Abstract: A handheld device that intuitively switches operating modes based upon the device position. Each operating mode is associated with a particular device position. If the device recognizes a change in its physical orientation it may trigger a change in its operating mode to correspond to the new orientation. The operating modes may be a speakerphone mode and handset mode associated with a voice call. The device may enter speakerphone mode when held substantially flat and may switch to handset mode when the device is lifted up and tilted to the user's ear. An orientation sensor contained within the device may provide the orientation data based upon which the device selects its operating mode.

Abstract: A device and method for communicating data from or to a device using vibrations from another device. One of the devices includes a vibrator and the other device includes a sensor for detecting vibrations. The devices are placed in physical contact either directly or through an intermediate medium, such that vibrations generated in the casing of one device are transferred to the casing of the other device. Vibrations are generated by the vibrator in response to a drive signal modulated by an information signal. The modulation may be on-off keying. Modulated vibrations are detected by the sensor in the other device and are demodulated to obtain the information signal.

Abstract: A mobile wireless communication device is provided with an integral transducer used to refresh a random data pool without connection to an external source of new random data.

Abstract: A manual input navigation device and a sensor are utilized to manipulate graphical elements in a mobile device graphical user interface. The manual input navigation device generates an input navigation signal for altering a relative position of the graphical element in the graphical user interface, and the sensor measures a current tilt angle of the mobile device. Upon the generation of the input navigation signal, the current tilt angle is stored as a reference tilt angle. The relative position of the graphical element is altered based on the difference between the current tilt angle and the reference tilt angle.

Abstract: A handheld electronic device includes a housing adapted to engage a holster, and a sensor having an input adapted to sense engagement of the housing with the holster and an output responsive to that engagement. The output includes an out-of-holster state and an in-holster state. A processor circuit includes a routine, an input receiving the sensor output and an output having a first intensity state and a second greater intensity state. A vibrator within the housing is adapted to vibrate the housing at a plurality of different intensities. The routine outputs to a control circuit the first intensity state when the sensed engagement includes the out-of-holster state, and the second greater intensity state when the sensed engagement includes the in-holster state. The control circuit activates the vibrator at a first intensity corresponding to the first intensity state and at a second greater intensity corresponding to the second greater intensity state.

Abstract: A data communication control apparatus for use in association with a facsimile transmission device, comprising: a memory for storage of telephone number data, private network protocol information and telephone line communicable data; an off-hook detector for determining when the facsimile device is placing an outgoing call; a controller for controlling the outgoing call in response to an instruction from the off-hook detector, the controller comparing the number of the outgoing call with the telephone number data in the memory and determining whether that number is served by the private network; and a fax-tone detector in association with the off-hook detector and memory for determining the time-out parameter of the facsimile device placing the outgoing call; wherein when the outgoing call is placed by the facsimile device, the off-hook detector instructs the controller which first determines whether or not the outgoing call is a long distance number and, if so, whether the long distance area code is serviced