Research in Motion Corporation

Blackberry Corporation

Google Inc.

Craig Eric Ranta

Per Magnus Fredrik Hansson

Larry Edward Hawker

Kevin Howard Orr

Jonathan Nobels

Sean Bartholomew Simmons

Lawrence Edward Kuhl

Anton Epp

Jason Tyler Griffin

Mihal Lazaridis

Julian Paas

Ahmed Abdelsamie

Jay David Steele

Mohamad El-Hage

Omar George Joseph Barake

Chris Forrester

Steven Anthony Lill

Magnus Hansson

Marc Elis Meunier

Christopher Forrester

Alan James Deciantis

Per Magnus Hansson

Christopher M Forrester

Systems and methods are described that can include transmitting, from a first wearable computing device, a first ultrasound signal and receiving, by the first wearable computing device and responsive to the first ultrasound signal, a second ultrasound signal from a second wearable computing device. The method can include identifying, by the first wearable computing device, a location of the second wearable computing device with respect to a location of the first wearable computing device where the location of the second wearable computing device can be identified based on a determined time-of-flight of the first ultrasound signal. The method can include establishing a wireless connection between the first wearable computing device and the second wearable computing device where the wireless connection can be based at least in part on the identifier and the identified location associated with the second wearable computing device.

Ultrasonic device-to-device communication for wearable devices

A communication device and method for adapting to audio accessories are provided. The communication device includes a memory; a first microphone, a connector for receiving data from an accessory device having a second microphone, and a processor interconnected with the memory, the microphone and the connector. The processor is configured to receive audio input and, when the audio input originated at the second microphone, to automatically apply equalization settings corresponding to the second microphone.

Communication device and method for adapting to audio accessories

A device for providing notifications while mated with a carrying case is provided. The device comprises: an indicator; a first detector configured to detect when the device is mated with a carrying case, the carrying case having an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein the indicator is hidden in the closed configuration and at least partially exposed in the open configuration; a second detector configured to detect when the carrying case is in the open configuration; and, a processor configured to place the indicator in a given notification mode when the first detector detects that the device is mated with the carrying case and the second detector detects that the carrying case is in the open configuration.

Device for providing notifications while mated with a carrying case

A degree of seal of an ear about a speaker port may be estimated by detecting touch contact between the ear and at least one touch sensor in fixed relation to the speaker port. The degree of seal is estimated based on the detected touch contact. Based upon the estimated degree of seal, the acoustic output of the speaker may be adjusted. The adjustment may compensate for perceived changes to the quality of the acoustic output resulting from the degree of seal. The at least one touch sensor may be a plurality of touch sensors spaced around the speaker port. Each sensor may have a truncated wedge shape, with a narrow end closest to the speaker port. Upon receipt of user input indicative of a high degree of ear seal, a sample of the sensor(s) may be taken and stored for using during future estimation of the degree of seal.

Adjusting acoustic speaker output based on an estimated degree of seal of an ear about a speaker port

The disclosure relates to a handheld electronic device. The device comprises a case and an audio transducer. The case has a housing, a cover, an indentation, a first opening and an audio transducer. The housing has a housing surface. The cover has a cover surface with at least a portion of the cover surface being disposed adjacent at least a portion of the housing surface; an elongated channel formed therein opposite the cover surface; an insert; and a lens disposed adjacent to the insert. The indentation is formed in at least one of the housing adjacent the housing surface and the cover adjacent the cover surface and the indentation is disposed between and forms a cavity in the case between at least a portion of the housing adjacent the housing surface and at least a portion of the cover adjacent the cover surface. The cavity is elongated along at least a first axis. The first opening is formed in the case and provides fluid communication between the cavity and the channel and being located along a first axis. The audio transducer is disposed on the housing and is in fluid communication with the cavity where the audio transducer is spaced from the first opening along the first axis. In the device, the indentation and the first opening are formed in the insert; and the channel is disposed between the insert and the lens.

Handheld electronic device having hidden sound openings offset from an audio source

A ringtone service distributes selected ringtones to respective communication devices in a communication network. A particular ringtone for a respective communication device is selected is in accordance with at least one recommendation operation and ringtone selector data. The selector data is generated from user data associated with the particular communication device from which to make implicit observations of user behavior for predicting how a user will like a particular ringtone. A media purchase link, provided with the ringtone, assists with the purchase of an associated media file from a media purchase service. A ringtone may comprise a sample from a source (e.g. an audio or video recording) and the associated medial file may comprise a copy of the source.

Pushed ringtones based on device-side content

The disclosure relates to a case for a handheld electronic device and an electronic device. The case comprises: a housing and a lens. The housing has a housing surface; and a first opening in the housing surface. The lens has a cover surface being disposed adjacent at least a portion of the housing surface; an indentation formed in the cover adjacent the cover surface, the indentation being disposed between and forming a cavity in the case between at least a portion of the housing adjacent the housing surface and at least a portion of the cover adjacent the cover surface, the cavity being elongated along at least a first axis; and a second first opening formed in the cover providing fluid communication between the cavity and the cover surface. In the case, an audio transducer for the electronic device is disposable in the housing at a location underneath the first opening, placing the audio transducer in fluid communication with the cavity; and when the lens is disposed on the housing surface a periphery about the indentation is sealed against an opposing portion of the housing surface.

A system and method for providing a visual indicator for optimizing the position of a mobile device when the mobile device is being used in a hands free mode. One or more position components in the mobile device can determine the position of the mobile device. The position of the mobile device can be compared to ideal or predetermined positions for improved performance quality. A visual indicator can be provided to provide an indication on whether the mobile device is in an optimal position. The visual indicator can take several forms including an illustration showing how the mobile device should be moved, an animation showing how the mobile device should be moved, colors providing an indication whether the position is acceptable, or any combination thereof.

System and method for optimizing the position of a mobile device

A user is allowed to select an acoustic equalizer setting from among a plurality of predetermined acoustic equalizer settings. Upon receiving an indication of a selection of a given acoustic equalizer setting, a handheld telephony device processes voice call downlink audio, based on the given acoustic equalizer setting and drives an audio output device with the processed audio signal.

Method and apparatus allowing for user-selectable acoustic equalizer settings for voice calls

A method of providing a user interface on a mobile device for enabling a user to select acoustic equalizer settings for voice call downlink audio signals, the mobile device including an internal microprocessor, a display in communication with the microprocessor, and at least one input means in communication with the microprocessor, the method including receiving a request from the user for displaying the user interface, in response to the request, displaying the user interface on the display, the user interface including a plurality of predetermined acoustic equalizer settings, wherein the user selects one of the equalizer settings using the input means, receiving the selected equalizer setting at the microprocessor, storing the selected equalizer setting at the microprocessor, and processing the voice call downlink audio signals according to the selected equalizer setting.

User-selectable headset equalizer for voice calls

An improved hand held electronic device and an associated method provide facilitated telephone dialing by providing audible sound tags in the form of spoken words representative of numbers that can be selected by a user for dialing. The handheld electronic device includes an input apparatus that can generate a plurality of navigational inputs and at least a first selecting input. The input apparatus may include a rotatable dial, the rotation of which provides navigational inputs, and the dial may be translatable, with the translation generating a selecting input. When a processor of the handheld electronic device detects one of the navigational inputs, the handheld electronic device outputs an audible sound in the form of a spoken word of the digit that corresponds with that navigational input.

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Kitchener, Canada

Craig Eric Ranta