Qwest Communications International Inc.

Abbott Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.

Logitech Europe S.a.

Andrew Switky

Matthew Robert Adams

James Yurchenco

Michael Gibson

Peter Riering-Czekalla

Adam Patrick Vollmer

Elger Oberwelz

Nicholas Zambetti

Richard Cerami

Katrin B Gosling

Coe Leta Rayne Stafford

Martin Nicholas John Heaton

Jesse Tane

Anthony Peter Patron

Adam Mekeel Mack

Afshin Frederick Mehin

Suzanne Gibbs Howard

Astrid Van Der Flier

Valentina Venza

Jonathan I Kaplan

Laveille Kao Voss

David A Mackiewicz

Gina Lynn Romero

Kelly A Pike

Patrick Monney

Denis Pavillard

Kristine Rene Chan-Lizardo

Joseph W Yang

Chase Taylor Thompson

Jean-Marc Flueckiger

Daniel Stillion

Samer Abdo

Afshin Mehin

Joe Watson

An anchor assembly configured to locate and anchor body tissue surrounding an opening in the body tissue. The anchor assembly can include a plurality of anchor elements. Each anchor element can include an elongate portion and an anchor portion extending from the elongate portion. The elongate portion can be configured to be manipulated by a user. The anchor portion can have a contracted configuration capable of passing through the opening in the body tissue and can have an expanded configuration capable of anchoring the body tissue surrounding the opening. The anchor portion and the elongate portion can be integrally formed from a single wire.

Closure devices, systems, and methods

Solutions for facilitating enhanced video calling functionality. Embodiments include functionality for handling video calling through a communications hub. According to some embodiments, the communications hub is a user supersystem having multiple clients, each with an integrated camera and display, capable of seamlessly handing off video call functionality among the clients. Other embodiments integrate other functionality of the communications hub (e.g., web browsing, multimedia, etc.) into the video call environment.

Video call handling

Novel tools and techniques are described for a passive suction base. In one aspect, a passive suction base can be provided on a bottom of an item for adhering the item to a flat surface. The passive suction base might comprise a central portion affixed to the bottom of the item and a perimeter portion that is not affixed to the item. A force opposing the flat surface when applied to the item causes the central portion to move away from the flat surface, while the perimeter portion remains in contact with the flat surface, thereby causing the passive suction base to adhere to the flat surface. In some aspects, when resting on the flat surface, the perimeter portion of the suction base can be substantially flat with respect to the flat surface (and not visible), so that the passive suction base may be easily moved along the flat surface.

Passive suction base

Solutions for providing integrated task list functionality. Some such solutions use a user supersystem as a communications hub to generate, display, and/or handle user-based tasks for a family group. For example, tasks may be assigned to one or more members of the family and associated with various types of dates, rewards, audits, etc. Family members may then interact with the tasks through the communications hub and/or through other devices (e.g., cell phones, etc.).

Multi-user integrated task list

Novel tools and techniques are described for protecting an electronic device. In one aspect, an electronic device might comprise a housing defining an open front face, a chassis disposed within the housing, a panel disposed within the open front face of the housing and supported on the chassis, and an elastomeric overmold surrounding at least a portion of a perimeter of the panel and disposed between at least a portion of the chassis and at least a portion of the housing. In some cases, the overmold might be configured to provide a perimeter seal around the panel and to deform upon a frontal impact to the panel or housing. The overmold might be configured to prevent intrusion of liquids or particulates within the electronic device. In another aspect, a protective housing, which might comprise the housing, the chassis, and the overmold, may be provided for protecting a stand-alone electronic device.

Elastomeric chassis suspension for electronic devices

Novel stands for tablet computers and other electronic devices. A stand for a tablet may comprise a body having one or more attachment mechanisms at one location and a crossbar at a second location. The crossbar may comprise a portion of a first material disposed to magnetically interact with a portion of a second material that is provided by the tablet. The magnetic interaction may cause the crossbar to serve as one or more detents that movably affixes the stand in a desired position relative to the tablet.

Integrated magnetic tablet stand

Novel tools and techniques are described for waterproof charging contact system. In one aspect, the charging contact system may comprise docking station comprising a first set of compliant charging contacts for a tablet computer system and a second set of compliant charging contacts for a handset computer. Each compliant charging contact comprises a charging pin pressed into an elastomer diaphragm inserted within a body of the docking station. The tablet computer system comprises a first set of static charging contacts configured to mate with the first set of compliant charging contacts. The handset comprises a second set of static charging contacts configured to mate with the second set of compliant charging contacts.

Charging contact system

Novel tools and techniques are described for coupling electronic devices with docking stations. In one aspect, a coupling system comprises a first material in the docking station and a second material in the electronic device. The first material and the second material may each comprise at least one magnet and/or at least one ferromagnetic material that interact magnetically to align the electronic device in an appropriate position with respect to the docking station. The docking station comprises a first set of electrical contacts and the electronic device comprises a second set of electrical contacts. When in the appropriate position, the first set of electrical contacts electrically couples with the second set of electrical contacts. The shapes of the first and second electrical contacts, and the polarities of the magnets/ferromagnetic materials, may be configured to facilitate electrical coupling while avoiding mismatching of the positive/negative terminals of the electrical contacts.

Magnetic docking base for handset

Solutions for providing integrated media services, e.g., in the context of communications services offered through a user supersystem configured as an interactive graphical communications hub. For example, interactions with a messaging interface may provide access to media creation functionality, including doodle functionality, in the context of the messaging and/or in the context of other media. In one implementation, the communications interface allows a user to doodle in the context of an image file (e.g., a photo) while in the context of a chat application.

Doodle-in-chat-context

Solutions for providing context-driven communications mode determinations. Some such solutions use a communications hub located in a home (e.g., a user supersystem) to facilitate context-driven, multi-modal communications. For example, a tablet system may be used as a graphical communications hub in a family's home, used by the family to communicate to and from the home via multiple communications modes (e.g., family chat, family activities, user-based messaging, etc.) over one or more communications channels. Determination of an appropriate mode for communications may be driven by contextual (rather that channel-based) factors relating to the communications.

Integrated multi-modal chat

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to an attachment apparatus for conveniently, securely, and releasably attaching a handheld device such as a handheld computer to a keyboard or other accessories. In some embodiments, the attachment apparatus is configured to be flexible or adjustable to accommodate differently sized handheld devices. In addition, an automatic switch on feature is implemented in some embodiments which allows the handheld device to be automatically switched on or off by manipulating the position of the attachment apparatus. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for attaching a handheld device to a second device comprises an attachment device having a connector configured to be electrically connected to the handheld device. An adjustable mechanism is configured to adjustably connect the handheld device to the second device to move the handheld device relative to the second device between a first position and a second position. The attachment device includes a switch which is automatically activated to switch on the handheld device in the second position.

Handheld computer attachment apparatus

Growing community of inventors

Menlo Park, CA, United States of America

Andrew Switky