Abstract: A method includes receiving sound by a first audio unit installed in an electrical outlet, routing audio data corresponding to the received sound from the first audio unit to a second audio unit installed in a second electrical outlet, and sending the audio data to a mobile device using a wireless link between the mobile device and the second audio unit. Routing the audio data may include receiving the audio data from the first audio unit by a third audio unit and routing the audio data to the second audio unit by the third audio unit serving as a router. The data may be routed using table driven routing, on-demand routing or some other appropriate routing protocol. The method may also include performing voice recognition on the audio data and detecting a command word and routing command word data to the second audio unit.

Abstract: A method includes receiving sound by a first audio unit installed in an electrical outlet, routing audio data corresponding to the received sound from the first audio unit to a second audio unit installed in a second electrical outlet, and sending the audio data to a mobile device using a wireless link between the mobile device and the second audio unit. Routing the audio data may include receiving the audio data from the first audio unit by a third audio unit and routing the audio data to the second audio unit by the third audio unit serving as a router. The data may be routed using table driven routing, on-demand routing or some other appropriate routing protocol. The method may also include performing voice recognition on the audio data and detecting a command word and routing command word data to the second audio unit.

Abstract: A modular lighting control system is disclosed for lighting control, modular home electronic devices and home networking of modular electronic devices. The system includes a switch module having one or more magnets, a wireless power transmission coil, an infrared light transmitter and an infrared light receiver and a user interface module having one or more wireless power reception coils, one or more magnets, an infrared light emitter and an infrared light detector. The user interface module can be removably attached to and powered by one or more of the switch modules and communicate with one or more of the switch modules without any mechanical attachment or electrical connection on either the switch module or the user interface module.

Abstract: A method includes receiving sound by a first audio unit installed in an electrical outlet, routing audio data corresponding to the received sound from the first audio unit to a second audio unit installed in a second electrical outlet, and sending the audio data to a mobile device using a wireless link between the mobile device and the second audio unit. Routing the audio data may include receiving the audio data from the first audio unit by a third audio unit and routing the audio data to the second audio unit by the third audio unit serving as a router. The data may be routed using table driven routing, on-demand routing or some other appropriate routing protocol. The method may also include performing voice recognition on the audio data and detecting a command word and routing command word data to the second audio unit.

Abstract: An electrical control system includes a switch module configured to control power delivery to at least one external load, and a removable user interface module configured to connect to the switch module, receive power from the switch module and display an interface in accordance with a status of the external load, the user interface including a printed circuit board (PCB) having a touch controller that detects signals from a plurality of touch sensors integrated on a first side of the PCB, and a light-emitting diode (LED) controller that controls a plurality of LED's, a light guide, attached to the first side of the PCB, that partially obstructs light emitted from the plurality of LED's, a tactile switch electrically connected to the first side of the PCB between the transparent cover and the PCB, and a cover attached to the tactile switch over the first side of the PCB.

Abstract: A modular electrical control system includes a switch module, having at least an “on” state and an “off” state, configured to draw power from an AC power source and to control power delivery to at least one external load, the switch module including a detector that determines whether a neutral wire is connected to the switch module, and a removable user interface module configured to connect to the switch module and receive power from the switch module, wherein the switch module delivers a first amount of power to the user interface module when the detector determines that the neutral wire is connected to the switch module, and delivers a second amount of power to the user interface module lower than the first amount of power when the detector determines that the neutral wire is not connected to the switch module.

Abstract: An electronic device has an imaging device (such as a still camera or video camera) and is capable of displaying a viewfinder on one side or multiple sides of the device. The device may determine the side or sides on which to display the viewfinder based on factors such as user input, object proximity, grip detection, accelerometer data, and gyroscope data. In one implementation, the device has multiple imaging devices and can select which imaging device to use to capture an image based on the above factors as well.

Abstract: A modular electrical control system for installation in an electrical box of a premises includes a switch module configured to control power delivery to at least one external load, the switch module including a multi-position switch device that changes an operational mode of the switch module to off, toggle mode, or dimmer mode, and a removable user interface module configured to connect to the switch module, receive power from the switch module and display an interface in accordance with a setting of the multi-position switch device.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the disclosed principles, a modular portable device includes a first module acting as a traditional high-function phone or “smartphone” and a second module that adds enhanced functionality to the first module. When the modules are separated, they may operate independently of each other. In an embodiment, when the first module and the second module are docked together and a voice call is placed with the first module, the earpiece speaker, microphone, and cellular connection of the first module are utilized. During the voice call, a Bluetooth connection between the first module and the second module may be established in anticipation of an undocking event to eliminate a delay in audio transfer from the first module to the second module.

Abstract: An electronic device has an imaging device (such as a still camera or video camera) and is capable of displaying a viewfinder on one side or multiple sides of the device. The device may determine the side or sides on which to display the viewfinder based on factors such as user input, object proximity, grip detection, accelerometer data, and gyroscope data. In one implementation, the device has multiple imaging devices and can select which imaging device to use to capture an image based on the above factors as well.

Abstract: An enhanced portable communication device includes a one-piece metal back plate, configured to reduce device thickness by eliminating the plastic-to-metal joints normally needed to isolate the device antennas and provide rigidity. The one-piece metal back plate includes four integral antennas in an embodiment, forming an antenna pair at each end of the device. An opening and gap used to form each antenna pair may be filled with a nonconductive material such as plastic. In an embodiment, an I/O port is exposed through the nonconductive material in the gap.

Abstract: A method includes receiving sound by a first audio unit installed in an electrical outlet, routing audio data corresponding to the received sound from the first audio unit to a second audio unit installed in a second electrical outlet, and sending the audio data to a mobile device using a wireless link between the mobile device and the second audio unit. Routing the audio data may include receiving the audio data from the first audio unit by a third audio unit and routing the audio data to the second audio unit by the third audio unit serving as a router. The data may be routed using table driven routing, on-demand routing or some other appropriate routing protocol. The method may also include performing voice recognition on the audio data and detecting a command word and routing command word data to the second audio unit.

Abstract: A method of controlling an electrical control system, the system including a switch module to control power delivery from a power source to at least one load, the switch module including first and second traveler lines to connect the switch module to a load or to a corresponding switch in a three-way configuration, the method including receiving, at the switch module, a first signal from the first traveler line, receiving, at the switch module, a second signal from the second traveler line, receiving, at the switch module, a third signal from a common line, where the common line is connected to the load or the power source, identifying a waveform pattern based on the first signal, second signal and third signal, determining a state of the load based on the identified waveform pattern, and controlling a display of a user interface based on the determined state of the load.

Abstract: A method includes receiving sound by a first audio unit installed in an electrical outlet, routing audio data corresponding to the received sound from the first audio unit to a second audio unit installed in a second electrical outlet, and sending the audio data to a mobile device using a wireless link between the mobile device and the second audio unit. Routing the audio data may include receiving the audio data from the first audio unit by a third audio unit and routing the audio data to the second audio unit by the third audio unit serving as a router. The data may be routed using table driven routing, on-demand routing or some other appropriate routing protocol. The method may also include performing voice recognition on the audio data and detecting a command word and routing command word data to the second audio unit.

Abstract: An electronic device has an imaging device (such as a still camera or video camera) and is capable of displaying a viewfinder on one side or multiple sides of the device. The device may determine the side or sides on which to display the viewfinder based on factors such as user input, object proximity, grip detection, accelerometer data, and gyroscope data. In one implementation, the device has multiple imaging devices and can select which imaging device to use to capture an image based on the above factors as well.

Abstract: A method for operating an electronic device is provided, in which the device detects contact with a user's finger, scans its fingerprint and sets the orientation of the electronic device based on the fingerprint (e.g., whether is from the user's left hand or right hand) and on an angle of the fingerprint with respect to the device. This allows the electronic device to determine its orientation with respect to the user rather than with respect to the environment.

Abstract: An electronic device has a combination touch sensor (such as a fingerprint reader) and mechanical switch (actuated, for example, by a button press). The electronic device carries out various functions according to whether the touch sensor is being touched, the mechanical switch is being actuated, the electronic device is face up or face down, the state of the electronic device (awake or in sleep mode), and the function that the electronic device is currently carrying out.

Abstract: An electronic device has an imaging device (such as a still camera or video camera) and is capable of displaying a viewfinder on one side or multiple sides of the device. The device may determine the side or sides on which to display the viewfinder based on factors such as user input, object proximity, grip detection, accelerometer data, and gyroscope data. In one implementation, the device has multiple imaging devices and can select which imaging device to use to capture an image based on the above factors as well.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for activating a hardware feature of an electronic device includes the electronic device detecting 302 a predetermined motion of the electronic device and measuring 304, in response to detecting the predetermined motion, an orientation of the electronic device. The method further includes the electronic device activating 306, based on the orientation, a hardware feature from a plurality of selectable hardware features of the electronic device, wherein each selectable hardware feature can be activated based on different orientations of the electronic device.

Abstract: A method of making a device housing involves providing a transparent lens with a front surface and a rear surface, and a stepped flange along at least a portion of the lens perimeter. The method includes injecting plastic onto the transparent lens perimeter, including the stepped flange, the plastic forming a plastic feature that has a front surface that is tangent to the front surface of the transparent lens, a rear surface that is tangent to the rear surface of the transparent lens, and that extends outward from the sides of the transparent lens away from a device width center line. The plastic feature is molded to the rear surface of the transparent lens at at least one of two ends of the device housing, and the plastic encapsulates a stepped middle surface of the transparent lens flange. A device housing that is made by this method is also included.