Abstract: A device and method to control measurements of light intensity are described. The device includes two or more ambient light sensors arranged at respective surface locations of the device, each of the two or more ambient light sensors measuring the light intensity at the respective surface location. The device also includes a processor to control operation of the two or more ambient light sensors.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an electronic device configured to detect an object positioned at a distance. The electronic device includes a reference oscillator generating a reference signal having a reference frequency; and a first measurement oscillator coupled to a first antenna located at a first position of the electronic device. The first measurement oscillator generates a first measurement signal having a first measurement frequency corresponding to a distance of an object from the first antenna. The first antenna has a first antenna load corresponding to the distance of the object from the first antenna, and the first measurement frequency varies in dependence on the first antenna load. The electronic device also includes a comparator coupled to the reference oscillator and the first measurement oscillator which generates a comparator output including a difference between the reference frequency and the first measurement frequency which represents the distance of the object from the first antenna.

Abstract: A system and method supporting signature verification. An input signature from a contact point of a stylus at a touch-sensitive surface is received. At least one sensor detects a first set of characteristics of the input signature that represents how the stylus is used when a present security level is a first level, and a second set of characteristics is determined when a present security level is a second security level. The second set of characteristics is a subset of the first set with fewer characteristics than the first set. One of the first set of characteristics or the second set of characteristics is transmitted to a characteristic receiving device to permit the input signature to be authenticated as a function, at least in part, of the first set or the second set of characteristics.

Abstract: A device and method to control measurements of light intensity are described. The device includes two or more ambient light sensors arranged at respective surface locations of the device, each of the two or more ambient light sensors measuring the light intensity at the respective surface location. The device also includes a processor to control operation of the two or more ambient light sensors.

Abstract: A system and method supporting signature verification. An input signature from a contact point of a stylus at a touch-sensitive surface is received. At least one sensor detects a first set of characteristics of the input signature that represents how the stylus is used when a present security level is a first level, and a second set of characteristics is determined when a present security level is a second security level. The second set of characteristics is a subset of the first set with fewer characteristics than the first set. One of the first set of characteristics or the second set of characteristics is transmitted to a characteristic receiving device to permit the input signature to be authenticated as a function, at least in part, of the first set or the second set of characteristics.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an electronic device configured to detect an object positioned at a distance. The electronic device includes a reference oscillator generating a reference signal having a reference frequency; and a first measurement oscillator coupled to a first antenna located at a first position of the electronic device. The first measurement oscillator generates a first measurement signal having a first measurement frequency corresponding to a distance of an object from the first antenna. The first antenna has a first antenna load corresponding to the distance of the object from the first antenna, and the first measurement frequency varies in dependence on the first antenna load. The electronic device also includes a comparator coupled to the reference oscillator and the first measurement oscillator which generates a comparator output including a difference between the reference frequency and the first measurement frequency which represents the distance of the object from the first antenna.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a printed circuit board (PCB) for use in an electronic device. The PCB comprises: a top side; a bottom side; an edge between the top side and the bottom side; a cavity from the top side to the bottom side; a region on the top side for mounting an electronic device; and a connector for receiving connections from the electronic device. In the PCB, the connector is located on either the bottom side or the edge of the side of the PCB. The electronic device can be a display module.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a printed circuit board (PCB) for use in an electronic device. The PCB comprises: a top side; a bottom side; an edge between the top side and the bottom side; a cavity from the top side to the bottom side; a region on the top side for mounting an electronic device; and a connector for receiving connections from the electronic device. In the PCB, the connector is located on either the bottom side or the edge of the side of the PCB. The electronic device can be a display module.

Abstract: The invention provides a printed circuit board (PCB) for use in an electronic device. The PCB comprises: a top side; a bottom side; an edge between the top side and the bottom side; a cavity from the top side to the bottom side; a region on the top side for mounting an electronic device; and a connector for receiving connections from the electronic device. In the PCB, the connector is located on either the bottom side or the edge of the side of the PCB. The electronic device can be a display module.

Abstract: An improved handheld electronic device having a virtual navigational input device includes a case, and further includes an input apparatus and a processor apparatus disposed on the case. The processor apparatus executes a routine that compares vibrational results of a contact by a user on the case with reference vibrational results to identify the nature of the contact and to interpret the contact as an input to the processor. The exemplary contact with the case is in the nature of a sliding contact over a series of first features or over a series of second features and can be interpreted as one of more navigational inputs to the processor. The exemplary contact can also be in the nature of a touching or tapping contact or other contact with the case.

Abstract: An improved handheld electronic device having a virtual keypad input device includes a case, and further includes an input apparatus and a processor apparatus disposed on the case. The input apparatus includes a number of vibrational sensors that sense the vibrational results of a contact with the case. The processor apparatus executes a routine that determines from the vibrational results a location on the case where the contact was made. Depending upon the location of the contact, the routine can interpret the contact as an input to the processor. The exemplary contact with the case can be in the nature of a touching or tapping contact or other contact with the case.

Abstract: A mobile communication device having a keyboard with a set of keys representing alpha-numeric characters, the keyboard comprising a light source, located within said mobile communication device; for providing a light; a set of sensors, associated with said keys, for sensing an amount of said light in a vicinity of each of said set of sensors, to determine which of said set of keys has been selected; and a transparent flat cover, overlying said set of sensors, displaying said set of alpha-numeric characters, for associating said set of alpha-numeric characters with said set of sensors.

Abstract: The invention provides a printed circuit board (PCB) for use in an electronic device. The PCB comprises: a top side; a bottom side; an edge between the top side and the bottom side; a cavity from the top side to the bottom side; a region on the top side for mounting an electronic device; and a connector for receiving connections from the electronic device. In the PCB, the connector is located on either the bottom side or the edge of the side of the PCB. The electronic device can be a display module.

Abstract: A convenient source of charging power for portable communication devices is an integral power node of a computer data bus, such as a USB (universal serial bus) port. Unfortunately, USB ports have limited power capacity, making them generally incompatible with battery charge controllers (BCCs) which are designed to receive a steady, high capacity input. The invention provides a battery charging circuit which adjusts to the parameters of an external power supply such as a USB port by adding a regulating circuit to a standard BCC design. This regulating circuit maximizes the current drawn by the BCC, while keeping the voltage to the BCC above a preset minimum (the low voltage shut off level for the BCC). If the voltage to the BCC begins to drop, the regulating circuit reduces the current drawn, so the voltage rises and stays within the operating range of the BCC.