Restrictive Dialing Circuitry Patents (Class 455/565)
  • Patent number: 11979836
    Abstract: Methods and systems in which a portable electronic device can be voice activated are disclosed. The portable electronic device can be a multi-function electronic device. The voice activation can be robust and context sensitive. The voice activation can also be utilized without any preparatory user action with respect to the portable electronic device. The portable electronic device can also interact with a media system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Freeman, Derek B. Barrentine
  • Patent number: 11970682
    Abstract: A cell culture vessel includes a base defining a base plane extending in a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, a plurality of cell culture chambers stacked one atop another, each cell culture chamber having a top, a bottom and sidewalls, each of the top, bottom and sidewalls having an interior surface, wherein at least the bottom surface has an array of microcavities supporting the culture of cells as spheroids and each bottom surface is at an angle with respect to the plane of a table or surface upon which the vessel sits. Further, liquid can flow into each cell culture chamber via an inlet and out of each cell culture chamber via an outlet. The angled cell culture surface allows the cell culture chambers to be perfused or allows media changes without dislodging spheroids from microcavities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: CORNING INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Vasiliy Nikolaevich Goral
  • Patent number: 11936801
    Abstract: A mobile telephone device and a method for inhibiting undesired calls through the mobile telephone device are provided, wherein the method includes an acquisition phase, wherein at least one operating condition signal generated at the end of a first call is acquired through an input included in the mobile telephone device, and a temporary inhibition phase, wherein a processor inhibits the making of calls through the mobile telephone device for a preset time interval on the basis of the operating condition signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Patmos, Unipessoal LDA
    Inventor: Robert James
  • Patent number: 11899873
    Abstract: Embodiments included herein are directed towards a method for determining a temperature-compensated touch state of a device, and related systems. The method may include receiving, by a processor of the device and from a first sensor of the device, a first measured value corresponding to a first sensor measurement captured by the first sensor. The method may further include receiving, by the processor and from a temperature sensor of the device, a temperature value corresponding to a first temperature measurement associated with the device and captured by the temperature sensor. The method may also include adjusting a signal corresponding to the first sensor measurement based upon, at least in part, the temperature value, to create a temperature-compensated touch signal. The method may additionally include determining, by the processor, the temperature-compensated touch state of the device based upon, at least in part, the temperature-compensated touch signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: James A. Reuss, Eric J. Minnaert, Paul R. Erickson
  • Patent number: 11895265
    Abstract: An incoming communication processing system and method is disclosed for providing communication and data services to residents of a controlled facility. Specifically, the incoming communication processing system allows outside parties to initiate communications to residents of a controlled facility. The incoming communication processing system may work in conjunction with or separately from an outgoing communication processing system. Many restrictions and safeguards may be implemented within the incoming communication system in order to prevent improper use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Global Tel*Link Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen Lee Hodge
  • Patent number: 11860986
    Abstract: A method and an electronic device for authentication is provided. When a user performs a touch operation on an icon of a first application, a biological feature of the user is directly collected without displaying an authentication screen, the collected biological feature is compared with a biological feature bound to the first application, and when a comparison result indicates that the collected biological feature matches the biological feature bound to the first application, the first application is logged in to. Based on the foregoing process, authentication can be implemented through only one interaction between the user and the electronic device, so that user operations are simplified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Lei Lu, Hong Duan, Tengfei Jian, Dongsheng Xiong, Qingfeng Luo
  • Patent number: 11823682
    Abstract: A voice control method and display apparatus are provided. The voice control method includes converting a voice of a user into text in response to the voice being input during a voice input mode; performing a control operation corresponding to the text; determining whether speech of the user has finished based on a result of the performing the control operation; awaiting input of a subsequent voice of the user during a predetermined standby time in response to determining that the speech of the user has not finished; and releasing the voice input mode in response to determining that the speech of the user has finished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sung-wook Choi, Hee-seob Ryu, Hee-ran Lee, Sung-pil Hwang
  • Patent number: 11805313
    Abstract: A terminal apparatus capable of shifting to a power-saving mode with high accuracy in a case where a user puts the terminal apparatus in a bag or pocket A luminance distribution acquisition section acquires luminance distribution around the terminal apparatus. A storage area stores a learned model generated from time series information including the luminance distribution acquired by the luminance distribution acquisition section. A determination section determines, based on the time series information and the learned model, whether a user operation of the terminal apparatus has been terminated or in progress. A power supply section shifts the terminal apparatus to the power-saving mode according to a result of the determination performed by the determination section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takayuki Hoshina
  • Patent number: 11785418
    Abstract: A computerized method for determining a network device handling event of a network device is disclosed herein. The computerized method includes operation by logic processing on the network device including detecting movement of the network device above a predetermined speed threshold by a software application running on the network device, the network device in communication with a wireless transceiver device, establishing a position baseline of the network device, detecting a motion event of the network device, verifying the motion event of the network device, detecting the motion event of the network device as a network device handling event, and generating a device handling alert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: NoCell Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Donald McKeefery
  • Patent number: 11736608
    Abstract: Disclosed are a call control method and apparatus, and a storage medium and a terminal device. The call control method comprises: receiving a call access request, the call access request carrying a user identifier of an incoming call user; obtaining the current operation mode of a terminal device according to the call access request; determining whether the operation mode is a night mode or not; and if yes, controlling the terminal device to perform call connection according to a preset white list and the user identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: HuiZhou TCL Mobile Communication Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dapeng Wang, Haiying He
  • Patent number: 11703998
    Abstract: A system and method including a mobile phone device and a mobile app, in which said mobile app comprises an unlocking module, an ad menu module, and point processing module stored in said computer readable storage medium, wherein said mobile app includes instructions which when executed by said mobile phone device, cause the mobile phone device to: process a waking up or powering up of said mobile device by said unlocking module; keep track of a user's point total by said point processing module; and process a graphic user interface to present a set of menu items in a lock screen by said ad menu module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Inventor: Eric Gavara
  • Patent number: 11700506
    Abstract: A user computing device for identifying a driver of a vehicle on a trip is provided. The user computing device is associated with a first vehicle occupant, and is programmed to: (i) detect a second user computing device associated with a second vehicle occupant, (ii) initiate a ping exchange process including emitting a set of non-audible sonic ping signals and detecting a set of signals from the second user computing device over a duration of the trip, (iii) generate a relative positioning map of the user computing device with respect to the second user computing device, (iv) determine that the first vehicle occupant is one of a driver and a passenger of the vehicle, and (v) transmit, to a driver identification (“DI”) server, a trip report including the determination and the generated relative positioning map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: BlueOwl, LLC
    Inventor: Bennett Smith
  • Patent number: 11688016
    Abstract: A system and method for processing and administering insurance policy premium discounts for mobile device disabling technology to promote safer driver is disclosed. An insurance policy premium discount is determined based on the level of disabling technology implemented by a user on a user's mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Hartford Fire Insurance Company
    Inventors: James A. Russo, Kelly J. McLaughlin, Lawrence J. Opena, Cindy S. DeLeón
  • Patent number: 11671920
    Abstract: Methods and systems in which a portable electronic device can be voice activated are disclosed. The portable electronic device can be a multi-function electronic device. The voice activation can be robust and context sensitive. The voice activation can also be utilized without any preparatory user action with respect to the portable electronic device. The portable electronic device can also interact with a media system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Freeman, Derek B. Barrentine
  • Patent number: 11558506
    Abstract: Methods for detecting fraud include receiving a plurality of call interactions; extracting a voice print of a caller from each of the call interactions; determining which call interactions are associated with a single caller by comparing and matching pairs of voice prints of the call interactions; organizing the call interactions associated with a single caller into a group; and determining that a matching phrase was spoken by the single caller in a first call interaction and second call interaction in the group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: NICE LTD.
    Inventors: Peter Cardillo, Jon A. Arrowood, Robert Morris
  • Patent number: 11558808
    Abstract: Systems and methods for restricting the use of vehicle operator's electronic device are provided. In a method a telematics server determines that a vehicle's engine is running, and that the operator registered with the vehicle is in the driver's seat. In response, the telematics server sends a message to the vehicle operator's terminal for changing the configuration thereof. A system including a telematics device, telematics server, and operator terminal may carry out the method. The system and method can be used to restrict the use of electronic devices by drivers sitting in a vehicle with the engine running in accordance with laws in certain jurisdictions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Geotab Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Michael Fox, Jobin Thayilchira
  • Patent number: 11545061
    Abstract: An electronic device according to various embodiments may include: a housing; a display panel exposed through part of the housing; a display driver Integrated Circuit (IC) for driving the display panel; a processor located inside the housing and operatively coupled to the display panel and the display driver IC; and a memory located inside the housing and operatively coupled to the processor and the display driver IC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Minseung Kim, Donghoon Kang, Miseon Jeong, Yeunwook Lim
  • Patent number: 11511625
    Abstract: A vehicle infotainment system for performing a large file transfer (SATA), music (USB), phone projection (CarPlay/Android Auto/MirrorLink), a modem (USB) and a phone mirroring (MHL) function using a millimeter wave short-range communication method in a band of 30 GHz to 300 GHz for a link between the vehicle infotainment system and a smartphone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Hyung Suk Oh
  • Patent number: 11451658
    Abstract: Methods for improved fraudster detection in a call center. A subset of a plurality of voiceprints from a plurality of interactions between callers and agents at a call center can be used as the basis for fraudster detection. A plurality of connected components that represents one or more voiceprints can be determined based on the subset of the plurality of voiceprints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Nice Ltd.
    Inventors: Roman Frenkel, Gal Wolbe, Ofir Lavi
  • Patent number: 11258892
    Abstract: A communication signal transform device and a communication signal transform method are provided. The communication signal transform method includes: disposing the mobile device detachably in a case having an exposed portion, and exposing a display of the mobile device from the case through the exposed portion; and generating an output signal supported by the mobile device in response to a signal received from an external telephone line, and transmitting the output signal to the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: COMPAL ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Li-Chuan Wang, Che-Wei Liang, Kun-Hsuan Chang, Sheng-Chieh Tang, Jung-Ming Hung
  • Patent number: 11249825
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for managing predetermined functions on a mobile device within a moving vehicle, the mobile device having an operating system (OS) that includes an event API installed therein that is configured for two-way communication with an external control device, the control device being installed within the vehicle and further configured to communicate with a software application installed and running in memory resident on the mobile device. In response to initiation of a predetermined function on the mobile device, a notification message is transmitted by the event API to the control device. The control device then communicates with the software application to determine a desired action for the mobile device to take with respect to the predetermined function. The control device then instructs the mobile device on the action to take on the predetermined function by transmitting an action message to the event API.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: CELLCONTROL, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph E. Breaux, Chad A. Kennedy, Michael W. Lynn
  • Patent number: 11087613
    Abstract: A system and method for communicating an emergency event allows users to communicate with personal contacts and appropriate authorities during an emergency situation. A user may equip a wearable device to enhance location tracking and wireless communication mechanisms. At least one primary mobile device is communicably coupled to at least one secondary mobile device, and a plurality of emergency procedures is stored on the secondary mobile device. The at least one primary mobile device and the at least one secondary mobile device may further store a series of stored settings and general information, including contacts, medical histories, demographic information, and more. The plurality of emergency procedures denotes communication preferences with other devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Inventor: Stephanie Barber
  • Patent number: 11079792
    Abstract: A display device incudes: a display panel; a plurality of vibro-acoustic elements coupled to the display panel and spaced apart from each other on a lower surface of the display panel; and a bracket disposed below the display panel and including a bottom plate, where a plurality of receiving holes is defined through the bottom plate. The plurality of vibro-acoustic elements is disposed in the plurality of receiving holes, respectively, a vibration space is defined by a portion of the bottom plate defining a receiving hole of the receiving holes, which is recessed from an upper surface toward a lower surface of the bottom plate, and audio frequencies in different frequency bands, respectively, is produced from regions in which the plurality of vibro-acoustic elements are disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yi Joon Ahn, Sung Chul Kim, Jung Hun Noh, Keun Kyu Song, Hye Yong Chu
  • Patent number: 11030703
    Abstract: A system and method for processing and administering insurance policy premium discounts for mobile device disabling technology to promote safer driver is disclosed. An insurance policy premium discount is determined based on the level of disabling technology implemented by a user on a user's mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: HARTFORD FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: James A. Russo, Kelly J. McLaughlin, Lawrence J. Opena, Cindy S. DeLeón
  • Patent number: 10902153
    Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products for operating a mobile device in a limited access mode are provided. Aspects include detecting an input from a user via an input device of the mobile device, the input configured to place the mobile device in the limited access mode. Aspects also include determining an active application of the mobile device at a time of the detected input and restricting the mobile device from performing one or more tasks based on the active application of the mobile device at the time of the detected input, wherein the one or more tasks include switching from the active application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ying Li, Jia Yu Hu, Chi Yang Li, Fei Shen
  • Patent number: 10771619
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling application usage on a user device are disclosed. According to some embodiments, usage information is received from the user device. Whether one or more trigger criteria associated with a usage control mode are satisfied is determined based on the received usage information. If the trigger criteria are satisfied, application usage on the user device is controlled according to the usage control mode to reduce or eliminate distractions to the user. Otherwise if the trigger criteria are not satisfied, access to all applications is allowed on the user device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Life360, Inc.
    Inventors: Naveen Puvvula, Nitin Bhandari
  • Patent number: 10389862
    Abstract: Provided are a mobile device and dial pad thereof The dial pad comprises a first key area and a second key area, the first key area being used for numeric keys and the second key area being used for symbol keys and/or function keys; when a user uses the dial pad, the numeric keys are commonly used keys but the symbol keys and function keys are un-commonly used keys. In the prior art, un-commonly used keys are placed in the favorable positions on the dial pad while commonly used keys are in unfavorable places. The dial pad provided in the present invention separate the common keys from un-common keys to allow the common numeric keys to be relatively concentrated and reduce the range, thus shortening movement distance between numeric keys touched by a user, and further improving dialing accuracy and efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Beijing Bytedance Network Technology Co Ltd.
    Inventor: Fei Liu
  • Patent number: 10327146
    Abstract: An electronic device is provided which automatically adjusts settings based on the environment of the electronic device. The settings of the electronic device which are adjusted may be security settings, filter settings, or status for instant messaging in dependence on the determined location of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Ahmed E. Hassan, Denny Chiu, John Ferguson Wilson
  • Patent number: 10270893
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for performing software functions in a mobile station apparatus comprising several externally accessible keys, one or more displays and means for locking the keys. The presented method comprises the steps of detecting that one or more keys are pressed down when the keypad is locked, performing software functions when said one or more keys are pressed down while the keypad is locked, and showing the result obtained after having performed software functions on one or more mobile station displays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
    Inventor: Jouni Ylitalo
  • Patent number: 10028227
    Abstract: Disclosed are a mobile terminal capable of implementing an always-on function with a lower power, based on a motion, and a motion-based low power implementing method thereof. The method includes sensing a motion of a user by using an acceleration sensor in a low-power always-on that only the acceleration sensor is activated; a selectively activating an always-on function according to the sensed motion and deactivating the always-on function when no motion is sensed in an always-on state and automatically entering to the low-power always-on function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Byoungeul Kim, Hyunjin Kim, Chohee Kwon, Jongbeom Kim, Hyunwoo Kim
  • Patent number: 10009771
    Abstract: An electronic device is provided which automatically adjusts settings based on the environment of the electronic device. The settings of the electronic device which are adjusted may be security settings, filter settings, or status for instant messaging in dependence on the determined location of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Ahmed E. Hassan, Denny Chiu, John Ferguson Wilson
  • Patent number: 9954850
    Abstract: Disclosed are a service locking method, apparatuses and systems thereof. The method includes: receiving a locking request including identification information of a designated service and an identifier of an operating terminal, the designated service being a service of performing a sensitive operation to network virtual property; and sending an authentication request containing the identification information of the designated service and the identifier of the operating terminal to an authentication server, and locking the designated service upon receiving successful authentication information from the authentication server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: TENCENT TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Mingxue Qin, Xiao He, Lei Qin, Yuye Wang
  • Patent number: 9800525
    Abstract: Some examples enable profile-based management of multiple communication channels and associated communication services on an electronic device. For example, role-based profiles may be used to manage and filter communications from various contacts. A profile may be set on the electronic device, such as in response to a user input, or automatically based on a determined context of the electronic device. For instance, the context may be determined from one or more of a physical location of the electronic device, a time of day, a day of the week, or a detected activity of the user. Further, some examples include a unified communication interface that may enable a user to select a contact to receive a communication, and the electronic device may select a communication channel for communicating with the selected contact based at least in part on the profile currently set for the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David Mayr Lerner, Sunil Kumar Garg, Michael John Kobit, Eli Hoku Robinson, Erik Joseph Miller, Brandon John Smith, Max Slade
  • Patent number: 9703941
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a touch screen having a sensing array with a plurality of sensors, a display panel having a displaying area and a processor. The sensing area of the sensing array is smaller than or equal to the displaying area. The processor determines whether a user's finger touches an icon displayed on the display panel, and the icon corresponds to an application. When the processor determines that the user's finger touches the icon, the electronic device controls a first sensing area of the sensing array corresponding to a first displaying area of the icon to enter a fingerprint sensing mode to capture a fingerprint image of the user's finger for fingerprint recognition. When the processor determines that fingerprint recognition is approved, the processor activates the application corresponding to the icon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Egis Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Jung-Chien Lee, Yuan-Lin Chiang
  • Patent number: 9699303
    Abstract: A secure telephone call management system is provided for authenticating users of a telephone system in an institutional facility. Authentication of the users of the telephone call management system is accomplished by using a personal identification number, biometric means, and/or radio frequency means. The secure telephone call management system includes accounting software capable of limiting access to the system based on funds in a user's account, and includes management software capable of implementing widespread or local changes to the system. The system monitors a conversation in the telephone call to detect a presence of a first characteristic in audio of the conversation, and terminates the telephone call if the first characteristic does not match a second characteristic of biometric information of a user or a called party.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Global Tel*Link Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen Lee Hodge
  • Patent number: 9607157
    Abstract: Methods and devices for providing a private page are provided. A method includes operations of entering a security mode based on a user input; extracting the private page that corresponds to the security mode; and providing both the private page and a normal page that is provided during a normal mode, wherein the private page includes at least one object that is selected by a user so as to be provided during the security mode. A device includes a user input configured to receive a user input; a controller configured to enter a security mode based on the received user input, and extracting a private page that corresponds to the security mode; and a display configured to provide both the private page and a normal page that is provided during a normal mode, wherein the private page comprises at least one object that is selected by a user so as to be provided during the security mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoon-su Kim, Jung-joo Sohn, Keum-koo Lee, Young-kyu Jin, Yong-gook Park
  • Patent number: 9576136
    Abstract: Methods and devices for providing a private page are provided. A method includes operations of entering a security mode based on a user input; extracting the private page that corresponds to the security mode; and providing both the private page and a normal page that is provided during a normal mode, wherein the private page includes at least one object that is selected by a user so as to be provided during the security mode. A device includes a user input configured to receive a user input; a controller configured to enter a security mode based on the received user input, and extracting a private page that corresponds to the security mode; and a display configured to provide both the private page and a normal page that is provided during a normal mode, wherein the private page comprises at least one object that is selected by a user so as to be provided during the security mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoon-su Kim, Jung-joo Sohn, Keum-koo Lee, Young-kyu Jin, Yong-gook Park
  • Patent number: 9521250
    Abstract: A secure telephone call management system is provided for authenticating users of a telephone system in an institutional facility. Authentication of the users of the telephone call management system is accomplished by using a personal identification number, biometric means, and/or radio frequency means. The secure telephone call management system includes accounting software capable of limiting access to the system based on funds in a user's account, and includes management software capable of implementing widespread or local changes to the system. The system monitors a conversation in the telephone call to detect a presence of a first characteristic in audio of the conversation, and terminates the telephone call if the first characteristic does not match a second characteristic of biometric information of a user or a called party.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Global Tel*Link Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen Lee Hodge
  • Patent number: 9473629
    Abstract: Messages received by a mobile device can be processed in one of at least two modes. In the normal mode, the messages are handled in accordance with the normal settings of the mobile device. In the filtered mode, or “night-time” mode, incoming messages are examined to determine if they are to be filtered or if they are exempt from filtering. If a message is exempt from filtering, it is processed in accordance with the normal mode. However, if the message is to be filtered, the mobile device is prevented from providing normal message reception alert notifications. Messages can be identified as being exempt to being filtered by editing an address book or selecting entries from an address book. All messages not identified as exempt then get filtered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Inventor: Raphael A Thompson
  • Patent number: 9460330
    Abstract: A display device and a method of controlling therefor are disclosed. A display device includes a main display unit configured to receive an input of at least one fingerprint and display information, a sub display unit configured to be exposed from a stored position and a controller configured to set a mode based on the inputted at least one fingerprint. If an inputted first fingerprint is matched with a fingerprint of a group of registered fingerprints, the controller is configured to set a first mode. If an inputted first fingerprint and a second fingerprint are matched with fingerprints of the group of the registered fingerprints, the controller is configured to set a second mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Doyoung Lee, Sinae Chun
  • Patent number: 9380463
    Abstract: A display method in an electronic device and the electronic device thereof are provided. The display method in the electronic device comprises storing a lock screen message received through a network; and, when time for displaying a lock screen arrives, displaying, as a lock screen, contents within the lock screen message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Do-Hyung Lee, Han-Kil Yoon
  • Patent number: 9326149
    Abstract: A method and mobile electronic device are provided which automatically adjust settings based on the environment of the mobile electronic device. The settings of the mobile electronic device which are adjusted may be security settings, filter settings, or status for instant messaging in dependence on the determined location of the mobile electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: BLACKBERRY LIMITED
    Inventors: Ahmed E. Hassan, Denny Chiu, John Ferguson Wilson
  • Patent number: 9231645
    Abstract: A mobile terminal apparatus includes: a microphone; a switch control unit, which switches between a normal mode, in which a voice uttered toward the microphone is transmitted to an intended party, and a mute mode, in which the voice is not transmitted to the intended party; and a proximity sensor, which detects whether a detection object is in proximity to the proximity sensor, wherein, while the mute mode is being executed, if the detection object is detected by the proximity sensor, the switch control unit switches to the normal mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: KYOCERA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tomoaki Miwa
  • Patent number: 9124680
    Abstract: A mobile electronic communications device 100 is at least partially covered or encased in a composite housing 123, 134, 168 and 188. The composite housing can have at least one conductive housing portion 220 and 223 comprising a conductive material and at least one non-conductive housing portion 224 and 226 comprising a non-conductive material. Preferably, the non-conductive housing portion is positioned in proximity to an antenna 202, a battery door 194 or cover for a battery 126, in the mobile electronic communications device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC
    Inventor: Louis J. Lundell
  • Patent number: 9094808
    Abstract: An approach for providing vehicle accident prevention service is described. A user device in motion is detected. An alert message indicating that the user device is in motion is generated. A determination is made whether to establish a communication session with the user device in response to the generated alert message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventor: Umashankar Velusamy
  • Patent number: 9043900
    Abstract: A display device is disclosed. The display device comprising: a display unit; a sensor unit; a storage unit; and a processor configured to: provide feedback for indicating a security on state of selected first information when selection input for selecting the first information in the security on state is detected, when a security off input for clearing security is detected in response to the feedback, obtain the fingerprint using the display unit, and convert the first information in the security on state into a security off state when the obtained fingerprint is matched with a pre-stored fingerprint, when a security maintenance input for maintaining security is detected in response to the feedback, maintain the security on state of the first information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jihwan Kim, Jongho Kim, Doyoung Lee, Yongsin Kim
  • Patent number: 9031544
    Abstract: A status switching method for a mobile device is disclosed. The status switching method includes receiving a first request for switching a radio function of the mobile device from a first status to a second status; keeping the radio function in the first status for a specific duration; switching the radio function to the second status if not receiving a second request for switching the radio function of the mobile device from the second status to the first status during the specific duration; and remaining the radio function in the first status if receiving a second request for switching the radio function of the mobile device from the second status to the first status during the specific duration; and switching the radio function to the first status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: HTC Corporation
    Inventor: Chun-Yu Lai
  • Patent number: 9002331
    Abstract: A device to automatically provide differing information levels according to a predetermined social hierarchy includes a memory and a processor. The memory stores social templates corresponding to unique social signatures and being selectable to provide, for each level of the predetermined social hierarchy, a corresponding differing amount of information to each member of the predetermined social hierarchy and/or a social networking service. The processor receives sensor data from a sensor set which detects sensor data related to an environment of a communication device, creates a detected social signature from the received sensor data, determines which of the social signatures of the social templates has the greatest correspondence with the created social signature, retrieves from the memory the determined one social template having the greatest correspondence, and provides only as much information as allowed in the retrieved social template.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: e.Digital Corporation
    Inventor: Patrick O'Neal Nunally
  • Patent number: 8977299
    Abstract: A mobile terminal device includes: a memory that stores a restriction on a predetermined function or a release condition of the restriction as initial setting information; a determining unit that determines whether a condition of the setting information of the memory is satisfied; a generation unit that generates a restriction change request signal, which changes the initial setting information by a setting information change signal under a condition to change the initial setting information of the memory, and which requests the restriction on a function stored in the memory or the change of the release condition of the restriction when the determining unit determines that the condition of the changed setting information is satisfied; and a restriction release unit which, when detecting the restriction change request signal generated by the generation unit, performs the use restriction on the function or the restriction release based on the changed setting information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: KYOCERA Corporation
    Inventor: Mitsutaka Hata
  • Patent number: 8971931
    Abstract: A system and method for operating an electronic device in a limited radio mode are provided. The system determines a location of an electronic device. The system also identifies one or more components of the electronic device enabled to provide radio data communication services. The system, for each of the identified one or more components, determines if a respective radio data communication service provided by the component is an authorized service at a determined location of the electronic device and selectively disables the component if the respective data communication service is not an authorized service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Trond Thomas Wuellner, Joshua Woodward, Alexander Friedrich Kuscher, Ryan Tabone