Abstract: A portable terminal device has enclosures with a movable portion, a display section that displays visible information showing an operation target area, and a touch sensor that detects a position on a display screen of the display section touched by a user's finger, or the like. A shape detection section detects a change in the shape of the enclosure; an input operation management section manages a position detected by the touch sensor and an operation target area of each of pieces of visible information displayed on the display section in an associated manner; and a display control section automatically makes a change to at least display positions of the respective pieces of visible information about the operation target displayed on the display section in accordance with a change in shape of the enclosure detected by the shape detection section.

Abstract: A mobile phone manages display area 12 as twelve partial areas obtained by dividing the display area into a matrix of four rows and three columns, which is identical to an arrangement of keys of a numeric keypad; if plural windows are displayed in a partial area arranged in the same position as a pressed key, assigns a key to each of the windows displayed in the partial area, the key being for selecting the window, and notifies the keys; and if one of the notified keys is pressed, selects a window to which the pressed key has been assigned.

Abstract: A measuring device for measuring a response speed of a display panel is provided. The measuring device includes a microcontroller and at least one photo sensor. The microcontroller provides a control command, according to which a display controller of the display panel provides test pattern to the display panel. The photo sensor senses a test frame displayed corresponding to the test pattern by the display panel, and provides a corresponding sensing signal associated with brightness and a response signal. According to the response signal, the response speed of the display panel is calculated.

Abstract: A system for allowing a user to input text related data using a mobile device having an input and presentation unit. The system includes a virtual symbols keyboard, which includes virtual keys, each indicative of a graphical symbol, each graphically represents at least a part of a character, where the virtual symbols keyboard is configured to allow a user to input each character by touching a designated intermediate area between adjacent keys or by directly touching a virtual key using a single touch for inputting each character; and a processing module, which enables identifying a touch event over the virtual symbols keyboard, occurring over each virtual key and/or over each intermediate area and associating each touch event with a respective associated character according to the identified touch area. The processing module further allows presenting each identified associated character over the input and presentation unit.

Abstract: A coil antenna is provided on an inner surface of a key-top of a key input unit. A power supply coil that is magnetically coupled to the coil antenna and an RFIC are mounted on a substrate holding key switches. A device including an NFC is arranged closer to the key-top so as to make communication with the NFC. Further, a tag of an RFID is arranged closer thereto so as to be read. Thus, a key input unit and an electronic apparatus are configured in which an antenna is not provided on a housing externally and is less influenced by the housing of the electronic apparatus into which the antenna is incorporated.

Abstract: A portable input device includes a flexible main body, a sensing electrode layer, a protection layer and a self-adhesive layer. The flexible main body has a first face and a second face. The sensing electrode layer has a first sensing electrode and a second sensing electrode disposed on the second face of the flexible main body. The protection layer is correspondingly disposed on the second face of the flexible main body to cover the sensing electrode layer. The self-adhesive layer is disposed on the other face of the protection layer, which face is distal from the flexible main body. The portable input device is flexible, lightweight and thin for a user to conveniently carry.

Abstract: An apparatus (625) with a first plurality of input keys (635). Some of the first input keys may be associated with both a numeric value and a first set of alphabetic values and arranged in a first alphabetic keypad layout. The apparatus (625) is further provided with a second plurality of input keys (645), positioned adjacent to the first plurality of input keys (635), and being associated with at least one alphabetic value. Some of the input keys of the second plurality of input keys (645) may be arranged in a second alphabetic keypad layout different from the first alphabetic keypad layout. Further, in various embodiments, at least some input keys of the first plurality of input keys (635) have a second set of alphabetic values that is used as part of the second alphabetic keypad layout. Additionally, in various embodiments, at least some of the alphabetic values of the second keyboard layout are arranged at least partially based on a frequency of use of such alphabetic values.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, an electronic device is provided with one or more position sensors, providing it with the ability to detect, and use as part of its user interface, a special orientation of a part of the device.

Abstract: A preferred contact group centric interface for a communication device can be used to facilitate communications by a user. The user interface can be arranged to activate from a user's “home page” on the display, from an idle screen that is accessed after a timeout period expires, or any other appropriate mechanism that activates the preferred contact group centric experience. A user selects the preferred contact group from among an array of the user's contacts. Once the contact group is configured, a minimal number of navigation/selection features is necessary to activate any number of communication modes available to the contacts. The contact group is configured such that simple and quick navigation between the contact members is achieved. The contact group can be presented in 2D and 3D arrangements, in any number of list or geometric configurations. A pricing plan can optionally be tied to each member of the contact group.

Abstract: A method of operating an electronic device, and an electronic device, are disclosed in which occurrences of unintended operations of the electronic device, such as can occur in response to inadvertent actuations of actuators of the electronic device, are reduced. In one example embodiment, the method 500 includes detecting 510 an actuation of a first sensor that is associated with a first touch-sensitive component of the electronic device, and acquiring 512 data from an additional sensor of the electronic device. The method also includes determining 518, based at least in part upon the data, whether the actuation is valid, and either performing 524 or refraining 522 from performing at least one operation based at least in part upon the determining. In at least one additional embodiment, the first sensor is a piezoelectric sensor and the additional sensor is an accelerometer.

Abstract: A handheld electronic device includes a reduced QWERTY keyboard and is enabled with a disambiguation routine that is operable to disambiguate text input. In addition to identifying and outputting representations of language objects that are stored in the memory and that correspond with a text input, the device is able to perform a spell check routine during input of a text entry, with the output from the spell check routine being visually integrated into the output from the disambiguation routine.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to a carrying case device or apparatus and methods by which a user of a portable electronic device—such as tablet computer, smart phone, game display or navigation device—can use the portable electronic device with the carrying case. The carrying case includes a holder that is configured to receive the portable electronic device, a keyboard section that includes a physical keyboard, and a cover section. The carrying case may be arranged in different configurations. The portable electronic device may automatically detect the configuration of the carrying case and can set or adjust its own functionality accordingly.

Abstract: A method of character entry includes detecting a spacebar adjacent input from a keyboard, the spacebar adjacent input corresponding to a key adjacent to a spacebar; and determining whether to accept the spacebar adjacent input based on whether a preceding inputted string, the preceding inputted string comprising a string of inputted characters preceding the spacebar adjacent input, corresponds to a first stored object.

Abstract: According to an aspect, a portable electronic apparatus includes a first housing, a second housing, a touch panel, a display, a connection mechanism, an operation unit, and a control unit. The touch panel is arranged in a first surface of the first housing. The display is arranged in a second surface of the second housing. The connection mechanism connects the first housing and the second housing so as to switch between a closed state where the first housing covers the display and the touch panel is exposed to the outside and an opened state where the touch panel and the display are exposed to the outside while being adjacent to each other. The operation unit is arranged on the second surface at a position adjacent to the display. The control unit controls an operation of each unit.

Abstract: In one example, a method may include outputting, by a computing device and for display, a graphical keyboard comprising a plurality of keys, and receiving an indication of a gesture. The method may include determining an alignment score that is based at least in part on a word prefix and an alignment point traversed by the gesture. The method may include determining at least one alternative character that is based at least in part on a misspelling that includes at least a portion of the word prefix. The method may include determining an alternative alignment score based at least in part on the alternative character; and outputting, by the computing device and for display, based at least in part on the alternative alignment score, a candidate word based at least in part on the alternative character.

Abstract: A portable electronic device comprising an external surface of a user interface, a piezoelectric transducer coupled to the external surface, and a controller. The piezoelectric transducer generates an electrical output originating at the piezoelectric transducer in response to mechanical actuation applied at the external surface. The controller performs an electronic function of the portable electronic device in response to the piezoelectric transducer generating the electrical output.

Abstract: A method of connecting consumers with third parties includes providing one or more widgets adjacent a plurality of directory listings of third parties on webpage, with each widget being associated with one of the third parties. An indication can be received that a consumer has executed one of the widgets. The consumer and third party can be connected in a live chat session in response to the execution of the widget. The live chat session can be configured to allow direct communication between the consumer and the third party.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of identifying and selecting characters from among a plurality of characters. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a computer processor electronically enables identification of each of a plurality of characters arranged in a one-dimensional array. Each character is identified by an integer value that corresponds to the number of positions the character is offset from a reference position of the one-dimensional array. The computer processor electronically enables selection of any of the characters by receiving input resulting from activation of selection keys that specify the integer value of a character desired for selection. In one further embodiment, each selection key has an assigned integer value, and the integer value that identifies the selected character is calculated by summing the assigned integer values of each selection key activated for each instance that each selection key is activated within a selectable-length time period.

Abstract: Method and arrangement for affecting diagonal movement of a cursor 171 on a display screen 322 of a handheld communication device 300. The method includes sensing movement at an auxiliary user input 328 of the handheld communication device 300 indicative of a user's desire to affect diagonal movement of the cursor 171 on the display screen 322 of the handheld communication device 300. X-direction signals and Y-direction signals are produced based on the sensed movement at the auxiliary user input 328. During that time while necessary signals are being collected and processed, the cursor 171 is held steady on the display screen 322 until a predetermined criterion is met for discriminating whether the user has indicated x-direction cursor movement, y-direction cursor movement or diagonal cursor movement.

Abstract: A terminal device with a display function enables only an operation of a desired operation key valid, and easily perform the invalidation operation. In response to switching to a predetermined function mode by manipulating a jog dial, an image in the switched function mode is displayed in a display surface, based on an image signal from a display control section. A bar is located on a borderline between a contents area and an operation area in an initial state of displaying an image. When the jog dial is manipulated by the user to thereby move the bar from the borderline to a predetermined position within the operation area, a CPU determines that the position of the bar has been moved. Then, the CPU detects a new position of the bar, and makes an operation with respect to the operation key located between the bar and the borderline invalid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pointing device and a method for processing signals from such a pointing device, said device comprising a base and an actuator movable with respect to the base, and a detector, said detector adapted for providing at least first and second positional signals indicating a position of the actuator with respect to the base along corresponding first and second axes, wherein said signal processing method comprises the steps of converting the at least two positional signals into a polar coordinate signal comprising a magnitude signal, and thresholding the magnitude signal of the polar coordinate signal to provide a thresholded magnitude signal. In an embodiment the method further comprising the step of applying a conversion curve to the thresholded magnitude signal to produce a velocity magnitude signal.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a direction indicating device for generating a 2D direction indicating signal, which includes a base board, a first rectangular conductive plane formed on the base board, including a first sliding slot, a second rectangular conductive plane formed on the base board, overlapping the first rectangular conductive plane, and including a second sliding slot, a positioning axle perpendicular to the base board, passing through a space corresponding to overlap portions of the first sliding slot and the second sliding slot, for moving the first conductive plane along a first direction, and moving the second conductive plane along a second direction, and a control signal generating module for outputting the 2D direction indicating signal according to electric information of the first conductive plane and the second conductive plane.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic apparatus 10 comprising a body 14 about which a collapsible flexible display 16 is wrapped. In accordance with the invention the body 14 comprises an area 16a on which the flexible display is conceived to overlay in its extended state. This area may be provided with illumination unit for enabling a front illumination of the display in use and/or with a touch-sensitive area 13 for enabling touch functionality in use.

Abstract: Predetermined image processing is performed in accordance with an input operation performed by an input device having image pickup means for taking an image of one or a plurality of imaging targets. Target image data, which is obtained from one target image of the one imaging target or a plurality of target images of the plurality of imaging targets in the image taken by the image pickup means and which indicates a distance between the plurality of target images or a size of the one target image, is sequentially obtained. A display image is enlarged and reduced in accordance with a change in the target image data. Then, the display image processed in such a manner is displayed on a display device.

Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a plurality of physical keys, a touch-sensitive input device configured to detect a touch, and a processor coupled to the touch-sensitive input device, and the keys, and configured to, when no touch is detected on the touch-sensitive input device while a first key of the plurality of physical keys is selected, identify a first character associated with the first key, and when a touch is detected on the touch-sensitive input device while the first key is selected, identify a second character associated with the first key.

Abstract: A handheld electronic device includes a reduced QWERTY keyboard and is enabled with disambiguation software and prediction software. During editing of an object, the object can be ambiguous, and the system provides one or more disambiguated interpretations of the ambiguous object. In some circumstances, the system can additionally provide one or more completions, i.e., predictions of future characters. However, in other circumstances the outputting of completions of an ambiguous object can be suppressed in order to avoid distracting the user and to provide more meaningful results to the user.

Abstract: A mobile terminal and a method of controlling the mobile terminal are disclosed. In the mobile terminal, at least one second application executable in a second operating system different from a first operating system can be searched and provided among at least one first application executable in the first operating system. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a user interface for efficiently managing applications so as to be appropriate for various operating systems.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a touch input interface for information, computing and control devices. In accordance with an embodiment, the systems and methods described herein, in a high level conceptual embodiment, can be used to provide interface devices and methods that naturally and organically present a preview of the action that will take place, if and only if the element (or elements) of the interface that is (are) currently indicated, is (are) definitely commanded by further confirmation. Otherwise the state of the device will be maintained, and the display will be restored to its previous state if no such action is taken, and/or if the indication is removed or changed. In most embodiments, the feedback is to be presented in a natural way that does not distract, such as in the line of sight.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for representing a conversation of related messages is provided. In a message collection user interface for displaying messages sent and received by a communications device, a dynamic session placeholder is used for a respective conversation of related messages. The message collection user interface is displayed including any dynamic session placeholders in the list of messages. As messages from the conversation are occasioned, the dynamic session placeholder is updated. When the message collection is displayed, it is displayed in accordance with the updated session placeholder.

Abstract: A multi-display device is adapted to be dockable or otherwise associatable with an additional device. In accordance with one exemplary embodiment, the multi-display device is dockable with a smartpad. The exemplary smartpad can include a screen, a touch sensitive display, a configurable area, a gesture capture region(s) and a camera. The smartpad can also include a port adapted to receive the device. The exemplary smartpad is able to cooperate with the device such that information displayable on the device is also displayable on the smartpad. Furthermore, any one or more of the functions on the device are extendable to the smartpad, with the smartpad capable of acting as an input/output interface or extension of the smartpad. Therefore, for example, information from one or more of the displays on the multi-screen device is displayable on the smartpad.

Abstract: A system includes a first mobile device configured to initiate communication with at least one other mobile device. The first mobile device includes a status indicator configured to provide a persistent visual indication to a user of the status of a mute function of the first user device during the active communication. The first mobile device further includes a user interface configured to receive predefined user input and allow the user to toggle between mute and un-mute states based on the user input regardless of whether a display of the device is shut off and/or the user interface is locked.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises a display unit for displaying thereon a plurality of input regions operated by an operating body, a detection unit for detecting an approach distance between the operating body and a surface of the display unit, and a region control unit for, when the operating body approaches one of the input regions within a predetermined distance, enlarging the input region which the operating body approaches, and moving at least one of the input regions such that the adjacent input regions do not overlap each other. The input region is enlarged and an overlap between the input regions is avoided so that a user can easily select a desired input region, thereby preventing erroneous selection of other input region.

Abstract: Disclosed is a display terminal device including a display operating unit (12), a first communication unit (22), a reader/writer circuit (24) and a controller (26). The display operating unit is provided on a main body unit (11) to display advertisement data, and the first communication unit communicates with a host device. The reader/writer circuit is provided on the main body unit (11) and communicated with the memory from the display operating unit (12) side to write and/or read out data relevant to the advertisement data. The controller allows advertisement data received by the first communication unit (22) to be displayed on a display operating unit (12). The controller causes data written and/or read out by the reader/writer circuit (24) to be transmitted to or received from a host device or another device via the first communication unit (22).

Abstract: Disclosed is an electronic device that makes it easy to input desired characters using a directional key. Also disclosed is a display control method for an electronic device. The disclosed electronic device is provided with a display unit (21), a user input unit (11) that can specify a plurality of directions, and a control unit (45). If one of the plurality of directions is specified via the user input unit (11) while characters and numbers are being displayed on the display unit (21), the control unit selects different characters and different numbers for changing the characters and/or numbers displayed on the display unit (21) to other characters and numbers. The control unit then has the display unit (21) display the selected other characters and numbers.

Abstract: A portable computing device is disclosed. The device is based upon a laptop computer according to the preferred embodiment. The device comprises a twistable display screen. The device is operated as a general purpose computer when the display screen is pivoted to a position facing a keyboard. The device is used as a special purpose computer in a tablet form when the display is pivoted to a position on the top face of the device. The special purpose computer may be a media player, an e-book reader, a game console, a digital camera, a mobile phone, an e-mail reader and a web browser. The special purpose computer consumes substantially less power than the general purpose computer by employing a less complicated operating system.

Abstract: A handheld device includes a plurality of input members, a first set of which each have a Roman character assigned thereto, a least some of which have a first non-Roman and a second non-Roman character assigned thereto. In response to an actuation of a first one of the input members, a first one of the non-Roman characters that is assigned to the first one of the input members is displayed. Based on one or more rules which govern permissible character sequences in the subject language, the display of a second one of the non-Roman characters in response to an actuation of a second one of the input members having the second one of the non-Roman characters assigned thereto immediately following the actuation of said first one of the input members is prevented.

Abstract: A handheld electronic device includes a reduced QWERTY keyboard and is enabled with disambiguation software that is operable to disambiguate text input. The device is structured to identify and output representations of language objects that are stored in the memory and that correspond with a text input. The device is additionally structured to identify and output representations of language objects that are stored in the memory and that correspond with a known spelling substitution particular to a language active on the handheld electronic device.

Abstract: A handheld electronic device includes a reduced QWERTY keyboard and is enabled with disambiguation software. The device provides output in the form of a default output and a number of variants. The output is based largely upon the frequency, i.e., the likelihood that a user intended a particular output, but various features of the device provide additional variants that are not based solely on frequency and rather are provided by various logic structures resident on the device. The device enables editing during text entry and also provides a learning function that allows the disambiguation function to adapt to provide a customized experience for the user. The disambiguation function can be selectively disabled and an alternate keystroke interpretation system provided.

Abstract: There is provided an information processing device includes a virtual space recognition unit for analyzing 3D space structure of a real space to recognize a virtual space, a storage unit for storing an object to be arranged in the virtual space, a display unit for making a display unit display the object arranged in the virtual space, a direction of gravitational force detection unit for detecting a direction of gravitational force of a real space, and a direction of gravitational force reflection unit for reflecting the direction of gravitational force detected by the detection unit in the virtual space.

Abstract: Mobile electronic apparatus includes a first sensor element group G1 and a second sensor element group G2 respectively having sensor elements R1˜R4, L1˜L4 for detecting a contact and arranged continuously in an annular shape as a whole; and a control unit 320 capable of performing a first control in which each sensor element group is individually controlled. The control unit 320 can perform a second control different from the first control by detecting a contact detection started by a sensor element in any one sensor element group, continuous contact detections by sensor elements adjacent to the start sensor element continued to end portion of the sensor group, and then continuous contact detections from an end portion of another sensor group adjacent to the end portion of said one sensor group.

Abstract: Methods and systems for enabling a handheld device to capture video of an interactive session of an interactive application presented on a main display are provided. An interactive session of the interactive application defines interactivity between a user and the interactive application. An initial position and orientation of a handheld device operated by a spectator are determined. A current state of the interactive application based on the interactivity between the user and the interactive application is determined. The position and orientation of the handheld device are tracked during the interactive session. A spectator video stream of the interactive session based on the current state of the interactive application and the tracked position and orientation of the handheld device is generated. The spectator video stream is rendered on a handheld display of the handheld device.

Abstract: A method of disambiguating an input into a handheld electronic device storing a plurality of objects includes a plurality of word objects is described. The method may include detecting an ambiguous input, outputting a number of first character permutations of the ambiguous input that each correspond to one of the word objects, and determining that the first character permutations are fewer in quantity than a predetermined number. The method may further include outputting a number of second character permutations of the ambiguous input that each correspond to an artificial variant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for explicit filtering in ambiguous text entry. The invention provides embodiments including various explicit text entry methodologies, such as 2-key and long pressing. The invention also provides means for matching words in a database using build around methodology, stem locking methodology, word completion methodology, and n-gram searches.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for explicit filtering in ambiguous text entry. The invention provides embodiments including various explicit text entry methodologies, such as 2-key and long pressing. The invention also provides means for matching words in a database using build around methodology, stem locking methodology, word completion methodology, and n-gram searches.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus including an input apparatus including an input apparatus main body with which input manipulation is performed to manipulate a manipulation target object, a first manipulation detection unit that detects a first manipulation on the input apparatus main body, a second manipulation detection unit that detects a second manipulation on the input apparatus main body after the first manipulation is detected, and a first processing unit that performs first processing for manipulation on the manipulation target object or a first response of the input apparatus, based on a movement detection value corresponding to movement of the input apparatus main body according to the first manipulation or a detection value of the first manipulation.

Abstract: A tablet device determines a spatial relationship between the tablet device and a protective cover. The tablet device operates in accordance with the spatial relationship.

Abstract: A method, system, and medium are provided for providing tactile feedback in association with contact to a touchscreen display of a mobile device. One embodiment of the method includes receiving a touch input to a touchscreen display area provided by a user of the mobile device. The touch input selects a predetermined region within the touchscreen display area. Incident to the touch input of the predetermined region, a mechanical indicator on the rear of the mobile device is physically manipulated to provide an indication to the user that the predetermined region was selected by the user.

Abstract: An embodiment provides an apparatus, including: an input device having one or more keys; and a controller receiving input from the one or more keys; one or more of the one or more keys having a recessed surface relative to a bezel surface of the input device; the recessed surface responding to user input in the absence of mechanical displacement. Other aspects are described and claimed.

Abstract: A keypad mouse computer peripheral device of the present disclosure includes a housing on top of which is located a keypad having a number keypad. The input device has at least one clicker button operable by a user's thumb while the user's hand rests on a provided palm rest or wrist rest. Force exerted by the base or palm portion of an operating hand moves the present input device which permits the index, middle and ring fingers to be located on the 4, 5, 6 key positions of the number keypad. This maintenance of the resting or home position even while the user is engaged in movement of the present keypad mouse permits easy and fast entry of numbers. A position sensor on the bottom surface of the housing of the disclosed keypad mouse detects relative location information for positional information input for a computer's graphical user interface.

Abstract: A method and device for determining a single touch or multiple touches is disclosed. A touch related sensing information with a single zero-crossing is used for determining a pair of values, and the locations of a pair of centroids are calculated depending on the pair of values. The distance between the locations of the pair of centroids can be used to determine whether the number of touches is one or more.