Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a summary of what is being and/or has been discussed or experienced by members of a talkgroup is provided herein. Upon a new member joining a talkgroup, or just prior to the new member joining the talkgroup, the new member will be placed on a private channel to provide the new member with knowledge on previous discussions/experiences of talkgroup members. Preferably, the prior knowledge will be conveyed to the user audibly by, for example, use of a digital assistant.

Abstract: A method is provided for cutting and pasting text at a computing device. A user selects an area of text on a display of the computing device. The computing device expands the selected area of text to form an expanded area of text to make sure that no text that the user wanted to select is inadvertently omitted. The computing device associates a data label with a portion of the expanded area of text, and the computing device stores the data label and the associated portion of the expanded area of text, preferably within the clipboard of the computing device. When a user enters input text on the computing device, the computing device parses the input text to determine if a data label stored in the clipboard matches the input text. If there is a match, the computing device displays stored text associated with that data label within a popup window, for example. If a user chooses one of the items in the popup window, the data label is replaced by the portion of text that was chosen and matches the data label.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided in this disclosure for operating an electronic device. The electronic device includes a user interface, a camera, and an electronic processor. The electronic processor determines whether a user assistance restriction is established for a current functional operation of the electronic device. The camera captures at least one image, the electronic processor analyzes the at least one image to detect one or more eyes in the field of view of the camera, and the electronic processor detects a violation of the user assistance restriction for the current functional operation based at least in part on the analysis of the at least one image. When a violation of the user assistance restriction is detected, the electronic processor adjusts one or more operations of the electronic device.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided in this disclosure for operating an electronic device. The electronic device includes a user interface, a microphone, and an electronic processor. The electronic processor determines whether a user assistance restriction is established for a current functional operation of the electronic device. The microphone captures an audio stream and the electronic processor analyzing the audio stream to identify spoken words captured by the microphone. The electronic processor detects a violation of the user assistance restriction for the current functional operation of the electronic device based at least in part on a correlation between one or more of the identified spoken words captured by the microphone and a current functional operation of the electronic device. The electronic processor adjusts one or more operations of the electronic device in response to detecting the violation of the user assistance restriction.

Abstract: A method is provided for cutting and pasting text at a computing device. A user selects an area of text on a display of the computing device. The computing device expands the selected area of text to form an expanded area of text to make sure that no text that the user wanted to select is inadvertently omitted. The computing device associates a data label with a portion of the expanded area of text, and the computing device stores the data label and the associated portion of the expanded area of text, preferably within the clipboard of the computing device. When a user enters input text on the computing device, the computing device parses the input text to determine if a data label stored in the clipboard matches the input text. If there is a match, the computing device displays stored text associated with that data label within a popup window, for example. If a user chooses one of the items in the popup window, the data label is replaced by the portion of text that was chosen and matches the data label.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for changing a persona of a digital assistant is provided herein. During operation a digital assistant will determine a public-safety incident type and then change its persona based on the public-safety incident type.

Abstract: Systems and methods described for text entry for multi-user text-based communication using a portable communication device with a graphical user interface shown on a display. A plurality of text character icons are displayed on a display by an electronic processor in a center area of the graphical user interface and messages are displayed along a perimeter area of the graphical user interface. A selection of one or more text character icons in the center area of the graphical user interface is detected and a new text message is generated based on the detected selection of the one or more text character icons. The new text message is chronologically inserted and displayed in accordance with the chronological sequence along the perimeter of the graphical user interface. The new text message is then transmitted from the device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for morphing and/or positioning objects on a touch-screen device to aide in one handed use of the device is provided herein. During operation, the device will detect a tilt of the device, and morph/orient user-interface objects on the touch screen based on the tilt of the device. Positioning and/or morphing user-interface objects based on the device's tilt will allow the user to better position the user-interface objects for one-handed operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for visually indicating battery pack information related to wirelessly charging a battery pack via a wireless charging mat. The method includes uniquely associating, with a controller of the wireless charging mat, each visual indicator of a first plurality of visual indicators on the wireless charging mat with one of a first plurality of sensors on the wireless charging mat. The method further includes receiving the battery pack information from the battery pack with one or more of the first plurality of sensors. The method further includes wirelessly charging the battery pack using the wireless charging mat, and illuminating the first plurality of visual indicators based on the battery pack information.

Abstract: A system and method for selecting a battery pack of a plurality of battery packs being wirelessly charged. The system includes a wireless charger having a power supply and a plurality of charging coils, each charging coil coupled to the power supply and configured to wirelessly charge a battery pack of the plurality of battery packs using power received via the power supply. The wireless charger communicates with each battery pack to receive battery information. The system further includes an optimal battery selection device configured to detect a battery pack request; select an optimal battery pack of the plurality of battery packs based on a battery pack request and battery information; and provide a notification indicative of the optimal battery pack selected.

Abstract: A method for automatically switching to a channel for transmission on a portable radio is provided. In operation, a first microphone is assigned to respond to communications received on a primary channel and a second microphone is assigned to respond to communications received on a non-primary channel. The portable radio receives independent audio communications simultaneously on the primary channel and the non-primary channel when operating in a multi-watch mode. The portable radio determines a signal gain corresponding to a voice command received at the first and second microphones. When the signal gain for the first microphone is larger than the signal gain for the second microphone, the portable radio switches to a first talk-back channel to respond to communications received on the primary channel. Otherwise, the portable radio switches to a second talk-back channel to respond to communications received on the at least one non-primary channel.

Abstract: A method for automatically switching to a channel for transmission on a portable radio is provided. In operation, a first microphone is assigned to respond to communications received on a primary channel and a second microphone is assigned to respond to communications received on a non-primary channel. The portable radio receives independent audio communications simultaneously on the primary channel and the non-primary channel when operating in a multi-watch mode. The portable radio determines a signal gain corresponding to a voice command received at the first and second microphones. When the signal gain for the first microphone is larger than the signal gain for the second microphone, the portable radio switches to a first talk-back channel to respond to communications received on the primary channel. Otherwise, the portable radio switches to a second talk-back channel to respond to communications received on the at least one non-primary channel.