Abstract: Techniques for updating databases stored on mobile devices.

Abstract: This invention is directed to mechanical and electromagnetic shielding features of an electronic device case. An electronic device case is formed of two housings, each housing having integrated snaps, channels, or other retaining features used to secure the housings together. The housings additionally include integrated retaining features used to secure electronic components within the device case. The housings and retaining features are formed of amorphous metals or other materials with high elasticities. Because the retaining features necessary to assemble the case and secure the electronic components to the case form integral parts of the housings, no external retaining features are required to assemble the electronic device in the case.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus enabling a wireless network to generate data that can be used by a receiver (e.g., UE) to resolve the contributions of individual transmitters, such as to determine its location without resort to external devices such as GPS satellites. In one embodiment, the wireless network comprises a single frequency network (SFN), and a unique base station identifier is embedded within the data, and encoded in a manner which allows the UE to calculate path characteristics (such as path latency, and Direction of Arrival) to triangulate its position. In one variant, the data encoding comprises weighting frames of data from different base stations using an orthogonal matrix. Advantageously, the encoding and embedded identifier are also transparent to legacy UE, thereby allowing for implementation with no infrastructure or UE modifications other than software. Network and user apparatus implementing these methodologies, and methods of doing business, are also disclosed.

Abstract: This description relates to systems, methods and software architectures for providing previews of files, such as previews of content of the files without launching the applications which created those files. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a first call, through a first API to obtain a preview of content of a file, the first call being made by a first application program and being received by a preview generator daemon, and generating a request to obtain a first plug-in from a set of plug-ins, the first plug-in being configured to process a file type of the file to produce content in a format which can be displayed by the first application program. Other methods, systems, computer readable media and software architectures are disclosed.

Abstract: A color image comprises color values in each of one or more color channels for each of a plurality of points, or pixels, within the image. The image is represented by rank ordering the values in the or each color channel. The image representation generated in this way is usable for automated-vision or computer-vision tasks, for example.

Abstract: An intelligent automated assistant system engages with the user in an integrated, conversational manner using natural language dialog, and invokes external services when appropriate to obtain information or perform various actions. The system can be implemented using any of a number of different platforms, such as the web, email, smartphone, and the like, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the system is based on sets of interrelated domains and tasks, and employs additional functionally powered by external services with which the system can interact.

Abstract: An image capture sharpening subsystem for a digital camera includes a capture sharpening processor and a memory that stores values for a capture sharpening amount. The values for the capture sharpening amount are a function of position on an image sensor of the digital camera. The capture sharpening processor receives a first value for a pixel in an image captured by the image sensor and a position value for the pixel on the image sensor. The capture sharpening processor determines a pixel sharpening amount from the values for the capture sharpening amount stored in the first memory according to the position value. The capture sharpening processor applies a capture sharpening process to the pixel to provide a second value for the pixel according to the pixel sharpening amount and stores the second value in a second memory that provides a sharpened version of the image captured by the image sensor.

Abstract: Methodologies, systems and software support or implement functionality to provide sponsored browsing of web/WAP sites and/or services for mobile device users wherein web sites are selected for browsing in dependence on a data size requirement for providing access to content available from a given web/WAP site.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a battery cell which includes a set of electrode sheets of different dimensions arranged in a stacked configuration to facilitate efficient use of space inside a portable electronic device. For example, the electrode sheets may be arranged in the stacked configuration to accommodate a shape of the portable electronic device. The stacked configuration may be based on a non-rectangular battery design such as a toroidal design, an L-shaped design, a triangular design, a pie-shaped design, a cone-shaped design, and/or a pyramidal design.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for harnessing external light to illuminate a display screen of an electronic device are provided. The display screen may be illuminated using a light harness, a reflector, a translucent surface, or any combination thereof. The light harness may be cylindrical or hexahedral. The light harness may be coupled to an external light input or a collector. The reflector may be repositioned toward or away from the display screen to reflect external light toward the display screen. The translucent surface may allow external light to pass through it to illuminate the display screen. The translucent surface may protect the rear face of the display screen, or the rear face of the display screen may itself be translucent.

Abstract: A CNC system can include a cylinder adapted to rotate about, travel along, and deliver a force in an axial direction, an extension coupled to a distal end of and extending outward from the elongated component in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction, and a removable fixture adapted to receive the axial force and to be moved and positioned thereby along a plane (i.e., two directions) substantially perpendicular to the axial direction. The fixture has a central opening along the first direction adapted to receive the elongated component, and includes external features adapted to guide manufacturing operations for other manufacturing components. Chamfers on both the extension and removable fixture convert the downward axial force into a plurality of lateral forces that move the fixture against a receiver base. Datums located at guide holes in the fixture stop such lateral movement when the movement causes them to contact guide pins coupled to the receiver base.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses disclosed herein relate to backlit visual display elements. One embodiment may take the form a keyboard including at least one keycap, a dome switch layer underlying the keycap, and an encapsulation layer underlying the dome switch layer. The encapsulation layer may include a first printed circuit layer configured to transmit a signal corresponding to the at least one keycap. The keyboard may further include a light emissive layer underlying the encapsulation layer. The light emissive layer may include at least one emissive area corresponding to the at least one keycap and a second printed circuit layer configured to supply a voltage to the at least one emissive area.

Abstract: A method for testing photosensitivity of an electronic display module, such as a liquid crystal display module, is provided. In one embodiment, a method includes exposing a display module to light at a first intensity and measuring an amount of light transmitted through the display module. The method may also include exposing the display module to light at a second intensity and measuring an amount of that light transmitted through the display module. The measured amounts may then be compared to determine an optical property, such as photosensitivity, of the display panel. Various other methods, systems, and manufactures are also disclosed.

Abstract: Present techniques involve systems and methods for driving a synchronous bus by implementing repeaters along the bus to restore and/or amplify a signal transmitted through the bus. In one embodiment, a repeater may be implemented at different sections of a synchronous bus, and each repeater may be activated according to where a signal is to be transmitted. In another embodiment, decoders may be configured to each repeater on the synchronous bus. As a signal directed to a section of a bus is transmitted through the bus, each sequential decoder may identify the bus section to which a signal is directed. The decoder may enable its corresponding repeater based on the bus section to which the signal is directed, such that all repeaters along the bus which come before the signal destination may be enabled to allow signal transmission through the bus and signal restoration by the repeaters.

Abstract: Input devices having backlighting for associated input mechanisms. The backlighting may be supplied by a light source coupled to a light guide. Both the light guide and light source may be located completely beneath the input mechanism and above a mechanical support for the mechanism. Each input mechanism generally has its own dedicated light guide and light source.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a battery pack for use with a portable electronic device. The battery pack includes a first set of cells with different capacities electrically coupled in a parallel configuration. Cells within the first set of cells may also have different thicknesses and/or dimensions. The first set of cells is arranged within the battery pack to facilitate efficient use of space within a portable electronic device. For example, the first set of cells may be arranged to accommodate components in the portable electronic device.

Abstract: A technique is provided for displaying pixels of an image at arbitrary subpixel positions. In accordance with aspects of this technique, interpolated intensity values for the pixels of the image are derived based on the arbitrary subpixel location and an intensity distribution or profile. Reference to the intensity distribution provides appropriate multipliers for the source image. Based on these multipliers, the image may be rendered at respective physical pixel locations such that the pixel intensities are summed with each rendering, resulting in a destination image having suitable interpolated pixel intensities for the arbitrary subpixel position.

Abstract: A method and system for distributing mobile applications includes receiving, processing and displaying advertisements on mobile terminals. Data is visualized on a display area of a mobile terminal that receives process data including an executable process. The mobile terminal receives a visualization request from the process; selects data in accordance with the visualization request; and displays the selected data the display area. Execution of at least part of the executable process is paused until the visualization process has completed. Thus mobile terminals process an executable process which makes calls for data to be displayed to a user. The displayed data may be advertisement data selected based on user preferences. The executable process may be a game which is paused at a particular level to display the data. The executable process might also be a news relaying application to retrieve and display news stories.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for passing data processed by a DMA controller through a transmission filter. The method includes the DMA controller accessing data for transfer between an origination location in the system and a destination location in the system. The accessed data is passed through the DMA controller before being sent to the destination location. While the data is being passed through the DMA controller, it is passed through a transmission filter for processing. This processing may include the addition or removal of transmission protocol headers and footers, and determination of the destination of the data. This processing may also include hash-based packet classification and checksum generation and checking. Upon completion of the processing, the data is sent directly to a prescribed destination location, typically either a memory circuit or an I/O device.