Security alerts for portable electronic devices

Abstract

The invention relates to a security alert for a portable electronic device. An apparatus includes one or more motion sensors and processing circuitry coupled to the one or more motion sensors. The one or more sensors in operation generate a motion sensor signal. The processing circuitry, in operation, classifies a user activity type based on the motion sensor signal, the user activity type selected from a plurality of user activity types including one or more movement activity types, detects a tilt angle of the device based on the motion sensor signal, and classifying a usage state of the device as being used or unused based on the detected tilt angle. The processing circuitry generates a usage alert signal based on whether the classification of the user activity type is a mobile activity type and whether the classification of the usage state is used. The device may include an integrated circuit including a motion sensor and processing circuitry, and the integrated circuit may be embedded in a display.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to activity recognition, for example in portable electronic devices. Background Art

[0002] Electronic devices such as smart phones, laptops, smart bands, smart watches, smart pens, etc. typically use positioning, orientation, posture, motion, location, and other information to facilitate control and operation of the device. Electronic devices typically may include multiple sensors, such as GPS systems, accelerometers, gyroscopes, pressure sensors, etc., to sense such positioning, posture, motion, location, and other information. Summary of the invention

[0003] In one embodiment, a device includes one or more motion sensors and a processing circuit device coupled to the one or more motion sensors. The one or more motion sensors generate motion sensor signals in operation. The processing circuit device classifies a user activity type based on the motion sensor signal in operation, the user activity type is selected from a plurality of user activity types including one or more mobile activity types, detects an inclination angle of the device based on the motion sensor signal, and classifies a usage state of the device as being used or not used based on the detected inclination angle. The processing circuit device generates a use warning signal based on whether the classification of the user activity type is a mobile activity type and whether the classification of the usage state is being used. The device may include an integrated circuit, the integrated circuit including the motion sensor and the processing circuit device, and the integrated circuit may be embedded in a display.

[0004] In one embodiment, a system includes a display screen, one or more inertial or motion sensors, and a processing circuit device. The one or more inertial sensors generate inertial sensor signals in operation. The processing circuit device is coupled to the one or more inertial sensors. In operation, the processing circuit device classifies a user activity type based on the inertial sensor signals, the user activity type is selected from a plurality of user activity types including one or more mobile activity types, detects a tilt angle of the display screen based on the inertial sensor signals, and classifies a usage state of the system as being used or not used based on the detected tilt angle. The processing circuit device generates a usage warning signal based on whether the classification of the user activity type is a mobile activity type and whether the classification of the usage state is being used.

[0005] In one embodiment, a method includes generating an inertial sensor signal using one or more inertial sensors of an electronic device. Classifying a user activity type of the electronic device based on the inertial sensor signal, the user activity type being selected from a plurality of user activity types including one or more mobile activity types. Detecting an inclination angle of the electronic device based on the inertial sensor signal. Classifying a usage state of the electronic device as not in use or not in use based on the detected inclination angle. Generating a usage warning signal based on whether the classification of the user activity type is a mobile activity type and whether the classification of the usage state is used. The generation of the usage warning signal may also be conditional on the display of the electronic device being turned on.

[0006] In one embodiment, the content of a non-transitory computer-readable medium configures a processing circuit device of an electronic device to perform a method. The method includes: classifying a user activity type of the electronic device based on an inertial sensor signal generated by one or more inertial sensors of the electronic device, the user activity type being selected from a plurality of user activity types including one or more mobile activity types; detecting a tilt angle of the electronic device based on the inertial sensor signal; and classifying a usage state of the electronic device as being used or not being used based on the detected tilt angle. A usage warning signal is generated based on whether the classification of the user activity type is a mobile activity type and whether the classification of the usage state is being used. The content may include instructions executed by the processing circuit device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] One or more embodiments will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0008] Figure 1 is a functional block diagram of an embodiment of an electronic device or system according to an embodiment.

[0009] Figure 2 According to one embodiment, it can be used for (for example) Figure 1 A functional block diagram of an embodiment of an integrated circuit in an electronic device or system.

[0010] Figure 3 1 is a conceptual diagram showing detection of an inclination angle and classification of a usage status of a device using the detected inclination angle.

[0011] Figure 4 is a conceptual diagram showing how to fuse moving / non-moving activity classification and used / non-used usage status classification to generate a usage warning signal according to an embodiment.

[0012] Figure 5 An embodiment of a method of generating a usage warning signal according to an embodiment is shown, which can be employed by various devices and systems. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] In order to provide a thorough understanding of the various disclosed embodiments, the following description, together with the accompanying drawings, sets forth certain specific details. However, those skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the disclosed embodiments may be practiced with or without one or more of these specific details, or with various combinations of other methods, components, devices, materials, etc. In other cases, known structures or components associated with the environment of the present disclosure (including but not limited to interfaces, power supplies, accelerometers, gyroscopes, physical component layouts, processing circuit devices, etc.) are not shown or described to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the embodiments. In addition, various embodiments may be methods, systems, devices, computer program products, etc.

[0014] Throughout the specification, claims and drawings, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the meanings associated with this document. The term "herein" refers to the specification, claims and drawings associated with this application. The phrases "in one embodiment", "in another embodiment", "in various embodiments", "in some embodiments", "in other embodiments" and other variations thereof refer to one or more features, structures, functions, limitations or characteristics of the present invention, and are not limited to the same or different embodiments unless the context otherwise indicates. As used herein, the term "or" is an inclusive "or" operator and is equivalent to the phrase "A or B, or both", or "A or B or C, or any combination thereof", and lists with additional elements are treated similarly. The term "based on" is not exclusive and allows additional features, functions, aspects or limitations based on undescribed features, functions, aspects or limitations, unless the context otherwise indicates. In addition, throughout the specification, the meanings of "one", "a kind of" and "the" include singular and plural references.

[0015] Figure 1 1 is a functional block diagram of an embodiment of an electronic device or system 100. System 100 includes one or more processing cores or circuits 102. Processing core 102 may include, for example, one or more processors, state machines, microprocessors, programmable logic circuits, discrete circuits, logic gates, registers, etc., and various combinations thereof. The processing core may control the overall operation of system 100, the execution of application programs (e.g., programs that may use location, orientation, posture, motion, gravity vector, tilt angle, position, and other information, and various combinations thereof, to perform various functions) by system 100, etc.

[0016] The system 100 includes one or more memories 104, such as one or more volatile and / or non-volatile memories, which may store, for example, all or part of instructions and data related to the control of the system 100, applications and operations executed by the system 100, etc. One or more of the memories 104 may include a memory array, which may be shared in operation by one or more processes executed by the system 100. The system 100 also includes one or more displays 106, which may display information to a user, receive user input, etc.

[0017] The system 100 may include one or more sensors or sensor arrays 160, as shown, one or more gyroscopes 162, one or more accelerometers 164, one or more image sensors 166, one or more audio sensors 168, one or more pressure sensors 170, one or more temperature sensors 172, etc., one or more global positioning systems 174, one or more interfaces 180 (e.g., wireless communication interfaces, wired communication interfaces, user input devices, etc., and various combinations thereof), and other functional circuits 185 that may include antennas, power supplies, one or more built-in self-test (BIST) circuits, etc., and a main bus system 190. The main bus system 190 may include one or more data, address, power and / or control buses coupled to various components of the system 100.

[0018] The one or more gyroscopes 162 generate rotation data in operation and can generally provide output in the form of a motion sensor signal representing a rotation speed measurement vector that represents the rotation speed relative to, for example, three axes of motion. The one or more gyroscopes 162 can generally include a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) device that measures the rotation rate of an object about one or more axes.

[0019] The one or more accelerometers 164 generate acceleration data in operation and can generally provide output in the form of a motion sensor signal representing an acceleration measurement vector representing acceleration along, for example, three axes of motion. The one or more accelerometers 164 can generally include a MEMS device that measures the acceleration of an object along one or more axes.

[0020] The one or more image sensors 166 are operable to generate digital or analog signals based on the optical image. The image sensor 166 may generally include a photosensitive element that generates a signal in response to a light wave, and may generally provide a digital signal in the form of pixel values.

[0021] The one or more audio sensors 168 operate to generate digital or analog signals based on sound waves. The audio sensors 168 may generally include MEMS devices that convert sound waves into electrical signals.

[0022] One or more pressure sensors 170 generate digital or analog signals based on ambient pressure during operation. Pressure sensor 170 may generally include a MEMS device, such as a capacitive sensor, a piezoresistive sensor, etc., which converts a pressure indication or pressure change into an electrical signal.

[0023] The one or more temperature sensors 172 are operable to generate digital or analog signals based on ambient temperature, temperature differentials, etc. The temperature sensors 172 may generally include resistance temperature detectors, semiconductor detectors, junction detectors, etc. that convert temperature or an indication of temperature change into an electrical signal.

[0024] The illustrated system 100 also includes one or more global positioning systems (GPS) 174. The GPS system 174 is operable to generate position and movement information based on GPS signals received from other systems, such as one or more satellite systems.

[0025] Using a device such as system 100 while moving may represent an unsafe condition. To address these unsafe conditions, a use warning signal may be generated based on determining whether the device is in use while the device is moving. The use warning signal may be used to control the device (e.g., by generating a signal to display a warning message or signaling a user, by prohibiting the use of the device, etc. and various combinations thereof in response to the use warning signal). Conventionally, the use warning signal is generated based on a signal indicating location or movement information received from a GPS system (e.g., GPS system 174). However, GPS signals are not always available. For example, reception of GPS signals may not be available indoors or under certain outdoor conditions. In addition, the use of a GPS system may add significant cost to the device in terms of hardware, power, and control requirements, as well as other operating costs such as subscription fees.

[0026] To facilitate detection of system usage while mobile, system 100 includes a usage warning detector or usage warning detection and generation circuit 110 that, in operation, generates a warning signal associated with use of the device while mobile based on inertial sensor or motion sensor data, such as motion sensor data generated by gyroscope 162, accelerometer 164, or both gyroscope 162 and accelerometer 164 of one or more sensors 160 of system 100. Usage warning detection and generation circuit 110 may be employed to detect use of the device while mobile in addition to or in lieu of conventional use of a GPS system. Thus, usage warning detector 110 generates a usage warning signal when a GPS signal is not available.

[0027] As the following reference Figure 2 - Figure 5As discussed in more detail, the processing circuitry of the system (e.g., processing core 102, sensor array 260 (see Figure 2 ) and the like) classify the user activity type based on the motion sensor signal (such as the signal from the gyroscope 162, the accelerometer 164 or both) in operation. The user activity type is selected from a plurality of user activity types including one or more mobile activity types. The processing circuit device 102, 202 detects the tilt angle of the device or system based on the motion sensor signal. The usage state of the device is classified as being used or not used according to the detected tilt angle. The processing circuit device 102, 202 generates a usage warning signal based on whether the classification of the user activity type is a mobile activity type and whether the classification of the usage state is being used. Optionally, the usage warning signal can also be based on other system information, such as whether the display is turned on.

[0028] Figure 2 For example, you can Figure 1 100 to provide all or part of the functionality of the usage warning detector 110 and the sensor array 160 of the system 100. The device 200 includes an integrated circuit 220. The sensor array 260 is embedded in the integrated circuit 220 and includes one or more inertial sensors, as shown, one or more gyroscopes 262 and one or more accelerometers 264. The device 200 also includes a usage warning detector 210 embedded in the integrated circuit 220. The usage warning detector 210 includes an activity detection block or circuit 212, a tilt detector block or circuit 214, and a fusion block or circuit 216. The integrated circuit 210 also includes an embedded processing circuit device 202, which can be used to implement the functionality of the blocks of the usage warning detector 210. For example, the processing circuit device can include signal pre-processing circuit devices for calculating features, applying filters, etc., and output stabilization circuits (e.g., meta classifiers).

[0029] The activity recognition block 212 uses the motion sensor data in operation to determine whether the device 200 is moving or not moving. This can be done, for example, by classifying user activities (e.g., walking, fast walking, running, driving, riding, cycling, stationary, stopping) based on the motion sensor data, and determining whether the classified activities are considered or classified as moving or not moving activities for the purpose of generating a usage warning signal. For example, in some embodiments, walking, fast walking, running, driving, riding, and cycling activity classifications can be considered moving activities, while stationary and stopping classifications can be considered not moving activities. For example, a decision tree can be used to implement the activity recognition block 212.

[0030] Optionally, the classification of user activity types as moving or not moving can also be based on GPS signals. Figure 2 An alternative way of providing a GPS signal to the activity classification block 212 using the warning detector 210 is shown in FIG.

[0031] In operation, the tilt detection block 214 detects a tilt angle of the device based on the motion sensor signal, and classifies a usage status of the device as being used or not used based on the detected tilt angle. Figure 3 is a diagram showing detecting an inclination angle and using the detected inclination angle to classify Figure 1 System 100 or Figure 2 200 is a conceptual diagram of a device in use. In the example shown, the device is a tablet computer having one or more inertial sensors embedded therein (see, for example, Figure 2 The tilt angle may be detected based on inertial sensor data or a motion signal generated by an embedded sensor. For example, the tilt angle may be detected based on an accelerometer z-axis signal, which may be averaged or low-pass filtered.

[0032] The detected tilt angle can be compared with one or more threshold tilt angles to determine the usage state of the device. For example, the detected tilt angle can be compared with the minimum tilt angle α MIN and the maximum tilt angle α MAX If the detected tilt angle is within the minimum tilt angle α MIN and the maximum tilt angle α MAX If the detected tilt angle is within the range of the minimum tilt angle α MIN and the maximum tilt angle α MAX If the minimum tilt angle α is outside the specified range, the usage state can be classified as unused. MIN can be about 20 degrees and the maximum tilt angle α MAX It may be about 65 degrees. The tilt detection block 214 may be implemented, for example, using a finite state machine.

[0033] The fusion block 216 generates a usage warning signal based on whether the classification of the user activity type is a mobile activity type and whether the classification of the usage status is used. For example, the fusion block 216 can be implemented using a finite state machine.

[0034] Figure 4 is a conceptual diagram showing how the moving / not moving activity classification and the used / not used usage status classification are fused by the fusion block 216 to generate a usage warning signal.

[0035] exist Figure 4In Example 1, the activity classification based on the motion data is the moving activity classification, and the used / unused state classification based on the tilt angle (detected based on the motion data) is used. In Example 1, a use warning signal is generated.

[0036] exist Figure 4 In Example 2, the activity classification based on the motion data is the activity classification of not moving, and the use / non-use state classification based on the tilt angle is used. In Example 2, no use warning signal is generated.

[0037] exist Figure 4 In Example 3, the activity classification based on the motion data is the moving activity classification, and the use / non-use state classification based on the tilt angle is non-use. In Example 3, no use warning signal is generated.

[0038] exist Figure 4 In Example 4, the activity classification based on the motion data is the activity classification of not moving, and the use / non-use state classification based on the tilt angle is non-use. In Example 4, no use warning signal is generated.

[0039] Optionally, in some embodiments, the usage warning signal may also be based on other system information, such as whether the display is turned on. This may reduce the generation of false positive usage warning signals. Figure 2 2 is shown as an optional way to provide a signal indicating whether the screen is turned on to the fusion block 216 of the usage warning detector 210. For example, if the display is not turned on, the generation of the usage warning signal can be disabled.

[0040] Figure 1 System 100 and Figure 2 Embodiments of the apparatus 200 may include more components than shown, may include fewer components than shown, may combine components, may separate components into subcomponents, and various combinations thereof. For example, the GPS system 174 may be provided from Figure 1 In some embodiments of the system 100, the sensor array 160, 260 may include a combined gyroscope and accelerometer, an inertial measurement unit or device (IMU) package may include an accelerometer, a gyroscope, and an embedded processing circuit device, which implements a warning detector, etc. in operation, and various combinations thereof.

[0041] Figure 5 An embodiment of a method 500 for generating a usage warning signal is shown, which may be used by various devices and systems, such as Figure 1 System 100, Figure 2 For convenience, reference will be made to Figure 1 System 100 and Figure 2 The device 200 is described Figure 5 .

[0042] The method 500 starts at 502 and proceeds from 502 to 504. Although the method 500 is shown as a sequential process, the process 500 can generally be performed in a loop process, for example, sampling sensor data sample by sample, classifying classification results class by class, etc., so as to continuously or periodically generate an indication of whether the use warning signal is activated. In addition, various actions that occur sequentially in the loop can be performed in parallel or in various orders.

[0043] At 504, method 500 generates an inertial sensor signal indicative of movement or motion of system 100 or device 200. This may be done, for example, using Figure 1 The gyroscope 162 and the accelerometer 164 are used Figure 2 The sensor array 260 , etc. The method 500 proceeds from 504 to 506 .

[0044] At 506, method 500 classifies a user activity type based on the motion sensor signal generated at 504. The user activity type is selected from a plurality of user activity types including one or more movement activity types. The classification of the user activity type may be, for example, as described above with reference to Figure 2 The method 500 is performed as discussed above with respect to the activity identification block 212 of FIG. 506 and may include classifying the user activity type and determining whether the classified user activity type is a moving or non-moving activity type. The method 500 proceeds from 506 to 508 .

[0045] At 508, method 500 detects a Figure 1 System 100 or Figure 2 The tilt angle of the device 200 of the device. This can be, for example, as described above with reference Figure 2 The tilt detector 214 and Figure 3 The method 500 proceeds from 508 to 510.

[0046] At 510, method 500 classifies the usage state as used or not used based on the detected tilt angle. This can be done, for example, as described above with reference to Figure 2 The tilt detector 214 and Figure 3 The method 500 proceeds from 510 to 512.

[0047] At 512, method 500 generates a usage warning signal based on whether the classification of the user activity type is a mobile activity type and whether the classification of the usage status is being used. This can be, for example, as described above with reference to Figure 2 The fusion block 216 and Figure 4 The method 500 proceeds from 512 to 514.

[0048] At 514, method 500 generates one or more control signals to control the operation of the device in response to the usage warning signal. For example, when the usage warning signal indicates that the device is being used while moving, the device can generate a control signal in response to cause a warning message to be communicated to the user (e.g., displayed or emitting a warning sound), can generate a control signal to prohibit the operation of the device, etc., as well as various combinations thereof. Method 500 proceeds from 514 to 516.

[0049] At 516 , method 500 may perform other processes, may return to 504 to continue using the alert generation process, etc.

[0050] Embodiments of the foregoing process and method may include Figure 5 Additional actions not shown in the figure may not include Figure 5 All actions shown in the figure can be performed in any order. Figure 5 The actions shown in the figure may be combined, the actions may be split into separate actions, and other modifications may be made in various aspects. For example, Figure 5 It may be modified to combine acts 508 and 510, to perform acts 506, 508, and 510 in parallel, to include an explicit determination of whether to return to 504 after 516, etc., and various combinations thereof.

[0051] In one embodiment, a device includes one or more motion sensors and a processing circuit device coupled to the one or more motion sensors. The one or more sensors generate motion sensor signals in operation. The processing circuit device classifies a user activity type based on the motion sensor signal in operation, the user activity type is selected from a plurality of user activity types including one or more mobile activity types, detects an inclination angle of the device based on the motion sensor signal, and classifies a usage state of the device as being used or not used based on the detected inclination angle. The processing circuit device generates a use warning signal based on whether the classification of the user activity type is a mobile activity type and whether the classification of the usage state is being used. The device may include an integrated circuit, the integrated circuit including the motion sensor and the processing circuit device, and the integrated circuit may be embedded in a display.

[0052] In one embodiment, classifying the use state of the device as used or not used based on the detected tilt angle comprises comparing the detected tilt angle with a threshold range of tilt angles. In one embodiment, the processing circuit device is operable to respond to a comparison indicating that the detected tilt angle is within the threshold range by classifying the use state as used; and respond to a comparison indicating that the detected tilt angle is outside the threshold range by classifying the use state as not used.

[0053] In one embodiment, the device includes a display. The processing circuitry initiates generation of a use warning signal based on an indication of whether the display is on. In one embodiment, the processing circuitry is operable to respond to the use warning signal indicating that the device is being used while being moved by generating a signal causing the display to display a warning message.

[0054] In one embodiment, the processing circuit device uses a trained classifier in operation to classify the user activity type based on the motion sensor signal. In one embodiment, the trained classifier is implemented by a decision tree. In another embodiment, the trained classifier is implemented by a convolutional neural network (CNN).

[0055] In one embodiment, the device includes an integrated circuit having one or more motion sensors and processing circuitry embedded therein. In one embodiment, the device includes a display having an integrated circuit.

[0056] In an embodiment, the one or more motion sensors include: one or more gyroscopes; one or more accelerometers; or one or more gyroscopes and one or more accelerometers.

[0057] In one embodiment, a system includes a display screen, one or more inertial or motion sensors, and a processing circuit device. The one or more inertial sensors generate inertial sensor signals in operation. The processing circuit device is coupled to the one or more inertial sensors. In operation, the processing circuit device classifies a user activity type based on the inertial sensor signals, the user activity type is selected from a plurality of user activity types including one or more mobile activity types, detects a tilt angle of the display screen based on the inertial sensor signals, and classifies a usage state of the system as being used or not used based on the detected tilt angle. The processing circuit device generates a usage warning signal based on whether the classification of the user activity type is a mobile activity type and whether the classification of the usage state is being used.

[0058] In one embodiment, classifying the usage status of the system as used or not used based on the detected tilt angle includes comparing the detected tilt angle to a threshold range of tilt angles.

[0059] In one embodiment, the processing circuit means initiates the generation of a usage warning signal based on an indication of whether the display screen is on. In one embodiment, the processing circuit means is operative to use a trained classifier to classify a type of user activity based on the motion sensor signal. In one embodiment, the system includes an integrated circuit having one or more inertial sensors and processing circuit means embedded therein. In an embodiment, the one or more inertial sensors include: one or more gyroscopes; one or more accelerometers; or one or more gyroscopes and one or more accelerometers.

[0060] In one embodiment, a method includes generating an inertial sensor signal using one or more inertial sensors of an electronic device. Classifying a user activity type of the electronic device based on the inertial sensor signal, the user activity type being selected from a plurality of user activity types including one or more mobile activity types. Detecting an inclination angle of the electronic device based on the inertial sensor signal. Classifying a usage state of the electronic device, whether it is used or not, based on the detected inclination angle. Generating a usage warning signal based on whether the classification of the user activity type is a mobile activity type and whether the classification of the usage state is used. The generation of the usage warning signal may also be conditional on the display of the electronic device being turned on.

[0061] In one embodiment, classifying the usage status of the electronic device as being used or not used based on the detected tilt angle includes comparing the detected tilt angle with a threshold range of tilt angles.

[0062] In one embodiment, the content of a non-transitory computer-readable medium configures a processing circuit device of an electronic device to perform a method. The method includes: classifying a user activity type of the electronic device based on an inertial sensor signal generated by one or more inertial sensors of the electronic device, the user activity type being selected from a plurality of user activity types including one or more mobile activity types; detecting an inclination angle of the electronic device based on the inertial sensor signal; and classifying a usage state of the electronic device as being used or not being used based on the detected inclination angle. A usage warning signal is generated based on whether the classification of the user activity type is a mobile activity type and whether the classification of the usage state is being used. The content may include instructions executed by the processing circuit device.

[0063] Some embodiments may take the form of or include a computer program product. For example, according to one embodiment, a computer readable medium is provided, which includes a computer program suitable for performing one or more of the above methods or functions. The medium may be a physical storage medium, such as a read-only memory (ROM) chip or disk, such as a digital versatile disk (DVD-ROM), a compact disk (CD-ROM), a hard disk, a memory, a network, or a portable medium article to be read by an appropriate drive or via an appropriate connection, including one or more bar codes or other related codes encoded on one or more such computer readable media and readable by an appropriate reader device.

[0064] In addition, in some embodiments, some or all of these methods and / or functions may be implemented or provided in other ways, such as at least partially implemented or provided in firmware and / or hardware, which firmware and / or hardware include but are not limited to one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors, discrete circuits, logic gates, standard integrated circuits, controllers (e.g., by executing appropriate instructions, and including microcontrollers and / or embedded controllers), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs), etc., as well as devices using RFID technology and various combinations thereof.

[0065] The various embodiments described above can be combined to provide additional embodiments. Based on the above detailed description, these and other changes can be made to the embodiments. Generally, in the claims of this application, the terms used should not be interpreted as limiting the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and claims, but should be interpreted as including all possible embodiments and the full range of equivalents to which these claims are authorized. Therefore, the claims are not limited by this disclosure.

Claims

1. A device comprising: one or more motion sensors, the motion sensors being operable to generate a motion sensor signal; as well as processing circuitry coupled to the one or more motion sensors, wherein the processing circuitry, in operation: classifying a user activity type based on the motion sensor signal, the user activity type being selected from a plurality of user activity types including one or more movement activity types; detecting a tilt angle of the device based on the motion sensor signal; classifying a usage status of the device as being used or not used based on the detected tilt angle; as well as A usage warning signal is generated based on whether the classification of the user activity type is a mobile activity type and whether the classification of the usage status is used. 2 . The device of claim 1 , wherein classifying the usage status of the device as being used or not used based on the detected tilt angle comprises comparing the detected tilt angle with a threshold range of the tilt angle.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the processing circuitry, in operation, indicating that the detected tilt angle is within the threshold range in response to the comparing by classifying the usage status as being used; In response to the comparing indicating that the detected tilt angle is outside of the threshold range, the use status is classified as unused.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a display, wherein the processing circuitry initiates the generating of the usage warning signal based on an indication of whether the display is on.

5. The device of claim 1, comprising a display, wherein the processing circuit means is operative to respond to the use warning signal indicating that the device is being used while being moved by generating a signal to cause the display to display a warning message.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry is operative to use a trained classifier to classify the user activity type based on the motion sensor signal.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the trained classifier is implemented by a convolutional neural network (CNN). The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the trained classifier is implemented by a decision tree.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising an integrated circuit having the one or more motion sensors and the processing circuitry embedded in the integrated circuit.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, comprising a display, the display comprising the integrated circuit.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the one or more motion sensors comprise: one or more gyroscopes; one or more accelerometers; or One or more gyroscopes and one or more accelerometers.

12. A system comprising: Display screen; one or more inertial sensors, the one or more inertial sensors being operable to generate an inertial sensor signal; as well as and processing circuitry coupled to the one or more inertial sensors, wherein the processing circuitry, in operation: classifying a user activity type based on the inertial sensor signal, the user activity type being selected from a plurality of user activity types including one or more movement activity types; detecting a tilt angle of the display screen based on the inertial sensor signal; classifying a usage status of the system as being used or not used based on the detected tilt angle; as well as A usage warning signal is generated based on whether the classification of the user activity type is a moving activity type and whether the classification of the usage status is being used. 13 . The system of claim 12 , wherein classifying the usage status of the system as being used or not used based on the detected tilt angle comprises comparing the detected tilt angle with a threshold range of tilt angles.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the processing circuitry initiates the generating of the usage warning signal based on an indication of whether the display screen is on.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the processing circuitry is operable to classify the user activity type based on the motion sensor signal using a trained classifier.

16. The system of claim 12, comprising an integrated circuit having the one or more inertial sensors and the processing circuitry embedded therein.

17. The system of claim 12, wherein the one or more inertial sensors include: one or more gyroscopes; one or more accelerometers; or One or more gyroscopes and one or more accelerometers.

18. A method comprising: generating an inertial sensor signal using one or more inertial sensors of the electronic device; classifying a user activity type of the electronic device based on the inertial sensor signal, the user activity type being selected from a plurality of user activity types including one or more movement activity types; detecting a tilt angle of the electronic device based on the inertial sensor signal; classifying the use status of the electronic device as being used or not used based on the detected tilt angle; as well as A usage warning signal is generated based on whether the classification of the user activity type is a mobile activity type and based on whether the classification of the usage status is being used.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein classifying the use status of the electronic device as being used or not used based on the detected tilt angle comprises: The detected tilt angle is compared with a threshold range of tilt angles.

20. The method of claim 18, comprising initiating the generation of the usage warning signal based on an indication of whether a display screen of the electronic device is on.

21. A non-transitory computer readable medium having contents for configuring processing circuitry of an electronic device to perform a method comprising: classifying a user activity type of the electronic device based on inertial sensor signals generated by one or more inertial sensors of the electronic device, the user activity type being selected from a plurality of user activity types including one or more movement activity types; detecting a tilt angle of the electronic device based on the inertial sensor signal; classifying the use status of the electronic device as being used or not used based on the detected tilt angle; as well as A usage warning signal is generated based on whether the classification of the user activity type is a mobile activity type and based on whether the classification of the usage status is being used.

22. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 21, wherein the content comprises instructions executed by the processing circuitry.

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