Abstract: An electronic device (100) is configured to be operable with the user input attachment (102) so as to provide a user with the option of using a touch sensitive display (101) alone, or in conjunction with the control device or keypad having physical keys to enhance the tactile user experience. The electronic device (100) includes a touch sensitive display (101) and the controller (104) it is operable with a touch sensitive display (101). When the user input attachment (102) is coupled to the touch sensitive display (101), and identification module (106) is configured to identify the user input attachment (102) by way of a temporal signature signal (110). Once identified, and adaptation module (107) is configured to reconfigure the electronic device (100) in response to the user input attachment (102) being attached.

Abstract: A portable electronic device comprising a housing, and a first user interface, a second user interface and one or more sensors supported by the housing, and a method thereof. The first user interface has an active state, and the second user interface has an inactive state while the first user interface is in the active state. The sensor or sensors detect an environmental condition. The second user interface changes from the inactive state to the active state and the first user interface changes from the active state to the inactive state in response to one or more sensors detecting the environmental condition. For another embodiment, the device may detect an energy level of a power source of the portable electronic device. The second user interface of the portable electronic device is then activated and the first user interface of the portable electronic device is deactivated in response to detecting the energy level of the power source.

Abstract: A touch sensitive keypad device (101) for an electronic device (100) includes one or more keys (106,107,108,109,110) situated in a keypad carrier (206). One or more conductive layers (115,116,117,118) span the keys. One or more transverse conductive layers (119,120,121,122,123,124) are integrated with a non-key component, such as the keypad carrier (205). A capacitance sensing circuit (126) detects changes in capacitance between the conductive layers and the transverse conductive layers to detect user input, thereby allowing a user (1990) to use a matrix (1902) of keys as a touch pad.

Abstract: A user computer device is provided that comprises a temperature sensitive touchscreen having a temperature sensitive user interface comprising multiple thermal energy emitter/detector devices, such as thermocouples. The multiple thermal energy emitter/detector devices are capable both of detecting thermal energy and emitting thermal energy. The temperature sensitive user interface generates thermal patterns that may be transferred to other thermally sensitive electronic devices or that may be used to authenticate the user computer device. The user computer device also can detect and thermally communicate with a thermal energy docking station and, based on thermal recognition, activate applications displayed on the temperature sensitive touchscreen. Further, the user computer device can auto-bias a temperature of the temperature sensitive user interface in order to better assure proper operation of the temperature sensitive user interface in all operating conditions.

Abstract: An active stylus or a method performed by an active stylus for interacting with a mobile device, wherein the mobile device has at least one sensor (e.g., a thermocouple junction), and wherein the stylus has at least one signal source (e.g., an analog heat source) that produces at least one signal (e.g., at least one analog temperature signal), wherein the at least one signal is configured to be detectable by the at least one sensor of the mobile device. The stylus also has at least one signal adjustment mechanism for changing the at least one signal and also has at least one transmitter (e.g., thermocouple junction) configured to transmit the at least one signal for receipt by the at least one sensor of the mobile device.

Abstract: A touch sensitive keypad device (101) for an electronic device (100) includes one or more keys (106,107,108,109,110) situated in a keypad carrier (206). One or more conductive layers (115,116,117,118) span the keys. One or more transverse conductive layers (119,120,121,122,123,124) are integrated with a non-key component, such as the keypad carrier (205). A capacitance sensing circuit (126) detects changes in capacitance between the conductive layers and the transverse conductive layers to detect user input, thereby allowing a user (1990) to use a matrix (1902) of keys as a touch pad.

Abstract: A touch sensitive keypad device (101) for an electronic device (100) includes one or more keys (106,107,108,109,110) situated in a keypad carrier (206). One or more conductive layers (115,116,117,118) span the keys. One or more transverse conductive layers (119,120,121,122,123,124) are integrated with a non-key component, such as the keypad carrier (205). A capacitance sensing circuit (126) detects changes in capacitance between the conductive layers and the transverse conductive layers to detect user input, thereby allowing a user (1990) to use a matrix (1902) of keys as a touch pad.

Abstract: A mobile device or a method performed by a mobile device for interacting with a stylus, wherein the stylus has at least one sensor (e.g., a thermocouple junction), and wherein the mobile device has at least one signal source (e.g., an analog heat source) that produces at least one signal (e.g., at least one analog heat signal), wherein the at least one signal is configured to be detectable by the at least one sensor of the stylus. The mobile device also has at least one signal adjustment mechanism for changing the at least one signal and also has at least one transmitter (e.g., thermal active touch screen display) configured to transmit the at least one signal for receipt by the at least one sensor of the stylus.

Abstract: An active stylus or a method performed by an active stylus for interacting with a mobile device, wherein the mobile device has at least one sensor (e.g., a thermocouple junction), and wherein the stylus has at least one signal source (e.g., an analog heat source) that produces at least one signal (e.g., at least one analog temperature signal), wherein the at least one signal is configured to be detectable by the at least one sensor of the mobile device. The stylus also has at least one signal adjustment mechanism for changing the at least one signal and also has at least one transmitter (e.g., thermocouple junction) configured to transmit the at least one signal for receipt by the at least one sensor of the mobile device.

Abstract: A mobile device or a method performed by a mobile device for interacting with a stylus, wherein the stylus has at least one sensor (e.g., a thermocouple junction), and wherein the mobile device has at least one signal source (e.g., an analog heat source) that produces at least one signal (e.g., at least one analog heat signal), wherein the at least one signal is configured to be detectable by the at least one sensor of the stylus. The mobile device also has at least one signal adjustment mechanism for changing the at least one signal and also has at least one transmitter (e.g., thermal active touch screen display) configured to transmit the at least one signal for receipt by the at least one sensor of the stylus.

Abstract: A user input attachment (201) is configured to selectively attach to an electronic device (100) such as a mobile telephone. The electronic device (100) includes a plurality of electrode nodes (205), which can be configured separately from each other across one or more surfaces of the electronic device (100). A controller (105), which is operable with the plurality of electrode nodes (205), is configured to sense current flowing through (or voltage across) the electrode nodes (205). The sensed voltage or current establishes an engagement signature (771) dependent upon pressure from compressible conductive elements (207) against electrode nodes (205) from the user input attachment (201), and where included, one or more protuberances (206).

Abstract: A portable electronic device comprising a housing, and a first user interface, a second user interface and one or more sensors supported by the housing, and a method thereof. The first user interface has an active state, and the second user interface has an inactive state while the first user interface is in the active state. The sensor or sensors detect an environmental condition. The second user interface changes from the inactive state to the active state and the first user interface changes from the active state to the inactive state in response to one or more sensors detecting the environmental condition. For another embodiment, the device may detect an energy level of a power source of the portable electronic device. The second user interface of the portable electronic device is then activated and the first user interface of the portable electronic device is deactivated in response to detecting the energy level of the power source.

Abstract: An electronic device (100) is configured to be operable with the user input attachment (102) so as to provide a user with the option of using a touch sensitive display (101) alone, or in conjunction with the control device or keypad having physical keys to enhance the tactile user experience. The electronic device (100) includes a touch sensitive display (101) and the controller (104) it is operable with a touch sensitive display (101). When the user input attachment (102) is coupled to the touch sensitive display (101), and identification module (106) is configured to identify the user input attachment (102) by way of a temporal signature signal (110). Once identified, and adaptation module (107) is configured to reconfigure the electronic device (100) in response to the user input attachment (102) being attached.

Abstract: A communication system is provided that allows a user to exchange a stream of data with a user computer device via a capacitive touchscreen of the device. The communication system includes a user's data input device having a capacitive user interface and a user computer device having a capacitive touchscreen. When the capacitive user interface of the data input device and the capacitive touchscreen of the user computer device are in sufficient to proximity to each other, an inter-device capacitance is created over which exchanging a stream of data may be exchanged between the data input device and the user computer device.

Abstract: A user computer device is provided that comprises a temperature sensitive touchscreen having a temperature sensitive user interface comprising multiple thermal energy emitter/detector devices, such as thermocouples. The multiple thermal energy emitter/detector devices are capable both of detecting thermal energy and emitting thermal energy. The temperature sensitive user interface generates thermal patterns that may be transferred to other thermally sensitive electronic devices or that may be used to authenticate the user computer device. The user computer device also can detect and thermally communicate with a thermal energy docking station and, based on thermal recognition, activate applications displayed on the temperature sensitive touchscreen. Further, the user computer device can auto-bias a temperature of the temperature sensitive user interface in order to better assure proper operation of the temperature sensitive user interface in all operating conditions.

Abstract: A user computer device is provided that comprises a temperature sensitive touchscreen having a temperature sensitive user interface comprising multiple thermal energy emitter/detector devices, such as thermocouples. The multiple thermal energy emitter/detector devices are capable both of detecting thermal energy and emitting thermal energy. The temperature sensitive user interface generates thermal patterns that may be transferred to other thermally sensitive electronic devices or that may be used to authenticate the user computer device. The user computer device also can detect and thermally communicate with a thermal energy docking station and, based on thermal recognition, activate applications displayed on the temperature sensitive touchscreen. Further, the user computer device can auto-bias a temperature of the temperature sensitive user interface in order to better assure proper operation of the temperature sensitive user interface in all operating conditions.

Abstract: A user computer device is provided that comprises a temperature sensitive touchscreen having a temperature sensitive user interface comprising multiple thermal energy emitter/detector devices, such as thermocouples. The multiple thermal energy emitter/detector devices are capable both of detecting thermal energy and emitting thermal energy. The temperature sensitive user interface generates thermal patterns that may be transferred to other thermally sensitive electronic devices or that may be used to authenticate the user computer device. The user computer device also can detect and thermally communicate with a thermal energy docking station and, based on thermal recognition, activate applications displayed on the temperature sensitive touchscreen. Further, the user computer device can auto-bias a temperature of the temperature sensitive user interface in order to better assure proper operation of the temperature sensitive user interface in all operating conditions.

Abstract: A touch sensitive keypad device (101) for an electronic device (100) includes one or more keys (106,107,108,109,110) situated in a keypad carrier (206). One or more conductive layers (115,116,117,118) span the keys. One or more transverse conductive layers (119,120,121,122,123,124) are integrated with a non-key component, such as the keypad carrier (205). A capacitance sensing circuit (126) detects changes in capacitance between the conductive layers and the transverse conductive layers to detect user input, thereby allowing a user (1990) to use a matrix (1902) of keys as a touch pad.

Abstract: A user input attachment (201) is configured to selectively attach to an electronic device (100) such as a mobile telephone. The electronic device (100) includes a plurality of electrode nodes (205), which can be configured separately from each other across one or more surfaces of the electronic device (100). A controller (105), which is operable with the plurality of electrode nodes (205), is configured to sense current flowing through (or voltage across) the electrode nodes (205). The sensed voltage or current establishes an engagement signature (771) dependent upon pressure from compressible conductive elements (207) against electrode nodes (205) from the user input attachment (201), and where included, one or more protuberances (206).

Abstract: An electronic device (100) is configured to be operable with the user input attachment (102) so as to provide a user with the option of using a touch sensitive display (101) alone, or in conjunction with the control device or keypad having physical keys to enhance the tactile user experience. The electronic device (100) includes a touch sensitive display (101) and the controller (104) it is operable with a touch sensitive display (101). When the user input attachment (102) is coupled to the touch sensitive display (101), and identification module (106) is configured to identify the user input attachment (102) by way of a temporal signature signal (110). Once identified, and adaptation module (107) is configured to reconfigure the electronic device (100) in response to the user input attachment (102) being attached.