Motorola Mobility LLC

Michael Thomas Corrigan

Rachid M Alameh

Michael J Lombardi

Jarrett K Simerson

Zhengping Ji

Paul Lynn Fordham

Systems and methods for authenticating a user of a mobile communications device entail scanning an environment of the mobile device with a low power sensor and detecting a nearby person via the first sensor. In response, a higher power sensor is activated and the person is authenticated via the second sensor using a first authentication mechanism. A first level of access is granted to the person at this point. When the person moves to within a first threshold distance of the device, the person is authenticated using a second more secure authentication mechanism, and a second, higher, level of access is granted to the person.

Bootstrapping and adaptive interface

A modular portable device system and method allow extended user input. The system includes a first device and a second device, the devices being attachable via a plurality of magnetic attachment points (magnets or magnetically responsive attachment points) on each. In a first configuration, the devices are held together by all of the magnetic attachment points, and in this configuration an extended user input facility on the second device is not user-accessible. In a second configuration, the devices are connected by only a subset of the magnetic attachment points, and in this second configuration the extended user input facility is user-accessible. A Hall Effect sensor on the first device and sensor magnet on the second device are positioned to overlap when the devices are connected in the second configuration in order to alert the first device that the second device has been attached in the extended input mode.

Growing community of inventors

Palatine, IL, United States of America

Michael Thomas Corrigan