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US 10,310,602 B2Granted
Controlled gyroscopic torque for an electronic device
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsJames A. Stryker, Shikhar Shrestha, Tommaso P. Rivellini
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A mobile electronic device can include one or more gyroscopes that each produces a controlled gyroscopic torque. An event is detected by the mobile electronic device. Characteristics of gyroscopic torque to be transmitted to the mobile electronic device may be determined. The spatial orientation of the mobile electronic device is altered by generating gyroscopic torque or torques with the gyroscope.
Claims21
A method for operating a mobile electronic device that includes a gyroscope and a display in an enclosure of the mobile electronic device, the method comprising:
- detecting an event;
- determining a characteristic of a gyroscopic torque to be transmitted to the mobile electronic device, wherein the characteristic of the gyroscopic torque is based on a characteristic of the event;
- and
- altering a spatial orientation of the mobile electronic device by causing the gyroscope to generate the gyroscopic torque with the gyroscope in accordance with the determined characteristic of the gyroscopic torque, the generating the gyroscopic torque comprising:
- rotationally oscillating a mass about a first axis while tilting the mass about a second axis;
- while the mass is being rotated in a first direction about the first axis during the rotational oscillation, tilting the mass in a second direction about the second axis;
- while the mass is being rotated in a third direction about the first axis during the rotational oscillation, tilting the mass in a fourth direction about the second axis;
- and
- transmitting a force corresponding to the gyroscopic torque through the enclosure, wherein
- the first direction is opposite to the third direction;
- and
- the second direction is opposite to the fourth direction.
9 more elements
A mobile electronic device, comprising:
- an enclosure;
- a display positioned in the enclosure and including a glass cover;
- a gyroscope in the enclosure and comprising a mass;
- and
- a control system operably connected to the gyroscope and adapted to execute instructions that cause the mobile electronic device to:
- detect an event;
- determine a characteristic of a gyroscopic torque to be transmitted to the mobile electronic device, wherein the characteristic of the gyroscopic torque is based on a characteristic of the event;
- alter a spatial orientation of the mobile electronic device by causing the gyroscope to generate the gyroscopic torque in accordance with the determined characteristic of the gyroscopic torque;
- and
- cause the gyroscope to generate the gyroscopic torque by:
- rotationally oscillating the mass about a first axis, comprising cycling between:
- rotating a mass less than a complete revolution in a first direction;
- and
- rotating the mass less than a complete revolution in a second direction opposite the first direction;
- and
- while rotationally oscillating the mass, tilting the mass about a second axis different than the first axis.
13 more elements
A gyroscope module for altering a spatial orientation of a mobile electronic device, comprising:
- a gyroscope comprising:
- a housing configured to be coupled to a mobile electronic device;
- a mass within the housing and configured to rotationally oscillate about a first axis;
- and
- an actuator configured to tilt the mass about a second axis;
- a control system operably connected to the gyroscope, wherein the control system is adapted to execute instructions that cause the gyroscope module to:
- receive, from the mobile electronic device, an indication of an event;
- determine a characteristic of a gyroscopic torque to be transmitted to the mobile electronic device, wherein the characteristic of the gyroscopic torque is based on a characteristic of the event;
- and
- alter a spatial orientation of the mobile electronic device by causing the gyroscope to generate the gyroscopic torque in accordance with the determined characteristic of the gyroscopic torque, wherein causing the gyroscope to generate the gyroscopic torque comprises:
- causing the mass to be rotationally oscillated about the first axis, comprising:
- causing the mass to rotate less than a complete revolution in a first direction;
- and
- causing the mass to rotate less than a complete revolution in a second direction opposite the first direction;
- and
- while the mass is rotationally oscillated about the first axis, causing the mass to be tilted about the second axis.
13 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.