Abstract: An image processing system identifies desired views of a particular subject and triggers a mobile camera device in proximity to the subject to capture a digital image, thus collecting new image data to augment an existing database. In an exemplary method, location data for a camera-equipped mobile communication device in visual proximity to a subject of interest is received at an image collection server. Upon determining whether the location data corresponds to a desired view of the subject of interest, the image collection server sends an image capture request to the mobile device, triggering the user of the device to capture an image of the subject. Finally, digital image data is received from the mobile communication device in response to the image capture request. The digital image data may then be used for assembling a composite representation of the subject of interest, such as a 3D model of the subject.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for distributing multimedia files units are disclosed. In an exemplary method, a plurality of multimedia files are downloaded using a transportation provider wireless device associated with a fare-based transport vehicle, such as a taxi, bus, ferry, or airplane. The downloaded multimedia files are stored in a data storage unit operatively connected to the transportation provider wireless device. In response to passenger input data received from a passenger wireless device, a desired multimedia file selected by the passenger is transferred to the passenger wireless device or played back using local speakers and/or video displays. In some embodiments, a selected multimedia file is associated with digital rights management information regulating authorized uses of the file.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reward-based process where sharing mobile devices receive a reward for sharing access to media content with one or more requesting mobile devices. A requesting mobile device asks the wireless communication system for access to media content via a sharing mobile device. A content provider identifies a sharing mobile device with the desired media content to the requesting mobile device. Subsequently, the requesting mobile device requests and receives access to the desired media content via the sharing mobile device. An accounting unit associated with the content provider accrues a reward for a user of the sharing mobile device that rewards the user for providing the requesting mobile device with access to the media content.

Abstract: A camera assembly for generating high resolution photograph includes a sensor assembly that has two regions of different effective resolution. Image data from multiple images that are captured with the sensor assembly are combined to generate output image data in the form of a high resolution picture. A first region of the sensor is used to capture image data for the images that are combined. A second region, that is of higher effective resolution than the first region, is used to capture image data for use in aligning the image data from the plural images prior to combination.

Abstract: Image data for a digital photograph is segmented into a first portion and a second portion. The image data of the second portion is processed to have a quality lower than the image data of the first portion. An image file for the scene is stored where the image file contains image data corresponding to the first and second portions so that the image file has a high quality portion and a low quality portion.

Abstract: The socket system comprises a set of vertically-stackable sockets. A first socket mounts on a printed circuit board to receive a first chip module, and a second socket stacks on the first socket to receive a second chip module. The first socket includes a first set of embedded contacts to electrically connect the first chip module to the printed circuit board, and a second set of embedded contacts to electrically connect the second socket to the printed circuit board. The second socket includes a third set of embedded contacts to electrically connect the second chip module to the printed circuit board. System upgrades are enabled by replacing the chip modules.

Abstract: The socket system comprises a set of vertically-stackable sockets. A first socket mounts on a printed circuit board to receive a first chip module, and a second socket stacks on the first socket to receive a second chip module. The first socket includes a first set of embedded contacts to electrically connect the first chip module to the printed circuit board, and a second set of embedded contacts to electrically connect the second socket to the printed circuit board. The second socket includes a third set of embedded contacts to electrically connect the second chip module to the printed circuit board. System upgrades are enabled by replacing the chip modules.

Abstract: An image processing system identifies desired views of a particular subject and triggers a mobile camera device in proximity to the subject to capture a digital image, thus collecting new image data to augment an existing database. In an exemplary method, location data for a camera-equipped mobile communication device in visual proximity to a subject of interest is received at an image collection server. Upon determining whether the location data corresponds to a desired view of the subject of interest, the image collection server sends an image capture request to the mobile device, triggering the user of the device to capture an image of the subject. Finally, digital image data is received from the mobile communication device in response to the image capture request. The digital image data may then be used for assembling a composite representation of the subject of interest, such as a 3D model of the subject.

Abstract: A camera assembly for generating high resolution photograph includes a sensor assembly that has two regions of different effective resolution. Image data from multiple images that are captured with the sensor assembly are combined to generate output image data in the form of a high resolution picture. A first region of the sensor is used to capture image data for the images that are combined. A second region, that is of higher effective resolution than the first region, is used to capture image data for use in aligning the image data from the plural images prior to combination.

Abstract: A wireless terminal includes a multi-mode radio circuit having a plurality of different transceivers for communicating over a plurality of different wireless standards, wherein a first transceiver of the plurality of transceivers requires less power than other transceivers of the plurality of transceivers. The terminal also includes a processor and memory, and logic stored in memory and executable by the processor. The logic includes logic that selects a transceiver of the plurality of transceivers based on characteristics of a communication request, and logic that uses the first transceiver to communicate the selected transceiver to a receiving device.

Abstract: A system and method of minimizing signal interference within a wireless network is provided, wherein the wireless network includes a controller communicatively coupled to at least one femtocell, and the femtocell is operative to wirelessly transmit and receive data. A portable electronic device is used to collect signal environment data, and the collected signal environment data is analyzed. Based on the analyzed signal environment data, the at least one femtocell is commanded to alter at least one signal transmission characteristic.

Abstract: Image data for a digital photograph is segmented into a first portion and a second portion. The image data of the second portion is processed to have a quality lower than the image data of the first portion. An image file for the scene is stored where the image file contains image data corresponding to the first and second portions so that the image file has a high quality portion and a low quality portion.

Abstract: Generating a photograph with a digital camera may include capturing a first image of a scene with a first zoom setting and capturing a second image of the scene with a second zoom setting, where the second zoom setting corresponds to higher magnification than the first zoom setting. The second image may be stitched into the first image in place of a removed portion of the first image that corresponds to a portion of the scene represented by the second image. The result is the photograph, which has a region corresponding to image data of the second image and a region corresponding to image data of the first image.

Abstract: A video coding technique and system employ variable compression for different portions of an imaged scene and motion tracking of an object. The object is coded to have higher fidelity than a remainder of the scene. The higher fidelity facilitates tracking of the object that, in turn, assists in maintaining quality coding of the object.

Abstract: A speaker system that includes a printed circuit board (PCB) and a speaker assembly. The speaker assembly is embedded in the PCB. The speaker assembly may include a coil, a magnet, and a diaphragm. The coil is embedded in a material of the PCB. The magnet is located within the PCB and attached to the diaphragm. The coil is usable as a T-coil for hearing aid compatibility. The speaker system may be included in any device such as a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a computer, an electronic game device, an electronic audio device, or an electronic video device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for distributing multimedia files units are disclosed. In an exemplary method, a plurality of multimedia files are downloaded using a transportation provider wireless device associated with a fare-based transport vehicle, such as a taxi, bus, ferry, or airplane. The downloaded multimedia files are stored in a data storage unit operatively connected to the transportation provider wireless device. In response to passenger input data received from a passenger wireless device, a desired multimedia file selected by the passenger is transferred to the passenger wireless device or played back using local speakers and/or video displays. In some embodiments, a selected multimedia file is associated with digital rights management information regulating authorized uses of the file.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for distributing multimedia files to wireless-equipped subscriber units are disclosed. In an exemplary method, a multimedia title is associated with a subscriber unit and a multimedia file corresponding to that multimedia title is downloaded to a roving file server using a broadband communications link. After the roving file server detects that it is within range of a wireless transceiver associated with the subscriber unit, the multimedia file is transferred to the subscriber unit using the detected wireless transceiver.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reward-based process where sharing mobile devices receive a reward for sharing access to media content with one or more requesting mobile devices. A requesting mobile device asks the wireless communication system for access to media content via a sharing mobile device. A content provider identifies a sharing mobile device with the desired media content to the requesting mobile device. Subsequently, the requesting mobile device requests and receives access to the desired media content via the sharing mobile device. An accounting unit associated with the content provider accrues a reward for a user of the sharing mobile device that rewards the user for providing the requesting mobile device with access to the media content.

Abstract: Flipped, stacked-chip IC component packaging directly connects first and second IC components, allowing for a virtually unlimited data transfer bus width connecting the two. A first IC component is conventionally affixed to an interposer, and electrical contacts around the periphery thereof wire bonded to interposer pin contacts. A second IC component is mounted to the first IC component in flip chip fashion—with the operative surfaces of the two IC components facing. The electrical contacts formed in the operative services of each IC component are arranged in a corresponding, mirror-image pattern. Conductive bumps are formed on selected electrical contacts on either the first or second IC component prior to cutting individual IC components from a wafer. Any of the flip chip bonding technologies known in the art, or developed in the future, may be advantageously applied to form one or more wide data transfer buses between the two IC components.

Abstract: A handheld, personal electronic device includes a handheld device housing. An electronic component is disposed in the handheld device housing. A fiber optic cable is routed through the handheld device housing and is operably connected to the electronic component to permit transmission of optical signals to and/or from the electronic component via the fiber optic cable. The device may be a mobile wireless communications device.