Abstract: A system (30) and method (60, 70, 80, and 90) of using a mobile device as an information relay among multiple user environments can include the steps of capturing (76 and 78) a set of application settings and data (or relay data) from a first electronic device during an active session of an application in a first user environment using the mobile device and transferring (87) the set of application settings and data (or relay data) from the mobile device to a second electronic device for continuity of the active session in a second user environment.

Abstract: A framework (10) and method (60 and 70) of collectively setting preferences among at least two electronic devices (52 and 54) can include the step of collecting user preference data independently by the at least two electronic devices, exchanging (65 and 75) the user preference data among the at least two electronic devices when such devices are within a predetermined proximity (63 and 73), forming a user profile (82) from the user data exchanged, and setting parameters (47) in at least one among the electronic devices in accordance with the user profile. The method can further include the steps of authenticating the at least two electronic devices before the step of exchanging the user preference data and registering users. The method can also further include the step of interchanging capabilities and settings among the at least two devices.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method (200) and control system (100) for alerting a user of a mobile communication device (110). The method includes the steps of receiving (216) a communication request at the mobile communication device in a vehicle (114), detecting (224) whether a predetermined vehicle condition is present in response to the receipt of the communication request, assigning (226) a predetermined alert mode based on the presence of a predetermined vehicle condition and alerting (234) a user of the mobile communication device of the communication request in accordance with the assigned predetermined alert mode.

Abstract: A method (100) to enhance user interface and target applications based on context awareness can include tracking (102) the number of times an event occurs during a given time, tracking (104) the time between user initiated events, generating (112) a pattern from the tracking steps, associating (113) the pattern with a user profile, and configuring (116) the user interface and the operation of an application based on the user profile. The tracking steps can track usage of the user interface at different times, dates, locations or in different environments or contexts as detected by changes in time of day, date, location, environmental input, user habit, or user application. The pattern can optionally be generated (114) dynamically corresponding with changes in the user profile. In this regard, the method can dynamically adapt (118) configurable options based on a detected change in context.

Abstract: A power saving method (10) in a wireless device having a short range communication link with a host device can include the steps of establishing the short range communication link with the host device (14), establishing at least one function of the wireless device in the host device (16), and transferring (38) the at least one function of the wireless device to the host device upon a predetermined event if a power saving opportunity is determined. If no power saving opportunity is determined, then processing (26) of the at least one function can be retained at the wireless device. The method can further include the step of sending (32) a request by the wireless device to the host device for handling the predetermined event and transferring the at least one function if the request is accepted.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method (300) and system (100) for affecting gaming conditions based on operating conditions of a power source (126). The method includes the steps of—in a first gaming unit (110) that receives power from the power source—providing (312) a gaming environment and monitoring (314) at least one operating condition of the power source. When at least one of the operating conditions reaches a predetermined threshold, the method further includes the step of altering (320) at least one gaming condition in the gaming environment to indicate to a user that the operating condition has reached the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method (500) of arranging configurable options such as hot/soft keys in a menu can include tracking (502) a sequence of events initiated by a user on a device having a user interface and an application, tracking (504) the number of times an event occurs during a given time, and tracking (506) the time between user initiated events. The method can further include generating (509) a pattern from the tracking steps, associating (510) the pattern with a user profile, and optimizing (512) an arrangement of hot/soft keys in the menu based on the user profile. The method can optionally track (508) user habits and dynamically arrange (513) the hot/soft keys based on the dynamic user profile. Furthermore, performance enhancements for use of the user interface and applications based on the dynamic user profile can be dynamically identified (514).

Abstract: A radio communication system includes provider equipment and at least two subscriber radio units, each operable in a telephone communication mode and a dispatch communication mode. The provider equipment is operable to receive a communication request from a subscriber radio unit, the request including a requested communication mode and a mode-specific identifier identifying a target subscriber radio unit. The provider equipment compares the mode-specific identifier to the requested communication mode.

Abstract: An electronic device (100, 200) contains a first joystick mechanism (114) and a second joystick mechanism (112), each joystick mechanism (112, 114) extending outside of substantially opposed outer surfaces (403, 414) of the electronic device's casing. When a directional mechanical force is applied to one joystick mechanism (112, 114), at least one of a plurality of switches (410) may be engaged. The joystick mechanisms (112, 114) are electrically coupled, and each mechanism will provide the same functionality. The joystick mechanisms (112, 114) may be further mechanically coupled, whereby applying a directional mechanical force on one joystick mechanism will move the other joystick mechanism in the opposite direction. Additionally, the joystick mechanisms (112, 114 or 1002, 1004) may contain a sensor (416) capacitvely coupled to a conductive end cap (404, 405) to detect from which side of the electronic device (100, 200) a joystick mechanism is being moved.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method (200) and control system (100) for alerting a user of a mobile communication device (110). The method includes the steps of receiving (216) a communication request at the mobile communication device in a vehicle (114), detecting (224) whether a predetermined vehicle condition is present in response to the receipt of the communication request, assigning (226) a predetermined alert mode based on the presence of a predetermined vehicle condition and alerting (234) a user of the mobile communication device of the communication request in accordance with the assigned predetermined alert mode.

Abstract: A method (300) of advising a user using a user interface can include tracking (302) of a number of times an event occurs during a given time, tracking (304) the time between user initiated events, generating (306) a pattern from the tracking steps, generating (308) a profile that can change dynamically as the pattern changes, detecting (310) a need for advice from the pattern, and presenting (314) advice to the user in response to the need. The method can further associate (307) the pattern with a user profile and detect from the user profile a more efficient pattern. Note, the step of detecting can be done by detecting any number of scenarios including a hesitation in menu navigation, an unsuccessful search pattern, or a varying speed traversal through different menu portions. The detecting step can also include detecting a lack of usage of a given application.

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 method (50) of arbitrating the selection of engines between a local engine (24 or 124) and a network-based engine (36 or 136) in a mobile communication network for voice recognition or text conversion can include the step of determining at least one factor among an available bandwidth on a given channel (90), a signal quality on the given channel (94), a latency indication (58), a desired application need (62, 66, or 70), a cost factor (92), a background environment indication (84), and a number of unsuccessful attempts on the given channel and the step of automatically selecting (74) one among the local engine and the network-based engine based upon the at least one factor determined when performing at least one among voice recognition and text conversion.

Abstract: A method of operating a wireless communication system (101) including initiating (S402) a call from a first communications unit (120) to a second communications unit (130), embedding (S404) a push-to-listen control protocol configuration in a data packet (140) responsive to the call initiation, transmitting (S406) the data packet (140) from the first communications unit (120) to the second communications unit (130), configuring (S412) the second communications unit (130) based on the push-to-listen control protocol configuration and transmitting (S418) an automatic reconnect from the second communications unit (130) to the first communications unit (120) responsive to configuration of the second communications unit (130).

Abstract: An electronic device such as a radio communication device (900) includes a modality manager (112) which can select input and/or output modalities (102-110) based on available bandwidth and associated cost savings to the end user. The modality manager (112) adaptively selects the modality and also can keep track of changes in operating conditions and make changes to the current modality based on the changing conditions. By having a modality manager (112) the end user is not burdened with making determinations as to which one or more modalities (102-110) are best used in a given situation.

Abstract: A method of operating a wireless communication system (101) including initiating (S402) a call from a first communications unit (120) to a second communications unit (130), embedding (S404) a push-to-listen control protocol configuration in a data packet (140) responsive to the call initiation, transmitting (S406) the data packet (140) from the first communications unit (120) to the second communications unit (130), configuring (S412) the second communications unit (130) based on the push-to-listen control protocol configuration and transmitting (S418) an automatic reconnect from the second communications unit (130) to the first communications unit (120) responsive to configuration of the second communications unit (130).

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) so that decoding of the next frame of encoded motion video (28) can be placed in the external processor memory (22).