Abstract: A communication device and method for authentication of a message being transmitted from the communication device. The method includes receiving, by a messaging utility, content of a message provided for transmission from the communication device. Based on a determination that the message requires user authentication before the message is transmitted to a recipient, the method further includes selecting, based on contextual data, one or more biometric capturing components of the communication device; triggering at least one selected biometric capturing component to capture a corresponding biometric input from a user of the communication device; and transmitting the message when the biometric input as belonging to an authorized user of the communication device. In one embodiment, a clearinghouse service authenticates a biometric input from a user of the communication device in order to certify the user and/or the message.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for wireless communication device connectivity management includes receiving one or more metrics from at least two members of a group whose members are wireless communication devices. The members of the group have agreed to share resources within the group and have their wireless connections controlled by a wireless connectivity entity. The method and apparatus also includes managing the wireless connections of the at least two members by the connectivity management entity, based on the one or more metrics, to share resources between the at least two members.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing. One or more processors are operable with a plurality of proximity sensor components that can be disposed behind a grille defining a plurality of reception beams having a cumulative beam reception angle. The cumulative beam reception angle of any one proximity sensor component overlaps the cumulative beam reception angle of at least one other proximity sensor component. The one or more processors can detect whether a single person or a plurality of people are within a thermal reception radius of the electronic device. Where the single person is within the thermal reception radius, the one or more processors can operate the electronic device in a first mode of operation, and where the plurality of people are within the thermal reception radius, operate the electronic device in a second mode of operation.

Abstract: Pursuant to at least some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a peripheral device that is equipped with an RFID tag. The RFID tag includes a memory device configured for electronically storing information, an RF receiver configured for receiving an interrogation signal, and an RF transmitter operatively coupled to the RF receiver and the memory device. The RF transmitter is configured for: (a) modulating an RF carrier with the electronically stored information from the memory device, and (b) transmitting the modulated RF carrier, in response to the RF receiver receiving the interrogation signal. The received interrogation signal is used to control one or more operational states of the peripheral device. Illustratively, the one or more operational states include powering the peripheral device to an “on” state.

Abstract: Pursuant to at least some embodiments, the present invention relates to a method that includes equipping a peripheral device with an RFID tag. The RFID tag includes a memory device configured for electronically storing information, an RF receiver configured for receiving an interrogation signal, and an RF transmitter operatively coupled to the RF receiver and the memory device. The method further includes configuring the RF transmitter for: (a) modulating an RF carrier with the electronically stored information from the memory device, and (b) transmitting the modulated RF carrier, in response to the RF receiver receiving the interrogation signal; and displaying or outputting a message on the peripheral device using the received interrogation signal.

Abstract: Pursuant to at least some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a method that includes configuring an RFID tag to store information related to a battery charge level of a battery of a peripheral device, reading the RFID tag, and disabling a subsequent reading of the RFID tag in response to determining that the RFID tag includes stored information indicative of the battery charge level being low or depleted.

Abstract: A user device and method discriminately provides audible responses to a voice command received by a user device that supports voice activation. The method includes detecting a first pre-established, audible activation command that activates the user device. In response to detecting the first pre-established, audible activation command, the method includes producing a first audible acknowledgement within loudspeaker proximity of the user device and then monitoring for detection of at least one second, audible acknowledgement produced by another user device within a pre-set time interval, which detection would indicate that the other user device is also responding. The method includes processing and responding to a received audible command in response to not detecting. However, in response to detecting, the method includes triggering entry into a privacy mode of audible command input and producing a privacy mode announcement via at least one of a display and a sound producing component.

Abstract: A method includes: a wireless communication device (WCD) receiving information indicating that a second user device that is close-by is actively running a messaging application, which establishes an active communication channel with a communication service that is responsible for routing incoming voice and data communication to the WCD. The method also includes: establishing a short range communication between the communication device and the second user device; in response to receiving the information and establishing the short range communication, placing at least a first modem of the WCD in a sleep state; and in response to at least one subsequent trigger event, awakening the first modem to an active state to enable use of the first modem to complete communication. The messaging service is configured to redirect incoming calls to the second user device while the messaging service is active and the devices are within short-range communication of each other.

Abstract: A touch sensitive keypad device (101) for an electronic device (100) includes one or more keys (106,107,108,109,110) situated in a keypad carrier (206). One or more conductive layers (115,116,117,118) span the keys. One or more transverse conductive layers (119,120,121,122,123,124) are integrated with a non-key component, such as the keypad carrier (205). A capacitance sensing circuit (126) detects changes in capacitance between the conductive layers and the transverse conductive layers to detect user input, thereby allowing a user (1990) to use a matrix (1902) of keys as a touch pad.

Abstract: A method that reduces power consumption in a wireless communication device having a first and a second modem. The method includes detecting access to a communication network via the second modem, and in response to that detection: establishing a communication channel between the second modem and a communication service over a communication network; and triggering the first modem to enter a sleep state. The communication service is configured to respond to receipt at the communication service of an incoming communication to be routed to the first modem via a first communication network by: (i) automatically transmitting a notification via the communication channel to the second modem and (ii) forwarding the incoming communication via the first communication network to the first modem. The method then includes, in response to receipt of the notification at the device: awakening the first modem to an active state to enable receipt of the incoming communication.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to systems and methods for predictive text entry for small touch-screen devices. A two-state input interface (116) of a device (102) can include a seek area (120), which displays a subset of letters representing the full range of available letters. The user can select a first letter in that subset. A prediction engine (160) can generate a next most-likely letter (162) based on the currently inputted letter, using look-up tables or other techniques based on letter sequence probabilities. The user can respond with a right or left-swipe gesture, causing the prediction engine (160) to seek the most-likely next letter upstream or downstream in the alphabet. The user can also respond by touching the seek area causing the prediction engine (160) to seek the next predicted letter closest to the touch point. The prediction engine (160) can also generate a predicted completed word, for convenient user selection.

Abstract: A device (102) detects when a user is in close physical proximity to the device, such as within a few feet of the device. While the user is in close physical proximity to the device, the device also detects the location of the user relative to the device, and optionally a speed at which the user is moving. The user interface presented by the device is adapted to the location of the user relative to the device and optionally the speed at which the user is moving, but without needing physical manipulation of the device by the user. The adaptation can include, for example, orienting content presented on a display of the device based on the location of the user relative to the device so that the content appears “upright” or “right side up” for the user to view given their location.

Abstract: A heat management apparatus for an electronic device that includes a heat spreader. The heat spreader has a top surface and a bottom surface. A first portion is coupled to the electronic device. A second portion extends away from the electronic device. The heat spreader has a heat conductivity of at least approximately 100 Watts per meter Kelvin (W/mK). In some configurations the heat spreader may comprise a woven graphite material or a graphene material with a heat conductivity of at least approximately 1000 W/mK.

Abstract: A sensor structure (110) for a device includes both a fingerprint sensor (112) and one or more touch sensors (114). As a user input of the user moving his or her finger across the sensor structure is received, an appropriate auxiliary functionality operation as indicated by the pattern of movement is identified and performed. Additionally, during the same user input the fingerprint sensor senses fingerprint data identifying a fingerprint on the user's finger, and an attempt is made to authenticate the user's fingerprint. Thus, as the user provides a user input by moving his or her finger across the sensor structure, both an attempt is made to authenticate the user's fingerprint based on fingerprint data sensed during the user input and the operation requested by the user input is performed.

Abstract: A wireless communication device (200) and method (300). The method (300) can include: detecting (310) a motion signature in a wireless communication device; sensing (320) a location of the wireless communication device; and setting (330) a user interface experience, based on the detected motion signature and sensed location of the wireless communication device. Engagement signatures can be detected in various ways, such as by dock or cradle specific connections, seating, gestures, movements in an x, y and/or z direction and location. A desired location specific user interface experience can include: a preferred user interface experience, application, display brightness, touch lens sensitivity, input key activation, and the like, based on a user preference for a particular location.

Abstract: A touch sensitive surface (401) for an electronic device (200) includes a capacitive touchpad (409). A grille (413) of non-conductive material (515) is disposed along at least a portion of the touch sensitive surface. A predefined threshold of a normal force component (804) applied by a user's finger or other conductive object overcomes the grille (413) to allow the finger or other conductive object to interact with the capacitive touchpad. The touch sensitive surface reduces false touch activation occurrences and can simulate the tactility of a mechanical switch.

Abstract: An apparatus for enhancing display readability in an environment with strong ambient light can include an eyewear frame configured to be worn by a user, the eyewear frame including a lens holding portion. The apparatus can include at least one lens connected to the lens holding portion of the eyewear frame. The apparatus can include a multi-band pass filter coupled to the at least one lens, the multi-band pass filter can be configured to pass visible red, visible green, visible blue, and visible yellow light emitted through the lens from the display and configured to attenuate other visible and non-visible wavelengths of light through the lens.

Abstract: An electronic device (100) includes a device housing (102), a circuit assembly (306) carried by the device housing (102), an electronic component (318) carried by the device housing (102), and a shield (312) carried by the device housing (102). The shield (312) is adapted to impede electromagnetic emissions, and the shield (312) operatively electrically couples the circuit assembly (306) to the electronic component (318).

Abstract: Embodiments are provided for enabling a user of an electronic device to select functions and facilitate operations while the electronic device is partially or fully submerged in a conductive material. According to certain aspects, the electronic device can analyze (934) contact data to determine that it is submerged in a conductive material. In some cases, the electronic device can initiate (938) various operating modes such as an imaging mode (940), an audio mode (949), a scrollable menu (954), or an illumination mode (968). The electronic device detects (944, 950, 956, 966) an actuation of a hardware button and performs (948, 952, 958, 968) a specified function according to the operating mode.

Abstract: Techniques and technologies are presented for adapting an attribute magnification for a mobile communication device. An output device for the attribute is connected to the mobile communication device. A sensor tracks distance of a user's head in relation to the mobile communication device; while a controller initiates a setting phase for magnification change and subsequently a tracking phase, opposite from the setting phase, for dynamically adjusting the attribute from the mobile communication device.