Sudden motion sensor

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With Sudden Motion Sensor ( SMS is German "Sudden Motion Sensor") is a patented system of the US computer manufacturer Apple referred to the case of sudden movements of devices that a hard drive instantly parks the write and read heads included so that they do not damage the storage medium if they fall down ( head crash ). In this way, the process reduces the risk of data loss. If the device is returned to a normal position, the read heads are released again. The system is similar to the Active Protection System that has been available in ThinkPads since around 2003.

An acceleration sensor tries to detect a possible fall based on the change in the axis of the device and by analyzing the acceleration forces.

The technology was first used in the refreshed PowerBooks with G4 processor presented on January 31, 2005 . The Sudden Motion Sensor is not part of the hard disk, but is integrated into the motherboard , so that this protective mechanism is still available after a hard disk has been replaced.

In July 2005, the technology was also introduced in the iBook . The MacBook and MacBook Pro product lines presented in 2006 are also equipped with Sudden Motion technology.

From Java, for example, the open source software Jilt can be used to access the SMS data.

Therefore, there are now many programs that use the Sudden Motion Sensor, for example to set up an alarm system (iAlertU) or to change the work surface if the user gives the notebook a slight lateral blow (SMacBook).

Another application is the free program SeisMac, which converts an Apple laptop into a seismograph , the sensors are used in a similar way at QCN, a BOINC- based project for the detection and reporting of earthquakes .

Meanwhile, other laptops, e.g. B. from HP , Acer or Lenovo equipped with the sensor and are partly from o. G. Programs supported.