Abstract: A system (100) that determines exposure based on local conditions is disclosed. The system can include a sensor (172) configured to sense local conditions local to a user of the system, a sensor local wireless transmitter (174) coupled to the sensor, and an electronic device (105). The electronic device can include a controller (120) configured to control operations of the electronic device, a device local wireless transceiver (155) coupled to the controller and wirelessly coupled to the sensor local wireless transmitter, a network interface coupled (150) to a wide area network and coupled to the controller, the network interface configured to obtain local environmental conditions, and an exposure module (190) coupled to the controller. The exposure module can determine exposure to an environmental element based at least on the local conditions sensed by the sensor and the local environmental conditions obtained by the network interface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method utilizing a mobile communication device including a housing, an earpiece coupled to the housing, a keypad coupled to the housing, and an array sensor coupled to the housing. The array sensor is distributed across a significant portion of a face of the housing to allow the detection of various conductive profiles in close proximity to the housing. A portion of the array sensor may be positioned underneath the keypad. The mobile communication device can sense a change in a field across the array sensor and adjust a parameter of operation of the mobile communication device based on the change in the field across the array sensor in response to a conductive profile.

Abstract: A system (100) that determines exposure based on local conditions is disclosed. The system can include a sensor (172) configured to sense local conditions local to a user of the system, a sensor local wireless transmitter (174) coupled to the sensor, and an electronic device (105). The electronic device can include a controller (120) configured to control operations of the electronic device, a device local wireless transceiver (155) coupled to the controller and wirelessly coupled to the sensor local wireless transmitter, a network interface coupled (150) to a wide area network and coupled to the controller, the network interface configured to obtain local environmental conditions, and an exposure module (190) coupled to the controller. The exposure module can determine exposure to an environmental element based at least on the local conditions sensed by the sensor and the local environmental conditions obtained by the network interface.

Abstract: A rotating user interface for a portable electronic device (FIG. 2, through FIG. 5) includes a circular portion that rotates relative to a housing portion. Rotation of the rotating user interface controls motion on a display such as a steering wheel for a gaming mode of the device. A moveable user interface includes a plurality of keys (206, 208) arranged and constructed to be configured in one of a first configuration (FIG. 2) and a second configuration (FIG. 3); and a controller 102, coupled to the plurality of keys, operable to detect when the plurality of keys are in the first configuration or second configuration and correspondingly to control the device to perform a first function or second function corresponding to the detected configuration.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method, system and apparatus for injecting a Bluetooth address of a Bluetooth device (202) into a mobile communication device (204) to avoid the discovery process in pairing. The method includes receiving by an intermediary device (21), Bluetooth address data associated with a Bluetooth device (202), converting the Bluetooth address data to a format suitable for storage in a mobile communication device (204), to form converted Bluetooth address data, and transferring by the intermediary device (210), the converted Bluetooth address data to memory in the mobile communication device (204).

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods, systems and devices for assisted discovery in Bluetooth enabled devices. The method described herein can include initiating a discovery procedure in a Bluetooth device (202), initiating a service discovery protocol in another Bluetooth device (204), such as a mobile communication device, sending a search request from the mobile communication device (204) to the Bluetooth device (202) via a Bluetooth link, and generating a pattern for transmission by the Bluetooth device (202) to the mobile communication device (204) via an ancillary communication link (214, 226).

Abstract: A handheld device (100) comprises a plurality of ambulation mechanisms (222-224, 1002-1008) that enable the handheld device (100) to perform translations, rotations or compound movements on a surface (502) on which the device (100) is placed. Using the ambulation mechanisms (222-224, 1002-1008), the device (100) is able to communicate the occurrence of various events to a user via ambulation gestures that are recognized by the user. Ambulation gestures can be programmed by the user. Disclosed ambulation mechanisms (222-224, 1002-1008) comprise linear (302, 700, 800) or rotary (1018, 1102) vibration transducers that are mechanically coupled to elastic feet (226-228, 606-608, 1110) that have an asymmetric tread (402). The asymmetric tread (402) is effective to convert vibration generated by the vibration transducers (302, 700, 800, 1018, 1102) to movement forces tangential to the surface (502) on which the device (100) is placed.

Abstract: A method of operating an ambulatory handheld electronic device includes reading an accelerometer in a first device (1506) in order to measure one or more movements of the first device, transmitting information as to the one or more movements through a cellular network to an ambulatory handheld electronic device, and driving at least one ambulation mechanism of the ambulatory handheld electronic device (1518) in order to move the ambulatory handheld electronic device according to the information as to the one or more movements of the first device. In this manner, the ambulatory handheld electronic device can mimic the one or more movements of the first device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method utilizing a portable device including an array sensor and a replaceable housing. The apparatus can include a main housing, a first replaceable housing configured to be coupled to the main housing, an array sensor coupled to the main housing, a sensing module coupled to the array sensor, the sensing module being configured to sense a change in a field across the array sensor using a predefined conductive pattern, and an adjustment module coupled to the array sensor, the adjustment module being configured to adjust a parameter of operation of the mobile communication device in response to the sensing module sensing the change in the field using the predefined conductive pattern.

Abstract: A method (300) of delivering user level information, such as an emergency message, using wireless channels, includes embedding user level information in wireless system control message (309) and broadcasting the control message (311) including the user level information in accordance with a protocol for one or more control messages in a wireless communication system. The method may be implemented in a corresponding transmitting unit (400) and the message can be received by a communication unit (500).

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system, method and apparatus including a first display screen component (302) configured to provide content in a real image display mode and a second display screen component (202) configured to provide content in a virtual image mode, a proximity sensor (318) and an automatic switching module (704) in communication with the proximity sensor (318) for activating the virtual image display screen component (202) and deactivating the real image display screen component (302) in the event the proximity sensor (318) detects an object such as a user (102) within a predetermined distance to the proximity sensor (318).

Abstract: An electronic device (100) has a first body (110) with an image generation apparatus (140) and an optical system (150); and, a display element (105) for providing a virtual image moveably attached to the first body (110) such that the display element (105) is capable of moving in at least one plane relative to the first body (110). Another embodiment relates to a mobile communications device (300) with a first body (305) having an image generation apparatus and an optical system; a second body (310) having a liquid crystal display (350) moveably attached to the first body (305); and, a display element (315) for providing a virtual image moveably attached to the first body (305) such that the display element (315) is capable of moving in at least one plane relative to the first body (305).

Abstract: An electronic device (400) has a second body (405) with an image generation apparatus (450) and an optical system (460) and, a first body (445) for providing a virtual image. The first body (445) is foldably attached to the second body (405). Further, the electronic device (400) can include a third body (465) for providing a standard display (470) that is foldable attached to the second body.

Abstract: A rotating user interface for a portable electronic device (FIG. 2, through FIG. 5 et sequence) includes a circular portion that rotates relative to a housing portion. Rotation of the rotating user interface controls motion on a display such as a steering wheel for a gaming mode of the device. A moveable user interface includes a plurality of keys (206, 208) arranged and constructed to be configured in one of a first configuration (FIG. 2) and a second configuration (FIG. 3); and a controller 102, coupled to the plurality of keys, operable to detect when the plurality of keys are in the first configuration or second configuration and correspondingly to control the device to perform a first function or second function corresponding to the detected configuration.

Abstract: An adaptable user interface and method thereof for a subscriber device (FIG. 1, FIG. 2 et sequence) includes a plurality of keys (205, 207) arranged and constructed to be configured in one of a first configuration (FIG. 2) and a second configuration (FIG. 3); and a controller 105, coupled to the plurality of keys, operable to: detect when the plurality of keys are in the first configuration or second configuration and if so, control the subscriber device to perform a first function or second function corresponding to the detected configuration.

Abstract: A rotating user interface for a portable electronic device (FIG. 2, through FIG. 5) includes a circular portion that rotates relative to a housing portion. Rotation of the rotating user interface controls motion on a display such as a steering wheel for a gaming mode of the device. A moveable user interface includes a plurality of keys (206, 208) arranged and constructed to be configured in one of a first configuration (FIG. 2) and a second configuration (FIG. 3); and a controller 102, coupled to the plurality of keys, operable to detect when the plurality of keys are in the first configuration or second configuration and correspondingly to control the device to perform a first function or second function corresponding to the detected configuration.

Abstract: A holster (100) for holstering portable electronic device (102) and clipping to objects when the portable electronic device is removed therefrom. The holster comprises a body (104) adapted to selectively retain the portable electronic device and a clip (110) carried on the body and adapted to removably couple the body of the holster to an object. The holster includes a sensor (118) a controller (114) and a transmitter to transmit the alert signal to the device. The holster transmits (908) an alert signal or message to the portable electronic device upon the sensing (904) of changed characteristics of the holster.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for an electronic device (100) to incorporate two housing members (104, 106) to expose a first portion (112) of a display or screen (110) when closed. When the two members (104, 106) are moved to open the housing (102) the display or screen (110) is moved to a position angularly displaced from its former position with respect to the housing (102). A second portion (114) of the screen (110), larger than the first portion (112), is exposed and used for displaying text, images or other graphics.

Abstract: A method in an intercom system including detecting the presence of a visitor at a visitor monitor, communicating (224) information received at the visitor monitor in association with the visitor detected to a remotely located communications network gateway, communicating (232) the presence of the visitor from the communication network gateway to a remote terminal, and forwarding the information received from the communications network gateway to the remote terminal.

Abstract: A handheld device (100) comprises a plurality of ambulation mechanisms (222-224, 1002-1008) that enable the handheld device (100) to perform translations, rotations or compound movements on a surface (502) on which the device (100) is placed. Using the ambulation mechanisms (222-224, 1002-1008), the device (100) is able to communicate the occurrence of various events to a user via ambulation gestures that are recognized by the user. Ambulation gestures can be programmed by the user. Disclosed ambulation mechanisms (222-224, 1002-1008) comprise linear (302, 700, 800) or rotary (1018, 1102) vibration transducers that are mechanically coupled to elastic feet (226-228, 606-608, 1110) that have an asymmetric tread (402). The asymmetric tread (402) is effective to convert vibration generated by the vibration transducers (302, 700, 800, 1018, 1102) to movement forces tangential to the surface (502) on which the device (100) is placed.