Abstract: A touch activated control useful for incorporation into, e.g., a DON/DOFF sensor of a communications headset or a touch pad for a cell phone, includes a weakly conductive electrode and a sensor coupled to the electrode and operative to detect a change in parasitic capacitance caused by a change in the proximity of a body to the electrode. The electrode may include a covering made of a weakly conductive material. The weakly conductive property of the electrode enables the prevention of undesirable electrostatic discharge (ESD), user skin irritation and electrode corrosion caused by direct contact between the electrode and the user's skin and also exhibit's a substantially higher sensitivity than electrodes covered with an insulative material.

Abstract: A voice activity detection apparatus having a capacitive sensor and a voice activity detector sensor. The voice activity detector sensor detects vibration of human tissue associated with user speech. Utilization of the voice activity detector sensor output is tied to the output of the capacitive sensor, where the capacitive sensor detects whether it is in contact with user skin.

Abstract: A user authentication system and method are disclosed. The user authentication system includes an authentication device which can be donned and doffed by the user, a sensor to determine whether the authentication device is donned or doffed by the user, and an authentication server to receive information from the sensor and to authenticate the user based on whether the authentication device is donned by the user.

Abstract: An electronic device includes one or more touch sensors. Upon detection that a user's finger or hand is brought within close proximity to a touch sensor, the electronic devices provides a user feedback to the user. The user feedback may be specifically associated with a touch sensor, thereby allowing the user to distinguish between different touch sensors prior to contacting them.

Abstract: A method for real time digital instant messaging includes monitoring a condition of a wireless headset, estimating a potential for the user to receive and immediately respond to a real time digital message, such as an instant communications or a VoIP message, and then selectively directing a real time digital message, when received, to the user via the headset when the estimated potential indicates that the user is reasonably likely to immediately respond to the real time digital message. A sensor in the headset may be used to determine if a recent action of the user was don the headset by putting it on, doff the headset by taking it off, dock the headset by placing it in a charging station, move while wearing the headset, leave the headset on a desktop or other surface or carry the headset.

Abstract: Wireless systems having a plurality of physically and electrically-separated data sinks. An exemplary wireless system includes first and second data sinks having no physical or electrical connection therebetween. The first and second data sinks each include a wireless communication device, e.g., a radio frequency (RF) receiver or transceiver configured to receive data signals over one or more single-access wireless links or over a multi-access wireless link. The first and second data sinks in exemplary embodiments may comprise audio data sinks, e.g., stereo speakers, left-ear and right-ear earphones (e.g., earbuds or canalphones), left-ear and right-ear circum-aural over-the-ear headphones, etc. At least one of the first and second data sinks may also be coupled to a wireless transmitter and accompanying data source (e.g., a microphone or sensor), so as to provide, for example, two-way communications between a user and an external data device (e.g., a cellular telephone).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for synchronizing a clock by means of a wireless communication link is herein disclosed. At least one system client accesses at least one time reference server via a wireless communications link. The time reference server comprises, at a minimum, a clock reference, a processor and a wireless communication adapter. Each client comprises, at a minimum, a settable clock, a processor and a wireless communication adapter. In one embodiment of the invention, the time reference is sent from the time server to a client in response to a request from the client. In another embodiment, the time reference is sent from the time server to a client at predetermined times, without the need for a request from the client. Thus, in such an embodiment, the time server is able to locate clients automatically over the wireless communications link.

Abstract: A repeater system for wireless communications applications is, in one aspect, programmable and controllable in a manner that enables multi-user, multiband, and multi-protocol operation. The repeater system includes a repeater coupled to an inside antenna system and to an outside antenna system, either or both of which may be adaptive. Inside cellular phones are coupled via links (that may be cellular or non-cellular) to the repeater and to a control unit, which is itself connected by a link to the repeater. The repeater includes a repeater core coupled to a control component. The core is constructed from a number of modules, the selection of which determines the operation and functionality of the repeater core. Core modules, selectively enabled by a user, establish one or more of the following modes of operation: passive, single-frequency active (SFA), Up/Down Converter (UDC), Remote Wireless Modem (RWM), and Shared-Identity repeater operation.