Abstract: A characteristic of one or more human resonating cavities may be utilized to provide information for speech recognition, independent from the actual sounds produced. In one embodiment, information about the changing shape of the human oral cavity may provide information useful in determining the nature of a person's vocalizations for speech recognition purposes.

Abstract: Non-GPS based navigation may be implemented by a cellular network service provider. The service provider may have data regarding a cellular radiotelephone's location within its coverage area. Geographic data for the cell phone's location may be obtained from a geographic database. Accordingly, navigational assistance may be provided to the user of the cellular radiotelephone through the interplay between the provider, telephone and geographic database. Additionally, the telephone may have a database storing telephone number-address pairs. Thus, when the user of the telephone inputs a telephone number as destinational information, the address corresponding to that phone number may be the destination location to which the user is traveling.

Abstract: A processor-based system may be controlled by a remote control unit. An image of the remote control unit may be displayed on a display associated with the processor-based system. When a particular button on the remote control unit is depressed, a corresponding indication may be provided on the image of the remote control unit.

Abstract: A mobile computing apparatus that includes a sliding screen and a keyboard that moves from a storage position to a typing position in response to the screen being moved from a closed position to an open position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatic docking utilizes magnetic attraction to align and dock a mobile device with a base device. An apparatus for automatic docking comprises a mobile device and a connection interface coupled with the mobile device. The connection interface has a plurality of connectors to carry a signal, and a plurality of electromagnetic components to bring into contact and align the plurality of connectors with a base device's plurality of connectors. In addition, the plurality of electromagnetic components maintain a contact force that ensures signal integrity between the plurality of connectors and the base device's plurality of connectors.

Abstract: An environment for remote monitoring of a device, such as a child's computer, from a television or other monitor device. The monitored device has a security layer, which may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of the two, where the security layer inspects some or all accessed network data or network access activities, including real-time content such as chat rooms and the like. While the monitored device is used to access network data, alerts are displayed on the remote monitoring device to allow an adult or other responsible entity to keep track of material. Thus, for example, an adult may watch television, confident that an alert will be displayed in a corner of the television screen if necessary to alert the adult to any problems. For serious alerts, the security layer may automatically block or shutdown offending network application programs.

Abstract: A communication such as a telephone call is received, bearing identification information such as caller ID. The received audio signal, if any, is encoded and stored. The identification information is used to look up additional information about the sender of the communication, such as by using the caller ID information to search the internet, for example by doing a reverse telephone number lookup. The user is presented with a graphical representation of this, and prior, communications, such as via an html page, and can select individual communications for playback, deletion, and the like. If the user is at a remote location, the encoded communications may be forwarded to that location, such as in the form of email attachments.

Abstract: A processor-based system may include a display and a sensor which detects the orientation of the display with respect to the rest of the system. As the system is displaced, the sensor detects the orientation of the system. The system may automatically alter a characteristic of information displayed on the display in response to the detection of a change in orientation.

Abstract: A ballpoint stylus is used as an input device with a touch-sensitive surface. The ballpoint stylus includes a tip and a ball coupled to the tip. The ball is partially protruding from an open cavity at the tip within a collar. When only the ball is in contact with the touch-sensitive surface, a first mouse action is recognized. When the collar is in contact with the touch-sensitive surface, a second mouse action is recognized. The ballpoint stylus may include two tips enabling it to be used to initiate multiple mouse actions.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a gaming system includes a mobile remote control vehicle. The mobile remote control vehicle communicates wirelessly with a control unit, and may be operated outside a line-of-sight (LOS) of the control unit.

Abstract: A processor-based system may include a display and a sensor which detects the orientation of the display with respect to the rest of the system. As the system is displaced, the sensor detects the orientation of the system. The system may automatically alter a characteristic of information displayed on the display in response to the detection of a change in orientation.

Abstract: A sequenced audio help label having a plurality of recorded audio messages that are played back in a predetermined sequence, one at a time, in response to a user activating a button or trigger to signal play of the next message. The label may be affixed to e.g. consumer electronic devices as a quick-start help reference system for users. In some embodiments, the messages are pre-recorded, but, in others, the user may record the messages.

Abstract: A stylus includes one or more stylus tips to initiate different mouse actions. The different mouse actions may be initiated by causing the stylus tip to generate disturbance signals on a touch sensitive device. The different mouse actions may also be initiated by using stylus tips of different characteristics with each characteristic associated with a mouse action.

Abstract: A processor-based device automatically accesses a telephone number of a second party during an ongoing telephone call to retrieve and display extended data about the second party. In one embodiment, if this extended data is not available on a first database, the device may automatically initiate a search for the extended data on databases external to the device.

Abstract: A processor-based system for controlling the play of audio/visual information can be set to automatically respond to an interruption command. An interruption command may include either mute, pause or a combination of the two. The user may be provided with a graphical user interfaces which enable the user to select different audio/visual information to play after an interruption command. In addition, in some embodiments, the user may define the duration of the interruption. Also, the system may adaptively respond to the way the user uses interruption features to automatically modify those features or to prompt the user to modify them.

Abstract: A user operable element may be positioned over a display such that an image element formed on the display may be viewed through a transparent portion of the operable element. The operable element may be coupled to a switch and/or a feedback mechanism that may provide auditory and/or tactile feedback to the user.

Abstract: Non-GPS based navigation may be implemented by a cellular network service provider. The service provider may have data regarding a cellular radiotelephone's location within its coverage area. Geographic data for the cell phone's location may be obtained from a geographic database. Accordingly, navigational assistance may be provided to the user of the cellular radiotelephone through the interplay between the provider, telephone and geographic database. Additionally, the telephone may have a database storing telephone number-address pairs. Thus, when the user of the telephone inputs a telephone number as destinational information, the address corresponding to that phone number may be the destination location to which the user is traveling.

Abstract: An improved search engine, for a computing device or computer network, utilizes search strings comprising complete words and numbers representing a syllable count for each unknown word. Pattern-matching algorithms are utilized to search a document database for documents that match the input search strings. The document database is constructed by analyzing a number of documents, utilizing document-analyzing algorithms. In one embodiment, each database record comprises a document that has been analyzed into one or more groups of word sequences. Each word sequence comprises an ordered list of words in the word sequence, as well as a corresponding ordered list of the syllable count for each word in the word sequence. The syllabic search engine can be implemented in different ways, such as through a software application, operating system, network software, or a custom software module. Improved computers and computer networks for providing a syllabic search function are also described.

Abstract: Encryption and decryption may be tied to physical location information, e.g., GPS or other position data. Decryption keys may be defined with respect to a location at which decryption is to occur. A clock may be used to ensure decryption is occurring at a desired decryption location. For security, names may be associated with GPS position data, where encrypted data and a name associated with position data may be provided to a recipient, and the recipient is required to know or have access to the position data associated with the name in order to compute a decryption key. For additional security, encryption may also be performed with respect to position data for an encryption location, where an identifier associated with the encryption location is provided to the recipient, and the recipient is required to know or have access to the position data associated with the second name. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Improved methods for providing secure viewing of data in a computer system or computer network include blurring, or otherwise obscuring or reducing the legibility of, data in defined areas of the document to prevent nearby observers from viewing it. The defined areas can be determined by a variety of different factors, which can be set, for example, by the user and/or a system administrator. In one embodiment, an entire document, graphic image, or other type of displayed information is blurred, and only one or more relatively small user-defined viewing areas are legible to the user. In another embodiment, only sensitive areas of displayed information are blurred. The information-blurring effect can be implemented in different ways, such as through the particular software application, through the operating system, or through a custom or dedicated software module. Improved computers and computer networks for providing secure viewing of data are also described.