Patent ID: 8903519

Claim:
An electronic device having a center of mass, the electronic device comprising: a motion sensor; a processor that detects when the electronic device is in freefall based on information from the motion sensor; a protective mechanism having a mass that functions in a first capacity during the freefall and a second capacity during an alert, wherein the processor alters the center of mass of the electronic device by moving the mass in the protective mechanism in response to detecting the freefall of the electronic device; and an enclosure that at least partially encloses the processor and the motion sensor, wherein the enclosure is vibrated during the alert by vibrating the mass of the protective mechanism; a motor in communication with the processor, wherein the mass is operably connected to the motor and configured to rotate with respect to the motor, wherein the mass rotates at a first speed with respect to the motor during the freefall, wherein the mass rotates at a second speed with respect to the motor during the alert, and wherein the first speed is different from the second speed.