Abstract: A method and apparatus for voice control of a mobile device are provided. The method establishes a connection between the mobile device and a voice-control module. Responsive to establishing the connection, the mobile device enters into an intermediate mode; and the voice-control module monitors for verbal input comprising a verbal command from among a set of predetermined verbal commands. The voice-control module sends instructions to the mobile device related to the verbal command received; and the mobile device acts on the received instructions. An apparatus/voice control module (VCM) for voice control of a mobile device, wherein the VCM includes a connection module configured for establishing a connection between the VCM and the mobile device; a monitoring module configured for monitoring for a verbal command from among a set of predetermined verbal commands; and a communications module configured for sending instructions to the mobile device related to the verbal command received.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for voice control of a mobile device are provided. The method establishes a connection between the mobile device and a voice-control module. Responsive to establishing the connection, the mobile device enters into an intermediate mode; and the voice-control module monitors for verbal input comprising a verbal command from among a set of predetermined verbal commands. The voice-control module sends instructions to the mobile device related to the verbal command received; and the mobile device acts on the received instructions. An apparatus/voice control module (VCM) for voice control of a mobile device, wherein the VCM includes a connection module configured for establishing a connection between the VCM and the mobile device; a monitoring module configured for monitoring for a verbal command from among a set of predetermined verbal commands; and a communications module configured for sending instructions to the mobile device related to the verbal command received.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for voice control of a mobile device are provided. The method establishes a connection between the mobile device and a voice-control module. Responsive to establishing the connection, the mobile device enters into an intermediate mode; and the voice-control module monitors for verbal input comprising a verbal command from among a set of predetermined verbal commands. The voice-control module sends instructions to the mobile device related to the verbal command received; and the mobile device acts on the received instructions. An apparatus/voice control module (VCM) for voice control of a mobile device, wherein the VCM includes a connection module configured for establishing a connection between the VCM and the mobile device; a monitoring module configured for monitoring for a verbal command from among a set of predetermined verbal commands; and a communications module configured for sending instructions to the mobile device related to the verbal command received.

Abstract: A device for detecting a carrying case, and methods there for, are provided. The device includes: an orientation sensor; a near field communication (NFC) reader; and, a processor configured to place the device in a carrying case mode when an orientation of the device is within a given angular range as determined using the orientation sensor, and the NFC reader detects an NFC tag.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for voice control of a mobile device are provided. The method establishes a connection between the mobile device and a voice-control module. Responsive to establishing the connection, the mobile device enters into an intermediate mode; and the voice-control module monitors for verbal input comprising a verbal command from among a set of predetermined verbal commands. The voice-control module sends instructions to the mobile device related to the verbal command received; and the mobile device acts on the received instructions. An apparatus/voice control module (VCM) for voice control of a mobile device, wherein the VCM includes a connection module configured for establishing a connection between the VCM and the mobile device; a monitoring module configured for monitoring for a verbal command from among a set of predetermined verbal commands; and a communications module configured for sending instructions to the mobile device related to the verbal command received.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for voice control of a mobile device are provided. The method establishes a connection between the mobile device and a voice-control module. Responsive to establishing the connection, the mobile device enters into an intermediate mode; and the voice-control module monitors for verbal input comprising a verbal command from among a set of predetermined verbal commands. The voice-control module sends instructions to the mobile device related to the verbal command received; and the mobile device acts on the received instructions. An apparatus/voice control module (VCM) for voice control of a mobile device, wherein the VCM includes a connection module configured for establishing a connection between the VCM and the mobile device; a monitoring module configured for monitoring for a verbal command from among a set of predetermined verbal commands; and a communications module configured for sending instructions to the mobile device related to the verbal command received.

Abstract: Methods and devices for identifying contactless gestures are described. In one example, the present disclosure describes a method of detecting a contactless gesture on an electronic device. The electronic device has an electromagnetic radiation transmitter and an electromagnetic radiation receiver. The electromagnetic radiation receiver is configured for receiving electromagnetic radiation emitted from the electromagnetic radiation transmitter and reflected by an object.

Abstract: A device for providing notifications while mated with a carrying case is provided. The device comprises: an indicator; a first detector configured to detect when the device is mated with a carrying case, the carrying case having an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein the indicator is hidden in the closed configuration and at least partially exposed in the open configuration; a second detector configured to detect when the carrying case is in the open configuration; and, a processor configured to place the indicator in a given notification mode when the first detector detects that the device is mated with the carrying case and the second detector detects that the carrying case is in the open configuration.

Abstract: A carrying case for controlling a mobile device is provided, the carrying case comprising: a body enabled to mate with a mobile device to physically protect the mobile device; at least one input device, the body comprising the input device; a processor enabled to control communications with the mobile device; a power interface enabled to receive power from the mobile device to power the processor; and, a data interface enabled for relaying the communications between one or more of the at least one input device and the processor, and the mobile device, for controlling applications at the mobile device.

Abstract: A communication connector is described that provides an increase in the number and type of communication circuits available on an electronic device without increasing the number and type of physical connectors. The communication connector electrically includes a set of inputs to couple to both a USB 2.0 connector and a HDMI connector. A set of outputs from the communication connector provides a third connector with a pin out specification compatible with a USB 3.0 connector or a PCIe connector.

Abstract: A device for detecting a carrying case, and methods there for, are provided. The device includes: an orientation sensor; a near field communication (NFC) reader; and, a processor configured to place the device in a carrying case mode when an orientation of the device is within a given angular range as determined using the orientation sensor, and the NFC reader detects an NFC tag.

Abstract: A device for providing notifications while mated with a carrying case is provided. The device comprises: an indicator; a first detector configured to detect when the device is mated with a carrying case, the carrying case having an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein the indicator is hidden in the closed configuration and at least partially exposed in the open configuration; a second detector configured to detect when the carrying case is in the open configuration; and, a processor configured to place the indicator in a given notification mode when the first detector detects that the device is mated with the carrying case and the second detector detects that the carrying case is in the open configuration.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for voice control of a mobile device are provided. The method establishes a connection between the mobile device and a voice-control module. Responsive to establishing the connection, the mobile device enters into an intermediate mode; and the voice-control module monitors for verbal input comprising a verbal command from among a set of predetermined verbal commands. The voice-control module sends instructions to the mobile device related to the verbal command received; and the mobile device acts on the received instructions. An apparatus/voice control module (VCM) for voice control of a mobile device, wherein the VCM includes a connection module configured for establishing a connection between the VCM and the mobile device; a monitoring module configured for monitoring for a verbal command from among a set of predetermined verbal commands; and a communications module configured for sending instructions to the mobile device related to the verbal command received.

Abstract: Methods and devices for identifying contactless gestures are described. In one example, the present disclosure describes a method of detecting a contactless gesture on an electronic device. The electronic device has an electromagnetic radiation transmitter and an electromagnetic radiation receiver. The electromagnetic radiation receiver is configured for receiving electromagnetic radiation emitted from the electromagnetic radiation transmitter and reflected by an object.

Abstract: A carrying case for controlling a mobile device is provided, the carrying case comprising: a body enabled to mate with a mobile device to physically protect the mobile device; at least one input device, the body comprising the input device; a processor enabled to control communications with the mobile device; a power interface enabled to receive power from the mobile device to power the processor; and, a data interface enabled for relaying the communications between one or more of the at least one input device and the processor, and the mobile device, for controlling applications at the mobile device.

Abstract: A carrying case for controlling a mobile device is provided, the carrying case comprising: a body enabled to mate with a mobile device to physically protect the mobile device; at least one input device, the body comprising the input device; a processor enabled to control communications with the mobile device; a power interface enabled to receive power from the mobile device to power the processor; and, a data interface enabled for relaying the communications between one or more of the at least one input device and the processor, and the mobile device, for controlling applications at the mobile device.

Abstract: An improved handheld electronic device and an associated method provide a simplified mechanism for enabling and disabling a short-range wireless communications element used to create a connection to a short-range wireless network, such as a Bluetooth™ network. The method, implemented by the handheld electronic device, includes enabling the short-range wireless communications element, pairing the handheld electronic device with a second electronic device using the short-range wireless communications element, and providing a first icon on the handheld electronic device after pairing the handheld electronic device with the second electronic device. Thereafter, the method includes disabling the short-range wireless communications element and providing a second icon on the handheld electronic device whenever the first icon is activated, and enabling the short-range wireless communications element and providing the first icon on the handheld electronic device whenever the second icon is activated.

Abstract: A communication connector is described that provides an increase in the number and type of communication circuits available on an electronic device without increasing the number and type of physical connectors. The communication connector electrically includes a set of inputs to couple to both a USB 2.0 connector and a HDMI connector. A set of outputs from the communication connector provides a third connector with a pin out specification compatible with a USB 3.0 connector or a PCIe connector.

Abstract: A magnetically mating optical circuit connector. The magnetically mating optical circuit connector includes at least one optical terminal and a connector body configured to engage a corresponding connector. The connector body attached to the at least one optical terminal. The connector body comprising at least one alignment feature configured to align, when the connector body engages the corresponding connector, each of the at least one optical terminal with a respective corresponding optical terminal of the corresponding connector. The magnetically mating optical circuit connector further includes at least one magnetic attachment area, attached to the connector body. The at least one magnetic attachment area is configured to magnetically attach the connector body to the corresponding connector when the connector body is engaged into the corresponding connector.

Abstract: An optical and electrical circuit connector. The optical and electrical circuit connector includes a connector body that engages a corresponding connector, at least one optical terminal for the data interface coupled to the connector body, and at least one electrical data interface terminal for the data interface coupled to the connector body. The at least one electrical data interface terminal conforms to an electrical data communications standard.