Method for entering commands and/or characters for a portable communication device equipped with a tilt sensor

Abstract

Portable communication devices are disclosed. The devices each include a motion detector configured to measure a movement of the device relative to a neutral position of the device, an indicating unit configured to provide an indication that a current position of the device is to be set as the neutral position of the device, and a control unit configured to set the current position as the neutral position responsive to the indicating unit providing the indication. In an embodiment of the portable communication device, the control unit is further configured to associate the measured movement of the device relative to the neutral position of the device with an associated command and execute the associated command. In another embodiment of the portable communication device, the control unit is further configured to associate the measured movement of the device with an associated character and enter the associated character as an input character.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A portable communication device comprising:
 a motion detector configured to measure a movement of the device relative to a neutral position of the device; 
 an indicating unit configured to provide an indication that a current position of the device is to be set as the neutral position of the device; and 
 a control unit configured to:
 set the current position as the neutral position responsive to the indicating unit providing the indication, 
 associate the measured movement of the device relative to the neutral position of the device with an associated command, and 
 execute the associated command. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The portable communication device of  claim 1 , wherein the indicating unit is a keypad. 
     
     
       3. The portable communication of  claim 1 , wherein the control unit is further configured to set the current position as the neutral position responsive to the motion detector measuring a predetermined movement of the device relative to the neutral position of the device. 
     
     
       4. The portable communication device of  claim 1 , further comprising a display, a first indicator representing the neutral position of the device and a second indicator representing any further position of the device. 
     
     
       5. A portable communication device comprising:
 a motion detector configured to measure a movement of the device relative to a neutral position of the device; 
 an indicating unit configured to provide an indication that a current position of the device is to be set as the neutral position of the device; and 
 a control unit configured to:
 set the current position as the neutral position responsive to the indicating unit providing the indication, 
 associate the measured movement of the device with an associated character, and 
 enter the associated character as an input character. 
 
 
     
     
       6. The portable communication device of  claim 5 , wherein the indicating unit is a keypad. 
     
     
       7. The portable communication device of  claim 5 , wherein the control unit is further configured to set the current position as the neutral position responsive to the motion detector measuring a predetermined movement of the device relative to the neutral position of the device. 
     
     
       8. The portable device of  claim 5 , further comprising a display a first indicator representing the neutral position of the device and a second indicator representing any further position of the device.