Abstract: An electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device includes one or more processors and memory storing one or more programs configured to be executed by the one or more processors. The one or more programs include instructions for receiving, from an external device associated with a contact, a request to establish a full-duplex live audio communication session between the electronic device and the external device; determining whether the contact is on a list; and in response to a determination that the contact is on the list, establishing the full-duplex live audio communication session between the electronic device and the external device, where the live audio communication session is established without receiving a user input that acknowledges the request.

Abstract: An electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device includes one or more processors and memory storing one or more programs configured to be executed by the one or more processors. The one or more programs include instructions for receiving, from an external device associated with a contact, a request to establish a full-duplex live audio communication session between the electronic device and the external device; determining whether the contact is on a list; and in response to a determination that the contact is on the list, establishing the full-duplex live audio communication session between the electronic device and the external device, where the live audio communication session is established without receiving a user input that acknowledges the request.

Abstract: While in a full-duplex live audio communication session with an external device, an electronic device receives control signal data from the external device. In response, the electronic device issues a perceptual notification. After a first predetermined time period since receiving the control signal data, the electronic device receives audio data from the external device. After a second predetermined time period since issuing the perceptual notification, the electronic device outputs the audio data from the speaker.

Abstract: While in a full-duplex live audio communication session with an external device, an electronic device receives control signal data from the external device. In response, the electronic device issues a perceptual notification. After a first predetermined time period since receiving the control signal data, the electronic device receives audio data from the external device. After a second predetermined time period since issuing the perceptual notification, the electronic device outputs the audio data from the speaker.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide the ability to control a camera from a wearable mechanism device, such as a watch, pendant or other device with its own limited display. Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a wearable mechanism device for remotely controlling a camera with an intuitive user interface and sequencing of interface options. In one embodiment, the display on the wearable mechanism changes before a picture or video is taken with the electronic camera. Certain embodiments of the present invention provide the ability to partially control a camera from the wearable mechanism device, providing split control.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide the ability to control a camera from a wearable mechanism device, such as a watch, pendant or other device with its own limited display. Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a wearable mechanism device for remotely controlling a camera with an intuitive user interface and sequencing of interface options. In one embodiment, the display on the wearable mechanism changes before a picture or video is taken with the electronic camera. Certain embodiments of the present invention provide the ability to partially control a camera from the wearable mechanism device, providing split control.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide the ability to control a camera from a wearable mechanism device, such as a watch, pendant or other device with its own limited display. Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a wearable mechanism device for remotely controlling a camera with an intuitive user interface and sequencing of interface options. In one embodiment, the display on the wearable mechanism changes before a picture or video is taken with the electronic camera. Certain embodiments of the present invention provide the ability to partially control a camera from the wearable mechanism device, providing split control.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide the ability to control a camera from a wearable mechanism device, such as a watch, pendant or other device with its own limited display. Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a wearable mechanism device for remotely controlling a camera with an intuitive user interface and sequencing of interface options. In one embodiment, the display on the wearable mechanism changes before a picture or video is taken with the electronic camera. Certain embodiments of the present invention provide the ability to partially control a camera from the wearable mechanism device, providing split control.

Abstract: A system and method for time synchronizing nodes in a switch fabric network of a vehicle. A synchronization request message is transmitted from a requesting node to a neighboring node. At the time the synchronization request message is sent, the requesting node will store a unique message identification associated with the request message as well as a first timestamp that is associated with the time that the synchronization request message was transmitted by the requesting node. The neighboring node will receive the synchronization request message and store a second timestamp associated with the time that the synchronization request message was received by the neighboring node. Thereafter, the neighboring node will transmit to the requesting node a synchronization response message that includes the message identification and the second timestamp. The requesting node will then calculate a timer offset value that is based on the first timestamp and the second timestamp.

Abstract: A system and method for streaming sequential data through a vehicle switch fabric network. This is particular useful in areas such as reprogramming nodes in the automotive switch fabric network where relatively large records or messages need to be transmitted through the switch fabric, although the invention may be used in other areas. In sum, the system and method described herein takes large data records and breaks them down into smaller units (data packets) that fit within the constraints of the physical layer on which communication links in the switch fabric network is built. The smaller data packets are assigned with a message identification and a sequence number. Data packets associated with the same data record or message are assigned with the same message identification but may differ in their sequence number. Each data packet is transmitted over the vehicle switch fabric network to a destination node.

Abstract: A system and method for tunneling standard bus protocol messages through an automotive switch fabric network. When a bus protocol message arrives on a connecting node in the network, a bus driver in the node will capture the message and store it into a message buffer where the message can be further processed by a tunneling application. Each received bus protocol message will be broken, or combined, to suit the available packet size of the underlying transmit layer of the switch fabric network. Data portions such as message identification, sequence number, port number, bus data type, and data length are reserved in each data packet. If the message is being broken down, the sequence number is used to differentiate the broken segments of the bus protocol message. The bus data type is used to indicate the type of protocol data being transmitted over the switch fabric. The same tunneling application may be used to reassemble the bus protocol message at a receiving node.

Abstract: A system and method for time synchronizing nodes in a switch fabric network of a vehicle. The network has a plurality of nodes that are joined by communication links for the transmission of data there between. Each node of the switch fabric may include a processor, a memory, a clock, a transceiver, and an input capture. The memory is adapted to store and retain timer offsets associated with communication links with neighboring nodes. The transceiver is adapted to transmit and receive synchronization messages between the node and neighboring nodes. The input capture is adapted to capture a timestamp associated with the transmission of synchronization messages. The processor is configured to compute the timer offsets associated with the communication links with neighboring nodes based on the captured timestamps by the input capture function. The computed offsets may then be broadcast and stored by the nodes for subsequent use in time synchronizing data packets through the switch fabric network.

Abstract: A system and method for reprogramming nodes in an automotive switch fabric network using a diagnostic interface. The switch fabric network includes a plurality of nodes joined by communication links for the transmission of data there between. The plurality of nodes includes at least one target node. The target node includes a processor, a transceiver, and a memory. The memory includes an erasable memory portion and a protected memory portion. The processor in the target node switches from executing instructions in the erasable memory portion to executing instructions in the protected memory portion during a reprogramming period when the target node erases a current software component and stores a new software component in its erasable memory portion. The diagnostic interface is adapted to transmit the new software component to the target node.

Abstract: Methods and systems for distributed failover in a vehicle network, including processor load shedding to reallocate processing power to applications controlling critical vehicle functions and providing for failover in a vehicle network according to the criticality of the affected vehicle function. In embodiments of the presently disclosed vehicle control method and system, the components of the system, including sensors, actuators, and controllers, are implemented as nodes in a network or switch fabric capable of communicating with other nodes.

Abstract: A fire-resistant enclosure comprises a casing, a hollow internal compartment defined by said casing, a door opening defined in said casing and providing access to the internal compartment and a door fitted into and closing said opening. Both the door and at least that part of the casing defining the door opening are constructed primarily from rigid fire-resistant intumescent material comprising a resin incorporating a blowing agent such that when subjected to heat the material of the door and the material of the casing at the door opening swell towards each other and provide a heat and water resistant seal between said door and said door opening.