Removable input module
AssigneeMicrosoft Technology Licensing, LLC
InventorsStephen E. Hodges, Stuart Taylor, John Franciscus Marie Helmes
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A removable input module for a touch-screen device is described. The input module comprises an attachment mechanism to attach the module to the touch-screen device, one or more input controls and an accelerometer and/or magnetometer. The accelerometer and/or magnetometer are configured to provide signals to be used to determine the orientation of the input module relative to the touch-screen device and/or to another input module which is attached to the same touch-screen device. In an embodiment, the input module comprises a processor arranged to analyze the output of the accelerometer and/or magnetometer and determine the orientation of the input module.
Claims20
A removable input module for a touch-screen device, the input module comprising:
- an attachment mechanism arranged to attach the module to the touch-screen device;
- at least one input control;
- and
- an accelerometer and/or a magnetometer, wherein the accelerometer and/or magnetometer is configured to provide signals used for determining an orientation of the input module relative to the touch-screen device or another input module.
A method comprising:
- receiving an output signal from one of an accelerometer or a magnetometer in a removable input module for a touch-screen device;
- and
- determining an orientation of the input module relative to the touch-screen device or another input module based at least on the output signal.
A removable input module for a touch-screen device, the input module comprising:
- an attachment mechanism arranged to attach the module to the touch-screen device;
- at least one input control;
- and
- a module position sensor configured to provide signals used for determining an orientation of the input module relative to the touch-screen device or another input module.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.