Abstract:
A pitch recognition and optimization angle detector is integrated into a portable handheld electronic device, such as a text messaging device, to alert the user of an incorrect pitch to avoid excessive neck strain and potential injury. The pitch detector determines the angle in which the messaging device is currently oriented and compares the angle to an acceptable angle range. The detection system communicates information pertaining to the pitch to the user via either a pitch level indicator or an alert when the device is held outside of the acceptable angle range. The alert can be an icon, a color-coded display, a tactile alert, and an audible alert. The user can select the alert type or types. The acceptable angle range can be a default or user programmable.

Description:
RELATED US PATENT APPLICATION 
     This Non-Provisional US Application claims priority to Provisional U.S. Application 61/263,049, filed Nov. 20, 2009, which is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure generally relates to an apparatus and method to aid in ensuring proper anatomical use of a handheld mobile device. More particularly, an apparatus and method is provided to indicate (to a device user) whether the device is oriented within a predetermined acceptable angular range, during an operation wherein the user is viewing a device display, to prevent improper/harniful user anatomical posture. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Most mobile device operations require that a user view a device display. For some operations, such as text messaging and e-mailing, repetitive or prolonged viewing is common. As the medical community is learning, such repetitive or prolonged viewing can lead to both temporary and long term harmful health effects. In particular, medical professionals are becoming increasingly aware of the widespread occurrence negative spine related conditions, including cervical spine deformation and related muscle, nerve and joint irritation, due to such prolonged and repetitive viewing. Such issues are particularly prevalent in children, who are spending more and more time using such devices. The problem is not caused by the device operation being performed, but by the user&#39;s habitual poor posture (e.g., forward head tilt) while performing texting, emailing and other such operations, with the device. 
     User interfaces vary from device to device. For example, devices may incorporate alphanumeric keypads, QWERTY keyboards and/or touch displays having a soft key keyboard. Regardless of the type of interface, device users can easily avoid the aforementioned posture issues by simply maintaining the device within a particular orientation while performing data entry operations. Unfortunately, most users fail to recognize when the device is being held at an angle outside of an acceptable range. 
     Accordingly, the need clearly exists for a way to ensure that portable mobile device users are always cognizant of whether or not they are holding the device in a non-harmful orientation during texting, emailing and other such operations. It would be beneficial to provide such means integrated into the device itself to clearly indicate to a user whether a device is, in fact, being held in manner facilitating good posture. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure is generally directed to a viewing angle reference system and method of use to identify a proper viewing angle for a portable handheld device, alternately referred to herein as a “messaging device.” 
     In some embodiments, the messaging device viewing angle reference system may include: 
     a messaging device comprising a housing, a display integrated with the housing, messaging software operated by a microprocessor, a user entry means, and a wireless communication system; 
     an electronic pitch sensor in signal communication with the microprocessor; 
     pitch monitoring software which identifies when a pitch of the messaging device is outside of an acceptable range; and 
     a pitch output to communicate the pitch respective to the acceptable pitch range to the user. 
     In one aspect, the pitch output is a level indicator display. 
     In one aspect, the level indicator display is displayed as a linear indicator. 
     In another aspect, the pitch output is an indicator light. 
     In another aspect, the pitch output is an audio output. 
     In another aspect, the pitch output is a tactile output. 
     In another aspect, the pitch output will cause the backlight of the device to dim the screen so that the screen is unreadable. 
     In another aspect, the acceptable pitch range ranges with a top of the messaging device rotated forward 70 degrees from horizontal to 90 degrees from horizontal. 
     In another aspect, the acceptable pitch range ranges with a top of the messaging device rotated forward 60 degrees from horizontal to 100 degrees from horizontal. 
     In another aspect, the acceptable pitch range may be programmable by the device user. 
     In another aspect, the user may set the type/kind of the pitch output. 
     In another aspect, the pitch indicator may rotate when the messaging device is rotated to maintain a proper reading orientation. 
     In another aspect, the pitch indicator may be used for any text entry application, including, for example, text messaging, emailing, note taking, web browsing, document drafting, spreadsheet entry, and the like. 
     In another aspect, the pitch indicator can be utilized for other tasks such as viewing/reading a display. 
     In another aspect, a summary or trending of use can be maintained and presented to the user. 
     In another aspect, the trending of use can be presented in a circular posture trending chart. 
     These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the attached drawings and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which follow. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, where like numerals denote like elements and in which: 
         FIG. 1  presents an elevation display view of a handheld mobile device detailing the generic features of an exemplary text messaging user interface; 
         FIG. 2  presents an elevation display view of the device detailing exemplary primary components of a pitch indicating system; 
         FIG. 3  presents an elevation side view of the device illustrating an acceptable viewing angle; 
         FIG. 4  presents an elevation display view of the device illustrating two additional pitch alerting devices; 
         FIG. 5  presents an elevation display view of the device illustrating a rotational messaging user interface; and 
         FIG. 6  presents an elevation display view of the device detailing an exemplary trending use pitch indicating system. 
     
    
    
     Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, where applicable, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “rear”, “right”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in  FIG. 1 . Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
     It should be well understood that the present invention could be applied for use with virtually any handheld mobile device. Likewise, it will be well understood that the present invention will benefit device users during a myriad of device operations. However, for the purpose of simplicity, the following description assumes that the device is a text messaging device. 
     Text messaging device  100  is illustrated throughout the Figures incorporating a pitch indicating system and various pitch indicator outputs. Various generic features of the device  100  are presented in  FIG. 1 . The device  100  is constructed having a messaging operations window  130  assembled to a messaging device housing  102 . The device  100  can include features such as an audio input  103  and an audio low volume output  104  for audio input and output, respectively, as suitable for a cellular telephone. At least one user control interface  106  can be integrated into the device, providing a means for the user to operate the device. The text device  100  may include commonly included components of a messaging system, including a keyboard  140 , a messaging operations header  132 , a message entry window  134 , a messaging address window  136  and a messaging send icon  138 . The keyboard  140  can be of any form factor, including soft keys (as shown), an alphanumeric keypad utilized for entry of alphanumeric data, a partial or complete QWERTY hard key keyboard, and the like. The messaging system utilizes software, a microprocessor  150  and respective circuitry, a wireless communications system  154 , a portable power supply  152 , and the like as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
     A pitch indicating system may an electronic pitch sensor  160  in signal communication with the microprocessor  150 . Power is provided to the microprocessor  150  and electronic pitch sensor  160  via the portable power supply  152 . The electronic pitch sensor  160  monitors the pitch of the text messaging device  100  as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . The output of the electronic pitch sensor  160  is converted into an understood data point. The data point is interpreted as placing a longitudinal axis of the text messaging device  100  into a pitch angle with the preferred angle being a vertical reference  200  or 90 degrees from horizontal with the display facing the user. The longitudinal axis is defined by the orientation of the messaging device housing  102 , being lengthwise when held in a portrait mode ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) and being widthwise when the messaging device housing  102  is held in a landscape mode ( FIG. 5 ): As the user rolls the text messaging device  100  forward or backward, the pitch changes. The acceptable pitch would be defined by an acceptable pitch range  202  preferably between the vertical reference  200  and an acceptable rearward angle  210 . The optimal viewing angle places the housing  102  at a vertical reference  200  about 90 degrees from horizontal, rotated to referenced position illustrated as a messaging device housing  102 ′ wherein the acceptable rearward angle  210  is substantially 70 degrees from horizontal. Should the text messaging device  100  continue to rotate to an angle outside the acceptable pitch range  202 , being referenced as positions illustrated as a messaging device housing  102 ″, the system indicates that the pitch is outside of the acceptable pitch range  202 . Examples illustrate the text messaging device  100  being outside the acceptable pitch range  202  include being minimally rotated to an unacceptable rearward angle  212 , excessively rotated forward to a marginally acceptable forward angle  214 , and rotated further to an angle such as an unacceptable forward angle  216 . When the text messaging device  100 ′ is rotated to a position within the acceptable pitch range  202 , an acceptable pitch indicator  122  would illuminate, and the actual measured pitch indicator  118  would be positioned within the acceptable pitch level section  112 . When the text messaging device  100 ″ is rotated beyond the acceptable pitch range  202 , such as being tilted excessively rearwards (oriented with the display facing upwards and closer to horizontal), such as an unacceptable rearward angle  212  illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the actual measured pitch indicator  118  would be positioned within the under limit pitch level section  116 . When the text messaging device  100 ″ is rotated beyond the acceptable pitch range  202 , such as being tilted excessively forward (display facing downwards and closer to horizontal), such as a marginally acceptable forward angle  214  or worse, a marginally acceptable forward angle unacceptable forward angle  216  as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the actual measured pitch indicator  118  would be positioned within the over limit pitch level section  114 . 
     The pitch level indicator  110  is one embodiment for communicating the pitch to a user. Various alternate embodiments can be utilized for communicating the pitch to a user. One such exemplary embodiment utilizes two lighted icons, an unacceptable pitch indicator  120  and an acceptable pitch indicator  122  as shown in the messaging operations header  132 . When the text messaging device  100  is positioned within the acceptable pitch range  202 , the acceptable pitch indicator  122  illuminates. When the text messaging device  100  is positioned outside the acceptable pitch range  202 , the unacceptable pitch indicator  120  illuminates. The unacceptable pitch indicator  120  and acceptable pitch indicator  122  can be color-coded such as green for acceptable, red for unacceptable. It is recognized that a single icon can be used, wherein the icon changes color to indicate an acceptable pitch (green), marginal pitch (yellow), or unacceptable pitch (red). The icon can alternately utilize text, or other identifier. 
     Other alternate embodiments are illustrated in  FIG. 4 , wherein the user is informed that the text messaging device  100  is orientated outside the acceptable pitch range  202  via either a tactile output  230  and/or an audible alert emitted from the audio high volume output  107 . The tactile output  230  would be generated by any tactile creation device, such as an off-balanced motor, a pancake motor, and the like. The audio high volume output  107  would provide an audible alert that identifies when the text messaging device  100  is positioned outside the acceptable pitch range  202 . The text messaging device  100  can include a plurality of alert notification means (as shown), wherein the alert means can be selected via a software configuration. 
     Any displayed alert, such as the unacceptable pitch indicator  120  and acceptable pitch indicator  122  can be re-oriented if the text messaging device  100  is operable in a rotated orientation presented as a text messaging device  100 ′ illustrated in  FIG. 5 . The messaging components, such as the messaging operations window  130  and the keyboard  140  (as shown in a portrait view) re-orientate either manually or automatically to a messaging operations window  130 ′ and the keyboard  140 ′(as shown in a landscape view). The unacceptable pitch indicator  120  and acceptable pitch indicator  122  are also re-orientated and illustrated as an unacceptable pitch indicator  120 ′ and an acceptable pitch indicator  122 ′ respectively. It is recognized the pitch level indicator  110  ( FIG. 1 ) can rotate, change location, change shape, and the like to optimize the view when the text messaging device  100  is rotated to a text messaging device  100 ′ orientation. The software can additionally dim a backlight and/or the display when the a text messaging device  100  is rotated outside of an acceptable angle. 
     Another indicator form factor is referred to as a posture trending reference  300 , illustrated in  FIG. 6 . The posture trending reference  300  displays a tallied data in any format, with the exemplary embodiment illustrated in a form factor of a circular reference, commonly referred to as a pie chart. The application maintains the percentage of use where the text messaging device  100  is positioned outside of the acceptable angle window. The posture trending reference  300  presents a summary of the percentage of time where the user is viewing the text messaging device  100  at an unacceptable angle compared to the total time of usage. The summary can be presented as a ration to the entire usage of time in any format. One exemplary format is a circular reference display  310 . A percentage of risk at current viewing angle  320  is presented as a percentage of the circular reference display  310  as illustrated. A reference for the user is presented, including a perfect posture indicator  312  and a at risk usage indicator  322 . 
     It is understood the pitch indicator system is used to ensure the operator maintains proper neck posture, wherein the system can be applied to any user interface, including viewing or reading the display, and any user entry mode, including text messaging (as detailed herein), emailing, note taking, document drafting, spreadsheet data entry, calculators, game playing, and the like. 
     Although the text messaging device  100  is utilized as an exemplary embodiment in the disclosure, it is understood that the present invention can be integrated into any portable electronics device. Other exemplary devices which can benefit from the present invention include mobile phones, e-readers, portable gaming units, mp3 players, portable computing devices, tablet computing devices, personal data assistants (PDAs), and the like. 
     Since many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalence.