Patents by Inventor James Allen Hymel

James Allen Hymel has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8825084
    Abstract: A system, server, mobile device, and method for determining action spot location. The action spot location can be determined relative to the location of a mobile device. The mobile device can include a display and a processor module communicatively coupled to the display. The system, server, mobile device, and method can receive data indicative of the current location of the mobile device, and determine at least one action spot relative to the current location of the mobile device. The action spot can be a location where at least one other mobile device has engaged in documenting action within a predetermined period of time from when the mobile device arrived at the current location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: James Allen Hymel, Jean Philippe Bouchard
  • Patent number: 8819247
    Abstract: A method, device and computer readable medium are provided for enabling a communication for a second device using a first device. The method comprises detecting a first connection with the first device; obtaining from the first device via the first connection, a first set of one or more addresses and a second set of one or more identifiers associated with respective ones of the one or more addresses; detecting disconnection of the first connection with the first device; deleting the first set; enabling one or more identifiers from the second set to be associated with data to be transferred to the first device; detecting a second connection with the first device; and sending the data and associated one or more identifiers to the first device to have the first device to send the communication using corresponding one or more addresses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventor: James Allen Hymel
  • Patent number: 8798601
    Abstract: An electronic device receives an incoming communication including an originating address. A user associated with the originating address is identified. A set of attributes associated with the incoming communication is identified. At least one incoming communication indicator presentation rule is selected based on at least one of the user that has been identified and the set of attributes that have been identified. An incoming communication indicator is presented based on the incoming communication indicator presentation rule that has been selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: James Allen Hymel, Finbarr Michael O'Carroll
  • Patent number: 8749651
    Abstract: An apparatus, and an associated method, selects a manner by which to deliver received information at a wireless, or other electronic, device. A facial recognition indication is obtained and analyzed. Responsive to the analysis of the facial recognition indication, selection is made of the manner by which to deliver the information. If the facial recognition indication indicates the recipient to exhibit a serious demeanor, the information is provided in aural form, thereby to permit delivery of the information without requiring the recipient to read, or otherwise view, the information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: James Allen Hymel, Thomas Edward Byrd, Julien Camille Paul-Cavallier, Finbarr Michael O'Carroll
  • Patent number: 8750794
    Abstract: A communications system may include at least one first near field communication (NFC) device associated with an object, and a mobile wireless communications device. The mobile wireless communications device may include a second NFC device configured to communicate with the at least one first NFC device based upon proximity thereto, an image sensor, and a controller coupled to the second NFC device and the image sensor. The controller may be configured to determine at least one archive image of the object based upon NFC communication between the second NFC device and the at least one first NFC device, determine a sensed image of the object from the image sensor, and perform image comparison between the at least one archive image and the sensed image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: James Allen Hymel, Jean Philippe Bouchard, Jeffery Erhard Lindner
  • Publication number: 20140128033
    Abstract: A mobile communications device can have a locked mode in which the mobile communications device is protected against unauthorized use. A mobile communications device includes device applications implemented by a software program or firmware program that enables an application to be temporarily operable or operable under certain conditions when the mobile communications device is locked. Device applications can include a camera enabled for image data acquisition and a microphone or an audio recorder or a microphone and an audio recorder enabled for audio data acquisition. Acquired image data and audio data can be stored locally to the mobile communications device or stored externally to the mobile communications device. The mobile communications device can be configured to operate applications under different conditions. The mobile communications device can be configured to display a message that applications have been operated while the mobile communications device was locked or in a locked mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventor: James Allen HYMEL
  • Publication number: 20140120884
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to audibly provide messages in a mobile device at described. An example method includes determining that audio of a voicemail includes a predetermined phrase and, in response to determining that the audio includes the predetermined phrase, audibly presenting the voicemail while the electronic device is set to at least one of a silent mode, a quiet mode, and a lock mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: JAMES ALLEN HYMEL, JEFFERY ERHARD LINDNER
  • Patent number: 8688793
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for identifying suggested addressees of for messages being composed, based on keyword content of the composed message's subject line and/or message body. When a message is being composed at a messaging client, a request comprising at least a portion of the subject line or body is sent to a server or similar device. In response, the server provides an identification of possible addressees having a highest score associated with keywords identified in the transmitted portion. One or more of these addressees can be selected for inclusion in an address field of the composed message. Identification of the suggested addressees is based on a score assessed based on the number of forwarded messages received by those addressees containing those keywords, where repeated receipt of forwarded messages increases the addressee's score associated with those keywords.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventor: James Allen Hymel
  • Patent number: 8676579
    Abstract: A method of authenticating a user of a mobile device having a first microphone and a second microphone, the method comprising receiving voice input from the user at the first and second microphones, determining a position of the user relative to the mobile device based on the voice input received by the first and second microphones, and authenticating the user based on the position of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventor: James Allen Hymel
  • Patent number: 8660531
    Abstract: A mobile communications device can have a locked mode in which the mobile communications device is protected against unauthorized use. A mobile communications device includes device applications implemented by a software program or firmware program that enables an application to be temporarily operable or operable under certain conditions when the mobile communications device is locked. Device applications can include a camera enabled for image data acquisition and a microphone or an audio recorder or a microphone and an audio recorder enabled for audio data acquisition. Acquired image data and audio data can be stored locally to the mobile communications device or stored externally to the mobile communications device. The mobile communications device can be configured to operate applications under different conditions. The mobile communications device can be configured to display a message that applications have been operated while the mobile communications device was locked or in a locked mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventor: James Allen Hymel
  • Patent number: 8655661
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to audibly provide messages in a mobile device at described. An example method includes receiving a message at a mobile device, wherein the message includes an identification of a sender, an identification of a recipient, and a message contents, determining that the message contents includes a predetermined phrase, in response to determining that the message contents includes the predetermined phrase, audibly presenting the message contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: James Allen Hymel, Jeffery Erhard Lindner
  • Publication number: 20140041044
    Abstract: A shared data store may be accessible to a plurality of electronic devices and used to share files in a collaboration setting. A shared file is shared by a first electronic device with a second device via a connection between the first electronic device and the shared data store. A coordinating electronic device associated with the shared data store monitors the connection with the first electronic device. If a loss in the connection is detected, the coordinating electronic device may cause access to the shared file to become restricted to the second electronic device responsive to the loss of the connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: James Allen Hymel, Janine Mary Hodder, Jean Philippe Bouchard
  • Patent number: 8606300
    Abstract: A disclosure provides mobile communication devices that receive information corresponding to users associated with target mobile communication device, via a near field communication protocol. The information is stored in a storage device either within the mobile communication device or within a separate server. If it is determined that the target mobile communication device is within a predetermined distance of the mobile communication device, data entries associated with the stored information are created and retrieved, in real time. The data entries are displayed on the mobile communication device. The data entries may include personal information or email messages from prior communication sessions, which are employed in future communications between the mobile communication devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: James Allen Hymel, Thomas Edward Byrd, William Alexander Paton, Edvard Kikic, Jean Philippe Bouchard
  • Publication number: 20130321266
    Abstract: An apparatus, and an associated method, selects a manner by which to deliver received information at a wireless, or other electronic, device. A facial recognition indication is obtained and analyzed. Responsive to the analysis of the facial recognition indication, selection is made of the manner by which to deliver the information. If the facial recognition indication indicates the recipient to exhibit a serious demeanor, the information is provided in aural form, thereby to permit delivery of the information without requiring the recipient to read, or otherwise view, the information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: James Allen HYMEL, Thomas Edward BYRD, Julien Camille PAUL-CAVALLIER, Finbarr Michael O'CARROLL
  • Publication number: 20130304884
    Abstract: A method, device and computer readable medium are provided for enabling a communication for a second device using a first device. The method comprises detecting a first connection with the first device; obtaining from the first device via the first connection, a first set of one or more addresses and a second set of one or more identifiers associated with respective ones of the one or more addresses; detecting disconnection of the first connection with the first device; deleting the first set; enabling one or more identifiers from the second set to be associated with data to be transferred to the first device; detecting a second connection with the first device; and sending the data and associated one or more identifiers to the first device to have the first device to send the communication using corresponding one or more addresses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventor: James Allen Hymel
  • Publication number: 20130297407
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering advertising via a mobile device are disclosed. Receivable codes are captured by the mobile device, for example by a camera. The codes may be QR codes, codes with fiduciary markers, or the like. Plural interactive value offers are generated, each directed toward a product or service associated with at least one code. The interactive value offers are adjusted in response to each other, and presented via a user interface. Other features include: providing navigation directions from a current location to a location where a value offer can be fulfilled, processing location information to gauge an effect of the interactive value offer on the user and adjusting the offer based on said effect, adjusting the offer based on a current interest in the offer, and providing social networking opportunities in conjunction with the offer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventor: James Allen HYMEL
  • Patent number: 8577965
    Abstract: A method is provided for a mobile device to display information associated with a digital diary. The method comprises the mobile device initiating a search of a plurality of digital diaries for at least one digital diary containing information that indicates that an owner of the at least one digital diary currently is or previously has been present in the current location of the mobile device, and the mobile device displaying information associated with the at least one digital diary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: James Allen Hymel, Jean Philippe Bouchard, Jeffery Erhard Lindner, Lawrence Elliot Nirenberg, Jonathan Andrew Evans
  • Publication number: 20130285929
    Abstract: A control circuit detects an initial interaction between a touch-sensitive surface and a stylus and responsively automatically displays a corresponding fresh electronic ink writing façade. By one approach the initial interaction can comprise a non-touching interaction. The fresh electronic ink writing façade can comprise a representation of an unmarked sheet of paper. If desired, upon detecting the initial interaction, the control circuit can first determine whether an electronic ink writing façade already exists for the presently-displayed content. When true, the control circuit can automatically display at least a portion of the already existing electronic ink writing façade. Otherwise, the control circuit can provide the aforementioned fresh electronic ink writing façade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventors: Wolfgang Michael THEIMER, Ilya Alexander ELIASHEVSKY, James Allen HYMEL, Mathias LEWIN, Roy Robert George WILSON
  • Publication number: 20130289999
    Abstract: A method of authenticating a user of a mobile device having a first microphone and a second microphone, the method comprising receiving voice input from the user at the first and second microphones, determining a position of the user relative to the mobile device based on the voice input received by the first and second microphones, and authenticating the user based on the position of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventor: James Allen Hymel
  • Patent number: 8531536
    Abstract: An apparatus, and an associated method, selects a manner by which to deliver received information at a wireless, or other electronic, device. A facial recognition indication is obtained and analyzed. Responsive to the analysis of the facial recognition indication, selection is made of the manner by which to deliver the information. If the facial recognition indication indicates the recipient to exhibit a serious demeanor, the information is provided in aural form, thereby to permit delivery of the information without requiring the recipient to read, or otherwise view, the information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: James Allen Hymel, Thomas Edward Byrd, Julien Camille Paul-Cavallier, Finbarr Michael O'Carroll