Abstract: An electronic device for detecting reason for connection attempt failure with an Open Key authentication (WEP) protocol is discussed.

Abstract: Apparatus and algorithms to balance power savings and convenience to users of electronic devices based on usage patterns, charging and battery efficiency and capacity, and users' subscriptions.

Abstract: Apparatus and algorithms to balance power savings and convenience to users of electronic devices based on usage patterns, charging and battery efficiency and capacity, and users' subscriptions.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for facilitating the use of an electronic device having a user interface that is sensitive to a user's gestures. An “eyes-free” mode is provided in which the user can control the device without looking at the device display. Once the eyes-free mode is engaged, the user can control the device by performing gestures that are detected by the device, wherein a gesture is interpreted by the device without regard to a specific location where the gesture is made. The eyes-free mode can be used, for example, to look up a dictionary definition of a word in an e-book or to navigate through and select options from a hierarchical menu of settings on a tablet. The eyes-free mode advantageously allows a user to interact with the user interface in situations where the user has little or no ability to establish concentrated visual contact with the device display.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for facilitating the use of an electronic device having a user interface that is sensitive to a user's gestures. An “eyes-free” mode is provided in which the user can control the device without looking at the device display. Once the eyes-free mode is engaged, the user can control the device by performing gestures that are detected by the device, wherein a gesture is interpreted by the device without regard to a specific location where the gesture is made. The eyes-free mode can be used, for example, to look up a dictionary definition of a word in an e-book or to navigate through and select options from a hierarchical menu of settings on a tablet. The eyes-free mode advantageously allows a user to interact with the user interface in situations where the user has little or no ability to establish concentrated visual contact with the device display.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for selective area scanning, touch scanning, and/or reporting of touch screen contacts in electronic touch sensitive devices. The selective area scanning can be used to only scan a specific section of a touch screen area, the selective touch scanning can be used to scan only for specific touches or input sources on a touch screen, and the selective reporting can be used to selectively report only desired contacts to a device processor and reject all other contacts. Multiple selective scan areas can be provisioned, with each discrete area customizable with respect to location, size, accepted touch types and/or reporting criteria. En some cases the user can configure some or all of these selective screen features.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for providing product recommendations based on content clusters. The product may be, for example, goods or services. In some embodiments, the techniques include forming a product cluster based at least in part on product metadata, correlating the product cluster based at least in part on product correlation data, and calculating each product distance to a center of each correlated product cluster. In some cases, the techniques may further include generating recommendations based on product clusters, wherein only products within a given distance to a center of each correlated product cluster are recommended. In some cases, forming a product cluster is carried out using k-means clustering so as to minimize the within-cluster sum of squares, and the techniques may further include optimizing the within cluster sum of squares.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for providing product recommendations based on content clusters. The product may be, for example, goods or services. In some embodiments, the techniques are implemented in a system configured to form a product cluster based at least in part on product metadata, correlate the product cluster based at least in part on product correlation data, and calculate each product distance to a center of each correlated product cluster. In some cases, the system may be further configured to generate recommendations based on product clusters, wherein only products within a given distance to a center of each correlated product cluster are recommended. In some cases, forming a product cluster is carried out using k-means clustering so as to minimize the within-cluster sum of squares.

Abstract: Techniques for efficient routing of wires and electrical components within a device are disclosed. A wire can be routed, for example, in the space between two battery cells (or other components/structures) with the use of a bracket inserted between the cells to provide structural support. The electrical tape surrounding a battery may be cut or otherwise breached in order to expose the cavity between distinct battery cells. In some embodiments, multiple brackets may be inserted between the battery cells, creating a trough through which a wire or other component may be routed. After routing a wire through the trough, another electrical part or housing may be fixed above the battery cells.

Abstract: Techniques for efficient routing of wires and electrical components within a device are disclosed. A wire can be routed, for example, in the space between two battery cells (or other components/structures) with the use of a bracket inserted between the cells to provide structural support. The electrical tape surrounding a battery may be cut or otherwise breached in order to expose the cavity between distinct battery cells. In some embodiments, multiple brackets may be inserted between the battery cells, creating a trough through which a wire or other component may be routed. After routing a wire through the trough, another electrical part or housing may be fixed above the battery cells.

Abstract: An orientation sensor in a mobile electronic device senses a change in the orientation of the device, e.g., from a landscape orientation to a portrait orientation. The system and method of the present invention takes advantage of the time required for reformatting to display an orientation lock icon on the screen while reflow processing is taking place. The lock icon is a virtual button the user can tap to allow or disallow the information on the display to change orientation as the user rotates the device from landscape to portrait orientation or vice versa. Once the reflow processing is complete and the information has been redrawn in the new orientation, the lock icon is removed.

Abstract: The present invention creates a new taxonomy called Reader Categories that incorporates a bookseller's bookselling knowledge to generate more accurate and compelling recommendations to users. An initial “seeding” of the Reader Categories with content is performed by an editorial staff. A recommendation engine is then executed with respect to the initial seeds to generate recommendation of additional content for the Categories. A tool is provided that the editorial staff can use for the seeding and for providing feedback on the quality of algorithmically generated results. This helps the present invention extend the power of its recommendation algorithms by facilitating editorial ranking and seeding.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the presentation of words on an electronic reading device to assist in speed reading. A portion of the display screen on the device is reserved for the serial presentation of the words in accordance with the speed reading method. The remainder of the screen contains the current text of the content being read, but is shaded, darkened, so as to not distract the reader. The presentation of words is momentarily paused at sentence and chapter transitions. This momentary pause allows the user to maintain perspective as to the user's location in an electronic text (e.g., a book) and enhances the reading experience and ultimately enhances the speed of the reading exercise and the retention of content.

Abstract: A system and method for navigating electronic using controls on a touch screen of a reading device. The controls allow the user to quickly skim, scan, and scroll through all the sections of the publication with short slides of a thumb or finger. The controls preferably take the form of a strip displayed along an edge, e.g., the bottom, of the touch screen device used for reading the publication. A second control can be formed along another edge of the touch screen, e.g., right or left edge, to enable the user to rapidly skim through all of the articles contained in a selected section.

Abstract: A system and method of associating an NFC tag to a product and transmitting information about the product are described. An electronic device is used to scan a generic NFC tag affixed to a product to obtain a unique ID code as well as other indicia identifying the product itself, such as a bar code. The unique ID and bar code are then transmitted to a central server, where they are associated with one another and stored in a database. Once associated, a customer may use a separate electronic device, such as a mobile phone or tablet, to scan a product of interest, transmit the unique ID code to the central server, and retrieve from the central server information about the product.

Abstract: A method, system and non-transitory computer-readable medium are provided for determining and displaying actions taken on content displayed on one or more maps provided on a display screen of an electronic device. The actions taken with respect to the content include actions performed by users in the system. The one or more maps include geographic maps and social maps.

Abstract: A method, system and non-transitory computer-readable medium are provided for controlling display of content on an electronic device with a touch screen display, which content may, in response to detection of a squeeze gesture, be reduced on the display screen to reveal additional content, tools and features associated with the one or more pages of the content.

Abstract: A system and a method for transferring content between devices are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, users lay their electronic devices (such as content reading devices, mobile tablets or smart phones) side by side and use a touch screen to “slide” or “swipe” digital content (e.g., via finger swiping of a book cover) from one device to the other. The devices automatically pair with one another based on certain pairing criteria detected contemporaneously with slide or swipe of digital content. If the pairing criteria are satisfied, the digital content is transferred.

Abstract: A system and method for use in connection with a reader for digital publication, such as electronic books, eBooks, or electronic magazines or newspapers. The system and method determines readers that are currently reading a specific section of a specific electronic publication and determines the location of those readers, The system and method then generates a. map, such as an image of the United States of America, or a globe, or even a simple text listing, that illustrates everyone else in a given geographic region (possibly the whole world) that is currently reading, or has recently finished reading, the specific part of the digital publication.

Abstract: Systems and methods for permitting in-content discussions regarding electronic content are described. The present invention allow users of digital publication readers to share comments regarding specific parts of an electronic publication with other users that are concurrently reading or have previously read those parts. In this manner, the invention provides users the ability to share their feelings or thoughts about electronic publications and, in so doing, significantly enhance their knowledge and reading experience.