Abstract: Aspects of the present invention may provide audio devices, which may be included in protective covers, suited for use with tablet computers and the like. Embodiments may include audio devices including a substantially tablet-shaped rigid housing. The housing may include a top surface, a bottom surface, and a recess in the top surface. A relatively flat audio speaker may be received in the recess of the housing, and may be pivotally mounted to the housing such that a free end of the speaker is movable between a closed position and an open position.

Abstract: An online remote control configuration system for efficiently programming a remote control to recognize a plurality of external electronic devices. The online remote control configuration system includes a remote control having a housing, a keypad, and an electronic system for receiving configuration data from a control station is a global computer network (e.g. Internet). The user preferably “samples” one or lore signals from a remote control into the electronic system and then uploads the samples to the control station. The control station analyzes the uploaded samples and transmits the appropriate configuration data to properly configure the electronic system. The user may also access a web site of the control station and manually select each of the external electronic devices that the remote control is to operate after which the control station sends the appropriate configuration data to the electronic system.

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: A portable audio device is configured to generate acoustic output in conjunction with an auxiliary audio device when the portable audio device and the auxiliary audio device both reside within a given boundary. When the portable audio device enters a region defined by the boundary, the portable audio device determines optimized device settings and/or parameters for the portable audio device and for the auxiliary audio device based on differences between the operational capabilities of those two audio devices. When the portable audio device exits the region defined by the boundary, the portable audio device returns to nominal operation.

Abstract: A portable audio device is configured to generate acoustic output in conjunction with an auxiliary audio device when the portable audio device and the auxiliary audio device both reside within a given boundary. When the portable audio device enters a region defined by the boundary, the portable audio device determines optimized device settings and/or parameters for the portable audio device and for the auxiliary audio device based on differences between the operational capabilities of those two audio devices. When the portable audio device exits the region defined by the boundary, the portable audio device returns to nominal operation.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a method for imprinting fonts on a flexible key cap. In some embodiments, the method for imprinting font on a flexible key cap includes mixing polyurethane (PU) and one or more laser additives to form a PU clay mixture. The PU clay mixture can be infused into a molding tool to form a set of key caps. Some embodiments place a fabric layer over the molding tool and applies pressure over the fabric layer to couple the set of key caps and the fabric layer. A laser marking technique can be applied over a portion of the set of key caps. A characteristic of the portion of the set of key caps can be modified in response to the UV laser application and cause a color change at the portion of the set of key caps.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an input device comprising a processor, a displacement sensor coupled to the processor and a control button coupled to the processor. The displacement sensor is controlled by the processor and configured to detect movement of the input device relative to a surface. The control button is configured to open a first side panel and a second side panel on a virtual desktop of an operating system. The first and second side panel are configured to be opened when the control button is pressed and the input device is moved in a direction of the particular side panel. The first side panel is populated with a first set of one or more selectable icons for launching executable files, and the second side panel is populated with a second set of one or more selectable icons for moving currently running applications to a virtual desktop foreground.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a flexible keyboard including a flexible skin layer and a set of key frame modules coupled to one side of the flexible skin layer. The flexible skin layer can be made of at least one of polyurethane or polyester. The keyframe module can include a metal support plate for conducting a signal and a key structure situated over the metal support plate for providing tactile feedback when the key frame module is actuated. A plastic key cap structure can be situated over the dome structure. The flexible skin layer can be coupled to the plastic key cap. The key structure can be a dome structure where the flexible skin layer is a rubber or a fabric skin layer. The key structure can be a scissors key structure where the flexible skin layer is a rubber skin layer. Flexible key caps can be molded to the flexible skin layer.

Abstract: Certain embodiments relate to a protective cover with a housing and a latch mechanism. The latch can be hingeably coupled to a back portion of the housing such that the latch is configured to rotate, via the hinge coupling, from a closed position to an open position. The latch can further be slideably coupled to the housing such that the latch is configured to laterally slide out from the back portion of the housing to an extended position, where the bottom side of the latch can be configured to couple to and secure an input device to the surface of the housing.

Abstract: Systems and methods for wireless device connection and pairing are provided. Embodiments relate to automatic device connection or pairing by accessing or acquiring a machine-readable feature. Machine-readable features may include printed or displayed machine-readable indicia, such as linear (e.g., one-dimensional) barcodes, matrix (e.g., two-dimensional) barcodes, quick response (QR) codes, characters, symbols, labels, pictorial icons, graphics, images, watermarks, holograms, or any other printed or displayed indicia that may be used to encode, represent, or lookup information. Machine-readable features may also include non-printed features, such as magnetic strips, radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, various other types of sensors and tags embedded or attached to electronic devices, and audio and visual signals.

Abstract: A videoconference may be initiated between a plurality of endpoints. At least one of the endpoints may be coupled to a recording server, which may be configured to record the videoconference. A configuration may be selected (e.g., automatically or manually) for performing the recording. The endpoint (e.g., acting as an MCU) may transmit information to endpoints and may transmit recording information to the recording server. The recording information may be different from the videoconference information. For example, it may be in a “streaming friendly” format, at a different bit rate, encoded differently, have different inputs, etc. The manner in which the videoconference is stored and/or recorded may be based on the selected configuration. Clients may be configured to receive and display the videoconference from the recording server and may be configured to change the provided layout to different layouts, e.g., based on user input.

Abstract: A method for displaying power sustainability data for a battery includes providing a processor and a memory device coupled to the processor and receiving power sustainability data at a plurality of times. The power sustainability data includes a remaining battery capacity and a light exposure level. The method also includes storing the plurality of times and data values associated with the power sustainability data in the memory device. Additionally, the method includes obtaining most recently received data values for remaining battery capacity and light exposure level and displaying the most recently received data values for remaining battery capacity and light exposure levels.

Abstract: A case for a mobile communications device is provided that is configurable to take on at least two audio/audible configurations. The first audio/audible configuration is a handset configuration and the second audio configuration is a headphone/earphone/earbud configuration. The case has a housing and a headphone male connector. The headphone male connector forms part of a headphone male connector assembly. The headphone male connector assembly is capable of moving the headphone male connector to selectively and/or mechanically engage a mobile communications device headphone port to actuate the first audio/audible configuration in a first position, and to actuate the second audio/audible configuration in a second position. A method of switching between different modes of operation of a mobile communications device, such as an iPhone™ smartphone, using the functionality of a removable, protective case for the device is also provided herein.

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.

Abstract: A mobile electronic device stand has at least two interconnected elements, each element being elongated in form along a longitudinal axis. The interconnection includes at least a pair of adjacent interfacing end surfaces connected so as to be rotatable about an axis between the end surfaces from an iconic elongated configuration of the stand to a folded configuration of the stand.

Abstract: A laptop stand configured to support a laptop computer on a surface at a plurality of angles includes a platen configured to support the laptop computer. A leg is pivotally coupled to the platen. A support arm is slide coupled to the platen and pivotally coupled to the leg. A latch is coupled to the support arm and is configured to latch and to unlatch from the platen at a plurality of latch points. The latch at the plurality of latch points positions the support arm at a first plurality of angles with respect to the platen and the leg. The latch at the plurality of latch points also positions the platen and the leg at a second plurality of angles with respect to one another. The latch is configured to slide with respect to the platen to move the support arm to rotate the leg with respect to the platen.

Abstract: A state-based remote control system for providing efficient and simple operation of a plurality of electronic devices as a coordinated system based upon an overall task. The state-based remote control system includes a housing, a keypad in communication with an electronic system contained within the housing, and a communication device in communication with the electronic system for communicating with external electronic devices. The electronic system monitors the buttons selected by a user to determine the state of all external electronic devices that are to be controlled. When the user selects a task (e.g. watch television), the electronic system automatically determines the actions required to achieve the desired task based upon the current state of the external electronic devices. After the task has been fulfilled, the electronic system updates the data to reflect the modified state of the external electronic devices.

Abstract: Presenting a videoconference with a secondary video stream composited by an endpoint. The endpoint may receive, from a bridge of the videoconferencing system, information regarding videoconferencing layouts available to the bridge. The information may include geometries and arrangements of geometric spaces defined by the layouts. The endpoint may transmit a command configured to instruct the bridge to generate a composite video stream according to a specified layout. The endpoint may then receive the composite video stream and a secondary video stream. The endpoint may composite the two video streams by overlaying the secondary video stream upon a geometric space of the layout in which the bridge does not composite a component video stream.

Abstract: Controlling a bridge in a videoconferencing system through a remote endpoint. The endpoint may receive a generic menu-navigation user input command, such as a navigation command from a simple remote control device. The endpoint may then convert the user input into a bridge control command comprising at least one of a dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF) signal or a far-end camera control (FECC) signal. The use of DTMF and FECC signals is transparent to the user.