Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100232102 | PORTABLE FOLDING ELECTRONIC DEVICE - A portable folding electronic device has a base with a longer length dimension and a shorter width dimension and a user interface on one surface. The user interface may be oriented for use when the base has a portrait orientation. The device also has a screen unit with a longer length dimension and a shorter width dimension and a screen on one surface. A linkage connects the base to the screen unit. The linkage provides at least two degrees of freedom between the base and the screen unit such that the screen unit may be moved to a first position folded onto the base, with the length dimension of said screen unit aligned with the length dimension of the base, and to a second position tilted with respect to the base, with the length dimension of the screen unit aligned with the width dimension of the base. | 09-16-2010 |
20110070829 | ACCELEROMETER TAP DETECTION TO INITIATE NFC COMMUNICATION - A communications device, method and system include a processor and a Near Field Communications (NFC) circuit connected to the processor and configured to communicate using an NFC communications protocol. An accelerometer is connected to the processor and configured to generate a signal to the processor upon a tapping engagement with an NFC enabled device. In response, the processor activates the NFC circuit to transmit or receive data with the NFC enabled device using the NFC communications protocol. | 03-24-2011 |
20110153668 | ACCESSING A DATA ITEM STORED IN AN UNAVAILABLE MOBILE COMMUNICATION DEVICE - A method of retrieving a data item from a database synchronized with the contents of an unavailable mobile communication device. The owner of the unavailable mobile communication device uses a telephone such as a landline telephone, a cell phone or a VoIP telephone to call the number of the unavailable communication device. That is the owner calls his own telephone number. A server with access to the database provides the caller with options to retrieve the data item, which can be a contact name, a telephone number, an address, an email message, etc. | 06-23-2011 |
20110169632 | METHODS, DEVICE AND SYSTEMS FOR DELIVERY OF NAVIGATIONAL NOTIFICATIONS - The disclosure is directed to a method, computer program product, mobile device for delivering a navigational notification generated for a mobile device. The delivering of the navigational notification comprises obtaining one or more notification parameters and one or more audio parameters; and controlling the delivery of the navigational notification at least partly based on the notification parameters and the audio parameters. The notification parameters are indicative of one or more aspects of the navigational notification such as time-sensitivity, priority or the like. Various configurations of computer program products, mobile devices and systems for controlling the delivery of the navigational notification are also described. | 07-14-2011 |
20110210834 | METHOD OF PROVIDING TACTILE FEEDBACK AND APPARATUS - A method includes detecting when a portable electronic device having a touch-sensitive display is disposed in a holster and monitoring an area of the touch-sensitive display for a query gesture. When the query gesture is detected in association with the area, a function associated with the query gesture is performed. | 09-01-2011 |
20110210923 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE WITH TOUCH-SENSITIVE DISPLAY AND METHOD OF FACILITATING INPUT AT THE ELECTRONIC DEVICE - A method of controlling an electronic device that has a touch-sensitive display includes detecting a touch at an area associated with a character displayed on the touch-sensitive display, adding the character to a character string, identifying, from stored data, objects that at least partially match the character string, determining a next character of ones of the objects identified to yield a set of next characters, increasing a size of an area associated with each character of the set of next characters, and reducing the size of the area associated with each character of the set of next characters with time absent detection of a further touch. | 09-01-2011 |
20110210926 | METHOD OF PROVIDING TACTILE FEEDBACK AND APPARATUS - A method includes detecting a query gesture and actuating, in response to the query gesture, an actuator to provide tactile feedback including information associated with the query gesture. The query gesture may be detected on a touch-sensitive display of a portable electronic device. | 09-01-2011 |
20110212688 | NEAR-FIELD COMMUNICATION (NFC) SYSTEM PROVIDING MOBILE WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE OPERATIONS BASED UPON TIMING AND SEQUENCE OF NFC SENSOR COMMUNICATION AND RELATED METHODS - A near-field communication (NFC) system may include a plurality of spaced-apart NFC sensors and at least one mobile wireless communications device. The at least one mobile wireless communications device may include a portable housing, an NFC circuit carried by the portable housing and configured to establish NFC communications with the NFC sensors when moved in close proximity therewith, and a controller carried by the portable housing and coupled to the NFC circuit. The controller may be configured to perform different mobile device operations based upon a timing and sequence in which the NFC sensors are communicated with. | 09-01-2011 |
20110214158 | WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM PROVIDING MOBILE DEVICE AUTHENTICATION BYPASS BASED UPON USER-WEARABLE SECURITY DEVICE AND RELATED METHODS - A wireless communications system may include a user-wearable device including a clasp having open and closed positions, a first wireless security circuit (WSC), and a first controller coupled to the clasp and the first WSC. The system may further include a mobile wireless communications device including a portable housing, an input device(s), a second WSC carried by the portable housing and configured to communicate with the first WSC when in close proximity therewith, and a second controller carried by the portable housing and coupled to the second WSC and the input device(s). The second controller may be configured to enable mobile wireless communications device(s) function based upon a manual entry of an authentication code via the input device(s), and bypass the manual entry and enable the mobile wireless communications device function(s) based upon a communication from the user-wearable device and a position of the clasp. | 09-01-2011 |
20110231216 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING EVENT REMINDERS - A system and method are provided for obtaining data that could affect event details, such that this data can be used to generate alerts that are sent early enough to give the user time to reach the event, predict lateness, arrange replacements/delegates, reschedule, cancel meetings in advance, etc. By more intelligently providing reminders to the user, the above-described unforeseen circumstances can be dealt with. In some embodiments, an aggregation of various external data sources as well as internal data can be used to better predict when a user should be reminded of the time for their event, determine and advise whether they may be late regardless, and/or enable the user to arrange a delegate or replacement or to reschedule or cancel the event. | 09-22-2011 |
20110231494 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SENDING DATA INDIRECTLY TO A RECIPIENT USING ANOTHER DEVICE - Contact information, such as an email address, may be known for some recipients, but may be unknown or out-of-date (or obsolete) for others. However, often a group of recipients are related to each other with potentially overlapping social networks. In such cases, data can be communicated directly to those recipients that are known or can otherwise be contacted directly, while relying on such “direct recipients” to act as one or more proxies for sending the data to the others in the group, e.g. using their local contact information. A server can also be used to provide updates to the originating device or provide access to the list as it evolves, to enable the originating device to see who has received the data even if they are unaware of how the data reached those other devices. | 09-22-2011 |
20110238671 | METHOD, SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR EFFICIENTLY DETERMINING PRIORITY OF DATA IN A DATABASE - A method and apparatus for determining priority of data in a database managed by a computing device are provided. The data comprises a list of events, the computing device comprising a processing unit interconnected with a memory device and a display device. Context data is processing at the processing unit to determine a priority ranking for each of the items, wherein processing the context data to determine a priority ranking comprises at least one of processing attendance data, location, event data, and telephone record data. Respective areas of the display device are controlled to provide visual representations of each of the events, each respective area controlled according to the priority ranking. | 09-29-2011 |
20110252097 | PREDICTING MEETING ATTENDANCE - Described is a method of configuring a meeting event stored on an organizing device. The meeting event comprises a meeting event location, a meeting event start time and a meeting event end time. The method comprises receiving prediction information for at least one meeting participant from at least one participant device, the prediction information for predicting attendance at the meeting event; and, in response to receiving prediction information for the at least one meeting participant, selectively altering one of the meeting event location, the meeting event start time and the meeting event end time. | 10-13-2011 |
20110285554 | Gesture Based Smart Headphone - A gesture based headphone for controlling a media player device and method for using thereof. The headphone comprises a cord with a gesture sensitive region in the cord, and an interface for connecting to the media player device. A user gesture interacts with the gesture sensitive region and generates a control input for controlling the media player device, wherein the user gesture includes at least one gesture generating a control input. | 11-24-2011 |
20110292585 | PORTABLE FOLDING ELECTRONIC DEVICE - A portable folding electronic device has a base with a longer length dimension and a shorter width dimension and a user interface on one surface. The user interface may be oriented for use when the base has a portrait orientation. The device also has a screen unit with a longer length dimension and a shorter width dimension and a screen on one surface. A linkage connects the base to the screen unit. The linkage provides at least two degrees of freedom between the base and the screen unit such that the screen unit may be moved to a first position folded onto the base, with the length dimension of said screen unit aligned with the length dimension of the base, and to a second position tilted with respect to the base, with the length dimension of the screen unit aligned with the width dimension of the base. | 12-01-2011 |
20110304558 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND METHOD OF PROVIDING TACTILE FEEDBACK - A method includes detecting a sheet corresponding to a plurality of characters on a touch-sensitive input device; detecting, by the touch-sensitive input device, a touch; determining a next character output; in response to determining that the touch is associated with a location on the sheet, which location is associated with the next character, providing tactile feedback to identify the next character. | 12-15-2011 |
20110312392 | MOBILE COMMUNICATON DEVICE HAVING ROTATABLE MEMBER - A mobile communication device is provided which includes at least one hinge mechanism pivotably coupled to a top member and to a base member such that the top member can be moved between an opened and a closed position. In the closed position, display and/or interface elements may be inside the device and adjacent to the base member, thereby being inaccessible and protected. In the opened position, the display and/or interface elements may be accessible. A biasing mechanism may drive a portion of the movement between the opened and closed positions. The top member and the base member may be biased or restricted such that there is substantially no separation between the top member and the base member during movement between the opened and closed positions. | 12-22-2011 |
20120040608 | NEAR-FIELD COMMUNICATION (NFC) SYSTEM PROVIDING LOW POWER PEER-TO-PEER RECOGNITION MODE AND RELATED METHODS - A near-field communication (NFC) system may include a plurality of NFC devices each including an NFC circuit configured to wirelessly communicate using an NFC communications protocol, and a processor coupled to the NFC circuit. The processor may be configured to synchronize an internal timing signal to an external timing signal, cycle power to the NFC circuit to periodically switch the NFC circuit between a peer-to-peer recognition state and a low power state based upon the synchronized internal timing signal, and initiate peer-to-peer NFC communications with another one of the plurality of NFC devices when in range thereof and upon being switched to the peer-to-peer recognition state therewith. | 02-16-2012 |
20120040609 | NEAR-FIELD COMMUNICATION (NFC) SYSTEM PROVIDING PLUG-IN DEVICE CONNECTION ASSISTANCE FEATURES AND RELATED METHODS - A near-field communication (NFC) system may include a plug-in device(s) including a first NFC sensor, and a mobile wireless communications device. The mobile wireless communications device may include a portable housing defining a plug-in device port(s), a light source(s) carried by the portable housing and positioned to illuminate the plug-in device port(s), an optical sensor carried by the portable housing configured to determine an ambient light level, and a second NFC sensor carried by the portable housing and configured to establish NFC communications with the first NFC sensor when in close proximity therewith. A controller may be carried by the portable housing and coupled to the light source(s), the optical sensor, and the second NFC sensor and configured to cause the light source(s) to illuminate the plug-in device port(s) based upon NFC communications between the first and second NFC sensors and the ambient light level. | 02-16-2012 |
20120040611 | MOBILE WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE PROVIDED ENHANCED SWITCHING BETWEEN ACTIVE AND POWER SAVING NEAR FIELD COMMUNICATION (NFC) MODES AND RELATED METHODS - A mobile wireless communications device may include a portable housing and a near-field communication (NFC) circuit carried by the portable housing and being switchable between first NFC mode and a second NFC mode. The mobile wireless communications device may further include a processor carried by the portable housing and coupled to the NFC circuit and configured to switch the NFC circuit between the first NFC mode and the second NFC mode at a first frequency based upon a first triggering event, and switch the NFC circuit between the first NFC mode and the second NFC mode at a second frequency lower than the first frequency based upon a second triggering event different than the first triggering event. | 02-16-2012 |
20120071087 | MOBILE WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE INCLUDING WIRELESS-BASED AVAILABILITY DETECTOR AND ASSOCIATED METHODS - A wireless communications system includes a wireless communications network and a plurality of wireless communications devices. The wireless communications devices are each configured to communicate via the wireless communications network. At least one of the plurality of wireless communications devices has a portable housing, a wireless transceiver carried by the portable housing, and a wireless-based, availability detector carried by the portable housing. A processor is carried by the portable housing and is configured to determine a first availability status based upon the NFC device at a first time. The processor is further configured to activate the wireless-based, availability detector based upon the NFC device to thereby determine a second availability status based upon the wireless-based, availability detector at a second time after the first time. The processor is additionally configured to communicate the first and second availability status to the wireless communications network via the wireless transceiver. | 03-22-2012 |
20120075068 | RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION (RFID) SYSTEM PROVIDING MEETING ROOM RESERVATION AND SCHEDULING FEATURES AND RELATED METHODS - A meeting room reservation system may include at least one radio frequency identification (RFID) sensor to be positioned adjacent a meeting room, and a plurality of mobile wireless communications devices, each configured for RFID communication with the at least one RFID sensor. The system may further include a reservation server configured to schedule reserved starting and ending times for the meeting room, track checked-in mobile wireless communications devices based upon RFID communication with the at least one RFID sensor, and send at least one reservation expiration notification based upon a reserved ending time and a subsequent check-in of another mobile wireless communications device. | 03-29-2012 |
20120077432 | MOBILE WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE ESTABLISHING WIRELESS COMMUNICATION LINKS BASED UPON NEAR FIELD COMMUNICATION AND RELATED METHODS - A wireless communications system may include first and second mobile wireless communications devices each comprising a respective input device, wireless transceiver, near-field communication (NFC) transceiver, and controller coupled to the input device, wireless transceiver and NFC transceiver. At least one of the controllers may be configured to establish an NFC communications link between the NFC transceivers when the first and second mobile wireless communications devices are in proximity, provide a temporary device identifier (ID) via the NFC communications link, request authorization to establish a wireless link between the wireless transceivers, provide a permanent device ID upon receiving the authorization and based upon the temporary device ID, and establish the wireless link between the wireless transceivers based upon the permanent device ID. | 03-29-2012 |
20120077433 | COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM PROVIDING DATA TRANSFER USING SELECTIVE WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS FORMATS AND RELATED METHODS - A communications system may include a plurality of electronic devices each configured to wirelessly communicate via an NFC format and another wireless communications format(s). A first electronic device may have an NFC transfer parameter associated therewith, and may be configured to establish an NFC link with a second electronic device of the plurality of electronic devices when in proximity therewith, designate data to be transferred to the second electronic device, and determine whether the designated data complies with the NFC transfer parameter. Based on a determination that the designated data complies with the NFC transfer parameter, the first electronic device may be configured to transfer at least some of the designated data via the NFC link, and otherwise transfer at least some of the designated data to the second electronic device over a separate wireless communications link using the at least one other wireless communications format. | 03-29-2012 |
20120088446 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PREVENTING DEVICE OPERATION WHEN DRIVING - A method and system are presented for restricting the use of a portable electronic device by a driver who is operating a vehicle. A body area network (BAN) signal is sent from a vehicle device in the vehicle in close proximity to the driver. The BAN signal is transmitted using the driver's biological body as a signal transmission path. The portable electronic device includes a receiver configured to detect the BAN signal when the device is in close proximity to the driver. The portable electronic device is further configured to disable or restrict at least one function in response to detection of the BAN signal, thereby preventing or restricting use of the portable electronic device when the driver is seated in and operating the vehicle. | 04-12-2012 |
20120103776 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING A MULTI-MODE KEYBOARD - A multi-mode keyboard for a portable electronic device is provided. The keyboard comprising: a layer of flexible transparent touch sensors for receiving touch input; a layer of flexible output device; and a dome sheet for receiving key click input. | 05-03-2012 |
20120131653 | SYSTEM, DEVICES AND METHOD FOR SECURE AUTHENTICATION - A system, devices and method for authenticating a user requesting access, through a computing device connected to a network, to an on-line resource hosted by a server in communication with the network. The system, devices and method employing an authentication server and a mobile communications device in communication over a wireless network. The authentication server forwarding an authentication to the mobile communications device. Optionally, the authentication server also returning security information related to the authentication in response to the request. The mobile communications device operative to receive and process the authentication, and forward the processed authentication to the computing device over a short-range communications link. | 05-24-2012 |
20120154288 | PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE HAVING A SENSOR ARRANGEMENT FOR GESTURE RECOGNITION - The present disclosure provides a portable electronic device having a sensor arrangement for gesture recognition and a method for gesture recognition. In accordance with one example embodiment, the portable electronic device comprises: a processor; a flexible housing including a magnet; a magnetic sensor connected to the processor which monitors a magnetic field generated by the magnet. | 06-21-2012 |
20120156992 | COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE INCLUDING RADIO FREQUENCY (RF) SIGNAL BLOCKING LAYER FOR NEAR-FIELD COMMUNICATION (NFC) DEVICE AND RELATED METHODS - A communications device may include a near-field communication (NFC) circuit device, and a radio frequency (RF) signal blocking member adhesively coupled with the NFC device. The RF signal blocking member may be configured to block RF signal communication by the NFC device while coupled therewith. The RF signal blocking member may comprise an electrical conductor. In accordance with an example, the RF signal blocking member may comprise a frangible layer. In another example, a pressure sensitive adhesive layer may be included for adhesively securing the RF signal blocking member with the NFC device. | 06-21-2012 |
20120173770 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING ACCIDENTAL PERIPHERAL DEVICE DISCONNECTION - A detection device for detecting the manner in which a peripheral device is removed from an electronic device is proposed. The detection device can be on the peripheral device or the electronic device and detects whether the peripheral device was removed in a manner that indicates the removal was intentional or unintentional. | 07-05-2012 |
20120209513 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF RELATIVE LOCATION DETECTION USING IMAGE PERSPECTIVE ANALYSIS - A system and method of relative location detection on an electronic device using image perspective analysis. The electronic device will consist of a processor module coupled to a camera module. The camera module of an electronic device as well as a target device will be used to capture image(s) of the current surroundings, including common elements, which will then be used to obtain the relative location of the devices in reference to one another. | 08-16-2012 |
20120214413 | MOBILE WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE ESTABLISHING WIRELESS COMMUNICATION LINKS BASED UPON NEAR FIELD COMMUNICATION AND RELATED METHODS - A wireless communications system may include first and second mobile wireless communications devices each comprising a respective input device, wireless transceiver, near-field communication (NFC) transceiver, and controller coupled to the input device, wireless transceiver and NFC transceiver. At least one of the controllers may be configured to establish an NFC communications link between the NFC transceivers when the first and second mobile wireless communications devices are in proximity, provide a temporary device identifier (ID) via the NFC communications link, request authorization to establish a wireless link between the wireless transceivers, provide a permanent device ID upon receiving the authorization and based upon the temporary device ID, and establish the wireless link between the wireless transceivers based upon the permanent device ID. | 08-23-2012 |
20120220221 | COMMUNICATION SYSTEM PROVIDING DATA TRANSFER DIRECTION DETERMINATION BASED UPON ORIENTATION AND RELATED METHODS - A communication system may include at least one electronic device configured to wirelessly communicate via a Near-Field Communication (NFC) format, and at least one mobile communications device. The at least one mobile communications device may include an NFC device configured to wirelessly communicate with the at least one electronic device via the NFC format, and a controller coupled with the NFC device. The controller may be configured to determine an orientation of the at least mobile communications device, and determine a direction of communication with respect to the at least one electronic device based upon the determined orientation. | 08-30-2012 |
20120220224 | WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM WITH NFC-CONTROLLED ACCESS AND RELATED METHODS - A wireless communication system may include a wireless access point including a first wireless transceiver and a controller associated therewith and providing wireless communications within a defined space having an entrance, and mobile wireless communications devices, each including a first near field communications (NFC) device and a second wireless transceiver communicating with the first wireless transceiver. The wireless communication system may also include a second NFC device adjacent the entrance of the defined space, and a third NFC device within the defined space. The controller may permit wireless communications of a given mobile wireless communications device with the wireless access point based upon communication of the corresponding first NFC device with the second and third NFC devices. | 08-30-2012 |
20120221464 | COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM FOR PERFORMING SECURE TRANSACTIONS BASED UPON MOBILE WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE PROXIMITY AND RELATED METHODS - A communications system may include a plurality of mobile wireless communications devices configured to determine proximity between one another. At least one of the mobile wireless communications devices may also be configured to generate a secure transaction request based upon the determined proximity. The system may further include a transaction terminal configured to receive the secure transaction request and perform a secure transaction based thereon. | 08-30-2012 |
20120238209 | METHODS AND APPARATUS TO OBTAIN TRANSACTION INFORMATION - Methods and apparatus to obtain transaction information are described. One example method includes conducting a transaction using a proximity-based communication link, storing information related to the transaction in a database of a mobile device, identifying a service based on the information, querying the service from the mobile device, wherein the query is based on the information, and obtaining detail of the transaction from the service based on the information. Other implementations are possible. | 09-20-2012 |
20120239514 | METHODS AND APPARATUS TO OBTAIN TRANSACTION CONFIRMATION - Methods and apparatus to obtain transaction confirmation are described. One example method includes emulating a payment method using a close-proximity communication device of a mobile device, establishing a close-proximity communication link using the close-proximity communication device of the mobile device, transferring payment information from the mobile device using the close-proximity communication device, switching the close-proximity communication device of the mobile device to an information receiving communication mode, and receiving a transaction confirmation at the close-proximity communication device of the mobile device. Other implementations are possible. | 09-20-2012 |
20120244837 | COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM INCLUDING PERSONAL INFORMATION TOKEN TO STORE A PERSONALIZED LIST AND ASSOCIATED METHODS - A communications system includes an electronic device a first wireless personal area network (WPAN) device, and a first processor coupled to the first WPAN device. The communications system also includes a personal information token with a second processor and a second WPAN device coupled thereto. The second processor is configured to store at least one subscription key, and wirelessly transmit the at least one subscription key to the electronic device based upon proximity therewith, via the second WPAN device. The first processor, via the cellular device, then subscribes the electronic device to the cellular network based upon the subscription key. | 09-27-2012 |
20120254031 | COMMUNICATION SYSTEM PROVIDING NEAR FIELD COMMUNICATION (NFC) TRANSACTION FEATURES AND RELATED METHODS - A communication system may include a transaction terminal configured to perform a transaction based upon receiving account information, a first NFC device(s), and a mobile wireless communication device. The mobile device may include a second NFC device configured to communicate with the first NFC device(s) upon being swiped therewith, a memory configured to store account information associated with different accounts and store respective account swipe patterns for the different accounts, where each account swipe pattern comprising at least one of a set time or a set number of swipes, and a controller. The controller may be configured to detect a swipe pattern, determine whether the detected swipe pattern corresponds to one of the plurality of stored account swipe patterns, determine a respective account based upon the determined corresponding stored account swipe pattern, and communicate the associated account information for the determined respective account to the transaction terminal. | 10-04-2012 |
20120258701 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LOCATING A MISPLACED MOBILE DEVICE - A system and method for activating a location feature for a misplaced mobile device. The method can include receiving an audio command and comparing the received audio command to one or more stored audio commands. In the event the received audio command matches a stored audio command, the method further activates a location feature. The location feature can include activating a ringer, activating a ring tone, causing vibrations, and flashing one or more light or any combination thereof. The ring tone can be a location ring tone. The location feature can be deactivated in response to a preset duration lapsing or receiving a termination command. | 10-11-2012 |
20120262408 | TOUCH-SENSITIVE DISPLAY WITH OPTICAL SENSOR AND OPTICAL METHOD - An electronic device includes a touch-sensitive display that includes a display and a sensor that detects a reflected optical signal passing through the display, which optical signal is indicative of input to the electronic device. The electronic device optionally includes an emitter that sources the optical signal. | 10-18-2012 |
20120293311 | NON-VISUAL PRESENTATION OF INFORMATION ON AN ELECTRONIC WIRELESS DEVICE - In one example, information is presented to a user in a non-visual manner. In this example, a list of visually representable items defined by a beginning and at least one of dimension of time and space is accessed. Each of the visually representable items within the dimension is placed in one of a plurality of non-visual sensory categories. A non-visual sensory preview is rendered, in sequence for each item in the list, from the plurality of non-visual sensory categories. | 11-22-2012 |
20130069881 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND METHOD OF CHARACTER ENTRY - A method includes receiving a selection of a character from a keyboard of a portable electronic device, adding the character to a character string, identifying candidate objects in reference data that include characters that match the character string, and displaying a plurality of the candidate objects on a display. When a gesture is detected on the keyboard, an object of the plurality of candidate objects, that is associated with the gesture, is identified, and the object is selected. | 03-21-2013 |
20130084846 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR REMOTE WIPE THROUGH VOICE MAIL - A method and system for remotely wiping a mobile device, the method receiving, at a telephonic server hosting a telephonic menu, a selection to wipe data and connections from the mobile device; and forwarding a wipe data request to a network server to send a wipe command. | 04-04-2013 |
20130099725 | CLIP-ON CHARGING SYSTEM WITH VARIABLE CHARGING RATES - A charger for charging a battery of an electronic device is provided. The electronic device has a charging clip that clips to a structure of the charger. The structure has a plurality of conductive strips disposed thereon. The number of conductive strips contacted by a charging contact on the charging clip determines the amount of current provided to the electronic device for charging. | 04-25-2013 |
20130110940 | Setting Reminders From An Instant Messaging Application | 05-02-2013 |
20130111369 | METHODS AND DEVICES TO PROVIDE COMMON USER INTERFACE MODE BASED ON IMAGES | 05-02-2013 |
20130111370 | METHODS AND DEVICES TO ALLOW COMMON USER INTERFACE MODE BASED ON ORIENTATION | 05-02-2013 |
20130125037 | DISPLAYING A PREDICTION CANDIDATE AFTER A TYPING MISTAKE - A method includes receiving an input string from a virtual keyboard, generating at least one string based on the input string, where the input string is not a substring of the generated string, responsive to a determination that the generated string was previously generated based on the input string, selecting a candidate character associated with the input string and with the generated string, and displaying the generated string at a location on the virtual keyboard that is associated with the selected candidate character. | 05-16-2013 |
20130141567 | MOBILE WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE PROVIDING GUIDE DIRECTION INDICATOR FOR NEAR FIELD COMMUNICATION (NFC) INITIATION AND RELATED METHODS - A mobile device may include a display, an optical sensor having a field of view, a movement sensor, a first near-field communication (NFC) device, and a controller. The controller may be configured to display the field of view of the optical sensor on the display, locate a second NFC device within the field of view, and display a direction indicator(s) on the display to indicate a guide direction of movement to align the first NFC device with the second NFC device. When the second NFC device falls outside the field of view, the controller may be configured to display the guide direction indicator(s) on the display to relocate the second NFC device within the field of view based upon the movement sensor. The controller may also be configured to cause the first NFC device to communicate with the second NFC device based upon proximity to the second NFC device. | 06-06-2013 |
20130144740 | METHODS AND APPARATUS TO OBTAIN TRANSACTION CONFIRMATION - Methods and apparatus to obtain transaction confirmation are described. One example method includes emulating a payment method using a close-proximity communication device of a mobile device, establishing a close-proximity communication link with a close-proximity communications-equipped device using the close-proximity communication device of the mobile device, transferring payment information from the mobile device to the close-proximity communications-equipped device using the close-proximity communication device, subsequent to transferring the payment information, switching the close-proximity communication device of the mobile device to an information receiving communication mode, determining whether the close-proximity communication device is within proximity of the close-proximity communications-equipped device, and receiving a transaction confirmation at the close-proximity communication device of the mobile device from the close-proximity communications-equipped device when the close-proximity communication device is within proximity of the close-proximity communications-equipped device. | 06-06-2013 |
20130176228 | TOUCHSCREEN KEYBOARD PREDICTIVE DISPLAY AND GENERATION OF A SET OF CHARACTERS - A communication device includes a display with a layout including key locations with associated characters. The communication device detects an input gesture and determines one or more committed characters based at least in part on a change in the input gesture. The device presents one or more strings on the layout in association with key locations that are selected based at least in part on a relationship between each presented string and non-committed characters of each presented string. | 07-11-2013 |
20130187884 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE WITH TOUCH-SENSITIVE DISPLAY AND METHOD OF FACILITATING INPUT AT THE ELECTRONIC DEVICE - A method of controlling an electronic device that has a touch-sensitive display includes detecting a touch at an area associated with a character displayed on the touch-sensitive display, adding the character to a character string, identifying, from stored data, objects that at least partially match the character string, determining a next character of ones of the objects identified to yield a set of next characters, increasing a size of an area associated with each character of the set of next characters, and reducing the size of the area associated with each character of the set of next characters with time absent detection of a further touch. | 07-25-2013 |
20130194187 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE INCLUDING TOUCH-SENSITIVE DISPLAY AND METHOD OF FACILITATING INPUT AT THE ELECTRONIC DEVICE - A method includes displaying keys of a keyboard in a keyboard area on a touch-sensitive display, at least one of the keys being associated with multiple letter characters, the keyboard area located adjacent to a first side of the touch-sensitive display, detecting a touch in a keyboard area of the touch-sensitive display, the touch being associated with a character input, detecting a gesture in a gesture input area of a touch-sensitive display, the gesture area located adjacent to a second side of the touch-sensitive display, the second side opposite to the first side; wherein the gesture is associated with a keyboard-related function at the processor and the keyboard-related function is operable on the character input or a next character input. | 08-01-2013 |
20130194188 | APPARATUS AND METHOD OF FACILITATING INPUT AT A SECOND ELECTRONIC DEVICE - A method includes: receiving, at a processor of a first electronic device, an input indicating an object is proximate to an input device of the first electronic device; determining, at the processor, a location of the object relative to the input device; and sending data for displaying a visual representation of the object relative to the input device at an output device of a second electronic device. | 08-01-2013 |
20130196590 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR DISTRIBUTING CONTENT TO AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE - Methods and devices for distributing and receiving content are provided. In one example aspect, a method comprises: receiving a command on a first electronic device to output content at an output device associated with a second electronic device; and in response to receiving the command to output content at the output device associated with the second electronic device: providing content access information from the first electronic device to the second electronic device, and adjusting a security state on the second electronic device. | 08-01-2013 |
20130201097 | METHODS AND DEVICES TO PROVIDE COMMON USER INTERFACE MODE BASED ON SOUND - A method and electronic devices to provide a common user interface mode on a first electronic device and a second electronic device are described. In one aspect, the method comprises: participating in audio based communications between the first electronic device and the second electronic device; determining an orientation of the first electronic device relative to the second electronic device based on the audio based communications; and entering a common user interface mode in which a display associated with the first electronic device and a display associated with the second electronic device operate cooperatively and in which the orientation of a common user interface displayed on the displays is determined in accordance with the determined relative orientation. | 08-08-2013 |
20130215071 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING SAME - A method of controlling an electronic device that includes a touch-sensitive display and a plurality of hardware components. The method includes detecting a touch at at least one of the hardware components of the electronic device, identifying a function associated with the at least one of the hardware components, and performing the function at the electronic device. | 08-22-2013 |
20130215250 | PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND METHOD - A portable electronic device and method for controlling a media device is provided. The portable electronic includes a camera, a processor in communication with the camera, and an input device in communication with the processor. The processor is for receiving data from the camera and for analyzing the data to detect a condition and the processor is configured to operate in a non-command state or in a command state. The method involves receiving data from a camera, analyzing the data from the camera to detect a condition, receiving input and transmitting a command to the media. | 08-22-2013 |
20130222228 | AUTOMATIC PROJECTOR BEHAVIOUR CHANGES BASED ON PROJECTION DISTANCE - There is disclosed one or more methods, systems and components therefor for varying the behaviour of a projector. The operations for varying the behaviour from a first behaviour to a second behaviour responsive to a change in projection distance from a first distance to a second distance, the behaviours comprising a control mode or a presentation mode. | 08-29-2013 |
20130227420 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR FACILITATING PRESENTATION FEEDBACK - Methods and devices for facilitating presentation feedback during a local presentation are provided. In example embodiments, the local presentation includes an electronic presentation displayed on a display associated with a presentation device. In one aspect, the method comprises: providing a feedback interface for the electronic presentation and allowing one or more mobile communication devices to access the feedback interface; receiving at the feedback interface, feedback information from one or more of the mobile communication devices; and updating the electronic presentation based on the received feedback information. | 08-29-2013 |
20130241839 | DEVICE COVER WITH DRAWING PAD INPUT DEVICE - A cover for an electronic device and associated method. A case body has an outer and an inner surface, the inner surface defines at least part of a case compartment that receives an electronic device. A drawing pad is attached to the case body and has a touch sensitive input region, which senses drawing gestures thereon, and a detachable data communications interface that detachably connects a communications link to the electronic device. The communications link conveys indication data corresponding to sensed drawing gestures to the electronic device. | 09-19-2013 |
20130278462 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF TRANSMITTING LOCATION DATA BASED ON WIRELESS COMMUNICATION ACTIVITY - Systems and methods of transmitting location data based on wireless communication activity can include a location transmitting device having a sensor communicatively coupled to a low-power transmitter. The transmitter (e.g., a Bluetooth™ transmitter) can transmit location data from which an electronic device can derive its location. The sensor can be a sensor configured to detect wireless data transmissions (e.g., cellular data transmissions). In one example, the transmitter can transmit location data in response to the sensor detecting data transmissions of an electronic device. The transmitter can remain in an idle, standby, or otherwise low-power state until the sensor detects data transmissions of an electronic device. In response, the transmitter can transmit data which can be received by the electronic device. The electronic device can then derive the electronic device's location from the data transmitted by the transmitter. | 10-24-2013 |
20130289976 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR A LOCALLY AND TEMPORALLY ADAPTIVE TEXT PREDICTION - An electronic device is provided, having a locally and temporally adaptive prediction database. | 10-31-2013 |
20130295842 | MOBILE WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE PROVIDED ENHANCED SWITCHING BETWEEN ACTIVE AND POWER SAVING NEARFIELD COMMUNICATIONS (NFC) MODES AND RELATED METHODS - A mobile wireless communications device may include a portable housing and a near-field communication (NFC) circuit carried by the portable housing and being switchable between first NFC mode and a second NFC mode. The mobile wireless communications device may further include a processor carried by the portable housing and coupled to the NFC circuit and configured to switch the NFC circuit between the first NFC mode and the second NFC mode at a first frequency based upon a first triggering event, and switch the NFC circuit between the first NFC mode and the second NFC mode at a second frequency lower than the first frequency based upon a second triggering event different than the first triggering event. | 11-07-2013 |
20130300665 | PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING SAME - A method of character entry includes detecting a spacebar adjacent input from a keyboard, the spacebar adjacent input corresponding to a key adjacent to a spacebar; and determining whether to accept the spacebar adjacent input based on whether a preceding inputted string, the preceding inputted string comprising a string of inputted characters preceding the spacebar adjacent input, corresponds to a first stored object. | 11-14-2013 |
20130307778 | NEAR-FIELD COMMUNICATION INPUT DEVICE INCLUDING NEAR-FIELD COMMUNICATION MOUSE PAD AND MOUSE AND RELATED METHODS - A near-field communication (NFC) input device may include an NFC mouse pad to be coupled to an electronic device. The NFC mouse pad may include a first NFC device. The NFC input device may further include an NFC mouse configured to generate movement data based upon movement relative to the NFC mouse pad. The NFC mouse may include a second NFC device to wirelessly communicate the movement data to the first NFC device for the electronic device. | 11-21-2013 |
20140003653 | System and Method for Detemining the Position of an Object Displaying Media Content | 01-02-2014 |
20140043209 | STACKED DEVICE POSITION IDENTIFICATION - Methods and electronic devices for identifying a location of a top electronic device stacked on top of a bottom electronic device are described. In one example embodiment, the top electronic device and the bottom electronic device are configured to communicate. In one example embodiment, the method includes: receiving camera data associated with a camera of the top electronic device; obtaining display data identifying a pixel arrangement on at least a portion of a display of the bottom electronic device; and identifying the position of the top electronic device relative to the bottom electronic device based on the camera data and the display data. | 02-13-2014 |
20140046943 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR STORING CONTENT BASED ON CLASSIFICATION OPTIONS - Methods and devices for storing content are described. In one example embodiment, a method includes: displaying, on a display of an electronic device, a plurality of selectable content classification options for classifying a content item, the selectable content classification options including a selectable option to classify the content item as an action item and a selectable option to classify the content item as an archive; receiving, via an input interface associated with the electronic device, a selection of one of the content classification options; and storing the content item in accordance with the selected content classification option. | 02-13-2014 |
20140047345 | METHOD, SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR TRACKING WORKSPACE ACTIVITY - A method, system and apparatus for tracking workspace activity are provided. At a device comprising a processor, a memory, a communication interface, and a display, it is determined when each of two different workspaces are active, the two different workspaces distinguished by one or more of stored data at the memory and applications being associated with one or another of the two different workspaces. Respective times that each of the two different workspaces are active are transmitted, via the communication interface, to a server. | 02-13-2014 |
20140051399 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR STORING RECOGNIZED PHRASES - Methods and electronic devices for storing recognized phrases during a voice call between an electronic device and a remote party. In one aspect, the present application discloses a method implemented by a processor of an electronic device for storing recognized phrases during a voice call between the electronic device and a remote party. In one aspect, a method implemented by a processor of an electronic device is described. The method includes: determining that a spoken phrase during the voice call is within a pre-determined category of information; converting the spoken phrase to text; storing the text in association with the voice call; and displaying in a graphical user interface a call history identifying previous voice calls, including an identifier of the voice call. The display includes displaying the text in association with the identifier of the voice call. | 02-20-2014 |
20140065997 | Emergency Call Forward Based On Location - A location-based call forwarding method comprises, in response to determining that an intended call recipient is unavailable to receive a call from a caller, identifying an alternate call recipient located within a predetermined proximity of a current location of the intended call recipient, and forwarding the call to the alternate call recipient. The alternate call recipient may be identified by determining a person with whom the intended recipient is meeting or an establishment where the intended recipient is situated. This information may be extracted from various sources such as a calendar, social network site, or device-generated location data. | 03-06-2014 |
20140120831 | COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE INCLUDING RADIO FREQUENCY (RF) SIGNAL BLOCKING LAYER FOR NEAR-FIELD COMMUNICATION (NFC) DEVICE AND RELATED METHODS - A communications device may include a near-field communication (NFC) circuit device, and a radio frequency (RF) signal blocking member adhesively coupled with the NFC device. The RF signal blocking member may be configured to block RF signal communication by the NFC device while coupled therewith. The RF signal blocking member may comprise an electrical conductor. In accordance with an example, the RF signal blocking member may comprise a frangible layer. In another example, a pressure sensitive adhesive layer may be included for adhesively securing the RF signal blocking member with the NFC device. | 05-01-2014 |
20140122589 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF TRANSFERRING CONTROL OF MEDIA PLAYBACK BETWEEN ELECTRONIC DEVICES - A system and method for transferring control of media playback between electronic devices. Playback of media content is initiating at a source device and peer-to-peer device pairing is established with a destination device. Media content from the source device is streamed to the destination device and a determination of whether to transfer media playback control to the destination device is made based on characteristics of the media content. The control of media playback may be transferred to the destination device based on the destination device having a local copy of the streaming media content, a playlist with similar characteristics to the streaming media content, a local media content having similar characteristics to the streaming media content, or a local playlist similar to the playlist from the source device. The peer-to-peer device pairing is terminated when media playback control is transferred, thereby preserving battery and processing power to the source device. | 05-01-2014 |
20140257797 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR A LOCALLY AND TEMPORALLY ADAPTIVE TEXT PREDICTION - An electronic device is provided, having a locally and temporally adaptive prediction database. | 09-11-2014 |
20140267055 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE INCLUDING TOUCH-SENSITIVE KEYBOARD AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING SAME - An electronic device includes a keyboard comprising a plurality of mechanical keys, a plurality of touch sensors interspersed among the plurality of mechanical keys to detect touches on the mechanical keys, and a controller coupled to the touch sensors and configured to group touch sensor data in a first set of groups to identify a first coordinate value of a touch location on the keyboard and to group the touch sensor data in a second set of groups to identify a second coordinate value of the touch location. The first set of groups differs from the second set of groups. | 09-18-2014 |
20140372454 | METHOD, SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR EFFICIENTLY DETERMINING PRIORITY OF DATA IN A DATABASE - A method and apparatus for determining priority of data in a database managed by a computing device are provided. The data comprises a list of events, the computing device comprising a processing unit interconnected with a memory device and a display device. Context data is processing at the processing unit to determine a priority ranking for each of the items, wherein processing the context data to determine a priority ranking comprises at least one of processing attendance data, location, event data, and telephone record data. Respective areas of the display device are controlled to provide visual representations of each of the events, each respective area controlled according to the priority ranking. | 12-18-2014 |
20150066368 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR COMPUTER-BASED NAVIGATION - A video route-previewing system includes a route-previewing device for receiving input defining a starting point and a destination point and for identifying a route based on the starting point and the destination point. A preview-generating device receives the route from the route-previewing device and generates an image request for the route. A street-level imagery server receives the image request from the preview-generating device and communicates imagery of the route to the preview-generating device in response to the image request. The preview-generating device generates a time-compressed nonlinear route preview from the imagery of the route and communicates the preview to the route-previewing device. The route-previewing device displays the preview video of the route. The preview video may time-compress segments without navigational decision points and present in slow-motion segments around navigational decision points. | 03-05-2015 |