Orientation dependent functionality of an electronic device

Abstract

An electronic device is provided that includes a housing, a plurality of modules, a sensor and a selection mechanism. The housing has multiple housing segments, with each segment housing one of the plurality of modules. The sensor detects an orientation of the electronic device. The selection mechanism automatically selects at least one, but nor all, of the plurality of modules to be active, based on the detected orientation of the electronic device.

1 . An electronic device comprising: 
 a housing having a plurality of housing segments;    a plurality of modules, each module being encased in one of the housing segments;    a sensor to detect an orientation of the electronic device; and    a selection mechanism to automatically select at least one, but not all, of the plurality of modules to be active, based on the detected orientation of the electronic device.    
     
     
         2 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of modules has a set of user-interface features that can be at least partially controlled by the selection mechanism, and wherein the selection mechanism enables the set of user-interface features of the at least one selected module to be operational.  
     
     
         3 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the housing has a first housing segment and a second housing segment, the first housing segment having a first exterior panel that provides a first set of user-interface features, the second housing segment having a second exterior panel that provides a second set of user-interface features, and wherein the selection mechanism selects one of the first and second set of user-interface features to be operational.  
     
     
         4 . The electronic device of  claim 3 , wherein the first exterior panel opposes the second exterior panel.  
     
     
         5 . The electronic device of  claim 3 , wherein the sensor determines whether the first exterior panel or the second exterior panel is positioned downward.  
     
     
         6 . The electronic device of  claim 5 , wherein the sensor detects a direction of gravity.  
     
     
         7 . The electronic device of  claim 6 , wherein the sensor is an accelerometer.  
     
     
         8 . The electronic device of  claim 3 , wherein the first housing segment is detachably coupled to the second housing segment.  
     
     
         9 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the selection mechanism is a processor configured to enable each of the modules individually.  
     
     
         10 . The electronic device of  claim 3 , wherein the first set of user-interface features includes a display and a plurality of actuatable surfaces.  
     
     
         11 . The electronic device of  claim 10 , wherein the second set of user-interface features includes a display and a plurality of actuatable surfaces.  
     
     
         12 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the selection mechanism maintains one or more non-selected modules in an inactive state in response to the detected orientation.  
     
     
         13 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the selection mechanism detects a new orientation, and selects a different module in response to the detected new orientation.  
     
     
         14 . A method for configuring an electronic device for use, the method comprising: 
 detecting an orientation of the electronic device; and    selecting a first module from a plurality of modules to be operational based on the detected orientation of the electronic device.    
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein detecting an orientation of the electronic device includes detecting a direction of gravity.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein detecting an orientation of the electronic device is automatically in response to activating the electronic device.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein detecting an orientation of the electronic device includes detecting a downward facing module, and selecting one module from a plurality of modules includes selecting an upward facing module that opposes the downward facing module.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising maintaining a non-selected module in a non-active state until a new orientation is selected.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising detecting a change in the orientation of the electronic device to a new orientation.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising selecting a second module different than the first module in response to detecting a change in the orientation of the electronic device.