral devices 600 in
accordance with the measured magnetic field (810). In one example,
the portable electronic device 100 may use digital signal
processing algorithms to differentiate between the Earth's magnetic
field and the magnetic field generated by available peripheral
devices 600. This may involve differentiating and analyzing static
and time varying magnetic fields. The measured magnetic field(s)
are compared to stored parameters describing the magnetic fields
generated by known peripheral devices 600. When the measured
magnetic field matches parameters for a known peripheral device
600, a peripheral device 600 is identified. The stored parameters
describe one or more distinct characteristics of the magnetic field
generated by the known peripheral devices 600. When the peripheral
devices 600 each generate a time varying magnetic field, the stored
parameters may comprise a period, offset and/or amplitude of the
time varying magnetic field. As noted above, the time varying
magnetic field provides a distinct magnetic signature which is
uniquely associated a particular peripheral device 600.
[0078] As noted above, in some examples, a relative location can be
determined by using only the Hx and Hy component of the magnetic
field, that is, the directions planar with the Earth's surface, for
example, when the portable electronic device 100 is positioned
horizontally (e.g., when held flat by the user or placed on a flat
surface). A prompt for the user to place the portable electronic
device 100 in a substantially horizontal position, such as on a
flat surface, may be displayed on the display 112 prior to
measuring the magnetic field in the within the vicinity of the
portable electronic device 100 in 802. The prompt may be displayed,
for example, in response to receiving input to connect to a
peripheral device 600 or input to change a peripheral device
600.
[0079] The processor 102 monitors for and detects selection input
selecting one of the available peripheral devices 600 received by
an input device, such as the touch-sensitive display 118, motion
detection subsystem 136 or navigation device 122. The processor 102
selects an available peripheral device 606 in accordance with the
selection input (812).
[0080] The selection input may comprise a directional input.
Alternatively, the selection input may be touching (or touching and
holding) an onscreen button displayed on the touch-sensitive
display 118 corresponding to a particular one of the available
peripheral devices 600, depressing a designated button 120
corresponding to a particular one of the available peripheral
devices 600, or depressing a designated key in a keyboard or keypad
corresponding to a particular one of the available peripheral
devices 600, or other suitable selection input.
[0081] The directional input may be a touch gesture sensed by the
touch-sensitive display 118, a motion gesture sensed by motion
detection subsystem 136, a navigational input received by the
navigation device 122 or other suitable directional input. For
example, the directional input may be a swipe gesture having an
identifiable direction, or possibly another type of directional
touch gesture having an identifiable direction. The motion gesture
may be limited to a specific type of motion gesture having an
identifiable direction, such as a pointing gesture, or may be any
type of motion gesture having an identifiable direction. The
navigational input may be a directional movement sensed by
navigation device 122 such as a depressible optical joystick. The
directional movement sensed by the navigation device 122 may be a
vertical or horizontal movement, such as an up, down, left or right
movement, or possibly a diagonal movement such as an up-right,
up-left, down-right or down-left movement.
[0082] The processor 102 selects the available peripheral device
606 by comparing the directional input with the relative locations
of the available peripheral devices 600, determining which of the
available peripheral devices 606 has a relative location (or
heading) nearest to a direction of the directional input, and
selecting the available peripheral device 606 having a relative
location (or heading) nearest to the direction of the directional
input.
[0083] To facilitate user interaction, a prompt may be displayed on
the touch-sensitive display 118 to notify the user to provide the
directional input or other selection input. For example, when the
selection input is directional input in the form of a motion
gesture, the prompt "Point Handheld at (New) BLUETOOTH.RTM. Device"
may be displayed on the touch-sensitive display 118. When the
selection input is directional input in the form of a touch
gesture, the prompt "Perform Swipe in Direction of (New)
BLUETOOTH.RTM. Device" may be displayed on the touch-sensitive
display 118. When the selection input is directional input in the
form of navigation input from a mechanical navigation device 122,
the prompt "Move Navigation Device in Direction of (New)
BLUETOOTH.RTM. Device" may be displayed on the touch-sensitive
display 118. When the navigation device 122 is a depressible
optical joystick, the prompt "Perform Swipe in Direction of (New)
BLUETOOTH.RTM. Device" may be displayed on the touch-sensitive
display 118.
[0084] After an available peripheral device 606 is selected in
accordance with selection input, the processor 102 connects to the
selected peripheral device 606 using the short-range wireless
communication path 706 (e.g., a BLUETOOTH.RTM. communication path)
at 814. Though not shown, in some examples, when only one
peripheral device 600 is available, the processor 102 may
automatically select the peripheral device 600 without selection
input. In alternative embodiments, selection input may not be
required. Instead, automatic selection of a peripheral device 600
from multiple peripheral device 600 which are available may be
performed using a priority list or other scheme which ranks
peripheral devices 600 with which the portable electronic device
100 has been paired in a connection order which describes the order
in which the portable electronic device 100 selects peripheral
devices 600 for connection.
[0085] The present disclosure provides a method of device selection
using sensory input which is more intuitive and possibly faster
than conventional methods which require users to navigate
cumbersome hierarchical menus in order to locate and select the
appropriate menu options to connect to a peripheral device 600, or
change a peripheral device 600 to which the portable electronic
device 100 is connected. The method provided is relatively simple
and intuitive, thereby facilitating user adoption.
[0086] While the present disclosure is described, at least in part,
in terms of methods, a person of ordinary skill in the art will
understand that the present disclosure is also directed to the
various components for performing at least some of the aspects and
features of the described methods, be it by way of hardware
components, software or any combination of the two, or in any other
manner. Moreover, the present disclosure is also directed to a
pre-recorded storage device or other similar computer readable
medium including program instructions stored thereon for performing
the methods described herein.
[0087] The present disclosure may be embodied in other specific
forms without departing from its spirit or essential
characteristics. The described example embodiments are to be
considered in all respects as being only illustrative and not
restrictive. The present disclosure intends to cover and embrace
all suitable changes in technology. The scope of the present
disclosure is, therefore, described by the appended claims rather
than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the
meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be
embraced within their scope.
* * * * *