Abstract: One disclosed method of operation includes obtaining audio data from a plurality of mobile devices, comparing the audio data to at least one stored audio signature, and grouping mobile devices that have audio data containing the at least one stored audio signature. The method may further include sending an invitation message to the grouped mobile devices to enable each mobile device to associate itself to the group. The method may also include providing content to the grouped mobile devices, where the content is related to the at least one stored audio signature. Various applications exist for the grouping of mobile devices based on audio signature, one such application being related to identifying social media groups or communities, or other content, which may be of interest to mobile device users.

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: 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: One disclosed method of operation includes obtaining audio data from a plurality of mobile devices, comparing the audio data to at least one stored audio signature, and grouping mobile devices that have audio data containing the at least one stored audio signature. The method may further include sending an invitation message to the grouped mobile devices to enable each mobile device to associate itself to the group. The method may also include providing content to the grouped mobile devices, where the content is related to the at least one stored audio signature. Various applications exist for the grouping of mobile devices based on audio signature, one such application being related to identifying social media groups or communities, or other content, which may be of interest to mobile device users.

Abstract: A method of an electronic device for abuse detection and notification is disclosed herewith. The method includes monitoring one or more parameters at the electronic device for one or more physical events, the parameter(s) being associated with one or more imagers. The method further includes identifying the physical event(s) at the electronic device by determining that each parameter exceeds a corresponding threshold value. Next, the method provides storing event data corresponding to the physical event(s), in which at least a portion of the event data is associated with the parameter(s). The method further includes generating a notification associated with the physical event(s).

Abstract: A wireless communication device responsive to orientation and movement comprising a housing, a cellular transceiver capable of communicating with a cellular communication network, a WLAN transceiver capable of communicating with a remote device via an ad hoc network, a sensor and a processor. The sensor detects a substantially vertical orientation of the wireless communication device. The sensor also detects a movement of the wireless communication device subsequent to detecting the substantially vertical orientation of the wireless communication device. The processor performs a function of the wireless communication device in coordination with the remove device via the WLAN transceiver. The processor performs this function in response to detecting the substantially vertical orientation and the movement of the wireless communication device.

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 recipient communication device and method wherein a user authenticates a message that is being received. The method includes receiving, by a messaging utility of the recipient communication device, a message transmitted from a sender communication device. The messaging utility determines that one of (a) sender authentication of the message and (b) recipient authentication to open the message is required. In response to sender authentication being required, the recipient communication device transmits a request to the sender communication device for sender authentication of the message, and receives a certification of the message based on an authentication of a user input via the sender communication device. When recipient authentication is required, the recipient is prompted to enter biometric input at the recipient device.

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: In embodiments, a wearable device includes an imager that captures eye feature images of one or both eyes of a user of the wearable device, such as while the user is wearing the wearable device. The user can then be authenticated based on a comparison of the eye feature images to a biometric template of the user. The eye feature images may include iris images, retina images, and/or eye vein images of the eyes of the user. The user can be authenticated based on each of the iris images, the retina images, and the eye vein images, both individually and in combination. The imager can also be periodically initiated, to capture the eye feature images to confirm user presence and maintain operability of the wearable device.

Abstract: In embodiments, a wearable authentication device includes a fingerprint sensor to capture a fingerprint image that is used to authenticate a user to an associated device of the wearable authentication device. The wearable authentication device can also include a presence sensor, or a presence sensing mode of the fingerprint sensor, to periodically detect a presence of the user wearing the wearable authentication device, and presence data is communicated to the associated device to maintain operability of the associated device.

Abstract: A sensor structure (110) for a device includes both a fingerprint sensor (112) and one or more touch sensors (114). The fingerprint sensor and the touch sensors can sense a user's finger touching the sensor structure, and the fingerprint sensor can also sense fingerprint data identifying a fingerprint pattern on the user's finger. The sensor structure serves as an input mechanism to allow a user to input his or her fingerprint for authentication, and also to allow the user to provide inputs to control auxiliary functionality of the device (e.g., volume control, cursor control, phone call control, etc.). A control system automatically determines whether a fingerprint is being input by the user for authentication or whether auxiliary functionality of the device is being controlled by the user, and based on the determination enables an appropriate one of a fingerprint authentication mode and an auxiliary functionality mode.

Abstract: An electronic device (300) includes a housing (301) and a touch sensitive surface (303) disposed along the housing. The touch sensitive surface has a recessed surface feature (306) and a complementary non-concave surface (308).

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: 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 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 electronic device and a method for enabling seamless access to the electronic device are disclosed herein. The method includes assessing, via a first processor, an initial stationary state of the electronic device; and monitoring at least one sensor of the electronic device to determine user interaction with the electronic device. In addition, motion of the electronic device is detected as is any subsequent secondary stationary state within a predetermined time period. An authentication procedure is initialized in the background based on proximity to a user and expiration of the predetermined time period.

Abstract: A method for controlling an electronic device for use with a docking station is disclosed. The method includes detecting a coupling of the electronic device with the docking station, obtaining an image of an identifier associated with the docking station in response to detecting the coupling, and performing a predefined operation by the electronic device based on the image of the identifier in response to obtaining the image.