Abstract: Methods and apparatus to obtain transaction confirmation are described. One example method includes emulating a payment method using a close-proximity communication device of a mobile device, establishing a close-proximity communication link using the close-proximity communication device of the mobile device, transferring payment information from the mobile device using the close-proximity communication device, switching the close-proximity communication device of the mobile device to an information receiving communication mode, and receiving a transaction confirmation at the close-proximity communication device of the mobile device. Other implementations are possible.

Abstract: A wireless communications system may include a first electronic device comprising a first media content playback device, a first wireless transceiver, and a first controller coupled with the first media content playback device and the first wireless transceiver. The system may further include a second electronic device comprising a second media content playback device, a second wireless transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate with the first wireless transceiver, and a second controller coupled with the second media content playback device and the second wireless transceiver. The first controller may be configured to generate a playback pointer associated with playback of given media content, and wirelessly communicate the playback pointer to the second controller. The second controller may be configured to play back the given media content based upon the playback pointer, and without receiving the given media content from the first electronic device.

Abstract: A communication system may include at least one electronic device configured to wirelessly communicate via a Near-Field Communication (NFC) format, and at least one mobile communications device. The at least one mobile communications device may include an NFC device configured to wirelessly communicate with the at least one electronic device via the NFC format, and a controller coupled with the NFC device. The controller may be configured to determine an orientation of the at least mobile communications device, and determine a direction of communication with respect to the at least one electronic device based upon the determined orientation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to control access are described. One example method includes allowing physical access and logic access based on a credential associated with a mobile device, monitoring logical access by the mobile device, and revoking a physical access privilege based on termination of logical access by the mobile device. Other implementations are possible.

Abstract: A wireless communications system may include first and second mobile wireless communications devices each comprising a respective input device, wireless transceiver, near-field communication (NFC) transceiver, and controller coupled to the input device, wireless transceiver and NFC transceiver. At least one of the controllers may be configured to establish an NFC communications link between the NFC transceivers when the first and second mobile wireless communications devices are in proximity, provide a temporary device identifier (ID) via the NFC communications link, request authorization to establish a wireless link between the wireless transceivers, provide a permanent device ID upon receiving the authorization and based upon the temporary device ID, and establish the wireless link between the wireless transceivers based upon the permanent device ID.

Abstract: A mobile wireless communications device includes a wireless transceiver, a Near Field Communications (NFC) device, and a processor. The processor is configured to cooperate with the wireless transceiver for wireless communications. The processor is also configured to detect movement of a non-radiating object adjacent the NFC device, and perform at least one function based upon the detected movement.

Abstract: A communications system may include a holder, a first near-field communication (NFC) device carried by the holder, and a mobile device. The mobile device may include a housing configured to be removably positioned within the holder, a second NFC device carried by the housing and configured to communicate with the first NFC device via NFC communications, and a controller carried by the housing and coupled to the second NFC device. The controller may be configured to operate the second NFC device to scan for the first NFC device in a first mode when the housing is removed from the holder, and operate the second NFC device in a second mode based upon communication with the first NFC device when the housing is positioned within the holder, where the second mode has a lower power consumption level associated therewith than the first mode.

Abstract: A mobile device for authenticating a device accessory is disclosed. The mobile device receives a unique identifier from a device accessory, sends the received unique identifier to a server via a communication network, and receives information from the server relating to the unique identifier.

Abstract: A mobile computing device may include an interface device, a near field communication (NFC) device, and a processor coupled with the interface device and the NFC device. The processor may be capable of detecting proximity of an encasement based upon the NFC device, and changing an operational mode of the interface device based upon detecting the proximity of the encasement.

Abstract: A meeting room reservation system may include at least one radio frequency identification (RFID) sensor to be positioned adjacent a meeting room, and a plurality of mobile wireless communications devices, each configured for RFID communication with the at least one RFID sensor. The system may further include a reservation server configured to schedule reserved starting and ending times for the meeting room, track checked-in mobile wireless communications devices based upon RFID communication with the at least one RFID sensor, and send at least one reservation expiration notification based upon a reserved ending time and a subsequent check-in of another mobile wireless communications device.

Abstract: A communications system may include a plurality of electronic devices each configured to wirelessly communicate via an NFC format and another wireless communications format(s). A first electronic device may have an NFC transfer parameter associated therewith, and may be configured to establish an NFC link with a second electronic device of the plurality of electronic devices when in proximity therewith, designate data to be transferred to the second electronic device, and determine whether the designated data complies with the NFC transfer parameter. Based on a determination that the designated data complies with the NFC transfer parameter, the first electronic device may be configured to transfer at least some of the designated data via the NFC link, and otherwise transfer at least some of the designated data to the second electronic device over a separate wireless communications link using the at least one other wireless communications format.

Abstract: A wireless communications system may include first and second mobile wireless communications devices each comprising a respective input device, wireless transceiver, near-field communication (NFC) transceiver, and controller coupled to the input device, wireless transceiver and NFC transceiver. At least one of the controllers may be configured to establish an NFC communications link between the NFC transceivers when the first and second mobile wireless communications devices are in proximity, provide a temporary device identifier (ID) via the NFC communications link, request authorization to establish a wireless link between the wireless transceivers, provide a permanent device ID upon receiving the authorization and based upon the temporary device ID, and establish the wireless link between the wireless transceivers based upon the permanent device ID.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring data from a first electronic device to a second electronic device, both first and second electronic devices having Universal Serial Bus (USB) client interfaces, the method comprising the steps: connecting the two electronic devices with a USB cable; toggling the voltage on a VBUS line of the USB cable between logic high voltage and no voltage at the first electronic device; detecting toggles of the VBUS line at the second electronic device; and interpreting the toggles detected in the detecting step as data.

Abstract: A mobile wireless communications device may include a portable housing and a near-field communication (NFC) circuit carried by the portable housing and being switchable between first NFC mode and a second NFC mode. The mobile wireless communications device may further include a processor carried by the portable housing and coupled to the NFC circuit and configured to switch the NFC circuit between the first NFC mode and the second NFC mode at a first frequency based upon a first triggering event, and switch the NFC circuit between the first NFC mode and the second NFC mode at a second frequency lower than the first frequency based upon a second triggering event different than the first triggering event.

Abstract: A near-field communication (NFC) system may include a plurality of NFC devices each including an NFC circuit configured to wirelessly communicate using an NFC communications protocol, and a processor coupled to the NFC circuit. The processor may be configured to synchronize an internal timing signal to an external timing signal, cycle power to the NFC circuit to periodically switch the NFC circuit between a peer-to-peer recognition state and a low power state based upon the synchronized internal timing signal, and initiate peer-to-peer NFC communications with another one of the plurality of NFC devices when in range thereof and upon being switched to the peer-to-peer recognition state therewith.

Abstract: A near-field communication (NFC) system may include a plurality of NFC devices each including a housing, a power source carried by the housing, at least one input device carried by the housing and assigned to a designated device function, an NFC circuit configured to wirelessly communicate using an NFC communications protocol, and a processor. The processor may be configured to initiate the designated device function based upon a first input pattern of the at least one input device, switch the NFC circuit between a higher power state and a lower power state at a first frequency, the NFC circuit in the higher power state being configured to generate an RF field to initiate NFC communications, and switch the NFC circuit between the higher and lower power states at a second frequency based upon a second input pattern of the input device(s) different from the first input pattern.

Abstract: A communication system may include a server configured to provide data access based upon an authenticated logon, and a computer configured to access the server to receive a temporary authenticated logon identification (ID) for the server. The communication system may further include a mobile wireless communications device including a housing, a wireless transceiver carried by the housing, a sensor carried by the housing, and a controller carried by the housing, the controller being coupled to the wireless transceiver and the sensor. The controller may be configured to cause the sensor to wirelessly retrieve the temporary authenticated logon ID from the computer, and cause the wireless transceiver to wirelessly communicate logon data to the server for providing data access via the computer based upon the temporary authenticated logon ID.

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.

Abstract: A mobile device, through the use of an NFC subsystem, may determine holster-proximity information, i.e., whether the mobile device is near to (including in) a holster or out of, and away from, the holster. The holster-proximity information may be used by the mobile device to enter into a user-inactive mode. Such entry into a user-inactive mode may involve disabling user interface components, such as input devices and output devices. In particular, the holster-proximity information may be used by the mobile device to disable the keyboard, that is, prevent presses on keys in the keyboard from being recorded. Such disabling may be considered of particular importance when the mobile device is going into and coming out of the holster.

Abstract: Systems and methods for wirelessly exchanging an encryption key between a first device and a second device are disclosed herein.