Abstract: An active stylus writing apparatus for writing on a touch-sensitive interface and paper; including a conductive carrier coupled on a first end of the active stylus writing apparatus, and also coupled to internal circuitry for providing an active electrically charged capacitive field to inject a sufficient capacitive charge for writing upon the touch-sensitive interface. Additionally, the active stylus may include a removable compound end cap, typically comprised of at least two segments, the removable compound end cap configured to electrically couple to the conductive carrier when covering the conductive carrier on the first end of the active stylus writing apparatus, wherein the compound end cap is conductive in at least one segment and non-conductive in another segment.

Abstract: A method of optimizing audio performance of a mobile device. The method can include detecting an orientation of the mobile device. The method also can include, via a processor, responsive to the mobile device being oriented in a first orientation, dynamically selecting at least a first output audio transducer to output left channel audio signals and dynamically selecting at least a second output audio transducer to output right channel audio signals. The method further can include communicating the left channel audio signals to the first output audio transducer and communicating the right channel audio signals to the second output audio transducer.

Abstract: This document describes techniques (300, 600) and apparatuses (102, 106, 700, 800, 900) for peripheral authentication. These techniques (300, 600) and apparatuses (102, 106, 700, 800, 900) may configure data lines for authentication between host device (102) and peripheral (106), use these configured data lines to authenticate the peripheral (106), and then reconfigure the data lines for use. These techniques (300, 600) may also or instead transmit time stamps to a remote entity (402) for tracking peripheral use and/or present home screens (122) responsive to connection to a peripheral (106).

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.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices for controlling the state of a fan of an electronic device during audio output based in whole or in part on loudness data of a digital audio file. An audio data file is sampled so that loudness data is determined from the sample audio data. The loudness data may indicate at least one portion of the audio data file that has a predetermined loudness level. For example, when the loudness data indicates that the audio output is low, the fan can be deactivated or slowed. In this way the noise of the fan does not impair the user's audio experience. Alternatively, when the loudness data indicates that the audio output is high, the fan can be activated or its speed may be increased. The predetermined loudness level of the audio output may have a value that is sufficiently high to mask fan noise.

Abstract: There is provided an electronic device and method for calibration of a touch screen using a biometric sensor. The touch screen includes a display and a touch sensor associated with the display. The biometric sensor is configured to detect a user input. The display and/or the touch sensor of the touch screen are calibrated based on the user input detected at the biometric sensor.

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.

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.

Abstract: This document describes techniques (300, 600) and apparatuses (102, 106, 700, 800, 900) for peripheral authentication. These techniques (300, 600) and apparatuses (102, 106, 700, 800, 900) may configure data lines for authentication between host device (102) and peripheral (106), use these configured data lines to authenticate the peripheral (106), and then reconfigure the data lines for use. These techniques (300, 600) may also or instead transmit time stamps to a remote entity (402) for tracking peripheral use and/or present home screens (122) responsive to connection to a peripheral (106).

Abstract: The disclosed docking systems for an electronic device may provide any accessory function and may include more than one connector such as a battery charger connector, a USB hub, a memory card hub, an audio boom box connector, and the like. A modular universal part is configured with at least a one connector that is configured to interface with an electronic device connector. A personality part, specific to the electronic device, is configured to receive both the electronic device and the modular universal part so that the modular universal part connector is capable of interfacing with the electronic device connector. In this way, the personality part can align the electronic device connectors with any number of modular universal part connectors. In this way, an accessory part including a modular universal part could be reuseable with different electronic devices since the personality part is specific to the electronic device.

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: The disclosed docking systems for an electronic device may provide any accessory function and may include more than one connector such as a battery charger connector, a USB hub, a memory card hub, an audio boom box connector, and the like. A modular universal part is configured with at least a one connector that is configured to interface with an electronic device connector. A personality part, specific to the electronic device, is configured to receive both the electronic device and the modular universal part so that the modular universal part connector is capable of interfacing with the electronic device connector. In this way, the personality part can align the electronic device connectors with any number of modular universal part connectors. In this way, an accessory part including a modular universal part could be reuseable with different electronic devices since the personality part is specific to the electronic device.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices for color compensation of a display having a translucent display cover applied to an outside surface of the display. A method may include characterizing a color shift due to the translucent display cover for when there is rendering of an image on the display and compensating for the color shift when rendering an image on the display. The method further may include measuring the color shift induced by the color of the finish, and as described below compensating the red, green, and blue (RGB) levels of the display so that the display image may be presented to the user as originally intended. In this way, the image quality may be substantially optimized for viewing regardless of the lens/cover surface color.

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: An electronic device (100) having at least a first portion (102) and a second portion (104) is disclosed. The first portion is joined to the second portion by a mechanical connection. The electronic device (100) includes a first communication unit (106) present on the first portion (102), and a second communication unit (108) present on the second portion (104). The first communication unit (106) and the second communication unit (108) provide a first link for internal data communication between the first portion (102) and the second portion (104), when communicatively engaged with each other. Further, at least one of the first communication unit (106) and the second communication unit (108) provide a second link for external data communication with an external device when the first communication unit (106) and the second communication unit (108) are not communicatively engaged with each other.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices for controlling the state of a fan of an electronic device during audio output based in whole or in part on loudness data of a digital audio file. An audio data file is sampled so that loudness data is determined from the sample audio data. The loudness data may indicate at least one portion of the audio data file that has a predetermined loudness level. For example, when the loudness data indicates that the audio output is low, the fan can be deactivated or slowed. In this way the noise of the fan does not impair the user's audio experience. Alternatively, when the loudness data indicates that the audio output is high, the fan can be activated or its speed may be increased. The predetermined loudness level of the audio output may have a value that is sufficiently high to mask fan noise.

Abstract: A dual-axes hinge part (106) defines a lower hinge (132) and an upper hinge (130) of an electronic device (100). The upper hinge (130) permits a component, such as a display member (102) to pivot with respect to the hinge part (106) in a portrait mode. The lower hinge (132) permits both the display member (102) and the hinge part (106) to pivot with respect to a base (104) in a landscape mode. The axes of the hinges (130, 132) cross one another and lie in different planes. The hinge part (106) conforms to the shapes of the housing of the display member (102) and the housing of the base (104) and has no parts that project substantially beyond the boundaries of the display member (102) and the base (104). Thus, the hinge part (106) provides dual-axes functionality while not detracting from the aesthetics of the electronic device (100).

Abstract: Disclosed are passive acoustic structures, portable audio devices configured for use with the passive acoustic structures and methods for enhancing the frequency output of a speaker of a portable device configured for use with a disclosed passive acoustic structure. The disclosed portable audio device may include an opening proximal a speaker cavity of the device, a shutter or door to open and close the opening so that the device interoperates with a docking station of a passive acoustic structure including a labyrinth or a transmission line system that may increase the frequency range of the system. For an end user to experience the music and multimedia features of a portable audio device, and in particular a mobile communication device, the above-described passive acoustic structure may provide a bass enhancement for the typically small loudspeaker of a portable audio device with no additional loudspeaker and therefore no additional circuitry.

Abstract: An electronic device (100), suitable for operation in a compact configuration, a portrait configuration, and a landscape configuration includes a first housing (102) and a second housing (104) coupled to the first housing. A data coupler (502) electronically couples the first housing with the second housing, and a bar linkage slides the first housing and the second housing in a non-linear motion with respect to each other.

Abstract: A portable electronic device (200) including a housing having a movable housing portion in the form of a flip, rotating blade or slider portion. A controller is electrically coupled to a plurality of light shutter portions in the movable housing portion, wherein the controller independently configuring each light shutter portion between first and second light transmitting states based upon input from a sensor, an application or based upon the configuration of the housing. The shutter portions may obscure or reveal an underlying display or inputs.