Koninklijke Philips Corporation N.V.

Koninklijke Phillips Electronics N.v.

Willem Bulthuis

Yevgeniy Eugene Shteyn

Lisa Holzhauser

Robert Lambourne

Mieko Kusano

Eugene Shteyn

A hand-held information processing device, such as a mobile phone, has a thumb wheel that lets the user scan a circular array of options. Each respective one of the options is represented by a respective audio output that gets played out when the wheel is turned a notch up or down. This enables the user to select an option with one hand and without having to look at the device. It also allows for a form factor smaller than that of a conventional mobile phones since a keypad is not needed for entering digits to make a call from a personalized directory.

Hand-ear user interface for hand-held device

A sequential playback system is configured to select each sequential song based upon characteristics of an ending segment of each preceding song. Songs are selected based on the characteristics of the overall theme of the selection, if any, and also based on a musical correspondence between songs. The correspondence may be based on the rhythm of each song, the notes and chords of each song, and other musical characteristics of the songs. The end segment of each selected song is characterized, and the first segment of a candidate song that satisfy the overall selection criteria is compared to this characterization to determine a correspondence. If the first segment of the candidate song is inconsistent with the end segment of the previously selected song, another candidate song is found that satisfies the overall selection criteria, and the first segment of this new candidate song is compared to the characterization. This process continues until a suitable candidate song is identified, or until a time limit is exceeded. Transition pieces are optionally provided to facilitate a smooth transition between songs.

Media player with 'DJ' mode

A method and device for controlling a cooling fan within an electronic device based on the temperature within the electronic device and the audio output level of the electronic device and/or the ambient noise level.

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Kirkland, WA, United States of America

Willem Bulthuis