Detecting tap-based user input on a mobile device based on motion sensor data

Abstract

A computing device can detect first and second device motions within a first time period. The first and second device motions may be separated by a second time period. The computing device can determine that the second time period is within a specified time range. The computing device can determine that first and second motion metrics for the first and second device motions, respectively, are likely indicative of first and second taps, respectively, on a surface of the computing device. The computing device can determine that a first coordinate frame of the computing device associated with the first tap is within a range of angular degrees from a second coordinate frame of the computing device associated with the second tap. The computing device can further determine the first tap and the second tap as part of a double tap gesture.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A method, comprising:
 determining first movement data associated with a computing device during a first period of time;   determining second movement data associated with the computing device during a second period of time that began after the first period of time; and   determining, based at least in part on the first movement data and the second movement data, that a double-tap gesture occurred with respect to a second surface of the computing device, the second surface opposite a first surface comprising at least a portion of a display screen of the computing device.   
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , further comprising:
 determining first linear motion data associated with the computing device during the first period of time;   determining second linear motion data associated with the computing device during the second period of time; and   determining, based at least in part on the first linear motion data and the second linear motion data that the double-tap gesture occurred.   
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 2 , further comprising:
 determining first rotational motion data associated with the computing device during the first period of time;   determining second rotational motion data associated with the computing device during the second period of time; and   determining, based at least in part on the first rotational motion data and the second rotational motion data that the double-tap gesture occurred.   
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 2 , further comprising:
 determining object tracking data during a third period of time; and   determining, based at least in part on the object tracking data, and a comparison of the first period of time and the third period of time, that the double-tap gesture occurred.   
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 2 , further comprising:
 determining first audio data during the first period of time;   determining second audio data during the second period of time; and   determining, based at least in part on the first audio data or the second audio data, that the double-tap gesture occurred.   
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 2 , further comprising:
 determining a change in energy associated with the first movement data; and   determining that the first movement data represents a first tap based at least on the change in energy exceeding a threshold.   
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 2 , further comprising:
 determining a time separation between an end of the first period of time and a start of the second period of time; and   determining, based at least in part on the time separation, that the double-tap gesture occurred.   
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 2 , further comprising:
 determining that the computing device is held in a first hand; and   determining that the first movement data is consistent with the computing device being held in the first hand.   
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 2 , further comprising:
 determining a first axis of rotation that is related to the first movement data;   determining a second axis of rotation that is related to the second movement data; and   determining that a difference between the first axis of rotation and the second axis of rotation is less than a threshold.   
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 2 , further comprising:
 determining a difference between the first movement data and a prototypical data set; and   determining, based at least on the difference between the first movement data and the prototypical data set being less than a threshold, that the double-tap gesture occurred.   
     
     
         12 . A computing device, comprising:
 at least one motion sensor;   a display screen;   at least one processor; and   memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the computing device to perform operations, comprising:
 determining, using the at least one motion sensor, first movement data associated with the computing device during a first period of time; 
 determining, using at the at least one motion sensor, second movement data associated with the computing device during a second period of time that began after the first period of time; and 
 determining, based at least in part on the first movement data and the second movement data, that a double-tap gesture occurred with respect to a second surface of the computing device, the second surface opposite a first surface comprising at least a portion of the display screen. 
   
     
     
         13 . The computing device according to  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a linear motion sensor,   wherein the instructions further cause the computing device to perform operations comprising:
 determining, using at least the linear motion sensor, third movement data associated with the computing device during the first period of time; 
 determining, using at least the linear motion sensor, fourth movement data associated with the computing device during the second period of time; and 
 determining, based at least in part on the third movement data and the fourth movement data, that the double-tap gesture occurred. 
   
     
     
         14 . The computing device according to  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a rotational motion sensor,   wherein the instructions further cause the computing device to perform operations comprising:
 determining, using at least the rotational motion sensor, third movement data associated with the computing device during the first period of time; 
 determining, using at least the rotational motion sensor, fourth movement data associated with the computing device during the second period of time; and 
 determining, based at least in part on the third movement data and the fourth movement data, that the double-tap gesture occurred. 
   
     
     
         15 . The computing device according to  claim 12 , further comprising:
 at least one image sensor,   wherein the instructions further cause the computing device to perform operations comprising:
 determining, using the at least one image sensor, object tracking data during a third period of time; and 
 determining, based at least in part on the object tracking data and a comparison of the first period of time and the third period of time, that the double-tap gesture occurred. 
   
     
     
         16 . The computing device according to  claim 12 , further comprising:
 at least one audio sensor,   wherein the instructions further cause the computing device to perform operations comprising:
 determining, using the at least one audio sensor, first audio data during the first period of time; 
 determining, using the at least one audio sensor, second audio data during the second period of time; and 
 determining, based at least in part on the first audio data or the second audio data, that the double-tap gesture occurred. 
   
     
     
         17 . The computing device according to  claim 12 , wherein the instructions further cause the computing device to perform operations comprising:
 determining a change in energy associated with the first movement data; and   determining that the first movement data represents a first tap based at least on the change in energy exceeding a threshold.   
     
     
         18 . The computing device according to  claim 12 , wherein the instructions further cause the computing device to perform operations comprising:
 determining a time separation between an end of the first period of time and a start of the second period of time; and   determining, based at least in part on the time separation, that the double-tap gesture occurred.   
     
     
         19 . The computing device according to  claim 12 , wherein the instructions further cause the computing device to perform operations comprising:
 determining that the computing device is held in a first hand; and   determining that the first movement data is consistent with the computing device being held in the first hand.   
     
     
         20 . The computing device according to  claim 12 , wherein the instructions further cause the computing device to perform operations comprising:
 determining a first axis of rotation that is related to the first movement data;   determining a second axis of rotation that is related to the second movement data; and   determining that a difference between the first axis of rotation and the second axis of rotation is less than a threshold.   
     
     
         21 . The computing device according to  claim 12 , wherein the instructions further cause the computing device to perform operations comprising:
 determining a difference between the first movement data and a prototypical data set; and   determining, based at least on the difference between the first movement data and the prototypical data set being less than a threshold, that the double-tap gesture occurred.