Abstract: A holster 101 for a portable electronic device 116 having a user interface 108 disposed upon said holster. The user interface is electrically coupled, through an electrical connector 202 to the portable electronic device when the portable electronic device is inserted into a cavity 102 of the holster. The user interface rotates or unfolds from the holster so that the user can interact with the user interface.

Abstract: A mobile node or mobile device connects to a wireless network including at least one other mobile node that can connect to a plurality of other wireless networks. A target wireless network is selected with which to exchange data. It is determined whether or not the at least one mobile node is connected to the target wireless network. The at least one other mobile node is employed to exchange data with the target wireless network if the at least one mobile node is connected to the target wireless network.

Abstract: Mobile nodes without connectivity to a wireless network form mobile ad hoc networks with mobile nodes with connectivity to the wireless network. The moving directions for the mobile nodes are determined. If the mobile nodes are traveling in substantially the same direction the ad hoc network is formed. The mobile nodes then exchange capabilities. If a mobile node without connectivity to a particular network determines that another mobile node in the ad hoc network is connected to the network, the mobile node without connectivity can tunnel data to the network through the other mobile node.

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: An electronic device with a force sensing key (200) has a switch (280), a first force sensing region (290) for acquiring a first force value, a second force sensing region (290) for acquiring a second force value, and a processor for determining a selected function for the key (200) based upon the first force value and the second force value when the switch (280) is activated. The first force sensing pad (290) and the second force sensing pad (290) use a partially resistive material (250) that exhibits a force-to-voltage response value. By forming the switch (280) as a dome (225) switch, the force sensing key (200) provides crisp tactile feedback to a user. The force sensing key (200) can be configured for a variety of applications and user preferences by varying the architecture of the actuator (270).

Abstract: A writing stylus (100) having a motion sensor (204) for sensing the movement of at least one end 110 of the stylus relative to an adjacent surface is described. The stylus has an elongated housing (104) and a cap (102). The motion sensor generates signals corresponding to the relative motion of the surface to the sensor. The cap is removeably carried on at least one portion of the housing which also has the motion sensor. The cap comprises a light passage (118) adapted to allow the motion sensor to sense the translation of the surface adjacent to the cap, through the cap. In a first input mode the motion sensor is used for sensing manual hand writing motion. In a second mode, when the cap is carried on the housing and is placed over at least the motion sensor, the motion sensor senses the motion of a surface adjacent to the cap such as a users finger. In this mode, the stylus functions a multiple axis input device such as a thumbwheel.

Abstract: A communication device with an extending hinged flip apparatus includes three interconnected movable housings. A base housing includes a user interface and most of the electronics of the device. A flip housing is coupled by a hinge assembly to the base housing. An extendable housing is configured to slideably engage the base housing. A latch mechanism mechanically coupling the flip housing to the extendable housing in a latched position. When the latched is released, the flip housing rotates out and the extendable housing extends to provide a device with a length that is effectively more than double the device length in the latched position.

Abstract: A display (200) with aligned optical shutter and backlight cells (239, 289) uses a patterned polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) optical shutter material (230) and an electroluminescent (EL) backlight material (280) to provide a low-cost, low-current-drain display having good contrast in both bright-light and low-light conditions. The aligned, patterned optical shutter and backlight layers form pixel “windows” through which images printed on a background can be hidden or revealed. Specifically, a mask layer (250) bears the images and is inserted between the optical shutter and the backlight layers to show information images, cover inactive areas of the display, and cover electrode traces connecting active segments of the display. The display (200) is thin and flexible enough to be integrated with a touchscreen (290).

Abstract: A communication device with an extending hinged flip apparatus includes three interconnected movable housings. A base housing includes a user interface and most of the electronics of the device. A flip housing is coupled by a hinge assembly to the base housing. An extendable housing is configured to slideably engage the base housing. A latch mechanism mechanically coupling the flip housing to the extendable housing in a latched position. When the latched is released, the flip housing rotates out and the extendable housing extends to provide a device with a length that is effectively more than double the device length in the latched position.

Abstract: A method and system for direct purchase in response to a multi-media display includes receiving a streaming multi-media signal (104) with a streaming video receiver (102), wherein the streaming multi-media signal (104) has a plurality of objects (112). The system and method also includes associating at least one object identifier (124) with at least one of the plurality of objects (112), wherein the object identifiers (112) are encoded within the multi-media signal (104), but may also be retrievable from a proprietary network (132). Also included are displaying the objects (140) on a screen (138) and receiving an object selection signal (114) from a remote device (116) to provide a selection of at least one of the plurality of objects (112). Thereby providing the option for an end user to engage in a direct purchase of the selected object (112), typically from a point of sale server (126).

Abstract: A system and method for interaction between an electronic writing device (102) and a wireless device (104) includes the electronic device (102) being capable of generating a keystroke signal (106). The system and method further includes the wireless device (102) receiving the keystroke signal (106) and executing an operation (168) in response thereto. The electronic writing device (102) includes a motion sensor (110) that generates a motion displacement signal (116), a toggle switch (112) that generates an engagement signal (118), a pressure sensor (114) that generates a depression signal (120) and an optical sensor (128). The wireless device (102) includes a receiver (162) that receives the keystroke signal (106) and a processor (164) that executes an operation in response thereto or may provide for operating in a bar code mode, such that a bar code may be scanned and the keystroke signal including a bar code signal.

Abstract: A holster (10) for a telecommunication device (12), such as a cellular telephone or wireless telephone, includes a housing (14) adapted to removably support the telecommunication device (12). The holster (10) also includes an earpiece assembly (52) including at least one transducer, such as an earbud (53) or a microphone (54), and a cord (56) depending from the at least one transducer (53, 54). The earpiece assembly (52) is extendable and retractable relative to the housing (14). The holster (10) further includes an extension/retraction assembly (32) having a spool (34) for taking up at least a portion of the cord (56) when the earpiece assembly (52) is retracted relative to the housing (14), and at least one coil spring (35) adapted to rotate the spool (34). The at least one coil spring (35) can electrically couple the at least one transducer (53, 54) to the telecommunication device (12).

Abstract: A microphone array (20) senses an audio source (22). An audio processor (34) is responsive to the microphone array (20) to determine a direction (24) of the audio source (22) in relation to a frame of reference (32). The direction (24) comprises an azimuth angle (26) and an altitude angle (30). A wide-angle digital camera system (40) captures at least one wide-angle image. An image processor (44) is responsive to the audio processor (34) to process the at least one wide-angle image to generate at least one perspective corrected image (46) in the direction (24) of the audio source (22).

Abstract: A wireless infrared peripheral interface for a communication device having a cellular radio transceiver includes a peripheral interface. The peripheral interface includes at least one infrared signal source and at least one infrared detector. The signal source and detector are coupled with dispersing optics. An interface circuit is coupled to the infrared signal source and detector. A processor is coupled to the interface circuit, wherein the processor controls the interface circuit to process data signals that are conveyed through the infrared source and detector so as to communicate with a peripheral device that is proximate to the communication device. The dispersing optics reduces the dependency of optical alignment between the infrared data ports of the peripheral device and communication device.

Abstract: A holster 101 for a portable electronic device 116 having a user interface 108 disposed upon said holster. The user interface is electrically coupled, through an electrical connector 202 to the portable electronic device when the portable electronic device is inserted into a cavity 102 of the holster. The user interface rotates or unfolds from the holster so that the user can interact with the user interface.

Abstract: A shapeable communication device is provided. The communication device comprises a communication module and a shapeable material. A system incorporating the device and methods for using the device are also provided.

Abstract: A telecommunication device (10) includes a housing (14, 16) and a dual earpiece arrangement (26) associated with the housing. The dual earpiece arrangement (26) includes a handsfree transducer (28) that generates dispatch-level audio output in a handsfree operating mode of the telecommunication device, and a private-mode transducer (38) that generates private-level audio output in a private operating mode of the telecommunication device. In particular, the device (10) includes a cantilevered bender (30) having a first end and a second end wherein the first end of the bender is mounted to the housing (16), a diaphragm (32) having a first end and a second end wherein the first end of the diaphragm (32) is attached to the second end of the bender (30), and a surround (34) joining the second end of the diaphragm (32) to the housing (16). The bender (30) drives the diaphragm (32) in a reciprocating manner to generate dispatch level audio output.

Abstract: An ultrasonic communication system includes an omnidirectional ultrasonic transducer including a housing having a closed side and an open side defining an aperture in the housing. A diaphragm is mounted into the housing to form a sealed cavity between the diaphragm and the closed side of the housing. A second side of the diaphragm is free to transmit ultrasonic signals through the aperture. The diaphragm and aperture both have a largest dimension that is less than or equal to one-quarter wavelength of an ultrasonic signal to be transmitted by the transducer, such that the transducer behaves as a monopole and radiates substantially omnidirectionally.

Abstract: A gravity switch and a microprocessor are disposed in an electronic device having a virtual image display. The gravity switch provides a determination of the electronic device's orientation to the microprocessor. The microprocessor provides a display signal to the virtual image display based on the orientation of the electronic device. The microprocessor rotates the input from a display interface based on the orientation of the electronic device. The microprocessor includes a time hysteresis to prevent inadvertent changes to the image orientation due to momentary movements of the electronic device.

Abstract: An improved wrist-carried radiotelephone includes a first housing including a microphone, a display and a radio transceiver. A second housing includes a latch, a user interface, a speaker, and a removable battery. A flexible wristband has a first portion including an antenna extending downwardly and a latch clip at one end thereof operable to be received in the latch of the second housing. A second portion of the wristband includes electrical connections to connect the circuits of the first and second housing. The wristband includes support members to maintain the wrist-carrier radiotelephone in a predetermined configuration when the first portion of the wristband is unlatched from the second housing such that the speaker and microphone of the radiotelephone are at an optimum orientation in relation to a user's ear and mouth.