Abstract:
A method and corresponding equipment to enable a phone owner, who desires to lend a phone to a borrower, to define a temporary limit for the usage of the borrower, especially in a prepaid charging system. The charging system uses this temporary limit to restrict service usage such that when an amount corresponding to the temporary limit has been spent service is denied until such time as the limit has expired or been withdrawn, even if, for example, there is still a positive balance in the phone owner's own prepaid account.
Abstract:
A battery-powered device comprising: a memory storing software essential to the provision of normal functions of the device; a first processing section (16) comprising a data processor capable of executing the software, the device being capable of operating the first processing section in a normal mode in which it can execute the software and a low power mode; a second processing section (5) having a clock (6) for maintaining a time, and being capable of triggering behaviour of the device in response to the time of the clock preceding a user-set time by a pre-set advance interval; the device being configured to, in response to triggering by the second processing section when the first processing section is in the low power mode, cause the first processing section to enter the normal mode and to load the software.
Abstract:
A pair of communication devices are capable of communication by means of a communication link, such as a Bluetooth or WLAN link. The device has an RFID tag containing data sufficient to identify feedback to be provided to a user. The device has an RFID reading device able to read feedback data from the tag. The device is operable to provide feedback, which may be audible, visible or tactile, to a user, in accordance with feedback data read by the device from the tag. Establishment of the communication link is not required before feedback can commence and thus, feedback is not delayed by the procedures required to establish the link.
Abstract:
This invention provides a handset (10) and a method of operating a handset. The handset includes a user interface that contains a data entry device (20) and a visual display device (14), a camera (16) and a controller (12) coupled to the visual display device and to the camera. The controller operates under the control of a stored program (22A) for displaying to a user an image representative of at least a portion of an environment of the user as seen through the camera during a time that the user is interacting with the user interface. The controller may further operate under control of the stored program to process images generated by the camera to detect a potential for a collision with an object that is present in the environment of the user, and to warn the user of the potential for a collision.
Abstract:
A system including a device including an RF tag embedded in a casing, and a mobile phone having an RF tag reader which is operable upon reading the RF tag to perform an operation associated with said RF tag. When the user wants to perform a certain operation with the phone, he can by-pass the normal input technologies, typically a keypad, by manoeuvring the device such that the RIF tag is read by the RF tag reader, and then the personal communication apparatus performs an operation associated with the RF tag. Thus, the present invention offers rapid access to regularly used functions or operations without the need to navigate a menu. Moreover, access to these regularly used functions is made intuitive by associating a physical object, i.e. the device, with an operation.
Abstract:
Systems and methods applicable, for example, in allowing a user to come to possess a physical entity that allows for the receipt, use, access, and/or the like of a virtual entity (e.g., a media item, software, a service, data, and/or the like). A number of form factors for physical entities might be available. Available form factors might include, for example, images, jewelry, toys, clothing, iron-ons, straps, cards, nail treatments, temporary tattoos, stickers, figurines, and/or the like. Various attributes of a physical entity might, for example, be definable and/or selectable by a user.
Abstract:
An electronic device comprising: a display; a housing enclosing the display and defining an exterior surface region adjacent to the display, the exterior surface region having a plurality of surface zones indicated thereon, the surface zones being capable of being written on by a user to save a written marking thereon; a memory; and user input apparatus; the device having: a first mode in which the device performs a function in respect of a subject entity and in which in response to operation of the user input apparatus to indicate one of the zones the device stores the entity in the memory in association with that zone; and a second mode in which in response to selection of a zone by means of the user input apparatus the device performs a function in respect of an entity stored in association with the selected zone.
Abstract:
Techniques for providing network services at an audio interface unit include determining, based on spoken sounds of a user of an apparatus received at a microphone of the apparatus, whether to present audio data received from a different apparatus. If it is determined to present the received audio data, then presentation of the received audio data at a speaker of the apparatus is initiated. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a data communications bus; and logic encoded in one or more tangible media configured to performs the above steps. In some embodiments, the apparatus does not include a visual display and does not include a keypad of multiple buttons.
Abstract:
An electronic device comprising: a display; a housing enclosing the display and defining an exterior surface region adjacent to the display, the exterior surface region having a plurality of surface zones indicated thereon, the surface zones being capable of being written on by a user to save a written marking thereon; a memory; and user input apparatus; the device having: a first mode in which the device performs a function in respect of a subject entity and in which in response to operation of the user input apparatus to indicate one of the zones the device stores the entity in the memory in association with that zone; and a second mode in which in response to selection of a zone by means of the user input apparatus the device performs a function in respect of an entity stored in association with the selected zone.
Abstract:
A refueling system for an electronic device, comprising a fuel reservoir in a fuel supply device; a fuel cell having a refillable fuel store in a mobile electronic device; a first fuel interface to the fuel supply device for releasable connection with a second fuel interface to the mobile electronic device; and a transfer mechanism for transferring fuel from the fuel reservoir across the first and second fuel interfaces, when connected, into the refillable fuel store.