Abstract: A method of a wireless communication device for accessing secure resources of a resource provider or the device itself. A password associated with the wireless communication device is identified. A password identifier is assigned to the password and a non-password identifier is assigned to a non-password different from the password. The password identifier has a non-sequential association with the non-password identifier. The password identifier, the password, the non-password identifier, and the non-password are provided at a user interface of the wireless communication device. Access to a secure resource is granted in response to determining that the password identifier has been detected at the user interface.

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 of a wireless communication device for accessing secure resources of a resource provider. For one embodiment, a password associated with the wireless communication device is partitioned into a plurality of portions, such as individual alphanumeric characters. A multiple choice question is queried for each portion of the password. Access is granted in response to determining that all portions of the password have been answered correctly by the user. For another embodiment, the password is presented as one of choices for a multiple choice question for a session where the user attempts to access the secure resources. The choices for the query remain the same for each session, but the order in which these choices are presented changes from session-to-session.

Abstract: A portable electronic device configured to operate in a image presentation mode that presents a sequence of images on a display component. A controller is configured to determine a context of the portable electronic device and to vary a presentation time period of images in a subset of images in the sequence relative to the presentation time period of images not in the subset, wherein the images in the subset are associated with the context of the portable electronic device.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices for controlling particular user interface functions of a mobile communication device when the device is used by a driver of a moving vehicle. A disclosed method includes determining if the mobile communication device is within a predetermined proximity to the driver's seat. The method further includes determining if the mobile communication device is moving at a predetermined speed or acceleration. When those conditions are met, the method includes substantially disabling particular user interface functions of the mobile communication device. Particular user interface functions that may be disabled or inhibited may include, for example, at least one of a display function, a keypad function or a touchscreen function. In this way, a driver may not be able to utilize one or more particular user interface functions while driving.

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: A method for detecting a gesture in a geometric shape 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 away from the electronic device about a corresponding central transmission axis, wherein each central transmission axis is oriented in a different direction with respect to the others; and controlling the emission 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 sequential 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.

Abstract: A method of a wireless communication device for accessing secure resources of a resource provider or the device itself. A password associated with the wireless communication device is identified. A password identifier is assigned to the password and a non-password identifier is assigned to a non-password different from the password. The password identifier has a non-sequential association with the non-password identifier. The password identifier, the password, the non-password identifier, and the non-password are provided at a user interface of the wireless communication device. Access to a secure resource is granted in response to determining that the password identifier has been detected at the user interface.

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: A communication device having a display interface coupled to a controller configured to determine a status of messages received, to present a list of message indicators on the display interface, and to indicate the status of each message by presenting a corresponding message indicator with a textual character having a size that is based on the status of the corresponding message. The message status may be, among other characteristics, the priority or age of the message as determined by the controller.

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 method of a wireless communication device for accessing secure resources of a resource provider. For one embodiment, a password associated with the wireless communication device is partitioned into a plurality of portions, such as individual alphanumeric characters. A multiple choice question is queried for each portion of the password. Access is granted in response to determining that all portions of the password have been answered correctly by the user. For another embodiment, the password is presented as one of choices for a multiple choice question for a session where the user attempts to access the secure resources. The choices for the query remain the same for each session, but the order in which these choices are presented changes from session-to-session.

Abstract: A communication system (100) includes two or more communication devices (110, 150) for communicating video including at least one virtual image. An avatar is associated with each communicated image. Change messages are communicated between a transmitting communication device (110) and at least one receiving communication device (150) to provide iterative enhancement of each avatar associated with a current digital image at the receiving communication device (150).

Abstract: An apparatus and method of integrating a personal communications system (102) includes a telematics device (106) coupled to a vehicle (107), where the telematics device (106) can exchange data with at least one vehicle system (139, 140) and where telematics device (106) includes a service providing entity (126). A remote device (104) having a service requesting entity (156) can access and exchange data with the telematics device (106) utilizing the service requesting entity (156) to interact with at least one vehicle system (139, 140) and utilize and exchange data with service providing entity (126). A selection is made between a first wireless network protocol (110) and a second wireless network protocol (112) in order to access telematics device (106).

Abstract: An internet radio for portable applications and uses such as in an automobile enables saving enhanced information contained in content sent to a wireless communication device to be saved, and comprises the steps of transmitting content to said wireless communication device; transmitting enhanced information related to said content to said wireless communication device; detecting the selection by a user to receive the enhanced information; and transmitting the enhanced information to the user. Customized information is also communicated to the radio such as stock quotes, travel information, advertising, and e-mail. Onboard global positioning allows for channel updating by location, traffic information, geographic advertising and available similar content.

Abstract: An internet radio for portable applications and uses such as in an automobile. The internet radio allows access to a host of audio, visual and other information. Normal radio channel function is provided along with programmable content and channel selection, as well as automatic content and channel updating by location and style. Internet access is also provided. Direct or targeted advertising, as well as electronic commerce is supported. Connection to the internet is through wireless communications. Programmability is achieved off-line via a web page and remote computer. Customized information is also communicated to the radio such as stock quotes, travel information, advertising, and e-mail. Onboard global positioning allows for channel updating by location, traffic information, geographic advertising and available similar content.

Abstract: An internet radio for portable applications and uses such as in an automobile enables remotely configuring a wireless communication device comprising the steps of remotely configuring a format for providing content on said wireless communication device for a first user; remotely configuring a second format for providing content on said wireless communication device for a second user; receiving configuration data representing said format for said first user and said format for said second user from a remote network; and providing selected content from content downloaded from said network. Customized information is also communicated to the radio such as stock quotes, travel information, advertising, and e-mail. Onboard global positioning allows for channel updating by location, traffic information, geographic advertising and available similar content.

Abstract: An internet radio for portable applications and uses such as in an automobile enables the selection of content on a wireless communication device comprising the steps of providing a format for displaying content on said wireless communication device; detecting the loss of a signal for a channel providing a predetermined genre; and providing a new format for displaying content having a new channel providing the predetermined genre to replace the lost channel. Customized information is also communicated to the radio such as stock quotes, travel information, advertising, and e-mail. Onboard global positioning allows for channel updating by location, traffic information, geographic advertising and available similar content.