Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110103002 | Modular Universal Parts and Personality Parts of a Docketing System - The disclosed docking systems for an electronic device may provide any accessory function and may include more than one connector such as a battery charger connector, a USB hub, a memory card hub, an audio boom box connector, and the like. A modular universal part is configured with at least a one connector that is configured to interface with an electronic device connector. A personality part, specific to the electronic device, is configured to receive both the electronic device and the modular universal part so that the modular universal part connector is capable of interfacing with the electronic device connector. In this way, the personality part can align the electronic device connectors with any number of modular universal part connectors. In this way, an accessory part including a modular universal part could be reuseable with different electronic devices since the personality part is specific to the electronic device. | 05-05-2011 |
20110248838 | Apparatuses, Methods, and Systems for an Electronic Device wiht a Detachable User Input Attachment - An electronic device ( | 10-13-2011 |
20110248947 | Apparatuses, Methods, and Systems for an Electronic Device with a Detachable User Input Attachment - An electronic device ( | 10-13-2011 |
20110273376 | Stylus Devices Having Variable Electrical Characteristics for Capacitive Touchscreens - Disclosed are devices and methods of stylus devices that when in contact with a capacitive touchscreen and a grounding element, can vary the signal level detected on a capacitive touchscreen to create a more realistic writing experience. Disclosed are elements of a touchscreen stylus, which individually or in combination, can enable a touchscreen stylus to have at least one electrical characteristic that is variable. In this way the resistive link between the touchscreen and a grounding element can be varied to enable features such as a capability to vary the width of line being drawn, to vary a region of influence on the touchscreen and/or to vary a temperament of action. The elements of a disclosed stylus can include at least one mechanical feature to provide at least one electrical characteristic that is variable and/or at least one material in an arrangement to provide at least one electrical characteristic that is variable. | 11-10-2011 |
20110291820 | Passive User Input Attachment Engaging Compressible Conductive Elements and Method for Using the Same - A user input attachment ( | 12-01-2011 |
20110291927 | Smart Method and Device for Adaptive User Interface Experiences - A wireless communication device ( | 12-01-2011 |
20120068952 | USER COMPUTER DEVICE WITH TEMPERATURE SENSING CAPABILITIES AND METHOD OF OPERATING SAME - A user computer device is provided that comprises a temperature sensitive touchscreen having a temperature sensitive user interface comprising multiple thermal energy emitter/detector devices, such as thermocouples. The multiple thermal energy emitter/detector devices are capable both of detecting thermal energy and emitting thermal energy. The temperature sensitive user interface generates thermal patterns that may be transferred to other thermally sensitive electronic devices or that may be used to authenticate the user computer device. The user computer device also can detect and thermally communicate with a thermal energy docking station and, based on thermal recognition, activate applications displayed on the temperature sensitive touchscreen. Further, the user computer device can auto-bias a temperature of the temperature sensitive user interface in order to better assure proper operation of the temperature sensitive user interface in all operating conditions. | 03-22-2012 |
20120072044 | USER COMPUTER DEVICE WITH TEMPERATURE SENSING CAPABILITIES AND METHOD OF OPERATING SAME - A user computer device is provided that comprises a temperature sensitive touchscreen having a temperature sensitive user interface comprising multiple thermal energy emitter/detector devices, such as thermocouples. The multiple thermal energy emitter/detector devices are capable both of detecting thermal energy and emitting thermal energy. The temperature sensitive user interface generates thermal patterns that may be transferred to other thermally sensitive electronic devices or that may be used to authenticate the user computer device. The user computer device also can detect and thermally communicate with a thermal energy docking station and, based on thermal recognition, activate applications displayed on the temperature sensitive touchscreen. Further, the user computer device can auto-bias a temperature of the temperature sensitive user interface in order to better assure proper operation of the temperature sensitive user interface in all operating conditions. | 03-22-2012 |
20120072157 | USER COMPUTER DEVICE WITH TEMPERATURE SENSING CAPABILITIES AND METHOD OF OPERATING SAME - A user computer device is provided that comprises a temperature sensitive touchscreen having a temperature sensitive user interface comprising multiple thermal energy emitter/detector devices, such as thermocouples. The multiple thermal energy emitter/detector devices are capable both of detecting thermal energy and emitting thermal energy. The temperature sensitive user interface generates thermal patterns that may be transferred to other thermally sensitive electronic devices or that may be used to authenticate the user computer device. The user computer device also can detect and thermally communicate with a thermal energy docking station and, based on thermal recognition, activate applications displayed on the temperature sensitive touchscreen. Further, the user computer device can auto-bias a temperature of the temperature sensitive user interface in order to better assure proper operation of the temperature sensitive user interface in all operating conditions. | 03-22-2012 |
20120131230 | Authenticating, Tracking, and Using a Peripheral - This document describes techniques ( | 05-24-2012 |
20120153016 | Method and Device for Recognition of Docking Stations - A method for controlling an electronic device for use with a docking station is disclosed. The method includes detecting a coupling of the electronic device with the docking station, obtaining an image of an identifier associated with the docking station in response to detecting the coupling, and performing a predefined operation by the electronic device based on the image of the identifier in response to obtaining the image. | 06-21-2012 |
20120218231 | Electronic Device and Method for Calibration of a Touch Screen - There is provided an electronic device and method for calibration of a touch screen using a biometric sensor. The touch screen includes a display and a touch sensor associated with the display. The biometric sensor is configured to detect a user input. The display and/or the touch sensor of the touch screen are calibrated based on the user input detected at the biometric sensor. | 08-30-2012 |
20120268414 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EXCHANGING DATA WITH A USER COMPUTER DEVICE - A communication system is provided that allows a user to exchange a stream of data with a user computer device via a capacitive touchscreen of the device. The communication system includes a user's data input device having a capacitive user interface and a user computer device having a capacitive touchscreen. When the capacitive user interface of the data input device and the capacitive touchscreen of the user computer device are in sufficient to proximity to each other, an inter-device capacitance is created over which exchanging a stream of data may be exchanged between the data input device and the user computer device. | 10-25-2012 |
20130002531 | Portable Electronic Device Having Interchangeable User Interfaces and Method Thereof - A portable electronic device comprising a housing, and a first user interface, a second user interface and one or more sensors supported by the housing, and a method thereof. The first user interface has an active state, and the second user interface has an inactive state while the first user interface is in the active state. The sensor or sensors detect an environmental condition. The second user interface changes from the inactive state to the active state and the first user interface changes from the active state to the inactive state in response to one or more sensors detecting the environmental condition. For another embodiment, the device may detect an energy level of a power source of the portable electronic device. The second user interface of the portable electronic device is then activated and the first user interface of the portable electronic device is deactivated in response to detecting the energy level of the power source. | 01-03-2013 |
20130093679 | User Interface with Localized Haptic Response - An interface peripheral ( | 04-18-2013 |
20130111342 | Effective User Input Scheme on a Small Touch Screen Device | 05-02-2013 |
20130135220 | Active Styluses for Interacting with a Mobile Device - An active stylus or a method performed by an active stylus for interacting with a mobile device, wherein the mobile device has at least one sensor (e.g., a thermocouple junction), and wherein the stylus has at least one signal source (e.g., an analog heat source) that produces at least one signal (e.g., at least one analog temperature signal), wherein the at least one signal is configured to be detectable by the at least one sensor of the mobile device. The stylus also has at least one signal adjustment mechanism for changing the at least one signal and also has at least one transmitter (e.g., thermocouple junction) configured to transmit the at least one signal for receipt by the at least one sensor of the mobile device. | 05-30-2013 |
20130135262 | Mobile Device for Interacting with an Active Stylus - A mobile device or a method performed by a mobile device for interacting with a stylus, wherein the stylus has at least one sensor (e.g., a thermocouple junction), and wherein the mobile device has at least one signal source (e.g., an analog heat source) that produces at least one signal (e.g., at least one analog heat signal), wherein the at least one signal is configured to be detectable by the at least one sensor of the stylus. The mobile device also has at least one signal adjustment mechanism for changing the at least one signal and also has at least one transmitter (e.g., thermal active touch screen display) configured to transmit the at least one signal for receipt by the at least one sensor of the stylus. | 05-30-2013 |
20130168445 | Method and Device for Recognition of Docking Stations - A method for controlling an electronic device for use with a docking station is disclosed. The method includes detecting a coupling of the electronic device with the docking station, obtaining an image of an identifier associated with the docking station in response to detecting the coupling, and performing a predefined operation by the electronic device based on the image of the identifier in response to obtaining the image. | 07-04-2013 |
20130249870 | DUAL MODE ACTIVE STYLUS FOR WRITING BOTH ON A CAPACITIVE TOUCHSCREEN AND PAPER - An active stylus writing apparatus for writing on a touch-sensitive interface and paper; including a conductive carrier coupled on a first end of the active stylus writing apparatus, and also coupled to internal circuitry for providing an active electrically charged capacitive field to inject a sufficient capacitive charge for writing upon the touch-sensitive interface. Additionally, the active stylus may include a removable compound end cap, typically comprised of at least two segments, the removable compound end cap configured to electrically couple to the conductive carrier when covering the conductive carrier on the first end of the active stylus writing apparatus, wherein the compound end cap is conductive in at least one segment and non-conductive in another segment. | 09-26-2013 |
20130282371 | Recognizing Repeated Speech in a Mobile Computing Device - A method is disclosed herein for recognizing a repeated utterance in a mobile computing device via a processor. A first utterance is detected being spoken into a first mobile computing device. Likewise, a second utterance is detected being spoken into a second mobile computing device within a predetermined time period. The second utterance substantially matches the first spoken utterance and the first and second mobile computing devices are communicatively coupled to each other. The processor enables capturing, at least temporarily, a matching utterance for performing a subsequent processing function. The performed subsequent processing function is based on a type of captured utterance. | 10-24-2013 |
20140118520 | SEAMLESS AUTHORIZED ACCESS TO AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE - An electronic device and a method for enabling seamless access to the electronic device are disclosed herein. The method includes assessing, via a first processor, an initial stationary state of the electronic device; and monitoring at least one sensor of the electronic device to determine user interaction with the electronic device. In addition, motion of the electronic device is detected as is any subsequent secondary stationary state within a predetermined time period. An authentication procedure is initialized in the background based on proximity to a user and expiration of the predetermined time period. | 05-01-2014 |
20140157401 | Method of Dynamically Adjusting an Authentication Sensor - A method is disclosed herein for employing detected device context, user history, and inferred identity to cause biometric sensors identification levels to automatically adjust to reduce device access time, computational complexity, and power. | 06-05-2014 |
20140176332 | PIEZO BASED FINGERPRINT SENSOR STRUCTURE - A device includes both a fingerprint sensor ( | 06-26-2014 |
20140218330 | Touch Sensitive Surface for an Electronic Device with False Touch Protection - A touch sensitive surface ( | 08-07-2014 |
20140267136 | Touch Sensitive Surface with Recessed Surface Feature for an Electronic Device - An electronic device ( | 09-18-2014 |
20140267139 | Touch Sensitive Surface with False Touch Protection for an Electronic Device - An electronic device ( | 09-18-2014 |
20140270413 | AUXILIARY DEVICE FUNCTIONALITY AUGMENTED WITH FINGERPRINT SENSOR - A sensor structure ( | 09-18-2014 |
20140270414 | AUXILIARY FUNCTIONALITY CONTROL AND FINGERPRINT AUTHENTICATION BASED ON A SAME USER INPUT - A sensor structure ( | 09-18-2014 |
20140279528 | Wearable Authentication Device - In embodiments, a wearable authentication device includes a fingerprint sensor to capture a fingerprint image that is used to authenticate a user to an associated device of the wearable authentication device. The wearable authentication device can also include a presence sensor, or a presence sensing mode of the fingerprint sensor, to periodically detect a presence of the user wearing the wearable authentication device, and presence data is communicated to the associated device to maintain operability of the associated device. | 09-18-2014 |
20140341441 | WEARABLE DEVICE USER AUTHENTICATION - In embodiments, a wearable device includes an imager that captures eye feature images of one or both eyes of a user of the wearable device, such as while the user is wearing the wearable device. The user can then be authenticated based on a comparison of the eye feature images to a biometric template of the user. The eye feature images may include iris images, retina images, and/or eye vein images of the eyes of the user. The user can be authenticated based on each of the iris images, the retina images, and the eye vein images, both individually and in combination. The imager can also be periodically initiated, to capture the eye feature images to confirm user presence and maintain operability of the wearable device. | 11-20-2014 |
20140354556 | ADAPATIVE SENSING COMPONENT RESOLUTION BASED ON TOUCH LOCATION AUTHENTICATION - A display component ( | 12-04-2014 |
20140359756 | MULTI-LAYERED SENSING WITH MULTIPLE RESOLUTIONS - A display component ( | 12-04-2014 |
20150046711 | ADAPTIVE METHOD FOR BIOMETRICALLY CERTIFIED COMMUNICATION - A communication device and method for authentication of a message being transmitted from the communication device. The method includes receiving, by a messaging utility, content of a message provided for transmission from the communication device. Based on a determination that the message requires user authentication before the message is transmitted to a recipient, the method further includes selecting, based on contextual data, one or more biometric capturing components of the communication device; triggering at least one selected biometric capturing component to capture a corresponding biometric input from a user of the communication device; and transmitting the message when the biometric input as belonging to an authorized user of the communication device. In one embodiment, a clearinghouse service authenticates a biometric input from a user of the communication device in order to certify the user and/or the message. | 02-12-2015 |
20150046996 | ADAPTIVE METHOD FOR BIOMETRICALLY CERTIFIED COMMUNICATION - A recipient communication device and method wherein a user authenticates a message that is being received. The method includes receiving, by a messaging utility of the recipient communication device, a message transmitted from a sender communication device. The messaging utility determines that one of (a) sender authentication of the message and (b) recipient authentication to open the message is required. In response to sender authentication being required, the recipient communication device transmits a request to the sender communication device for sender authentication of the message, and receives a certification of the message based on an authentication of a user input via the sender communication device. When recipient authentication is required, the recipient is prompted to enter biometric input at the recipient device. In one embodiment, a clearinghouse service authenticates a user of a communication device in order for the recipient communication device to receive certification of the user and/or the message. | 02-12-2015 |
20150057830 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ADJUSTING PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE OPERATION BASED ON AMBIENT TEMPERATURE - A method and apparatus adjust portable electronic device operation based on ambient temperature. A user input of a desired performance mode of a portable electronic device can be received. An ambient temperature in an environment surrounding the portable electronic device can be determined. A device temperature mitigation threshold value can be set based on the ambient temperature and based on the desired performance mode. Portable electronic device operation can be adjusted based on the portable electronic device temperature exceeding the device temperature mitigation threshold value. | 02-26-2015 |
20150097690 | Method and Apparatus of Electronic Device for Abuse Detection and Notification - A method of an electronic device for abuse detection and notification is disclosed herewith. The method includes monitoring one or more parameters at the electronic device for one or more physical events, the parameter(s) being associated with one or more imagers. The method further includes identifying the physical event(s) at the electronic device by determining that each parameter exceeds a corresponding threshold value. Next, the method provides storing event data corresponding to the physical event(s), in which at least a portion of the event data is associated with the parameter(s). The method further includes generating a notification associated with the physical event(s). | 04-09-2015 |
20150131502 | REDUCING POWER CONSUMPTION BY A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICE WITH MULTIPLE WIRELESS COMMUNICATION MODEMS - A method that reduces power consumption in a wireless communication device having a first and a second modem. The method includes detecting access to a communication network via the second modem, and in response to that detection: establishing a communication channel between the second modem and a communication service over a communication network; and triggering the first modem to enter a sleep state. The communication service is configured to respond to receipt at the communication service of an incoming communication to be routed to the first modem via a first communication network by: (i) automatically transmitting a notification via the communication channel to the second modem and (ii) forwarding the incoming communication via the first communication network to the first modem. The method then includes, in response to receipt of the notification at the device: awakening the first modem to an active state to enable receipt of the incoming communication. | 05-14-2015 |
20150137938 | Method and Apparatus for Authenticating Access to a Multi-Level Secure Environment of an Electronic Device - An electronic system utilizes a method ( | 05-21-2015 |
20150145780 | KEYPAD WITH INTEGRATED TOUCH SENSITIVE APPARATUS - A touch sensitive keypad device ( | 05-28-2015 |
20150163743 | REDUCING POWER CONSUMPTION BY A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICE WITH MULTIPLE WIRELESS COMMUNICATION MODEMS - A method includes: a wireless communication device (WCD) receiving information indicating that a second user device that is close-by is actively running a messaging application, which establishes an active communication channel with a communication service that is responsible for routing incoming voice and data communication to the WCD. The method also includes: establishing a short range communication between the communication device and the second user device; in response to receiving the information and establishing the short range communication, placing at least a first modem of the WCD in a sleep state; and in response to at least one subsequent trigger event, awakening the first modem to an active state to enable use of the first modem to complete communication. The messaging service is configured to redirect incoming calls to the second user device while the messaging service is active and the devices are within short-range communication of each other. | 06-11-2015 |
20150281593 | ADAPTIVE LOW-LIGHT VIEW MODES - This document describes techniques and apparatuses for implementing adaptive low-light view modes. These techniques and apparatuse enable a computing device to capture infrared (IR) imagery at a particular location and retrieve, based on the particular location, previously-captured imagery that corresponds with the IR imagery. The IR imagery and previously-captured imagery can then be combined to provide composite imagery, which is presented to a user. By so doing, the user's view of the particular location can be enhanced, particularly in low-light conditions. | 10-01-2015 |
20150281599 | ADAPTIVE LOW-LIGHT IDENTIFICATION - This document describes techniques and apparatuses for implementing adaptive low-light identification. These techniques and apparatuses enable a computing device to capture infrared (IR) imagery of a person and determine, based on previously-captured IR imagery of multiple people, an identity of the person. Visible-light imagery of the identified person can then be retrieved and combined with the IR imagery to provide composite imagery of the person, which is presented to a user. By so doing, the user can more-easily identify the person, particularly in low-light conditions. | 10-01-2015 |
20150317464 | Selective Infrared Filtering for Imaging-Based User Authentication and Visible Light Imaging | 11-05-2015 |
20150331542 | Electronic Device with Infrared Sensor-Based User Input Controls - An electronic device uses one or more infrared sensors to detect infrared light from a person's body (e.g., a user's finger) to initiate a function of the electronic device. According to an implementation, the housing of the electronic device includes a flexible portion that opens an aperture in response to external pressure (e.g., a user pressing down on the flexible portion) to allow infrared light from the person's body to reach an infrared sensor. When the infrared sensor detects the infrared light, it generates a signal in response. A processor of the electronic device receives the signal and, in response, initiates a function of the electronic device. The function may be any function that the electronic device is capable of performing, such as a power-on function, a camera function, changing the speaker volume, and launching an application. | 11-19-2015 |
20150332032 | Electronic Device with Method for Controlling Access to Same - An electronic device is able to alter one or more settings of its imager based on the motion of a user that the device is attempting to authenticate. The electronic device, in one implementation, captures a first set of image data of the user (e.g., a video or still photo of the user), detects motion of the user, alters a setting of the imager based on the motion, captures a second set of image data of the user, and authenticates the user based on the second set of image data. In some implementations, the electronic device has multiple imagers, and activates one or more additional imagers based on the detected motion of the user. | 11-19-2015 |
20150334274 | Electronic Device with Flexible Housing Portion and Related Method - The disclosure is directed to an electronic device having an internal light source that emits light along a path through the housing. The housing has at least one flexible portion which, when subjected to external pressure flexes, thereby altering the path of the light. A processor receives a signal (from a light sensor receiver) indicating a change in the light and reacts by initiating a function of the device. The particular function that the processor initiates may depend on the mode that the device is currently in. For example, if the device is not currently in a camera mode, then the processor may launch a camera function. If the device is in a camera mode, then the processor may control the zoom of an imager. If the device is in a camera mode and is also motionless, then the processor may cause the imager to capture an image. | 11-19-2015 |
20150347732 | Electronic Device and Method for Controlling Access to Same - An electronic device selects, based the detected position of a user, which sensor it will use to authenticate the user. The device may, for example, select a first sensor based on a first position and motion of the user, grant a first level of access to the user based on an authentication procedure the device carries out using data from the first sensor, select a second sensor based on a second position and motion of the user, and grant a second level of access to the user based on an authentication procedure the device carries out using data from the second sensor. | 12-03-2015 |
20150378178 | APPARATUS FOR ENHANCING DISPLAY READABILITY IN AN ENVIRONMENT WITH STRONG AMBIENT LIGHT - An apparatus for enhancing display readability in an environment with strong ambient light can include an eyewear frame configured to be worn by a user, the eyewear frame including a lens holding portion. The apparatus can include at least one lens connected to the lens holding portion of the eyewear frame. The apparatus can include a multi-band pass filter coupled to the at least one lens, the multi-band pass filter can be configured to pass visible red, visible green, visible blue, and visible yellow light emitted through the lens from the display and configured to attenuate other visible and non-visible wavelengths of light through the lens. | 12-31-2015 |