Handset with spin input

Abstract

The handset include a case configured such that when the handset is placed face-up on a substantially horizontal surface a user can spin the spin the handset on the surface and the handset will continue to spin after the user has released the handset. The handset also includes electronics in the case. The electronics are configured to execute one or more functions in response to the spinning of the handset on the surface.

1 . A handset, comprising:
 a case configured such that when the handset is placed face-up on a substantially horizontal surface a user can spin the handset on the surface and the handset will continue to spin on the surface after the user has released the handset; and   electronics in the case, the electronics being configured to control one or more functions of the handset in response to the spinning of the handset on the surface.   
     
     
         2 . The handset of  claim 1 , wherein the case has a contact location that is the only location on a back of the case that contacts the surface during the spinning of the handset, the contact location having an area less than 5% of an area of a handset projection onto the surface. 
     
     
         3 . The handset of  claim 1 , wherein a centerpoint of the handset is a location on a back of the case that is directly under a center of mass of the handset when the handset is spinning on the surface and the handset is configured so at least a portion of a contact location is within 0.5 inch of the centerpoint, the contact location being the only location on a back of the case that contacts the surface during the spinning of the handset. 
     
     
         4 . The handset of  claim 1 , wherein a back of the case is curved along an entire length of the back and the handset is curved along an entire width of the back. 
     
     
         5 . The handset of  claim 1 , wherein the electronics are configured to determine a total angle of rotation through which the handset rotates during a spin of the handset. 
     
     
         6 . The handset of  claim 1 , wherein the electronics are configured to determine a total number of rotations during a spin of the handset. 
     
     
         7 . The handset of  claim 1 , wherein the electronics are configured to determine a direction that the handset spins during a spin of the handset. 
     
     
         8 . The handset of  claim 1 , wherein the electronics are configured to determine one or more variables selected from a group consisting of the total rotation angle during the spin, total number of rotations during the spin, and direction of rotation during the spin, and
 the electronics control the one or more functions of the handset in response to a value of each one of the one or more of the determined variables.   
     
     
         9 . The handset of  claim 8 , wherein the electronics execute the one or more functions in response to the one or more determined variables having a value in a range of values. 
     
     
         10 . The handset of  claim 9 , wherein the one or more functions are functions of an operating system. 
     
     
         11 . The handset of  claim 10 , wherein the handset includes one or more input devices and one or more output devices and the one or more functions are each a function of an application that communicates with at least one of the one or more input devices and one or more output devices through the operating system. 
     
     
         12 . The handset of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more functions are each a function of an application downloaded onto the handset by a user of the handset. 
     
     
         13 . The handset of  claim 1 , wherein the handset includes one or more accelerometers and employs an output from the one or more accelerometers in determining one or more variables selected from a group consisting of the total rotation angle during the spin, total number of rotations during the spin, and direction of rotation during the spin. 
     
     
         14 . The handset of  claim 1 , wherein the handset includes one or more angular rate sensors in determining one or more variables selected from a group consisting of the total rotation angle during the spin, total number of rotations during the spin, and direction of rotation during the spin. 
     
     
         15 . The handset of  claim 14 , wherein the one or more angular rate sensors includes a gyroscope. 
     
     
         16 . The handset of  claim 1 , wherein the handset includes an electronic compass and employs an output from the compass in determining one or more variables selected from a group consisting of the total rotation angle during the spin, total number of rotations during the spin, and direction of rotation during the spin. 
     
     
         17 . The handset of  claim 1 , wherein the handset includes one or more accelerometers and the electronics employs an output from at least one of the one or more accelerometers to determine whether the handset has been rested on a substantially horizontal surface. 
     
     
         18 . The handset of  claim 1 , wherein the electronics determine one or more variables selected from a group consisting of the total rotation angle during the spin, total number of rotations during the spin, and direction of rotation during the spin, but do not determine these variables unless the electronics first determines that the handset has been rested on the substantially horizontal surface. 
     
     
         19 . The handset of  claim 1 , wherein the handset includes cellular phone capabilities. 
     
     
         20 . The handset of  claim 1 , comprising:
 a case configured such that when the handset is placed face-up on a substantially horizontal surface a user can spin the spin the handset on the surface and the handset will continue to spin after the user has released the handset,
 the case having a contact location that is the only location on a back of the case that contacts the surface during the spinning of the handset, the contact location having an area less than 5% of an area of a handset projection onto the surface, 
 a centerpoint of the case is a location on the back of the case that is directly under a center of mass of the handset when the handset is spinning on the surface, the handset being configured so at least a portion of the contact location is within 0.5 inch of the centerpoint, 
   electronics in the case, the electronics being configured to one or more variables selected from a group consisting of a total rotation angle during the spin and a total number of rotations during the spin, and
 the electronics configured to execute one or more functions of the handset at least partially in response to a value of each one of the one or more determined variables being in a range.