Samsung Electronics has introduced what it claims is the world's first "3D movement recognition" mobile phone.

The device features a so-called 'accelerometer' to accurately calculate and ascertain movement in three dimensional space and then carry out commands such as dialling numbers or ending calls according to those calculations.

Sophisticated sensing technology can calculate the direction in which the mobile phone is moving as well as its speed of movement.

The capability extends beyond the identification of the general position and direction to include precise recognition of small and rapid movements.

Using the system it is possible to 'write' a number in the air using the handset. The mobile phone can read this movement and then dial the number. Shaking the phone twice will conclude a call or delete spam messages.

The user can draw a 'O' or 'X' in the air with the phone, which will respond with a 'yes' or 'no' voice message.

Move the phone sharply to the right and the selection on the MP3 play function will move to the next tune on the list. Move it to the left, and the selection will back up one number.

Samsung said that the recognition of moving shapes in 3D space using only sensors built into a mobile phone is a "daunting task", but that it has developed and commercialised a moving algorithm to solve the problem.

The movement recognition technology was a joint project between Samsung and the Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology.

The project has resulted in applications for 22 domestic and foreign patents, and 14 technical papers were presented at leading academic societies.

To date, movement sensors in mobile phones have been limited to slope calculations and applied to some games and bio-related features. However, Samsung's SCH-S310 can recognise continuous movement in 3D space.

"Mobile phone input devices to date include the keypad, touch screen and voice recognition," the company stated. "In the future, however, 3D movement recognition technology will become an important user interface and revolutionise mobile phone designs and features.

"This technology will do away with the need for complex keypads on mobile phones, MP3 players, digital cameras and other handheld products.

"This will particularly affect the way games are played on a mobile phone. Many functions will be controlled by movement instead of buttons."