Abstract: A camera described herein captures a plurality of images at different focus settings to improve the probability that the camera captures a clear representation of a desired object in a potentially ambiguous scene. According to one exemplary embodiment, the camera selects a plurality of focus settings corresponding to different focal points in a range of focal points. Subsequently, the camera automatically captures successive images of the scene at the selected focus settings in response to a single activation of a shutter control. The user may select one or more of the captured images for storage, transmission to a remote device, and/or further processing.

Abstract: Methods of displaying broadcast media content information to a user include receiving at a first receiver first content from a first channel of a multi-channel broadcast media system while receiving at a second receiver information regarding the content on a second off-channel of the multi-channel broadcast media system. Then, at least some of the received information regarding the content on the second channel is displayed to the user. A database of information may also be provided that includes, for example, information regarding listening/viewing preferences of the user. This database of information may be used, for example, to select the off-channels that are scanned for content information and/or to select what information is displayed to the user.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling access to a secure facility are disclosed, wherein a determination of whether access is permitted is based at least in part on a digital image of one or more predetermined features of the secure facility. In an exemplary method, an image of a predetermined feature of the secure facility is captured by a user device and compared to stored security data corresponding to the secure facility. A determination of whether access to the secure facility is permitted is made, based on the results of the comparison. The predetermined feature may be a security mechanism attached to the secure facility, for example, or may be textual information, a graphical image, or a machine-readable code posted at the security facility.

Abstract: A portable communication device includes a first push-to-talk (PTT) actuator, a second PTT actuator and a PTT processor in operative communication with the first PTT actuator and the second PTT actuator. The PTT processor requests control of a PTT communication floor in response to user actuation of the first PTT actuator, and triggers a secondary action to be performed while having control of the PTT communication floor in response to user actuation of the second PTT actuator. The portable communication device includes enhanced user control and interface options for PTT communication sessions.

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 wireless communication device is configured to use location information available within the device to tailor the retrieval of electronic feed content. For example, the device may automatically use its current location to retrieve localized news feeds, localized podcasts, localized web pages, etc. In one embodiment, the device retrieves electronic feed content and then filters that content based on the location information to identify locally relevant content that may be displayed or otherwise made available to a user of the device. In another embodiment, the device provides all or part of its location information to a remote content server, and the content server sends localized content based on that information. In at least one embodiment, the device establishes and terminates subscriptions to localized feeds as needed responsive to changes in the device's current location. Further, the device may store or otherwise track locations and retrieve localized content for prior locations.

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: Methods and apparatus for processing multimedia content are disclosed. In an exemplary method, such as might be implemented a portable multimedia device, stored media data pre-associated with a current location of the multimedia device is retrieved. The retrieved media data is mixed with real-time sensor input collected by the multimedia device to obtain mixed media data, and the mixed media data is rendered at the multimedia device, using, for example, a display device and/or speaker devices. The retrieved media data or the real-time sensor input, or both, may comprise digital audio data, digital video data, or both.

Abstract: A method for enhancing video telephony that includes initiating a video telephone call from a first device to a second device, displaying a live video view by the first device, transferring video from the second device to the first device during the video telephone call, and overlaying the transferred video over the live video view displayed at the first device. The first device and the second device may be mobile devices. A portion of the transferred video may be selected and the selected portion displayed over the displayed live video view at the first device. The transferred video may be video taken from a camera on the second device. The transferred video may also be displayed over the live video view on a third device attached to the first device.

Abstract: Methods for remotely controlling actions of a virtual world identity of a user include transmitting instructions to the virtual world identity of the user from a mobile terminal associated with a real world identity of the user. The instructions are transmitted as a voice call, a text message and/or an instant message (IM). Updated information associated with the transmitted instructions is received from the virtual world identity of the user at the mobile terminal. The updated information includes an identification of a condition triggering transmission of the updated information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a function of a communication device by a remote unit. The method may comprise receiving a user input identifying a selected function that can be performed by the communication device, and receiving a control signal corresponding to a selected control on the remote unit. The method may further comprise associating the selected function to the control signal such that in the future, receiving the control signal from the remote unit results in the communication device performing the selected function. The device may include a cellular radio transceiver; and a short-range wireless transceiver. The communication device may include a processor configured to communicate with a remote unit and receive user input identifying a selected function, and receive a control signal from the remote unit corresponding to a selected control on the remote unit.

Abstract: The wireless communication device described herein includes a processor configured to detect a push-to-talk event and trigger a location operation responsive to the push-to-talk event. According to one exemplary embodiment, the processor determines a location of the wireless communication device and/or one or more remote wireless communication devices when the processor detects a floor control event. According to another exemplary embodiment, the processor determines a location of the wireless communication device and/or one or more remote wireless communication devices when the processor detects a session entrance event. As a result, a user may advantageously use location information about the wireless communication device and/or a remote wireless communication device to facilitate push-to-talk communications.

Abstract: There is disclosed is a mobile device for detecting, tracking, and translating motion into an image that can be rendered on a mobile device display. A motion sensor contained within the mobile device and coupled with a processor can detect and track motion in a two-dimensional plane. A motion selector button is disposed on the housing of the mobile device and coupled with the processor. The motion selector button actuates and de-actuates the motion sensor such that motion is only detected and motion data forwarded to the processor while the motion selector button is actuated. The mobile device further includes a display for rendering an image corresponding to the detected motion. The processor translates the captured motion data into a scaled two-dimensional image that is completely rendered on the mobile device display.

Abstract: User devices are used to opportunistically distribute promotional objects for advertisers and producers. A promotional object is received by a user device from a source device, which may comprise a distribution system or another user device. The user device adds address information to the promotional object and stores the promotional object in memory. The user device may subsequently transfer the promotional object along with the address information to a target device, which may comprise another user device or a data collection system.

Abstract: A system and method of creating a temporary site dependent push-to-talk/media (PTT/M) group for allowing PTT/M communications among a visiting PTT/M equipped mobile device and site based PTT/M equipped devices while the visiting PTT/M equipped mobile device is on-site. An on-site device is responsible for detecting when a visiting PTT/M equipped mobile device comes on-site and initiating a registration process. The registration process registers the visiting PTT/M equipped mobile device with the site based PTT/M equipped devices and the site based PTT/M equipped devices with the visiting PTT/M equipped mobile device such that normal group PTT/M communications can take place. When the visiting PTT/M equipped device leaves the site its absence is detected and a de-registration process is initiated. De-registration removes the recently added device IDs from the site's PTT/M network server and the visiting mobile's PTT/M network server.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system, method, and computer readable medium for creating and managing a category based list in a mobile communications device. A category with an assigned category name and a list with an assigned list name associated with a category name are created in the mobile communications device. A set of parameters governing the list is then defined. The set of parameters can include a list expiration date, a group access parameter, group user identifiers, privileges that group users will have with respect to the list, and a check-out time parameter indicating how long a group user can maintain exclusive access to the list. List item can include text items, audio items, video, multimedia, and picture items. Items can be added to lists manually, via a received message or copied from another application. In addition, a list can be checked out for editing by a group user.

Abstract: A portable communication device is equipped with a personality profile application that facilitates creation and sharing of a user personality profile that is based on user activities and user preferences involving the portable communication device. The personality profile may be shared with third parties, thereby allowing a third party to experience their portable communication device though the “lens” of the personality creator.

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 camera described herein captures a plurality of images at different focus settings to improve the probability that the camera captures a clear representation of a desired object in a potentially ambiguous scene. According to one exemplary embodiment, the camera selects a plurality of focus settings corresponding to different focal points in a range of focal points. Subsequently, the camera automatically captures successive images of the scene at the selected focus settings in response to a single activation of a shutter control. The user may select one or more of the captured images for storage, transmission to a remote device, and/or further processing.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for sharing content between a content source device and a remote device. The content source device is connected to a mobile device that communicates with the remote device using a wireless network. The mobile device is used to facilitate the sharing of content with the remote device. The content shared with the remote device is formatted for its use by either the content source device or the mobile device. The present invention is directed to a wireless content sharing system that may include a content source device that supplies the content, a mobile device to facilitate the sharing of content, and a remote device to receive the content.