Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080311889 | PORTABLE COMMUNICATION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR SHARING A USER PERSONALITY - A portable communication device is equipped with a personality profile application that facilitates creation and sharing of a user personality profile that is based on user activities and user preferences involving the portable communication device. The personality profile may be shared with third parties, thereby allowing a third party to experience their portable communication device though the “lens” of the personality creator. | 12-18-2008 |
20090125389 | System and Method for Opportunistically Distributing Promotional Objects - User devices are used to opportunistically distribute promotional objects for advertisers and producers. A promotional object is received by a user device from a source device, which may comprise a distribution system or another user device. The user device adds address information to the promotional object and stores the promotional object in memory. The user device may subsequently transfer the promotional object along with the address information to a target device, which may comprise another user device or a data collection system. | 05-14-2009 |
20090231413 | ENHANCED VIDEO TELEPHONY THROUGH AUGMENTED REALITY - A method for enhancing video telephony that includes initiating a video telephone call from a first device to a second device, displaying a live video view by the first device, transferring video from the second device to the first device during the video telephone call, and overlaying the transferred video over the live video view displayed at the first device. The first device and the second device may be mobile devices. A portion of the transferred video may be selected and the selected portion displayed over the displayed live video view at the first device. The transferred video may be video taken from a camera on the second device. The transferred video may also be displayed over the live video view on a third device attached to the first device. | 09-17-2009 |
20090248300 | Methods and Apparatus for Viewing Previously-Recorded Multimedia Content from Original Perspective - Methods and apparatus for processing multimedia content are disclosed. In an exemplary method, such as might be implemented a portable multimedia device, stored media data pre-associated with a current location of the multimedia device is retrieved. The retrieved media data is mixed with real-time sensor input collected by the multimedia device to obtain mixed media data, and the mixed media data is rendered at the multimedia device, using, for example, a display device and/or speaker devices. The retrieved media data or the real-time sensor input, or both, may comprise digital audio data, digital video data, or both. | 10-01-2009 |
20090262946 | AUGMENTED REALITY ENHANCED AUDIO - A device and method for providing augmented reality enhanced audio. The device is portable and may include a location processing module capable of receiving location information and determining a location of the device in an environment, an orientation processing module capable of determining an orientation of the device at the location, a processor capable of modifying audio content based on the location of the device in the environment and the orientation of the device at the location, and an audio output device capable of outputting the modified audio content. The orientation of the device includes an azimuth and an elevation of the device. | 10-22-2009 |
20090305721 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONVEYING LOCATION OF LOST OR MOTIONLESS MOBILE COMMUNICATION DEVICES - Movement of a mobile communication device is monitored during any of its powered modes. Upon sensing lack of movement, the location of the device is identified. If no movement has been sensed during a predetermined time period, determination is made as to whether the location of the device has changed. If not, a call is initiated to a remote address to convey the location of the device. | 12-10-2009 |
20090324025 | Physical Access Control Using Dynamic Inputs from a Portable Communications Device - Methods and apparatus for controlling access to a secure facility are disclosed, wherein a determination of whether access is permitted is based at least in part on a digital image of one or more predetermined features of the secure facility. In an exemplary method, an image of a predetermined feature of the secure facility is captured by a user device and compared to stored security data corresponding to the secure facility. A determination of whether access to the secure facility is permitted is made, based on the results of the comparison. The predetermined feature may be a security mechanism attached to the secure facility, for example, or may be textual information, a graphical image, or a machine-readable code posted at the security facility. | 12-31-2009 |
20100068997 | WLAN CONNECTION FACILITATED VIA NEAR FIELD COMMUNICATION - A near field communication (NFC) device is utilized in a mobile communications device to facilitate sensing the presence of and connecting to a wireless local area network (WLAN). A user can position the mobile communications device in close proximity to a designated location of a WLAN establishment at which an NFC device is situated. Near field communication is then detected and WLAN data can then be communicated by near field communication to the NFC reader in the mobile communications device. The NFC reader is coupled to a controller of the mobile communications device to input data received by the NFC device to the controller for processing. The data are utilized to facilitate connection to the WLAN. | 03-18-2010 |
20100090960 | Methods, Systems and Computer Program Products for Shared Input Key Functions Between Mobile Devices - Methods, systems, mobile devices and computer program products for sharing input keys between mobile devices are provided. A communication link is established between at least two mobile devices. Each of the at least two mobile devices includes available input keys that are mapped to corresponding input functions in a first configuration. An application is selected for operation on at least one of the mobile devices. The application includes a plurality of input functions. A set of input keys is identified from the available keys on the at least two mobile devices based on the plurality of input functions of the application. The set of input keys are remapped on the at least two mobile devices in a second configuration in which the plurality of input functions of the application are mapped to the set of input keys. User input is accepted from the set of input keys on the at least two mobile devices to thereby operate the selected application. | 04-15-2010 |
20100093277 | NEAR FIELD COMMUNICATION SEARCH FOR MOBILE COMMUNICATION DEVICES - A method and apparatus are disclosed for aiding shoppers. A shopper enters a product search query into a hand-held device and, via Near-Field Communication (NFC) technology, transfers the query to a terminal at a shopping establishment. The terminal forwards the search query to a search engine over a network and the search engine, after consulting a database, returns results meeting the criteria of the search query to the terminal for presentation on a display at the terminal. The shopper is then offered the option of transferring the results data, via NFC devices located in the hand-held device and the terminal, from the terminal to a memory in the hand-held device. | 04-15-2010 |
20100095251 | LINKAGE BETWEEN MOTION SENSING AND POSITION APPLICATIONS IN A PORTABLE COMMUNICATION DEVICE - Criteria for movement of a mobile communication device that can be initiated by the user are defined. A criterion can be stored as a data characteristic in device memory. Motion of the device can be sensed to determine, by the device controller, whether sensed motion meets the defined criterion. The sensed motion may be derived from an accelerometer, or equivalent means, in the device. If the sensed motion is determined by the controller to match stored criterion data, the controller triggers activation of an application that is dependent on location of the device. A stored application associated with the matched data characteristic is accessed from one or more stored applications respectively associated in memory with stored data characteristics. | 04-15-2010 |
20100146460 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MODIFYING A PLURALITY OF KEY INPUT REGIONS BASED ON DETECTED TILT AND/OR RATE OF TILT OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE - A system, method and computer program that utilizes motion detection circuitry to dynamically update displayed labels on one or more key input regions. In one aspect of the invention, the number of key input regions is substantially less than the number of keys on a conventional QWERTY keypad and the labels on the key input regions dynamically change based on the detected motion of the motion detection circuitry. | 06-10-2010 |
20100166170 | Method and Apparatus for Relaying Calls - A dual mode user terminal for a calling party can make calls over both a conventional cellular network and a packet data network using VoIP protocols. If the called party is not available to receive a VoIP call over the packet data network, the user terminal for the calling party can request a third party user terminal available on the packet data network to relay the call between the calling party and the called party. | 07-01-2010 |
20110086711 | Game Environment to Interact with Telephony Modem - A combination telephony and game device comprises a telephony modem for communicating with remote devices over a telephony network; and an application processor operatively connected to said telephony modem. The application processor is configured to execute a game application to play a game; receive a telephony event notification from said telephony modem while the game is being played; and represent, while the game is being played, the telephony event in a virtual reality environment provided by the game application. | 04-14-2011 |
20110214318 | Paper Stock Card with Wireless Communication Capability - A wireless greeting card or post card includes memory for storing digital content and a wireless transceiver for transferring the digital content to a recipient user device in close proximity to the wireless paper stock card. | 09-08-2011 |
20110225151 | METHODS, DEVICES, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR CLASSIFYING DIGITAL MEDIA FILES BASED ON ASSOCIATED GEOGRAPHICAL IDENTIFICATION METADATA - A method for classifying digital media files includes obtaining geographical information from geographical identification metadata associated with one or more digital media files stored in a memory of a mobile terminal, and assigning a respective ranking to the one or more digital media files within one or more media classification categories based on the obtained geographical information. A summary view of the one or more ranked digital media files is displayed, the summary view including two axes, each axis corresponding to at least one of the one or more media classification categories. A travel profile for a user of the mobile terminal, including the user's travel preferences as determined by the respective ranking of at least one ranked digital media file in one or more of the media classification categories, is generated, and relevant travel information is presented to the user. Related devices and computer program products are also discussed. | 09-15-2011 |
20120009982 | Methods, Devices and Computer Program Products for Operating Mobile Devices Responsive to User Input Through Movement Thereof - A mobile device having first and second modes of operation is operated responsive to detection of a predefined localized movement of a housing of the mobile device using a sensor associated therewith. The detected predefined localized movement is associated with first and second functions of the mobile device responsive to a user input assigning the detected predefined localized movement thereto. A first device function is performed responsive to detection of the predefined localized movement in the first mode of operation, and a second device function is performed responsive to detection of the predefined localized movement in the second mode of operation. A predetermined delay time may also be associated with the predefined localized movement, and the first and/or second functions may be performed at the predetermined delay time after detecting the predefined localized movement. | 01-12-2012 |
20120223823 | Systems and Methods for Sensory Feedback - A sensory feedback system is described that comprises a sensor for measuring one or more physical attributes associated with a user and a mobile device coupled to the sensor, where the mobile device comprises a data capture device for receiving and storing measurements by the sensor. The mobile device is further configured to generate data according to the received measurements. The mobile device also comprises a data transceiver configured to transmit the generated data. The system further comprises a remote monitor communicatively coupled to the mobile device, where the remote monitor comprises a data processor configured to receive the data generated by the mobile device and generate one or more sensory response signals according to the received data generated by the mobile device. | 09-06-2012 |
20120225630 | Systems and Methods for Antenna Tuning in a Mobile Device - A system is described for tuning an antenna in a mobile device. The system comprises a detection module configured to interface with an accessory and identify the accessory. The system further comprises a tuner configured to retrieve one or more parameters according to the identified accessory, where the tuner is further configured to tune the antenna according to the one or more parameters. The one or more parameters are based on previously-derived information regarding tuning impairment characteristics of the accessory. | 09-06-2012 |
20130040611 | A Method and System for Enabling A User to Configure Custom Voice Alarms/Events for Mobile Communication Devices - In one embodiment, a method comprising receiving at a mobile device plural user inputs entered at a user interface of the mobile device, the inputs comprising a text message or a recorded voice message of a user that indicates a manner of generating a custom voice alarm; sending a request to a server device based on the user inputs, the request configured to cause the server device to convert the request into the custom voice alarm; receiving the custom voice alarm at the mobile device; and triggering activation of the custom voice alarm at the mobile device based on user selection of a triggering event. | 02-14-2013 |
20130042177 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR INCORPORATING A CONTROL CONNECTED MEDIA FRAME - Various embodiments are described for managing media content using a communications device. One embodiment is a method that comprises providing, by the communications device, a user interface for a user to access the media content. The method further comprises receiving a user input from the user via the user interface, searching a media content database for media content corresponding to the user input, and updating the user interface according to the media content corresponding to the user input and displaying in a specified order. | 02-14-2013 |
20130060513 | Systems and Methods for Utilizing Acceleration Event Signatures - Systems and methods are described for utilizing acceleration event signatures. One method for utilizing acceleration event signatures in an electronic device comprises receiving, by the electronic device, one or more acceleration events. The method further comprises determining whether the received one or more acceleration events correspond to one or more predefined signature definitions and invoking one or more functions based on the one or more acceleration events. | 03-07-2013 |
20130063823 | DEVICES WITH HIDDEN OBJECTS POSITIONED IN FRONT OF DISPLAYS AND RELATED METHODS - A representative device includes: a display having a display side, the display being operative to display images at the display side; a light-distorting film having surface features positioned to redirect light; a first object, positioned between the display side and the light-distorting film; and a second object, positioned between the display side and the light-distorting film; a first plurality of the surface features of the light-distorting film being operative to redirect light, propagating along an first optical path; and a second plurality of the surface features of the light-distorting film being operative to redirect light, propagating along a second optical path. | 03-14-2013 |
20130103761 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR EVENT ATTENDANCE NOTIFICATION - Systems and methods for event attendance notification are provided. A representative systems includes a mobile device operative to: receive member information corresponding to members of a social network; receive event information corresponding to a first event, designated to occur at a first location, wherein at least a first of the members is scheduled to attend the first event; and responsive to determining that the current location of the first of the members corresponds to the event information, enable attendance information to be sent to others of the members of the social network indicating that the first of the members is at the first event. | 04-25-2013 |
20130130666 | PORTABLE COMMUNICATION DEVICE - Various embodiments for conducting a phone conferencing session are disclosed. One embodiment is a method implemented in a communication device for conducting a phone conferencing session. The method comprises determining that a user of the communication device wishes to initiate the phone conferencing session, determining a current location of the communication device, retrieving information relating to the user for initiating the phone conferencing session, and initiating the phone conferencing session associated according to the information relating to the user. | 05-23-2013 |
20130254661 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING ACCESS TO MEDIA CONTENT - Various embodiments for providing access to media content are described. One embodiment is a method implemented in a computing device that comprises generating a user interface on a touchscreen display of the computing device, the user interface comprising a plurality of selection components for surfacing elements, each element corresponding to a media file, the plurality of selection components being further utilized to sort the elements corresponding to media files. The method further comprises retrieving, by the computing device, a user input from a user via the user interface, wherein the user input comprises manipulation of at least one of the selection components. Based on the user input, elements corresponding to media files are displayed. A selection of at least one of the displayed elements is retrieved, and a media file is retrieved according to the selection. | 09-26-2013 |
20130254662 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING ACCESS TO MEDIA CONTENT - Systems and methods for providing access to media content are provided. A representative method includes: generating a user interface on a touchscreen display, the user interface comprising first selection components for surfacing first elements and second selection components for surfacing second elements such that the first selection components are utilized to sort the first elements and the second selection components are utilized to sort the second elements, each of the elements corresponding to a media file; and arranging the second selection components, with at least a portion of the first selection components and the second selection components being positioned in an overlying relationship such that a first location on the user interface corresponds to each of a first media file associated with the first selection components and a second media file associated with the second selection components. | 09-26-2013 |
20130265312 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SOCIAL NETWORKING INFLUENCED MAP GENERATION - Various embodiments for social networking influenced map generation are disclosed. One embodiment is a method for generating a map that comprises retrieving, by a computing device, location data from a mobile computing device. The method further comprises determining, by the computing device, at least one attribute corresponding to the mobile computing device according to the retrieved location data and retrieving, by the computing device, information relating to a messaging event occurring on the mobile computing device. The method further comprises generating, by the computing device, a map displaying a path of traversal of the mobile computing device based on the retrieved location data, the map further comprising at least one graphical representation relating to the messaging event, the at least one graphical representation being displayed on the path of traversal. | 10-10-2013 |
20130318628 | Systems and Methods for Providing Access to Computer Programs Based on Physical Activity Level of a User - Systems and methods for providing access to computer programs based on physical activity level of a user are provided. In this regard, a representative system includes: a mobile device having a movement monitoring system operative to monitor movement of the mobile device; and a threshold detection system communicating with the movement monitoring system and operative to provide access information to enable use of the computer program, use of which is otherwise disabled, the access information being provided responsive to the monitored movement of the mobile device corresponding to a threshold level of activity of a user of the mobile device. | 11-28-2013 |
20140015965 | Image Capturing Systems with Context Control and Related Methods - Image capturing systems with context control and related methods are provided. In this regard, a representative image capturing system includes: an image capturing device having a user-adjustable setting for altering an image capture parameter; and a context control system operative to receive location information corresponding to a location of the image capturing device and to preset the user-adjustable setting based, at least in part, on the location information. | 01-16-2014 |
20140018058 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS INVOLVING DEVICE INTERACTION - Systems and methods with device interaction are provided. In this regard, a representative system for interacting with a secondary device includes: an electronic device selectively operative in a first mode and a second mode, the electronic device having a device detection system operative to detect presence of the secondary device and a mode selection system operative to automatically alter operation of the electronic device from the first mode to the second mode based, at least in part, on the detected presence of the secondary device. | 01-16-2014 |
20140019603 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS INVOLVING INTERACTIVE QUEUING - Systems and methods for providing interactive queuing are provided. In this regard, a representative method includes: assigning users of electronic devices to corresponding positions of a queue, each of the users being associated with a corresponding one of the electronic devices; and providing queue information to the users via the electronic devices. | 01-16-2014 |
20140025367 | PREDICTIVE TEXT ENGINE SYSTEMS AND RELATED METHODS - Predictive text engine systems and related methods are provided. In this regard, a representative system includes: a mobile device operative to communicate information via a communications network, the mobile device having a user interface, a context analysis system and a predictive text engine; the user interface being operative to receive user input to generate a text-based communication; the context analysis system being operative to determine a context of the text-based communication and to request, via the communications network, information corresponding to the context to enhance performance of the predictive text engine; the predictive text engine being operative to predict text corresponding to the user input based, at least in part, on the information corresponding to the context and received responsive to the request. | 01-23-2014 |
20140035517 | SYSTEMS INVOLVING MAGNETIC ATTACHMENT FOR PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICES AND RELATED METHODS - Systems involving magnetic attachment for portable electronic devices and related methods are provided. In this regard, a representative system includes: a magnetic attachment system operative to generate a magnetic field, the magnetic attachment system being operative to vary a strength of the magnetic field based, at least in part, on a control input such that a portable electronic device is magnetically attached to the electronic apparatus. | 02-06-2014 |
20140052792 | SYSTEMS FOR PROVIDING EMOTIONAL TONE-BASED NOTIFICATIONS FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATED METHODS - Systems for providing emotional tone-based notifications for communications and related methods are provided. In this regard, a representative system includes an electronic device having a network/communication interface operative to facilitate communication over a networked environment. The electronic device is operative to automatically associate information corresponding to an emotional tone of the communication with the communication such that a recipient of the communication is informed of the emotional tone. | 02-20-2014 |
20140071157 | CONTENT DELIVERY SYSTEMS WITH PRIORITIZED CONTENT AND RELATED METHODS - Content delivery systems and related methods are provided. In this regard, a representative system includes: a content hosting system having a wireless communication interface for communicating with mobile devices, the content hosting system being operative to: receive information corresponding to a first content item via the wireless communication interface; associate a first time indicator with the first content item; and provide the first content item to a display device such that multiple content items are displayed in a time-prioritized configuration. | 03-13-2014 |
20140240176 | Electronic Devices with Antennas Formed with Optically-Transparent Films and Related Methods - Electronic devices with antennas formed with optically-transparent films and related methods are provided. In this regard, a representative device includes a housing defining a cavity; a display disposed within the cavity; a cover disposed over the display and forming a portion of an exterior of the device; an optically transparent, electrically conductive film disposed within the cavity; and an antenna disposed within the cavity, the antenna being at least partially defined by the film, the film being operative as a ground plane for the antenna. | 08-28-2014 |