Body movement based usage of mobile device

Abstract

Body-based sensors are used to interact with one or more mobile devices. This interaction can be an alternative to or a supplement to traditional input methods on mobile devices. In order to facilitate everyday use, sensors can be hidden in jewelry or other fashion accessories normally worn by a user and wirelessly coupled to the mobile devices. When certain body movement is detected, a mobile device can automatically initiate one or more processes that perform various actions, such as actions on that mobile device or actions on communicatively coupled devices. The body movements can be user-defined so that a user can customize his interaction with the mobile device to meet the user's particular needs. The sensor array can also be adapted to turn on or off depending on the current environment.

1 . A mobile device system comprising:
 at least one input sensor attachable to or near at least one body part of the user including at least one orientation sensor; and   an input processing component of a first mobile device communicatively coupled to the at least one input sensor that tracks the movement of the at least one input sensor via the at least one orientation sensor, wherein the input processing component recognizes at least one pattern in input data generated by the at least one input sensor and communicated to the input processing component, whereby in response to the at least one pattern recognized in the input data, one or more processes are automatically initiated by the first mobile device.   
     
     
         2 . The mobile device system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one input sensor is or proximate to a piece of jewelry, the piece of jewelry is proximate to at least one body part of the user. 
     
     
         3 . The mobile device system of  claim 1 , further comprising an input processing component of a second mobile device communicatively coupled to the at least one input sensor that tracks the movement of the at least one input sensor via the at least one orientation sensor, wherein the input processing component recognizes at least one pattern in input data generated by the at least one input sensor and communicated to the input processing component, whereby in response to the at least one pattern recognized in the input data, one or more processes are automatically initiated by the second mobile device. 
     
     
         4 . The mobile device system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one input sensor attachable to or near at least one body part of the user is communicatively coupled to the first mobile device wirelessly. 
     
     
         5 . The mobile device system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one input sensor is or proximate to a fashion accessory, the fashion accessory is proximate to at least one body part of the user. 
     
     
         6 . The mobile device system of  claim 1 , wherein the input processing component recognizes at least one user-defined pattern in input data generated by the at least one input sensor. 
     
     
         7 . The mobile device system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more processes automatically initiated by the first mobile device comprises communicating with a remote computing device to automatically initiate one or more processes on the remote computing device. 
     
     
         8 . A method for use in connection with a mobile device, comprising:
 displaying a virtual input device to a user;   receiving orientation input data relating to an orientation of at least one body part of a user from at least one input sensor, including at least one orientation sensor attachable proximate to at least one body part of the user;   tracking the movement of the at least one input sensor via the at least one orientation sensor in relation to the displayed virtual input device; and   recognizing input to the displayed virtual input device based on the tracked movement.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising automatically initiating one or more processes by the mobile device in response to the recognized input. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the displaying of a virtual input device comprises displaying at least one of a virtual mouse or a virtual trackball. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the displaying of a virtual input device comprises displaying the virtual input device via a wearable output display. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the displaying of a virtual input device comprises displaying a virtual keypad with at least one user-defined key. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the receiving orientation input data relating to an orientation of at least one body part of a user from at least one input sensor comprises receiving orientation input data from at least one input sensor in a piece of jewelry. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the tracking includes tracking the movement of the at least one input sensor via the at least one orientation sensor in relation to the displayed virtual input device comprises tracking the movement of one or more fingers of a user. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the displaying of a virtual input device comprises displaying the virtual input device on an external output device communicatively coupled to the mobile device. 
     
     
         16 . A method of automatically switching on or off body-based movement interaction with a mobile device:
 determining a current environment for a user based on one or more sensors;   determining whether the current environment is appropriate for body-based movement;   when it is determined that the current environment is not appropriate for body-based movement, turning body-based movement interaction off; and   when it is determined that the current environment is appropriate for body-based movement, turning body-based movement interaction on.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the determining of a current environment for a user based on one or more sensors comprises determining a current environment for user based on at least one sensor attached to a body of the user. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the determining of a current environment for a user based on one or more sensors comprises determining a current location for the user based on at least one sensor attached to a body of the user. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the determining of a current environment for a user based on one or more sensors comprises determining a current activity for the user based on at least one sensor attached to a body of the user. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the determining of a current environment for a user based on one or more sensors comprises determining a current activity for the user based on at least one wireless sensor proximate to at least one of a piece of jewelry or fashion accessory.