Abstract: A method for processing input from a keyboard of a hand-held computing device includes receiving a plurality of key input events and, from the plurality of key input events, determining whether there is a double selection event corresponding to a specified key from the keyboard. Further, the method includes, when it is determined that there is the double selection event corresponding to the specified key, determining a key selection offset between a first and second key selection action of the double selection. The method also includes deciding whether the key selection offset is substantially equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold and, when it is decided that the key selection offset is substantially equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold, using at least a first key as key input of the double selection event. The first key and the specified key are different.

Abstract: The described embodiments relate generally to systems and methods for providing direct and indirect navigation modes on mobile devices comprising a touch screen display based on a determined characteristic of the mobile device. In example embodiments, upon detecting a first characteristic, touch screen input is interpreted as direct navigation input. Upon detecting that the characteristic of the mobile device has changed, touch screen input may be interpreted as indirect navigation input. The touch screen display of the mobile device may also be reconfigured as a result of determining the change in the characteristic of the mobile device.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A keyboard can be comprised of a plurality of alphabetic keys that are disposed in an evenly-spaced grid pattern with respect to one another. In any event, these keys have keycaps configured to comport with touch typing as with a keyboard having a plurality of alphabetic keys that are disposed in an offset pattern (such as the classic QWERTY offset-pattern typewriter-styled keyboard). By one approach, these keycaps can have keycaps having bilaterally-nonsymmetrical tactile features that at least substantially match standard touch-typing finger positions. By one approach these tactile features can comprise an indentation. If desired, these keycaps can share a same form factor. In such a case, some of the keycaps for the alphabetic keys can be disposed on the keyboard at a 180 degree rotation as compared to others of the alphabetic character keycaps.

Abstract: A method for providing visual cues rendered on a display is provided. The method comprises: detecting a touch input associated with a user interface element rendered on the display; determining an input direction of the touch input; and displaying on the display a visual cue associated with the user interface element, wherein the visual cue is located at a position based on the input direction of the touch input.

Abstract: A handheld electronic device includes a keypad having a plurality of keys and a selection member; a display component; and a processor cooperating with the keypad and the display component to provide a display at the display component. The display includes a first representation of a plurality of the keys, and at least one of: (a) a second representation of an activated one of the input members, (b) a third representation including a plurality of diacritics disposed about an activated one of the input members, and (c) a fourth representation including a plurality of diacritics disposed about an activated one of the input members, and a direction of selection between the activated one of the input members and one of the diacritics. The processor cooperates with the selection member to adjust the direction of selection, and select one of the diacritics for display by the display component.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a portable electronic device includes a body having a front face, a touch-sensitive display exposed at the front face of the body, a keyboard at the front face, the keyboard associated with a first plurality of characters excluding numerical characters, such that keys of the keyboard are each associated with a respective single one of the first plurality of characters, a memory, and a processor. The processor is coupled to the touch-sensitive display, the keyboard, and the memory to execute a program stored in the memory to cause the portable electronic device to display a second plurality of characters utilizing the touch-sensitive display in response to receipt of an input to display the second plurality of characters.

Abstract: A method of controlling display of information on a touch-sensitive display of a portable electronic device includes displaying selectable elements in an application screen. The first selectable element is located at a first location and, in response to receipt of an input, entering the display control mode of the portable electronic device. The method also includes, while in the display control mode and in response to receipt of a gesture on keys on a mechanical keyboard, moving, by an operating system on the portable electronic device, the application screen on the touch-sensitive display such that the first selectable element is moved to a second location. In response to detecting a touch at the second location while the first selectable element is displayed at the second location, utilizing, by the application, the touch to select the first selectable element. Returning the application to an original location on the touch-sensitive display when exiting the display control mode.

Abstract: A security system may include an access control device associated with a personnel access position. The access control device may include a first Near-Field Communication (NFC) sensor, and a first controller configured to selectively grant personnel access based upon receiving a valid security code from the first NFC sensor, and to deny personnel access and generate an access denial electronic message(s) based upon receiving an invalid security code from the first NFC sensor. The system may also include a mobile wireless communications device(s) including a second NFC sensor and a second controller, which may be configured to communicate a security code via the second NFC sensor to the first NFC sensor based upon proximity therewith, and to receive a corresponding access denial electronic message from the first controller based upon the security code being invalid.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for detecting a touch of a first key associated with a first character on the keyboard, detecting a touch of a second key corresponding to a second character on the keyboard, determining an order for previewing the first and second characters in response to the detecting, and previewing the first and second characters in the determined order in an information entry field of the electronic device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for improving word prediction candidate selection in an electronic device. Input of one or more characters is received via a capacitive physical keyboard. A word prediction process generates a set of word prediction candidates, determines a unique character in each word prediction candidate, and displays the word prediction candidates along with visual indicia to indicate the unique character. A second input is then received comprising a tap input of a single character on the keyboard. The electronic device determines whether the second input corresponds to a unique character associated with any of the word prediction candidates, and if so, displays the selected word in an input field on the display.

Abstract: A method of authenticating a user of a computing device is proposed, together with computing device on which the method is implemented. In the method a modified base image is overlaid with a modified overlay image on a display and at least one of the modified base image and modified overlay image is moved by the user. Positive authentication is indicated in response to the base image reference point on the modified base image being aligned with the overlay image reference point on the modified overlay image and selection of a color for a portion of the display that matches a pre-selected color.

Abstract: A portable bridge device and methods for transmitting application data from the portable bridge device to one or more local devices of varying types, platforms and operating systems are described. In one embodiment, the method comprises establishing communication channels between the portable bridge device and first and second local devices, determining a platform or operating system of the local devices, and formatting, based on the determined platform or operating system, application data and transmitting the formatted application data to a portable bridge device interface module of the local devices via the communication channels. The portable bridge device may also establish a long-range communication channel to a remote computing device, and may operate as a gateway to a remote source of applications or resources. Operation of locally connected devices with the portable bridge device is not impacted by a temporary loss of connectivity between the portable bridge device and remote sources.

Abstract: A method, device and machine readable medium are provided. The method comprises: activating a fingerprint sensor while performing a function other than authentication; and performing a security action when fingerprint data matching stored fingerprint data is not captured by the fingerprint sensor after a threshold duration from activation.

Abstract: A Near Field Communications (NFC) tag includes a housing and a magnet carried by the housing and configured to be magnetically sensed by a magnetic sensor carried by a communications device to activate an NFC circuit within the communications device to communicate using an NFC communications protocol. A data store stores data regarding a function of the communications device to be magnetically coupled by the magnet. The data store is configured to be read by the communications device using an NFC communications protocol after the NFC circuit had been activated.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a system and method for analyzing an orientation of a handheld electronic device. The method comprises: monitoring data from a first sensor in a handheld electronic device; determining an orientation of the handheld electronic device by analyzing the data from the first sensor; and when the orientation indicates that the handheld electronic device is face down, activating a first component on the handheld electronic device.

Abstract: A method for processing input from a keyboard of a hand-held computing device includes receiving a plurality of key input events and, from the plurality of key input events, determining whether there is a double selection event corresponding to a specified key from the keyboard. Further, the method includes, when it is determined that there is the double selection event corresponding to the specified key, determining a key selection offset between a first and second key selection action of the double selection. The method also includes deciding whether the key selection offset is substantially equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold and, when it is decided that the key selection offset is substantially equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold, using at least a first key as key input of the double selection event. The first key and the specified key are different.

Abstract: A communication device receives an out-of-office message regarding a first contact. An application executing on the communication device displays a name of the first contact and an out-of-office indication regarding the first contact without displaying said out-of-office message.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for concealing content displayed on electronic devices. The method includes concealing content of a first application user interface and displaying a reveal window on a portion of the first application user interface, the reveal window providing a view of a portion of the content of the first application user interface. The method also includes enabling the reveal window to be moved to provide additional views of portions of the content of the first application user interface.

Abstract: A unitary handheld portable module includes a keypad for entering data and a display for displaying data. A base module is configured to be coupled with and communicate through a telephone line and includes a keypad for dialing a telephone number and a display for displaying information. The portable and base modules are configured to have a mounted configuration in which the portable module is removably mounted on the base module and covers the base module's display, and the modules communicate with each other for the portable module's display to display information relating to operation of the base module.