subject: Getting acquainted With an Accelerometer [print this page] Getting acquainted With an Accelerometer Getting acquainted With an Accelerometer
Have you ever tried to find out how an ipod responds to the game being played by you on the screen or how does it know when flipped over? Well, the piece of technology that makes you wonder in none other than the accelerometer'. The itouch accelerometer makes use of three major components- silicon springs, silicon mass and current. When these elements are placed in conjunction, they provide the user with a superb gaming experience.
The role of the silicon springs is to figure the correct position of the silicon mass so as to make the electric current fluctuate. For doing this, the silicon springs have to gauge the movement of electric current throughout the silicon mass. As soon as there is a movement in the silicon, the electric current changes and a different signal is received by the LCD screen. This variation is more than enough to send Ipod a signal for adjusting the game on the screen. That's how the display changes automatically when you rotate your ipod from landscape to portrait view.
The accelerometer technology is being used for programming a plethora of web applications. These days, almost all the mobile phones that hit the market, contain an in-built accelerometer. This technology brings an entirely new factor into gaming. Its not just Symbian, Ipod or IPhone but even J2ME accelerometer is gaining popularity.
Accelerometers can be used for a variety of tasks. They can be used to measure the vibrations on safety installations, process control systems, buildings, machines and even cars. Accelerometers can also be used for measuring dynamic distance, seismic activity and inclination. These days, accelerators are being used in more and more electronic devices like gaming devices and media players. Even Wii Remote makes use of multiple accelerometers for providing thrilling component of gameplay. The entire range of latest smart phones has been incorporated with 3G accelerometer. This accelerator is used for switching between landscape and portrait modes, user interface control and even for step counters.
Some of the modern notebook computers also contain accelerometers for the automatic alignment of the screen in accordance to the direction in which the device is being held. Some of the camcorders also make use of accelerometers for stabilizing the image.
