Abstract: An electronic device has pair(s) of conductive plates that is coupled to a housing and is electrically isolated by a dielectric material. The pair(s) of conductive plates is positioned to change relative orientation in relation to mechanical force that deforms the housing. Capacitive driver(s) is electrically coupled to pair(s) of conductive plates. A controller is communicatively coupled to the capacitive driver(s). The controller identifies a first capacitance of the pair(s) of conductive plates associated with the housing being in a normal state. The controller detects, via the capacitor driver(s), a change in capacitance from the first capacitance to a second capacitance of the pair(s) of conductive plates. The controller compares the change in capacitance to a threshold. In response to the change exceeding the threshold, the controller generates a notification.

Abstract: A wearable electronic device includes one or more processors identifying one or more companion electronic devices operating within a wireless communication radius of the wearable electronic device. One or more sensors identify the wearable electronic device being within a predefined distance of a companion electronic device. A wireless communication circuit, responsive to the one or more processors, delivers an authentication credential to the companion electronic device in response to the one or more sensors identifying that the wearable electronic device is within the predefined distance of the companion electronic device. The one or more sensors thereafter detect a gaze of an authorized user of the wearable electronic device being directed at the companion electronic device, where the wireless communication circuit delivers an actuation command to the companion electronic device.

Abstract: An electronic device includes one or more sensors capturing media content from an environment of the electronic device. One or more processors, operable with the one or more sensors, determine whether the media content is private media content. The electronic device includes a private data store and a public data store. When the one or more processors determine the media content is the private media content, the one or more processors store the private media content in the private data store and preclude transmission of the private media content from the private data store to another electronic device. When the one or more processors determine the media content is other than the private media content, the one or more processors store the media content in the public data store and permit transmission of the media content to the another electronic device.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a user interface receiving user credentials, a location detector determining a location of the electronic device when the user credentials are received, and one or more processors determining whether the user credentials are administrative user credentials. When the user credentials are other than the administrative user credentials, the one or more processors make content created in the electronic device within a predefined radius of the location accessible and preclude access to other content created in the electronic device outside the predefined radius of the location.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing calls and alerts on a mobile electronic communications device include detecting a sleep state associated with the user, providing alerts to the user in a manner and at a time determined by the user's current sleep state. Similarly, calls are managed based on the user's sleep state so that the user is not awakened from deep sleep by routine calls but may be awakened in the event of an urgent call.

Abstract: A system and method of adaptive video interface switching between a mobile electronic communications device and a wearable device entail determining during an ongoing video session via a first one of the devices that an audio or video input or output mechanism on the first device is compromised. It is determined that the audio and video input and output mechanisms on a second of the devices are uncompromised. The video session is then continued using at least one of the audio and video input and output mechanisms on the second device.

Abstract: A system and method of adaptive video interface switching between a mobile electronic communications device and a wearable device entail determining during an ongoing video session via a first one of the devices that an audio or video input or output mechanism on the first device is compromised. It is determined that the audio and video input and output mechanisms on a second of the devices are uncompromised. The video session is then continued using at least one of the audio and video input and output mechanisms on the second device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing multiple paths through a mobile electronic device entail providing one of multiple levels of device access and cloud access based on an identity determination and authentication as to a potential user. In an embodiment, the device attempts to identify the user based on traditional touch/touchless authentication techniques. If this attempt is unsuccessful, the device then tries to identify the user by alternative means. If the user can be identified, the device attempts to authenticate the user for full access to the device and associated cloud data. If this is successful, the user is granted full access. If instead the identified user is not qualified for full access, the user is given pass-through access to their personal cloud storage. If, however, the device is unable to even identify the user, the user may be given pass-through access to the cloud generally.

Abstract: An electronic device comprises one or more sensors capturing media content while the electronic device is situated at a media content capture location. A user interface receives user input requesting transmission of the media content to another electronic device situated at another electronic device location. One or more processors determine whether the media content capture location and the another electronic device location are substantially different locations, and at least temporarily preclude, in response to the user input, the transmission of the media content to the other electronic device when the media content capture location and the another electronic device location are substantially different locations.

Abstract: An electronic device includes one or more sensors capturing media content while the electronic device is situated at a media content capture location. A user interface receives user input requesting transmission of the media content to another electronic device at a user input reception location. A location detector determines whether the media content capture location and the user input reception location are substantially different locations. One or more processors at least temporarily preclude, in response to the user input, the transmission of the media content to the other electronic device when the location detector determines that the media content capture location and the user input reception location are substantially different locations.

Abstract: An electronic device includes one or more sensors capturing media content from an environment of the electronic device. A location detector determines whether the environment of the electronic device is situated at a location of residence of an authorized user of the electronic device. A user interface receives user input requesting transmission of the media content to another electronic device located outside the location of residence of the authorized user of the electronic device. One or more processors preclude transmission of the media content to the other electronic device in response to the user input when the location detector determines that one or more sensors captured the media content at the location of residence of the authorized user of the electronic device.

Abstract: An electronic device, method, and computer program product provide detecting entry of an image capturing device of the electronic device into an image capture mode. In response to detecting entry, a controller of the electronic device detects, via at least one of: (i) the image capturing device; and (ii) the microphone, a first external input that alerts a subject that an image of the subject is about to be captured by the image capturing device. In response to detecting the first external input, the controller enables the electronic device to monitor for detection by one of: (i) the image capturing device; and (ii) the microphone of a second external input. The second external input is associated with the subject being ready to have an image of the subject captured. In response to detecting the second external input, the controller activates recording of image data via the image capturing device.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a device housing and one or more displays presenting one or more user actuation targets defining one or more virtual buttons in a predefined arrangement relative to a first end of the device housing. One or more sensors detect a condition of the electronic device, such as an approaching object, change in the direction of gravity, or an object tapping or pushing the electronic device. One or more processors cause, in response to the one or more sensors detecting the condition, the one or more displays to present the one or more user actuation targets defining the one or more virtual buttons in another predefined arrangement that is different from the predefined arrangement.

Abstract: A wearable electronic device includes one or more processors identifying one or more companion electronic devices operating within a wireless communication radius of the wearable electronic device. One or more sensors identify the wearable electronic device being within a predefined distance of a companion electronic device. A wireless communication circuit, responsive to the one or more processors, delivers an authentication credential to the companion electronic device in response to the one or more sensors identifying that the wearable electronic device is within the predefined distance of the companion electronic device. The one or more sensors thereafter detect a gaze of an authorized user of the wearable electronic device being directed at the companion electronic device, where the wireless communication circuit delivers an actuation command to the companion electronic device.

Abstract: An electronic device included a user interface receiving user input requesting transmission of media content to another electronic device. One or more processors of the electronic device, operable with the user interface, present episodic data at the user interface in response to the user input and preclude transmission of the media content to the another electronic device while presenting the episodic data summary at the user interface. The one or more processors transmit the media content after additional authorization confirming that the episodic data has been reviewed is received at the user interface.

Abstract: A system and method of adaptive interface switching in a mobile electronic communications device entails engaging in an audio interface task at the mobile electronic communications device. If during the audio interface task it is detected that at least one microphone or at least one speaker of the mobile electronic communications device is compromised, then the system activates a data link to a wearable communication device associated with a user of the mobile electronic communications device. At least one of a mic and speaker on the wearable communication device is then used to continue the audio interface task.

Abstract: An electronic device and corresponding method includes capturing, with one or more sensors, at least one authentication input from a person in the environment of the electronic device. One or more processors of the electronic device can then compare the captured authentication input with one or more authentication references to determine whether the person is an authorized user of the electronic device. Where the person is, the one or more processors can grant limited operational access to the electronic device. Thereafter, when additional authentication inputs are captured and sufficiently match additional authentication references, additional operation access can be granted.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a user interface, a wireless communication device, and one or more processors. The wireless communication device establishes a paired communication connection with at least one companion electronic device. The wireless communication device receives one or more electronic communications from the at least one companion electronic device. The one or more processors determine, from the one or more electronic communications, whether an environment of the electronic device is a public environment or a private environment. Where the environment is the private environment, the one or more processors cause the user interface of the electronic device to enter a normal mode of operation. Where the environment is the public environment, the one or more processors cause the user interface of the electronic device to enter a privacy mode of operation.

Abstract: To ensure that an electronic device is a secure electronic device, a communication device transmits a request to authenticate the electronic device to a remote electronic device across a network. The communication device receives a security challenge. One or more processors of the electronic device obtain a response to the security challenge using a secret key stored in an encrypted memory of the electronic device. The communication device then transmits the response to the response to the security challenge to the remote electronic device. If the remote electronic device recognizes the response, it transmits a shared secret content marker, which can optionally be presented at a user interface of the electronic device. The request can be automatically initiated by a companion electronic device.

Abstract: One or more sensors of an electronic device detect either authorization of an authorized user or a cessation of physical contact between an authorized user of the electronic device and the electronic device. A location detector determines a location of the electronic device when the authorization of the authorized user occurs or where the cessation of physical contact occurs. A geofence manager establishes a geofence about the location in response to detecting the authorization of the authorized user or the cessation of physical contact. One or more processors operate the electronic device in a normal mode of operation while the electronic device remains within the geofence and in an enhanced security mode of operation when the electronic device exits the geofence.