Patent Publication Number: US-2009225026-A1

Title: Electronic device for selecting an application based on sensed orientation and methods for use therewith

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Many electronic devices provide several different user-selectable applications. For example, an electronic device can contain a plurality of applications to allow the electronic device to function as a telephone, a digital audio and/or video player, and a web browser. Many such electronic devices use a graphical user interface to allow a user to select one such application. To facilitate selection, the graphical user interface can present a series of menus, and a user can use input elements to navigate the menus and make a selection. Some electronic devices have a touch screen, through which a user can make a selection, and such electronic devices can use a proximity detection system to detect when a finger is in close proximity of the touch screen and generate keys in the vicinity of an expected user touch. 
     Additionally, some electronic devices, such as the Apple iPhone, contain an orientation sensor for sensing the orientation of the device. Based on the sensed orientation, the iPhone can change the display of an application from a “portrait” view to a “landscape” view. For example, when the iPhone is running a web browser application, turning the device from a portrait orientation to a landscape orientation causes the iPhone to change the display of the web browser application from a portrait view to a landscape view to allow better viewing. A change in orientation can also change the type of graphical user interface of the running application. For example, when the iPhone is running a digital audio player application, turning the device from a portrait orientation to a landscape orientation causes the iPhone to provide a different graphical user interface for the digital audio player application. Specifically, in the landscape orientation, the digital audio player application provides a “Cover Flow” graphical user interface that allows a user to flip through album covers to select an album. In the portrait orientation, the digital audio player application displays an album cover but does not provide the “Cover Flow” graphical user interface. 
     SUMMARY  
     The present invention is defined by the claims, and nothing in this section should be taken as a limitation on those claims. 
     By way of introduction, the embodiments described below provide an electronic device for selecting an application based on sensed orientation and methods for use therewith. In one embodiment, an electronic device is provided comprising a display device, an orientation sensor, a memory storing a plurality of applications, and circuitry in communication with the display device, orientation sensor, and memory. The circuitry is operative to select one of the plurality of applications based on an orientation sensed by the orientation sensor. 
     In another embodiment, the electronic device further comprises a user input element in communication with the circuitry. User manipulation of the user input element causes the circuitry to enter a mode of operation in which the circuitry is operative to select one of the plurality of applications based on the orientation sensed by the orientation sensor. The housing of the electronic device can be formed to indicate an orientation of the electronic device. In some embodiments, the plurality of applications are predetermined, while, in other embodiments, the plurality of applications are chosen by a user of the electronic device. The plurality of applications can take any suitable form, such as, a digital audio player application, a telephony application, a web browser application, and a digital video player application. In one presently preferred embodiment, the plurality of applications do not merely provide a different graphical user interface for a same application. In yet another embodiment, the electronic device comprises a proximity sensor operative to sense when a user&#39;s finger is in proximity to a location on the display device, and the circuitry is further operative to generate a graphical user interface near the location. Methods for use with such electronic devices are also provided. Other embodiments are disclosed, and each of the embodiments can be used alone or together in combination. 
     The embodiments will now be described with reference to the attached drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an electronic device of an embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is an illustration of an electronic device of an embodiment in a first orientation. 
         FIG. 3  is an illustration of an electronic device of an embodiment in a second orientation. 
         FIG. 4  is an illustration of an electronic device of an embodiment in a third orientation. 
         FIG. 5  is an illustration of an electronic device of an embodiment in a fourth orientation. 
         FIG. 6  is an illustration of a proximity-based graphical user interface displayed on an electronic device of an embodiment running a video player application. 
         FIG. 7  is an illustration of a proximity-based graphical user interface displayed on an electronic device of an embodiment running a web browser application. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Turning now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an electronic device  100  of an embodiment. As used herein, an “electronic device” refers to any device that uses electricity for some or all of its functionality. The electronic device  100  can be a wired or wireless device and, in some embodiments, takes the form of a portable handheld device. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the electronic device  100  of this embodiment comprises a memory  110  storing a plurality of applications (i.e., computer-executable program code) (Application  1 , Application  2 , . . . Application N) that, when executed, provide the electronic device  100  with certain functionality. The memory  110  can take any suitable form, such as, but not limited to, solid-state, magnetic, optical, or other types of memory. Examples of suitable applications include, but are not limited to, a digital audio player application, a telephony application, a web browser application, a digital video player application, a video game application, a digital camera application, an email application, a text messaging application, a calendar application, a notepad application, and a calculator application. Preferably, each application provides the electronic device  100  with different functionality (e.g., a music player versus telephony functionality) and not merely a different graphical user interface or a different mode of operation of the same application (e.g., as with the “Cover Flow” graphical user interface of the digital audio player on the Apple iphone). 
     The electronic device  100  also comprises a display device  120  (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD)) for providing a display (e.g., of the output of one of the applications) and a user input element  130  for accepting an input from a user. The electronic device  100  can have additional user input elements not shown in  FIG. 1  (e.g., a keyboard, a keypad, one or more knobs, wheels, buttons, and/or switches, etc.). When in the form of a touch-screen, the display device  120  can also accept user input when a user touches a selection choice displayed on the display device  120 . The electronic device  100  in this embodiment also comprises an orientation sensor  140  to sense the orientation of the electronic device  100 . The orientation sensor  140  can comprise, for example (but without limitation) a gyro or a gravity-sensitive switch, such as a mercury switch or a ball switch. 
     The electronic device  100  also comprises circuitry  150  in communication with the various components described above. As used herein, “in communication with” means in direct communication with or in indirect communication with through one or more components, which may be named or unnamed herein. “Circuitry” can include one or more components and can be a pure hardware implementation and/or a combined hardware/software (or firmware) implementation. Accordingly, “circuitry” can take the form of one or more of a microprocessor or processor that runs applications and other computer-readable program code stored in the memory  110  or in another storage location in the electronic device  100 , as well as logic gates, switches, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic controller, and an embedded microcontroller, for example. In this embodiment, the circuitry  150  is operative to select one of the plurality of applications in the memory  110  based on an orientation sensed by the orientation sensor  140 . (The circuitry  150  can also have other functions, such as running the general operation of the electronic device  100 .) In a presently preferred embodiment, the user input element  130  is used to toggle between a first mode of operation in which the circuitry  150  is operative to select one of the plurality of applications based on an orientation sensed by the orientation sensor  140  and a second mode of operation in which the circuitry  150  does not perform this functionality. For example, in the second mode of operation, the circuitry  150  can select an application based on a user selection of a choice presented in a graphical user interface displayed on the display device  120  instead of based on an orientation sensed by the orientation sensor  140 . The first mode of operation of the circuitry  150  will be illustrated below and in conjunction with  FIGS. 2-4 . 
       FIGS. 2-4  show the electronic device  100  in various orientations, and, in this embodiment, the various orientations are associated with various applications stored in the memory  110 . When the orientation sensor  140  senses the orientation shown in  FIG. 2 , the circuitry  150  selects the application associated with this orientation. Here, that application is a telephony application. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the telephony application displays a telephone keypad and various related soft buttons (e.g., speed dial, contacts, call registry, dial, hang-up, etc.) as part of the graphical user interface displayed on the display device  120 . With this application, the user can make or receive telephone calls and perform related tasks (e.g., retrieving/adding contact information, etc.). 
     If the user wants to switch applications, the user rotates the electronic device  100  to a different orientation. For example,  FIG. 3  shows the electronic device being rotated 90 degrees counter-clockwise with respect to the orientation shown in  FIG. 2 . In this embodiment, when the orientation sensor  140  senses the orientation shown in  FIG. 3 , the circuitry  150  selects the web browser application. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the web browser application displays a web page and various navigation buttons (e.g., back, forward, magnify, home) as part of the graphical user interface displayed on the display device  120 . Rotating the electronic device counter-clockwise by another 90 degrees causes the circuitry  150  to select the digital audio player application, and the associated graphical user interface is displayed on the display device  120 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . This graphical user interface provides volume and playback controls and displays the album cover (if available) associated with a selected song. Rotating the electronic device counter-clockwise by another 90 degrees causes the circuitry  150  to select the digital video player application.  FIG. 5  shows this application displaying a movie and volume and playback controls on the display device  120 . Rotating the electronic device counter-clockwise by another 90 degrees causes the circuitry  150  to again select the telephone application (see  FIG. 2 ). 
     It should be noted that, in some embodiments, the applications associated with the various orientations are predetermined and configured by an entity other than the end user. In this way, the manufacturer of the electronic device  100  can configure the electronic device  100  for optimal performance. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 2-5 , the video and web browser applications benefit more from a landscape view than a portrait view, and these applications are preset for the landscape orientations of the electronic device  100 . However, in other embodiments, at least one of the applications is configured by the user of the electronic device  100 . This provides flexibility in choosing both the applications associated with this “orientation selection” functionality and the type of view (landscape or portrait) used for each application. 
     There are many advantages associated with these embodiments. Because an application is selected based on the orientation of the electronic device  100 , a user can select an application without having to look at the display device  120  to navigate menus or even find an icon on the touch screen that is associated with a desired application. This may be desirable in situations where viewing the display device and/or interacting with a touch screen is difficult. Consider, for example, a situation in which a person is jogging while listening to songs using the digital audio player of the electronic device  100 . If the user needs to make or receive a telephone call while jogging, it is much easier for the user to simply change the orientation of the electronic device  100  (e.g., by rotating it 180 degrees, as in  FIGS. 2 and 4 ) instead of, while still jogging, trying to view the display device  120  and press the appropriate key(s) to select the telephony application. Similarly, if the electronic device  100  is being used in a car to provide audio output to the car&#39;s speakers and the user needs to make a telephone call, it is much easier and safer for the user to change the orientation of the electronic device  100  than to take his eyes of the road to view the display device  120  to find the appropriate keys to change applications. In addition to providing simplicity, this “orientation selection” functionality provides the electronic device  100  with more character and with more entertainment value than a standard electronic device. 
     As noted above, in some embodiments, the user input element  130  is used to place the circuitry  150  in a mode of operation where changing orientation will result in changing applications. In this way, the user can selective enable/disable the “orientation selection” functionality. Disabling this functionality may be desired, for example, when the electronic device  100  is being used to play music but is placed in the user&#39;s bag or purse. In such a situation, the electronic device may be jostled around and change orientations without the user intending to change applications. To enable the functionality again, the user simply manipulates the user input element  130 . In one presently preferred embodiment, the user input element  130  takes a form that is manipulatible by a user without requiring the user to actually view the display device  120 . For example, the user input element  130  can take the form of a button or a wheel that has a distinct tactile feel, so the user can easily find and recognize the user input element  130 . Thus, in those embodiments, even though changing an application would require both manipulation of the user input element  130  and a change in orientation of the electronic device  100 , the manipulation of the user input element  130  would be relatively easy for the user to do (e.g., far less difficult than navigating through a series of displayed menus). 
     There are many alternatives that can be used with these embodiments. For example, the housing of the electronic device  100  can be formed in such a way as to provide a user with a visual or tactile indication of the device&#39;s orientation and, thus, a sense of which application is/will be provided. For example, in the illustrations shown in  FIGS. 2-5 , one of the edges of the electronic device  100  is cut or tapered, which provides a user with an indication of orientation. That is, when the cut is in the upper-right-hand corner (as in  FIG. 2 ), the user would know that the electronic device  100  is in the “telephony orientation,” while when the cut is in the lower-left-hand corner (as in  FIG. 4 ), the user would know the electronic device  100  is in the “audio player orientation.” Of course, the housing can be provided with any other suitable type of visual and/or tactile qualities. For example, different materials or shapes can be used on different parts of the device  100  (e.g., metal on the top and plastic on the bottom, wider on the top than the bottom, etc.). 
     Also, while the various applications described above were illustrated as being used independently from one another, some or all of these applications can be used together. For example, if a user would like to listen to music while using the web browser, the user can orient the electronic device  100  in the position shown in  FIG. 4 , select and start playback of a song, and then rotate the electronic device  100  in the position shown in  FIG. 3 . Once in that position, the circuitry  150  would select the web browser application and provide web output on the display device  120 . However, the digital music application can still be running in the background and provide audio output. If the web browser application also needs to provide audio output, both audio outputs can be provided simultaneously, or rules can be used to select which of the two audio outputs to provide. 
     It should be noted that although the various orientations shown in  FIGS. 2-5  are about 90 degrees apart, the circuitry  150  can select applications based on other orientations (e.g., some amount less or more than 90 degrees, rotation about a different axis, etc.). Further, while each orientation was associated with a specific application in the above illustrations, in another embodiment, rotating the electronic device to different orientations cycles through various applications either randomly or starting from whatever application was running as the starting orientation. Also, it should be noted that the electronic device  100  can comprise additional components that were not shown in  FIG. 1  to simplify the drawing. These components can include, but are not limited to, a power input port, a power switch, an audio output port (e.g., a headphone jack), a video output port, a data port (e.g., a USB jack), a memory card slot, a wireless (e.g., RF or IR) transmitter and/or receiver, amplifiers, and digital-to-analog converters. Additionally, the electronic device  100  can contain applications that are not subject to the “orientation selection” functionally but are instead accessible only by other mechanisms (e.g., by navigating through menus, pressing an icon on a touch screen, etc.). 
     Different functionally can be used with these embodiments as well. For example, in some alternate embodiments, instead of a graphical user interface being displayed at a standard or predetermined location on the display device, a proximity sensor can be used to sense when a user&#39;s finger is in proximity to a location on the display device, and the circuitry can be further operative to generate a graphical user interface (e.g., with proximity touch keys) near the location. A proximity sensor can use any suitable technology, such as, but not limited to, electric field, capacitive, inductive, eddy current, hall effect, reed, magneto resistive, ultrasonic, acoustic, optical (e.g., optical visual light, optical shadow, optical color recognition, optical IR, etc.), heat, conductive, resistive, hear, sonar, and radar technologies. 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  illustrate this alternate embodiment. In  FIG. 6 , as the user&#39;s finger  200  is about to touch a location on the touch screen display device  210  of the electronic device  220 , the proximity sensor detects when a user&#39;s finger is in proximity to the location, and the circuitry generates the graphical user interface near the location. All of the relevant touch keys of the graphical user interface are literally at the user&#39;s fingertip, as compared to the playback controls shown in  FIG. 5 , which are at a predetermined location on the display device. When the user removes his finger  200 , the graphical user interface and proximity touch keys can disappear, allowing the movie to be played without obstruction. It should be noted that while this alternative was illustrated in  FIG. 6  with respect to a video player application, this functionality can be used with other applications. For example,  FIG. 7  shows this functionality being used with a web browser application. As with the example shown in  FIG. 6 , as the user&#39;s finger  300  is about to touch a location on the touch screen display device  310  of the electronic device  320 , the proximity sensor detects when a user&#39;s finger is in proximity to the location, and the circuitry generates the graphical user interface and proximity touch keys near the location. Since a different application is being used in this illustration, the types of proximity touch keys that are part of the graphical user interface are different from the ones shown in  FIG. 6  (although the same type of keys can be used). Again, as compared to the navigation controls shown in the web browser application in  FIG. 3 , the proximity touch keys are literally at the user&#39;s fingertip, providing a convenient and intuitive graphical user interface. 
     Some of the following claims may state that a component is operative to perform a certain function or is configured for a certain task. It should be noted that these are not restrictive limitations. It should also be noted that the acts recited in the claims can be performed in any order—not necessarily in the order in which they are recited. Also, it is intended that the foregoing detailed description be understood as an illustration of selected forms that the invention can take and not as a definition of the invention. It is only the following claims, including all equivalents, that are intended to define the scope of this invention. Finally, it should be noted that any aspect of any of the preferred embodiments described herein can be used alone or in combination with one another.