Patents Assigned to Palm, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20110316867
    Abstract: A display unit is constituted by a passive matrix of independently controllable pixels characterized by an active area of n rows and m columns of discrete pixels and a pixel border. The pixel border has a predetermined width, in one embodiment two pixels. The border pixel color state is controlled herein by the frame buffer memory. The pixel border color state is controlled to correspond to information contained in a frame buffer memory locus. This locus may be, in various embodiments herein, a single pixel, a row of pixels, or a number of rows of pixels of frame buffer memory. Each row of pixels may be equal to m and/or n. In one embodiment, the frame buffer controls the border pixels directly via a liquid crystal display controller and drivers, without a timing generation mechanism, such as a timing ASIC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: PALM, INC.
    Inventors: David W. Lum, Yichang Chan
  • Publication number: 20110305266
    Abstract: A file (FI) is transmitted via a first channel (CH1). In addition, a second channel (CH2) is used to transmit play parameters (D1, D2, R1, R2) which comprise at least one set (Di, Ri) of information about a play rate (R1, R2) and a delay time (D1, D2) for the file (FI) which is to be transmitted by the first channel (CH1). On the basis of the play parameters (D1, D2, R1, R2), it is possible to determine a time for starting to process the file (FI) which is to be transmitted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: PALM, INC.
    Inventors: Wissam Abdel Samad, Andreas Arnold, Hrvoje Jenkac, Thomas Stockhammer, Wen Xu
  • Publication number: 20110298830
    Abstract: A method and computer readable medium are disclosed for re-sizing screen content of a user interface comprising an initial view displayed within a touch-sensitive screen. A double tap and hold interaction is detected on the screen at an initial location. A drag interaction is detected, where the drag interaction comprises maintaining contact across the screen in an initial direction. A release interaction is detected, where the release interaction comprises a final location where interaction on the screen is detected. A zoom factor is determined based upon the initial location, the final location, and the initial direction. A zoomed view is generated using the zoom factor, where the zoomed view changes a proportion of the screen filled by an area surrounding the initial location relative to the initial view. Finally, the zoomed view of the screen content is provided for display on the screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: PALM, INC.
    Inventor: Yin Zin Mark Lam
  • Publication number: 20110302182
    Abstract: A mechanism for collecting and analyzing user information available on a mobile computing device is described. Information is retrieved from different components of the mobile computing device and analyzed for relationships therein. Metrics and rules are applied to the information to generate results. The results are displayed or exported to one or more components of the mobile computing device or external devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: PALM, INC.
    Inventor: Jordan Kirk Crawford
  • Publication number: 20110300865
    Abstract: Techniques to dynamically manage wireless connections using feature prioritization are described. For example, a mobile computing device may comprise a connection management module operative to access a list of one or more wireless networks, compare feature set information for the one or more wireless networks, select a wireless network based on the comparison, and initiate a wireless connection using the selected wireless network, wherein the feature set information is contained in the list. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: PALM, INC.
    Inventors: Anand Kashikar, Wen Zhao
  • Publication number: 20110296304
    Abstract: A system and a method are disclosed for determining and presenting a gesture tutorial comprising audio and/or video presentation on a gesture that is not frequently used by the user. To determine a tutorial, the system determines the user's gesture repertoire comprising information about gestures already learned by the user, e.g., gestures detected a pre-determined number of times on the user's computing device or another computing device associated with the user. The system determines a gesture associated with the user's computing device that is not represented in the gesture repertoire. The system determines a tutorial for the determined gesture and transmits the determined tutorial for presentation to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: PALM, INC.
    Inventor: David D. Kempe
  • Publication number: 20110292084
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer readable medium are disclosed for re-sizing input fields and text of a user interface displayed within a touch-sensitive screen. The user interface comprises an initial view with at least one input field. The user interface is provided for display on the screen. A touch interaction is detected on the screen, and it is determined whether the interaction is within a predefined area of an input field. Responsive to determining that the interaction is within the predefined area, a magnified view of the input field is generated. The magnified view increases the proportion of the screen filled by the input field and text relative to the initial view. The magnified view is then presented for display on the screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: Palm, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Thomas
  • Publication number: 20110268000
    Abstract: Various embodiments for providing enhanced power savings in mobile computing devices are described. In one or more embodiments, a mobile computing device may monitor the battery power level remaining. The mobile computing device may select a wireless connection type for an application based on Quality of Service (QoS) requirements of the application and the amount of battery power remaining. The mobile computing device may switch the application from a higher QoS wireless connection type to a lower QoS wireless connection type when the battery power falls below a threshold. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: PALM, INC.
    Inventors: Anand Kashikar, Vivek Shah, Wen Zhao
  • Publication number: 20110269476
    Abstract: Techniques to dynamically manage wireless connections using a coverage database are described. For example, a mobile computing device may comprise a connection management module operative to dynamically select a wireless connection technology based on a location of the mobile computing device and information from a coverage database, and to initiate a wireless connection using the selected wireless connection technology. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: PALM, INC.
    Inventor: Nitin Kumar
  • Publication number: 20110267772
    Abstract: An apparatus for holding a SIM (subscriber identification module) card for an electronic device. The electronic device is implemented using integrated circuits on a PCB (printed circuit board) contained within a device housing. A SIM connector mounted on the PCB may electrically connect a SIM card to the PCB. The SIM card is releasably held in position by a SIM card door. The SIM card door may engage the SIM card with the SIM connector when in a closed position. The SIM card door in open position may slidably accept the SIM card. The SIM card door is releasably engageable with the housing and is rotatably attached to the housing in order to swing to the closed position from the open position. Holding the SIM card with the SIM card door provides for a smaller SIM connector and thus a minimum amount of PCB area for mounting the SIM connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: PALM, INC.
    Inventors: Tony Valenzuela, Chris Kratle, Troy Hulick
  • Publication number: 20110267324
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for ambient light detection and power control using photovoltaics is disclosed. In an embodiment, a device includes a display and a photovoltaic cell. The photovoltaic cell acts as both an ambient light sensor and a power source. Based on the detected ambient light level, the brightness of the display is increased or decreased to save power, and energy captured by the photovoltaic cell is converted into a useable power signal which is stored or used by device components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: PALM, INC.
    Inventor: Michael John Stephens
  • Publication number: 20110267985
    Abstract: Techniques to provide integrated voice service management are described. An apparatus may comprise a mobile computing device having a voice service manager operative to receive control directives from one or more application programs, and manage one or more service features provided by multiple voice service platforms based on the received control directives, with at least one of the multiple voice service platforms comprising a voice over packet voice service platform. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: PALM, INC.
    Inventors: Tim Wilkinson, Simon Rabe-Hesketh, Matias Duarte, Matthew Hornyak, Justin Kodama, Junius Ho, Ed Ballot, Michael Rizkalla, Jess Gibson, Ezekiel Sanborn, Alan Levi, Brad Vogel
  • Publication number: 20110263241
    Abstract: A system and a method are disclosed for initiating a voice communication, such as a telephone call, or modifying an output device used to present audio data. After receiving a destination identifier, such as a telephone number, data from one or more sensors included in the mobile computing device is analyzed. Responsive to the sensor data describing movement in a first direction of a first axis, such as upward motion along a vertical axis, a voice communication is established using the destination identifier. While audio data from the voice communication, or from another source, is presented, data from the sensors is also analyzed. Responsive to the sensor data indicating one or more types of movement or interactions with a surrounding environment, the output device used to present the audio data is modified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: PALM, INC.
    Inventors: Matias Duarte, Matthew Hornyak, Justin Kodama
  • Publication number: 20110265039
    Abstract: A mechanism for a user to navigate a list on a touch sensitive screen by making on-screen gestures is described. Items in the list are sorted based on a common attribute, and grouped into different categories associated with the attribute. A portion of the items are displayed in the sorted sequence in a graphical user interface (UI) on a touch sensitive screen. When the user makes an on-screen gesture, one or more corresponding categories are identified and their indicators are dynamically and prominently displayed as feedback. Once the gesture is completed, the graphical UI scrolls to the portion of the list including items in the desired category.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: PALM, INC.
    Inventors: Jeremy Lyon, Daniel Marc Gatan Shiplacoff, Brandon Keely, Jesse Donaldson
  • Publication number: 20110237220
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and apparatus for unlocking an electronic device. In an embodiment, a process causes a device such as a smartphone to receive a sound input from a fixed position microphone and determine if the device should be unlocked based on a comparison of the sound input with a previously defined sound input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: PALM, INC.
    Inventor: Yoshimichi (Yomi) Matsuoka
  • Publication number: 20110237237
    Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for time and date determination using a wireless network is disclosed. A wireless device searches for a network to establish a connection, and, when a network is found, the wireless device attempts to establish a connection. The wireless device receives a PLMN code from the network. The wireless device receives the current GMT time from a GPS satellite. The wireless device determines the time zone that the wireless device is located in using the PLMN code. The wireless device determines the daylight saving time settings using the PLMN code and/or the GMT time. The wireless device determines the current time and date for the present location of the wireless device using the received GMT time and the determined time zone and day light saving time settings. The wireless device is updated to reflect the current time, date, time zone, and daylight saving settings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: Palm, Inc.
    Inventor: Anand Devidas Kashikar
  • Publication number: 20110207509
    Abstract: Various embodiments for providing enhanced battery conservation in mobile devices are described. In one or more embodiments, a mobile computing device may include a processor and a battery to supply power to the processor. The device may store user pattern data and/or user preference data. The device may further include a power management module coupled to the processor. The power management module may monitor a location of the device, wireless signal strength, and date/time. The power management module may also monitor and analyze user operation of the device to identify scenarios in which wireless communications can be suspended. The power management module may suspend wireless communication according to these monitored conditions, and analyzed user operations, to reduce battery consumption. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: PALM, INC.
    Inventor: Jordan Crawford
  • Publication number: 20110203631
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for cooling and capturing energy in an electronic device using photovoltaic cells is disclosed. A power supply powers electronic components inside the electronic device. The electronic components produce heat and infrared energy. The photovoltaic cells convert the infrared energy into an electric current to reduce the overall heat level of the electronic device. A power recovery circuit conditions the electric current into a conditioned power signal usable by a system power path manager of the electronic device. The system power path manager uses the converted infrared energy to power the electronic device and/or to charge an energy storage unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: Palm, Inc.
    Inventors: Jacob Rasco, Joshua Een, Wim Crooijmans
  • Publication number: 20110201327
    Abstract: Techniques to manage recovery and resynchronization of components or modules in a mobile computing device are described. For example, a mobile computing device may comprise a processor and a plurality of hierarchical or peer related modules. The plurality of modules may include resynchronization logic operative to resynchronize a module after a crash using a neighboring hierarchical or peer related module. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: PALM, INC.
    Inventor: Anupam Kaul
  • Patent number: 7976337
    Abstract: A method and system for coupling to a palmtop computer that supports both mobile computing and desktop use. A palmtop computer docking system is disclosed that includes a cable assembly and a base. The cable assembly includes a palmtop computer connection mechanism that is connected to a USB connector and that is connected to a power connection mechanism via an electrical cable. Power is provided via the power connection mechanism. The cable assembly is adapted to engage the base so as to produce a fully functional docking cradle. In operation, once the cable assembly is engaged with the base, the USB connector is then coupled to the desired computing device (typically either a portable computer or a full-size computer). The resulting docking cradle facilitates desktop use such as, for example, communication with a full size computer. The cable assembly can be removed from the base and can be used independently of the base for mobile computing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Palm, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Cortopassi, Eric Fuhs, John Byrne