Motorola Mobility LLC

Google Inc.

Motorola Corporation

Google Technology Holdings LLC

Francis W Forest

Scott DeBates

Douglas Alfred Lautner

Jagatkumar V Shah

Mary Khun Hor-Lao

Armin Werner Klomsdorf

Mark R Braun

Mary K Hor-Lao

Rachid M Alameh

James A Van Bosch

Hong Zhao

William S Hede

Robert S Witte

Ernest Schirmann

Robert S Trocke

Mark R Lemke

Scott P Debates

Douglas A Lautner

The various embodiments described herein include methods, devices, and systems for coupling wireless devices. In one aspect, a method includes receiving, at a server, an image captured by a first electronic device; obtaining, based at least in part on the received image, connection information for facilitating a wireless connection between the first electronic device and a second electronic device; and transmitting to the first electronic device the obtained connection information for facilitating a wireless connection between the first electronic device and a second electronic device.

Systems and methods for coupling wireless devices

The various embodiments described herein include methods, devices, and systems for coupling wireless devices. In one aspect, a method includes: (1) initiating, at a camera device, a connection utility configured to enable the camera device to communicatively couple to a second electronic device via a wireless network; (2) capturing an image via the camera device; (3) obtaining information to facilitate connection to the second electronic device based at least in part on the captured image; and (4) establishing a wireless connection utilizing the obtained information.

A method on an electronic device for a wireless network is described. A wireless signal is received from a second electronic device. A receive power level indication for the received wireless signal is determined. A path-loss offset for the received wireless signal is determined based on sensor data that indicates a path-loss condition. A path-loss for the received wireless signal is estimated based on the receive power level indication and the path-loss offset. A function is performed based on the path-loss and the path-loss threshold.

Methods and devices for path-loss estimation

A method for controlling an orientation of data on a display of a device, includes determining a device angular position for the device, determining a usage context parameter for the device, and controlling the orientation of the data on the display based on the device angular position and the usage context parameter. A device includes a display, an orientation sensor to determine a device angular position for the device, and a processor coupled to the orientation sensor. The processor is to determine a usage context parameter for the device and control the orientation of the data on the display based on the device angular position and the usage context parameter.

Controlling the orientation of a device display based on usage context

In aspects of on-demand RFID tag activation, an RFID tag is configured so as to enable a person to activate the RFID tag if or when the person wishes. An RFID tag includes an integrated circuit (IC), an antenna coupled to the IC, activation circuitry, and a detachable disable tab. For an example implementation, the RFID tag is in an active state if the IC is capable of responding to an interrogation signal and is in an inactive state if the IC is incapable of responding to an interrogation signal. The activation circuitry is configured to establish the inactive state if the disable tab is attached to the RFID tag or to establish the active state if the disable tab is detached from the RFID tag. The disable tab, if attached to the RFID tag, may impose a short-circuit linkage against the activation circuitry to prevent operation of the tag.

On-demand activation of radio frequency identification (RFID) tag

In embodiments of person-centric RFID tag activation, an RFID tag is configured so as to be active or inactive based on proximity to a person. An RFID tag includes an integrated circuit (IC), an antenna coupled to the IC, and skin proximity activation circuitry. For example embodiments, the skin proximity activation circuitry is configured to establish an active state for the RFID tag if proximate to skin and an inactive state if not proximate to skin. For an example implementation, an RFID tag is placed in an operationally active state in which an interrogation signal is detectable by an IC if at least one skin contact point is touching skin. For another example implementation, an RFID tag is placed in a communicatively active state in which a received interrogation signal may trigger the sending of a response signal if a detected temperature comports with a human-appropriate range of temperatures.

Person-centric activation of radio frequency identification (RFID) tag

A portable device includes micro-electro-mechanical systems ('MEMS') wind turbines integrated in the portable device. A gesture detection module receives signals generated by the MEMS wind turbines based on movement of the portable device that causes a wind force to be applied to the MEMS wind turbines. The gesture module then recognizes a gesture based on the signals generated from the wind force and initiates an action of the portable device that corresponds to the gesture (e.g., the device is awakened).

Gesture detection using MEMS wind turbines

Wake-up trigger using MEMS wind turbines

A method facilitates establishment of wireless pairing connections between wireless electronic devices by: initiating, at a first device, a connection utility that enables the first device to establish a wireless connection with at least one second device; capturing an image of a selected second device, representing a second device to which a wireless connection is desired; and scanning for identifying information about each discoverable second device that is within a connection range of the first device. The method further includes: forwarding the captured image and any detected identifying information to a wireless connectivity assist (WCA) service; receiving wireless connection setup and configuration (WCSC) instructions from the WCA service; and establishing the wireless connection with the selected second device utilizing wireless connection setup and configuration (WCSC) instructions received from the WCA service.

Connecting wireless devices using visual image capture and processing

In embodiments of on-demand RFID tag activation, an RFID tag is configured so as to enable a person to activate the RFID tag if or when the person wishes. An RFID tag includes an integrated circuit (IC), an antenna coupled to the IC, activation circuitry, and a detachable disable tab. For an example implementation, the RFID tag is in an active state if the IC is capable of responding to an interrogation signal and is in an inactive state if the IC is incapable of responding to an interrogation signal. The activation circuitry is configured to establish the inactive state if the disable tab is attached to the RFID tag or to establish the active state if the disable tab is detached from the RFID tag. The disable tab, if attached to the RFID tag, may impose a short-circuit linkage against the activation circuitry to prevent operation of the tag.

In embodiments of RFID logic tag, a radio-frequency identification (RFID) logic tag can interrogate multiple RFID tags, such as a first RFID tag that monitors the status of a first item, as well as a second RFID tag that monitors the status of a second item. The RFID logic tag receives status data as responses from the respective first and second RFID tags (and optionally, additional RFID tags). The RFID logic tag is implemented to then generate a logic signal based on a logic operation applied to the status data received from the RFID tags.

RFID logic tag

A method, device, system, or article of manufacture is provided for low-power management of multiple sensor chip architecture. In one embodiment, a method comprises, at a computing device that includes a first processor, a second processor and a third processor, receiving, at the first processor, first sensor data from a first sensor; determining, at the first processor, a motion state of the computing device using the first sensor data; in response to determining that the motion state corresponds to a predetermined motion state, activating the second processor; receiving, at the second processor, second sensor data from a second sensor; determining, by the second processor, that the motion state corresponds to the predetermined motion state using the second sensor data; and, in response to determining that the motion state corresponds to the predetermined motion state using the second sensor data, sending the motion state to the third processor.

Low power management of multiple sensor chip architecture

A method includes a first wireless device initiating a wireless connection to a second wireless device and monitoring at least one context associated with one of the wireless connection and the second device. When contextual data is received that indicates a condition, the method further includes determining, based on a search of a firmware update service (FUS) database, whether a firmware update for the second wireless device is available within the FUS database. And when an available firmware update is received from the FUS database, the method includes triggering the first device to initiate the firmware update for the second device. The triggering of the first device to initiate the firmware update includes: transmitting a command to place the second device in firmware update mode; and forwarding the firmware update to the second device, such that the first device controls and/or initiates the firmware upgrade of the second device.

Contextually updating wireless device firmware

Disclosed are devices and methods of an electronic device configured to adaptably process arbitrary conditions to provide a user options for initiating or activating a non-display electronic function of the device. A user is free to determine how to position or orient the device. To determine in real-time, arbitrary conditions of the device, the disclosed devices and methods of an electronic device include determining that the electronic device is at rest and then acquiring a reference in response to determining that the electronic device is at rest. In this way, the device may assume any position or orientation to acquire a reference. Subsequently, subtle movement of the electronic device relative to the acquired reference may be detected to initiate a non-display electronic function of the electronic device. The user therefore may make choices inconspicuously and privately as to which non-display electronic function to initiate.

Growing community of inventors

Chicago, IL, United States of America

Francis W Forest