Abstract: A method (90) and system (30) of presenting and positioning information on a user interface (56) includes a wearable display device, sensors (32) for detecting a context of use of the wearable display device using at least a vision sensor and a motion sensor, and a processor (42 or 50) coupled to the sensors and the wearable display device. The processor can analyze (93) a user's background view for areas suited for display of information in an analysis, and unobtrusively present (94) information within the user's field of view on the wearable display based on the context of use and the analysis. The processor can also determine (95) the type of information to unobtrusively present based on the context. The processor can optionally detect (92) the context of use by analyzing or recognizing a tool or an instrument used by a user of the wearable display.

Abstract: A system (100), mobile device (102), and method (300) for network handoff of a mobile device in a multi-mode system is provided. The mobile device can include a first transceiver (210) and a second transceiver (220) for providing multi-mode communication. The method can include identifying (310) a first network load on a first network, identifying (320) a second network load on a second network, and switching (330) over from the first network to the second network if the first network load is greater than the second network load to balance a network load. The first network and the second network do not operate using the same modulation protocol.

Abstract: A system (100) and method (200) for information broadcasting is provided. The method can include collecting (202) information for distribution to a plurality of mobile devices, adding (204) context sensitive flags to the information to produce context information, broadcasting (206) the context information to an infrastructure having communication with the plurality of mobile devices, and filtering (208) the context information based on the context sensitive flags to produce context sensitive information. A context sensitive flag (410) can identify a geographic or semantic location to deliver the context sensitive information.

Abstract: A method (200) for communicating messages (170, 175). A priority level can be associated with a message, and a time in which to communicate the message can be automatically selected based on the associated priority level and a communication rate plan (165). The message can be automatically communicated at the selected time. A subscriber communication rate plan can be queried to determine when there is a discounted communication rate or when free communications are available. The message can be communicated immediately if the priority that is associated with the message is high. The present invention also relates to a method (500) for processing calls. An inbound call (405) can be received and a priority level can be associated with the call. The call can be automatically sent to voice mail if the priority level is low or a call session can be established if the priority level is high.

Abstract: A method (40) and system (10, 20 or 30) of message handling can include tagging a message with an expiration period that is designated for delivery to a recipient (108) via a server (106), deleting (58) the message from the server after the expiration period if no third party recipient is designated or if the message is a lower priority message, and delivering (52) the message after the expiration period to a third party if a third party recipient (110) is designated. The method can further include sending (46) a notification to a sender that the expiration period has been reached if the message has not been sent and optionally offering an option to the sender to either delete the message from the server or to resend it with a new or no expiration period. Note, the message can be a text message, voice mail or calendar event message.

Abstract: A user interface (720) that presents a plurality of screens and a communication device (700) that includes such a user interface. The plurality of screens can include a first screen (102) that indicates a first communication link is established between the communication device and a first contact, and a second screen (114) that indicates at least a second contact with which the communication device is to establish a second communication link. A third screen (140) also can be provided. The third screen can indicate that the first communication link is established and the second communication link is established, and present at least one selectable item (144) correlating to the first communication link and at least one selectable item (146) correlating to the second communication link.

Abstract: A method (300) of remotely controlling a wireless mobile device (105) can include the step of establishing (340) a communication channel between the wireless mobile device and a remotely located controlling device (120). At least one operation can be performed (355) using an interface (115) of the controlling device. Packetized data based upon the at least one operation can be conveyed across the communication channel. An indicator (111) can be presented (360) upon the wireless mobile device to indicate the device is being remotely controlled. A programmatic action can be performed upon the wireless mobile device responsive to the receipt to the packetized data.

Abstract: A bandwidth efficient digital voice communication system (10) can include a speech-to-text converter (22) for converting a voice signal to a text representation, a speech parameter extractor (28) for extracting user identifiable parameters from a voice signal, and a text-to-speech converter (44) for converting the text representation and the user identifiable parameters from the voice signal in real time. The user identifiable parameters can be among pitch rate, gain, fundamental frequency, and formats. The speech-to-text converter can further include a text to phoneme segmentation module (24) providing flags to indicate a plurality of phoneme boundaries, an automatic phonetic segmentation module (26) coupled to the text to phoneme segmentation module and the speech parameter extractor, and a voice parameter manager (29) for receiving the text representation, the flags indicative of the plurality of phoneme boundaries, and the user identifiable parameters from the voice signal.

Abstract: A system (100) and method (600) is provided for auctioning an item using a mobile device (102). A mobile device can include a camera (202) for capturing an image of an item of interest, a processor (204) for entering the image into a database (140), an image recognition unit (206) for comparing the image to other images within the database, and a display (208) for presenting a list of comparable items available for auctioning. The mobile device can include a positioning system (210) for determining a location of the mobile device and identifying an entity having an item available for purchase or sale within a predetermined distance of the mobile device.

Abstract: A system (30) or method (100) of updating a calling party's phonebook (32) can include tracking (102) location information of at least a party that is an entry in the calling party's phonebook, storing (104) the location information at a server (15), and checking (106) the server for an updated contact number for a called party before completing a call setup to a the called party. The method can further include completing (108) the call to the updated contact number. The method can further include updating (110) the calling party's phonebook at a mobile device (13) or at fixed network equipment (15 or 16) by using the information from the server. The method can further include detecting (112) a context of a called party and routing calls to the called party based on a called party preference.

Abstract: A method (100) and system (20) for multiparty communication using at least one dual mode communication device includes a dual mode radio (11) having at least a first modem (12) for operation on a first network and a second modem (13) for operation on a second network and a processor (55) coupled to the radio. The dual mode radio can be programmed to establish (102) an interconnect call on a first network between the dual mode radio and a second communication device, receive (104) a request for a private call on a second network from a third communication device, and mix and route (106) audio from the private call and the interconnect call at the dual mode radio when a multiparty call mode is selectively chosen. The dual mode radio can be a first modem operating on a CDMA network and a second modem operating on an iDEN network.

Abstract: A method (10) of selectively protecting contact information can include sending (11) contact information from a calling party to a called party, selectively hiding (12) portions of the contact information from the called party, and enabling (14) the called party to contact the calling party. The method can further restrict (16) the called party from contacting the called party in a predetermined context such as in relation to time and/or location. The method can further optionally disable (18) the ability for the called party to edit the contact information or the ability for the called party to forward the contact information to a third party. The method can optionally enable (20) the called party to contact the calling party a predetermined number of times or enable to share (22) portions of the contact information with a predetermined group.

Abstract: A voice communication system and method for improved bandwidth and enhanced concatenative speech synthesis includes a transmitter (10) having a voice recognition engine (12) that receives speech and provides text, a voice segmentation module (24) that segments the speech into a plurality of speech units or snippets, a database (18) for storing the snippets, a voice parameter extractor (28) for extracting among rate or gain, and a data formatter (20) that converts text to snippets and compresses snippets. The data formatter can merge snippets and text into a data stream.

Abstract: An interaction data manager system (20) and method (400) can include an interaction data manager (17) capable of interacting with a plurality of applications (32) and one or more databases (18) and a processor (36). The processor can be programmed in accordance with the interaction data manager to link information from the plurality of applications, search the one or more databases for relevant data associated with application data currently being used, determine a relevance between the relevant data and the application data, and present the relevant data based on a relevancy of the relevant data. The system can be a portable communication product and the plurality of applications can one or more mobile phone applications among a call application, a messaging application, a phone book application, a date book application, an audio presentation application, a video presentation application, or an audio-visual presentation application.

Abstract: A bandwidth efficient digital voice communication system (10) can include a speech-to-text converter (22) for converting a voice signal to a text representation, a speech parameter extractor (28) for extracting user identifiable parameters from a voice signal, and a text-to-speech converter (44) for converting the text representation and the user identifiable parameters from the voice signal in real time. The user identifiable parameters can be among pitch rate, gain, fundamental frequency, and formants. The speech-to-text converter can further include a text to phoneme segmentation module (24) providing flags to indicate a plurality of phoneme boundaries, an automatic phonetic segmentation module (26) coupled to the text to phoneme segmentation module and the speech parameter extractor, and a voice parameter manager (29) for receiving the text representation, the flags indicative of the plurality of phoneme boundaries, and the user identifiable parameters from the voice signal.

Abstract: A portable display device (10) includes an LCD display module (12) that includes an embedded still image buffer (16), and external processing circuitry (24) and associated processor memory (22), wherein the processor memory (22) receives decoded motion video (30) as pixel data from a video decoder (216), while the data from the embedded still image memory is displayed on an LCD display (14). When a completely decoded frame of video is stored in the memory, the processing circuitry (24) turns an external pixel transfer clock signal (19) on and transfers the decoded frame (21) from the memory (22) to the embedded image buffer (16) in the LCD display module (12). When the transfer of the decoded frame (21) is complete, an end of frame indication signal (236) is generated and the processing circuitry (24) turns off the external pixel transfer clock signal (19) to the LCD display module (12).

Abstract: A multifunction push-to-activate system (40) can include a push to activate (PTx) button (22) on a communication transceiver (20) for activating one among a plurality of communication functions and an indicator (24) for providing an indication among when a particular function is ready to be activated and which among the plurality of communication functions will be activated upon user activation of the PTx button. The plurality of functions can include push-to-talk, push-to-listen, push-to-view, push-to-send, or push-to-link to a network site functions. The indicator can include a display capable of displaying text or other information or alternatively includes a color indicator operating cooperatively with a main display (36) coupled to the communication transceiver. The system can also grant the communication function activated by the user activation of the PTx button greater priority over other communication functions.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method (400) and system (100) for providing an adaptive disablement zone (126). The method can include the steps of establishing (412) at least one disablement zone, selectively disabling (420) any number of wireless communications devices (114) in the disablement zone, designating (424) at least one exempt zone (128) and when at least a portion of the exempt zone is located within the disablement zone, selectively exempting (430) the selective disabling of the wireless communications devices that are within the exempt zone. The method can further include the step of maintaining (414) the disablement zone in a fixed position or moving (414) the disablement zone. The method can also include the step of maintaining (426) the exempt zone in a fixed position or moving (426) the exempt zone.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method (300) and system (100) for identifying and receiving data from an accessory (110). In one arrangement, the method can include the steps of generating (312) at least one signal having at least one predefined frequency in which the predefined frequency corresponds to an identity of the accessory, receiving (314) the generated signals at a portable electronic device (112) and at the portable electronic device, identifying (320) the accessory based on the predefined frequency of the received signal. In another arrangement, the predefined frequencies correspond to a function performed by the accessory, and the method can further include executing (322) a corresponding function in the portable electronic device based on the predefined frequency that corresponds to the function performed by the accessory.

Abstract: A system (30) and method (60, 70, and 90) of collectively setting preferences among a plurality of electronic devices (devices #1, #2, and #3) includes collecting user preference data independently by at least two among the plurality of electronic devices, exchanging (67, 76, 84, 97) the user preference data among the electronic devices when at least two among the electronic devices are within a predetermined proximity, forming a group user profile from the user data exchanged, and arbitrating (102-126) the parameters and settings in at least one among the electronic devices in accordance with the group user profile. Arbitrating can include averaging (116) the parameters and settings, maintaining (126) an existing parameter and setting, matching (120 or 124) parameters and settings to parameters and settings of certain ones of the plurality of electronic devices, or adjusting (106) parameters and settings based on parameters and settings stored on a shared database.