This application claims priority of Taiwan Patent Application No. 096150501, filed on Dec. 27, 2007, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.
1. Field of the Invention
The disclosure relates generally to data result determination methods and systems using a motion sensor, and, more particularly to methods and systems that use a motion sensor to detect a user's action, and determine a data result according to the user's action.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, portable devices, such as handheld devices, have become more and more technically advanced and multifunctional. For example, a handheld device may have e-mail message capabilities, an advanced address book management system, a media playback system, and various other functions. Due to increased convenience and functions of the devices, these devices have become necessities of life.
In some data applications, such as fortune-telling applications, users can input specific data, such as name and birth information, and the input data is calculated using a fixed formula to accordingly determine a specific result from a plurality of predefined results. For this data application, when the input data is the same, the result is always the same. For another data application, users do not need to input personal information, but directly select a specific result from predefined results via computing devices randomly.
Data result determination methods and systems using a motion sensor are provided. In the invention, users can participate in the determination procedure of data results. Data results can be determined according to a user's specific actions.
In an embodiment of a data result determination method for use in an electronic device having a motion sensor, at least one object is displayed in a display unit. Then, an action is detected by the motion sensor. The object displayed in the display unit is moved according to the action, and the object moving according to the action is displayed in the display unit. Finally, a data result is determined according to a state of the moved object.
An embodiment of a data result determination system includes a display unit a motion sensor, and a processing unit coupled to the motion sensor. The display unit displays at least one object. The motion sensor detects an action. The processing unit moves the object displayed in the display unit according to the action, and displays the moving object via the display unit. The processing unit determines a data result according to a state of the moved object.
Data result determination methods and systems may take the form of a program code embodied in a tangible media. When the program code is loaded into and executed by a machine, the machine becomes an apparatus for practicing the disclosed method.
The invention will become more fully understood by referring to the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Data result determination methods and systems using a motion sensor are provided.
The data result determination system 100 comprises a motion sensor 110, a display unit 120, a storage unit 130, and a processing unit 140. The motion sensor 110 can detect actions applied by users to the electronic device. The actions detected by the motion sensor 110 can comprise a direction and strength applied to the electronic device. In some embodiments, the motion sensor can comprise an acceleration sensor or a gravity sensor. The above sensors are examples of the invention, any motion sensor that can detect actions applied by users to the electronic device can be applied in the invention. The display unit 120 can display related operational interfaces and pictures of a data application, and related information. The storage unit 130 can store several data items (not shown), such as images, voice, and/or texts. Each data item can correspond to at least one object state. The processing unit 140 performs data result determination methods of the invention. Related details are discussed later.
In step S210, at least one object is displayed in the display unit. In the application of fortune-telling, the object may be a lot in a lots container, a divining crescent, and/or a coin. The number of the objects can be adjusted based on different data applications. In some embodiments, the objects may include three coins (A, B and C), as shown in the picture 300 of
Since the action comprises the direction and strength applied to the electronic device, the object can be moved according to the direction of the action, and/or the object can be moved according to the strength applied to the electronic device and a physical mechanical property. In some embodiments, the time for moving the object can be extended based on the action. Additionally, a state, such as an arrangement, a direction, and/or a position of the object can be also affected based on the strength applied to the electronic device and the physical mechanical property. The object can accomplish physical effects, such as shifting, rotation and rolling based on the direction and the strength applied to the electronic device of the detected action and the physical mechanical property.
If the action stops (Yes in step S230), in step S270, the object is gradually stopped, and the moved object (after moving) is displayed in the display unit. In the above example of three coins, a picture 310 having three moved coins is shown in
It is understood that, fortune-telling is only an example of a data application in the embodiments. The invention is not limited thereto, and any data application can be applied in the present invention. It is to be stated again, that users can participate in the determination procedure of data results, and the data results can be determined according to users' specific actions. Since all possible data results are known, the determination of data results can be considered as being “physically random generated”, wherein one of the data results can be determined based on the participation of users. Compared to the conventional data application where the same data result is obtained when the same data is input, the input procedure of data of the invention will also affect the determined data result. The input procedure is the users' action. Therefore, user satisfaction is enhanced due to the increase of user participation during the input procedure, and the variety of data results.
Data result determination methods and systems, or certain aspects or portions thereof, may take the form of a program code (i.e., executable instructions) embodied in tangible media, such as floppy diskettes, CD-ROMS, hard drives, or any other machine-readable storage medium, wherein, when the program code is loaded into and executed by a machine, such as a computer, the machine thereby becomes an apparatus for practicing the methods. The methods may also be embodied in the form of a program code transmitted over some transmission medium, such as electrical wiring or cabling, through fiber optics, or via any other form of transmission, wherein, when the program code is received and loaded into and executed by a machine, such as a computer, the machine becomes an apparatus for practicing the disclosed methods. When implemented on a general-purpose processor, the program code combines with the processor to provide a unique apparatus that operates analogously to application specific logic circuits.
While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms of preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Those who are skilled in this technology can still make various alterations and modifications without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention shall be defined and protected by the following claims and their equivalents.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
96150501 | Dec 2007 | TW | national |