Abstract: A method and system for transmitting data to and from a hand-held host device are disclosed. An accessory device for interfacing with a host device includes a communication channel designed to establish a bidirectional data link between the accessory device and the host device. The accessory device also includes a storage unit communicatively coupled to the communication channel. The storage unit is designed to store various data. In addition, at least a first data is selectively transmitted from the stored data of the accessory device to the host device through the established bidirectional data link.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for an accessory device for a mobile host device is disclosed. An accessory device for interfacing with a mobile host device includes a communication channel designed to establish a bi-directional communication link between the accessory device and the host device. In some embodiments, the accessory device allows walkie-talkie communication between an accessory device and a mobile host device as well as control by the accessory device of functions of the mobile host device. In some embodiments, the accessory device allows simplified speed dial control of a mobile phone host device. In other embodiments, accessory devices provide walkie-talkie communication with a mobile host device and provide positioning information to a mobile host device so that an application on the mobile host device can track locations of a plurality of accessory devices. These and other embodiments are more fully disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for an accessory device for a mobile host device is disclosed. An accessory device for interfacing with a mobile host device includes a communication channel designed to establish a bi-directional communication link between the accessory device and the host device. In some embodiments, the accessory device allows walkie-talkie communication between an accessory device and a mobile host device as well as control by the accessory device of functions of the mobile host device. In some embodiments, the accessory device allows simplified speed dial control of a mobile phone host device. In other embodiments, accessory devices provide walkie-talkie communication with a mobile host device and provide positioning information to a mobile host device so that an application on the mobile host device can track locations of a plurality of accessory devices. These and other embodiments are more fully disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method and system for transmitting data to and from a hand-held host device are disclosed. An accessory device for interfacing with a host device includes a communication channel designed to establish a bidirectional data link between the accessory device and the host device. The accessory device also includes a storage unit communicatively coupled to the communication channel. The storage unit is designed to store various data. In addition, at least a first data is selectively transmitted from the stored data of the accessory device to the host device through the established bidirectional data link.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for an accessory device for a mobile host device is disclosed. An accessory device for interfacing with a mobile host device includes a communication channel designed to establish a bi-directional communication link between the accessory device and the host device. In some embodiments, the accessory device allows walkie-talkie communication between an accessory device and a mobile host device as well as control by the accessory device of functions of the mobile host device. In some embodiments, the accessory device allows simplified speed dial control of a mobile phone host device. In other embodiments, accessory devices provide walkie-talkie communication with a mobile host device and provide positioning information to a mobile host device so that an application on the mobile host device can track locations of a plurality of accessory devices. These and other embodiments are more fully disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method and system for customizing a mobile host device is disclosed. An accessory device for interfacing with and customizing a mobile host device includes a communication channel designed to establish a bi-directional communication link between the accessory device and the host device. The accessory device also includes a processor communicatively coupled to the communication channel. The processor is designed to execute a plurality of applications. In addition, the accessory device includes an input assembly communicatively coupled to the processor. The input assembly is designed to minimize a total number of input elements included in the input assembly. Further, at least a first input element being selectively mapped to one or more input functions of the host device based on a user selection.

Abstract: A method and system for transmitting data to and from a hand-held host device are disclosed. An accessory device for interfacing with a host device includes a communication channel designed to establish a bidirectional data link between the accessory device and the host device. The accessory device also includes a storage unit communicatively coupled to the communication channel. The storage unit is designed to store various data. In addition, at least a first data is selectively transmitted from the stored data of the accessory device to the host device through the established bidirectional data link.

Abstract: A method and system for transmitting data to and from a hand-held host device are disclosed. An accessory device for interfacing with a host device includes a communication channel designed to establish a bidirectional data link between the accessory device and the host device. The accessory device also includes a storage unit communicatively coupled to the communication channel. The storage unit is designed to store various data. In addition, at least a first data is selectively transmitted from the stored data of the accessory device to the host device through the established bidirectional data link.

Abstract: A method and system for customizing a mobile host device is disclosed. An accessory device for interfacing with and customizing a mobile host device includes a communication channel designed to establish a bi-directional communication link between the accessory device and the host device. The accessory device also includes a processor communicatively coupled to the communication channel. The processor is designed to execute a plurality of applications. In addition, the accessory device includes an input assembly communicatively coupled to the processor. The input assembly is designed to minimize a total number of input elements included in the input assembly. Further, at least a first input element being selectively mapped to one or more input functions of the host device based on a user selection.

Abstract: A method and system for transmitting data to and from a hand-held host device are disclosed. An accessory device for interfacing with a host device includes a communication channel designed to establish a bidirectional data link between the accessory device and the host device. The accessory device also includes a storage unit communicatively coupled to the communication channel. The storage unit is designed to store various data. In addition, at least a first data is selectively transmitted from the stored data of the accessory device to the host device through the established bidirectional data link.

Abstract: A technique for re-mapping the input elements disposed on a hand-held electronic device to an executable function that is different than the pre-loaded or pre-assigned function(s) provided in software applications may include receiving configuration settings for a software application or a class of software applications, including at least one physical input element, such as a key, rotary dial, or a button, associated with at least one function, such as a shifting or index function or insertion of a specific character; modifying a mapping function, such as a keyboard device driver, a device layout or a translation layer, based on the configuration settings; and executing the function associated with the physical input element upon an activation, e.g., a press or actuation, of the physical input element during operation of the software application.

Abstract: A method and system for customizing a mobile host device is disclosed. An accessory device for interfacing with and customizing a mobile host device includes a communication channel designed to establish a bi-directional communication link between the accessory device and the host device. The accessory device also includes a processor communicatively coupled to the communication channel. The processor is designed to execute a plurality of applications. In addition, the accessory device includes an input assembly communicatively coupled to the processor. The input assembly is designed to minimize a total number of input elements included in the input assembly. Further, at least a first input element being selectively mapped to one or more input functions of the host device based on a user selection.

Abstract: A method and system for transmitting data to and from a hand-held host device are disclosed. An accessory device for interfacing with a host device includes a communication channel designed to establish a bidirectional data link between the accessory device and the host device. The accessory device also includes a storage unit communicatively coupled to the communication channel. The storage unit is designed to store various data. In addition, at least a first data is selectively transmitted from the stored data of the accessory device to the host device through the established bidirectional data link.

Abstract: Among other things, techniques for enabling platform independent bidirectional communications between a mobile controller device and a host device over a communication protocol is disclosed. Enabling the communications includes delivering an array of bytes from the mobile controller device to the host device. The array of bytes describes one or more data packets of the mobile controller device. When detected that the host device includes a native device driver, the native device driver is used to parse the delivered array of bytes. Alternatively, when detected that the host device does not include a native device driver, a device driver is provided to parse the delivered array of bytes.

Abstract: A system and method of automatically providing a local map on a wireless handheld device based on a vehicle location in response to a triggering signal enables a user to immediately access the local map by generating an activating signal, such as one generated from the press of a button on the wireless handheld device, to assist the user in finding her final destination or to later access the local map to find her vehicle. The triggering signal may be in response to the user manually or remotely turning off the vehicle's ignition or locking the vehicle. Once the triggering signal is received, the location of the vehicle and local map information associated with the vehicle's location can be automatically stored on the user's wireless handheld device. The local map information forms the basis for the local map.

Abstract: A multi-range location tracking system for tracking a location of one or more objects, such as people, pets, or things, has one or more GPS-enabled accessory devices, with each accessory device being coupled to a corresponding one of the objects and being configured to generate location data of the corresponding object. The location tracking system also has a wireless link and one or more base units configured to communicate location data directly with the one or more accessory devices through the wireless link.

Abstract: A human interface and input system is implemented on an input accelerator device to remotely operate hand-held host electronic devices such as cellular phones, PDA's, pocket PC's, and smart phone's. The input accelerator device can control some or all functions of the host device to eliminate the need to directly interface with the host device. The input accelerator device may be configured to optimize a biomechanical effect of a human user's opposing thumb and fingers by including, on one surface, one or more software configurable input elements manipulatable by the user's thumb(s) or finger, and, on another surface, one or more software configurable selection elements manipulatable by a user's finger(s). The input accelerator device can be a hybrid device combining a wireless headset with the device control features.

Abstract: A human interface and input system is implemented on an input accelerator device to remotely operate hand-held host electronic devices such as cellular phones, PDA's, pocket PC's, and smart phone's. The input accelerator device can control some or all functions of the host device to eliminate the need to directly interface with the host device. The input accelerator device may be configured to optimize a biomechanical effect of a human user's opposing thumb and fingers by including, on one surface, one or more software configurable input elements manipulatable by the user's thumb(s) or finger, and, on another surface, one or more software configurable selection elements manipulatable by a user's finger(s). The input accelerator device can be a hybrid device combining a wireless headset with the device control features.

Abstract: A method and system for customizing a mobile host device is disclosed. An accessory device for interfacing with and customizing a mobile host device includes a communication channel designed to establish a bi-directional communication link between the accessory device and the host device. The accessory device also includes a processor communicatively coupled to the communication channel. The processor is designed to execute a plurality of applications. In addition, the accessory device includes an input assembly communicatively coupled to the processor. The input assembly is designed to minimize a total number of input elements included in the input assembly. Further, at least a first input element being selectively mapped to one or more input functions of the host device based on a user selection.

Abstract: A method and system for transmitting data to and from a hand-held host device are disclosed. An accessory device for interfacing with a host device includes a communication channel designed to establish a bidirectional data link between the accessory device and the host device. The accessory device also includes a storage unit communicatively coupled to the communication channel. The storage unit is designed to store various data. In addition, at least a first data is selectively transmitted from the stored data of the accessory device to the host device through the established bidirectional data link.