Abstract: A method for user authentication in a device comprising a touch screen is provided. In operation, the device stores a user authentication code corresponding to a user. When a trigger for user authentication is detected, the device randomly selects one or more character positions in the sequence of characters. The device further requests the user to enter a character corresponding to each of the selected one or more character positions in the sequence of characters. When the device detects a user entry made using a keypad on the touch screen, the device determines whether the user entry matches a character corresponding to each of the selected one or more character positions. When the user entry matches a character corresponding to each of the selected one or more character positions in the sequence of characters, then the user is successfully authenticated to the device.

Abstract: A method and formulation for fabricating a transparent force sensing (TFS) layer is provided. The TFS layer is fabricated by preparing a formulation for a transparent polymer-conductor composite (TPCC). The TPCC formulation comprises transparent conducting oxide (TCO) nanoparticles, a first solvent for forming a dispersion of the TCO nanoparticles and having an intermediate boiling point ranging from one hundred and twenty five (125) to one hundred and ninety nine (199) degrees centigrade, at least one additive to prevent agglomeration of the TCO nanoparticles, a second solvent for facilitating dissolving of the at least one additive, a third solvent having a high boiling point above one hundred and ninety nine (199) degrees centigrade and a transparent polymer dissolved in the first and third solvents. The TPCC formulation is disposed on a substrate forming a wet film and dried to form a dry film.

Abstract: A method for user authentication in a device comprising a touch screen is provided. In operation, the device stores a user authentication code corresponding to a user. When a trigger for user authentication is detected, the device randomly selects one or more character positions in the sequence of characters. The device further requests the user to enter a character corresponding to each of the selected one or more character positions in the sequence of characters. When the device detects a user entry made using a keypad on the touch screen, the device determines whether the user entry matches a character corresponding to each of the selected one or more character positions. When the user entry matches a character corresponding to each of the selected one or more character positions in the sequence of characters, then the user is successfully authenticated to the device.

Abstract: A checkout kiosk employing a transparent touch-screen surface is provided herein. More particularly, the checkout kiosk comprises a transparent, force-sensing layer on top of a bar code reader or imaging camera. The force-sensing layer is used to capture both a weight and a weight distribution of an object placed on its surface. During operation, the touch-screen surface will be used to weigh any item and obtain a “foot print” of the item. A barcode scanner and an optional camera are provided below the touch-screen surface and will image through the touch screen in order to obtain identification information on the product. The weight, barcode scan, footprint, and image of the product may all be used to aide in identifying the product.

Abstract: A device and method determines a command from a touch input. The method includes determining an application-in-use data indicative of an application being executed. The method includes receiving, by a touch sensitive input device, a touch input data including at least one of a finger use input data, a force input data, a gesture input data, and a location input data. The finger use input data relates to how the touch input data is entered. The force input data relates to a pressure applied in the touch input data. The gesture input data relates to a motion of the touch input data over time. The location input data relates to a position on the input device. The method includes determining a command based on the application-in-use data and at least one of the finger use input data, the force input data, the gesture input data, and the location input data.

Abstract: A “personal television channel” is created for a user by a television head-end server. The personal channel has its own playlist that can include, in addition to service offerings from a television-delivery service, content stored locally by the user, media sent to the user from third parties (e.g., an electronic magazine publisher), and messages from other users. The user selects the personal channel just as he would select any other television channel. He then sees a playlist for the personal channel (which may be integrated into a general electronic program guide (“EPG”) supplied by the television provider). The user selects and plays content from the playlist just as he would interact with a traditional EPG. The user can specify local content to be included in his personal channel. He can also send content to another user to be included in the playlist of the recipient's personal channel.

Abstract: A method and system for a touch screen having a contact and percolation hybrid operating mode includes a top layer, an intermediate layer, and a bottom layer. The top layer has a top side receiving a touch input. The intermediate layer is disposed beneath the top layer. The intermediate layer measures pressure data where the pressure data is indicative of distinguishing the touch input between a first touch and a second touch. The first touch has a first pressure less than a second pressure of the second touch. The bottom layer is disposed beneath the intermediate layer and receives at least one of position data, time data, and the pressure data of the touch input.

Abstract: Subscribers to a television-delivery service can send and receive messages within a television-viewing environment. A subscriber can create a message, attach content from the television environment, and send the message to a friend, all without leaving the television environment. A television producer controls its rights to the content by allowing subscribers to select and send some content while preventing other content from being incorporated in a message. Rights can be checked at the sender site, at the recipient site, and in between by a message-transport service. In some situations, the recipient may not have sufficient rights to view the entire message. Specifically, the recipient's subscription level may not allow access to some of the message content that was pulled from the sender's television-delivery service. In this case, the recipient may take corrective action or may view the message with the restricted content replaced with alternative content.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a data processor and data communication mechanism for: (a) transmitting, via an optical link, configuration and authentication requests/information for a second data communication link to an external device; and (b) transmitting other content data via the separate, second data communication link that is configured using the configuration data transmitted on the optical link. Data communication on the optical link is provided via modulated optical pulses from an illumination light source of the electronic device. The light source is selectively utilized for illuminating a component in the electronic device and for transmitting configuration/authentication data via optical pulses. An optical receiver also receives optically transmitted configuration/acknowledgement data from the external device.

Abstract: A method and device enables data communication via optical pulses from a light source of an electronic device. A data transfer interface is provided to support processing of selected data by a processor of the electronic device. The electronic device comprises an illumination light source, which is selectively utilized for illuminating a component in the electronic device and for transmitting data via optical pulses. An optical receiver also receives optically transmitted data. The transmission and receiving of the data is provided on a bidirectional duplex communication link created with a second optical receiver and an optical data transmission mechanism of a second electronic device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a communications device that monitors the status of its communications links. When more than one communications link is available, an “appropriate” link is selected for use by an application running on the device. The links are continually monitored, and, as circumstances change, the link selection can also change. In some embodiments, a link is “appropriate” when it is available to transfer data and when it satisfies certain “hard” rules set by the application or by a user of the communications device. Some embodiments monitor the behaviour of the communications device and of its user and capture that behaviour in “soft” rules that are applied when selecting an appropriate link and when the hard rules leave the choice open. When multiple links transmit on the same frequency, they may be supported “virtually simultaneously” by time-slicing the actual data transmissions. Unneeded links may be shut down to save battery power.

Abstract: A system and method for accessing digital content purchased by a rights owner for a first computing device. The method receives a proxy from the rights owner that includes rights to the digital content granted to the rights owner, stores the proxy on a second computing device, and determines whether the rights owner is present at the second computing device. When the rights owner is present at the second computing device, the method enables the proxy, and accesses the digital content on the second computing device through the proxy.

Abstract: An electronic device (100) having at least a first portion (102) and a second portion (104) is disclosed. The first portion is joined to the second portion by a mechanical connection. The electronic device (100) includes a first communication unit (106) present on the first portion (102), and a second communication unit (108) present on the second portion (104). The first communication unit (106) and the second communication unit (108) provide a first link for internal data communication between the first portion (102) and the second portion (104), when communicatively engaged with each other. Further, at least one of the first communication unit (106) and the second communication unit (108) provide a second link for external data communication with an external device when the first communication unit (106) and the second communication unit (108) are not communicatively engaged with each other.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a data processor and data communication mechanism for: (a) transmitting, via an optical link, configuration and authentication requests/information for a second data communication link to an external device; and (b) transmitting other content data via the separate, second data communication link that is configured using the configuration data transmitted on the optical link. Data communication on the optical link is provided via modulated optical pulses from an illumination light source of the electronic device. The light source is selectively utilized for illuminating a component in the electronic device and for transmitting configuration/authentication data via optical pulses. An optical receiver also receives optically transmitted configuration/acknowledgement data from the external device.

Abstract: An electronic device comprises an arrangement for providing communication between a first body part and a second body part of the electronic device. The first body part and second body part are moveable relative to one another; each body part comprising a contact surface, the contact surfaces being located generally adjacent one another. At least one contact surface comprises an optical light guide component arranged to provide communication between the first body part and second body part.

Abstract: An electronic device comprises an arrangement for providing communication between a first body part and a second body part of the electronic device. The first body part and second body part are moveable relative to one another; each body part comprising a contact surface, the contact surfaces being located generally adjacent one another. At least one contact surface comprises an optical light guide component arranged to provide communication between the first body part and second body part.

Abstract: A method and device enables data communication via optical pulses from a light source of an electronic device. A data transfer interface is provided to support processing of selected data by a processor of the electronic device. The electronic device comprises an illumination light source, which is selectively utilized for illuminating a component in the electronic device and for transmitting data via optical pulses. An optical receiver also receives optically transmitted data. The transmission and receiving of the data is provided on a bidirectional duplex communication link created with a second optical receiver and an optical data transmission mechanism of a second electronic device.

Abstract: An electronic device 100 includes a data processor 106 for generating a data stream for communication with an external device. The electronic device also includes an illumination light source (145) for illuminating components (140) within the electronic device 100 and which provides modulated optical signals indicative of the data stream generated from the data processor 106. A power management circuit 150 is operatively connected to the data processor 106 and to the illumination light source (145). The power management circuit 106 selectively drives the illumination light source (145) with power levels optimized for illuminating the components (140) or with power level modulation indicative of the data stream generated from the data processor 106. The electronic device 100 also includes an optical receiver 170 by which the electronic device 100 receives modulated optical signals containing a data stream generated from another device.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and electronic device for achieving simultaneous communication between multiple protocols are disclosed. The method may include receiving with a telecommunication device a first message on a first communications network using a first communications protocol; simultaneously receiving with the telecommunication device a second message on a second communications network using a second communications protocol; assigning a first priority to the first message; assigning a second priority to the second message; and processing the first message and the second message in an order based on the first priority and the second priority.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) apparatus (100) having a footprint of about 1 to 10 millimeters by about 1 to 10 millimeters comprises a movable member (101) that can be stopped at either of at least two positions by electrically neutral stops (105, 107). Depending upon the needs of a given application, these stops may all be fabricated using materials deposition and removal techniques or some, though not all, may comprise an attached component.