Abstract: A wireless device can obtain a network information record from another device operating as a credential source. The network information record can include network access information for a wireless network (e.g., SSID and password) and a usage policy specifying conditions under which the wireless device should search for the wireless network (e.g., temporal and/or spatial conditions). The wireless device can implement the usage policy by searching for the wireless network only when the conditions are satisfied. In some instances, the network access information can include instructions for dynamically generating time-varying network access information, and the wireless device can use the instructions to generate network access information during a search for wireless networks.

Abstract: A wireless device can obtain a network information record from another device operating as a credential source. The network information record can include network access information for a wireless network (e.g., SSID and password) and a usage policy specifying conditions under which the wireless device should search for the wireless network (e.g., temporal and/or spatial conditions). The wireless device can implement the usage policy by searching for the wireless network only when the conditions are satisfied. In some instances, the network access information can include instructions for dynamically generating time-varying network access information, and the wireless device can use the instructions to generate network access information during a search for wireless networks.

Abstract: A wireless device can obtain a network information record from another device operating as a credential source. The network information record can include network access information for a wireless network (e.g., SSID and password) and a usage policy specifying conditions under which the wireless device should search for the wireless network (e.g., temporal and/or spatial conditions). The wireless device can implement the usage policy by searching for the wireless network only when the conditions are satisfied. In some instances, the network access information can include instructions for dynamically generating time-varying network access information, and the wireless device can use the instructions to generate network access information during a search for wireless networks.

Abstract: Updated network access information can be distributed to wireless devices that have joined a wireless network whose configuration is being or has been modified. In some instances, an update can be scheduled in advance and a notification provided from a base station to other devices on the network. In some instances, a portable wireless device can distribute updated network access information to other devices that had been on the network prior to the update in a partially or fully automated process.

Abstract: An accessory having an RF tuner for digital radio, such as HD radio, can be in communication with a media player such as a portable media device (“PMD”). The user can be given the ability to command the accessory to provide raw digital data, the ability to scan only for stations having digital audio content (or for all available stations), the ability to provide station lists of stations having digital audio content (or all available stations), and the ability to request and store metadata beyond that for stations actually being listened to provide enhanced search capabilities. Enhanced metadata and searching can provide the listener the ability to refine station choices without having to listen at length to any particular station, and further can facilitate tagging broadcast tracks for subsequent access and/or purchase.

Abstract: An accessory can communicate wirelessly with a host device such as a portable electronic device. Existing accessory protocols developed for wired communication can be used without modification, and a wireless network connecting the two devices can provide a transport or channel connecting the two devices. Establishing a wireless channel can involve the active participation of both devices. For instance, the host device can create and identify virtual port to be used by the accessory, after which the accessory can initiate communication on that virtual port. A host device can be configured to automatically connect to certain accessories upon detection of that accessory on a wireless network under various specific conditions. Encryption of accessory-protocol communications between an accessory and a host device is also provided.

Abstract: A host device can manage a controllable power adapter accessory using a communication protocol. Based on information provided by the controllable power adapter accessory as to its power capabilities and the power needs and preferences of the host device, the host device can determine a desired power profile and request power from the accessory conforming to the desired profile. The desired power profile can also depend in part on the power-carrying capability of one or more cables connected between the host device and the accessory. In some instances, the host device and controllable power adapter accessory can be connected via an intermediary accessory that can siphon power from the controllable power adapter accessory, and the host device can manage the power siphoning behavior of the intermediary accessory using the communication protocol.

Abstract: A wireless device can obtain a network information record from another device operating as a credential source. The network information record can include network access information for a wireless network (e.g., SSID and password) and a usage policy specifying conditions under which the wireless device should search for the wireless network (e.g., temporal and/or spatial conditions). The wireless device can implement the usage policy by searching for the wireless network only when the conditions are satisfied. In some instances, the network access information can include instructions for dynamically generating time-varying network access information, and the wireless device can use the instructions to generate network access information during a search for wireless networks.

Abstract: Sensor data is communicated between two electronic devices under control of the receiving device. For example, one device is equipped with one or more sensors that can produce a stream of real-time readings. The other device can request the sensor data from the first device and can also specify to the first device one or more throttling criteria to control or limit the amount of sensor data that is sent. Each throttling criterion can specify both a category of criterion (e.g., time-based, value-based, etc.) and a throttling parameter specific to the category. The first device can monitor the sensor data to determine when a throttling criterion specified by the second device is satisfied; when the throttling criterion is satisfied, the first device can send the current sensor reading as sensor data to the second device.

Abstract: Updated network access information can be distributed to wireless devices that have joined a wireless network whose configuration is being or has been modified. In some instances, an update can be scheduled in advance and a notification provided from a base station to other devices on the network. In some instances, a portable wireless device can distribute updated network access information to other devices that had been on the network prior to the update in a partially or fully automated process.

Abstract: A host device can manage a controllable power adapter accessory using a communication protocol. Based on information provided by the controllable power adapter accessory as to its power capabilities and the power needs and preferences of the host device, the host device can determine a desired power profile and request power from the accessory conforming to the desired profile. The desired power profile can also depend in part on the power-carrying capability of one or more cables connected between the host device and the accessory. In some instances, the host device and controllable power adapter accessory can be connected via an intermediary accessory that can siphon power from the controllable power adapter accessory, and the host device can manage the power siphoning behavior of the intermediary accessory using the communication protocol.

Abstract: An accessory having an RF tuner for digital radio, such as HD radio, can be in communication with a media player such as a portable media device (“PMD”). The user can be given the ability to command the accessory to provide raw digital data, the ability to scan only for stations having digital audio content (or for all available stations), the ability to provide station lists of stations having digital audio content (or all available stations), and the ability to request and store metadata beyond that for stations actually being listened to provide enhanced search capabilities. Enhanced metadata and searching can provide the listener the ability to refine station choices without having to listen at length to any particular station, and further can facilitate tagging broadcast tracks for subsequent access and/or purchase.

Abstract: An accessory can communicate wirelessly with a host device such as a portable electronic device. Existing accessory protocols developed for wired communication can be used without modification, and a wireless network connecting the two devices can provide a transport or channel connecting the two devices. Establishing a wireless channel can involve the active participation of both devices. For instance, the host device can create and identify virtual port to be used by the accessory, after which the accessory can initiate communication on that virtual port. A host device can be configured to automatically connect to certain accessories upon detection of that accessory on a wireless network under various specific conditions. Encryption of accessory-protocol communications between an accessory and a host device is also provided.

Abstract: An adapter facilitates communications between an accessory and a media source. When the adapter is connected to the accessory, the adapter can receive a connection request from the media source. Based on the connection request, the adapter can determine whether the media source supports an accessory protocol. The adapter can receive streamed media from the media source. When a control message is received by the adapter from the accessory, if the adapter determined that the media source supports the accessory protocol, the adapter transmits the control message to the media source using the accessory protocol. If the adapter determined that the media source does not support the accessory protocol, the adapter translates the control message and transmits the translated message to the media source.

Abstract: Promotional or informational materials are selected for presentation to mobile device users based at least in part on knowledge about where those users intend to go. If a user performs a points-of-interest search that evinces a particular intent, then the mobile device can select informational materials that are associated with that particular intent, and then display those informational materials. The informational materials selected can be limited to those that are mapped to a point of interest that the searching user selected from a list of points of interest that are relevant to the user's specified intent. Additionally or alternatively, the mobile device might display only the informational materials that are mapped to a particular point of interest in response to detecting that the user has entered within a specified proximity of that particular point of interest, as determined through a global positioning system of the user's mobile device.

Abstract: A portable electronic device can be used to present vehicle-specific information to a user. The portable electronic device can receive a message transmitted from a vehicle, the message including a unique vehicle identifier such as vehicle identification number (VIN). The portable electronic device can identify content based at least in part on the unique vehicle identifier, and present the content to the user. In some instances, the content may be presented to the user as audio output and/or visually on a display screen. Input can also be received from the user, and the portable electronic device can identify the content based in part on the received input and in part on the unique vehicle identifier.

Abstract: Promotional or informational materials are selected for presentation to mobile device users based at least in part on knowledge about where those users intend to go. If a user performs a points-of-interest search that evinces a particular intent, then the mobile device can select informational materials that are associated with that particular intent, and then display those informational materials. The informational materials selected can be limited to those that are mapped to a point of interest that the searching user selected from a list of points of interest that are relevant to the user's specified intent. Additionally or alternatively, the mobile device might display only the informational materials that are mapped to a particular point of interest in response to detecting that the user has entered within a specified proximity of that particular point of interest, as determined through a global positioning system of the user's mobile device.