Abstract: To enhance interaction and use with electronic devices, the present disclosure describes several improved systems and methods of taking responsive action to a detected human mental state. A training signal containing biosignal data corresponding to a mental state of the user while the user concentrates on a perceptual cue may be established. In some embodiments, user input or other information may be stored in association with the training signal. Biosignal data from the user may be monitored at an appropriate time and, if a match between the monitored biosignal data and the training signal is determined, a predetermined response is taken by an electronic device.

Abstract: To enhance interaction and use with electronic devices, the present disclosure describes several improved systems and methods of taking responsive action to a detected human mental state. A training signal containing biosignal data corresponding to a mental state of the user while the user concentrates on a perceptual cue may be established. In some embodiments, user input or other information may be stored in association with the training signal. Biosignal data from the user may be monitored at an appropriate time and, if a match between the monitored biosignal data and the training signal is determined, a predetermined response is taken by an electronic device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for aiding shoppers. A shopper enters a product search query into a hand-held device and, via Near-Field Communication (NFC) technology, transfers the query to a terminal at a shopping establishment. The terminal forwards the search query to a search engine over a network and the search engine, after consulting a database, returns results meeting the criteria of the search query to the terminal for presentation on a display at the terminal. The shopper is then offered the option of transferring the results data, via NFC devices located in the hand-held device and the terminal, from the terminal to a memory in the hand-held device.

Abstract: A system and method for exchanging location assistance information between electronic devices using a near field communication (NFC) interface. Positioning satellite signals are received from one or more position satellites. Location assistance information is generated based at least in part on the received positioning satellite signals and/or navigation information. The location assistance information is transferred through a near field communication interface from the first electronic device to another electronic device, wherein the location assistance information includes one or more contemporaneous positioning satellite signals received by the first electronic device.

Abstract: A femtocell base station is configured to transmit site-specific services data to in-range wireless devices, using a common broadcast channel. The site-specific services data identifies available services including, but not limited to, alternate radio signals available in the vicinity, such as FM radio signals, wireless local-area network (WLAN) signals, and the like; location-related services, including the availability of location beacon signals and/or location assistance data for use in position determination using assisted-GPS technology; and physical resources available to the device user, such as printers, copy machines, vending services, and the like. An exemplary mobile station is configured to extract site-specific services data from the femtocell base station signal, and to access a second radio signal using the site-specific services data.

Abstract: Methods of operating a satellite navigation system (SNS) receiver in a portable electronic device according to some embodiments include determining the presence or absence of a low frequency signal associated with power distribution lines, and disabling the SNS receiver in response to detecting the low frequency signal associated with power distribution lines. The methods may further include detecting weakening of a satellite navigation signal, and determining the presence or absence of a low frequency signal associated with power distribution lines may be performed in response to a detected weakening of the satellite navigation signal. Related devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: A wireless terminal includes a multi-mode radio circuit having a plurality of different transceivers for communicating over a plurality of different wireless standards, wherein a first transceiver of the plurality of transceivers requires less power than other transceivers of the plurality of transceivers. The terminal also includes a processor and memory, and logic stored in memory and executable by the processor. The logic includes logic that selects a transceiver of the plurality of transceivers based on characteristics of a communication request, and logic that uses the first transceiver to communicate the selected transceiver to a receiving device.

Abstract: A system is provided for etching patterned media disks for hard drive. The modular system may be tailored to perform specific processes sequences so that a patterned media disk is fabricated without removing the disk from vacuum environment. In some sequence the magnetic stack is etched while in other the etch is performed prior to forming the magnetic stack. In a further sequence ion implantation is used without etching steps. For etching a movable non-contact electrode is utilized to perform sputter etch. The cathode moves to near contact distance to, but not contacting, the substrate so as to couple RF energy to the disk. The substrate is held vertically in a carrier and both sides are etched serially. That is, one side is etched in one chamber and then in the next chamber the second side is etched.

Abstract: To improve the consumer experience with electronic devices, a system and method is provided for customizing media content, and particularly video content, by creating highlight portions of the video content. In exemplary embodiments, the video files are “marked” or “flagged” about the portions of the video content to segment the highlight portions within the media file. The marks or flags may be inputted and incorporated as part of the metadata associated with the video file. A user's electronic device may then extract the marks or flags from the metadata, which causes a media player on the portable electronic device to play only the marked highlight portions. In addition, a user may share the highlights with others by transmitting the marked video files to others' electronic devices. Alternatively, the highlight creator may transmit only the metadata to another's electronic device, and the metadata marks may be extracted and applied to a video file stored on the other's device or streamed thereto.

Abstract: Methods and systems for producing digital souvenirs are disclosed. In an exemplary method, an order message is received from a requesting device via a short-range wireless link, such as a near-field communications (NFC) link. A first digital object included in the order message is combined with a stored digital object to obtain a customer object; in one or more embodiments the first digital object, stored digital object, and customer object each comprise a digital image. The resulting customer object is stored, and resource locator information is sent to the requesting device. The resource locator information comprises a network address for use in retrieving the stored customer object.

Abstract: A device that includes a broadcast receiver and a local wireless interface where the broadcast receiver is capable of receiving broadcast data, and the local wireless interface is capable of communicating with at least one wireless device and transmitting at least some of the broadcast data to the at least one wireless device. The broadcast receiver may be an audio receiver, a video signal receiver, or a satellite receiver. The local wireless interface may be a Bluetooth interface, an IEEE 802.11 (WiFi) interface, an IrDA interface, or a home radio frequency (HomeRF) interface.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to select Tornado forward error correction parameters for delivery systems are disclosed. A disclosed example system includes a transmitter station comprising a processor to select a Tornado error correction parameter based on an error correction configuration for a file and to indicate to a receiver the selected Tornado error correction parameter, and a Tornado error correction circuit to encode the file based on the selected Tornado error correction parameter.

Abstract: A method for creating and displaying custom user pages for participants in a two-way communication is described. A content profile for a second party in a two-way communication is selected or retrieved responsive to a triggering event. The content profile includes one or more content identifiers that identify content of interest to or otherwise relevant to the second party. Media content corresponding to said content identifiers in said content profile is downloaded from one or more remote content servers. The downloaded media content is used to create a custom user page for the second party to be displayed on a mobile terminal of a the first party.

Abstract: Lubricant coatings are applied as vapor to magnetic disks. The method and apparatus include applying vaporizing heat to a pre-determined amount of liquid to form a vapor. Precision delivery of lubricant vapor allows close-loop lube thickness control. The flow of the liquid to the heater is controlled such that only a pre-determined amount from the reservoir flows to the heater at a time, the pre-determined amount is vaporized. According to an aspect, the pre-determined amount of liquid is transferred from the reservoir for the application of vaporizing heat; isolating the reservoir from the vacuum of the vacuum chamber. The method enables multiple types of lubricants to be applied to the disk. Another heater is included for applying vaporizing heat to a second liquid to form a second vapor to supply to the disk. According to an aspect, pulsed lubricant vapor delivery is provided, conserving lubricant and minimizing thermal decomposition.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for distributing multimedia files to wireless-equipped subscriber units are disclosed. In an exemplary method, a multimedia title is associated with a subscriber unit and a multimedia file corresponding to that multimedia title is downloaded to a roving file server using a broadband communications link. After the roving file server detects that it is within range of a wireless transceiver associated with the subscriber unit, the multimedia file is transferred to the subscriber unit using the detected wireless transceiver.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to select Tornado forward error correction parameters for delivery systems are disclosed. A disclosed example system includes a transmitter station comprising a processor to select a Tornado error correction parameter based on an error correction configuration for a file and to indicate to a receiver the selected Tornado error correction parameter, and a Tornado error correction circuit to encode the file based on the selected Tornado error correction parameter.

Abstract: A portable electronic device includes call circuitry operable to establish a communication link over a plurality of different communication networks, and a logic circuit operatively coupled to said call circuitry. The logic circuit operative to automatically select a communication network of the plurality of different communication networks prior to establishing the communication link, said selection based on a predefined user preference.

Abstract: A method of interactive broadcasting may include broadcasting audiovisual content for receipt by mobile electronic devices that are present within a communication range of a wireless access point. An information submission mechanism may be made available to the mobile electronic devices over the wireless access point. Users of the mobile electronic devices may submit information using the information submission mechanism to a server. The submitted information may be responsive to a request for user input related to the audiovisual content.

Abstract: An electronic device performs a transaction by providing purchaser information for communication to a certification facility, receiving identification information associated with the purchaser from the certification facility, and completing the transaction responsive to authentication of the user of the electronic device as being the purchaser based on the received identification information.

Abstract: A method of distributing programs enables distribution of programs on demand to end devices in a communication network to enable communication between first and second end devices. A data object server stores programs that are needed for communication between first and second end devices. The programs are associated by the data object server with a device class. The first and second end devices can send data object requests to the data object server to request an program associated with a particular device class. In response to the data object request, the data object server sends a control program associated with the specified device to one of the first and second end devices.