Abstract: In embodiments of display viewing detection, a presence module, implemented on an electronic device, enables a first sensor to detect an object responsive to detecting audio via one or more microphones of the electronic device. The first sensor generates data that is used by the presence module to determine that the object is within a viewing range of the electronic device and that movement of the object is below a predetermined threshold. The presence module then enables at least a second sensor to confirm the object is viewing a display of the electronic device. When the object is detected by the second sensor, the presence module enables the display for viewing by the object.

Abstract: An electronic device uses one or more infrared sensors to detect infrared light from a person's body (e.g., a user's finger) to initiate a function of the electronic device. According to an implementation, the housing of the electronic device includes a flexible portion that opens an aperture in response to external pressure (e.g., a user pressing down on the flexible portion) to allow infrared light from the person's body to reach an infrared sensor. When the infrared sensor detects the infrared light, it generates a signal in response. A processor of the electronic device receives the signal and, in response, initiates a function of the electronic device. The function may be any function that the electronic device is capable of performing, such as a power-on function, a camera function, changing the speaker volume, and launching an application.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to an electronic device having an internal light source that emits light along a path through the housing. The housing has at least one flexible portion which, when subjected to external pressure flexes, thereby altering the path of the light. A processor receives a signal (from a light sensor receiver) indicating a change in the light and reacts by initiating a function of the device. The particular function that the processor initiates may depend on the mode that the device is currently in. For example, if the device is not currently in a camera mode, then the processor may launch a camera function. If the device is in a camera mode, then the processor may control the zoom of an imager. If the device is in a camera mode and is also motionless, then the processor may cause the imager to capture an image.

Abstract: A writing instrument (e.g., a pen or stylus) is able to wirelessly receive a message, receive a responsive input from a user (either spoken or written using the writing instrument), convert the user input into text, and transmit the text in a first mode (if the responsive input is spoken) or in a second mode (if the responsive input is written). The first mode and the second modes may correspond, for example, to different recipient groups.

Abstract: An electronic device uses one or more infrared sensors to detect infrared light from a person's body (e.g., a user's finger) to initiate a function of the electronic device. According to an implementation, the housing of the electronic device includes a flexible portion that opens an aperture in response to external pressure (e.g., a user pressing down on the flexible portion) to allow infrared light from the person's body to reach an infrared sensor. When the infrared sensor detects the infrared light, it generates a signal in response. A processor of the electronic device receives the signal and, in response, initiates a function of the electronic device. The function may be any function that the electronic device is capable of performing, such as a power-on function, a camera function, changing the speaker volume, and launching an application.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to an electronic device having an internal light source that emits light along a path through the housing. The housing has at least one flexible portion which, when subjected to external pressure flexes, thereby altering the path of the light. A processor receives a signal (from a light sensor receiver) indicating a change in the light and reacts by initiating a function of the device. The particular function that the processor initiates may depend on the mode that the device is currently in. For example, if the device is not currently in a camera mode, then the processor may launch a camera function. If the device is in a camera mode, then the processor may control the zoom of an imager. If the device is in a camera mode and is also motionless, then the processor may cause the imager to capture an image.

Abstract: A writing instrument (e.g., a pen or stylus) is able to wirelessly receive a message, receive a responsive input from a user (either spoken or written using the writing instrument), convert the user input into text, and transmit the text in a first mode (if the responsive input is spoken) or in a second mode (if the responsive input is written). The first mode and the second modes may correspond, for example, to different recipient groups.

Abstract: In embodiments of display viewing detection, a presence module, implemented on an electronic device, enables a first sensor to detect an object responsive to detecting audio via one or more microphones of the electronic device. The first sensor generates data that is used by the presence module to determine that the object is within a viewing range of the electronic device and that movement of the object is below a predetermined threshold. The presence module then enables at least a second sensor to confirm the object is viewing a display of the electronic device. When the object is detected by the second sensor, the presence module enables the display for viewing by the object.

Abstract: In embodiments of display viewing detection, a viewing movement module, implemented on an electronic device, determines a viewing movement of the electronic device and a pause in the viewing movement of the electronic device. The viewing movement corresponds to a movement to view a display of the electronic device. Responsive to determining the viewing movement followed by the pause, the viewing movement module enables at least one sensor to confirm that a user is viewing a display of the electronic device. When an object is detected by the sensor, the viewing movement module enables the display for viewing by the user.

Abstract: A texting-while-driving-discouragement system (108) operates to discourage users from text messaging while driving. The system determines (306) whether a user is driving a vehicle, determines (308) whether the vehicle is moving at a speed that satisfies a threshold speed, and determines (310) whether the user is text messaging. In response to determining that the user is driving the vehicle, the vehicle is moving at a speed that satisfies the threshold speed, and the user is text messaging, a remedial action is taken (312). Various remedial actions can be taken such as imposing a fee on the user (e.g., a fee that the user has optionally previously agreed to pay if he is text messaging while driving), disabling text messaging for the device, providing the user with the option to hear received text messages audibly or input verbally text messages to be sent, and so forth.

Abstract: A wireless communication device responsive to orientation and movement comprising a housing, a cellular transceiver capable of communicating with a cellular communication network, a WLAN transceiver capable of communicating with a remote device via an ad hoc network, a sensor and a processor. The sensor detects a substantially vertical orientation of the wireless communication device. The sensor also detects a movement of the wireless communication device subsequent to detecting the substantially vertical orientation of the wireless communication device. The processor performs a function of the wireless communication device in coordination with the remove device via the WLAN transceiver. The processor performs this function in response to detecting the substantially vertical orientation and the movement of the wireless communication device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for targeting advertisements to a group of proximate electronic devices. According to certain aspects, an electronic device determines (710) a proximity to a second electronic device. The electronic device compares (725) purchase histories associated with the electronic device and the second electronic device to identify an item associated with the electronic device but not with the second electronic device. Further, the electronic device determines (730) that its user has a positive user experience with the item and requests (740) an advertising server to provide an advertisement for the item to the electronic device and/or the second electronic device.

Abstract: To ensure address a problem in displaying websites in resizable display regions, an example system monitors an active browser display region to determine if the display region satisfies a predetermined size condition, such as one or more of its dimensions being less than a predetermined threshold. If the display region satisfies the size condition, the example system automatically reloads the display region with an alternative version of its website, for example a mobile version of the website, enabling the user to more effectively read or navigate the displayed website.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for managing an illumination of a flexible display (110) of an electronic device (100). According to certain aspects, the systems and methods initiate an illumination mode whereby the flexible display (110) illuminates with various display elements when the display either makes up an inner or outer surface. The rollable device (100) detects any overlap regions (204) as well as any areas associated with tactile interactions by a user of the device. Further, the rollable device (100) can obscure an illumination within the overlap regions (204) and the tactile interaction areas. In some aspects, the user can select to optically steer the illumination via touch sensors (130) located on a side opposite from the flexible display (110).

Abstract: An electronic device is operable to display images on a display screen of the device's display. The images include at least one icon and at least one image to be used as a background setting for the display screen. The electronic device includes the display, at least one storage device, and a processing unit. The storage device(s) digitally stores the images and operating instructions for displaying the images. The processing device is operable in accordance with the operating instructions to: retrieve the images from the storage device, determine at least one portion of the background setting that is of higher importance than a remainder of the background setting to produce at least one high importance portion of the background setting, and instruct the display to display the background setting and the icons on the display screen such that the high importance portion(s) of the background setting is viewable.

Abstract: A method to present desirable consumable media content for a mobile communication device during the occurrence of a likely future out of data network coverage condition. A future period of non-availability is determined, for a first data network that is associated with the mobile communication device, by analyzing likely occurrence of an out of data network coverage condition. Prior to the occurrence of the out of data network coverage condition: the method will calculate the amount and type of downloadable consumable media content that the mobile communication device will present for use during occurrence of the out of data network coverage condition. The method downloads the consumable media content for consumption or presentation via the mobile communication device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for conducting communication between mobile devices are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method of achieving communications between first and second mobile devices that are in proximity with one another includes transmitting a first signal from the first mobile device and receiving a first reflected signal at that mobile device, the first reflected signal being the first signal reflected by an object in proximity to that mobile device. The method also includes transmitting a second signal from the first mobile device for receipt by the second mobile device upon being reflected by the object, and receiving a confirmation signal from the second mobile device in response to the second signal. The method further includes achieving a paired relationship of the first mobile device relative to the second mobile device, whereby because of the paired relationship the first and second mobile devices are capable of additional communications therebetween.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices and methods of an electronic device configured to adaptably process arbitrary conditions to provide a user options for initiating or activating a non-display electronic function of the device. A user is free to determine how to position or orient the device. To determine in real-time, arbitrary conditions of the device, the disclosed devices and methods of an electronic device include determining that the electronic device is at rest and then acquiring a reference in response to determining that the electronic device is at rest. In this way, the device may assume any position or orientation to acquire a reference. Subsequently, subtle movement of the electronic device relative to the acquired reference may be detected to initiate a non-display electronic function of the electronic device. The user therefore may make choices inconspicuously and privately as to which non-display electronic function to initiate.

Abstract: A wireless communication device (200) and method (300) with intelligent authentication. The method (300) can include the steps of: capturing (310) a first image of an object; determining (320) whether the object matches a predetermined criteria; projecting (330) ultra violet illumination at the object and capturing a second image of the object; and comparing (340) the second image to a reference file, to determine purported authenticity of the object. The device (200) and method (300) can provide an improvement in minimizing the spread of counterfeit currency and use of non-authentic documents, in near real time and in a portable device.

Abstract: A method for detecting a gesture and controlling an electronic device includes providing a sensing assembly including at least one photoreceiver and a plurality of phototransmitters, wherein each phototransmitter emits infrared light; controlling the emisson of infrared light by each of the phototransmitters during each of a plurality of time periods during movement of an external object in a geometric shape relative to the electronic device. For each of the plurality of phototransmitters and for each of the plurality of time periods, a corresponding measured signal is generated which is indicative of a respective amount of infrared light which originated from that phototransmitter during that time period and was reflected by the external object prior to being received by the photoreceiver. The measured signals are evaluated to identify the geometric shape; and the electronic device is controlled in response to the identification of the geometric shape.