Abstract: A computer-implemented method for determining an estimated user location performed on a computer system programmed to perform the method includes determining in physical sensors, movements in response to movement of the computer system, determining in a processor a physical context, in response to the movements, determining in the processor whether the physical context is substantially similar to a map-based context associated with a location on the map, when a map-based context is substantially similar to the physical context, the method includes determining in the processor the location on the map associated with the map-based context, determining in the processor a graphical user interface in response to the location on the map, and displaying the graphical user interface on a display of the computer system.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system for determining navigation/positional data, implemented in a computing system programmed to perform the method. The method includes receiving a plurality of signal strength measurements and user ID data from a hand-held user device, determining user navigation/position data using the plurality of signal strength measurements from the hand-held user device, and transferring the user navigation/position data to the hand-held user device in response to a request signal associated with the user ID data. The user navigation/position data can include 2-D position, 3-D position, relative position, heading, orientation, speed, bearing, and the like. Benefits of this method and system include user hardware independence, reduced computational load on user hardware, and network-level tracking of aggregated traffic patterns.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for power management in a portable device includes receiving sensor information from a sensor in the portable device, associating the sensor information with one of a plurality of states of the portable device, and reducing electrical power consumption in one or more parts in the portable device according to the associated state of the portable device. In some embodiments, the method also includes collecting, from the accelerometer in the portable device, electrical signals associated with a plurality of known motion states of the portable device, and analyzing the collected electrical signals. The method also includes identifying attributes of the electrical signal with the known motion states of the portable device.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for reducing extraneous input in a portable device programmed to perform the method includes displaying with the portable device, a text entry interface via a display to a user of the portable device, receiving with the portable device, one or more taps on a portion of the portable device other than the display, wherein the one or more taps is associated with a first action, while displaying with the portable device, an interface other than a text entry interface via the display to the user, the method includes performing with the portable device, the first action in response to the one or more taps, and while displaying with the portable device, a text entry interface via the display to the user, the method includes inhibiting with the portable device, the first action in response to the one or more taps.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for determining an estimated user location, implemented in a computing system programmed to perform the method includes receiving a map database associated with a geographic location including a plurality of map features, determining an estimated first user location within the geographic location, receiving a first plurality of physical perturbations from a plurality of physical sensors in response to physical perturbations of the computing system, determining an estimated second user location within the geographic location in response to the estimated first user location and to the first plurality of physical perturbations, determining a modified estimated second user location in response to the estimated second user location and to at least one map feature from the plurality of map features, and providing in the computer system, an indication of the modified estimated second user location with regards to the geographic location.

Abstract: A computer-system implemented method for determining gyroscopic rotation data, implemented on a computer system programmed to perform the method includes determining in one or more accelerometers of the computer system, accelerometer data in response to a physical manipulation of the computer system, determining in a magnetometer of the computer system, magnetometer data in response to the physical manipulation of the computer system, and determining in the processor of the computer system, a gyroscopic rotation of the computer system in response to the accelerometer data and to the magnetometer data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing security mechanisms in integrated devices and related structures. This method can include validating a device ID, generating a random value based on selected seed parameters, performing logic operations from hardware using the random value, and validating the integrated device based on logic operations from software using the random value. The system can include executable instructions for performing the method in a computing system. Various embodiments of the present invention represent several implementations of a security mechanism for integrated devices. These implementations provide several levels of encryption or protection of integrated devices, which can be tailored depending on the hardware and/or software requirements of specific applications.

Abstract: A method is provided for time synchronization in a MEMS (MicroElectroMechanical system) based system having a MEMS processor and a plurality of MEMS devices. In a specific embodiment, the method includes, in the MEMS processor, transmitting a synchronization signal to the plurality of MEMS devices and saving a local time upon transmitting the synchronization signal. The MEMS processor also receives sampled data and time information from the plurality of MEMS devices, when the data and information become available. The method also includes, in one or more of the MEMS devices, receiving the synchronization signal from the MEMS processor and storing a local time upon receiving the synchronization signal. The MEMS device also performs a sensing operation and stores sampled sense data and sense time information.

Abstract: A method and structure for operating a magnetoresistive sensor system includes applying a set-reset process wherein the set-reset signal is phased through the magnetoresistive element in such a way that the set-reset field of each region is not released until the adjacent field is aligned. Starting at one end of the magnetoresistive element, the set-reset signal is activated. This aligns the domains directly underneath the first of the set-reset elements. Before this field is released, the adjacent set-reset is activated, which aligned the domains in the adjacent field. Once the adjacent field has been realigned, the set-reset field in the first region can be released, and the set-reset field in the next region can be activated. In this way, no more than two set-reset elements must be active at any one time.

Abstract: A hand-held processor system for processing data from an integrated MEMS device disposed within a hand-held computer system and method. A dynamic offset correction (DOC) process computes 3-axis accelerometer biases without needing to know the orientation of the device. Arbitrary output biases can be corrected to ensure consistent performance A system of linear equations is formed using basic observations of gravity measurements by an acceleration measuring device, conditioned upon constraints in data quality, degree of sensed motion, duration, and time separation. This system of equations is modified and solved when appropriate geometric diversity conditions are met.

Abstract: An integrated MEMS inertial sensor device includes one or more three-axis MEMS inertial sensor devices, such as accelerometers, with dual or single proof mass configurations. These designs can be compact and can decouple the motion of each axis to minimize the measurement errors due to cross-axis sensitivity. Some embodiments include a frame to decouple the motion of two axes and to provide geometric symmetry. Some embodiments also include double-folded springs. In a specific embodiment, the three axes of an integrated MEMS accelerometer device are entirely decoupled. Thus, the actuation of each axis, through a force due to acceleration, has little or substantially no effect on the other axes.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for determining geographic locations of a device includes receiving with a GPS receiver within the device, satellite signals from a plurality of GPS satellites, determining with the device, an approximate geographic location in response to the satellite signals, determining in the device, a potential GPS signal reduction condition in response to the satellite signals and to a GPS signal threshold, determining with physical perturbation sensors in the device, physical perturbations, determining with the device, an augmented geographic location in response to the approximate geographic location, the physical perturbations, and a weighting factor, determining with the device, a user display in response to the augmented geographic location, and outputting on a display of the device, the user display.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for determining an action for a user, implemented in a computing system programmed to perform the method includes receiving a first time series of physical perturbations with a first physical sensor in response to physical perturbations of the computing system, receiving a second time series of physical perturbations with a second physical sensor in response to the physical perturbations of the computing system, determining an event vector in response to the first time series of physical perturbations and in response to the second time series of physical perturbations, comparing the event vector to a first event signature to determine a first value, determining occurrence of a first event when the first value exceeds a first threshold, and determining a first action for the computing system in response to the determining in the computing system, occurrence of the first event.