Abstract: An apparatus that helps a user grasp a hand-held device (10) resting on an underlying surface (S) detects when the user is reaching for the hand-held device. In response to the detection, the apparatus performs an action that elevates at least a part of the hand-held device above the underlying surface. Elevating the hand-held device above the underlying surface allows the user to grasp and lift the hand-held device off of the underlying surface more easily.

Abstract: According to the teachings herein, a method and apparatus are provided for facilitating touch entries to a touchscreen of an electronic device. In particular, the teachings herein facilitate one-handed touch entry, such as where a user operates the touchscreen of the device using a digit of the same hand used to hold the device. Advantageously, an electronic device (10) detects when a user is reaching to make a touch input to the touchscreen (14) and it correspondingly adapts the visual content currently being displayed—i.e., the current screen (16)—responsive to detecting the reach. Example adaptations include any one or more of shifting, warping and resealing the screen, to bring an estimated touch target within a defined reach extent (130) configured in the electronic device.

Abstract: A wirelessly chargeable device, such as a smartphone, and a wireless-charging device are provided. The wirelessly chargeable device and the wireless-charging device comprise holding means for generating an attractive force between the wirelessly chargeable device and a charging surface of the wireless-charging device, so as to prevent displacement of the wirelessly chargeable device when placed on the charging surface, and processing means operative to release the wirelessly chargeable device from the charging surface in response to determining that a user intends to remove the wirelessly chargeable device from the charging surface. Advantageously, the wirelessly chargeable device may to be placed on a charging surface which is substantially vertical when in operation, effectively eliminating the need for manually securing the wirelessly chargeable device in order to prevent the wirelessly chargeable device from falling.

Abstract: An image capturing device is provided comprising an image sensor for capturing a first image of a scene, a light source for illuminating the scene with a first flash of coded light, and a network interface for communicating with a communications network and/or a further image capturing device. The device is operative to encode information into the first flash, enabling retrieval of the first image from a first data storage, capture the first image, and store the first image in the first data storage. Optionally, the device may be operative to detect a second flash of coded light emitted by the further image capturing device, decode information enabling retrieval of a second image captured by the further image capturing device from a second data storage, retrieve the second image, and create a 3D model from the first image and the second image.

Abstract: A device for controlling a lens for adjustable vision correction is provided. The device, e.g., a smartphone, comprises circuits to determine if a user of the device is gazing at the device, and, if the user is gazing at the device, to determine a distance between the eye and the device, and to control the lens to adjust its focal length based on the determined distance. Thereby, the lens is adjusted only if required, i.e., if the user is gazing at the device. The circuits may be suitable for correcting presbyopia if the user is gazing at a device located at close distance, and alleviate the need for the user to actively operate a switch or move her head for adjusting the focal length of her lenses.

Abstract: An apparatus that helps a user grasp a hand-held device (10) resting on an underlying surface (S) detects when the user is reaching for the hand-held device. In response to the detection, the apparatus performs an action that elevates at least a part of the hand-held device above the underlying surface. Elevating the hand-held device above the underlying surface allows the user to grasp and lift the hand-held device off of the underlying surface more easily.

Abstract: A device for providing a touch-based user interface is disclosed. The device comprises a screen, a camera, and processor. The camera images a reflection of the screen by a cornea of a user of the device. The processor displays at least one user-interface element on the screen, detects that a finger of a hand touches or is about to touch the screen, estimates a trajectory of the finger, and determines an intended location of touch of the finger on the screen. The trajectory of the finger is estimated by analyzing a sequence of images of the reflection. The intended location of touch is determined based on the estimated trajectory of the finger.