Abstract: A method on a first device for estimating path-loss between the first device and a second device is described. A user context indicator associated with the first device is determined. At least one path-loss parameter of a plurality of path-loss parameters for the first device is updated based on the user context indicator. At least one wireless signal is received from the second device. The path-loss between the first device and the second device is estimated based on the plurality of path-loss parameters and the at least one wireless signal.

Abstract: An electronic device 28 with an effective water sealing button system 26 comprising a special compression gasket seal with compressive faces 30 and 32 and deformable annular seal portions 34 and 36 to dynamically seal a moveable side key 20 providing a button 22 against a housing 40 of the electronic device and accommodate non-binding sliding movement of the side key while controlling the spacing and tactile feel of the side key.

Abstract: An improved water sealing side key system for use in electronic device 24, such as but not limited to a mobile phone, and which provides for the construction of the seal assembly 21 as a rigid frame 29 and an elastomeric sealing material that allows for both a compressive and circumferential (perimeter) seal 28 as well as the overall non-binding movement of a side key 20 within the seal and the ability to closely control the thickness, tolerance spacing and tactile feel of the side key 20.

Abstract: A dual sided transparent display module and an electronic device incorporating the same are provided. The dual sided transparent display module includes a primary transparent display having a first surface side and a second surface side. The transparent display module further includes a first side touch sensor array and a second side touch sensor array respectively located at the first surface side and the second surface side of the primary transparent display. The transparent display module still further includes a shutter element located at one of the first surface side and the second surface side of the primary transparent display.

Abstract: An improved water sealing side key system for use in electronic device 24, such as but not limited to a mobile phone, and which provides for the construction of the seal assembly 21 as a rigid frame 29 and an elastomeric sealing material that allows for both a compressive and circumferential (perimeter) seal 28 as well as the overall non-binding movement of a side key 20 within the seal and the ability to closely control the thickness, tolerance spacing and tactile feel of the side key 20.

Abstract: An electronic device 28 with an effective water sealing button system 26 comprising a special compression gasket seal with compressive faces 30 and 32 and deformable annular seal portions 34 and 36 to dynamically seal a moveable side key 20 providing a button 22 against a housing 40 of the electronic device and accommodate non-binding sliding movement of the side key while controlling the spacing and tactile feel of the side key.

Abstract: An embodiment relates generally to a method of operating a device. The method includes providing for a plurality of sensors, where each sensor is configured to sense and transmit data values associated with an interaction with the device by a user. A subset of the sensors of the plurality of sensors is associated with a respective facing on a housing of the device. The method also includes operating the plurality of sensors to detect the interaction with the device by the user and receiving sensor data associated with the interaction from the plurality of sensors. The method further includes determining a user mode of the device based on the sensor data associated with the interaction.

Abstract: A handheld communication device may comprise a first housing and a second housing. The first housing may include a first keypad and a battery. The second housing may include a second keypad, at least one display, and a printed circuit board. The second housing may be rotatable relative to the first housing between an open configuration and a closed configuration. The second keypad may face in a substantially same direction as the first keypad in the open configuration, and the second keypad may face in a substantially opposite direction to the first keypad in the closed configuration.

Abstract: Disclosed in a wearable electronic device including an optical keypad supported by a keypad housing. The optical keypad may include a plurality of keys disposed along the keypad housing, and a plurality of illumination sources and optical receivers with a corresponding illumination source and optical receiver for each of the plurality of keys. The keypad signal interface may be limited to three connections, to provide a connection for power, a connection for ground, and a connection for data between the keypad housing and the main housing. The electronic device may also include at least one optical receiver configured to be optically coupled to at least one of the plurality of illumination sources, and configured to convert a received optical signal representing data into an electrical signal representing data. The illumination sources may provide optical signals during key presses, and may in addition provide key illumination for unpressed keys.

Abstract: Disclosed is a wireless communication device capable of being positioned in a wearable position adjacent a user's head and including a deployable planar antenna rotatably supported by the housing. The antenna is configured to assume a plurality of orientations with respect to the housing, the plurality of orientations including an orientation being substantially parallel to the housing and one or more orientations being at an angle with respect to the housing. In one embodiment, each of the plurality of orientations coincides with at least one of the plurality of states of the device. A disclosed method of the device includes deploying a low profile planar antenna rotatably supported by the housing, the antenna being configured assume a plurality of orientations with respect to the housing and operating the device in one of the plurality of states depending upon the orientation of the antenna with respect to the housing.

Abstract: A portable electronic device including a transparent display module, and a method of incorporating a transparent display module into a portable electronic device, are provided. The portable electronic device includes a front side surface which is intended to be primarily used facing toward a principal user and a back side surface, which is intended to be primarily used facing away from the principal user. The portable electronic device includes a transparent display module including a primary light emitting transparent display having a first side surface and a second side surface, which emits a light toward each of the first side surface and the second side surface in disproportionate amounts, where an amount of light emitted toward the first side surface is less than an amount of light emitted toward the second side surface.

Abstract: A dual sided transparent display module and an electronic device incorporating the same are provided. The dual sided transparent display module includes a primary transparent display having a first surface side and a second surface side. The transparent display module further includes a first side touch sensor array and a second side touch sensor array respectively located at the first surface side and the second surface side of the primary transparent display. The transparent display module still further includes a shutter element located at one of the first surface side and the second surface side of the primary transparent display.

Abstract: A method and hand held electronic device are provided for performing a dual sided gesture on respective touch sensitive surfaces of a hand held electronic device. The method includes displaying an object on a display screen of the hand held electronic device, that is viewable from at least one side of the hand held electronic device. A virtual center of gravity associated with the displayed object is then defined. Simultaneous gestures are then received tracking the position and movement of an end of a pointer on each of a pair of respective surfaces of the hand held electronic device, each surface having a corresponding touch sensitive input. The location and movement of each gesture is then compared relative to the defined virtual center of gravity, and the displayed object is repositioned in response to the location and movement of each gesture relative to the defined virtual center of gravity.

Abstract: A method and system for creating a communication group (105). The method can include the steps of identifying (210) a plurality of mobile units (110) to be part of the communication group, initiating (220) a mating procedure between the mobile units to form the communication group in which confirmation of the mating procedure is executed by, at least in part, a secure identification process and enabling (230) the transfer of information between the mobile units of the communication group once the mating procedure is completed.

Abstract: A portable electronic device (10) has a customizable housing (20) where a “skin” (22, 72) is provided, wherein the texture and/or color can be changed by a consumer. The portable electronic device (10) is positioned within an apparatus (41, 51, 61) providing a power source for supplying radiant energy such as heat and/or light to the material. The method of customizing a housing (20) encasing electronics of a portable electronic device (10) includes treating the skin (22, 72) within the housing (20) with heat and/or light, and thereby creating at least one of a texture and a color within the skin (22, 72).

Abstract: A user interface (210) includes an RC circuit (213). The RC circuit (213) includes a variable capacitance. The variable capacitance is produced by a sensing member (310) in cooperation with a user's finger (311). When a user makes a selection with the user interface (210), the user places a finger (311) in close proximity and in a facing relationship to a section, or discrete surface (320, 322, 324), of the sensing member (310). The discrete surfaces (320, 322, 324) can correspond to keys of a keypad (138) or to directions of a directional button (1030), for example. The time constant of the RC circuit (213) varies according to which discrete surface (320, 322, 324) is determining the capacitance of the RC circuit (213). A controller (118) determines the user's selection based on the time constant of the RC circuit (213).

Abstract: A device (100, 2604) includes a controllable skin texture surface (2602), a sensor (2700), and control logic (200). The sensor senses a plurality of points of interest (2804, 2806) of a user surface (2800). The control logic controls a plurality of portions (2900) of the controllable skin texture surface to protrude at locations with respect to the plurality of points of interest in response to the sensor sensing the plurality of points of interest. In one example, the control logic periodically adjusts the plurality of portions protruding from the controllable skin texture surface in response to movement between the user surface and the controllable skin texture surface.

Abstract: An embodiment relates generally to a method of operating a device. The method includes providing for a plurality of sensors, where each sensor is configured to sense and transmit data values associated with an interaction with the device by a user. A subset of the sensors of the plurality of sensors is associated with a respective facing on a housing of the device. The method also includes operating the plurality of sensors to detect the interaction with the device by the user and receiving sensor data associated with the interaction from the plurality of sensors. The method further includes determining a user mode of the device based on the sensor data associated with the interaction.