README

# sudden-motion-sensor

This gem reads data from the sudden motion sensor inside most Intel-based Macbooks and Macbook Pros and some late model Powerbooks.  Returns the data in a 3-axis array of integers representing orientation along the X and Y axis and relative acceleration along the Z axis.

Big tutorial: http://n4k3d.com/blog/post/4/ruby_and_the_sudden_motion_sensor_tell_your_code_which_way_is_up/

Based in part on code from http://fazibear.blogspot.com/2008/12/process-mac-sudden-motion-sensor-with.html.

More Basic Info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sudden_Motion_Sensor

Installation:

  sudo gem install sudden_motion_sensor

Usage:

  require 'rubygems'
  require 'sudden_motion_sensor'

  100.times do
    x,y,z = SuddenMotionSensor.values
    puts "X: #{x}, Y: #{y}, Z: #{z}"
    sleep 0.1
  end

That code will print out the X,Y and Z data 100 times.

Data returned may be dependent on the model of Macbook you have and accelerometer part used.  For the 2009 Unibody Macbook 15-inch and data returned will be X and Y as a signed integer from -255 to +255 and Z as an indication of gravity (~262 average at rest).

For X and Y axis, 0 indicated the unit is flat along the plane (either right-side-up or upside-down) and 255/-255 indicates 90-degree inclination.

Methods:
  
  Values()
    Returns (X, Y, Z)
    Class method that returns an array of 3 signed integers indicating X Y and Z orientation.