Abstract: Keypad keys for handheld mobile communication devices feature flexible key bodies and actuators extending from the key bodies. Switches below the actuators are connected in series circuits. All actuators beneath an intended key must be depressed in order for the circuit to be closed and the key to be recognized as actuated. The flexible nature of the key bodies allows one actuator on a given key to be depressed while other actuators remain non-depressed. This prevents the key from being recognized as actuated when a only a portion of the key is depressed as occurs, for example, due to finger overlap.

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: A system and method for handling electronic notes in a mobile environment, wherein the system includes a memory configured to store an electronic note, which electronic note includes location information, a location detector configured to detect location information for the mobile device, and a processor configured to: monitor the location information for the mobile device based on data from the location detector; compare the location information for the mobile device with the location information in the electronic note; and activate the electronic note when the location information for the mobile device is within a predetermined distance of the location information in the electronic note.

Abstract: Keypad keys for handheld mobile communication devices feature flexible key bodies and actuators extending from the key bodies. Switches below the actuators are connected in series circuits. All actuators beneath an intended key must be depressed in order for the circuit to be closed and the key to be recognized as actuated. The flexible nature of the key bodies allows one actuator on a given key to be depressed while other actuators remain non-depressed. This prevents the key from being recognized as actuated when a only a portion of the key is depressed as occurs, for example, due to finger overlap.

Abstract: A system for adjusting a deflector in a seismic survey comprises a generally upright deflector body and at least one bridle connected to a seismic cable. The bridle includes an upper segment secured to an upper connection point on the deflector body, and a lower segment coupled to a lower connection point on the deflector body. The upper bridle segment, lower bridle segment and deflector body define a geometry between themselves.

Abstract: A component-based mobile device includes a server component for performing voice and data communication functions and a user interface (UI) unit for performing input/output functions. The server component is a larger unit with a larger server battery and more processing power and includes a engagement portion. The UI unit has a smaller UI battery and less processing power and is designed to fit within or removably attach to the engagement portion. The server battery may charge the UI battery when the UI unit is in the engagement portion. The server component and the UI unit may communicate wirelessly when the UI unit is out of the engagement portion and via a wired connection when the UI unit is in the engagement portion. The server component and the UI unit may be paired for encrypted wireless communication during the manufacturing process.

Abstract: A system and method for wirelessly exchanging an encryption key between a first device and a second device. The system generally includes: a transmitter, provided to the first device, for transmitting a signal that is strong enough to transmit over a predetermined distance while having a strength that decreases exponentially with distance, for example a magnetic field signal; a receiver, for example a Hall effect switch, provided to the second device, for receiving the signal; and a controller for determining when the first device and the second device are within the predetermined distance and controlling the transmitter to transmit the encryption key based on the determination.

Abstract: The portable electronic device, such as a cell phone or wireless email device, includes a portable housing, a battery carried by the portable housing, and a trackball carried by the portable housing for permitting user pointing. The trackball includes a ball, at least one rotation sensor cooperating with the ball, and a power control switch responsive to displacement of the ball for selectively powering the at least one rotation sensor from the battery. The electronic device conserves power by selectively powering the trackball unit for user pointing and selecting.

Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a portable housing, and a battery and pointing device carried by the portable housing. The portable electronic device further includes electronic circuitry carried by the portable housing and connected to the battery and the pointing device. The electronic circuitry may switch from a sleep mode to an active mode based upon operation of the pointing device in a non-random pattern, and not switch from the sleep mode to the active mode based upon operation of the pointing device in a random pattern.

Abstract: A communications system may include first and second separate units, at least one of which may include a radio frequency (RF) transceiver. The first unit may include a liquid crystal display (LCD) including at least one optical transmitter pixel. Further, the second wireless unit may include at least one optical receiver for receiving optical signals from the at least one optical transmitter pixel of the LCD.

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.