Abstract: A communications device is configured to control the intelligibility of speech in a downlink voice signal during a call. The device determines a current noise level based on sampling ambient acoustic noise and based on a previously determined noise level. The device then determines an overall output gain and a frequency response based on the current noise level and based on a user-selected volume setting of the device. The device modifies the downlink voice signal during the call in accordance with the determined overall output gain and the determined frequency response. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A display system with a distributed LED backlight includes: providing a plurality of tile LED light sources, each tile LED light source having a tile and a plurality of similar LED light sources on each tile connected for emitting light therefrom; orienting the plurality of tile LED light sources for illuminating a display from the back of the display; and integrating the plurality of tile LED light sources into a thermally and mechanically structurally integrated distributed LED tile matrix backlight light source.

Abstract: Graphical user interface objects are specified by a collection of attribute-value pairs, the collection of which comprise a complete description of the object and may be used by a rendering element to create a visual representation of the object. In practice, each of a first portion of attributes may be associated with two or more values—each value (for a given attribute) specifying that attribute's value for a unique resolution. A second portion of attributes are associated with a single value and are, therefore, display resolution independent. Accordingly, the target object may be displayed at any of the specified design display resolutions or accurately displayed at any resolution between the specified design display resolutions.

Abstract: Data provided by an access point of a wireless local area network (“WLAN”) is used to assist a mobile device in cell reselection. If a serving cell of a cellular communications network is unsuitable for providing cellular service, a candidate cell co-located with the serving cell can be selected as the serving cell based on quality of service metrics associated with the serving cell and the candidate cell. The mobile device can be proactively commanded to switch to the candidate cell for receiving cellular service. In some implementations, the quality of service metrics are calculated from call logs collected from mobile devices operating in the cellular communications network. In some implementations, network information regarding serving cell performance can be used with the call logs to generate the quality of service metrics.

Abstract: Improved techniques for controlling operation of a portable electronic device are disclosed. Portable electronic devices which interact with a host electronic device can have their operational settings (e.g., configurations or preferences) remotely controlled. As a result, a host electronic device can offer a more sophisticated user interface and portable electronic devices need less local user interface features because these operational settings can be remotely controlled. The remotely-controlled (i.e., host controlled) operational settings are transferred to the portable electronic devices, whereby the portable electronic devices can thereafter operate in accordance with such settings.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and computer readable-media for performing data encryption and decryption using a stream or block cipher with internal random states. The method includes splitting the input data into a predetermined number of blocks and processing each block. The processing includes creating sub-blocks, permuting the sub-blocks, replacing bytes using a lookup table, rotating bits, performing expansion and combining sets of bits. The element of randomness employed in this process allows for the same input to yield the same output, with differing internal states.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes receiving a message from a mobile device over a wireless network, the message including several attachments, wherein the several attachments include one or more mobile device attachments corresponding to content captured using the mobile device, identifying the one or more mobile device attachments; and separating the one or more mobile device attachments from the plurality of attachments.

Abstract: A technique for operating a wireless communication device includes assigning a reference signal bandwidth to a reference signal. Cyclic shift control bits (associated with the reference signal) are then allocated based on the assigned reference signal bandwidth. The allocated cyclic shift control bits specify a cyclic shift associated with the reference signal.

Abstract: Improved techniques that facilitate the use of podcasts are disclosed. The improved techniques can pertain to publishing, hosting, accessing, subscribing, managing, organizing, searching, browsing, transferring, and/or playing podcasts. According to one aspect, tags are embedded into syndication feeds (e.g., RSS feeds) that may be made available for distribution by an online media store to facilitate the management of podcasts. Such tags can include a block tag that may be embedded into a syndication feed to indicate whether the feed is to be blocked from being included in the online media store. According to another aspect, management of podcasts may be facilitated by other mechanisms. In accordance with one embodiment, a user may challenge the ownership of a podcast to block or remove a podcast from the online media store. In accordance with another embodiment, images may be stored to allow efficient retrieval of the corresponding episode(s) of a podcast.

Abstract: A video decoder includes a mode of operation for reverse playback that includes dividing a sequence of coded video data into groups of pictures (GOPs) and further subdividing the groups of pictures into a plurality of spans. GOPs extend in coding order from a first key frame to a terminal frame that precedes another key frame in coding order. Each span is processed in reverse coding order by decoding the first key frame and any reference frames that precede the currently processed span in coding order, selecting a plurality of frames from the currently processed span for decode and display and further selecting for decode but not display any reference frames from the currently processed span that were omitted by the first selection. All selected frames are decoded but only those marked for display are rendered at a display device. The method accommodates control parameters that define the number of spans selected from each GOP and the number of frames selected from each span for decoded and display.

Abstract: Location information is received at a mobile device from the memory of a vehicle device. The mobile device is updated based on the location information. Sensor data is received from at least one sensor measuring movement of the mobile device, and an estimated location of the mobile device is calculated based at least in part on the location information and the sensor data.

Abstract: A graphical user interface (GUI) having functionality for inline customization is disclosed. A first set of user manipulable elements are displayed within a GUI object. Each of the user manipulable elements of the first set is selectable for display within the GUI object. A selection of a second set of user manipulable elements from among the first set of elements is received. Unselected elements of the first set of elements are removed from the GUI object. The second set of user manipulable elements are displayed within the GUI object. In one aspect, a first user input renders the first set of user manipulable elements selectable for display within the GUI object, while a second user input renders the second set of user manipulable elements unselectable. In various aspects, the GUI object may be a window, a menu bar, or an object that describes properties of a file.

Abstract: A headset device that includes an earbud housing, a primary housing, a threaded neck, an earbud screw, and a primary housing screw is provided. The earbud housing can include an earbud through-hole and a first neck engaging surface. The primary housing can include a housing through-hole and a second neck engaging surface. The threaded neck can include first and second neck surfaces that can mate, respectively to the first and second neck engaging surface. The earbud screw can fit through the earbud through-hole and can interlock with the threaded neck to fix the earbud housing to the threaded neck. The primary housing screw can fit through the housing through-hole and can interlock with the threaded neck to fix the primary housing to the threaded neck. The threaded neck can include a through-hole for enabling circuitry disposed in the earbud housing to electrically couple to circuitry disposed in the primary housing.

Abstract: A video conferencing system having video and/or audio capture device for video and audio communications is disclosed. The video and audio capture device may include one or more switches for securely activating and deactivating the device. Furthermore, an indicator may be hard-wired to the video and/or audio components so to provide a true indication of when these components are on and off. The video and audio capture device may also be integrated into a single unit.

Abstract: A storage medium is encoded with a video program created using authoring systems and methods. The processor-based authoring system removes an author from consideration of low-level configuration functions during authoring. The authoring system includes an authoring engine having an interactive graphical authoring interface, a data management engine, an emulator, a compiler, a multiplexer and a simulator. The authoring methods include the use of summary authoring data, a compiler that builds a skeleton-form layout structure comprising abstracted components that include movie chapters, menu buttons and command segements. The compiler resolves abstracted connections between combinations of the abstracted components to produce a video program. Instructions associated with the command segments and a configuration of the command segments within a video program video space and domain structure are abstracted the functional during authoring.

Abstract: Techniques that facilitate pairing of wireless devices with other wireless devices are disclosed. According to one aspect, a pair of wireless devices can be paired for wireless data exchange using an available wired link. Advantageously, the wired link can be used to transport a pin code from one of the wireless devices to the other. Consequently, pairing of the wireless devices can be completed without necessitating user entry of a pin code so long as the wired link is available.

Abstract: A portable electronic device may display one of a plurality of soft keyboards in a first display area and input characters in a second display area. The user may select a key on the soft keyboard, causing a plurality of objects corresponding to the plurality of soft keyboards to be displayed. The user may then select one of the objects, and the soft keyboard corresponding to the selected object is displayed and made operational. The soft keyboards corresponding to the objects not selected are not made operational.