User definable gestures for motion controlled handheld devices

A method for operating a motion controlled handheld device comprising:

• generating an image on a viewable surface of the handheld device;
• maintaining a gesture database comprising a plurality of gestures, each gesture defined by a motion of the device with respect to a first position of the device;
• detecting an indication to record a new gesture;
• detecting a stabilization of the components of the motion of the device;
• upon detecting the stabilization, determining a base reference position;
• recording movement of the device with respect to the base reference position;
• detecting an indication to stop recording the new gesture;
• defining the new gesture using the recorded movement of the device with respect to the base reference position;
• and
• storing the new gesture in the gesture database.

A computer program for controlling a handheld device, the computer program embodied in a computer readable medium and operable when executed to perform the steps of:

• generating an image on a viewable surface of the handheld device;
• maintaining a gesture database comprising a plurality of gestures, each gesture defined by a motion of the device with respect to a first position of the device;
• detecting an indication to record a new gesture;
• detecting a stabilization of the components of the motion of the device;
• upon detecting the stabilization, determining a base reference position;
• recording movement of the device with respect to the base reference position;
• detecting an indication to stop recording the new gesture;
• defining the new gesture using the recorded movement of the device with respect to the base reference position;
• and
• storing the new gesture in the gesture database.

A motion controlled handheld device comprising:

• means for generating an image on a viewable surface of the handheld device;
• means for maintaining a gesture database comprising a plurality of gestures, each gesture defined by a motion of the device with respect to a first position of the device;
• means for detecting an indication to record a new gesture;
• means for detecting a stabilization of the components of the motion of the device;
• means for upon detecting the stabilization, determining a base reference position;
• means for recording movement of the device with respect to the base reference position;
• means for detecting an indication to stop recording the new gesture;
• means for defining the new gesture using the recorded movement of the device with respect to the base reference position;
• and
• means for storing the new gesture in the gesture database.