Abstract: The invention is directed to a novelty container with a cover mounted to the container operable between closed and open positions which activate and deactivate a sound generating assembly. An electrically operated sound generating assembly is mounted to the container, having a sound generator circuit board, a battery electrically connected to the sound generator circuit board and a speaker electrically connected to the circuit board. A switch is mounted to the container to activate the sound generating assembly and has a resilient electrically conductive first member attached to the container and electrically connected to sound generating assembly, biased towards and engaging an electrically conductive second member attached to the container and electrically connected to the sound generating assembly. A flexible electrically insulating element attached to the cover and adjacent to the resilient electrically conductive first member which is reciprocatingly moveable in concert with the operation of the cover.

Abstract: A proximity input detection system for an electronic device. In one embodiment, the present invention utilizes an inductive field sensor to detect a change in a magnetic field when an input device with a coil is within a threshold distance. In another embodiment, the present invention utilizes a capacitive sensor which can locate the position of an electrically conductive object which is within a threshold distance. The capacitive sensor can also be used, for example, as a switch to activate the device if a user picks it up. The present invention allows user inputs to be detected without actually touching the electronic device. The present invention can also be used to detect inputs through intervening non-metallic layers such as a protective cover or another display of the device without using additional input sensors.

Abstract: A handheld computing device featuring interchangeable display units is disclosed. The handheld computing device includes a processing unit and a visual display unit detachable from the processing unit. The processing unit and the detachable visual display unit include communication ports capable of communicating with each other. The processing unit further can receive information representative of the properties of the detachable visual display unit.

Abstract: Techniques to create a portable wireless network are described. A mobile computing device may comprise a first transceiver to communicate with a fixed wireless device, and a second transceiver to communicate with multiple wireless devices. The mobile computing device may also include a network access management module to manage communications between each wireless device and the fixed wireless device. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: An electronic device is provided that includes a user-interface feature, a detection mechanism and one or more internal components. The user-interface feature is configurable to have a selected orientation about one or more axes. The detection mechanism can detect orientation information about the electronic device. The one or more components may select the orientation of the user-interface feature based on the detected orientation information.

Abstract: A display system for a handheld computing device is disclosed. The display system includes a processing unit having a first communication port, and a visual display unit separable from the processing unit. The visual display unit further includes a visual display, and a second communication port. The display unit can be expanded from an initial or storage state to present a larger visual display size. Further, the first communication port providing communication with the second communication port.

Abstract: A system and method for providing secured access of a mobile device is disclosed herein. Access to data included in the mobile device is permitted when the presence of an authentication device having the proper authentication information is received by the mobile device.

Abstract: Data is communicated between a first computing device and a second computing device over a transport employing a communication protocol in a multiplexed manner. The second computing device also includes wireless communication capabilities. Data is received from a first application and a second application through a first virtual port and a second virtual port, respectively, and packets are generated from the data. Tags corresponding to the first application or the second application are added to each packet. The packets are multiplexed and transmitted over the transport according to the communication protocol. The transmitted packets are de-multiplexed based upon the tags to reconstruct the data corresponding to the first or second application.

Abstract: Radio logging data of a smartphone is collected on the smartphone itself using an on-device radio logging application that runs on the smartphone itself. The collected radio logging data is provided to a host computer at a later time after the radio logging data is saved, or as the radio logging data is collected, or to a remote computer as the radio logging data is collected.

Abstract: Data is communicated between a first computing device and a second computing device over a transport employing a communication protocol in a multiplexed manner. The second computing device also includes wireless communication capabilities. Data is received from a first application and a second application through a first virtual port and a second virtual port, respectively, and packets are generated from the data. Tags corresponding to the first application or the second application are added to each packet. The packets are multiplexed and transmitted over the transport according to the communication protocol. The transmitted packets are de-multiplexed based upon the tags to reconstruct the data corresponding to the first or second application.

Abstract: A method of indexing information stored on a portable electronic device. The method includes receiving an association signal by the portable electronic device the association signal providing an indication of adjacent resources, accessing a database including a table storing relationships between data stored on the portable electronic device and the association signal, and indexing the data based on the relationships accessed in the database.

Abstract: A system and method for crediting an account of a network access node includes receiving a data signal at a network access node, forwarding the data signal wirelessly to a network user node, and providing account crediting information to an accounting system. The account crediting information represents a credit to be recorded for an account associated with the network access node.

Abstract: An electronic device is provided that includes a housing, a plurality of modules, a sensor and a selection mechanism. The housing has multiple housing segments, with each segment housing one of the plurality of modules. The sensor detects an orientation of the electronic device. The selection mechanism automatically selects at least one, but nor all, of the plurality of modules to be active, based on the detected orientation of the electronic device.

Abstract: An accessory module or accessory display device for a handheld computer is disclosed. The device includes an interface configured to be coupled to a handheld computer through an interface slot. The module may be flexibly hinged to the interconnect interface, permitting the coupling of the module to a variety of host devices. The module includes memory configured to store information customized to the user.

Abstract: A display system for,a handheld computing device is disclosed. The display system includes a processing unit having a first communication port, and a visual display unit separable from the processing unit. The visual display unit further includes a visual display, and a second communication port. The display unit can be expanded from an initial or storage state to present a larger visual display size. Further, the first communication port providing communication with the second communication port.

Abstract: A display system is disclosed. The display system includes a processor. The display system also includes a first display device having a first display surface and receiving display data from the processor. The display system also includes a second displayed device having a display area smaller then the first display device and moveable over the surface of the first display device. The display system also includes a sensor in communication with the processor and communicating location data to the processor. The location data is representative of the relative location of the first display to the second display. Further still, the display system includes a program running on the processor and providing display data to the first and second display devices. The display data is provided to the second display device based on the location data.

Abstract: A display system for a handheld computing device is disclosed. The display system includes a processing unit having a first communication port, and a visual display unit separable from the processing unit. The visual display unit further includes a visual display, and a second communication port. The display unit can be expanded from an initial or storage state to present a larger visual display size. Further, the first communication port providing communication with the second communication port.

Abstract: A method of configuring an electronic device for communications with a communications network includes establishing a wireless communications link between a first electronic device and a second electronic device. The first electronic device has saved thereon a set of network parameters for enabling communications between the first electronic device and the communications network. The method also includes communicating the set of network parameters to the second electronic device, retaining the set of network parameters on the second electronic device, and establishing a communications link between the second electronic device and the communications network by applying settings to the second electronic device. The settings are based on the network parameters.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a bezel feature, a connector and a processor. The bezel feature is rotatable amongst a plurality of positions on an arc length that defines a path of motion for the bezel feature. The plurality of positions are distributed along the entire arc length of the path of motion. An interface or connector couples the bezel feature to the processor of the electronic device.

Abstract: Circuitry for charging a battery includes a switch for coupling the power source to the battery. The switch is turned on and off in accordance with a periodic control signal including a plurality of periods. Each period includes a first duration during which the control signal is in a first state and a second duration during which the control signal is in a second state. The switch is turned on when the control signal is in the first state to couple the power source to the battery, and turned off when the control signal is in the second state to decouple the power source from the battery. Since the switch is periodically turned off while the battery is being charged, the average amount of heat generated by the switch is reduced, thereby preventing excessive thermal emission from the battery charging circuitry.