Abstract: A device and method for providing augmented reality enhanced audio. The device is portable and may include a location processing module capable of receiving location information and determining a location of the device in an environment, an orientation processing module capable of determining an orientation of the device at the location, a processor capable of modifying audio content based on the location of the device in the environment and the orientation of the device at the location, and an audio output device capable of outputting the modified audio content. The orientation of the device includes an azimuth and an elevation of the device.

Abstract: A near field communication (NFC) device is utilized in a mobile communications device to facilitate sensing the presence of and connecting to a wireless local area network (WLAN). A user can position the mobile communications device in close proximity to a designated location of a WLAN establishment at which an NFC device is situated. Near field communication is then detected and WLAN data can then be communicated by near field communication to the NFC reader in the mobile communications device. The NFC reader is coupled to a controller of the mobile communications device to input data received by the NFC device to the controller for processing. The data are utilized to facilitate connection to the WLAN.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for aiding shoppers. A shopper enters a product search query into a hand-held device and, via Near-Field Communication (NFC) technology, transfers the query to a terminal at a shopping establishment. The terminal forwards the search query to a search engine over a network and the search engine, after consulting a database, returns results meeting the criteria of the search query to the terminal for presentation on a display at the terminal. The shopper is then offered the option of transferring the results data, via NFC devices located in the hand-held device and the terminal, from the terminal to a memory in the hand-held device.

Abstract: A mobile device having first and second modes of operation is operated responsive to detection of a predefined localized movement of a housing of the mobile device using a sensor associated therewith. The detected predefined localized movement is associated with first and second functions of the mobile device responsive to a user input assigning the detected predefined localized movement thereto. A first device function is performed responsive to detection of the predefined localized movement in the first mode of operation, and a second device function is performed responsive to detection of the predefined localized movement in the second mode of operation. A predetermined delay time may also be associated with the predefined localized movement, and the first and/or second functions may be performed at the predetermined delay time after detecting the predefined localized movement.

Abstract: Movement of a mobile communication device is monitored during any of its powered modes. Upon sensing lack of movement, the location of the device is identified. If no movement has been sensed during a predetermined time period, determination is made as to whether the location of the device has changed. If not, a call is initiated to a remote address to convey the location of the device.

Abstract: A mobile device having first and second modes of operation is operated responsive to detection of a predefined localized movement of a housing of the mobile device using a sensor associated therewith. The detected predefined localized movement is associated with first and second functions of the mobile device responsive to a user input assigning the detected predefined localized movement thereto. A first device function is performed responsive to detection of the predefined localized movement in the first mode of operation, and a second device function is performed responsive to detection of the predefined localized movement in the second mode of operation. A predetermined delay time may also be associated with the predefined localized movement, and the first and/or second functions may be performed at the predetermined delay time after detecting the predefined localized movement.

Abstract: A method for classifying digital media files includes obtaining geographical information from geographical identification metadata associated with one or more digital media files stored in a memory of a mobile terminal, and assigning a respective ranking to the one or more digital media files within one or more media classification categories based on the obtained geographical information. A summary view of the one or more ranked digital media files is displayed, the summary view including two axes, each axis corresponding to at least one of the one or more media classification categories. A travel profile for a user of the mobile terminal, including the user's travel preferences as determined by the respective ranking of at least one ranked digital media file in one or more of the media classification categories, is generated, and relevant travel information is presented to the user. Related devices and computer program products are also discussed.

Abstract: A wireless greeting card or post card includes memory for storing digital content and a wireless transceiver for transferring the digital content to a recipient user device in close proximity to the wireless paper stock card.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing an improved user interface for a wireless communication device is described herein. The wireless communication device comprises a main body including a first user interface, and a movable cover including a second user interface. When the movable cover is closed relative to the main body, the movable cover conceals at least a portion of the first user interface. To provide some of the functionality associated with the first user interface without having to open the movable cover, the present invention maps a soft key associated with the second user interface to a function assigned to a selected control or key of the first user interface.

Abstract: Playback of a media work is handed over from a source playback device to a target playback device while the source playback device is in a play mode. The target playback device continues playback of the media work at a current location in the media work being played. Handover of audio and video playback allows the user to enjoy continuity in playback of the media work when transitioning between playback devices.

Abstract: Methods of displaying video content include obtaining a video content record to be displayed and determining an associated aging characteristic associated with the video content record. A current age is determined for the obtained video content record and a modified video content record is generated for display based on the determined aging characteristic and the determined current age of the obtained video content record. The obtained video content record may be an animation, which may include audio data. The obtained video content record may also be a still image.

Abstract: A combination telephony and game device comprises a telephony modem for communicating with remote devices over a telephony network; and an application processor operatively connected to said telephony modem. The application processor is configured to execute a game application to play a game; receive a telephony event notification from said telephony modem while the game is being played; and represent, while the game is being played, the telephony event in a virtual reality environment provided by the game application.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for reconfiguring the graphical user interface (GUI) of a mechanically vibrated touchscreen display associated with a portable mobile communications device that is operable in a variety of modes. The reconfiguration of the GUI is based on the orientation of the portable mobile communications device. An orientation sensing mechanism senses whether the portable mobile communications device is currently in a portrait or landscape orientation. An orientation sensing application accesses an orientation profile that associates each mode of operation with either a portrait or landscape orientation and determines which mode of operation is the default mode for the sensed orientation of the portable mobile communications device. The GUI of the mechanically vibrated touchscreen display is then reconfigured for the default mode of operation.

Abstract: A dual mode user terminal for a calling party can make calls over both a conventional cellular network and a packet data network using VoIP protocols. If the called party is not available to receive a VoIP call over the packet data network, the user terminal for the calling party can request a third party user terminal available on the packet data network to relay the call between the calling party and the called party.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program that utilizes motion detection circuitry to dynamically update displayed labels on one or more key input regions. In one aspect of the invention, the number of key input regions is substantially less than the number of keys on a conventional QWERTY keypad and the labels on the key input regions dynamically change based on the detected motion of the motion detection circuitry.

Abstract: Criteria for movement of a mobile communication device that can be initiated by the user are defined. A criterion can be stored as a data characteristic in device memory. Motion of the device can be sensed to determine, by the device controller, whether sensed motion meets the defined criterion. The sensed motion may be derived from an accelerometer, or equivalent means, in the device. If the sensed motion is determined by the controller to match stored criterion data, the controller triggers activation of an application that is dependent on location of the device. A stored application associated with the matched data characteristic is accessed from one or more stored applications respectively associated in memory with stored data characteristics.

Abstract: Methods, systems, mobile devices and computer program products for sharing input keys between mobile devices are provided. A communication link is established between at least two mobile devices. Each of the at least two mobile devices includes available input keys that are mapped to corresponding input functions in a first configuration. An application is selected for operation on at least one of the mobile devices. The application includes a plurality of input functions. A set of input keys is identified from the available keys on the at least two mobile devices based on the plurality of input functions of the application. The set of input keys are remapped on the at least two mobile devices in a second configuration in which the plurality of input functions of the application are mapped to the set of input keys. User input is accepted from the set of input keys on the at least two mobile devices to thereby operate the selected application.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for aiding shoppers. A shopper enters a product search query into a hand-held device and, via Near-Field Communication (NFC) technology, transfers the query to a terminal at a shopping establishment. The terminal forwards the search query to a search engine over a network and the search engine, after consulting a database, returns results meeting the criteria of the search query to the terminal for presentation on a display at the terminal. The shopper is then offered the option of transferring the results data, via NFC devices located in the hand-held device and the terminal, from the terminal to a memory in the hand-held device.

Abstract: Methods for providing a group play list for a plurality of multimedia content records include associating respective ones of a plurality of users associated with a user network with corresponding ones of the multimedia content records on the group play list. A presence status of the respective ones of the users associated with the user network is detected. Rendering of the multimedia content records on the group play list to the users associated with the network is automatically adjusted based on the detected presence status. The user network may be, for example, a computer based social network.

Abstract: A near field communication (NFC) device is utilized in a mobile communications device to facilitate sensing the presence of and connecting to a wireless local area network (WLAN). A user can position the mobile communications device in close proximity to a designated location of a WLAN establishment at which an NFC device is situated. Near field communication is then detected and WLAN data can then be communicated by near field communication to the NFC reader in the mobile communications device. The NFC reader is coupled to a controller of the mobile communications device to input data received by the NFC device to the controller for processing. The data are utilized to facilitate connection to the WLAN.