Abstract: A vibrating headset capable of generating a vibration of variable operational characteristics in the earpiece of the vibrating headset is disclosed. The vibrating headset may include one or more earpieces, each of which includes a speaker and a vibrator mechanism, wherein the vibrator mechanism receives a vibration input signal which is distinct from the audio input signal received by the speaker and defines the variable operational characteristics of the vibration to be generated by the vibrator mechanism. A gaming apparatus including a gaming device and a vibrating headset communicably coupled to the gaming device for generating vibrations of variable operational characteristics in response to receiving a vibration input signal from the gaming device is also provided. Finally, a method of creating vibrations defined by at least one variable operational characteristic in an earpiece of a vibrating headset is provided.

Abstract: A vibrating headset capable of generating a vibration of variable operational characteristics in the earpiece of the vibrating headset is disclosed. The vibrating headset may include one or more earpieces, each of which includes a speaker and a vibrator mechanism, wherein the vibrator mechanism receives a vibration input signal which is distinct from the audio input signal received by the speaker and defines the variable operational characteristics of the vibration to be generated by the vibrator mechanism. A gaming apparatus including a gaming device and a vibrating headset communicably coupled to the gaming device for generating vibrations of variable operational characteristics in response to receiving a vibration input signal from the gaming device is also provided. Finally, a method of creating vibrations defined by at least one variable operational characteristic in an earpiece of a vibrating headset is provided.

Abstract: A vibrating headset capable of generating a vibration of variable operational characteristics in the earpiece of the vibrating headset is disclosed. The vibrating headset may include one or more earpieces, each of which includes a speaker and a vibrator mechanism, wherein the vibrator mechanism receives a vibration input signal which is distinct from the audio input signal received by the speaker and defines the variable operational characteristics of the vibration to be generated by the vibrator mechanism. A gaming apparatus including a gaming device and a vibrating headset communicably coupled to the gaming device for generating vibrations of variable operational characteristics in response to receiving a vibration input signal from the gaming device is also provided. Finally, a method of creating vibrations defined by at least one variable operational characteristic in an earpiece of a vibrating headset is provided.

Abstract: A network entity, method and computer program product are provided for effectuating a conference session. The method includes receiving a plurality of audio measurements representative of audio levels adjacent respective participants of the conference session. At least one of the audio measurements can be received from a proximity network including a plurality of participants at one of the remote locations, the audio measurement having been identified as the highest audio measurement of the respective proximity network. After receiving the audio measurement, the audio measurements can be compared to identify the highest session measurement such that the participant associated with the highest session measurement is identified as a speaking participant, the identity being transferred to at least some of the participants of the conference session. A network entity, method and computer program product are also provided for presenting the identity of the speaking participant.

Abstract: A rocker includes a stem fabricated from an elastomeric material, having a first end and a second end, the second end being mountable to a base. A cap is secured to the first end of the stem. The elastomeric material of the stem is effective for resiliently urging the cap to an original position subsequent to being moved from the original position to a depressed position. Conductive elements are positioned on the cap for establishing an electrical connection between circuit elements of a printed wire board when the second end of the stem is mounted to the base and the cap is moved to a depressed position.

Abstract: A system for controlling an electronic device. The system includes an earpiece for distributing sound to a user. The earpiece has a sensor which is adapted to sense when the state of the earpiece changes from use to non-use and from non-use to use. The earpiece is adapted to be in communication with an electronic device to provide state information from the sensor to the electronic device so that the electronic device can respond, such as by ceasing to play a song when the earpiece is removed by a user.

Abstract: A handheld device having processor components operatively connected together for performing predetermined functions. The device defines a socket configured for rotatably receiving a ball defining an orifice configured for receiving a stylus. The socket is further configured for generating to the processor components electrical signals indicative of movement of the ball in response to movement of the stylus. The processor components include pointing device logic for responding to said signals.

Abstract: An improved hands-free speaker telephone designed to provide high-quality sound in a relatively small instrument, while at the same time avoiding acoustic shock to a user pressing the device too closely to an ear. If a speakerphone is mistaken for an ordinary portable or cellular phone, or simply out of misguided habit, a user may intentionally or inadvertently press the speaker against an ear. This action may subject the ear to an overly-loud audio event if the speaker begins producing sound, as hands-free speakerphone speakers are typically set to a much higher volume than those of ordinary phones. The effect, which is sometimes referred to as ‘acoustic shock’, is worsened significantly where the user actually succeeds in sealing the phone around the ear, as commonly (and harmlessly) occurs with standard (personal) phones. To avoid this undesirable phenomenon, the hands-free speakerphone is provided with a seal-proof speaker configuration.

Abstract: A method for providing variable frequency patterns for vibration of a wireless device is provided. The method includes receiving a call at the wireless device, the call associated with a caller identifier. Frequency pattern data stored in the wireless device is searched for the caller identifier. A specified frequency pattern is retrieved from the frequency pattern data when the caller identifier is found in the frequency pattern data. The specified frequency pattern is associated with the caller identifier in the frequency pattern data. The specified frequency pattern is provided to a vibrator for the wireless device.

Abstract: A rocker includes a stem fabricated from an elastomeric material, having a first end and a second end, the second end being mountable to a base. A cap is secured to the first end of the stem. The elastomeric material of the stem is effective for resiliently urging the cap to an original position subsequent to being moved from the original position to a depressed position. Conductive elements are positioned on the cap for establishing an electrical connection between circuit elements of a printed wire board when the second end of the stem is mounted to the base and the cap is moved to a depressed position.

Abstract: A handheld device having processor components operatively connected together for performing predetermined functions. The device defines a socket configured for rotatably receiving a ball defining an orifice configured for receiving a stylus. The socket is further configured for generating to the processor components electrical signals indicative of movement of the ball in response to movement of the stylus. The processor components include pointing device logic for responding to said signals.

Abstract: An improved hands-free speaker telephone designed to provide high-quality sound in a relatively small instrument, while at the same time avoiding acoustic shock to a user pressing the device too closely to an ear. If a speakerphone is mistaken for an ordinary portable or cellular phone, or simply out of misguided habit, a user may intentionally or inadvertently press the speaker against an ear. This action may subject the ear to an overly-loud audio event if the speaker begins producing sound, as hands-free speakerphone speakers are typically set to a much higher volume than those of ordinary phones. The effect, which is sometimes referred to as ‘acoustic shock’, is worsened significantly where the user actually succeeds in sealing the phone around the ear, as commonly (and harmlessly) occurs with standard (personal) phones. To avoid this undesirable phenomenon, the hands-free speakerphone is provided with a seal-proof speaker configuration.

Abstract: An improved, battery-operated liquid-crystal display (LCD) device designed to use the battery as a structural support for the LCD. The device, typically a cellular phone, media phone, or other telecommunications mobile station, includes a housing that encloses station components. The housing forms a window through which the LCD screen may be viewed when the device is in operation. A recess behind the LCD is formed for receiving a battery. The battery is made of a material that is sufficiently resistant to bending that, when the device, including the battery, is assembled, the battery structurally engages the LCD. That is, the battery provides at least some structural support to the LCD so as to reduce or eliminate deformation of the LCD that would otherwise have occurred due to a stress applied to the device.

Abstract: A mobile station in accordance with these teachings includes a communication part having a controller, an RF transceiver and an antenna; and that further includes an information entry part embodied as a keypad or a keyboard module that may be detachable from the communication part. The keypad module is coupled, whether attached or detached, through a wireless link to the communication part for conveying keypad-generated information, such as dialed telephone numbers, from the keypad module to the communication part. Preferably the wireless link is a short range, low power RF link, such as a Bluetooth link. The keypad module further includes a source for providing operating power for the keypad module, where the source includes at least one solar cell used alone or in combination with a battery.