Abstract: An electronic device includes a motion detector operable to detect an at least partially periodic motion of the electronic device. An authentication system operable with the motion detector initiates an authentication process, such as by capturing one or more images or depth scans, to attempt to authenticate a user as an authorized user of the electronic device when the electronic device is most stationary along the at least partially periodic motion.

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 an audio synthesizer. The audio synthesizer can generate a voice-synthesized audio output stream as a function of one or more audible characteristics extracted from voice input received from an authorized user of the electronic device. The audio synthesizer can also apply an acoustic watermark to the voice-synthesized audio output stream, the acoustic watermark indicating that the voice-synthesized audio output stream is machine made.

Abstract: A method in an electronic device includes identifying an authorized user of the electronic device being present within an environment of the electronic device. The method also includes identifying at least one other person also being present within the environment of the electronic device. The method then includes selecting, with one or more processors of the electronic device, content previously partially consumed by the authorized user and the at least one other person and presenting, with the one or more processors, the content on a user interface of the electronic device.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a user interface. The user interface can receive a single command to capture an image. An imager of the electronic device can capture at least the image in response to the single command to capture the image. One or more sensors of the electronic device can determine contextual input from an environment of the electronic device while the imager captures the image. One or more processors of the electronic device can then augment the image with a visible representation of the contextual input to create a single, still, augmented image.

Abstract: A method, and corresponding electronic device, receives, at a user interface of the electronic device, a command to capture one or more images. An imager of the electronic device initiates capturing the one or more images. One or more sensors of the electronic device, optionally in conjunction with one or more processors, identify a source of the command to capture the one or more images. The one or more processors can then apply a digital data identifier to the one or more images, the digital data identifier identifying the source of the command to capture the one or more images.

Abstract: An electronic device includes an audio synthesizer. The audio synthesizer can generate a voice-synthesized audio output stream as a function of one or more audible characteristics extracted from voice input received from an authorized user of the electronic device. The audio synthesizer can also apply an acoustic watermark to the voice-synthesized audio output stream, the acoustic watermark indicating that the voice-synthesized audio output stream is machine made.

Abstract: An electronic device includes one or more sensors, a user interface having one or more user interface output devices, and one or more processors operable with the one or more sensors and the user interface. The one or more processors receive, from the user interface, a command to power OFF the electronic device. Upon failing to detect, with the one or more sensors, an authorized user of the electronic device as a source of the command to power OFF the electronic device, the one or more processors disable the one or more user interface output devices while leaving the one or more sensors operational.

Abstract: An electronic device includes an imager and one or more processors operable with the imager. The imager captures at least one image of a plurality of persons. The one or more processors blur depictions of one or more persons of the plurality of persons until a reveal permission instruction is detected.

Abstract: An electronic device includes one or more sensors, a first authenticator, and at least a second authenticator. The first authenticator is operable to attempt to authenticate authentication input of a first type, while the second authenticator is operable to attempt to authenticate authentication input of a second type, wherein the second type is different from the first type. One or more processors launch or actuate the second authenticator where the first authenticator authenticates the authentication input of the first type and one or more sensors detect the authentication input of the second type.

Abstract: An electronic device includes at least one biometric sensor, at least one additional sensor, and a user interface. One or more processors are operable with a memory, carried by the electronic device and storing private data as encrypted private data. When a request to expose the private data is received, the one or more processors identify a requestor as a predetermined user by obtaining at least one biometric authentication factor and at least one second authentication factor. The one or more processors confirm the at least one biometric authentication factor and the at least one second authentication factor each match a predefined criterion. Where they do, the one or more processors expose the private data locally on the electronic device.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for interacting with a three-dimensional virtual environment, including receiving an input associated with a change in pose of a user's hand; estimating, based on at least the input, a first pose in the virtual environment for an input source associated with the hand; identifying a surface of a virtual object in the virtual environment; rendering a frame depicting elements of the virtual environment, the frame including a pixel rendered for a position on the surface; determining a distance between the position and a virtual input line extending through a position of the first pose and in a direction of the first pose; changing a pixel color rendered for the pixel based on the distance between the position and the virtual input line; and displaying the frame including the pixel with the changed pixel color to the user via a head-mounted display device.

Abstract: A method in an electronic device having one or more processors operable a fingerprint sensor and one or more other sensors includes detecting, with a fingerprint sensor, false fingerprint data. After detecting the false fingerprint data, the method determines whether the electronic device is disposed within a pocket. Where the electronic device is disposed within the pocket, the method transitions the fingerprint sensor from an active mode to a low power or sleep mode.

Abstract: A method includes generating a call alert notification on a device responsive to receiving an incoming call. A removal of the device from a stowed position is detected after generating the call alert notification. The incoming call is answered responsive to thermally detecting a proximity between the device and the user within a predetermined time period after detecting the removal of the device from the stowed position.

Abstract: A method in an electronic device having one or more processors operable a fingerprint sensor and one or more other sensors includes detecting, with a fingerprint sensor, false fingerprint data. After detecting the false fingerprint data, the method determines whether the electronic device is disposed within a pocket. Where the electronic device is disposed within the pocket, the method transitions the fingerprint sensor from an active mode to a low power or sleep mode.

Abstract: A method includes generating a call alert notification on a device responsive to receiving an incoming call. A removal of the device from a stowed position is detected after generating the call alert notification. The incoming call is answered responsive to thermally detecting a proximity between the device and the user within a predetermined time period after detecting the removal of the device from the stowed position.

Abstract: A phone call is made from an initiator phone to a receiver phone (200). The receiver phone determines how many people are near the receiver phone, and generates a response based on how many people are near the receiver phone. This response can be, for example, a message that is sent to the initiator phone and can be displayed at the initiator phone, indicating either that no one is near the receiver phone or that multiple people are near the receiver phone. The number of people that are near the receiver phone is monitored, and when just one person near the receiver phone is detected, various different actions can be taken. A message can be sent for display at the initiator phone indicating that there is only one person near the receiver phone, or the receiver phone can prompt the user to call back the initiator phone.

Abstract: Methods of operating mobile or other electronic devices so as to achieve a transmission of data between those devices, and related systems and components, are described. In one exemplary embodiment, a method of operating a first mobile device so as to achieve a transmission of data from the mobile device to an additional electronic device includes tracking a positional variation of an object situated proximate a display screen of the mobile device by determining locations of the object over time using a sensing assembly of the mobile device. The method further includes determining a point or region on the display screen based upon the tracked positional variation of the object, identifying an image portion corresponding to the point or region, where the data is associated with the image portion, and transmitting the data from the mobile device, whereby the data is capable of being received by the additional electronic device.

Abstract: A method for interpreting at least two consecutive gestures includes providing a sensing assembly having at least one photoreceiver and a plurality of phototransmitters, wherein each phototransmitter is positioned to emit infrared light away from the electronic device about a corresponding central transmission axis, wherein each central transmission axis is oriented in a different direction with respect to the others, and controlling emission of infrared light by each of the phototransmitters during each of a plurality of time periods. During each of the plurality of phototransmitters and for each of the plurality of time periods, a corresponding measured signal is generated which is indicative of a respective amount of infrared light which originated from that phototransmitter during that time period and was reflected by the external object prior to being received by a photoreceiver.

Abstract: In one embodiment a method of operating a mobile device includes sensing either an orientation or a movement of the mobile device, determining a command based on the sensed orientation or sensed movement, sensing a proximity of an object in relation to at least a portion of the mobile device, and executing the command upon the proximity of the object being sensed. In another embodiment, a method of operating a mobile device governs a manner of interaction of the mobile device relative to one or more other mobile devices. In at least some embodiments, at least one of the mobile devices includes an accelerometer and an infrared proximity sensor, and operation of the mobile device is determined based upon signals from those components.