Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing and a user interface. The electronic device also includes an acoustic detector and one or more processors operable with the acoustic detector. The one or more processors can receive, from the user interface, user input corresponding to an operation of the electronic device. The one or more processors can then optionally initiate a timer in response to receiving the user input and monitor the acoustic detector for a predefined acoustic marker, one example of which is acoustic data indicating detection of one or more finger snaps. Where the one or more finger snaps occur prior to expiration of the timer, the one or more processors can perform the operation of the electronic device. Otherwise ignore the user input. The acoustic confirmation of user input helps to eliminate false triggers, thereby conserving battery power and extending run time.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing and a user interface. The electronic device also includes an acoustic detector and one or more processors operable with the acoustic detector. The one or more processors can receive, from the user interface, user input corresponding to an operation of the electronic device. The one or more processors can then optionally initiate a timer in response to receiving the user input and monitor the acoustic detector for a predefined acoustic marker, one example of which is acoustic data indicating detection of one or more finger snaps. Where the one or more finger snaps occur prior to expiration of the timer, the one or more processors can perform the operation of the electronic device. Otherwise ignore the user input. The acoustic confirmation of user input helps to eliminate false triggers, thereby conserving battery power and extending run time.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing and a user interface. The electronic device also includes an acoustic detector and one or more processors operable with the acoustic detector. The one or more processors can receive, from the user interface, user input corresponding to an operation of the electronic device. The one or more processors can then optionally initiate a timer in response to receiving the user input and monitor the acoustic detector for a predefined acoustic marker, one example of which is acoustic data indicating detection of one or more finger snaps. Where the one or more finger snaps occur prior to expiration of the timer, the one or more processors can perform the operation of the electronic device. Otherwise ignore the user input. The acoustic confirmation of user input helps to eliminate false triggers, thereby conserving battery power and extending run time.

Abstract: A notification handling system determines a notification type for a notification received at a first device of a group of associated devices. The system determines at least a second device from the group that has a capability related to the notification type and accordingly routes the notification to the second device. The second device may be paired to the first device via a wireless link. The notification handling system also augments the notification with additional information for the second device based on the capability of the second device. The augmented information is obtained by extracting data from the notification and augmenting the notification based on the extracted data. The notification handling system may also send or receive a global notification dismissal that dismisses the notification from all associated devices that may have received the notification.

Abstract: In embodiments of drowsy driver detection, a drowsy driver mode is initiated on a wearable wireless device being worn by a user in response to detecting that the user is driving a vehicle. The drowsy driver mode causes the wearable wireless device to use a first sensor to generate first sensor data which can be analyzed to detect a drowsy driver condition. In response to detecting the drowsy driver condition, a second sensor on the wearable wireless device is activated to generate second sensor data that can be analyzed to confirm the drowsy driver condition. In response to confirming the drowsy driver condition, one or more alerts are initiated. Generally, the alerts are intended to wake up the user, warn other passengers in the vehicle that the user is drowsy or otherwise impaired, and/or notify an emergency operator.

Abstract: A method, machine and system enable the automated transfer of software applications between mobile devices that have different operating systems. A computer receives (1004) a first image of a first display screen of a first mobile device with at least one application (app) selection icon visible within the first image. The computer analyzes (1006) the first image to identify at least one software application from the at least one selection icon. The computer initiates (1022) a download of the at least one application identified to a second mobile device for installation of the at least one application on the second mobile device.

Abstract: A method for providing user access to telephony operations in a multi operating environment having memory resources nearly depleted that include determining whether a predetermined first memory threshold of a computing environment has been reached and displaying a user interface corresponding to memory usage; and determining whether a predetermined second memory threshold, greater than the first, of the computing environment has been reached. Restricting computing functionality and allowing user access for telephony operations, corresponding to a mobile device, when the second memory threshold is reached is included as well. Also included is maintaining the computing restriction until the memory usage returns below the second memory threshold.

Abstract: In embodiments of drowsy driver detection, a drowsy driver mode is initiated on a wearable wireless device being worn by a user in response to detecting that the user is driving a vehicle. The drowsy driver mode causes the wearable wireless device to use a first sensor to generate first sensor data which can be analyzed to detect a drowsy driver condition. In response to detecting the drowsy driver condition, a second sensor on the wearable wireless device is activated to generate second sensor data that can be analyzed to confirm the drowsy driver condition. In response to confirming the drowsy driver condition, one or more alerts are initiated. Generally, the alerts are intended to wake up the user, warn other passengers in the vehicle that the user is drowsy or otherwise impaired, and/or notify an emergency operator.

Abstract: A notification handling system determines a notification type for a notification received at a first device of a group of associated devices. The system determines at least a second device from the group that has a capability related to the notification type and accordingly routes the notification to the second device. The second device may be paired to the first device via a wireless link. The notification handling system also augments the notification with additional information for the second device based on the capability of the second device. The augmented information is obtained by extracting data from the notification and augmenting the notification based on the extracted data. The notification handling system may also send or receive a global notification dismissal that dismisses the notification from all associated devices that may have received the notification.

Abstract: A notification handling system determines a notification type for a notification received at a first device of a group of associated devices. The system determines at least a second device from the group that has a capability related to the notification type and accordingly routes the notification to the second device. The second device may be paired to the first device via a wireless link. The notification handling system also augments the notification with additional information for the second device based on the capability of the second device. The augmented information is obtained by extracting data from the notification and augmenting the notification based on the extracted data. The notification handling system may also send or receive a global notification dismissal that dismisses the notification from all associated devices that may have received the notification.

Abstract: A method, machine and system enable the automated transfer of software applications between mobile devices that have different operating systems. A computer receives (1004) a first image of a first display screen of a first mobile device with at least one application (app) selection icon visible within the first image. The computer analyzes (1006) the first image to identify at least one software application from the at least one selection icon. The computer initiates (1022) a download of the at least one application identified to a second mobile device for installation of the at least one application on the second mobile device.

Abstract: A method, machine and system enable the automated transfer of software applications between mobile devices that have different operating systems. A computer receives a first image of a first display screen of a first mobile device with at least one application (app) selection icon visible within the first image. The computer analyzes the first image to identify at least one software application from the at least one selection icon. The computer initiates a download of the at least one application identified to a second mobile device for installation of the at least one application on the second mobile device.

Abstract: A user controls a pair of devices—a wearable electronic device, such as a watch (e.g., a smart watch) and a companion electronic device, such as a smart phone. The user takes a picture (of him or herself or of something in the environment) with the companion electronic device. The companion electronic device transfers information about attributes of the image (or, in some embodiments, transfers the image itself) to the wearable device. The wearable electronic device changes its appearance based on one or more attributes of the image, including color and the identity of objects in the picture. For example, if the wearable electronic device is a watch and the user is wearing pink, the watch could change its display to pink or to a complementary color. If user is wearing jeans (determined by object recognition, for example), the watch could change its display to a Western theme.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing and a user interface. The electronic device also includes an acoustic detector and one or more processors operable with the acoustic detector. The one or more processors can receive, from the user interface, user input corresponding to an operation of the electronic device. The one or more processors can then optionally initiate a timer in response to receiving the user input and monitor the acoustic detector for a predefined acoustic marker, one example of which is acoustic data indicating detection of one or more finger snaps. Where the one or more finger snaps occur prior to expiration of the timer, the one or more processors can perform the operation of the electronic device. Otherwise ignore the user input. The acoustic confirmation of user input helps to eliminate false triggers, thereby conserving battery power and extending run time.

Abstract: A method for providing a document using a secure bar code includes encrypting the document to generate an encrypted document, and mixing together bits for a security credential with bits for the encrypted document to generate a set of mixed bits having a predetermined order. The security credential is for decrypting the encrypted document. The method further includes inserting the set of mixed bits into the secure bar code and outputting the secure bar code. A bar code reader knows the predetermined order and is configured to read the secure bar code. The bar code reader may also be configured to un-mix the mixed bits based on the predetermined order, and decrypt the encrypted document with the security credential.

Abstract: A method for providing user access to telephony operations in a multi operating environment having memory resources nearly depleted that include determining whether a predetermined first memory threshold of a computing environment has been reached and displaying a user interface corresponding to memory usage; and determining whether a predetermined second memory threshold, greater than the first, of the computing environment has been reached. Restricting computing functionality and allowing user access for telephony operations, corresponding to a mobile device, when the second memory threshold is reached is included as well. Also included is maintaining the computing restriction until the memory usage returns below the second memory threshold.

Abstract: A method, machine and system enable the automated transfer of software applications between mobile devices that have different operating systems. A computer receives a first image of a first display screen of a first mobile device with at least one application (app) selection icon visible within the first image. The computer analyzes the first image to identify at least one software application from the at least one selection icon. The computer initiates a download of the at least one application identified to a second mobile device for installation of the at least one application on the second mobile device.

Abstract: A method for providing user access to telephony operations in a multi operating environment having memory resources nearly depleted that include determining whether a predetermined first memory threshold of a computing environment has been reached and displaying a user interface corresponding to memory usage; and determining whether a predetermined second memory threshold, greater than the first, of the computing environment has been reached. Restricting computing functionality and allowing user access for telephony operations, corresponding to a mobile device, when the second memory threshold is reached is included as well. Also included is maintaining the computing restriction until the memory usage returns below the second memory threshold.

Abstract: A notification handling system determines a notification type for a notification received at a first device of a group of associated devices. The system determines at least a second device from the group that has a capability related to the notification type and accordingly routes the notification to the second device. The second device may be paired to the first device via a wireless link. The notification handling system also augments the notification with additional information for the second device based on the capability of the second device. The augmented information is obtained by extracting data from the notification and augmenting the notification based on the extracted data. The notification handling system may also send or receive a global notification dismissal that dismisses the notification from all associated devices that may have received the notification.

Abstract: A notification handling system determines a notification type for a notification received at a first device of a group of associated devices. The system determines at least a second device from the group that has a capability related to the notification type such that the second device can respond to the notification and accordingly routes the notification to the second device. The notification handling system also augments the notification with additional information for the second device based on the capability of the second device. The augmented information is obtained by extracting data from the notification and augmenting the notification based on the extracted data. The notification handling system may also send or receive a global notification dismissal that dismisses the notification from all associated devices that may have received the notification.