Method of device selection using sensory input and portable electronic device configured for same

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a method of device selection using sensory input and portable electronic device configured for same. In accordance with one example embodiment, there is provided a method for use in a portable electronic device for selecting a peripheral device for connection with the portable electronic device, comprising: measuring magnetic fields within the vicinity of the portable electronic device; identifying at least two peripheral devices in accordance with measured magnetic fields and one or more distinct characteristics of a magnetic field generated by each of the at least two peripheral devices which uniquely identify each of the at least two peripheral devices; and connecting the portable electronic device to one of the at least two peripheral devices using a wireless communications path.

1 . A method for use in a portable electronic device for selecting a peripheral device for connection with the portable electronic device, comprising:
 measuring magnetic fields within the vicinity of the portable electronic device;   identifying at least two peripheral devices in accordance with measured magnetic fields and one or more distinct characteristics of a magnetic field generated by each of the at least two peripheral devices which uniquely identify each of the at least two peripheral devices; and   connecting the portable electronic device to one of the at least two peripheral devices using a wireless communications path.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 determining a relative location of the at least two peripheral devices in accordance with a magnetic flux density of the measured magnetic fields and a relationship between magnetic flux density and relative location; and 
 selecting one of the at least two peripheral devices in accordance with the relative locations of the at least two peripheral devices. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the peripheral device is selected in accordance with the relative locations of the at least two peripheral devices and a selection input. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the selecting comprises:
 receiving a selection input; 
 identifying the peripheral device from the at least two peripheral devices in accordance with the selection input; and 
 selecting the identified peripheral device. 
 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the selection input is a received gesture. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the selection input is a directional input. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the identifying comprises:
 comparing the directional input with the relative locations of the at least two available peripheral devices; 
 determining which of the at least two available peripheral devices has a relative location nearest to a direction of the directional input; and 
 selecting the peripheral device having a relative location nearest to the direction of the directional input. 
 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the directional input is a touch gesture detected by a touch-sensitive display. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the directional input is a motion gesture. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 sending requests to one or more peripheral devices in response to receiving input to connect to a peripheral device or switch the peripheral device which the portable electronic device is connected to; 
 receiving responses from the at least two peripheral devices, wherein the responses include identifying information concerning the at least two peripheral devices. 
 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising:
 generating on the at least two peripheral devices a magnetic field having one or more distinct characteristics which are uniquely associated with a particular peripheral device in response to receiving the request. 
 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the requests are only sent to peripheral devices for which a profile is stored in a memory of the portable electronic device. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the at least two peripheral devices generate a time varying magnetic field which provides a distinct magnetic signature which provides the one or more distinct characteristics of a magnetic field generated by each of the at least two peripheral devices. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the time varying magnetic field has a characteristic period, offset and/or amplitude. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the time varying magnetic field has a characteristic waveform type. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the time varying magnetic field is a sinusoidal wave, square wave, triangular wave, saw tooth wave or pulse wave. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the time varying magnetic field has a characteristic period, offset and/or amplitude. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the wireless communication path is a BLUETOOTH communication path. 
     
     
         19 . An electronic device, comprising:
 a processor;   a magnetic sensor coupled to the processor for detecting magnetic fields within the vicinity of the electronic device;   a wireless communication subsystem coupled to the processor;   wherein the processor is configured for:
 measuring magnetic fields within the vicinity of the portable electronic device; 
 identifying at least two peripheral devices in accordance with measured magnetic fields and one or more distinct characteristics of a magnetic field generated by each of the at least two peripheral devices which uniquely identify each of the at least two peripheral devices; and 
 connecting the portable electronic device to one of the at least two peripheral devices using a wireless communications path. 
   
     
     
         20 . A method for use on a peripheral device for generating a magnetic field, comprising:
 receiving a request from a portable electronic device;   generating a magnetic field in response to receiving the request, wherein the magnetic field has one or more distinct characteristics which are uniquely associated with the peripheral device; and   connecting to the portable electronic device using a wireless communication path.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the magnetic field is a time varying magnetic field which provides a distinct magnetic signature uniquely associated with the peripheral device. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the time varying magnetic field has a characteristic period, offset and/or amplitude. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the time varying magnetic field has a characteristic waveform type. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the time varying magnetic field is a sinusoidal wave, square wave, triangular wave, saw tooth wave or pulse wave. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24  wherein the time varying magnetic field has a characteristic period, offset and/or amplitude. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the wireless communication path is a BLUETOOTH communication path. 
     
     
         27 . A peripheral device comprising:
 a processor;   a magnetic signal subsystem coupled to the processor for generating a magnetic field having one or more distinct characteristics;   a wireless communication subsystem coupled to the processor;   wherein the processor is configured for:
 receiving a request from a portable electronic device; 
 generating a magnetic field in response to receiving the request, wherein the magnetic field has one or more distinct characteristics which are uniquely associated with the peripheral device; and 
 connecting to the portable electronic device using a wireless communication path.