Abstract: A Near Field Communications (NFC) tag includes a housing and a magnet carried by the housing and configured to be magnetically sensed by a magnetic sensor carried by a communications device to activate an NFC circuit within the communications device to communicate using an NFC communications protocol. A data store stores data regarding a function of the communications device to be magnetically coupled by the magnet. The data store is configured to be read by the communications device using an NFC communications protocol after the NFC circuit had been activated.

Abstract: A device, method, and system are disclosed for establishing wireless communications between communications devices comprising respective magnets and magnetic sensors each located on first and second communications device and aligned such that a magnet on the first communications device is aligned with a magnetic sensor on the second communications device and a magnet on the second communications device is aligned with a magnetic sensor on the first communications device. In response, a Near Field Communications (NFC) circuit contained in each of the first and second communications devices is activated and data exchanged between the first and second communications devices using a NFC communications protocol.

Abstract: A communications device and method initiates communications at a communications device and includes magnetically coupling the communications device to a Near Field Communications (NFC) tag. In response to the magnetic coupling with the NFC tag, an NFC circuit contained in the communications device is activated for subsequent communications using the NFC communications protocol.

Abstract: A mobile wireless communications device includes a housing and a circuit board carried by the housing. Radio frequency (RF) circuitry and a processor are carried by the housing and operative with each other. A Near Field Communications (NFC) circuit is connected to the processor for communicating using an NFC communications protocol. A magnetic sensor is supported by the housing and connected to the processor for sensing a magnetic field and generating a signal to the processor and in response, the processor activating the NFC circuit for transmitting or receiving data using the NFC communications protocol.

Abstract: An improved handheld electronic device includes an improved keypad with keys that impart a plurality of different instances of a given physical property. In one embodiment, each key imparts of plurality of different instances of the given physical property, such as by forming each key of a plurality of materials. In another embodiment, each key includes only a single instance of a given physical property, but different keys posses different instances of the same physical property, i.e., certain keys may be formed of a first material, and other keys may be formed of a second, different material.

Abstract: A method of displaying information on a display of a handheld electronic device includes steps of determining a target area onscreen to be visually magnified and causing a shape-changing zone of the display to change shape in the target area to visually magnify information displayed in the target area. The array of shape-changing zones on the touch-sensitive display can be independently actuated to form a magnifying lens over any onscreen object of interest. For example, this lens can be used to magnify a selected portion of a map, a portion of text or a specific point of interest. The lens can be used to magnify a route displayed on a map, or simply to zoom in on the current location of the device as displayed onscreen.

Abstract: An apparatus for input and fingerprint recognition comprises a touch surface, a processor coupled to the touch surface, and instructions stored on the apparatus. The touch surface comprises a first region and a second region. The first region has a first sensor resolution, and the second region has a second sensor resolution that is greater than the first sensor resolution. The instructions configure the processor to selectively operate the touch surface in one of a touch input mode and a fingerprint mode. In the touch input mode, the processor detects a touch input anywhere on the touch surface by sampling the first and second regions at the first sensor resolution. In the fingerprint mode, the processor reads a fingerprint on the second region by sampling the second region at the second sensor resolution.

Abstract: A multi-function navigation device in the form of a trackball that is both rotationally actuable and multi-directionally clickable. The multi-function navigation device can receive user commands by rotational movement and various directional clicking of the trackball. Directional depression of the multi-function navigation device activates switches corresponding to predetermined directions to effectuate directional selections or directional movements of a cursor for navigating the display of an electronic device.

Abstract: A mobile device comprising a base and a cover operatively coupled with a hinge-less slider mechanism and configured to move on an angle between a closed position and an open position. The base includes a keypad which is accessible when the cover is in the open position and the cover includes a display module for facilitating telephony and data functions such as email, text messaging, web browsing and voice calling. According to an embodiment, the mobile device is configured to provide a thinner profile in the open position which provides the ergonomic feel of a thinner mobile device.

Abstract: A track ball cursor positioning sub-system is employed by a handheld electronic device including an operating system and a plurality of applications having a plurality of predetermined scaling values. The cursor positioning sub-system includes a track ball cursor positioning device adapted to output a plurality of device pulses, and a track ball cursor resolution controller adapted to repetitively input the device pulses and to responsively output to the operating system a plurality of cursor movement events. The cursor resolution controller is further adapted to be controlled by the operating system or by the applications to learn which one of the applications is active and to automatically scale a number of the cursor movement events for a corresponding number of the device pulses based upon a corresponding one of the predetermined scaling values of the active one of the applications.

Abstract: A track ball cursor positioning sub-system is employed by a handheld electronic device including an operating system and a plurality of applications having a plurality of predetermined scaling values. The cursor positioning sub-system includes a track ball cursor positioning device adapted to output a plurality of device pulses, and a track ball cursor resolution controller adapted to repetitively input the device pulses and to responsively output to the operating system a plurality of cursor movement events. The cursor resolution controller is further adapted to be controlled by the operating system or by the applications to learn which one of the applications is active and to automatically scale a number of the cursor movement events for a corresponding number of the device pulses based upon a corresponding one of the predetermined scaling values of the active one of the applications.

Abstract: An apparatus for input and fingerprint recognition comprises a touch surface, a processor coupled to the touch surface, and instructions stored on the apparatus. The touch surface comprises a first region and a second region. The first region has a first sensor resolution, and the second region has a second sensor resolution that is greater than the first sensor resolution. The instructions configure the processor to selectively operate the touch surface in one of a touch input mode and a fingerprint mode. In the touch input mode, the processor detects a touch input anywhere on the touch surface by sampling the first and second regions at the first sensor resolution. In the fingerprint mode, the processor reads a fingerprint on the second region by sampling the second region at the second sensor resolution.

Abstract: A mobile device is provided having a rotatable keyboard. The keyboard is attached to the mobile device and is rotatable in a single plane with respect to the device's housing between a first and second position. A plurality of keys are provided having first indicia in a first orientation relating to key functions in the first position and second indicia in a second orientation relating to key functions in the second position. The indicia are properly oriented with respect to the user in the first and second positions to display a telephone keypad and an alternate keyboard. The arrangement provides greater ergonomic comfort to a user when entering text. The mobile device can assign functions to each key based on a determined keyboard position and can include a weighted end piece to protect the rotatable keyboard from potential damage due to impact.

Abstract: An apparatus for input and fingerprint recognition comprises a touch surface, and a data processor coupled to the touch surface. The touch surface comprises a first region and a second region. The second region is distinct from and coplanar with the first region and occupies a minor portion of a total surface area of the touch surface. The data processor is configured to selectively operate the touch surface in a touch input mode or a fingerprint detection mode. In the touch input mode, the data processor is configured to operate the second region at a first resolution comparable to that of the first region to detect a touch input anywhere on the touch surface. In the fingerprint detection mode, the data processor is configured to operate the second region at a higher resolution than the first resolution to detect a fingerprint on the second region.

Abstract: A key arrangement that includes a plurality of keys arranged in a pattern including a first column, a last column, and one or more middle columns. At least one of the middle columns includes a multidirectional navigational key. The first and last columns have keys in each row. A plurality of the keys and the multidirectional navigational input key have alphanumeric indicia. The multidirectional navigational input key may be integrated with the keys in a reduced QWERTY, QWERTY, QWERTZ, AZERTY, or DVORAK layout and may additionally be integrated with the keys in a telephony pad numeric layout. A touchpad or rotatable rim may also be disposed about the multidirectional navigational input key.

Abstract: An apparatus for input and fingerprint recognition comprises a touch surface, and a data processor coupled to the touch surface. The touch surface comprises a first region and a second region. The second region is distinct from and coplanar with the first region and occupies a minor portion of a total surface area of the touch surface. The data processor is configured to selectively operate the touch surface in a touch input mode or a fingerprint detection mode. In the touch input mode, the data processor is configured to operate the second region at a first resolution comparable to that of the first region to detect a touch input anywhere on the touch surface. In the fingerprint detection mode, the data processor is configured to operate the second region at a higher resolution than the first resolution to detect a fingerprint on the second region.

Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a housing, a display device exposed by the housing, an input device for receiving user-input, a plurality of sensors on the housing for detecting touches on the portable electronic device, and functional components housed in the housing. The functional components include a memory device and a processor operably connected to the sensors, the display device the input device, and the memory device.

Abstract: A method of ambiguous word review or correction for a handheld electronic device includes receiving a plurality of actuations of input members in which each of a number of these members has a plurality of assigned characters, rendering a plurality of words responsive to the actuations, displaying a plurality of representations of the words, and detecting a number of the words, which are ambiguous. For each of the detected number, a visual indicator is displayed associated with a corresponding one of the representations. Touching of a touch screen is detected in connection with the displayed visual indicator. Preferably, a first magnification of the corresponding representation and a second magnification of a representation of a number of alternative words are displayed. The touch screen can be used to select one of the first and second magnifications to correct the ambiguous word.

Abstract: A method of displaying information on a display of a handheld electronic device includes steps of determining a target area onscreen to be visually magnified and causing a shape-changing zone of the display to change shape in the target area to visually magnify information displayed in the target area. The array of shape-changing zones on the touch-sensitive display can be independently actuated to form a magnifying lens over any onscreen object of interest. For example, this lens can be used to magnify a selected portion of a map, a portion of text or a specific point of interest. The lens can be used to magnify a route displayed on a map, or simply to zoom in on the current location of the device as displayed onscreen.

Abstract: A handheld electronic device includes a housing having a surface; a first input component having input members disposed external to the surface; a second touch sensitive input component disposed about the input members, the touch sensitive input component being separate and distinct from the input members and the first input component and being structured to provide one of: a contact point with respect to the surface responsive to actuation of a first number of the input members, and a number of responses responsive to actuation of a second number of the input members. A processor cooperates with the first input component and the touch sensitive input component to determine if a plurality of the input members are actuated contemporaneously and to output a representation of a single one of the input members based upon one of: the contact point, and the number of responses.