Abstract: Systems and methods utilize a smart control hub and a relatively “dumb” remote control device that receives display information from the control hub. The remote control communicates simplified commands that are interpreted by the control hub, and translated into commands that are transmitted by the control hub to devices being controlled. Various display pages, or menus of options, may be fed to the remote control and displayed and/or updated on the remote control. A user can navigate the various pages to control various devices using a limited number of buttons and/or a limited reconfigurable input surface. The pages may be updated, for example, to reflect current state information for devices, e.g. on/off, percent power, etc., or to change available commands, e.g. alternating between “on” and “off”, “pause” and “play”, etc.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving the audio quality in a living-room type of environment having multimedia equipment are described. The audio signals emanating from various speakers may be modified/altered, so as to capture audio signals with the highest signal-to-noise ratio. In the context of a video/audio call, where the positions of the microphone and speakers are generally fixed, the speaker outputs may be controlled/modified to provide an improved signal-to-noise ratio. The audio emanating from the central speaker may be subdued or eliminated to reduce significantly the problems that occur due to the audio from the center speaker being captured by the microphone, which is typically in close proximity to the center speaker. The audio may be provided to the speakers by various ways, such as HDMI, RCA, and so on.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to control devices configured for use with computing devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods and devices for shortening wireless reconnection time by determining the presence of an object or body near a device. When the control device detects an object or body in proximity to the device, the control device may automatically establish a wireless connection with a host devices, such that when the control device receives any user interactions, the wireless connection has already been established, preventing loss of data.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure may provide a low cost customizable case for electronic devices. The low cost customizable case may have a preassembled form and a post assembled form. In the preassembled form, the low cost customizable case may be planar and include a first plurality of regions and a second plurality of regions. A plurality of protrusions may be formed on the first plurality of regions.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein generally include a system and a method of causing an electronic device to perform one or more desirable functions or processes based on the physical movement of the electronic device. In one embodiment, the physical movement of a first electronic device is part of a physical interaction process completed between a first electronic device and a second electronic device. The information gained from at least the physical movement part of the physical interaction process can then be used to cause at least the first electronic device to perform one or more desirable functions or processes. Some aspects of the disclosure provided herein may include an apparatus, method and/or computing device software application that is configured to more easily setup and reliably control an electronic device based on the physical movement of the electronic device and/or the interaction of the electronic device with another electronic device.

Abstract: An audio speaker is provided including a housing having a first array of housing retaining elements aligned in a first direction and a first sealing surface. Each housing retaining elements has a housing channel region formed therein. The audio speaker further includes a frame element having a speaker assembly mounted thereon and a second array of frame retaining elements aligned in the first direction and a second sealing surface, where the second array of frame retaining elements are positioned to interleave with the first array of housing retaining elements when the second sealing surface is disposed over the first sealing surface. Each frame retaining element has a frame channel region formed therein. The audio speaker further includes a first rod disposed within the housing channel regions of the first array of housing retaining elements and the frame channel regions of the second array of frame retaining elements.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a method of assembling a folio case. The method comprises molding a set of molded key caps over a flexible fabric layer to form a fabric key cap layer, where the key caps do not pass through the flexible fabric layer. The method further comprises affixing a first portion of the flexible key cap layer opposite the set of molded key caps to an interior portion of a housing, and affixing an intermediate layer between the interior portion of the housing and a second portion of the fabric key cap layer corresponding to the set of molded key caps opposite the first portion. The method further comprises attaching a first portion of a holder to the first portion of the flexible key cap layer configured to receive a computing device, wherein a second portion of the holder is not fixedly attached to the flexible key cap layer.

Abstract: A method of communication between a plurality of network devices and an external electronic device is provided. The method includes receiving, at a first network device, device information and power information from a second network device, where the received device information and power information is transferred over a first communication link on a first network, where the first communication link is formed between a first transceiver of the first network device and a first transceiver of the second network device. The method further includes comparing the received power information with power information of the first network device. The method further includes transferring a portion of the received device information from the first network device over a second communication link on a second network when it is determined based on the comparison that the first network device is better suited than the second network device to communicate on the second network.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention include an input device (e.g., a computer mouse) including a processor, a housing including a top side, the housing configured to support a user's hand, and a detachable cover plate configured to attach to the top side of the housing and support a user's hand. The cover plate can include a shape memory polymer (SMP) disposed thereon, where the SMP is pliable and operable to conform to the user's hand when a temperature of the SMP is at or above a threshold value. Furthermore, the SMP can be firm and non-conforming when the temperature of the SMP falls below the threshold value. A heating unit controlled by the processor can be configured to control the temperature of the shape memory polymer. The detachable cover plate can include the shape memory polymer disposed in areas configured to contact a user's palm and thumb.

Abstract: An eye gaze tracking system is disclosed. The system includes a gaze data acquisition system including a plurality of light sources and a plurality of image sensors. The plurality of light sources are arranged to emit light to a head of the user, and the plurality of image sensors are configured to receive the light. In an embodiment, the system further includes a gaze tracking module including an ocular feature extraction module, a point of regard (POR) calculation module and a POR averaging module. The ocular feature extraction module is configured to process the gaze data and to extract ocular features, and is configured to determine a confidence value associated with an accuracy of the parameters. The POR calculation module is configured to determine a POR from the ocular features. The POR averaging module is configured to determine an average POR.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to control devices configured for use with computing devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods and devices for performing presence detection of an object body near a device. The methods and devices described herein may include comparing a reference signal against an over the air signal to determine whether a phase difference exists between the reference signal and the over the air signal. The existence of a phase difference may be indicative of a object or body in proximity to the device.