Abstract: A method and system are presented for restricting the use of a portable electronic device by a driver who is operating a vehicle. A body area network (BAN) signal is sent from a vehicle device in the vehicle in close proximity to the driver. The BAN signal is transmitted using the driver's biological body as a signal transmission path. The portable electronic device includes a receiver configured to detect the BAN signal when the device is in close proximity to the driver. The portable electronic device is further configured to disable or restrict at least one function in response to detection of the BAN signal, thereby preventing or restricting use of the portable electronic device when the driver is seated in and operating the vehicle.

Abstract: A method of controlling an electronic device that has a touch-sensitive display includes detecting a touch at an area associated with a character displayed on the touch-sensitive display, adding the character to a character string, identifying, from stored data, objects that at least partially match the character string, determining a next character of ones of the objects identified to yield a set of next characters, increasing a size of an area associated with each character of the set of next characters, and reducing the size of the area associated with each character of the set of next characters with time absent detection of a further touch.

Abstract: A method includes detecting a sheet corresponding to a plurality of characters on a touch-sensitive input device; detecting, by the touch-sensitive input device, a touch; determining a next character output; in response to determining that the touch is associated with a location on the sheet, which location is associated with the next character, providing tactile feedback to identify the next character.

Abstract: A method includes receiving an input string from a virtual keyboard, generating at least one string based on the input string, where the input string is not a substring of the generated string, responsive to a determination that the generated string was previously generated based on the input string, selecting a candidate character associated with the input string and with the generated string, and displaying the generated string at a location on the virtual keyboard that is associated with the selected candidate character.

Abstract: A method and electronic devices to allow a common user interface mode on a first electronic device and a second electronic device are described. In one aspect, the method comprises: receiving first orientation data from an orientation sensor associated with the first electronic device; receiving, at the first electronic device, second orientation data from the second electronic device; determining, from the first orientation data and the second orientation data, if the orientation of the first electronic device and the second electronic device satisfy at least one predetermined orientation criterion; and if the orientation of the first electronic device and the second electronic device satisfy the at least one predetermined orientation criterion, allowing the first electronic device and the second electronic device to enter a common user interface mode.

Abstract: A method for providing a reminder from within an instant messaging application executing on a computing device, the method comprising receiving textual input from within the instant messaging application. In response to receiving the textual input, a reminder-triggering condition is determined based on a predetermined symbol within the textual input. An instant message is sent that includes the reminder-triggering condition for the reminder.

Abstract: A method and electronic devices to provide a common user interface mode on a first electronic device and a second electronic device are described. The first electronic device and the second electronic device each comprise a camera. In one aspect, the method comprises: capturing a first image on the first electronic device; receiving a second image which was captured on the second electronic device at approximately the same time that the first image was captured; determining a relative orientation of the first electronic device and the second electronic device based on the first image and the second image; and entering a common user interface mode in which a display associated with the first electronic device and a display associated with the second electronic device operate cooperatively and in which the orientation of a common user interface displayed on the displays is determined in accordance with the determined relative orientation.

Abstract: A charger for charging a battery of an electronic device is provided. The electronic device has a charging clip that clips to a structure of the charger. The structure has a plurality of conductive strips disposed thereon. The number of conductive strips contacted by a charging contact on the charging clip determines the amount of current provided to the electronic device for charging.

Abstract: A wireless communications system includes a wireless communications network and a plurality of wireless communications devices. The wireless communications devices are each configured to communicate via the wireless communications network. At least one of the plurality of wireless communications devices has a portable housing, a wireless transceiver carried by the portable housing, and a wireless-based, availability detector carried by the portable housing. A processor is carried by the portable housing and is configured to determine a first availability status based upon the NFC device at a first time. The processor is further configured to activate the wireless-based, availability detector based upon the NFC device to thereby determine a second availability status based upon the wireless-based, availability detector at a second time after the first time.

Abstract: A method and system for remotely wiping a mobile device, the method receiving, at a telephonic server hosting a telephonic menu, a selection to wipe data and connections from the mobile device; and forwarding a wipe data request to a network server to send a wipe command.

Abstract: A gesture based headphone for controlling a media player device and method for using thereof. The headphone comprises a cord with a gesture sensitive region in the cord, and an interface for connecting to the media player device. A user gesture interacts with the gesture sensitive region and generates a control input for controlling the media player device, wherein the user gesture includes at least one gesture generating a control input.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a selection of a character from a keyboard of a portable electronic device, adding the character to a character string, identifying candidate objects in reference data that include characters that match the character string, and displaying a plurality of the candidate objects on a display. When a gesture is detected on the keyboard, an object of the plurality of candidate objects, that is associated with the gesture, is identified, and the object is selected.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to obtain transaction confirmation are described. One example method includes emulating a payment method using a close-proximity communication device of a mobile device, establishing a close-proximity communication link using the close-proximity communication device of the mobile device, transferring payment information from the mobile device using the close-proximity communication device, switching the close-proximity communication device of the mobile device to an information receiving communication mode, and receiving a transaction confirmation at the close-proximity communication device of the mobile device. Other implementations are possible.

Abstract: In one example, information is presented to a user in a non-visual manner. In this example, a list of visually representable items defined by a beginning and at least one of dimension of time and space is accessed. Each of the visually representable items within the dimension is placed in one of a plurality of non-visual sensory categories. A non-visual sensory preview is rendered, in sequence for each item in the list, from the plurality of non-visual sensory categories.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a touch-sensitive display that includes a display and a sensor that detects a reflected optical signal passing through the display, which optical signal is indicative of input to the electronic device. The electronic device optionally includes an emitter that sources the optical signal.

Abstract: A mobile communication device is provided which includes at least one hinge mechanism pivotably coupled to a top member and to a base member such that the top member can be moved between an opened and a closed position. In the closed position, display and/or interface elements may be inside the device and adjacent to the base member, thereby being inaccessible and protected. In the opened position, the display and/or interface elements may be accessible. A biasing mechanism may drive a portion of the movement between the opened and closed positions. The top member and the base member may be biased or restricted such that there is substantially no separation between the top member and the base member during movement between the opened and closed positions.

Abstract: A system and method for activating a location feature for a misplaced mobile device. The method can include receiving an audio command and comparing the received audio command to one or more stored audio commands. In the event the received audio command matches a stored audio command, the method further activates a location feature. The location feature can include activating a ringer, activating a ring tone, causing vibrations, and flashing one or more light or any combination thereof. The ring tone can be a location ring tone. The location feature can be deactivated in response to a preset duration lapsing or receiving a termination command.

Abstract: A communication system may include a transaction terminal configured to perform a transaction based upon receiving account information, a first NFC device(s), and a mobile wireless communication device. The mobile device may include a second NFC device configured to communicate with the first NFC device(s) upon being swiped therewith, a memory configured to store account information associated with different accounts and store respective account swipe patterns for the different accounts, where each account swipe pattern comprising at least one of a set time or a set number of swipes, and a controller. The controller may be configured to detect a swipe pattern, determine whether the detected swipe pattern corresponds to one of the plurality of stored account swipe patterns, determine a respective account based upon the determined corresponding stored account swipe pattern, and communicate the associated account information for the determined respective account to the transaction terminal.

Abstract: A communications system includes an electronic device a first wireless personal area network (WPAN) device, and a first processor coupled to the first WPAN device. The communications system also includes a personal information token with a second processor and a second WPAN device coupled thereto. The second processor is configured to store at least one subscription key, and wirelessly transmit the at least one subscription key to the electronic device based upon proximity therewith, via the second WPAN device. The first processor, via the cellular device, then subscribes the electronic device to the cellular network based upon the subscription key.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to obtain transaction information are described. One example method includes conducting a transaction using a proximity-based communication link, storing information related to the transaction in a database of a mobile device, identifying a service based on the information, querying the service from the mobile device, wherein the query is based on the information, and obtaining detail of the transaction from the service based on the information. Other implementations are possible.