Abstract: In one aspect, structures are provided that comprise (a) a one-dimensional periodic plurality of layers, wherein at least two of the layers have a refractive index differential sufficient to provide effective contrast; and (b) one or more light-emitting nanostructure materials effectively positioned with respect to the refractive index differential interface, wherein the structure provides a polarized output emission.

Abstract: Provided herein are display systems and units, including those configured for dynamic communication in a physical location, such as in retail settings. Also included herein are methods for dynamically displaying product information in a physical location, such as a retail setting.

Abstract: In one aspect, structures are provided that comprise a photonic crystal comprising a dielectric layer comprising therein one or more light-emitting nanostructure materials. In a further aspect, structures are provided that comprise a dielectric layer comprising first and second sets of light-emitting nanostructure materials at differing depths within the dielectric layer.

Abstract: In one aspect, structures are provided that comprise (a) a one-dimensional periodic plurality of layers, wherein at least two of the layers have a refractive index differential sufficient to provide effective contrast; and (b) one or more light-emitting nanostructure materials effectively positioned with respect to the refractive index differential interface, wherein the structure provides a polarized output emission.

Abstract: A handheld electronic device having a microprocessor housed within a body including a display area and a contact-sensitive area is disclosed. The contact-sensitive area detects contact engagement therewith and produces instruction data based thereupon. A microprocessor-run software program receives instruction data from the contact-sensitive area. The contact-sensitive area has a home zone area and a plurality of activity launch zone areas. The software program is programmed to process the instruction data and determine sweeping contact motion detected on the contact-sensitive area originating at the home zone area and terminating at one of the plurality of activity launch zone areas. The program responsively launches an operator-instructed activity corresponding to the activity launch zone area at which the sweeping contact motion terminated.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for interfacing between a mobile device and a PC. The mobile device utilizes a connection with the PC for taking advantage of the larger display and input devices such as the keyboard on the PC to improve the user interface (UI). This also enables the user to take advantage of the mobile device's wireless connectivity at the same time, e.g. where the PC does not have the same connectivity.

Abstract: Provided herein are display systems and units, including those configured for dynamic communication, inventorying, and monitoring environmental conditions in a physical location, such as in retail settings. Also included herein are methods for dynamically displaying product information in a physical location, such as a retail setting.

Abstract: Provided herein are display systems and units, including those configured for dynamic communication in a physical location, such as in retail settings. Also included herein are methods for dynamically displaying product information in a physical location, such as a retail setting.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods configured for serving content to one or more merchandising communication systems. A merchandising communication system may be included at a retail environment and/or other locations. Content may include display information configured to be displayed on display units of the merchandising communication systems. Users may provide entry and/or selection of parameter values for one or more content communication parameters to facilitate selective serving of content to individual merchandising communication system and/or sets of merchandising communication systems.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods configured for serving content to one or more merchandising communication systems based on one or more external events. A merchandising communication system may be included at a retail environment and/or other locations. Content may include display information configured to be displayed on display units of the merchandising communication systems responsive to occurrence and/or non-occurrence of one or more user specified events. Users may provide entry and/or selection of parameter values for one or more content communication parameters to facilitate selective serving of content to individual merchandising communication system and/or sets of merchandising communication systems based on external events.

Abstract: A PC includes (i) a cell setting section which divides a background image into a plurality of cells and defines a position and a size of the plurality of cells and (ii) a component setting section which, in a case where an operation, in which a component image is arranged with respect to the background image, is conducted, (a) determines in which one of the plurality of the plurality of cells the component image should be arranged, (b) associates the component image with the cell in which the component image has been arranged, and (c) carries out setting so that the component image is displayed, in the cell associated with the component image in component setting data, in a position or a size in accordance with a size of the cell.

Abstract: A process and a system that create and encrypt rich formatted passwords that increase password strength and security in some embodiments are disclosed. The process increases password security by converting a set of password tokens and a set of password appearance alterations into a rich formatted password and then encrypting the rich formatted password. The system of some embodiments includes (i) a data converter for assembling a rich formatted password from a data object comprising a set of password tokens and a set of password appearance alterations received at a password creation user interface (UI) of a computing device and (ii) a data encrypter for encrypting rich formatted passwords and decrypting encrypted rich formatted passwords, and (iii) a database for storing and retrieving encrypted rich formatted passwords.

Abstract: A device, method and system for efficiently powering a near field communication device are provided. The device comprises: a module configured to: exchange data with a near field communication (NFC) device; and transmit energy to the NFC device; and, a processor configured to: receive, using the module, energy data from the NFC device, the energy data comprising data for determining a difference between a current energy level of an energy storage apparatus at the NFC device and a given amount of energy for performing a given function at the NFC device; determine the difference from the energy data; and, transmit, using the module, an amount of energy corresponding to the difference, to the NFC device.

Abstract: A device for providing notifications while mated with a carrying case is provided. The device comprises: an indicator; a first detector configured to detect when the device is mated with a carrying case, the carrying case having an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein the indicator is hidden in the closed configuration and at least partially exposed in the open configuration; a second detector configured to detect when the carrying case is in the open configuration; and, a processor configured to place the indicator in a given notification mode when the first detector detects that the device is mated with the carrying case and the second detector detects that the carrying case is in the open configuration.

Abstract: NFC-capable systems and devices, and related methods, for controlling operation of an NFC-capable mobile device are disclosed. Through NFC communication, the NFC-capable mobile device detects a load associated with a surface proximate the NFC-capable mobile device. Based at least partly on a determined sustained intensity of the load, the NFC-capable mobile device triggers operation of a camera of the NFC-capable mobile device to capture an image of the surface proximate the NFC-capable mobile device. Based at least partly on a determined correspondence of the captured image with stored image data, the NFC-capable mobile device executes a device control command, such as to control some aspect of the NFC-capable mobile device based on the detected surface, which may be part of a holster for holstering the NFC-capable mobile device.

Abstract: A method includes: detecting a first touch at a first location on a touch-sensitive display; detecting a second touch at a second location on the touch-sensitive display; and displaying a navigation indicator on the touch-sensitive display in response to detecting the second touch while first touch contact is maintained.

Abstract: A device, method and system for efficiently powering a near field communication device are provided. The devices comprises: a module configured to: exchange data with a near field communication (NFC) device; and transmit energy to the NFC device; and, a processor configured to: receive, using the module, energy data from the NFC device, the energy data comprising data for determining a difference between a current energy level of an energy storage apparatus at the NFC device and a given amount of energy for performing a given function at the NFC device; determine the difference from the energy data; and, transmit, using the module, an amount of energy corresponding to the difference, to the NFC device.

Abstract: Methods of waking a portable electronic device are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises: causing the portable electronic device to enter a sleep mode in which a touch-sensitive display is deactivated a force sensing transducer measures forces applied to the touch-sensitive display at a reduced rate relative to a rate of a full power mode when in the sleep mode; causing a force sensing transducer to measure forces applied to the touch-sensitive display at the rate of the full power mode in response to detection of an inertial event; causing the touch-sensitive display to be reactivated in response to detection of a force which is greater than a predetermined wake force threshold; and causing the portable electronic device to wake in response to detection of a touch event within a first predetermined duration of the detection of the force which is greater than a predetermined wake force threshold.

Abstract: An image creation system which creates image data of an image to be displayed by a display section of a programmable display device includes the programmable display device and a personal computer (PC). When a user conducts an operation by use of a mouse etc., an image creation operating section of the PC creates operation data indicative of content of the operation. A data transmission and reception section of the PC transmits, to the programmable display device, the operation data whose data format is compatible with the programmable display device. A control section of the programmable display device causes the programmable display device to draw the image in accordance with the operation data received by the programmable display device.