Attached Or Connected To User Patents (Class 455/575.6)
  • Patent number: 8848104
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a solution for integrating a headset antenna and whip antenna together as a combined antenna for a mobile TV application. In certain embodiments, the invention can be applied to portable devices for both analog TV, FM radio, and digital TV applications and can be applied more generally to any wireless system which spans a broad frequency range, where the antenna gain of two antennas together can exceed the performance of either alone. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a connector module that is configured to connect to both a whip antenna and a headset antenna while providing necessary electrical and signal isolation. The isolation can be accomplished by using a plurality of filters. There are other embodiments as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Telegent Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Lapoe Lynn, Hongbin Tong
  • Patent number: 8831528
    Abstract: A wireless device for providing specific absorption rate (SAR) control comprising a wireless transmitter, a capacitance sensor, and a processor coupled to the wireless transmitter and the capacitance sensor, wherein the processor is configured to receive a first capacitance measurement from the capacitance sensor, estimate a relative proximity of a human body to the apparatus based on the measurement, determine a target transmission time for the wireless transmitter within a time period based on the estimate, and switch off the wireless transmitter for a portion of the time period if a transmission time of the wireless transmitter during the time period exceeds the target transmission time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Futurewei Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Ping Shi
  • Patent number: 8825111
    Abstract: The invention relates to a portable communication equipment comprising a handset with means for transmitting and receiving radiofrequency mobile telephony signals via a cellular radiocommunication network; means for receiving radiofrequency television signals; means for displaying data corresponding to received television signals and acoustic means for reproducing sounds associated to received television signal. According to the invention, said means for receiving radiofrequency television signals comprise a tuner and demodulator located in an accessory separated from said handset and intended to be worn by a user of the handset, said accessory comprising an external metallic area intended to be in direct contact with the skin of said user and electrically linked to an input of said demodulator, and in that said equipment also comprises a transmitting link for transmitting to said handset data corresponding to received radiofrequency television signals downstream from said demodulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: DRNC Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Xavier Fourquin, Philippe Boutier, Minh Le, Carole Fagnoni
  • Publication number: 20140243051
    Abstract: The invention provides a device for holding a cell phone in a “hands free” configuration so that the user can talk and listen to the cell phone without using hands to hold the cell phone. The device includes attachment means for holding a cell phone on the shoulder, upper arm, or waist of a user. Also provided is a means for holding the cell phone case to a seat belt strap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Inventor: Natorsha S. Hooks Griffin
  • Patent number: 8818465
    Abstract: A holder for connecting a mobile phone to the seatbelt of a vehicle includes a front side which receives the mobile phone, and a back side which connects the holder to the seatbelt. The front side includes a mobile phone retainer which holds the mobile phone in the holder. The back side includes a seatbelt connector for connecting the holder to the seatbelt. The connector includes two seatbelt retainers which are shaped and dimensioned to receive the seatbelt. The holder also includes friction enhancing members which keep the holder at a desired position on the seatbelt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Inventor: William Edward Gorham, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8811646
    Abstract: A retractable earphone set including a first spring wheel assembly and a second spring wheel assembly rotatably disposed within a housing, a pair of cables retractably extensible and wound upon the first spring wheel assembly and a connector cable retractable extensible and wound upon the second spring wheel assembly, wherein depression of a first button releases the first spring wheel assembly to rotationally extend and alternately retract the pair of cables from within the housing, and depression of the second push button releases the second spring wheel assembly to rotationally extend and alternately retract the connector cable from within the housing, whereby the retractable earphone set is interconnectable with an electronic device to relay audio signals therebetween and a pair of earphones is retractably extensible from a position most proximal the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Inventor: Roy P. Romeo
  • Publication number: 20140221055
    Abstract: A mobile electronic device holder includes a holder body configured for holding a smart phone or tablet PC, and fastening straps inserted through insertion slots at the back side of the holder body and respectively provided with a buckle ring and a hook and loop pad at two opposite ends thereof. By means of the buckle ring and the hook and loop pad, the two ends of each fastening strap can be joined together and secured to one finger of the user so that the user can operate the smart phone or tablet PC to take pictures conveniently and steadily with one single hand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventor: FU-CHI WU
  • Publication number: 20140213330
    Abstract: The cell phone finger clutch allow user to hold their phone using the finger clutch, having cell phone resides on the palm of the user's hand without effort to gripping the phone. It eases the accessibility of the phone by user's finger. The finger clutch helps user to secure their phones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventor: Seung Woon Oh
  • Patent number: 8792944
    Abstract: Wireless device gesture detection and operational control comprises identifying a first position of the device based on a sensor reading of at least one sensor operating as part of the device. The method may also include identifying a change in the device's position to a second position that is different from the first position, and receiving a specific pattern of touch input data on a touch pad of the device, the specific pattern of touch input data identified as a predefined object which corresponds to dimensions of a human ear being pressed against the touch pad and changing a current operating state of the device to a different operating state based on a comparison and detection operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Open Invention Network, LLC
    Inventor: David Gerard Ledet
  • Patent number: 8787006
    Abstract: Embodiments of electronic wristwatches are disclosed. According to one embodiment, an electronic wristband can provide additional electrical circuitry or devices that can be made available for use as or with an electronic device. In one embodiment, the electronic device can be a mobile electronic device that can be removably coupled to the electronic wristband which provides the additional circuitry or devices. Advantageously, the electronic device can utilize the additional electrical circuitry or devices provided within the electronic wristband to augment the capabilities of the electronic device. In another embodiment, the electronic device can be integrally formed with the electronic wristband which provides the additional circuitry or devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Albert J. Golko, Mathias W. Schmidt, Felix Alvarez
  • Patent number: 8781541
    Abstract: A mobile device has a front face and a back face opposite the front face. The back face includes an elastomeric layer. A pair of longitudinal sides are coupled to the front face and back face, and a pair of latitudinal sides are also coupled to the front face and back face. The back face or the longitudinal sides define a recessed slot extending along a longitudinal length of the back face or longitudinal sides, respectively. The recessed slot defines an open end at at least one of the latitudinal sides. The recessed slot has a recessed slot surface that has a low-friction material. A holster includes a pocket defining an open top end configured to receive the mobile device. A rail extends longitudinally along an interior side of the pocket. The rail is configured to correspond with and slidably engage the slot on the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventor: Jonathan Joshua Dearden
  • Publication number: 20140194169
    Abstract: A communication device, such as a smart cell phone is partitioned into two separate bodies or housings. One of these housings, called a sensor body is in a housing designed to be held in a human hand. The other of these housing, has a separate processor body is in a housing designed to be kept in personal possession or attachable to personal clothing. In some modes of use the sensor body and the processor body may be attached to each other via a socket mechanism to function as one device. In some other modes of use they may be separated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Inventor: Tara Chand Singhal
  • Patent number: 8774880
    Abstract: A mobile wireless communications device may include a portable housing that may include an electrically conductive continuous ring defining a perimeter of the portable housing. The electrically conductive continuous ring may be configured to function as an antenna. The mobile wireless communications device may further include a printed circuit board (PCB) carried by the portable housing and may include an electrically conductive layer defining a ground plane. The mobile wireless communications device may further include wireless transceiver circuitry carried by the PCB and coupled to the antenna. The mobile wireless communications device may also include an electrically conductive shorting member coupled between the electrically conductive continuous ring and the ground plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Joshua Kwan Ho Wong, John Alfred Whitmore, Adrian Matthew Cooke, Steven Eugene Downs, Jari Kristian Van Wonterghem
  • Publication number: 20140187233
    Abstract: A watch type mobile terminal capable of being worn on a user's wrist is provided. The watch type mobile terminal includes a case, a circuit board, a first connector, a band, a receiver and a first flexible printed circuit (FPC) board. The circuit board is disposed in the case. The first connector is disposed on the circuit board. The band is connected to the case, whereby the watch type mobile terminal is capable of being worn on the user's wrist, and the band has a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. The receiver is disposed at the first end. The first FPC board is disposed in the band and connected between the first connector and the receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: COMPAL COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Yung-Hsiang Chen, Chang-Hua Wei, Wei-Chih Hsu, Shi-Kuan Chen, Chuan-Hao Wen, Ming-Yu Tseng, Po-Yi Wu, Yi-Chen Lin, Yi-Chu Hsu, Chih-Hsiang Fang, Pang-Ruei Huang, Lien-Chih Tsai, Yen-Hui Li, Yung-Ching Tien
  • Patent number: 8755782
    Abstract: A mobile terminal and a method of controlling the operation of the mobile terminal are provided. The method includes executing an application, determining whether a level of a brain wave of a user classified into a particular frequency band falls within a reference range, and storing at least image data or audio data relevant to the executed application if the level of the brain wave classified into the particular frequency band falls within the reference range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hyebong Lim, Sunsang So
  • Patent number: 8733603
    Abstract: An attachment assembly for a mobile device case is included. The attachment assembly includes a lock engagement element. A lock assembly is also included, the lock assembly being retainably insertable within the lock engagement element. A base having an opening there through is also included, the base being mountable to the mobile device case. The lock engagement element and the lock assembly cooperate to slideably and releasably affix the lock engagement element to the base within the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: A.G. Findings & Mfg. Co.
    Inventor: Fernando J. Tages
  • Patent number: 8725210
    Abstract: An attachable assembly for smart phone that has at least one contact site disposed thereon is disclosed. The attachable assembly comprises a mount unit and an extension device. The mount unit is fixed at one edge of the smart phone, and has at least one locking slot disposed thereon; the extension device electrically contacts the contact site and has at least one locking member selectively engaged to the locking slot. Wherein, the extension device has a rotative axis so that the extension device is rotated and fitted with the mount unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Inventor: Sheng-Long Yang
  • Patent number: 8717319
    Abstract: An input device for a tablet computer is provided. The input device includes a base and a touch switch member. The touch switch member includes a touch element and a power switch. The touch element is pivotally coupled with the base and exposed to a top surface of the base. When the tablet computer is placed on the base, the touch element is moved from an initial position to a triggered position through the tablet computer. Consequently, the power switch is pressed down and turned on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Primax Electronics Ltd.
    Inventor: Chun-Che Wu
  • Patent number: 8676279
    Abstract: A system for attaching an electronic instrument to the inside of a hand. The system includes a fixed plate removably attached to an electronic instrument. The system further consists of a fixed plate attached to the cell phone and a rotational plate attached to the fixed plate. The rotational plate has threaded there through an elastic band having loops, each of which will connect to a middle finger and a ring finger, respectively, designed to hold the hand of a user snugly on the electronic instrument. The fixed plate may also be attached to a case of a cell phone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Inventor: Andy McCurdy
  • Publication number: 20140073376
    Abstract: A holster for a hand held device allows a cell phone or other device to be secured to the dorsal side of a hand and still visible while not in use. In this position it may be manipulated by one hand. When desired, the cell phone or other device may be rapidly repositioned into the palm of the hand. This allows fast access to and manipulation of a cell phone or other device, while also allowing it to be secured out of the way on the dorsal side of the glove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Inventor: Eduardo Alejandro Noble Nava
  • Patent number: 8644888
    Abstract: A wireless headset system including a switching unit having a detection circuit coupled to a wireless adapter. The detection circuit provides a first output signal to the wireless adapter upon detection of a triggering event, such as activation of a manual switch or detection of voltage of an audio output signal from a mobile communications device. The first output signal causes the wireless adapter to enter into an active audio channel mode. The detection circuit also provides a second output signal to the wireless adapter when no triggering event is detected, and the second output signal causes the wireless adapter to enter into a standby mode. Placing at least the wireless adapter in a standby mode saves battery life of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Stealthwear, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Crestol
  • Patent number: 8644032
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing and an installation assembly. The housing defines an opening. The installation assembly includes a fixing member and a holding member. The fixing member includes a base and a fixing portion protruding from the base. The base defines an entrance corresponding to the opening. The holding member comprising a holding portion and an engaging portion formed on an end of the holding portion. The fixing portion runs through the opening, and the base abuts against an outer surface of the housing with the entrance corresponding to the first opening. The engaging portion is engaged with the fixing portion to fix the holding member to the fixing member in the housing, and the engaging portion abuts against an inner surface of the housing, such that the installation assembly is fixed the housing surrounding the first opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignees: Fu Tai Hua Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yan Liang, Bin Dai, Jing-Hua Yuan, Fa-Guang Shi, Zi-Ming Tang
  • Patent number: 8639302
    Abstract: The invention provides a portable communication device and enclosure therefor where separation of its antenna from the user's head is facilitated. The device comprises: a case; a speaker port; an antenna located in the bottom of the case; and a spacer located on the front of the case for resting against a cheek of a user of the device. When the device is held against the head of a user of the device with the spacer resting against a cheek of the user, the spacer biases the bottom of the device away from the user's head. The spacer may be located at a distance from the speaker port on the front of the case to comply with a Cellular Telephone Information Association (CTIA) test plan for Mobile Station Over the Air Performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Ying Tong Man, Yihong Qi, Perry Jarmuszewski, Dietmar Wennemer
  • Patent number: 8634886
    Abstract: A miniature mobile phone system having a ring, a base on a top surface of the ring, the base has a first and second side edge, and a top surface, the side edges have a concave curvature, a mobile telephone on the top surface of the base, the mobile telephone having a display, a plurality of keys, a microphone, a speaker, and an antenna, a microprocessor operatively connected to the display, keys, microphone, speaker, antenna, and a power source, and a micro-cell phone system operatively connected to the microprocessor, the micro-cell phone system having a transmitter and a receiver, the transmitter is adapted to send output signals to a mobile phone tower in a standard manner and the receiver is adapted to receive input signals from a mobile phone tower in a standard manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Inventors: Sonya N. Samuels, Kyle B. Leeks
  • Patent number: 8606981
    Abstract: Disclosed is a disinfecting docking station for at least one portable electronic device, such as a medical technician's tablet computer, that has at least one recharging connector. An enclosure is adapted to receive the at least one portable electronic device therein through an openable side that includes a selectively closable door. Each electronic device is exposed to a disinfecting wavelength of light, such as UV light, to disinfect the surface of the device. The enclosure includes supports that minimally contact each device so that the device will be substantially exposed to the UV light. A control circuit monitors the exposure time and level, and is programmable to activate the UV light based on pre-set criteria. The enclosures may be stacked and provide power and network connectivity to each device while docked therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: ReadyDock, Inc.
    Inventors: David G. Engelhardt, Bill Saimond
  • Patent number: 8600461
    Abstract: An extendable and retractable earpiece cable assembly for mobile communication or sound devices comprising a plate adapted to be fastened directly to the mobile device. The plate supports a reel housing that includes a reel mechanism around which the earpiece cables are removably wound. The earpiece cables are extendable from and retractable into the reel housing. Each of the earpiece cables have one end attached to an earpiece and each of the earpiece cables have a second end attached to a jack plug to electrically connect the earpieces to the mobile device. The plate also supports an attachment clip that allows a user to attach the mobile communication or sound device and integral earpiece assembly to an article of clothing or other accessory item supported by a user. In other embodiments, a rear back plate is fixed to the mobile device, and a front plate is removably attached to the rear plate. The cable reel assembly housing and the attachment clip are attached to the front plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Inventor: Robert Kroupa
  • Patent number: 8588849
    Abstract: A system and method of resuming media playback on a mobile device can include playing media on a mobile device and outputting audio associated with the playing media to an audio output device. The media can be paused in response to receiving an interrupt request. A play request can be received to resume playing of the media on the mobile device. A determination can be made as to whether the audio output device is communicatively coupled to the mobile device. The media can resume play in response to the audio output device being communicatively coupled to the mobile device. In another implementation, media can resume play if a determination is made that the audio output device outputting the audio associated with the media before the interrupt request is the same audio output device that will output audio associated with the media after the interrupt request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Robert Patterson, Chad Robert Ford Furniss, Christopher James Runstedler
  • Patent number: 8587719
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of video camera and provides an ear-hanging miniature video camera. The ear-hanging miniature video camera comprises a video camera head, a control unit for controlling the operation of the video camera head, a storage unit for storing the information obtained by the video camera head and a shell for accommodating the video camera head, the control unit and the storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Shenzhen AEE Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Xianzhi Zhang
  • Patent number: 8583195
    Abstract: A mobile device and holster system includes a mobile device that has a front face and a back face opposite the front face, the back face including an elastomeric layer. A pair of longitudinal sides are coupled to the front face and back face, and a pair of latitudinal sides are also coupled to the front face and back face. The back face or the longitudinal sides define a recessed slot extending along a longitudinal length of the back face or longitudinal sides, respectively. The recessed slot defines an open end at at least one of the latitudinal sides and the recessed slot has a recessed slot surface that comprises a low-friction material. The holster comprises a pocket defining an open top end configured to receive the mobile device. A rail extends longitudinally along an interior side of the pocket, and the rail is configured to correspond with and slidably engage the slot on the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventor: Jonathan Dearden
  • Patent number: 8583174
    Abstract: A method for integrating a mobile communication device and a portable electronic device is disclosed. A protection cover and an electronic-device body of the portable electronic device are pivotally connected for containing the mobile communication device. The mobile communication device is removably and rotatably connected to the electronic-device body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventors: Wen-Chin Wu, Tsung-Hsien Tsai, Ming-Hua Hung, Pei-Chen Chin
  • Patent number: 8583193
    Abstract: A hand-held communication device, such as a cellular telephone or a personal digital assistant (PDA), comprises a sensor assembly and an auxiliary input interface. The auxiliary input interface is situated along one or more exterior surfaces of the device and is electrically coupled to processing circuitry within the device. The sensor assembly is removably attached to the one or more exterior surfaces of device and provides signals at the multiple outputs in response to tactile inputs from the user. In one embodiment, an assignment procedure assigns tactile inputs from the user to predefined functions of the device and/or one or more software applications installed in the device. During subsequent operation of the device, each of the specific tactile input executes one or more predefined functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC
    Inventors: William H. Meitzler, Adrian Napoles
  • Patent number: 8577422
    Abstract: Wireless device gesture detection and operational control comprises identifying a first position of the device based on a sensor reading of at least one sensor operating as part of the device. The method may also include identifying a change in the device's position to a second position that is different from the first position, and receiving a specific pattern of touch input data on a touch pad of the device, the specific pattern of touch input data identified as a predefined object which corresponds to dimensions of a human ear being pressed against the touch pad and changing a current operating state of the device to a different operating state based on a comparison and detection operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Open Invention Network, LLC
    Inventor: David Gerard Ledet
  • Publication number: 20130273984
    Abstract: A wrist-worn mobile telephone is comprised of a body with a microphone and a speaker attached to a wristband and adapted to be movable around and along the wrist. The wristband can be resiliently stretchable and multi-sectional. The wristband can be made with a groove, and a holding clip attached to the body can be inserted into the groove. Alternatively, the phone can be made with a through slot to let the wristband be fed through the slot. In this version, an inner side of the body contacting the wrist can be shaped concave, and the through slot can be longitudinally shaped to generally follow the shape of the inner side, which can be made coarse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventor: Sergei D. Filippov
  • Patent number: 8554292
    Abstract: The wristband for an electronic device provides for the convenient storage and transport of a small electronic device, such as a cell phone, calculator, etc. The wristband has a swivel connector attached thereto. A two-part holder assembly is attached to the swivel connector. An electronic device may be installed in the inner holder. The inner holder extends from the outer holder for use, and retracts into the outer holder for storage. The holder and electronic device are normally oriented with their major axes normal to the circumference of the wristband, i.e., generally aligned with the arm of the wearer of the device. The holders are swiveled to align their major axes across the arm of the wearer and the inner holder is extended from the outer holder in order to access the electronic device therein. This procedure is reversed for storage of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Inventor: Abdulreidha Abdulrasoul Alsaffar
  • Patent number: 8548534
    Abstract: A wireless headset system including a switching unit having a detection circuit coupled to a wireless adapter. The detection circuit provides a first output signal to the wireless adapter upon detection of a triggering event, such as activation of a manual switch or detection of voltage of an audio output signal from a mobile communications device. The first output signal causes the wireless adapter to enter into an active audio channel mode. The detection circuit also provides a second output signal to the wireless adapter when no triggering event is detected, and the second output signal causes the wireless adapter to enter into a standby mode. Placing at least the wireless adapter in a standby mode saves battery life of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Stealthwear, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Crestol
  • Patent number: 8525788
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of controlling a virtual object or instruction for a computing device comprising: detecting a user eye motion by a detecting device; generating a control signal in responsive to the user eye motion detection; controlling an object displayed on a display in responsive to the control signal to execute the instruction. The user eye motion is detected by CMOS or CCD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Inventor: Kuo-Ching Chiang
  • Patent number: 8521154
    Abstract: A portable communications device (PCD) is coupled to a first network by way of a second network. The PCD is normally in radio communication with the first network, and is coupled to the first network by way of the second network when the PCD is out of radio communication with the first network. In particular, the PCD is coupled to the second network, and is caused to leave a first network mode and enter a second network mode. A network connection is established with the first network by way of the second network, and communication with the first network is entered into by way of the second network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Greg Griffith, Charles M. Link, II
  • Patent number: 8515505
    Abstract: An apparatus worn by a user providing an interface with a mobile device. The apparatus includes a main body having a display, at least one strap for attaching the apparatus to the user, and a microcontroller for wirelessly communicating with a mobile device of the user. The microcontroller provides an interface for using the mobile device from the apparatus. The apparatus may be a wrist watch worn by the user. In one embodiment, the apparatus may include a wand for providing phone operations. In another embodiment, the wand may include a sound projection speaker allowing sound to be redirected and amplified by a users palm. In another embodiment, the apparatus may include a wireless dongle for providing phone functions to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Inventor: Ram Pattikonda
  • Patent number: 8509842
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a mobile phone and a method for answering such a phone automatically without user input. In one embodiment, the mobile phone detects that a call is being received. A proximity sensor is then used to detect the presence of a nearby object. For example, this allows a determination to be made whether the mobile phone is within a pocket of the user while the phone is ringing. Then a determination is made whether the proximity sensor changes states. For example, if a user removes the phone from their pocket, the proximity sensor switches from detecting something proximal to detecting that the phone is no longer in the user's pocket. Next, a determination is made whether the proximity sensor is again next to an object, such as an ear. If so, the mobile phone can be automatically answered without further user input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Raman Kumar Sarin, Monica Estela Gonzalez Veron, Kenneth Paul Hinckley, Sumit Kumar, James Kai Yu Lau, Joseph H. Matthews, III, Jae Pum Park
  • Patent number: 8498679
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a main body and a BLUETOOTH earphone that can be detachably attached to the main body. The earphone includes a keyboard capable of generating signals to control the electronic device in response to user input. The main body includes a detecting unit, a processing unit, and a touch-sensitive screen. The detecting unit generates a signal when the earphone is attached to the main body. The processing unit controls to display information without specific information or with specific information on the touch-sensitive screen upon receiving the signal from the detecting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Qi Yu
  • Patent number: 8498427
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an electronic device with a remote control earphone electrically connected to the main body of the device. The remote control earphone includes seven sensing units, which are substantially arranged in a “8” shape. Sensing signal generated by each sensing unit in response to a touch from the user includes an identification code for identifying itself. The remote control earphone transmits the generated sensing signal to the main body. The main body includes a cache unit to store at least one identification code corresponding to the sensing signal, a storage unit to store the relationship between the identification codes and numbers the identification codes corresponding to, and a processing unit to determine which one of the numbers is input according to the at least one identification code and the relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Song-Ling Yang
  • Patent number: 8478357
    Abstract: An adapter for a wireless communications device has a speaker embedded in an upper end portion, a microphone embedded in a lower end portion, and a male electrical post connector mounted in the lower end portion. The post connector is electrically connected to the speaker and microphone. The post connector has an exposed tip and extends from the lower end portion generally toward the upper end portion. A theoretical plane bisects the base into left and right lateral portions and the microphone and connector are disposed on opposing sides of the theoretical plane. The adapter is configured such that when physically mounted to the wireless communications device, and the post connector is mated to the external communications port, the microphone and speaker are electrically connected to the wireless communications device. The combination may be used for VOIP communications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Inventor: Adrienne L. Harrington
  • Patent number: 8467838
    Abstract: A portable electronic device comprises a base and a cover rotatably mounted to the base. A lever arrangement comprising a co-operating lever arm and a support is defined by the base and the cover. The cover is movable between a closed position and an open position through an over center position by movement of the lever against the support upon rotation of the cover. The cover may be biased toward the closed position when the cover is on a closed side of the over center position and toward the open position when the cover is on an open side of the over center position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Jason Tyler Griffin, Martin Riddiford
  • Patent number: 8447226
    Abstract: Various aspects of a portable satellite earth station to facilitate reception of satellite signals and to display audio and video corresponding to the satellite signals are described. According to one example, a portable satellite earth station includes a housing including a base hingably connected to an antenna containing portion, wherein the base includes a compartment; and a receiver/display configured to fit into the compartment in the housing, the receiver/display including a video display portion hingably connected to a receiver portion and movable between a folded position and an unfolded position, wherein the receiver/display may be moved to the unfolded position when the receiver/display is located in the compartment in the housing and the antenna containing portion can be closed into contact with the base over the receiver/display when the receiver/display is in the folded position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Kuether, Rick Rosner, Steven M. Schein, Joshua T. Morenstein, Pichaya Puttorngul, Naoya Edahiro
  • Patent number: 8428670
    Abstract: A reception device including a transmission part having transmission cables transmitting a signal and/or power of a main-body device, an antenna part provided along the transmission cables from main-body-device-side ends of the transmission cables to a point between the main-body-device-side ends and the other ends of the transmission cables so that a high-frequency-signal-transmission path is formed, a high-frequency-elimination circuit provided at the main-body-device-side ends, which eliminates entry of the high-frequency signal to the main-body device, and a tuner that connects one of ends of the antenna part, the end being provided on the main-body-device side, to an antenna-input terminal and that receives a broadcast wave falling within the first frequency band corresponding to the antenna part's length is provided. The other end of the antenna part is an open end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Koichi Mukai, Yoshitaka Yoshino, Chisato Komori
  • Patent number: 8428665
    Abstract: A holder for a mobile phone includes a body having an opening to receive the mobile phone and having a bottom. The holder further includes a latch coupled to the body for holding the holder with the opening up; and an acoustic horn coupled to the body and having a sound receiving end and a sound emitting end. The sound receiving end is configured to be adjacent to a transducer of the mobile phone, and the sound emitting end is configured to direct sound in an upward direction. The holder further includes a set of tactile guides to tactilely guide a user's touch to a set of buttons on the mobile phone so that a user does not need to look at the buttons to activate the buttons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Signal Essence, LLC
    Inventors: Hugh Joseph McLaughlin, Paul Michael McLaughlin, Caleb Henry Crome, Robert Kung-ning Yu
  • Patent number: 8423005
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for providing interactive audience participation at live entertainment events. The method includes providing audience members with an interactive device that presents a promotional message and includes a user interface, broadcasting audio programming to the audience member through the interactive device, querying the audience members, wherein answers to the querying may be entered by the audience member via the user interface of the interactive device, transmitting the answers to a central processor, storing the answers as audience data, processing the audience data into results, storing the results of the processing of the audience data and broadcasting the results of the processing of the audience data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Inventor: Eric Inselberg
  • Patent number: 8412100
    Abstract: An apparatus for an ear of a user comprising a custom-fitted, in-the-ear earmold, receiver electronics detachably connected to the earmold and amplifier electronics detachably and electrically connected to the receiver electronics. In some embodiments, the amplifier electronics include a wireless communications module with wireless communications electronics disposed in the wireless communications module, wherein the wireless communications electronics support wireless communications between the user and a device. Such teachings in various examples are applied to occluding and non-occluding hearing device embodiments. Additional systems and apparatus can be found in the specification and as provided by the attached claims and their equivalents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Micro Ear Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jorge F. Sanguino, Randall W. Roberts
  • Patent number: 8412172
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for providing interactive audience participation at live entertainment events. The method includes use of an interactive device that presents a promotional message and includes a user interface, broadcasting audio programming to the audience member through the interactive device, querying the audience members, wherein answers to the querying may be entered by the audience member via the user interface of the interactive device, transmitting the answers to a central processor, storing the answers as audience data, processing the audience data into results, storing the results of the processing of the audience data and broadcasting the results of the processing of the audience data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Inventor: Eric Inselberg
  • Patent number: RE44871
    Abstract: Disclosed are a mobile communication terminal provided with a hands-free function and a controlling method thereof comprising the steps of: setting a hands-free function of a mobile communication terminal; certifying whether an originating call command or a calling request message are received; searching information of a calling party inputted by a user's voice or an arbitrary originating party's information from a mounted telephone directory; and guiding the searched calling party's information by voice and then connecting a calling. According to this, the user can originate or receive a calling by using a voice recognition function and the hands-free function of the terminal without his hands' using even while driving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Dong-Jin Yoon