Abstract: A holster for use with a handheld device and a peripheral device is disclosed herein. The holster provides a mating structure for holding a peripheral device so that a mobile device charges the peripheral device. The holster removes the inconvenience of having to charge a peripheral off a battery charger at work or home by permitting the peripheral to charge off the handheld device. The holster can be used with any handheld device and peripheral device, such as a cellular phone and a wireless headset.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a screen saver for a display panel in a mobile electronic device are provided. After a time period of inactivity has been sensed, a screen saver image is retrieved from memory and transmitted to a display panel. The method and system also preferably provide means for controlling the color of the screen saver image to balance the aging of the primary colors within the display panel.

Abstract: A portable electronic device comprises at least one force sensor configured to generate a force signal based at least in part on a force applied to a touch-sensitive display and a processor configured to receive the force signal and to provide a feedback signal when the force exceeds a force threshold. The at least one force sensor may be integrated into the touch-sensitive display.

Abstract: Standard word lists that are often used for such operations as predictive text, spell checking, and word completion are based on general linguistic data that might not accurately reflect actual text usage patterns of particular users. Systems and methods of building and using a custom word list for use in text operations on an electronic device are provided. A collection of text items associated with a user of the electronic device is scanned to identify words in the text items. A weighting is then assigned to each identified word, and the words and corresponding weightings are stored.

Abstract: A wireless handheld communication device features a rotational navigation tool assembly such as a trackball or a thumbwheel. The rotational navigation tool assembly provides a user with tactile feedback corresponding to motion of a selection or position indicator on the device display. The tactile feedback is electromagnetically induced and may, for example, be considered an electromagnetic detent.

Abstract: The invention is directed at a headset for a mobile communication device having a multi-button control and is implemented with a standard headset jack. The multi-button control is decoded by a microprocessor after which an encoded signal is then transmitted from the processor to the handset. In this manner, by using the standard jack, no additional hardware is required on the handset.

Abstract: Standard word lists that are often used for such operations as predictive text, spell checking, and word completion are based on general linguistic data that might not accurately reflect actual text usage patterns of particular users. Systems and methods of building and using a custom word list for use in text operations on an electronic device are provided. A collection of text items associated with a user of the electronic device is scanned to identify words in the text items. A weighting is then assigned to each identified word, and the words and corresponding weightings are stored.

Abstract: The invention is directed at a headset for a mobile communication device having a multi-button control and is implemented with a standard headset jack. The multi-button control is decoded by a microprocessor after which an encoded signal is then transmitted from the processor to the handset. In this manner, by using the standard jack, no additional hardware is required on the handset.

Abstract: A system for operating a color flat panel display (FPD) is provided that includes a color FPD, a light source, and a display processing device. The color FPD has an adjustable color depth and is configured to reflect ambient light. The light source transmits light through the bottom surface of the color FPD. The display processing device is coupled to the color FPD and decreases the color depth of the color FPD when the light source is activated and increases the color depth of the color FPD when the light source is turned off.

Abstract: The invention is directed at a headset for a mobile communication device having a multi-button control and is implemented with a standard headset jack. The multi-button control is decoded by a microprocessor after which an encoded signal is then transmitted from the processor to the handset. In this manner, by using the standard jack, no additional hardware is required on the handset.

Abstract: Standard word lists that are often used for such operations as predictive text, spell checking, and word completion are based on general linguistic data that might not accurately reflect actual text usage patterns of particular users. Systems and methods of building and using a custom word list for use in text operations on an electronic device are provided. A collection of text items associated with a user of the electronic device is scanned to identify words in the text items. A weighting is then assigned to each identified word, and the words and corresponding weightings are stored.

Abstract: A method is set forth for automatically adjusting screen and keypad brightness on a mobile electronic device having a light sensor, display screen and keypad, for optimum legibility under varying lighting conditions, with minimal eye strain and distraction. The method includes obtaining light level samples from the light sensor, and independently adjusting backlight intensity of the display screen and keypad responsive to the light level samples. Preferably, correct screen and keypad adjustments are made responsive to pulling the handheld device out of its holster notwithstanding non-optimal ambient light detection while the device is being removed from the holster. According to another aspect, the described method allows for ambient light detection in a handheld device where the light sensor and a message notification indicator share a common light pipe.

Abstract: A light emitter/sensor includes a lamp, a light sensor, a light guide, and a light controller. The light guide has a pair of opposite ends and is optically-coupled to the lamp and the light sensor at one of the ends. The light guide is configured to convey light emitted from the lamp to the other end of the light guide, and from that other end to the light sensor. The light controller is coupled to the lamp and the light sensor and is configured to flash the lamp and to determine the intensity of light at that other end of the light guide, via the light guide and the light sensor, during an interval between the flashes.

Abstract: A holster for use with a handheld device and a peripheral device is disclosed herein. The holster provides a mating structure for holding a peripheral device so that a mobile device charges the peripheral device. The holster removes the inconvenience of having to charge a peripheral off a battery charger at work or home by permitting the peripheral to charge off the handheld device. The holster can be used with any handheld device and peripheral device, such as a cellular phone and a wireless headset.

Abstract: A light emitter/sensor includes a lamp, a light sensor, a light guide, and a light controller. The light guide has a pair of opposite ends and is optically-coupled to the lamp and the light sensor at one of the ends. The light guide is configured to convey light emitted from the lamp to the other end of the light guide, and from that other end to the light sensor. The light controller is coupled to the lamp and the light sensor and is configured to flash the lamp and to determine the intensity of light at that other end of the light guide, via the light guide and the light sensor, during an interval between the flashes.

Abstract: A portable computing device includes a housing having an external surface, and an event notifier, a display device, and a light controller disposed within the housing. The event notifier includes an event notification lamp, and a light conduit terminating at the external surface for conveying light between the event notification lamp and the external surface. The display device includes illumination means for improved visualization of information rendered on the display device. The light controller is coupled to the event notifier and the illumination means. The light controller is configured to determine the intensity of ambient light external to the housing via the light conduit, and to adjust the intensity of light emitted by the illumination means in accordance with the determined ambient light intensity.

Abstract: A handheld electronic device having a touchscreen and a method of using a touchscreen of a handheld electronic device are provided.

Abstract: In a portable computing device that includes a backlit device having a variable-intensity backlight, a light sensor, and a light controller coupled to the light sensor and the backlight, a method for controlling the intensity of light produced by the backlight involves the steps of (1) with the ambient light sensor determining the ambient light level at the computing device; and (2) with the light controller automatically adjusting the intensity of light produced by the backlight in accordance with the determined light level.

Abstract: A system for operating a color flat panel display (FPD) is provided that includes a color FPD, a light source, and a display processing device. The color FPD has an adjustable color depth and is configured to reflect ambient light. The light source transmits light through the bottom surface of the color FPD. The display processing device is coupled to the color FPD and decreases the color depth of the color FPD when the light source is activated and increases the color depth of the color FPD when the light source is turned off.

Abstract: Standard word lists that are often used for such operations as predictive text, spell checking, and word completion are based on general linguistic data that might not accurately reflect actual text usage patterns of particular users. Systems and methods of building and using a custom word list for use in text operations on an electronic device are provided. A collection of text items associated with a user of the electronic device is scanned to identify words in the text items. A weighting is then assigned to each identified word, and the words and corresponding weightings are stored.