Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090102799 | HANDHELD MOBILE COMMUNICATION DEVICE WITH FLEXIBLE KEYS - Keypad keys for handheld mobile communication devices feature flexible key bodies and actuators extending from the key bodies. Switches below the actuators are connected in series circuits. All actuators beneath an intended key must be depressed in order for the circuit to be closed and the key to be recognized as actuated. The flexible nature of the key bodies allows one actuator on a given key to be depressed while other actuators remain non-depressed. This prevents the key from being recognized as actuated when a only a portion of the key is depressed as occurs, for example, due to finger overlap. | 04-23-2009 |
20090153491 | KEY IN A KEYPAD OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE PROVIDING FEEDBACK - The embodiments relate to a key in a keypad of an electronic device and a system to control the value associated with the key. The key comprises: a programmable display to generate a character associated with the key; and a switch assembly associated with the key to register activation of the key. In the key, part of the display deflects inwardly into the device when external pressure is applied to the key, and the display transmits the external pressure to the switch assembly. The key have an elastomer located between the display and the switch assembly. The display may be a cholesteric liquid crystal display. | 06-18-2009 |
20090160761 | METHOD AND HANDHELD ELECTRONIC DEVICE INCLUDING FIRST INPUT COMPONENT AND SECOND TOUCH SENSITIVE INPUT COMPONENT - A handheld electronic device includes a housing having a surface; a first input component having input members disposed external to the surface; a second touch sensitive input component disposed about the input members, the touch sensitive input component being separate and distinct from the input members and the first input component and being structured to provide one of: a contact point with respect to the surface responsive to actuation of a first number of the input members, and a number of responses responsive to actuation of a second number of the input members. A processor cooperates with the first input component and the touch sensitive input component to determine if a plurality of the input members are actuated contemporaneously and to output a representation of a single one of the input members based upon one of: the contact point, and the number of responses. | 06-25-2009 |
20090163193 | Method and Apparatus for Launching Activities - A handheld electronic device having a microprocessor housed within a body including a display area and a contact-sensitive area is disclosed. The contact-sensitive area detects contact engagement therewith and produces instruction data based thereupon. A microprocessor-run software program receives instruction data from the contact-sensitive area. The contact-sensitive area has a home zone area and a plurality of activity launch zone areas. The software program is programmed to process the instruction data and determine sweeping contact motion detected on the contact-sensitive area originating at the home zone area and terminating at one of the plurality of activity launch zone areas. The program responsively launches an operator-instructed activity corresponding to the activity launch zone area at which the sweeping contact motion terminated. | 06-25-2009 |
20090172604 | KEYPAD NAVIGATION SELECTION AND METHOD ON MOBILE DEVICE - A handheld electronic communication device includes a plurality of text entry keys arranged in a keyfield. A user navigates among alphabetic selections shown on a display by moving his fingers across keys lying within a navigation travel region and other wise generally used to effect text entry into the device. | 07-02-2009 |
20090187840 | SIDE-BAR MENU AND MENU ON A DISPLAY SCREEN OF A HANDHELD ELECTRONIC DEVICE - A handheld electronic device includes a display screen located on the device. The handheld electronic device features a body housing a microprocessor-run software application program that displays a menu including available user actions on a display screen of the handheld electronic device. The microprocessor-run software application displays a plurality of legends at a lateral side of the displayed menu based on receipt of a cursor position data indicating that the cursor on the display screen is in a proximate area of the display screen on which the plurality of legends display. | 07-23-2009 |
20100081374 | MOBILE WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE HAVING TOUCH ACTIVATED NEAR FIELD COMMUNICATIONS (NFC) CIRCUIT - A mobile wireless communications device includes a housing and a circuit board carried by the housing and including Radio Frequency (RF) circuitry and a processor carried by the housing and operative with each other. A Near Field Communications (NFC) circuit is positioned on the circuit board and operative with the processor for communicating in accordance with the NFC communication protocol. A touch activated sensor is supported by the housing and operative for enabling operation of the NFC circuit when touched to establish NFC communications from the communications device. | 04-01-2010 |
20100164866 | HANDHELD ELECTRONIC DEVICE, CURSOR POSITIONING SUB-SYSTEM AND METHOD EMPLOYING CURSOR SCALING CONTROL - A track ball cursor positioning sub-system is employed by a handheld electronic device including an operating system and a plurality of applications having a plurality of predetermined scaling values. The cursor positioning sub-system includes a track ball cursor positioning device adapted to output a plurality of device pulses, and a track ball cursor resolution controller adapted to repetitively input the device pulses and to responsively output to the operating system a plurality of cursor movement events. The cursor resolution controller is further adapted to be controlled by the operating system or by the applications to learn which one of the applications is active and to automatically scale a number of the cursor movement events for a corresponding number of the device pulses based upon a corresponding one of the predetermined scaling values of the active one of the applications. | 07-01-2010 |
20110106988 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TRANSFERRING DATA BETWEEN USB CLIENT DEVICES BY TOGGLING A USB VBUS LINE - A method and apparatus for transferring data from a first electronic device to a second electronic device, both first and second electronic devices having Universal Serial Bus (USB) client interfaces, the method comprising the steps: connecting the two electronic devices with a USB cable; toggling the voltage on a V | 05-05-2011 |
20110196756 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ELECTRONIC NOTES IN A MOBILE ENVIRONMENT - A system and method for handling electronic notes in a mobile environment, wherein the system includes a memory configured to store an electronic note, which electronic note includes location information, a location detector configured to detect location information for the mobile device, and a processor configured to: monitor the location information for the mobile device based on data from the location detector; compare the location information for the mobile device with the location information in the electronic note; and activate the electronic note when the location information for the mobile device is within a predetermined distance of the location information in the electronic note. | 08-11-2011 |
20120008785 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SECURE PIN EXCHANGE - Systems and methods for wirelessly exchanging an encryption key between a first device and a second device are disclosed herein. | 01-12-2012 |
20120032890 | METHOD AND HANDHELD ELECTRONIC DEVICE INCLUDING FIRST INPUT COMPONENT AND SECOND TOUCH SENSITIVE INPUT COMPONENT - A handheld electronic device includes a housing having a surface; a first input component having input members disposed external to the surface; a second touch sensitive input component disposed about the input members, the touch sensitive input component being separate and distinct from the input members and the first input component and being structured to provide one of: a contact point with respect to the surface responsive to actuation of a first number of the input members, and a number of responses responsive to actuation of a second number of the input members. A processor cooperates with the first input component and the touch sensitive input component to determine if a plurality of the input members are actuated contemporaneously and to output a representation of a single one of the input members based upon one of: the contact point, and the number of responses. | 02-09-2012 |
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 |
20120040610 | NEAR-FIELD COMMUNICATION (NFC) SYSTEM PROVIDING LOW POWER MODE FREQUENCY CYCLING AND RELATED METHODS - A near-field communication (NFC) system may include a plurality of NFC devices each including a housing, a power source carried by the housing, at least one input device carried by the housing and assigned to a designated device function, an NFC circuit configured to wirelessly communicate using an NFC communications protocol, and a processor. The processor may be configured to initiate the designated device function based upon a first input pattern of the at least one input device, switch the NFC circuit between a higher power state and a lower power state at a first frequency, the NFC circuit in the higher power state being configured to generate an RF field to initiate NFC communications, and switch the NFC circuit between the higher and lower power states at a second frequency based upon a second input pattern of the input device(s) different from the first input pattern. | 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 |
20120042363 | COMMUNICATION SYSTEM PROVIDING WIRELESS AUTHENTICATION FOR PRIVATE DATA ACCESS AND RELATED METHODS - A communication system may include a server configured to provide data access based upon an authenticated logon, and a computer configured to access the server to receive a temporary authenticated logon identification (ID) for the server. The communication system may further include a mobile wireless communications device including a housing, a wireless transceiver carried by the housing, a sensor carried by the housing, and a controller carried by the housing, the controller being coupled to the wireless transceiver and the sensor. The controller may be configured to cause the sensor to wirelessly retrieve the temporary authenticated logon ID from the computer, and cause the wireless transceiver to wirelessly communicate logon data to the server for providing data access via the computer based upon the temporary authenticated logon ID. | 02-16-2012 |
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 |
20120133493 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING IMPROVED DETECTION OF USER INACTION - A mobile computing device may include an interface device, a near field communication (NFC) device, and a processor coupled with the interface device and the NFC device. The processor may be capable of detecting proximity of an encasement based upon the NFC device, and changing an operational mode of the interface device based upon detecting the proximity of the encasement. | 05-31-2012 |
20120167232 | Mobile Device for Authenticating A Device Accessory - A mobile device for authenticating a device accessory is disclosed. The mobile device receives a unique identifier from a device accessory, sends the received unique identifier to a server via a communication network, and receives information from the server relating to the unique identifier. | 06-28-2012 |
20120196530 | MOBILE DEVICE HAVING ENHANCED IN-HOLSTER POWER SAVING FEATURES AND RELATED METHODS - A communications system may include a holder, a first near-field communication (NFC) device carried by the holder, and a mobile device. The mobile device may include a housing configured to be removably positioned within the holder, a second NFC device carried by the housing and configured to communicate with the first NFC device via NFC communications, and a controller carried by the housing and coupled to the second NFC device. The controller may be configured to operate the second NFC device to scan for the first NFC device in a first mode when the housing is removed from the holder, and operate the second NFC device in a second mode based upon communication with the first NFC device when the housing is positioned within the holder, where the second mode has a lower power consumption level associated therewith than the first mode. | 08-02-2012 |
20120202421 | MOBILE WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE TO DETECT MOVEMENT OF AN ADJACENT NON-RADIATING OBJECT AND ASSOCIATED METHODS - A mobile wireless communications device includes a wireless transceiver, a Near Field Communications (NFC) device, and a processor. The processor is configured to cooperate with the wireless transceiver for wireless communications. The processor is also configured to detect movement of a non-radiating object adjacent the NFC device, and perform at least one function based upon the detected movement. | 08-09-2012 |
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 |
20120220223 | WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM PROVIDING MEDIA CONTENT TRANSFER FEATURES AND RELATED METHODS - A wireless communications system may include a first electronic device comprising a first media content playback device, a first wireless transceiver, and a first controller coupled with the first media content playback device and the first wireless transceiver. The system may further include a second electronic device comprising a second media content playback device, a second wireless transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate with the first wireless transceiver, and a second controller coupled with the second media content playback device and the second wireless transceiver. The first controller may be configured to generate a playback pointer associated with playback of given media content, and wirelessly communicate the playback pointer to the second controller. The second controller may be configured to play back the given media content based upon the playback pointer, and without receiving the given media content from the first electronic device. | 08-30-2012 |
20120221695 | METHODS AND APPARATUS TO INTEGRATE LOGICAL AND PHYSICAL ACCESS CONTROL - Methods and apparatus to control access are described. One example method includes allowing physical access and logic access based on a credential associated with a mobile device, monitoring logical access by the mobile device, and revoking a physical access privilege based on termination of logical access by the mobile device. Other implementations are possible. | 08-30-2012 |
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 |
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 |
20120309388 | Wireless Communication Device and Remote User Interface Device with Automatic Disconnect Apparatus and Method - A portable communication device, such as a cellular telephone, communicates via a wireless communication link with a remote user interface device, such as a hands-free interface. The portable communication device and the remote user interface device each comprises a motion sensor, by which each device can determine motion of the device with respect to the earth. The devices may share, via the wireless communication link, motion messages. The wireless communication link may be terminated as a function of the motion of the devices. After the wireless communication link is terminated, the remote user interface device may automatically enter a low-power mode. | 12-06-2012 |
20130002564 | METHOD AND HANDHELD ELECTRONIC DEVICE INCLUDING FIRST INPUT COMPONENT AND SECOND TOUCH SENSITIVE INPUT COMPONENT - A handheld electronic device includes a housing having a surface; a first input component having input members disposed external to the surface; a second touch sensitive input component disposed about the input members, the touch sensitive input component being separate and distinct from the input members and the first input component and being structured to provide one of: a contact point with respect to the surface responsive to actuation of a first number of the input members, and a number of responses responsive to actuation of a second number of the input members. A processor cooperates with the first input component and the touch sensitive input component to determine if a plurality of the input members are actuated contemporaneously and to output a representation of a single one of the input members based upon one of: the contact point, and the number of responses. | 01-03-2013 |
20130093691 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING SAME - A method includes detecting a touch associated with an edge of a display of an electronic device, identifying a navigation device function associated with the touch, and performing the navigation device function. | 04-18-2013 |
20130109311 | MOBILE WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE HAVING TOUCH ACTIVATED NEAR FIELD COMMUNICATIONS (NFC) CIRCUIT | 05-02-2013 |
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 |
20130196594 | MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE PROVIDING ENHANCED NEAR FIELD COMMUNICATION (NFC) MODE SWITCHING FEATURES AND RELATED METHODS - A mobile wireless communications device may include a near field communication (NFC) device operable in a first NFC mode or a second NFC mode, wherein the second NFC mode has a lower power consumption level associated therewith than the first NFC mode. The mobile wireless communications device may further include a processor coupled with the NFC device and capable of detecting a field change via the NFC device when the NFC device is in the second NFC mode, determining a condition of the mobile communications device, and switching the NFC device from the second NFC mode to the first NFC mode based upon the field change and the condition. | 08-01-2013 |
20130246976 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LAUNCHING ACTIVITIES - A handheld electronic device having a microprocessor housed within a body including a display area and a contact-sensitive area is disclosed. The contact-sensitive area detects contact engagement therewith and produces instruction data based thereupon. A microprocessor-run software program receives instruction data from the contact-sensitive area. The contact-sensitive area has a home zone area and a plurality of activity launch zone areas. The software program is programmed to process the instruction data and determine sweeping contact motion detected on the contact-sensitive area originating at the home zone area and terminating at one of the plurality of activity launch zone areas. The program responsively launches an operator-instructed activity corresponding to the activity launch zone area at which the sweeping contact motion terminated. | 09-19-2013 |
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 |
20130331027 | COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM PROVIDING REMOTE ACCESS VIA MOBILE WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE AND RELATED METHODS - A mobile wireless communications device may include a first wireless transceiver, a second wireless transceiver having a longer communication range than the first wireless transceiver, and a controller coupled with the first wireless transceiver and the second wireless transceiver. The controller may be capable of transmitting, via the first wireless transceiver, an access request to an access control device associated with an access position, and receive a first identifier from the access control device based upon the access request. The controller may be further capable of transmitting, via the second wireless transceiver, an authentication request to an authentication server based upon the first identifier and a second identifier associated with the mobile wireless communications device, and receive an authentication response based upon the authentication request. The controller may also be capable of transmitting, via the first wireless transceiver, the authentication response to the access control device. | 12-12-2013 |
20140148096 | CREATING SMART NFC POSTERS - Systems, methods, devices, and computer programming products for making and writing data to NFC-enabled “smart” posters, and posters made in accordance therewith. | 05-29-2014 |
20140149033 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR INDOOR NAVIGATION | 05-29-2014 |
20140149529 | CLOUD-BASED NFC CONTENT SHARING - Systems, methods, devices, and computer programming products for NFC-enabled sharing of data files stored by networked computing resources, according to a variety of selectable criteria. | 05-29-2014 |
20140361872 | MOBILE WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE PROVIDING NEAR FIELD COMMUNICATION (NFC) UNLOCK AND TAG DATA CHANGE FEATURES AND RELATED METHODS - A mobile wireless communications device may include a near field communication (NFC) transceiver and a controller coupled with the NFC transceiver. The controller may be configured to receive tag data from at least one NFC tag when in close proximity thereto via the NFC transceiver, verify the tag data, and when the tag data is successfully verified, perform at least one device unlock operation. The controller may be further configured to determine whether the tag data should be changed based on a predetermined schedule, and if it is determined that the tag data should be changed, communicate with the at least one NFC tag to change the tag data. | 12-11-2014 |
20150017909 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING NFC-CAPABLE MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS DEVICES - NFC-capable systems and devices, and related methods, for controlling operation of an NFC-capable mobile device are disclosed. Through NFC communication, the NFC-capable mobile device detects a load associated with a surface proximate the NFC-capable mobile device. Based at least partly on a determined sustained intensity of the load, the NFC-capable mobile device triggers operation of a camera of the NFC-capable mobile device to capture an image of the surface proximate the NFC-capable mobile device. Based at least partly on a determined correspondence of the captured image with stored image data, the NFC-capable mobile device executes a device control command, such as to control some aspect of the NFC-capable mobile device based on the detected surface, which may be part of a holster for holstering the NFC-capable mobile device. | 01-15-2015 |