Abstract: A thermostat for a building space includes a communications interface, an electronic display, and a processing circuit. The communications interface is configured to receive service provider information via a network connection. The electronic display includes a user interface configured to display the service provider information. The processing circuit is configured to determine when to display the service provider information on the electronic display by monitoring thermostat events.

Abstract: A method and system performs antenna tuning to minimize interference affecting signal reception within a wireless communication device. An antenna tuner controller determines whether the wireless communication device concurrently provides (a) simultaneous signal transmission and reception and (b) dual signal propagation. In response to determining that the wireless communication device concurrently provides the simultaneous signal transmission and reception and the dual signal propagation, the antenna tuner controller determines a current mode of operation corresponding to simultaneous signal transmission and reception and the dual signal propagation. Based on the mode of operation determined, the antenna tuner controller identifies a priority for performing antenna isolation to minimize interference affecting signal reception when the wireless communication device actively communicates within the specific mode of operation.

Abstract: A communication device performs a method for coordinating communications between a plurality of communication devices of a user. The method includes detecting an active communication session on a primary communication device having user engagement, and determining a set of secondary communication devices in proximity to the user. The method further includes detecting an interruption event, at the primary communication device, during the active communication session. Additionally, the method includes determining that a first secondary communication device, in the set of secondary communication devices, has capability to process the interruption event, and transferring the interruption event to the first secondary communication device.

Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a processor and a detection mechanism operable to detect one or more characteristics relating to how a user handles the electronic device. The processor is operably coupled to the detection mechanism and operable in accordance with stored operating instructions to: determine, based on the detected characteristics, which limb of the user possesses the portable electronic device; and control at least one function of the portable electronic device taking into account which limb of the user possesses the electronic device (e.g., which limb of the user is holding or secured to the electronic device). According to one embodiment, the processor may further determine a reference position for the portable electronic device (e.g., a position of the device at rest) and compare one or more of the detected characteristics to the reference position to determine which limb of the user possesses the electronic device.

Abstract: A communication device performs a method for coordinating communications between a plurality of communication devices of a user. The method includes detecting an active communication session on a primary communication device having user engagement, and determining a set of secondary communication devices in proximity to the user. The method further includes detecting an interruption event, at the primary communication device, during the active communication session. Additionally, the method includes determining that a first secondary communication device, in the set of secondary communication devices, has capability to process the interruption event, and transferring the interruption event to the first secondary communication device.

Abstract: A method of determining whether an electrical appliance can tolerate variations in supplied electrical energy. In some embodiments, the method may include coupling the electrical appliance to a source of electrical energy, delivering electrical energy to the electrical appliance, wherein the electrical energy is delivered at a first electrical energy level, obtaining a first measurement of current consumed by the electrical appliance at the first electrical energy level, delivering electrical energy to the electrical appliance at a second electrical energy level different than the first electrical energy level, obtaining a second measurement of current consumed by the electrical appliance at the second electrical energy level, and comparing the first measurement of current to the second measurement of current.

Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a processor and a detection mechanism operable to detect one or more characteristics relating to how a user handles the electronic device. The processor is operably coupled to the detection mechanism and operable in accordance with stored operating instructions to: determine, based on the detected characteristics, which limb of the user possesses the portable electronic device; and control at least one function of the portable electronic device taking into account which limb of the user possesses the electronic device (e.g., which limb of the user is holding or secured to the electronic device). According to one embodiment, the processor may further determine a reference position for the portable electronic device (e.g., a position of the device at rest) and compare one or more of the detected characteristics to the reference position to determine which limb of the user possesses the electronic device.

Abstract: Clothing for shielding a person from radio frequency energy relating to an electronic device includes a garment adapted to be worn by the person that includes at least one pocket having an inner panel and an outer panel. The pocket is sized to bold the electronic device. The inner panel of the pocket includes an electrically conductive shield material.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for mapping components of an automation system. More particularly, the present disclosure includes systems, devices, and methods for intelligently controlling one or more energy-consuming devices in a structure such as a residential, commercial, or industrial building. One embodiment includes a method of identifying a location of at least one component of an automation system, comprising obtaining an image of the at least one component, the image being captured by a wireless device; determining a location of the wireless device at the time of capturing the image; determining an identity of the at least one component; and associating the identity of the at least one component with the location.

Abstract: A building automation system including a controller, at least one outlet for providing electrical energy to one or more electrical devices, at least one sensor for detecting one or more characteristics of the electrical devices, and a communication link configured to allow communication between the controller and other components of the system, wherein the controller is configured to control (e.g., interrupt, change, adjust, terminate, increase, and/or meter) the supply of power to the at least one outlet based, in part, on one or more characteristics of the electrical device.

Abstract: A media collection system (102) uses media collection devices (107) to record media in the vicinity of a mobile device (104). A method (300) for collecting media associated with a user of a mobile device (104) includes the mobile device detecting (304) a broadcast signal from a communication node of the media collection system (102) at a radio interface of the mobile device. Then the mobile device requests (308) a media collection service of the media collection system. In response, the mobile device receives (314) an access identifier from the media collection system. The access identifier can be used to access media collected by the media collection system. The mobile device can then cease a self-collection activity while in the vicinity of the media collection system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for developing a social hierarchy for a user from a plurality of contacts includes, for each contact, tracking communications occurring between the user and the contact; determining, from the tracked communications, a rate of change for communications between the user and the contact; and identifying, based on the rate of change, a position in the social hierarchy for the contact. Another method and apparatus includes tracking communications occurring between the user and a contact in the plurality of contacts, wherein tracking a communication comprises identifying a method of communication and a time the communication occurred; determining, from the tracked communications, that repeated communication attempts were made between the user and the contact; and identifying, based on the repeated communication attempts, a position in the social hierarchy for the contact.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compensating is described, in which a tuning network is electrically coupled to an antenna and to a phase shift network. Baseband signals travel to and from the phase shift network. A controller communicatively linked to the tuning network and to the phase shift network receives data regarding the state of a communication device. The controller changes the impedance of the tuning network, and changes the phase shift of the phase shift network based on the received data. The received data may include information regarding the channel, band, or sub-band on which a communication device is communicating; information regarding on the application state of the device; information regarding the modulator and demodulator state of the device; and information regarding the state of the communication device's antenna.

Abstract: A method is performed in an electronic device for emphasizing frequency blocks containing priority data. The method includes: determining to communicate data in a plurality of allocated frequency blocks; identifying a first subset of the plurality of allocated frequency blocks that contain data having a higher priority than data in a second subset of the plurality of allocated frequency blocks; and emphasizing, during data communication, the first subset of the plurality of allocated frequency blocks, which contain the data having the higher priority, over the second subset of the plurality of allocated frequency blocks.

Abstract: A method for tracking a quantity of a utility supplied to a device connected to a utility supply associated with a first account of the utility is disclosed. The method may include determining if the device is associated with a second account, and associating the quantity of the utility consumed by the device to the second account if the device is associated with the second account.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that implements avatar modifications to another user's avatar from a first mobile communication device is disclosed. The method may include selecting an avatar modification to relating to a user of a second mobile communication device based on input from a user, and sending a signal to initiate transmission of selected avatar modification to at least one of the second mobile communication device, an avatar management server, and a plurality of mobile communication devices wherein the user's avatar modification may be viewed by other mobile communication device users.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an emergency services location module, operatively coupled to location hardware. The emergency services location module is operative to receive a session certificate from an emergency services network entity in response to the apparatus placing an emergency services call or sending an emergency services message. The emergency services location module validates the session certificate to validate that the emergency services network entity is authorized to receive location information, and sends location information obtained from the location hardware to the emergency services network entity, in response to validating the session certificate. The emergency services location module may also be operative to override a user privacy setting that prevents location information from being sent from the apparatus, in response to determining that the session certificate is valid.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for serving content to a wireless device (106) are disclosed. In an embodiment, a gateway (114), or any other suitable device or system, determines that at least one message (e.g., a text or text-like message) containing a first pointer (e.g., a unicast URL) to the content (e.g., a web page) is to be transmitted via an emergency alert system (e.g., CMAS). In response thereto, the gateway (114) obtains the content using the first pointer and generates a second different pointer (e.g., a multicast/broadcast URL) to the content. The gateway (114) provides at least a portion of the at least one message and the second pointer for transmission via the emergency alert system (118). The gateway (114) also provides the content for transmission via a wireless multicast/broadcast channel (120) based on the second pointer.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a video encoder, a camera and radio frequency modulation circuitry. The radio frequency modulation circuitry is operative to modulate a radar signal to include video data. A radar transmitter is operatively coupled to the radio frequency modulation circuitry, and is operative to transmit a radar signal including the video data. The apparatus may also include radio frequency demodulation circuitry and a video decoder. The video decoder is operative to decode video data contained in a radar signal demodulated by the radio frequency demodulation circuitry. An inter-vehicle alert system controls the camera to initiate capturing video data which includes the video data. A method of operation modulates a radar signal to include at least a portion of the video data captured in response to detecting an obstruction, and transmits the radar signal to a second vehicle via an antenna array oriented at the moving vehicle's rear.

Abstract: A method and system for predicting an estimated remaining utility usage and adjusting an alert threshold for a prepaid utility meter account includes receiving an indication of a time period of inaccessibility to replenish a prepaid utility meter account, predicting an alert trigger time when an estimated remaining utility usage for the prepaid utility meter account falls below an alert threshold, and determining that the time period of inaccessibility overlaps the predicted alert trigger time, and responsively adjusting the alert threshold such that the predicted alert trigger time occurs before the time period of inaccessibility. The method also includes receiving an indication of a business objective for a utility company and automatically adjusting the alert threshold associated with the prepaid utility meter account based on the business objective.