Abstract: Multiple-pole single-throw dome switch assemblies for electronic devices and methods for creating the same are provided. For example, a switch assembly may include a deformable dome that may have a conductive inner surface. The switch assembly may also include three conductive pads, at least two of which may be positioned underneath the dome. When the dome is deformed, each one of the three conductive pads may be electrically coupled to the conductive inner surface of the dome. When the dome is not deformed, at least one of the three conductive pads may be electrically isolated from the conductive inner surface of the dome.

Abstract: In the data security field, a modular cryptographic hash function process is embodied in a computer system or hardware (circuitry). The process is based on the mode of operation of the known “Shabal” hash function which uses a keyed permutation applied to each word of the message. Here a function is substituted for the permutation and additional final rounds are added to the function. Security is further enhanced over that of the Shabal hash function by avoiding use of the message blocks in computing certain of the data arrays, in order to frustrate known message attacks.

Abstract: Active noise cancellation (ANC) circuitry is coupled to the input of an earpiece speaker in a portable audio device, to control the ambient acoustic noise outside of the device and that may be heard by a user of the device. A microphone is to pickup sound emitted from the earpiece speaker, as well as the ambient acoustic noise. Control circuitry deactivates the ANC in response to determining that an estimate of how much sound emitted from the earpiece speaker has been corrupted by noise indicates insufficient corruption by noise. In another embodiment, the ANC decision is in response to determining that an estimate of the ambient noise level is greater than a threshold level of an audio artifact that could be induced by the ANC. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for dual processing of raw image data by main image processing and alternative image processing capabilities of an electronic device are provided. According to an embodiment, alternative image processing may analyze a first copy of a frame of raw image data before a second copy of the frame of raw image data is processed by main image processing. Thereafter, the main image processing may process the second copy of the frame of raw image. The main image processing may be calibrated based at least in part on the analysis of the first copy of the frame of raw image data.

Abstract: Circuits, methods, and apparatus that may provide protection from exposed wires or terminals when a power plug is damaged or destroyed. One example may provide a plug having an inner cover that shields power carrying wires or terminals when an outer shell is damaged or destroyed. The inner cover may include openings to receive conductors, where the openings may lead to terminals or wires that connect to plug prongs. The received conductors may attach directly or indirectly to an outer shell, and further to a power cord, circuitry, or other electronic components. When the outer shell is damaged or destroyed, the conductors may pull out of the openings in the inner cover, thus disconnecting from the wires or terminals. The wires or terminals may thus remain protected by the inner shell, avoiding exposure to contact by users or inadvertent conductors.

Abstract: A mobile computing device (MCD) can determine, based on model-specific test result information, whether an accessory may be incompatible with specific MCD functions. In some embodiments, the accessory provides test result information separately indicating a test result for each of a number of MCD models. Multiple MCD models can be grouped into a device class, and the MCD can deem the accessory compatible if he received test result information indicates a pass result for at least one of the device models associated with a device class to which the MCD belongs. If the accessory is not deemed to be compatible with the mobile computing device, the MCD can generate a warning.

Abstract: An improved system and method for testing a sensor of a portable electronic device based on expected sensor data and not timing information. The system and method for testing a sensor of a portable electronic device retrieves sensed data from the portable electronic device (i.e. device under test) after the device has traversed a series of test areas or zones. The sensed data is compared against a set of expected sensor data patterns to determine which components of the sensed data correspond to each test area or zone. The sensor of the portable electronic device may be tested based on an association of the test areas or zones with segments of the sensed data.

Abstract: Multi-part substrate arrangements that yield low profile configurations are disclosed. One aspect pertains to portable electronic devices are able to have low profiles through use of multi-part substrate arrangements. Another aspect pertains to methods for assembling two or more separate substrates into a multi-part substrate. By use of multi-part substrate arrangements according to the invention, portable electronic devices are able to be thinner and more compact.

Abstract: This is directed to methods and apparatus for shielding a circuitry region of an electronic device from interference (e.g., EMI). A conductive dam may be formed about a periphery of the circuitry region. A non-conductive or electrically insulating fill may then be applied to the circuitry region within the dam. Next, a conductive cover may be applied above the fill. The cover may be electrically coupled to the dam. The dam may include two or more layers of conductive material stacked on top of one another. In some embodiments, the conductive cover may be pad printed or screen printed above the fill. In other embodiments, the conductive cover may be a conductive tablet that is melted above the fill.

Abstract: Peripherals and data processing systems are disclosed which can be configured to interact based upon sensor data. In one embodiment, a peripheral, which is configured to be used with a data processing system, includes an interface to couple the peripheral to the data processing system, and at least one sensor, such as a proximity sensor, to sense a user of the peripheral, and a processor coupled to the interface and to the at least one sensor, wherein the processor configures the peripheral in response to data from the at least one sensor. The peripheral may communicate sensor data from its sensors to the data processing system, which may be a wireless PDA, and the data processing system analyzes the sensor data from its sensors and from the peripheral's sensors to decide how to configure the peripheral and/or the data processing system based on the sensor.

Abstract: Systems and methods are providing for aligning an accessory to an electronic device interface. In particular, some accessories such as optical filters and lens require specific alignment to operative properly. Using a first magnet array positioned around the periphery of the interface and a second magnet array positioned within the accessory, a user can position an accessory on the electronic device and rotate the accessory until the magnets of each array exert a force on an opposing magnet of the other array. By distributing the magnets in a manner that includes no repeating segments, only a single alignment of the accessory relative to the interface can allow the magnet arrays to be properly in opposition.

Abstract: A method for processing a selected item in a GUI of a multimedia application is provided. The method includes receiving a hot key input that specifies a function that is to be applied to the selected item and displaying a set of control guidelines associated with the hot key input. The set of control guidelines indicates cursor movement inputs needed to specify particular aspects of the function. A method for transforming a received cursor movement in a first coordinate system to a transformed cursor movement in a second coordinate system is provided. The received cursor movement specifies a particular manner (e.g., aspect and extent) of a function to be applied to an item in a workspace of a multimedia application. The first coordinate system displays a particular view of the workspace.

Abstract: Improved techniques for communicating between a portable electronic device and an accessory (or auxiliary) device are disclosed. The accessory device can augment or supplement the functionality or capabilities of the portable electronic device. For example, in one embodiment, the accessory device can provide wireless communication capabilities to the portable electronic device. In one embodiment, the portable electronic device pertains to a portable media player and thus provide media data for storage, playback or transmission. In one embodiment, the accessory device is attachable to the portable electronic device.

Abstract: A system and method for opportunistically designing collaborative beamforming vectors is disclosed for a wireless multiple input, multiple output (MIMO) space division multiple access (SDMA) communication system by sequentially designing beamforming vectors for ranked channels in order to exploit the instantaneous channel conditions to improve per user average SNR performance. Each subscriber station independently transmits information to a base station that allows the base station to determine beamforming vectors for each subscriber station by ranking the subscriber stations by channel strength. Using sequential nullspace methods, the ranked channel matrices are then used to select the channel matrix Hi for the best subscriber station, to design the wi, vi for the best subscriber station as the left and right singular vectors of the MIMO channel matrix Hi, to transform the remaining channels and to continue the process until beamforming vectors are designed for all channels.

Abstract: A multi-user MIMO downlink beamforming system with limited feedback (200) is provided to enable preceding for multi-stream transmission, where a channel codeword (ui) and one or more channel quality indicator values (CQIA, CQIB) are computed at the user equipment (201.i) on the basis of maximizing a predetermined SINR performance metric (?i) which estimates the receive signal-to-noise-ratio (SINR) at the user equipment (201.i). The computed codeword (ui) and CQI values (or differential values related thereto) are quantized and fed back to help the base station (210) which applies a correction to the appropriate CQI value in the course of designing the transmit beamforming vectors w and determining the appropriate modulation and coding level to be used for downlink data transmission.

Abstract: A processing system is described that includes a wireless communication interface that wirelessly communicates with one or more wireless client devices in the vicinity of an establishment. The wireless communication interface receives a remote order corresponding to an item selected by at least one of the wireless client devices. A local server computer located in proximity to the establishment generates instructions for processing the remote order received from the wireless communication interface. The local server computer then passes the processing instructions to an order processing queue in preparation for processing of the remote order.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention involves a method that includes: in a first area of the touch screen, displaying a current character string being input by a user with the keyboard; in a second area of the touch screen, displaying the current character string or a portion thereof and a suggested replacement for the current character string; replacing the current character string in the first area with the suggested replacement if the user activates a delimiter key on the keyboard; replacing the current character string in the first area with the suggested replacement if the user performs a first gesture on the suggested replacement displayed in the second area; and keeping the current character string in the first area if the user performs a second gesture on the current character string or the portion thereof displayed in the second area.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for locating an embedded color chart in an image are described. In one exemplary method, an image that includes an embedded color chart is located without the intervention of the user. The embedded color chart is verified and used to create a color profile of the image. Furthermore, the orientation angle of the color chart is determined and the image orientation is fixed based on this angle.