Abstract: A method of character entry includes detecting a spacebar adjacent input from a keyboard, the spacebar adjacent input corresponding to a key adjacent to a spacebar; and determining whether to accept the spacebar adjacent input based on whether a preceding inputted string, the preceding inputted string comprising a string of inputted characters preceding the spacebar adjacent input, corresponds to a first stored object.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for providing previews of voice calls are provided. A voice call from a communication device to a remote communication device is initiated, via a communication interface. Sound data is received via a microphone, prior to the voice call being established. Preview data is transmitted in association with the voice call to the remote communication device, via the communication interface, the preview data indicative of the sound data, and the preview data for presentation at the remote communication device prior to the voice call being established.

Abstract: A system, method, electronic device and server are provided for metering electronic messages and for managing message traffic within an organization. An electronic message resistance value is stored for recipients within an organization. When a message is composed and addressed at a sending terminal, the electronic message resistance value may be retrieved and displayed at the sending terminal. The message server receiving the composed message for transmission to the recipient sends the message to the recipient in accordance with a priority determined based on the recipient's electronic message resistance; for example, the message may be sent with a low priority attribute, or the transmission of the message to the recipient may be delayed for a set period of time.

Abstract: A wireless communications system may include a user-wearable device including a clasp having open and closed positions, a first wireless security circuit (WSC), and a first controller coupled to the clasp and the first WSC. The system may further include a mobile wireless communications device including a portable housing, an input device(s), a second WSC carried by the portable housing and configured to communicate with the first WSC when in close proximity therewith, and a second controller carried by the portable housing and coupled to the second WSC and the input device(s). The second controller may be configured to enable mobile wireless communications device(s) function based upon a manual entry of an authentication code via the input device(s), and bypass the manual entry and enable the mobile wireless communications device function(s) based upon a communication from the user-wearable device and a position of the clasp.

Abstract: A method of authenticating a user of a computing device is proposed, together with computing device on which the method is implemented. In the method a modified base image is overlaid with a modified overlay image on a display. At least one of the modified base image and modified overlay image is moved by the user. Positive authentication is indicated in response to the base image reference point on the modified base image being aligned, at least one of the base image reference point and the overlay image reference point having coordinates in three dimensions.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a base, a membrane coupled to and spaced from the base, an actuator disposed between the base and the membrane, and spaced from the membrane when the actuator is not actuated, and a controller configured to control actuation of the actuator to cause the actuator to contact the membrane.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for displaying search results on an electronic device. The method includes: displaying at least a portion of a first set of search results; capturing one or more images using a camera device of the electronic device, the camera device being directed in a same direction as a display of the electronic device, the image comprising one or more subjects; determining corresponding points of regard in the one or more images for at least one of the one or more subjects, the points of regard being indicative of areas on the display at which a gaze of the corresponding subject is directed; determining one or more search results associated with the points of regard; and displaying further search results based on information associated with the one or more search results associated with the points of regard.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for improving word prediction in an electronic device. User input of one or more characters is received via a capacitive physical keyboard having a plurality of input members. Concurrently, the device determines the location of a non-typing digit, such as the user's finger or a stylus. Word prediction candidates are generated and weighted, and candidates that have subsequent characters associated with the input member proximal to the location of the non-typing digit are given more weight. The word prediction candidates are displayed, a second user input is then received comprising a selection of one of the candidates, and the device displays the selected word prediction candidate on the display.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for indicating a presence of supplemental information in augmented reality to a user. The method includes capturing a field of view of a camera, obtaining supplemental information for at least one object in the captured field of view, displaying the captured field of view on a display and tracking a point of regard of the user. The point of regard is indicative of an area on the display at which the gaze of the user is focused. The method also includes, for each object associated with supplemental information, displaying, overlaid the captured field of view, a respective indicator that the supplemental information is associated with the object if one or more criteria are satisfied. The one or more criteria are based on at least a proximity between an image of the object in the captured field of view and the point of regard.

Abstract: A method for an electronic device having a display, including, displaying, on the display, a first virtual keyboard including a set of keys, wherein each key of the set of keys is associated with one or more characters, receiving an input reflecting selection of one or more keys of the set of keys, determining, based on the selection, one or more subsequent candidate input characters and one or more word predictions corresponding to the one or more subsequent candidate input characters, displaying, on the display, a second virtual keyboard including a second set of keys, wherein the second set of keys comprises one or more keys associated with the one or more word predictions positioned based, at least in part, on the one or more subsequent candidate input characters. An electronic device including a display, a memory, and a processor, the processor being configured to execute the method.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for improving word prediction candidate selection in an electronic device. Input of one or more characters is received via a capacitive physical keyboard. A word prediction process generates a set of word prediction candidates, determines a unique character in each word prediction candidate, and displays the word prediction candidates along with visual indicia to indicate the unique character. A second input is then received comprising a tap input of a single character on the keyboard. The electronic device determines whether the second input corresponds to a unique character associated with any of the word prediction candidates, and if so, displays the selected word in an input field on the display.

Abstract: An electronic device is provided, having a locally and temporally adaptive prediction database.

Abstract: A method of controlling an electronic device that has a touch-sensitive display includes detecting a touch at an area associated with a character displayed on the touch-sensitive display, adding the character to a character string, identifying, from stored data, objects that at least partially match the character string, determining a next character of ones of the objects identified to yield a set of next characters, increasing a size of an area associated with each character of the set of next characters, and reducing the size of the area associated with each character of the set of next characters with time absent detection of a further touch.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for multitasking with an electronic device. After operating the device in a first operational context, information is received providing the user the option to switch to operation in a second context. Responsive to user input indicating a control switch to the second context, the device may be operated in the second context. Additionally, the device can be reverted back to the first operational context after operation in the second context.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for improving character entry in an electronic device. User input of one or more characters is received via a capacitive physical keyboard. A second user input is then received indicating a desire to add or remove a word completion, such as a prefix or a suffix, to the first set of characters. Based on a generated list of word completion rules, the electronic device modifies the word based on the user input, and outputs the completed word for display.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for controlling the display of an mobile device by: capturing an image using a camera device of the mobile device, the camera device being directed in a same direction as a display of the mobile device, the image comprising one or more subjects (e.g. users or other humans seen in the image); determining a point of regard in the image for at least one of the one or more subjects, the point of regard being indicative of an area on the display at which a gaze of the corresponding subject is directed; determining, based on the point of regard, an instruction for controlling the display; and controlling the display according to the instruction, wherein controlling the display includes reducing visibility of at least one portion of what is displayed on the display.

Abstract: A charger for charging a battery of an electronic device is provided. The electronic device has a charging clip that clips to a structure of the charger. The structure has a plurality of conductive strips disposed thereon. The number of conductive strips contacted by a charging contact on the charging clip determines the amount of current provided to the electronic device for charging.