Abstract: An electronic device includes one or more processors, a touch-sensitive display and an audio output operative in a first mode to produce an audible output at a first output level, and operable in a discreet mode operative to produce the audible output at a second output level that is less than a first output level. The one or more processors can present a user actuation target or a portion of a notification at a location on the touch sensitive display. The processors can then detect an object proximately located with touch-sensitive display at the location and a lifting gesture lifting the electronic device from a first elevation to a second elevation. In response, the one or more processors can cause the audio output to deliver notification details as the audible output from an audio output device.

Abstract: A method implemented by processing and other audio components of an electronic device provides a smart audio output volume control, which correlates a volume level of an audio output to that of an audio input that triggered generation of the audio output. According to one aspect, the method includes: receiving an audio input that triggers generation of an audio output response from the user device; determining an input volume level corresponding to the received audio input; and outputting the audio output response at an output volume level correlated to the input volume level. The media output volume control level of the device is changed from a preset normal level, including from a mute setting, to the determined output level for outputting the audio output. Following, the media output volume control level is automatically reset to a pre-set volume level for normal media output.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a voice control interface engine operative in a first mode to receive a speech command, through a microphone, from a first distance and produce, through a loudspeaker and in response to the speech command, an audible output at a first output level. One or more processors are operable with one or more proximity sensors to detect objects proximately located with a housing of the electronic device. Where there are none, a timer can be initiated. Upon expiration of the timer, the one or more processors can then transition the voice control interface engine to a second mode operative to receive the speech command from a second distance and produce, in response to the speech command, the audible output at a second output level, where the second distance is greater than the first distance and the second output level is greater than the first output level.

Abstract: An electronic device includes one or more processors, a touch-sensitive display and an audio output operative in a first mode to produce an audible output at a first output level, and operable in a discreet mode operative to produce the audible output at a second output level that is less than a first output level. The one or more processors can present a user actuation target or a portion of a notification at a location on the touch sensitive display. The processors can then detect an object proximately located with touch-sensitive display at the location and a lifting gesture lifting the electronic device from a first elevation to a second elevation. In response, the one or more processors can cause the audio output to deliver notification details as the audible output from an audio output device.

Abstract: An electronic device (100) includes a display (102). The electronic device can also include a user interface (110) to detect gesture input. One or more control circuits (116), operable with the display and the user interface, can detect a predefined gesture input (401) and alter a timer (122) controlling a duration in which the display is in an operational mode. This allows a user (300) to make a quick gesture to extend the time the display will be active without interaction so that the user can read long documents or other items without the display turning OFF.

Abstract: A method includes identifying an event generated by a software application executed by a processor in a device. The event is not associated with a user interaction with the device. Without requesting or receiving user input from a user of the device, a microphone of the device is enabled for a predetermined time period after identifying the occurrence of the event to identify a user voice command. The user voice command is executed. A method includes generating an event alert notification on a speaker of a device. Without querying a user of the device, a microphone of the device is enabled for a predetermined time period after generating the event alert notification to identify a user voice command. The user voice command is executed.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a voice control interface engine operative in a first mode to receive a speech command, through a microphone, from a first distance and produce, through a loudspeaker and in response to the speech command, an audible output at a first output level. One or more processors are operable with one or more sensors to detect a predefined user input. The one or more processors can then transition the voice control interface engine to a second mode operative to receive the speech command from a second distance and produce, in response to the speech command, the audible output at a second output level, where the second distance is less than the first distance and the second output level less than the first output level.

Abstract: A method includes generating an alert message in a device. The device is one of a plurality of connected devices. The alert message is suppressed in the device responsive to a state of a microphone of any of the plurality of connected devices indicating an active state. A device includes a microphone, a speaker, and a processor coupled to the microphone and the speaker. The processor is to generate an alert message and suppress the alert message responsive to a state of a microphone of any of a plurality of connected devices including the device indicating an active state.

Abstract: A method includes generating a voice assist message in a device, queueing the voice assist message responsive to a state of a microphone in the device indicating an active state, and executing the queued voice assist message on the device responsive to identifying the state of the microphone in the device indicating an inactive state. A device includes a microphone, a speaker, and a processor coupled to the microphone and the speaker. The processor is to generate a voice assist message, queue the voice assist message responsive to a state of a microphone indicating an active state, and execute the queued voice assist message on the speaker responsive to identifying the state of the microphone indicating an inactive state.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a voice control interface engine operative in a first mode to receive a speech command, through a microphone, from a first distance and produce, through a loudspeaker and in response to the speech command, an audible output at a first output level. One or more processors are operable with one or more sensors to detect a predefined user input. The one or more processors can then transition the voice control interface engine to a second mode operative to receive the speech command from a second distance and produce, in response to the speech command, the audible output at a second output level, where the second distance is less than the first distance and the second output level less than the first output level.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a voice control interface engine operative in a first mode to receive a speech command, through a microphone, from a first distance and produce, through a loudspeaker and in response to the speech command, an audible output at a first output level. One or more processors are operable with one or more proximity sensors to detect objects proximately located with a housing of the electronic device. Where there are none, a timer can be initiated. Upon expiration of the timer, the one or more processors can then transition the voice control interface engine to a second mode operative to receive the speech command from a second distance and produce, in response to the speech command, the audible output at a second output level, where the second distance is greater than the first distance and the second output level is greater than the first output level.

Abstract: An electronic device (100) includes a display (102). The electronic device can also include a user interface (110) to detect gesture input. One or more control circuits (116), operable with the display and the user interface, can detect a predefined gesture input (401) and alter a timer (122) controlling a duration in which the display is in an operational mode. This allows a user (300) to make a quick gesture to extend the time the display will be active without interaction so that the user can read long documents or other items without the display turning OFF.

Abstract: A system and method of determining whether a device user is driving provide an improved ability to switch between a normal mode and a driving mode with fewer false positives and false negatives. Bluetooth connectivity and motion sensor readings are fused to make the drive mode determination and to set the timing of nay switch. In an embodiment, Bluetooth devices correlated with driving are used to modify the confidence level and the decision threshold associated with sensor input. When a node having a driving correlation higher than a particular threshold is connected to a device, a lower threshold is applied to the motion sensor input for entering drive mode and a higher threshold is applied for exiting drive mode. Similarly, when a user device is not connected to any highly correlated node, default thresholds may be used for entering and exiting the drive mode.

Abstract: A method implemented by processing and other audio components of an electronic device provides a smart audio output volume control, which correlates a volume level of an audio output to that of an audio input that triggered generation of the audio output. According to one aspect, the method includes: receiving an audio input that triggers generation of an audio output response from the user device; determining an input volume level corresponding to the received audio input; and outputting the audio output response at an output volume level correlated to the input volume level. The media output volume control level of the device is changed from a preset normal level, including from a mute setting, to the determined output level for outputting the audio output. Following, the media output volume control level is automatically reset to a pre-set volume level for normal media output.