Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to spectrally and spatially dissecting accelerometer data from a signal of a motion sensor. Data received from the dissected signal is reduced to statistical averages for selected frequency bands and spatial dimensions. A time segment subject over which the signal was acquired is segmented so that the dissected signal may be evaluated per the segmentation of the time. Change of orientation towards gravity of the sensor is analyzed with respect to a change of orientation from a before impact segment to an after impact segment. The analyzed change in orientation value with respect to a threshold is a factor in determination of a fall of a body to which the sensor is attached.

Abstract: A reduced size and split keyboard arrangement is provided for a portable computing apparatus. The arrangement of the keys, together with mapping of multiple characters to the keys allows reduction of the keyboard to a smaller footprint of a handheld device. Keys may have a single character or multiple characters mapped thereto. For the keys with multiple character mapping, the selection of the character may be by done by simultaneous or near-simultaneous pressing of adjacent physical keys. In one embodiment, disambiguation software may be employed to determine selection of a character from a physical or virtual key with multiple characters assigned thereto.

Abstract: A method, system, and article to support a motion based input system. Movement data is acquired from a motion sensor. An orientation detector detects orientation towards gravity from a rest position, and a motion detector detects motion, including movement and rest. In addition, an inference state machine in communication with the orientation and motion detectors maintains a sequence of the detected motion conditions, and produces a profile description for the sequence of the detected motion conditions. An output event corresponding to the profile description is generated based upon the profile.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to spectrally and spatially dissecting high frequency noise from a signal of a motion sensor. Data received from the dissected signal is reduced to statistical averages for selected frequency bands and spatial dimensions. A logic engine translates the statistical average to real-world application.

Abstract: An apparatus having an arrangement of two or more identical accelerometers with aligned sensitivity axes. Each of the accelerometers senses motion over at least one axis. The accelerometer readings include a component corresponding to gravitational force that is the same for each accelerometer in the arrangement. Logic circuitry in communication with the accelerometer arrangement couples accelerometer signals to a processor to compute motion variables.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture are provided to support communication from two or more input devices to an image on a visual display of a handheld computing apparatus. At least two input devices are provided, together with a mapping of positions of the input devices. Each mapping of the combined input devices is configured to manipulate an image on the visual display.

Abstract: A method, system, and article to support a motion based input system. Movement data is acquired from a motion sensor. An orientation detector detects orientation towards gravity from a rest position, and a motion detector detects motion, including movement and rest. In addition, an inference state machine in communication with the orientation and motion detectors maintains a sequence of the detected motion conditions, and produces a profile description for the sequence of the detected motion conditions. An output event corresponding to the profile description is generated based upon the profile.

Abstract: A reduced size and split keyboard arrangement is provided for a portable computing apparatus. The arrangement of the keys, together with mapping of multiple characters to the keys allows reduction of the keyboard to a smaller footprint of a handheld device. Keys may have a single character or multiple characters mapped thereto. For the keys with multiple character mapping, the selection of the character may be by done by simultaneous or near-simultaneous pressing of adjacent physical keys. In one embodiment, disambiguation software may be employed to determine selection of a character from a physical or virtual key with multiple characters assigned thereto.

Abstract: An apparatus having an arrangement of two or more identical accelerometers with aligned sensitivity axes. Each of the accelerometers senses motion over at least one axis. The accelerometer readings include a component corresponding to gravitational force that is the same for each accelerometer in the arrangement. Logic circuitry in communication with the accelerometer arrangement couples accelerometer signals to a processor to compute motion variables.

Abstract: An active keyboard system includes a processor, a memory, and a display communicatively connected to one another. The system includes input means for inputting data and commands into the system. The input means include at least one selector, and a plurality of keys. Active keyboard system software is stored on the memory and is configured to dynamically present available choices on the display grouped to effect unambiguous selection of the available choices through use of the input means. The active keyboard system software includes presentation code and filter code. The presentation code includes step or scroll resolution code to enable scrolling, and grid presentation code to organize available choices on a visual grid and provide the visual grid to the display. The grid presentation code configures the visual grid with one or more panes each configured as a matrix with a plurality of columns and plurality of rows.

Abstract: An active keyboard for handheld electronic devices which allows the user of the device to support the device and enter text and data while using only one hand. The device has a housing, a display, a processor, a memory, a selection device, and at least four keys. When the handheld device is gripped the keys underlay the tips of the user's fingers and the selection device underlays the user's thumb. The software outputs a grid design to the display showing several columns of values. The user highlights a set of four values using the selection device and those values are assigned to the keys. Pressing a key enters the values assigned to that key into the text area of the display or if the value represents a mode of operation, runs the program controlling that mode.

Abstract: An active keyboard system includes a processor, a memory, and a display communicatively connected to one another. The system includes input means for inputting data and commands into the system. The input means include at least one selector, and a plurality of keys. Active keyboard system software is stored on the memory and is configured to dynamically present available choices on the display grouped to effect unambiguous selection of the available choices through use of the input means. The active keyboard system software includes presentation code and filter code. The presentation code includes step or scroll resolution code to enable scrolling, and grid presentation code to organize available choices on a visual grid and provide the visual grid to the display. The grid presentation code configures the visual grid with one or more panes each configured as a matrix with a plurality of columns and plurality of rows.

Abstract: An active keyboard for handheld electronic devices which allows the user of the device to support the device and enter text and data while using only one hand. The device has a housing, a display, a processor, a memory, a selection device, and at least four keys. When the handheld device is gripped the keys underlay the tips of the user's fingers and the selection device underlays the user's thumb. The software outputs a grid design to the display showing several columns of values. The user highlights a set of four values using the selection device and those values are assigned to the keys. Pressing a key enters the values assigned to that key into the text area of the display or if the value represents a mode of operation, runs the program controlling that mode.