Abstract: A biometric sample of the user is received at a biometric interface of a device as part of a biometric authentication request by the user, with the biometric sample characterized by a match score when the biometric sample matches at least one stored template that uniquely identifies the user. The presence of a context usage override condition of the biometric authentication request causes a context usage factor to be updated based upon the context usage override condition. A biometric recognition threshold required for the user to access the application and indicative of a threshold security level required for biometric authentication is calculated based on the context usage factor. The user is permitted to access the application when the match score of the biometric sample is at least equal to the biometric recognition threshold.

Abstract: A method for monitoring and reporting sound pressure level exposure for a user of a first communication device (104) is implemented in one embodiment when the device measures a sound pressure level (SPL) of the surrounding environment. The device stores at least the SPL measurement in a memory, producing an SPL exposure record, and displays a visual representation of the SPL exposure record on a display screen (212). In another embodiment, the SPL is measured by a second communication device (102) and combined with a known SPL for an output audio transducer (306) of the second device, producing a user sound exposure level. The user sound exposure level is transmitted to the first communication device. The user is notified when the user sound exposure level exceeds a predetermined threshold. A server (112) may also be used to track SPLs over time and recommend corrective action when exposure limits are exceeded.

Abstract: Customized biometric authentication based at least in part upon usage history and learning capabilities of a user is provided. A biometric sample of a user received at a biometric interface of a device is compared with at least one stored template that uniquely identifies the user, and a match score generated when the biometric sample matches one of the stored templates. The match score is compared to a match score threshold value of an application that the user is attempting to access to generate match score comparison results, and an updated false reject ratio (FRR) for the last N matches of the user is calculated. The user is allowed to access the application when the match score comparison results indicate that the match score is at least equal to the match score threshold value and the updated FRR is less than a FRR threshold value of the application.

Abstract: A biometric sample of the user is received at a biometric interface of a device as part of a biometric authentication request by the user, with the biometric sample characterized by a match score when the biometric sample matches at least one stored template that uniquely identifies the user. The presence of a context usage override condition of the biometric authentication request causes a context usage factor to be updated based upon the context usage override condition. A biometric recognition threshold required for the user to access the application and indicative of a threshold security level required for biometric authentication is calculated based on the context usage factor. The user is permitted to access the application when the match score of the biometric sample is at least equal to the biometric recognition threshold.

Abstract: A method for monitoring and reporting sound pressure level exposure for a user of a first communication device (104) is implemented in one embodiment when the device measures a sound pressure level (SPL) of the surrounding environment. The device stores at least the SPL measurement in a memory, producing an SPL exposure record, and displays a visual representation of the SPL exposure record on a display screen (212). In another embodiment, the SPL is measured by a second communication device (102) and combined with a known SPL for an output audio transducer (306) of the second device, producing a user sound exposure level. The user sound exposure level is transmitted to the first communication device. The user is notified when the user sound exposure level exceeds a predetermined threshold. A server (112) may also be used to track SPLs over time and recommend corrective action when exposure limits are exceeded.

Abstract: A method (50) of altering content provided to a user includes the steps of creating (60) a user profile based on past physiological measurements of the user, monitoring (74) at least one current physiological measurement of the user, and altering (82) the content provided to the user based on the user profile and the at least one current physiological measurement. The user profile can be created by recording a plurality of inferred or estimated emotional states (64) of the user which can include a time sequence of emotional states, stimulus contexts for such states, and a temporal relationship between the emotional state and the stimulus context. The content can be altered in response to the user profile and measured physiological state by altering at least one among an audio volume, a video sequence, a sound effect, a video effect, a difficulty level, a sequence of media presentation.

Abstract: A method (50) of altering content provided to a user includes the steps of creating (60) a user profile based on past physiological measurements of the user, monitoring (74) at least one current physiological measurement of the user, and altering (82) the content provided to the user based on the user profile and the at least one current physiological measurement. The user profile can be created by recording a plurality of inferred or estimated emotional states (64) of the user which can include a time sequence of emotional states, stimulus contexts for such states, and a temporal relationship between the emotional state and the stimulus context. The content can be altered in response to the user profile and measured physiological state by altering at least one among an audio volume, a video sequence, a sound effect, a video effect, a difficulty level, a sequence of media presentation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for real-time ad-hoc network deployment is provided herein. During deployment, nodes that make up the network are periodically dropped in a serial fashion. During deployment, a node will immediately determine if it will become a network coordinator by determining if a piconet coordinator beacon is heard. If, during deployment, a beacon isn't heard, the node will become a piconet coordinator and will assume those responsibilities immediately.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a spanning tree network. A communication device can connect to a piconet network and the communication device can transmit at least one available piconet identifier prior to receiving a request for the available piconet identifier from a dependent communication device, the available piconet identifier providing a parent piconet coordinator identification for the dependent communication device. A dependent communication device can connect to the piconet network, determine if the communication device can support a dependent piconet, and receive at least one available piconet identifier prior to requesting information regarding establishing a dependent piconet, the available piconet identifier providing parent piconet identification for the communication device for the dependent piconet.

Abstract: In order to discover neighboring nodes (203, 207, 208) within a particular piconet, a first node (206) determines a list of all nodes (205-207) within its piconet (201) and then transmits to each node within the piconet, a message requiring a response. Depending upon which nodes are heard from, a list is formulated by the first node comprising those nodes neighboring the first node. In order for neighboring nodes within other piconets to “discover” the first node, the first node will also scan its environment to determine piconet identifications for other piconets, and then broadcast a “discovery” message having a piconet identification of a neighboring piconet. In a similar manner, the first node will also scan its environment to determine discovery messages transmitted by other nodes, thus determining neighboring nodes outside its piconet.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a spanning tree network. A communication device can connect to a piconet network and the communication device can transmit at least one available piconet identifier prior to receiving a request for the available piconet identifier from a dependent communication device, the available piconet identifier providing a parent piconet coordinator identification for the dependent communication device. A dependent communication device can connect to the piconet network, determine if the communication device can support a dependent piconet, and receive at least one available piconet identifier prior to requesting information regarding establishing a dependent piconet, the available piconet identifier providing parent piconet identification for the communication device for the dependent piconet.

Abstract: In order to discover neighboring nodes (203, 207, 208) within a particular piconet, a first node (206) determines a list of all nodes (205-207) within its piconet (201) and then transmits to each node within the piconet, a message requiring a response. Depending upon which nodes are heard from, a list is formulated by the first node comprising those nodes neighboring the first node. In order for neighboring nodes within other piconets to “discover” the first node, the first node will also scan its environment to determine piconet identifications for other piconets, and then broadcast a “discovery” message having a piconet identification of a neighboring piconet. In a similar manner, the first node will also scan its environment to determine discovery messages transmitted by other nodes, thus determining neighboring nodes outside its piconet.