Abstract: A portable computing device with hybrid hardware/firmware accelerometers for drop and tumble detect is disclosed. In one embodiment, a portable computing device can include: (i) a plurality of accelerometers; and (ii) an embedded controller coupled to the plurality of accelerometers, where the embedded controller can change the portable computing device from a first state to a second state when a predetermined condition is detected by at least one of the plurality of accelerometers. The predetermined condition can include a dropping, tumbling, or free fall situation. Also, the first state can be an active state, while the second state can be a protective state, such as where a hard drive is shut down, for example.

Abstract: A portable computing device with hybrid hardware/firmware accelerometers for pointer control and user interface is disclosed. In one embodiment, a portable computing device can include: (i) at least one accelerometer; and (ii) an embedded controller coupled to the accelerometer, where the embedded controller can change a parameter or variable of the portable computing device when a predetermined condition is detected by the accelerometer. The predetermined condition can include a tilt of the portable computing device, and the parameter that is changed can be a game piece property, for example.