Abstract: To improve the consumer experience with portable electronic devices, a user interface combines the use of capacitive sensors with tactile sensors in an input device. When a user places a finger, stylus, or other input instrument near a given key button, a capacitive sensor causes the display to display temporarily an indication of the function of that key in an enlarged format. The user may then press the associated key button to activate the desired function. In one exemplary embodiment, the capacitive sensor fixes the functionality to the function indicated in the display. In this embodiment, a tactile input applied to any key, whether the correct key, multiple keys, or a single incorrect key, results in activating the function indicated in the display as a result of the capacitive input.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system, method, and computer readable medium for applying customized settings to a mobile communications device utilizing a removable storage media. The mobile communications device detects when a removable storage media has been operatively inserted. Next it is determined whether there is a customized settings file stored on the removable storage media. The customized settings file contains fields that define one or more characteristics relating to the mobile communications device's configuration. The customized settings in the customized settings file are then applied such that the mobile communications device is configured with the specific settings contained in the customized settings file. The customized settings file may also be stored at and retrieved from a remote location or received in a message using a mobile messaging service utilizing the RF module within the mobile communications device.

Abstract: Methods of detecting proximity between a mobile terminal and a wireless accessory device having an associated support function for use with the mobile terminal include establishing a wireless communication connection between the wireless accessory device and the mobile terminal. The established wireless communication connection is utilized to provide the associated support function. In addition, a wireless signal having a limited range is communicated between the mobile terminal and the wireless accessory device. The wireless signal indicates a proximity between the mobile terminal and the wireless accessory device. An alert signal indicating that the proximity between the mobile terminal and the wireless accessory device has exceeded a predetermined range is provided responsive to the communicated wireless signal when the established wireless communication connection is not being utilized to provide the associated support function. Related devices are also provided.

Abstract: A device that includes a broadcast receiver and a local wireless interface where the broadcast receiver is capable of receiving broadcast data, and the local wireless interface is capable of communicating with at least one wireless device and transmitting at least some of the broadcast data to the at least one wireless device. The broadcast receiver may be an audio receiver, a video signal receiver, or a satellite receiver. The local wireless interface may be a Bluetooth interface, an IEEE 802.11 (WiFi) interface, an IrDA interface, or a home radio frequency (HomeRF) interface.

Abstract: Methods of detecting proximity between a mobile terminal and a wireless accessory device having an associated support function for use with the mobile terminal include establishing a wireless communication connection between the wireless accessory device and the mobile terminal. The established wireless communication connection is utilized to provide the associated support function. In addition, a wireless signal having a limited range is communicated between the mobile terminal and the wireless accessory device. The wireless signal indicates a proximity between the mobile terminal and the wireless accessory device. An alert signal indicating that the proximity between the mobile terminal and the wireless accessory device has exceeded a predetermined range is provided responsive to the communicated wireless signal when the established wireless communication connection is not being utilized to provide the associated support function. Related devices are also provided.

Abstract: Methods of detecting proximity between a mobile terminal and a wireless accessory device having an associated support function for use with the mobile terminal include establishing a wireless communication connection between the wireless accessory device and the mobile terminal. The established wireless communication connection is utilized to provide the associated support function. In addition, a wireless signal having a limited range is communicated between the mobile terminal and the wireless accessory device. The wireless signal indicates a proximity between the mobile terminal and the wireless accessory device. An alert signal indicating that the proximity between the mobile terminal and the wireless accessory device has exceeded a predetermined range is provided responsive to the communicated wireless signal when the established wireless communication connection is not being utilized to provide the associated support function. Related devices are also provided.

Abstract: A wireless communication device mixes audio content by combining audio signals from two or more different audio sources available at the wireless communication device and directing the mixed audio signal to a selected audio output circuit included in or associated with the wireless communication device. The audio signals can comprise received audio signals, stored audio signals, or a combination thereof. The audio signals can be synchronized, and one or more video signals may be synchronized with them. In at least one embodiment, the wireless communication device includes one or more circuits, such as a baseband or system processor, configured as a mixing circuit. An included (mixing) control circuit may be configured to control a user interface of the wireless communication device to support audio source selections, mixed audio signal output destinations, and audio signal control (volume, tone, etc.) for audio signals included in the mixed audio signal.

Abstract: An electronic device comprises one or more input devices configured to receive user input from a device user, a first display configured to display first visual content to the device user, and a second display configured to display second visual content to the device user and movable between first and second positions, wherein at least a portion of the second display is hidden from the user in one of the first and second positions and visible to the device user in the other. The device further comprises an electronically controlled retaining mechanism configured to retain the second display in the first position when engaged and a control circuit configured to execute an interactive user application, to control the display of the first and second visual content on the first and second displays, and to disengage the retaining mechanism in response to a pre-determined combination of user input and/or application state.

Abstract: An image is displayed on a variable display area defined by two or more relatively moveable displays. A detector detects movement of the displays that varies the size of the display area. A processor determines the size of the new display area created by the relative movement of the displays and dynamically alters the displayed image to fit the new display area responsive to the detection of movement.

Abstract: In a method of operating a handheld electronic device including a housing having a fixed display on a surface thereof and a moveable display that is configured slide along the surface to variably overlap portions of the fixed display, a signal is received from a position sensor adjacent the surface of the housing. A relative position of the moveable display with respect to the fixed display is determined in response to the signal from the position sensor. An image displayed on the moveable display and/or the fixed display is selectively manipulated according to the determined relative position of the moveable display to the fixed display. Related devices are also discussed.

Abstract: A triggering event relating to a function of the mobile communication device is detected. Based on detection, the physical configuration of the mobile communication device is automatically adjusted. A database associating triggering events with physical configurations, in accordance with a predefined policy, may be retrieved. The detected triggering event may be correlated to a particular physical configuration within the database to implement automatic adjustment of the physical configuration of the mobile communication device.

Abstract: A plurality of light sources is mounted on a housing of an interactive user device. The sources are spaced from each other in a defined spatial relationship, for example in a linear configuration. At least one light sensor is also positioned at the surface of the housing. The light sensor senses light that is reflected from an object placed by the user, such as the user's finger, within an area of the light generated by the light sources. A processor in the user device can recognize the sensed reflected light as a user input command correlated with a predefined operation and respond accordingly to implement the operation.

Abstract: A communication device including a housing, a signal receiver configured to receive a signal from another communication device, and a motive device provided within the housing. The motive device is configured to change an orientation of the housing in response to the receipt of the signal. A method of processing receipt of a signal at a communication device is provided that includes changing an orientation of a housing of the communication device in response to the receipt of the signal using a motive device housed within the housing.

Abstract: A mobile terminal that allows sliding between housings in two directions. The housings may slide in longitudinal and lateral relative directions. One position, for example, may be for PDA use with an alphanumeric keypad exposed and another position may be for phone use with a numeric keypad exposed. One housing may include pins that extend from one surface and another housing may include grooves in an opposing surface to receive the pins. At least one longitudinal groove may be provided, and in one embodiment two lateral grooves are provided to accommodate two longitudinally aligned pins. An overlay may be provided that may be exposed to cover keys with numbers or navigation indications when the housings slide longitudinally and may remain hidden when the housings slide laterally with respect to each other. A casing may be provided that substantially encloses the bottom housing when in the closed position.

Abstract: A parameter of a mobile telephone operation, such as type of ringtone and/or ringtone volume, is changed upon determination that the mobile telephone is within an enclosed container or environment such as a briefcase, a purse, a pocket, or the like. Near field communication technology is utilized to detect proximity of the telephone within the enclosure. The parameter of the mobile telephone also may be changed upon determination that the telephone is in a noisy environment such as crowded room or stadium.

Abstract: An interactive media and game system creates a live event simulation that enables users to participate in a live event through a virtual participant controlled by the user. A game server receives user input controlling a position of a virtual participant in said live event, determines a position and orientation of the virtual participant based on said user input, and creates a simulated view of the event from the perspective of the virtual participant. To create the simulated view, the game server selects a video source from among a plurality of video sources based on the position of the virtual participant, determines a position and orientation of the selected video source, and transforms a video image supplied by the selected video source based on the position and orientation of the selected video source relative to the virtual participant. Transforming may entail interpolating between two or more video images from two of more different video sources.

Abstract: An image of an object is captured using a portable electronic device. The image is displayed on a display screen of the portable electronic device. Image recognition is performed on the image to identify the object, a task associated with the identified object is identified, and information about the task is displayed on the display screen of the portable electronic device along with the image.

Abstract: A device that includes a broadcast receiver and a local wireless interface where the broadcast receiver is capable of receiving broadcast data, and the local wireless interface is capable of communicating with at least one wireless device and transmitting at least some of the broadcast data to the at least one wireless device. The broadcast receiver may be an audio receiver, a video signal receiver, or a satellite receiver. The local wireless interface may be a Bluetooth interface, an IEEE 802.11 (WiFi) interface, an IrDA interface, or a home radio frequency (HomeRF) interface.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system, method, and computer readable medium for applying customized settings to a mobile communications device utilizing a removable storage media. The mobile communications device detects when a removable storage media has been operatively inserted. Next it is determined whether there is a customized settings file stored on the removable storage media. The customized settings file contains fields that define one or more characteristics relating to the mobile communications device's configuration. The customized settings in the customized settings file are then applied such that the mobile communications device is configured with the specific settings contained in the customized settings file. The customized settings file may also be stored at and retrieved from a remote location or received in a message using a mobile messaging service utilizing the RF module within the mobile communications device.

Abstract: A mobile communication device having a first section, a second section, and a hinge mechanism. Functional devices are positioned within the sections and provide for a multitude of uses. The sections are movable about a first axis of rotation and a second axis of rotation. The movement allows for positioning the sections in various orientations to use the functional devices. A method of using the device is also disclosed for moving the sections in a combination of flip motion, jack-knife motion, and twist motion about the first and second axis of rotation.