CN1516505A - Method of inputting information to wireless communication device by motion - Google Patents

Abstract

Upon detecting the movement of a radio telephone a user is notified of an event if the phone has not been moved for a predetermined period of time. For example if a message is received and it is determined that no acceleration has occurred in the x or y directions for a predetermined period of time since receipt of the message, the phone may notify the user of the message via the speaker of vibrator when the phone is moved. An arrangement for assigning motion patterns of the phone to input characters or select functions is also disclosed.

Description

Method of inputting information to wireless communication device by motion

This application is a divisional application of the application No. 00101032.8 filed by Motorola on January 6, 2000, and the title of the invention is "A device and method for inputting information to a wireless communication device through motion".

technical field

The present invention relates generally to the field of wireless communications. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for inputting information to a wireless communication device through motion. Although the invention has a wide range of applications, it is particularly applicable to radiotelephones and will be described below with respect to radiotelephones.

Background technique

As the size of electronic devices continues to decrease, the size of wireless communication devices also continues to decrease. However, the extent to which wireless communication devices can be made smaller is more or less limited by the imperative to maintain a suitable user interface. Customers have shown strong interest in browsing the web through wireless communication devices, such as wireless phones. Virtual displays have the potential to allow users to receive full-screen information from a smaller unit, but users still need a medium to enter information into the phone. Voice recognition is an input method currently being developed by many wireless phone manufacturers. However, depending on the circumstances, speaking loudly may not always be desirable or possible.

Input methods for tracking motion through motion and accelerometers are well known. However, known methods are more complex and use accelerometer input to determine the velocity and/or position of the input device. For example, US Patent No. 4,747,051 (the "'051 patent") describes a handheld inertial mouse that provides input data to a computer that determines translational and angular changes of the mouse. The mouse uses a pair of accelerometers to generate output signals whose amplitudes are proportional to the translational acceleration of the mouse in three non-parallel directions. The translational velocity and change of the mouse is determined by integrating the accelerometer output signal, and the angular velocity and change of the mouse is determined by integrating the difference between the output signals of the accelerometer pair. US Patent No. 5,615,132 describes another apparatus and method for determining the position and orientation of a moving object through an accelerometer.

Hall et al. in US Patent No. 5,703,623 ("the '623 patent") describe a combination of Hall effect sensing and thin film voltage effect techniques to determine single or multiple degrees of freedom in an orientation-aware remote control device. Hall et al. describe a device used by operators to input information into a multimedia video system that allows the multimedia video system to determine the position, motion and spatial orientation of the input device in the form of three-dimensional spatial coordinates. Similar to the '051 patent, the input device described in the '623 patent requires confirmation of the position and spatial orientation of the input device.

US Patent No. 5,583,478 describes a method of providing realistic tactile sensations in virtual reality through programmable actuators. Each actuator unit consists of a number of individual actuators whose movement is controlled by a computer and associated drive electronics. The patent mentions that the actuator can be used as an accelerometer, but does not discuss how the accelerometer is used.

US Patent Nos. 5,688,183 and 5,733,201 describe systems that use accelerometers to detect the speed or velocity of a golf club.

Contents of the invention

The present invention provides a simplified method of entering information into a device, eliminating the need to track the velocity and/or position of the input device.

According to the present invention, there is provided a method for notifying a user of a wireless telephone that an event has occurred, the method comprising the steps of:

detecting the occurrence of an event in the wireless set;

detecting whether the wireless phone has moved within a predetermined time period;

detecting movement of the wireless phone;

Notifies the user that the event occurred.

A first aspect of the present invention provides a method of specifying an action mode for a function of a radio set in a radio set having a memory and a display, the method comprising the steps of: selecting a mode corresponding to the action mode specified for the function; selecting The functions specify a new mode of action; move the radiotelephone in at least one direction to construct the new mode of action; and store the new mode of action in the radiotelephone memory.

The second aspect of the present invention provides a method for detecting an action mode and completing a function corresponding to the action mode in a wireless phone with memory, the method includes the following steps: detecting the action mode of the wireless phone, and determining whether the action mode corresponds to to the function stored in the memory; if the mode of action corresponds to the function stored in the memory, the function is completed.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, an error indication is provided to the user if the mode of action does not correspond to the function stored in the memory.

A third aspect of the present invention provides a method of notifying a user of a wireless set that an event has occurred, the method comprising the steps of: detecting the occurrence of an event in the wireless set; detecting that the wireless set has not moved for a predetermined period of time; detecting that the wireless set has The movement of the phone; the user is notified of the event.

A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a method for inputting alphanumeric characters through motion modes in a wireless telephone supporting alphanumeric input, comprising the steps of: selecting a mode corresponding to inputting alphanumeric characters using motion modes; detecting wireless The action mode of the phone; determine whether the action mode has been assigned to alphanumeric characters; if the action mode has been assigned to alphanumeric characters, process the input of alphanumeric characters.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is the preferred embodiment of the wireless telephone that realizes apparatus and method of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a partial component diagram of the wireless phone shown in Fig. 1;

The flowchart of Figure 3 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the method of specifying action patterns for functions and storing them in memory;

The flowchart of Figure 4 presents a preferred embodiment illustrating the method of acceleration of a radiotelephone;

Figure 5 is a look-up table associating the X and Y acceleration directions with the movement of the phone.

Detailed ways

The following detailed description is exemplary and illustrative only, and does not limit the invention thereto. The drawings illustrate the preferred embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. Reference is now made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the invention given below.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a wireless telephone 100 in which the present invention can be implemented. As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 2, the wireless telephone 100 includes an antenna 202, a transceiver 204, a microprocessor 206 including memory, a power supply IC 208 including a multiplexer 209, and an analog-to-digital converter 211, an accelerometer 210, and a microphone 212. , speaker 214, vibrator 216, keyboard 218 and display 220. The antenna 202 transmits and receives signals through the transceiver 204 . These signals are sent to microprocessor 206 for processing. The microprocessor also processes keyboard 218 input and sends output to a display 220 . Microprocessor 206 receives input from A/D converter 211, which receives an analog voltage from accelerometer 210 and converts the voltage into digital form for use by microprocessor 206. In the preferred embodiment, the output voltage of accelerometer 210 is sent to multiplexer 209 so that an A/D converter can be used. Power IC 208 is connected to microphone 212, speaker 214 and vibrator 216 to control the power output to these devices.

Accelerometer 210 is preferably an Analog Devices 2-axis MEMS (micro motor) based accelerometer, part number ADLX202, generally available from many sources. The accelerometer 210 outputs two voltages, one for each axis X and Y, at around mid-power. As the radiotelephone accelerates (or moves) +/-X, +/-Y, or a combination of both, the DC voltage on the two lines increases or decreases. In the table of FIG. 5 , the acceleration direction values provided for X and Y correspond to the direction of change of the voltage output by the accelerometer 210 . For example, if movement of the radiotelephone causes an increase in the DC voltage of the X accelerometer output voltage, then there is movement in the "X" direction and acceleration in the X direction is positive (+). If movement of the radiotelephone causes a decrease in the DC voltage of the X accelerometer output voltage, then there is movement in the "X" direction and acceleration in the X direction is negative (-). If the wireless phone is not moving in the X direction, the output voltage of the X accelerometer does not change, and there is no acceleration in the X direction (0). The same goes for the Y accelerometer output voltage.

The rest of the circuit shown in Fig. 2 can be implemented by common components well known in the art. Because these aspects of the wireless telephone are not directly relevant to the present invention, they will not be described in detail here.

In the preferred embodiment given, the microprocessor 206 monitors the accelerometer output voltages X and Y, enabling various input methods in accordance with the present invention. Unlike known devices that use an accelerometer as an input method, the microprocessor 206 of the present invention only monitors changes in acceleration. In this method, there is no need to know the absolute or relative position of the phone, nor the current speed of the phone. Therefore, there is no need to integrate the acceleration.

A preferred embodiment of the method of entering information into the wireless phone 100 by motion involves the step of specifying an action mode for wireless phone functions such as power off, power on, speed dial, scroll memory, and the like. Once the action modes are assigned and stored in memory, the user can operate the phone 100 in a specific predetermined mode, and the phone 100 will automatically perform the assigned function. In an alternative, the radiotelephone 100 has pre-stored operational modes during manufacture, which modes correspond to or are assigned to specific functions. The user first enters the motion pattern generation mode before using the stored motion pattern to complete the function. In the preferred embodiment, the user enters this mode by pressing and holding key 102 (FIG. 1). If the key 102 is held down, the microprocessor 206 monitors the X and Y accelerometers as the user actuates the phone 100 to generate an actuation pattern. Once the button 102 is released, indicating that the action pattern is complete, the action pattern is compared with the pattern stored in memory. If there is a match, the microprocessor 206 instructs the phone 100 to perform the function corresponding to the stored mode.

Action modes can also be used to generate alphanumeric characters in the radiotelephone 100 through the principles described above. For example, once an action pattern has been entered into the handset, assigned to a certain alphanumeric character and stored in memory, the user can manipulate the handset 100 in a predetermined pattern to generate the corresponding alphanumeric character.

Motion can also be used as an input to the wireless handset 100 to notify the user of the receipt of an event after a predetermined period of handset inactivity. For example, if the wireless telephone 100 with short message service function receives a message, the microprocessor 206 determines that no X or Y acceleration has been detected within a predetermined period of time from the receipt of the message, and upon receiving an indication that the telephone has acted, the microprocessor 206 Processor 206 may send a message to speaker 214 or vibrator 216 to notify the user of the message. This notification can be provided periodically by the microprocessor until the short message is acknowledged. This notification feature is especially useful on clamshell phones that typically hide the display when not in use. Without this feature, the user would need to open the clamshell to see if the message was received.

The flowchart of Fig. 3 illustrates a method of assigning action patterns to functions and storing them in memory. In block 300, the microprocessor detects a user selection to enter an action mode assignment mode. In block 302, the microprocessor displays all functions for which a user can specify an action mode. After the user selects a function, the microprocessor detects the user's selection in block 304 . As the user moves the phone, the mode of motion is determined, and the microprocessor monitors the motion (acceleration) of the phone in block 306, preferably displaying to the user a symbol corresponding to the motion (block 308). In block 310, the microprocessor detects when the action mode ends, and in block 312 stores the action mode in memory.

The flowchart of Figure 4 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the method of how the microprocessor software interprets the phone's acceleration. First, the microprocessor detects that the user has entered motion pattern generation mode (block 400). In a preferred embodiment, this is accomplished by the user pressing and holding a key on the wireless handset. Next, in block 402, the microprocessor initializes a variable n representing the number of accelerations of the phone in the same direction to 0. The microprocessor reads X and Y acceleration values from the A/D converter (block 404). If the acceleration value is not greater than a certain threshold, the processor determines whether the user is still in motion pattern generation mode (decision block 408). If so, the microprocessor delays for a period of time (block 410) and repeats the process from block 404 onwards. If the user is no longer in motion pattern generation mode, the microprocessor compares the motion in the motion buffer to the learned fixed motion patterns (block 412), and determines whether the buffered pattern matches any of the learned fixed motion patterns (block 414). If so, the function associated with the mode is performed (block 416), and the method ends (block 428). If not, the method ends (block 428).

Referring back to decision block 406, if the acceleration value is greater than the threshold, indicating that acceleration has actually occurred, the microprocessor uses the X and/or Y acceleration from the look-up table of FIG. 5 to determine what action occurred (block 417). Next, in decision block 418, the method determines whether the acceleration is in the same direction as the most recent acceleration. If so, the microprocessor increments the variable n and proceeds to decision block 408 as previously described. If not, the microprocessor determines if the acceleration is in the opposite direction of the most recent acceleration (block 420). If so, the microprocessor decrements the value n (block 422), determining that the hysteresis modified variable is less than or equal to zero (decision block 424). (Hysteresis is able to detect and distinguish a reversal of motion from a cessation of motion without the need to integrate acceleration to determine velocity.) If not, decision block 408 is executed. If so, it indicates that the direction of the phone action is reversed, the microprocessor adds the action to the action buffer, clears the variable n (block 426), and executes the decision block 408.

Referring back to decision block 420, if the acceleration is not in the opposite direction of the most recent acceleration, the microprocessor determines whether the motion buffer is full (decision block 423). If so, the maximum number of actions has been stored and the method proceeds to decision block 408 . If not, add motion (acceleration) to the motion buffer and clear the variable n.

An example of how the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 is used to turn on the radiotelephone 100 is described below. In this example, the "Z" action pattern corresponds to the "power on" function stored in memory. (As will be explained below, actions 1, 6, and 1 in the look-up table of FIG. 5 define the "Z" action mode). In block 400, the microprocessor detects that the user has entered motion pattern generation mode. Next, in block 402, the microprocessor initializes the number of accelerations to zero. After the user accelerates the phone, corresponding to the first action "1" of the "Z" action mode, the microprocessor reads the X and Y values from the accelerometer 210 (via MUX 209 and A/D converter 211). Next, microprocessor 206 determines whether the acceleration is greater than some predetermined threshold, ensuring that acceleration actually occurred (decision block 406). If the acceleration is greater than the threshold, the method determines from the X and Y acceleration directions that the current motion is the motion corresponding to motion identifier "1" in the lookup table of FIG. 5 (block 417).

Next, the method determines whether this acceleration is in the same direction as the most recent acceleration (block 418). Since, this is the first acceleration that has occurred, the answer is "no" and the method proceeds to block 420, where it is determined whether this acceleration is in the opposite direction to the most recent acceleration (block 420). Because the answer is still "no", the method proceeds to frame 423 to determine whether the action buffer is full. At this point in the method, the action buffer is not full, so the method proceeds to block 426 . In block 426, the method adds the action (corresponding to action identifier "1") to the action buffer, setting n=0. Next, the method checks to see if the user is still in motion pattern generation mode (block 408). If so, the method delays, preferably 100 milliseconds (block 410), and then proceeds to block 404, where the process repeats.

If the user is still in the process of completing the first action, the answer to decision block 418 is "Yes" and the method proceeds to block 419, incrementing by n. The method remains in loop 403 as long as the user is completing the first action. The answer to decision block 418 is "No" and the method proceeds to decision block 420 when the user initiates the next motion of the "Z" motion. In block 420, the method determines that the second motion of the "Z" motion is not in the opposite direction of the first motion, so the method proceeds to block 422, which checks to see if the motion buffer is full. If the action buffer is not full, the method stores the second action of the "Z" action in the action buffer, clears n, and proceeds to block 408 . The method continues as previously described until the third motion of the "Z" motion is completed and stored in the motion buffer. At this point, the user exits the pattern generation mode and the method compares the actions in the action buffer with the action patterns stored in memory (block 412). If there is a match, the function associated with the action mode is performed (block 416) and the method ends (block 417).

Those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications and changes can be made in the device of the invention and in the construction of the device without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims (7)

1. A method for notifying a user of a wireless telephone that an event has occurred, the method comprising the steps of: detecting the occurrence of an event in the wireless set; detecting whether the wireless phone has moved within a predetermined time period; detecting movement of the wireless phone; Notifies the user that the event occurred. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the user is periodically notified that the event has occurred until the user confirms the notification of the event. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of detecting the occurrence of an event comprises detecting the occurrence of a received message. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of detecting whether the radiotelephone is moving further comprises detecting whether the radiotelephone is moving in the X and Y directions. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of detecting movement of the radiotelephone further comprises detecting movement of the radiotelephone in X and Y directions. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of notifying the user includes notifying the user via a speaker. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of notifying the user includes notifying the user via a vibrator.

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