Abstract: A system and method unlock a passcode-secured device using force detection and haptic feedback. When prompted for a passcode, a user applies a press and hold gesture, applying continuous pressure force, to a surface of the device while receiving tactile feedback at the surface in the form of vibratory pulses. The vibratory pulses continue until the pressure force is released from the surface. The user counts the number of pulses sensed by tactile feedback at the surface until the desired number is obtained, then releases the pressure force from the surface, signaling that the pulse count should be entered as a passcode digit value. The process is repeated for each sequential passcode digit until a passcode is entered in the device. The device unlocks if the entered passcode matches a reference passcode in the device.

Abstract: A method includes detecting a query gesture and actuating, in response to the query gesture, an actuator to provide tactile feedback including information associated with the query gesture. The query gesture may be detected on a touch-sensitive display of a portable electronic device.

Abstract: A method includes detecting a query gesture and actuating, in response to the query gesture, an actuator to provide tactile feedback including information associated with the query gesture. The query gesture may be detected on a touch-sensitive display of a portable electronic device.

Abstract: A method of providing access to an application from a portable electronic device is provided. The method includes detecting an event to provide a selectable option, identifying a selectable option associated with the event and providing the selectable options on a touch-sensitive display of the portable electronic device, and in response to detecting a touch associated with the selectable option on the touch-sensitive display and movement of a keyboard portion of the portable electronic device relative to the touch-sensitive display, performing a function associated with the selectable option.

Abstract: A method includes detecting a query gesture and actuating, in response to the query gesture, an actuator to provide tactile feedback including information associated with the query gesture. The query gesture may be detected on a touch-sensitive display of a portable electronic device.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is performed by a communications device having a processor operatively coupled to a memory and a data transceiver for transmitting and receiving video data of a video call between a user of the device and one or more other parties to the call. The method entails receiving and displaying video images of the one or more other parties within a main video window on a display of the device, identifying one or more faces in the video images, determining a minimally obscuring position for a picture-in-picture (PIP) window that minimally obscures the one or more faces of the other parties, capturing video of the user with a camera on the device, and displaying a PIP window from the video of the user in the minimally obscuring position within the main video window.

Abstract: A method of controlling a first electronic device having a display includes, in a time mode, controlling analog watch hands disposed over the display to display a time on a watch dial that includes the display, and in response to receipt of an input to enter a display mode, rotating the watch hands to new locations relative to the display such that display of the time utilizing the watch hands is discontinued and displaying information on the display, wherein rotating the watch hands comprises rotating the hands to the new locations to avoid obscuring the information on the display.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is performed by a communications device having a processor operatively coupled to a memory and a data transceiver for transmitting and receiving video data of a video call between a user of the device and one or more other parties to the call. The method entails receiving and displaying video images of the one or more other parties within a main video window on a display of the device, identifying one or more faces in the video images, determining a minimally obscuring position for a picture-in-picture (PIP) window that minimally obscures the one or more faces of the other parties, capturing video of the user with a camera on the device, and displaying a PIP window from the video of the user in the minimally obscuring position within the main video window.

Abstract: A portable electronic device is provided. The portable electronic device includes a memory storing instructions. The portable electronic device also includes a processor executing the instructions to perform a plurality of operations. The operations may include detecting a key pressing action associated with a component of the portable electronic device. The operations may also include determining that the key pressing action reflects a request to activate the portable electronic device based on a measurement of an area associated with the key pressing action being less than or equal to a predetermined threshold area measurement. The operations may further include activating the portable electronic device based on the determination.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus is provided including an input assembly. The input assembly includes a graphic display layer, a masking layer, and an input device. The graphic display layer includes a plurality of function icons. The masking layer includes a plurality of function icon windows for displaying functions icons associated with a particular application. Each of the displayed function icons corresponds to a function of the particular application. The input device includes a plurality of input device sections for receiving a gesture input. The graphic display layer is moveable relative to the masking layer such that, based on the relative positioning between the graphic display layer and the masking layer, function icons associated with a particular application are displayed through the function icon windows and the other function icons are at least obscured by the masking layer.

Abstract: A mobile electronic communications device and a method for modifying a scheduling database are provided. The scheduling database can be modified via the mobile electronic communications device in communication with a proximate electronic device comprising a display device, when the mobile electronic communications device is engaging in an oral communications session with a second communications device. Time slot data associated with an available time slot is retrieved from the scheduling database, via the mobile electronic communications device. The time slot data associated with the available time slot is transmitted, via the mobile electronic communications device, to the proximate electronic device to cause the proximate electronic device to display the time slot data associated with the available time slot at the display device. Input data is received at the mobile electronic communications device.

Abstract: A mobile electronic communications device and a method for modifying a scheduling database are provided. The scheduling database is modified via the mobile electronic communications device in communication with a proximate electronic device comprising a display device, the mobile electronic communications device is engaging an oral communications session with a second communications device. Time slot data associated with an available time slot is retrieved from the scheduling database, via the mobile electronic communications device. The time slot data is transmitted to the proximate electronic device causing it to display the time slot data at the display device. Input data representative of a command to update the scheduling database is received at the mobile electronic communications device. An entry of the scheduling database is updated, via the mobile electronic device, based on the time slot data associated with the available time slot displayed at the display device.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus is provided including an input assembly. The input assembly includes a graphic display layer, a masking layer, and an input device. The graphic display layer includes a plurality of function icons. The masking layer includes a plurality of function icon windows for displaying functions icons associated with a particular application. Each of the displayed function icons corresponds to a function of the particular application. The input device includes a plurality of input device sections for receiving a gesture input. The graphic display layer is moveable relative to the masking layer such that, based on the relative positioning between the graphic display layer and the masking layer, function icons associated with a particular application are displayed through the function icon windows and the other function icons are at least obscured by the masking layer.

Abstract: A mobile electronic communications device and a method for modifying a scheduling database are provided. The scheduling database is modified via the mobile electronic communications device in communication with a proximate electronic device comprising a display device, the mobile electronic communications device is engaging an oral communications session with a second communications device. Time slot data associated with an available time slot is retrieved from the scheduling database, via the mobile electronic communications device. The time slot data is transmitted to the proximate electronic device causing it to display the time slot data at the display device. Input data representative of a command to update the scheduling database is received at the mobile electronic communications device. An entry of the scheduling database is updated, via the mobile electronic device, based on the time slot data associated with the available time slot displayed at the display device.