A mount for a handheld electronic device is adapted to be attached to a flat vertical glossy environmental surface, such as a mirror, with suction cups. A shelf with an upwardly concave center section holds electronic devices of various sizes and will hold an electronic device in a vertical orientation even if the mount is attached to the mirror at a small angle to the vertical. The shelf may hold the electronic device in either portrait or landscape orientation. The shelf permits a cable to be plugged into the bottom of the electronic device by being routed through a central notch in the shelf and an opening in a lip.

A mount for a handheld electronic device is adapted to be attached to a flat vertical glossy environmental surface, such as a mirror, with suction cups. A shelf with an upwardly concave center section holds electronic devices of various sizes and will hold an electronic device in a vertical orientation even if the mount is attached to the mirror at a small angle to the vertical. The shelf may hold the electronic device in either portrait or landscape orientation. The shelf permits a cable to be plugged into the bottom of the electronic device by being routed through a central notch in the shelf and an opening in a lip.

A cradle for a mobile device includes a base; sidewalls extending from the base and defining, in combination with the base, a cavity for receiving the mobile device; at least one contact extending out of the base; and at least one biasing tab. Each of the at least biasing tab includes a first portion biased to extend out of the base and arranged to engage the mobile device during loading of the mobile device prior to engagement of the at least one contact by the mobile device to protect the at least one contact during the loading of the mobile device.

A cradle for a mobile device includes a base; sidewalls extending from the base and defining, in combination with the base, a cavity for receiving the mobile device; at least one contact extending out of the base; and at least one biasing tab. Each of the at least biasing tab includes a first portion biased to extend out of the base and arranged to engage the mobile device during loading of the mobile device prior to engagement of the at least one contact by the mobile device to protect the at least one contact during the loading of the mobile device.

A method and apparatus for transmitting data in a communication system including a transmitter and receivers, each receiver being connected to the transmitter via a communication channel, the method including: precoding the data for transmission on the channels to provide first precoded data; using the first precoded data, for each channel, computing a number of bits to be allocated to that channel; determining that the bit allocation does not satisfy one or more criteria; ranking the channels in an order based on channel properties; discarding for use as a direct channel, one or more channels based on the ranking; precoding the data for transmission on the channels accounting for the discarded channels to provide second precoded data; and transmitting, by the transmitter, the second precoded data on the channels.

A mobile phone holder includes: a first coupling part having a first accommodating portion, a first clamping portion and a first pressing portion; a second coupling part having a second accommodating portion, a second clamping portion, a second pressing portion, and a sliding opening; and an extension spring. The first pressing portion penetrates into the second accommodating portion and penetrates out through the sliding opening. A clamping space is formed by the first and second clamping portions. A pressing space is formed by the first and second pressing portions. Both ends of the extension spring are fixed at the first and second accommodating portions. The first and second pressing portions are pressed toward each other such that the pressing space decreases and the clamping space increases. The first and second pressing portions are released, thereby due to a tensile force, the pressing space increases and the clamping space decreases.

A mobile phone holder includes: a first coupling part having a first accommodating portion, a first clamping portion and a first pressing portion; a second coupling part having a second accommodating portion, a second clamping portion, a second pressing portion, and a sliding opening; and an extension spring. The first pressing portion penetrates into the second accommodating portion and penetrates out through the sliding opening. A clamping space is formed by the first and second clamping portions. A pressing space is formed by the first and second pressing portions. Both ends of the extension spring are fixed at the first and second accommodating portions. The first and second pressing portions are pressed toward each other such that the pressing space decreases and the clamping space increases. The first and second pressing portions are released, thereby due to a tensile force, the pressing space increases and the clamping space decreases.

The invention provides a handset that includes a finger-image sensor that provides finger-image-related signals or data for authentication purposes and functions as a telephone handset for use with a computer terminal. A system, including handsets and computer terminals, enables the terminal and/or the handset to access or otherwise participate in at least one network-related function and voice communication in response to authentication of finger-image data provided by the handset.

The invention provides a handset that includes a finger-image sensor that provides finger-image-related signals or data for authentication purposes and functions as a telephone handset for use with a computer terminal. A system, including handsets and computer terminals, enables the terminal and/or the handset to access or otherwise participate in at least one network-related function and voice communication in response to authentication of finger-image data provided by the handset.

Docking platforms formed in one of the largest-surface-area surfaces (the back surfaces) of mobile electronic devices. Such a docking platform comprises a docking accessory cavity having a docking connection system comprising one or more docking connectors formed within the cavity, and optionally two or more electrical contacts within the cavity, the contacts electrically connected to electronics within the electronic device and constructed and arranged to allow electrical connection to detachable docking accessories. The docking connection system is operable to form detachable attachments to multiple independent docking accessories simultaneously. The cavities of the docking platforms are shaped to accommodate a broad range of docking accessories that are specially adapted to sit in a generally flush manner with the back surface of the mobile electronic device while attached to the docking connectors. One type of accessory forms an assembly with an expandable accordion attached to the docking platform.