Ericsson Gmbh

Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications Ab

Sony Corporation

Sony Mobile Communications Ab

Ivan Nelson Wakefield

William O Camp, Jr

L Scott Bloebaum

William Kevin Carpenter

Charles Liu

James Calvin Peele

Sang Beom Kim

Lee Daniel Griffin

Timothy J Banyas

Barteld Trip

Karin Johanne Spalink

Bo Anders Angelhag

Geert Hendrik Weinans

Kurt M Hickey

Peter Joseph Ina

Ambrosius Gerardus Maria Pohlmann

Theodorus Johannes Boersma

Frank Gilliam Perry, Iii

Melissa Rutledge

Patrik NG Heuman

Jonathan Mulder

Kim MrSang Beom

To improve the consumer experience with portable electronic devices, a user interface combines the use of capacitive sensors with tactile sensors in an input device. When a user places a finger, stylus, or other input instrument near a given key button, a capacitive sensor causes the display to display temporarily an indication of the function of that key in an enlarged format. The user may then press the associated key button to activate the desired function. In one exemplary embodiment, the capacitive sensor fixes the functionality to the function indicated in the display. In this embodiment, a tactile input applied to any key, whether the correct key, multiple keys, or a single incorrect key, results in activating the function indicated in the display as a result of the capacitive input.

User interface with enlarged icon display of key function

A device for communication may include an optical sensor to capture an image. A processor may be provided to identify or select a class of data in the image and to perform a predetermined function in response to the class of data.

Method and device for communication using an optical sensor

There is disclosed a system, method, and computer readable medium for applying customized settings to a mobile communications device utilizing a removable storage media. The mobile communications device detects when a removable storage media has been operatively inserted. Next it is determined whether there is a customized settings file stored on the removable storage media. The customized settings file contains fields that define one or more characteristics relating to the mobile communications device's configuration. The customized settings in the customized settings file are then applied such that the mobile communications device is configured with the specific settings contained in the customized settings file. The customized settings file may also be stored at and retrieved from a remote location or received in a message using a mobile messaging service utilizing the RF module within the mobile communications device.

Device and method for preserving customized user settings when transitioning between mobile communication devices

Methods of detecting proximity between a mobile terminal and a wireless accessory device having an associated support function for use with the mobile terminal include establishing a wireless communication connection between the wireless accessory device and the mobile terminal. The established wireless communication connection is utilized to provide the associated support function. In addition, a wireless signal having a limited range is communicated between the mobile terminal and the wireless accessory device. The wireless signal indicates a proximity between the mobile terminal and the wireless accessory device. An alert signal indicating that the proximity between the mobile terminal and the wireless accessory device has exceeded a predetermined range is provided responsive to the communicated wireless signal when the established wireless communication connection is not being utilized to provide the associated support function. Related devices are also provided.

Mobile device for detecting and indicating loss of proximity for associated support functions

A device that includes a broadcast receiver and a local wireless interface where the broadcast receiver is capable of receiving broadcast data, and the local wireless interface is capable of communicating with at least one wireless device and transmitting at least some of the broadcast data to the at least one wireless device. The broadcast receiver may be an audio receiver, a video signal receiver, or a satellite receiver. The local wireless interface may be a Bluetooth interface, an IEEE 802.11 (WiFi) interface, an IrDA interface, or a home radio frequency (HomeRF) interface.

Device with broadcast receiver and local wireless interface

Methods, systems, and devices for detecting and indicating loss of proximity between mobile devices

A wireless communication device mixes audio content by combining audio signals from two or more different audio sources available at the wireless communication device and directing the mixed audio signal to a selected audio output circuit included in or associated with the wireless communication device. The audio signals can comprise received audio signals, stored audio signals, or a combination thereof. The audio signals can be synchronized, and one or more video signals may be synchronized with them. In at least one embodiment, the wireless communication device includes one or more circuits, such as a baseband or system processor, configured as a mixing circuit. An included (mixing) control circuit may be configured to control a user interface of the wireless communication device to support audio source selections, mixed audio signal output destinations, and audio signal control (volume, tone, etc.) for audio signals included in the mixed audio signal.

Method of combining audio signals in a wireless communication device

A system, device and method for wirelessly controlling a plurality of electronic appliances arranged within a local area include an electronic device having a location detection circuit, a user interface circuit and a display device. The location detection circuit is operative to determine a general location of the electronic device within the local area, and the user interface circuit is operative to receive the determined general location. Based thereon, the user interface circuit configures at least one user interface for control of at least one electronic appliance located in the same general location as the electronic device. The display device may display the user interface configured by the user interface circuit.

User interface for an electronic device used as a home controller

A mobile terminal that allows sliding between housings in two directions. The housings may slide in longitudinal and lateral relative directions. One position, for example, may be for PDA use with an alphanumeric keypad exposed and another position may be for phone use with a numeric keypad exposed. One housing may include pins that extend from one surface and another housing may include grooves in an opposing surface to receive the pins. At least one longitudinal groove may be provided, and in one embodiment two lateral grooves are provided to accommodate two longitudinally aligned pins. An overlay may be provided that may be exposed to cover keys with numbers or navigation indications when the housings slide longitudinally and may remain hidden when the housings slide laterally with respect to each other. A casing may be provided that substantially encloses the bottom housing when in the closed position.

Two-way sliding mobile terminal

A mobile communication device having a first section, a second section, and a hinge mechanism. Functional devices are positioned within the sections and provide for a multitude of uses. The sections are movable about a first axis of rotation and a second axis of rotation. The movement allows for positioning the sections in various orientations to use the functional devices. A method of using the device is also disclosed for moving the sections in a combination of flip motion, jack-knife motion, and twist motion about the first and second axis of rotation.

Hinge mechanism having multiple axes of rotation for positioning of a mobile communication device

Two-way displays include a transmissive display. A sensor detects an orientation of the transmissive display. A processor modifies a format of characters displayed on the transmissive display responsive to the orientation of the transmissive display. Mobile terminals including two-way displays and methods of operating the same are also provided.

Two-way displays and methods of operating the same

An apparatus for identifying batteries of different types is disclosed where each battery includes a positive terminal, a negative terminal, and an identification terminal connected to a tap between two cells of the battery. The apparatus includes a positive contact positioned so as to engage the positive terminal of a battery, a negative contact positioned so as to engage the negative terminal of the battery, an identification contact positioned so as to receive a tap voltage from the identification terminal of the battery indicative of a particular battery type, and a microcomputer connected to the positive, negative, and identification contacts, wherein the microcomputer identifies the particular type of the battery on the basis of where the tap voltage lies with respect to a plurality of specified voltage ranges. The apparatus may also include a circuit connected to the microcomputer, the positive contact, the negative contact, and the identification contact for supplying a charging current to the battery in accordance with a specified charging algorithm applicable to the particular battery type.

Apparatus and method for identifying and charging batteries of different types

A battery pack provides electrical power to an electrical or electronic device. The battery pack includes a case removably receivable on an electrical or electronic device. A battery cell is disposed in the case. Battery terminals are mounted to the case and are operatively connected to the cell for mating with corresponding terminals on the device, in use, to connect the cell to the device. A photodetector is mounted to the case for receiving a wireless control signal. A control circuit is operatively connected to the photodetector and the battery cell for controlling operation of the battery pack responsive to the wireless control signal.

Battery pack with photo means for enabling integral circuitry

A combination beverage and cellular phone holder adapted for insertion into an existing vehicle beverage holder to convert it to a multi-unit holder and firmly position the cellular phone within the vehicle in a convenient and accessible position.

Combination cup and cellular phone holder

An adapter including: a receiver for receiving first and second voltages as an input; a conversion circuit; and first and second connectors on the receiver. The first connector can be releasably coupled to the conversion circuit in a first manner so that the conversion circuit generates a predetermined output voltage with the first input voltage supplied to the receiver. The second connector can also be releasably coupled to the conversion circuit in a second manner so that the conversion circuit generates an output voltage that is substantially the same as the predetermined output voltage with the second input voltage supplied to the receiver.

Growing community of inventors

Cary, NC, United States of America

Ivan Nelson Wakefield