Abstract: A communications system includes a display configured to display at least one time variable image, at least one passive near field communications (NFC) device associated with the display, and a media device. An identifier is associated with the at least one passive NFC device. A mobile wireless communications device includes a second NFC device, a wireless transceiver, and a processor. The processor is configured to receive, via communication between the at least one passive NFC device and the second NFC device, an identifier for the at least one passive NFC device. The processor is also configured to send, via the wireless transceiver and to the media device, the identifier and the identifier time, and receive, from and media device and via the wireless transceiver, data relating to the at least one time variable image based upon the identifier and an identifier time based upon the identifier.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a touch-sensitive display, and a plurality of piezoelectric patch transducers disposed beneath the display. A controller is configured to switch each of the transducers between a tactile feedback mode to provide tactile feedback via the touch-sensitive display, and an object detection mode to provide acoustic detection of a contactless position of an object relative to the device. The object is free of contact with the device at the contactless object position. Using the same transducers to provide tactile feedback and object detection provides these features without additional costs associated with adding further components. A microphone of the device can receive ultrasonic signals, emitted from the transducers and via associated acoustic ports, and the device can process the received signals to determine a contactless three-dimensional gesture that is performed, for example above the display.

Abstract: The present specification provides communication device for determining and processing contact profiles. The contact profiles can be used in the composition of messages in order to reduce the likelihood of multiple clarification messages being sent and to thereby reduce processing and bandwidth resources in management of the communications.

Abstract: An electronic device includes an object sensor for detecting motion of an object, such as a stylus or finger, relative to device and during a period of contactless object movement. A motion sensor, such as an accelerometer, detects device motion during the period of contactless object movement. A processor determines a gesture that corresponds to the movement of the object and to movement of the device. This device, and the associated method, results in a more accurate determination of an intended gesture, such as a three-dimensional gesture. For example, the processor, or gesture determinator, can compensate for movement of the device when determining the gesture corresponding to detected contactless movement of the object.

Abstract: A three-dimensional display presents a plurality of icons that are associated with a user interface of an electronic device. The plurality of icons include at least a first icon presented at a first depth of presentation and a second icon presented at a second, different depth of presentation. The first icon is associated with a first input component of the user interface, such that the first input component provides for interaction with the first icon. The second icon is associated with a second input component of the user interface, such that the second input component provides for interaction with the second icon. The aforementioned depths of presentation may substantially coincide with various surfaces of the electronic device (such as a first touch-sensitive surface and a second touch-sensitive surface). This approach can serve to facilitate three-dimensional presentation of icons for interaction by touch-sensitive surfaces on the front and back of the electronic device.

Abstract: A three-dimensional display presents a plurality of icons that are associated with a user interface. These icons include at least a first icon presented at a first depth of presentation and at least a second icon presented at a second, different depth of presentation. By one approach this first icon is available for interaction by an input component of the user interface while the second icon is unavailable for interaction by the input component of the user interface. The aforementioned first depth of presentation may be substantially coincide with a surface, for example, a touch-sensitive display, of the corresponding electronic device. So configured, the first icon (which is presently available for selection) appears at a depth that coincides with that surface. This approach can serve to facilitate three-dimensional presentation of an icon based on whether it is available for interaction via an input component of a user interface.

Abstract: A hybrid film-forming composition is prepared by forming an aqueous mixture including an organofunctional silane, a metal chloride, and an acid, and boiling the mixture. A base is added to the aqueous mixture to substantially neutralize the mixture and to form a hydroxide of the metal. A colloidal suspension including the metal hydroxide and a siloxy compound is formed. A peroxide-based solution is added to the suspension to form a suspension including a peroxide of the metal. The suspension is allowed to equilibrate at room temperature. The suspension is boiled at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure to form a hybrid film-forming composition including the condensation product of a siloxy compound and a metal peroxide. A coating formed from the hybrid film-forming composition may be hydrophobic or hydrophilic.

Abstract: A method and portable device for capturing a still image is described. The portable device comprises both an image projector for projecting images and a sensor for capturing images. A first image is captured and a flash image is generated based on the captured first image to adjust lighting of the image subject. The generated flash image is projected onto the image subject using the projector and a second image is captured while the flash image is projected onto the image subject.

Abstract: A communication system may include at least one electronic device configured to wirelessly communicate via a short-range communications format, and at least one mobile communications device. The at least one mobile communications device may include a short-range communications device configured to wirelessly communicate with the at least one electronic device via the short-range communications format, and a controller coupled to the short-range communications device. The controller may be configured to determine a state of movement of the at least mobile communications device, and determine a direction of communication with respect to the at least one electronic device based upon the determined state of movement.

Abstract: An apparatus, and an associated method, for a portable electronic device, such as a wireless device, to determine luminescence of an object of interest. Ultraviolet A (UVA), or other appropriate, light energy is cause to be generated at a flicker rate. Images of the object of interest are recorded both when the UVA light energy is incident on the object of interest and in the absence of incidence of the UVA light energy on the object of interest. The images are compared, and a determination is made of the luminescence of the object of interest.

Abstract: A display device including: a display screen having first region and second region, the first region having a first pixel density and the second region having a second pixel density, the second pixel density being higher than the first pixel density, an input for receiving image data, a power source; and wherein the display screen is operable in a full screen mode in which an image is displayed in both the first region and the second region and a reduced screen mode in which power to the first region is turned off and the image is displayed in the second region.

Abstract: A system and method are provided that adapt or configure an electronic device to be capable of detecting movement of the plug of a headset relative to a socket therefore (i.e. be capable of detecting relative movement of the coupling between the headset and the device). The plug can then be used to control functions on the electronic device, including those associated with audio programming. The resultant auxiliary controls can also be used for other applications, even those where the device is actively being used, e.g. a video game, to provide further control inputs for the electronic device.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the orientation of a mobile device for displaying a graphical user interface and for activating an audio user interface in response to an incoming call or outgoing call. For the graphical user interface, depending on the detected orientation of the mobile device, the graphical user interface can be displayed in a first vertical orientation, a second vertical orientation, a first horizontal orientation, and a second horizontal orientation. For the audio user interface, depending on the detected orientation of the mobile device, a speaker and a microphone can be activated based on the detected vertical orientation so that the activated speaker is near the top of the mobile device and the activated microphone is near the bottom of mobile device.

Abstract: A method and electronic device with motion compensation are described. In accordance with one embodiment, there is provided a method for operating an electronic device, comprising: detecting motion of the electronic device; receiving an input signal from an input device of the electronic device; selectively ignoring the input signal received from the input device in response to the detecting.

Abstract: A method and electronic device with motion compensation are described. In accordance with one embodiment, there is provided a method for operating an electronic device, comprising: determining a velocity of the electronic device; changing a duration of actuation for registering an input for an input device of the portable electronic device in response to the determining.

Abstract: Method, device and computer readable storage medium for managing applications on a wireless device by providing applications on the wireless device. The wireless device is used in a short-range wireless system with an effective range. The wireless device and a client device are brought into proximity and thereby into the effective range of the short-range wireless system. The wireless device and the client device are connected and associated. The application is associated with the client device. The application is then automatically launched on the wireless device.

Abstract: A method, wireless communication device, and computer program product are provided for scheduling wireless communication between a base station and one or more mobile wireless communication devices. Signals indicative of motion are obtained and utilized to facilitate scheduling operations. In some embodiments, signals indicative of motion are used in estimation or prediction of variable conditions of the common radio medium, and scheduling, such as opportunistic scheduling, is performed based at least in part on the estimates or predictions. Signals indicative of motion may be obtained from GPS data, accelerometer data or other data generated at a mobile wireless communication device.

Abstract: A mobile transceiver device comprises a GPS receiver module to receive GPS signals and calculate current positions. The current positions are used in a navigation module. The mobile transceiver device comprises one or more local interface technologies, such as Bluetooth and USB. These local interface technologies can be used to communicate with an automobile data system. In situations where there is sporadic GPS coverage, the mobile transceiver device receives inputs from the automobile data system, such as speed or velocity information, and heading information, such as output from a compass, as available. These inputs are used in the navigation module of the mobile transceiver device to navigate by dead reckoning until an updated position fix based on received GPS signals can be calculated.

Abstract: A mobile transceiver device can communicate with a separate broadcast radio receiver, to receive metadata concerning a main program being received by the broadcast radio receiver. The mobile transceiver device uses the metadata to formulate a request or search query, send the request or search query over a WLAN or cellular data network transceiver, to one or more sources of additional information, which respond with additional information. The additional information can comprise more detailed metadata about the main program as well as content and programming that facilitate a commerce transaction. For example, more detailed metadata can include song lyrics and album art when the main program is a song, while if the main program is an advertisement, the additional information can comprise information for furthering completion of a transaction.

Abstract: A composition includes an aqueous carrier and the condensation product of a silicon peroxide and a transition metal peroxide. The composition can be prepared by a process including boiling a mixture including a silicon peroxide, a transition metal peroxide, and an aqueous carrier at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure. The composition can further include nano-sized particles of metal oxide. A process for preparing an article includes applying the composition to the surface of a substrate and removing the aqueous carrier to form a hybrid metal oxide coating on the surface of the substrate.