Abstract: A user interface device includes a barrel, with a retractable active stylus positioned within the barrel. A cap portion connects to the barrel at a rotatable interface. A power source is positioned within the cap portion. A rotation-position switch connects the power source to activate the stylus when the cap portion is rotated to an “on” position.

Abstract: A user interface device includes a barrel, with a retractable active stylus positioned within the barrel. A cap portion connects to the barrel at a rotatable interface. A power source is positioned within the cap portion. A rotation-position switch connects the power source to activate the stylus when the cap portion is rotated to an “on” position.

Abstract: A method of downloading data to a mobile device, the method comprising receiving a message at the mobile device, the message including an indication that there is an attachment to the message that is available for downloading to the mobile device, determining if the attachment relates to a calendar event, determining if a user of the mobile device requires the attachment for participating in the calendar event, and automatically downloading the attachment to the mobile device in response to the mobile device determining that the attachment is required for participation in the calendar event.

Abstract: A method for a computing device to determine a route entails determining a sun position relative to the route, determining weather conditions along the route, and determining whether to provide alternate routing based on both the sun position and the weather conditions. In one implementation, time-specific and weather-specific digital photographs of points of interest along the route are downloaded for display on the device when the device is located at or near the points of interest.

Abstract: A method is provided which comprises, upon detecting a particular event, determining that a notification is to be provided for the particular event; and activating a light source acting as a camera flash to provide the notification. The method may further comprise determining if an image capture application is currently active and only having the light source emit the camera flash as the notification if the image capture application is not currently active. The method may also comprise determining an orientation of the mobile device, determining if the image capture application is active, and only having the light source emit the camera flash as the notification if the orientation is indicative of visibility of the light source and if the image capture application is not currently active. The method may also comprise determining that the camera flash is to be modulated; and having the light source modulated.

Abstract: A method of downloading data to a mobile device, the method comprising receiving a message at the mobile device, the message including an indication that there is an attachment to the message that is available for downloading to the mobile device, determining if the attachment relates to a calendar event, determining if a user of the mobile device requires the attachment for participating in the calendar event, and automatically downloading the attachment to the mobile device in response to the mobile device determining that the attachment is required for participation in the calendar event.

Abstract: A method for a computing device to determine a route entails determining a sun position relative to the route, determining weather conditions along the route, and determining whether to provide alternate routing based on both the sun position and the weather conditions. In one implementation, time-specific and weather-specific digital photographs of points of interest along the route are downloaded for display on the device when the device is located at or near the points of interest.

Abstract: An expandable writing instrument has a writing end body section and a rear body section mounted to the writing end body section for relative axial and non-rotational movement between an extended position with the rear body section spaced away from the writing end body section, and a retracted position with the rear body section closer to the writing end body section. A spring in the writing end body section biases the cartridge upwardly. A helix cylinder is mounted for rotation and axial movement in the rear body section with a peg of the rear body section sliding in a track of the helix cylinder. The track is a closed loop with left and right hand helixes so that axial movement of the rear body section causes rotation of the helix cylinder continuously in one rotational direction. A shuttle receives a cartridge body and is mounted for axial movement in the helix cylinder. A shuttle cam on the shuttle is mounted for axial non-rotational movement to the writing end body section.

Abstract: A method and system are set forth for automatically adjusting keypad luminance based on display content. In one embodiment, the method comprises calculating a lighting level based on ambient light; calculating a luminance level of an image on the display; setting a maximum lighting level to the luminance level of the image on the display; and in the event the calculated lighting level exceeds the maximum lighting level then selecting the maximum lighting level, and in the event the calculated lighting level does not exceed the maximum lighting level then selecting the calculated lighting level.

Abstract: Methods and devices for configuring a web browser based on an other party's profile are described. In one aspect, the method includes: receiving a selection of an other party's identifier within a web browser; and in response to receiving the selection of the other party's identifier: i) receiving an other party's profile associated with the other party's identifier; and ii) configuring the web browser based on the other party's profile. In another aspect, the present application describes a method implemented by a web server. The web server has stored therein an other party's profile. The method includes: receiving a selection of an other party's identifier; and in response to receiving a selection of the other party's identifier: i) retrieving an other party's profile associated with the other party's identifier; and ii) sending the other party's profile to the electronic device.

Abstract: An electrical connector and electronic device for connecting to a complementary electrical connector are provided. The electrical connector comprises a main body containing one or more electrically conducting mediums. The electrical connector also comprises an end piece rotatably connected to the main body at one end of the main body. The end piece has a connecting side for engaging the complementary electrical connector. The end piece is rotatable about an axis of rotation. The connecting side comprises one or more electrical contacts for engaging complementary electrical contacts on the complementary electrical connector. Each electrical contact of the electrical connector is electrically connected to one of the electrically conducting mediums of the main body. The connecting side also comprises a magnet disposed on the connecting side of the end piece for engaging a complementary magnet on the complementary electrical connector.

Abstract: A pressure sensitive device and operating method thereof that detects a location and magnitude of an applied pressure. The device has a base and a deformable surface that enclose a deformable material that has an electrical impedance. Impedance measurements are made at multiple points along the base and the deformable surface. A contour of the deformable surface, caused by the applied pressure, is estimated. The position of the pressure relative to the center of the device is estimated based on contour and is interpreted as a user input specifying a direction. The amount of applied pressure is also estimated based on contour and is interpreted as a user input specifying a magnitude. The user input specifying location direction and magnitude is provided to processing for any application, such as controlling a user interface.

Abstract: A method is provided which comprises, upon detecting a particular event, determining that a notification is to be provided for the particular event; and activating a light source acting as a camera flash to provide the notification. The method may further comprise determining if an image capture application is currently active and only having the light source emit the camera flash as the notification if the image capture application is not currently active. The method may also comprise determining an orientation of the mobile device, determining if the image capture application is active, and only having the light source emit the camera flash as the notification if the orientation is indicative of visibility of the light source and if the image capture application is not currently active. The method may also comprise determining that the camera flash is to be modulated; and having the light source modulated.

Abstract: A presentation including a plurality of presentation files associated with a plurality of users is managed as follows. A wireless link is established between each user wireless device in a plurality of user wireless devices. A set of presentation files is received from each user wireless device. The set of presentation files is associated with a presentation. A set of presentation related data is received from at least one of the user wireless devices. The set of presentation related data at least identifies a plurality of presenters associated with the set of presentation files. A presentation priority associated with each of the presenters is identified. One of the presenters is selected based on the presentation priority that has been identified. Control of the presentation associated with the set of presentation files is allocated to a user wireless device that is associated with the presenter that has been selected.

Abstract: An electrical connector and electronic device for connecting to a complementary electrical connector are provided. The electrical connector comprises a main body containing one or more electrically conducting mediums. The electrical connector also comprises an end piece rotatably connected to the main body at one end of the main body. The end piece has a connecting side for engaging the complementary electrical connector. The end piece is rotatable about an axis of rotation. The connecting side comprises one or more electrical contacts for engaging complementary electrical contacts on the complementary electrical connector. Each electrical contact of the electrical connector is electrically connected to one of the electrically conducting mediums of the main body. The connecting side also comprises a magnet disposed on the connecting side of the end piece for engaging a complementary magnet on the complementary electrical connector.

Abstract: A method and system are set forth for automatically adjusting keypad luminance based on display content. In one embodiment, the method comprises calculating a lighting level based on ambient light; calculating a luminance level of an image on the display; setting a maximum lighting level to the luminance level of the image on the display; and in the event the calculated lighting level exceeds the maximum lighting level then selecting the maximum lighting level, and in the event the calculated lighting level does not exceed the maximum lighting level then selecting the calculated lighting level.

Abstract: An expandable writing instrument has a writing end body section and a rear body section mounted to the writing end body section for relative axial and non-rotational movement between an extended position with the rear body section spaced away from the writing end body section, and a retracted position with the rear body section closer to the writing end body section. A spring in the writing end body section biases the cartridge upwardly. A helix cylinder is mounted for rotation and axial movement in the rear body section with a peg of the rear body section sliding in a track of the helix cylinder. The track is a closed loop with left and right hand helixes so that axial movement of the rear body section causes rotation of the helix cylinder continuously in one rotational direction. A shuttle receives a cartridge body and is mounted for axial movement in the helix cylinder. A shuttle cam on the shuttle is mounted for axial non-rotational movement to the writing end body section.

Abstract: A hand instrument with variable grip arrangement has an instrument body of the type to be held between the fingers of the hand for use, the body having an active end and an opposite end. A resilient material forms a grip around the body near the active end. Radial expansion beams are under the grip for bending radially outwardly for expanding the grip into an expanded ergonomic position and for resiliently returning to a straightened condition for contracting the grip into a contracted storage position. Cams or threads or other mechanisms engage the beams for moving them between the expanded and the contracted positions with rotation of a part of the instrument body.

Abstract: An edge card interconnection system provides enhanced electrical interconnection between a module and a circuit board. Electrical contact length is minimized and deflection of the contacts is controlled as the system is configured to eliminate the need for the contacts to absorb module thickness tolerances. A latching mechanism is easily manipulated and provides significant protection to modules being installed/extracted. A hold-down mechanism facilitates enhanced engagement of the connector with the printed circuit board. An insulative connector portion includes a back-up spring that pushes an inserted module against a set of contacts. Deflection of the contacts is controlled by a wall of the connector portion that prohibits the module from deflecting the contacts beyond a preset amount. The back-up spring absorbs any tolerance(s) in board thickness.

Abstract: A component carrier and mating system is disclosed for aligning and mating closely spaced leads of integrated circuit (IC) packages, which protects the integrated circuit packages and permits easy installation. The system is particularly adapted for aligning and mating integrated circuits which have high pin counts. A carrier assembly aligns for mating and interconnecting at least two integrated circuit packages having a plurality of leads extending from the packages. A protective shroud covers the stacked packages to maintain the packages in electrical and mechanical engagement and to assure that no damage occurs to the integrated circuit packages. In one embodiment, a first package is installed on the carrier assembly and coupled with the protective shroud to form a pre-engagement assembly, the pre-engagement assembly is then engaged with a second package mounted on a printed circuit board.