Abstract: A method of determining user-selections from at least one touch at a touch-sensitive input surface of an electronic device includes determining a first user-selection based on touch attributes, detecting changes in the touch attributes including a change in size and a change in the location, and determining a second user-selection based on a direction of the change in location.

Abstract: These needs, and others, are met by at least one embodiment of the disclosed invention which provides for a touch sensitive screen for an electronic device wherein there is a sparse pattern of sensors disposed within the active area and a dense pattern of sensors disposed within the viewing area. In this configuration, the pixels in the active area may have a larger aspect ratio and provide a more pleasing image while the dense sensors disposed within the viewing area provide more accurate touch sensitivity. Further, the software, or other electronics, used to create the image, may be structured to position menus or other selectable images adjacent to the viewing area. Similarly, certain images, such as icons, can be programmed to be displayed directly under the sensors in the active area. Generally, this configuration provides for the best of both worlds; a bright, clear image with some touch sensitivity in the active area and a sensitive sensor grid in the viewing area where there are no pixels.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a mobile communication device. The device comprises: a housing including a housing port; a microphone in the housing; circuitry in the housing and connected to the microphone; a coupler including an acoustic conduit having a first end in communication with the housing port and a second end, and a body section associated with the microphone and in communication with the second end of the acoustic conduit; and a support to brace the coupler in the housing.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a system and method for adjusting a backlight level for an image being displayed on an electronic device. The system comprises: a display for displaying an image to be backlit; memory storing a numeric representation of the image on a pixel-by-pixel basis; and a backlight adjustment module to calculate a pixel-by-pixel, running average of an intensity of the image using the numeric representation and to determine a backlight level for the image using the running average, the running average being calculated according to an equation that calculates a new average using a previous average and a current pixel intensity value to avoid an overflow condition when calculating the running average.

Abstract: Standard word lists that are often used for such operations as predictive text, spell checking, and word completion are based on general linguistic data that might not accurately reflect actual text usage patterns of particular users. Systems and methods of building and using a custom word list for use in text operations on an electronic device are provided. A collection of text items associated with a user of the electronic device is scanned to identify words in the text items. A weighting is then assigned to each identified word, and the words and corresponding weightings are stored.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a microphone coupler and coupler system for a communication device. The microphone coupler comprises a conduit having an internal channel therein, a distal end, a proximal end, a first opening in the distal end connecting to the internal channel and a second opening in the proximal end connecting to the internal channel, the conduit being attachable to a printed circuit board of the communication device over an opening in the printed circuit board with the second opening mating to the opening and with the distal end of the coupler extending towards an end of the printed circuit board. The coupler has a microphone having a port that is mounted on the printed circuit board and the port is aligned with the opening in the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A field sequential liquid crystal display maintains its white color point through compensation values to at least one color light emitting diode that illuminates the display. The compensation values may be impedances to control the current or pulsing of the current source according to a pulse width modulation technique. A degradation curve may be used to calculate extrapolate the theoretical forward voltage of the light emitting diode. Additional complexity arises from the need for calculating uptime for multiple light emitting diodes of different colors. Brightness levels may also be factored in. Additional processing of a display element may be provided when a grey scale image is being generated.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a base, a touch screen display, a shape memory alloy and operational components. The touch screen display is connected to the base and moveable relative to the base and includes a display device and a touch-sensitive input surface overlying the display device and connected to a controller for determining a touch event to the touch-sensitive input surface. The shape memory alloy is disposed between the base and the display device and is configured to change shape in response to conduction of an electric current to cause movement of the display device relative to the base. The operational components include a processor between the base and the touch screen display. The processor is operatively connected to the controller, the display device and the shape memory alloy for causing conduction of current through the shape memory alloy in response to the touch event, resulting in movement of the display relative to the base.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a microphone coupler and coupler system for a communication device. The microphone coupler comprises a conduit having an internal channel therein, a distal end, a proximal end, a first opening in the distal end connecting to the internal channel and a second opening in the proximal end connecting to the internal channel, the conduit being attachable to a printed circuit board of the communication device over an opening in the printed circuit board with the second opening mating to the opening and with the distal end of the coupler extending towards an end of the printed circuit board. The coupler has a microphone having a port that is mounted on the printed circuit board and the port is aligned with the opening in the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A wireless handheld communications device with a liquid crystal display, especially, a field sequential liquid crystal display, includes a visual notification for a powered up, inactive state. The visual notification is preferably through a light emitting diode that may be part of the backlighting system for the LCD or may be independent from the backlighting system. The waveforms, periodicity, color selection, and color sequencing may be customizable by one or both of the manufacturer and user.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a microphone coupler and coupler system for a communication device. The system comprises: a printed circuit board; a microphone having a port facing towards the printed circuit board and aligned with an opening through the printed circuit board; and a microphone coupler for the microphone. The coupler comprises: a conduit having an internal channel therein, a distal end, a proximal end, a first opening in the distal end connecting to the internal channel and a second opening in the proximal end connecting to the internal channel. In the system, the proximal end of the coupler is locatable about the opening of the printed circuit board to have the second opening mated to the opening of the printed circuit board; and the distal end of the coupler extends towards an end of the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A mobile device 500 comprises a display portion 502 including a display screen, a first keypad portion 501, a second keypad portion 502, and at least one input device 508, 510-524, 531-544 associated with at least one of the first keypad portion 501, the second keypad portion 502, and the display portion 504. The first and second keypad portions 501, 502 are independently rotatably coupled to the display portion 502 to provide a plurality of operational configurations for the device 500. The first keypad portion 501 may be positioned on an upper level of the device 500 and the second keypad portion 502 may be positioned on a lower level of the device 500, with the display portion 502 being positioned in the middle of the device 500. The first keypad portion 501 may be superimposed over at least part of the display portion 502.

Abstract: A keyboard for a mobile device 400 having a processor 618 for interpreting signals comprises a plurality of keys 410-424 and corresponding indicia including keys associated with alphabetic characters corresponding to an array of letters A-Z. The keys 410-419 that are associated with alphabetic characters number fewer than twenty-six and correspond to one of a QWERTY, QWERTZ, AZERTY, or DVORAK key arrangement. Each of the plurality of keys 410-424 have multiple input surfaces and are arranged in an array of rows and columns that include a first outer column, at least one middle column, and a last outer column. The first and last columns of keys are operable to input at least three different signals to a processor 618 of a mobile device 400 depending upon what input surface of the key 410-424 is pressed. A middle column of keys is operable to input at least five different signals to a processor 618 depending on what input surface of the key 410-424 is pressed.

Abstract: An improved handheld electronic device having a virtual keypad input device includes a case, and further includes an input apparatus and a processor apparatus disposed on the case. The input apparatus includes a number of vibrational sensors that sense the vibrational results of a contact with the case. The processor apparatus executes a routine that determines from the vibrational results a location on the case where the contact was made. Depending upon the location of the contact, the routine can interpret the contact as an input to the processor. The exemplary contact with the case can be in the nature of a touching or tapping contact or other contact with the case.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a system and method for adjusting a backlight level for an image being displayed on an electronic device. The system comprises: a display for displaying an image to be backlit; memory storing a numeric representation of the image on a pixel-by-pixel basis; and a backlight adjustment module to calculate a pixel-by-pixel, running average of an intensity of the image using the numeric representation and to determine a backlight level for the image using the running average, the running average being calculated according to an equation that calculates a new average using a previous average and a current pixel intensity value to avoid an overflow condition when calculating the running average.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for calculating a backlight level for an image being displayed on an electronic device. The system comprises: a backlight adjustment module to calculate an intensity value of an image for display on the electronic device; a display for displaying the image; and a backlight system to provide a backlight for the display. The backlight system is responsive to control signals generated by the backlight adjustment module. In the system, the intensity value represents an average intensity of the image.

Abstract: An improved handheld electronic device having a virtual navigational input device includes a case, and further includes an input apparatus and a processor apparatus disposed on the case. The processor apparatus executes a routine that compares vibrational results of a contact by a user on the case with reference vibrational results to identify the nature of the contact and to interpret the contact as an input to the processor. The exemplary contact with the case is in the nature of a sliding contact over a series of first features or over a series of second features and can be interpreted as one of more navigational inputs to the processor. The exemplary contact can also be in the nature of a touching or tapping contact or other contact with the case.

Abstract: The disclosed and claimed concept relates generally to handheld electronic devices and, more particularly, to a method for identifying and purchasing an audio work played over broadcast service without the user needing to provide information to identify the work (e.g., artist, singer, title, etc.).

Abstract: A field sequential liquid crystal display maintains its white colour point through compensation values to at least one colour light emitting diode that illuminates the display. The compensation values may be impedances to control the current or pulsing of the current source according to a pulse width modulation technique. A degradation curve may be used to calculate extrapolate the theoretical forward voltage of the light emitting diode. Additional complexity arises from the need for calculating uptime for multiple light emitting diodes of different colours. Brightness levels may also be factored in. Additional processing of a display element may be provided when a grey scale image is being generated.

Abstract: A display screen is capable of having regions having different switching speeds as well as regions that are not switched. One region having a first switching speed may be for colour mode display and the other region having a second switching speed different from the first may be for monochrome mode display. Other regions may be off and not switched. In alternative versions, three or more switched regions may be established on a display screen. For example, a monochrome region may be nested inside a colour region, in which the colour region may be nested between off regions.