Patent ID: 8643612
Filing Date: 2014-02-04
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A computer implemented method for performing a user-defined function in a computer system, performed by the computer system that is programmed to perform the method comprising: determining by a display of the computer system, an indication of a display position associated with the display in response to a user-initiated change in state of a user-controlled user input device relative to the computer system, wherein the user-initiated change in state is also associated with a rate of change in the state; determining by a physical sensor of the computer system, a magnitude of change in sensed physical properties by the physical sensor in response to the rate of change in the state; determining by the computer system whether the magnitude of change in sensed physical properties by the physical sensor exceeds a threshold level; determining by the computer system, a user selection of a function to perform in response to the indication of the position associated with the display when the magnitude of change in sensed physical properties by the physical sensor exceeds the threshold level; initiating by the computer system, performance of the function in response to the user selection of the function to perform; and inhibiting by the computer system, performance of the function when the magnitude change in sensed physical properties by the physical sensor does not exceed the threshold level; and wherein the physical sensor comprises a monolithic MEMS and CMOS integrated circuit device, wherein the monolithic MEMS and integrated circuit device comprises: a first semiconductor substrate having a first surface region; one or more CMOS integrated circuit devices provided on a CMOS integrated circuit device region overlying the first surface region, the CMOs integrated circuit device region having a CMOS surface region; a dielectric region overlying the CMOS surface region, the dielectric region having a cavity region provided therein; a second semiconductor substrate having a second surface region overlying the dielectric region and enclosing the cavity region, the second semiconductor substrate having a spring region overlying a vicinity of the cavity region; a first piezo resistor device provided within a first portion of the spring region of the second semiconductor substrate; a second piezo resistor device provided within a second portion of the spring region of the second semiconductor substrate; and a mass of material coupled to a portion of the spring region of the second semiconductor substrate between the second piezo resistor device and the first piezo resistor device, the mass material being overlying the cavity region and coupled to the spring region to be movable from at least a first position to a second position and to be sensed respectively by either or both the first piezo resistor device and the second piezo resistor device.