Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed which relate to improving the efficiency of text input by measuring the angle of each key press and rejecting improbable keys pressed at an off-center angle. Examples include a text-entry device which has logic for resisting error while the user enters text on a keyboard of the text-entry device. Each key determines the angle at which the key is pressed. Keyboard logic on the text-entry device assigns a range of acceptable angles to each key. If a key is pressed within the range of acceptable angles, which is typically around the center, then the entry is permitted. If a key is pressed outside the range of acceptable angles, which is typically on the edges, then the entry is denied. Once text is entered, the keyboard logic assigns a prediction value to each key based on a statistical probability that the key will be entered next. The keyboard logic then adjusts the range of acceptable angles based on that statistical probability.

Abstract: An availability notification for a device can be provided to a mobile device. The availability notification can be provided based on a configuration established by a subscriber of a mobile device as well as a characteristic of the mobile device. The subscriber can interact with an interface provided by the network provider to establish the configuration. Additionally, the subscriber can reserve the device via his or her mobile device. For example, a reservation interface may be provided to the subscriber via his or her mobile device that includes reservation options that can be selected by the subscriber to reserve the device. The reservation interface can further include the availability notification that indicates the device is currently available.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for managing personal information by providing a centralized source or database for a user's information, and enabling the user to regulate privacy levels for each information item or category of information. Templates are provided as a table of hierarchies, or an onion layers model. Private information may be stored in an inner layer while public information may be stored in an outer layer, with the ability to define and customize multiple layers and categories within the template. A requesting entity requests information via a disseminating server that acts as a gateway for authenticating, authorizing, and providing access to the requesting entity. The user may therefore control and regulate their online presence simply by monitoring who requests their information and adjusting privacy levels accordingly.

Abstract: The subject disclosure provides systems and methods for enhancing a purchasing experience by enabling a purchaser to receive a variety of real-time updates or recommendations regarding products that the purchaser, such as a user, may need or intend to purchase. A recommendation provided by the system may be based upon comparing the product with a plurality of sources. The recommendation may include a recommendation that a product may near depletion and thus may need to be replaced, a recommendation that the user may already have a sufficient amount or number of the product, a recommendation that the product may or may not match an existing item owned by the user, or a recommendation not to purchase a product. A virtual closet may also be created according the systems and methods of the subject disclosure, allowing users and contacts selected by the user to collaborate on products.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are disclosed which relate to enabling wireless communication between an information kiosk and a mobile device operated by a user. The user may operate the mobile device to request information from the kiosk, with the kiosk authenticating the user before displaying information. The authentication may involve a biometric identifier. The kiosk may provide information to the user via the display on the kiosk or on the mobile device. The profile may be regularly updated with the user's past queries, and other biographical information. Consequently, the user may be able to receive information pertinent to their needs without having to come into physical contact with the kiosk. Kiosks may be installed at public transit terminals such as bus stops, shopping centers or malls, attractions such as amusement parks, museums, etc.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are disclosed for tracking financial transactions at their source, generating transaction records, categorizing and storing the records, and providing services related to the records. Transactions performed between a mobile device and a point-of-sale may automatically generate transaction records including electronic receipts that may be categorized and stored on a database. More traditional transactions such as those involving cash, paper receipts, etc. may be captured via a scanner on the mobile device for inclusion within a transaction record and subsequent categorization and storage. Notifications such as alerts, offers, and recommendations may be provided in real-time or close-in-time to the transaction being performed, thereby enabling services such as budgeting, inventory management, rewards, offers, etc.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for managing personal information by providing a centralized source or database for a user's information, and enabling the user to regulate privacy levels for each information item or category of information. Templates are provided as a table of hierarchies, or an onion layers model. Private information may be stored in an inner layer while public information may be stored in an outer layer, with the ability to define and customize multiple layers and categories within the template. A requesting entity requests information via a disseminating server that acts as a gateway for authenticating, authorizing, and providing access to the requesting entity. The user may therefore control and regulate their online presence simply by monitoring who requests their information and adjusting privacy levels accordingly.

Abstract: The subject disclosure provides systems and methods for recommending optimal consumption of a variety of resources that may be consumed by a consumer. A recommendation provided by the system may be based upon resource-consumption statistics gathered by a plurality of sensors, consumer's resource-consumption behavior, consumer-defined criteria, resource availability, and a cost of consumption. The recommendation may include a recommendation on how the consumer may lower resource consumption costs. The recommendation may further include optimal consumption considering consumption trends of a plurality of consumers living in a geographical proximity. The recommendation may include optimal usage of a consumer's vehicle such that the vehicle may consume the least amount of energy. The recommendation may further include offer(s) of credit/incentives by resource providers to consumers in exchange for less consumption of resource, alternative consumption of resources, and any combination thereof.

Abstract: The subject disclosure provides devices, systems, and methods for interacting with a home inventory system. Home inventory systems may include appliances and storages which take inventory of their contents. Home inventory systems may interact with mobile devices to alert users of necessary or desired products. Using location information, users may be alerted when their mobile device is within proximity of a necessary or desired product.

Abstract: The subject disclosure provides devices, methods, and computer readable programs for establishing a secure wireless connection among a plurality of displays thus forming a screen for purposes of depicting a larger version of a content. The formation of the screen may be initiated by a master display detecting a presence of a plurality of slave displays in the master display's vicinity and requesting permission to connect to the detected slave displays. Furthermore, provided are methods and computer-executable programs that may facilitate easier collaboration and exchange of the content among users, a real-time adjustment of the content displayed on the screen, as well as an easier depiction of 3-dimensional content on a screen created by arranging the plurality of displays in a 3-dimensional configuration.

Abstract: A user configurable security profile defining relationships between a plurality of communications devices is utilized to secure a communications device in response to an occurrence of an event. In an example embodiment, the devices are linked together using a short range wireless communications protocol. If one of the devices becomes disconnected from the link, another device determines what actions to take based on the profile and the specific actions associated with the disconnected device. A device can be unlocked by providing a code, PIN, password, or the like. A legitimate disconnection from the link, such as turning a device off, or the battery dying, will not result in the remaining devices being locked. If a device is stolen and not recovered, the user can reconfigure the security profile to exclude the stolen device.

Abstract: The subject disclosure provides systems and methods for enhancing a purchasing experience by enabling a purchaser to receive a variety of real-time updates or recommendations regarding products that the purchaser, such as a user, may need or intend to purchase. A recommendation provided by the system may be based upon comparing the product with a plurality of sources. The recommendation may include a recommendation that a product may near depletion and thus may need to be replaced, a recommendation that the user may already have a sufficient amount or number of the product, a recommendation that the product may or may not match an existing item owned by the user, or a recommendation not to purchase a product. A virtual closet may also be created according the systems and methods of the subject disclosure, allowing users and contacts selected by the user to collaborate on products.

Abstract: The present invention is a housing of a mobile communications device that is entirely covered in pixels. The pixels allow the appearance of the housing to be customized or changed as a user desires. The pixels can be part of an active matrix or passive matrix LCD display that comprises the entire housing. A logic unit on the device allows the appearance of the housing to be selected, created, or downloaded.

Abstract: A user configurable security profile defining relationships between a plurality of communications devices is utilized to secure a communications device in response to an occurrence of an event. In an example embodiment, the devices are linked together using a short range wireless communications protocol. If one of the devices becomes disconnected from the link, another device determines what actions to take based on the profile and the specific actions associated with the disconnected device. A device can be unlocked by providing a code, PIN, password, or the like. A legitimate disconnection from the link, such as turning a device off, or the battery dying, will not result in the remaining devices being locked. If a device is stolen and not recovered, the user can reconfigure the security profile to exclude the stolen device.

Abstract: A user configurable security profile defining relationships between a plurality of communications devices is utilized to secure a communications device in response to an occurrence of an event. In an example embodiment, the devices (e.g., cellular phone, PDA, computer, car key fob, BLUETOOTH® enabled object) are linked together via a BLUETOOTH® conformant interface. If one of the devices becomes disconnected from the link, the remaining devices are locked. Additionally, a warning can be provided on the remaining devices. A device can be unlocked by providing a code, PIN, password, or the like. A legitimate disconnection from the link, such as turning a device off, or the battery dying, will not result in the remaining devices being locked. If a device is stolen and not recovered, the user can reconfigure the security profile to exclude the stolen device.

Abstract: Devices and methods are presented to remotely dial wireless communications devices. A device is equipped with a microphone and a plurality of logic units to analyze incoming acoustic signals in the form of Morse code. Acoustic signals may comprise tapping sounds, or voice patterns to create the “dits” and “dahs” associated with Morse code. Background noise can be eliminated using digital signal processing (DSP). The device can be used in a variety of environments where phone numbers and addresses need to be dialed from a distance or in emergency situations.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed which relate to the detection of automobiles within a proximity of a user's automobile. A wireless phone is disclosed which can detect surrounding vehicles and display them on the phone's screen without any peripherals. The wireless phone may employ a RADAR, a thermal camera, or a plurality of microphones to detect other automobiles.

Abstract: A mobile security system is described herein. A detector communicates with a mobile device if an event has occurred. The event may be various types of events, such as fire or motion. Once the mobile device receives the communication of the event occurrence, the mobile device may, among others, sound an alarm or communicate with a central monitoring system to notify emergency services of the occurrence. The mobile device may also communicate with another communication device, such as another cell phone or a computer, using various forms of communication. The detector may be an integral part of the mobile device, i.e. fixed part of the mobile device, or may be detachable. The detector may also be wholly separate.

Abstract: A wireless mobile telecommunications device includes a detachable camera that wirelessly communicates data with the device body. The device is usable not only to make and receive telephone calls in the conventional manner but also to take photographs or video. When the camera portion is detached from the device body, the camera can be used in essentially the same manner as any digital photography or video camera. Images captured by the camera are wirelessly transmitted to the device body.

Abstract: A mobile security system is described herein. A detector communicates with a mobile device if an event has occurred. The event may be various types of events, such as fire or motion. Once the mobile device receives the communication of the event occurrence, the mobile device may, among others, sound an alarm or communicate with a central monitoring system to notify emergency services of the occurrence. The mobile device may also communicate with another communication device, such as another cell phone or a computer, using various forms of communication. The detector may be an integral part of the mobile device, i.e. fixed part of the mobile device, or may be detachable. The detector may also be wholly separate.