An apparatus and method are described herein, which simultaneously promotes a positive computing experience for users of portable computer systems and increases overall durability and longevity thereof. In one embodiment, an optical apparatus enhances the user computing experience, in one embodiment by simplifying operation, and is much more durable and long-lasting than mechanical switch and dial type devices it may replace. In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to an apparatus, which enables efficient portable computer device function, field, and data selection, gaming, input, interconnection, and other switching-related functions, simplifying operation and enhancing versatility thereof, yet without exposing the portable computer interior to any degree to incursion of environmental contamination. In one embodiment, an optical apparatus obviates openings in a portable computer package which would otherwise be required. In one embodiment, the apparatus, capable of sensing manipulation and directed by software, has a light source and corresponding light sensor.

An electronic device having a user interface for accessing phone features. The user interface accounts for whether the electronic device is connected to a companion cellular phone. The user interface accounts for a headset is available for use to carry on a call. The user interface permits transition between using one or more of cellular phone, headset, and/or the electronic device to be used for carrying on incoming or outgoing calls.

An electronic device having a user interface for accessing phone features. The user interface accounts for whether the electronic device is connected to a companion cellular phone. The user interface accounts for a headset is available for use to carry on a call. The user interface permits transition between using one or more of cellular phone, headset, and/or the electronic device to be used for carrying on incoming or outgoing calls.

A method for visually representing information on a display of a portable electronic device includes receiving location coordinates from at least one other portable electronic device, plotting a visual identifier on a map and displaying the map on the display of the portable electronic device. The position of the visual identifier corresponds to the location coordinates received from the at least one other portable electronic device, which correspond to an actual location of the at least one other portable electronic device. The appearance of the visual identifier is selected to depict the status of the user of the at least one other portable electronic device.

A method for contact list prioritization according to predicted reachability includes loading a contact list of contacts and retrieving a reachability value for each corresponding contact in the contact list that has been computed for each corresponding contact according to usage data of each corresponding contact for an associated mobile telephone. Thereafter, contacts in the contact list that are determined to be most reachable according to a corresponding reachability value are displayed first.

A bended display device according to the present specification comprises: a bended display having a main region facing the front side of the device and a sub-region with a certain curvature extending from the main region; a tilt sensor which sends the posture of the device; and a control unit which controls the functions of the device, wherein the control unit displays information on an event which is generated while an application displaying a screen on the main region is running, and can control the scroll speed of event information displayed on the sub-region in conjunction with the posture of the device which is detected by the tilt sensor.

Incoming call signal reception means receives an incoming call signal including a caller number, caller information, and ring type information. Image generation means generates, based on the incoming call signal, a caller information image including at least a portion of the caller information as character information. Telephone dictionary registering means registers the caller number, caller text information, and the caller information image in a telephone dictionary. Incoming call screen display means receives the caller number and acquires the registered caller text information and the caller information image corresponding to the received caller number from the telephone dictionary. Incoming call screen display means displays an incoming call screen including the caller text information and the caller information image.

Improved techniques for facilitating emergency access to one or more contacts stored on a portable electronic device are disclosed. One or more contacts on the portable electronic device are designated as emergency contacts. While the portable electronic device is password-locked, a request to display the one or more emergency contacts on the password-locked portable electronic device is received. Without requiring a password, the one or more emergency contacts are displayed on the portable electronic device.

Provided are an address book information service system, and a method and a device for an address book information service therein, whereby: a terminal device in the address book information service system sets groups in an address book according to category information and transmits group information on the set groups and preset user information to a service device; the service device searches new address book information corresponding to the group information on the basis of the location of a user by using the group information and the user information and transmits the searched new address book information to the terminal device; and the terminal device automatically registers the received new address book information in the address book, thereby enabling the user to easily look up new address book information.

Provided are an address book information service system, and a method and a device for an address book information service therein, whereby: a terminal device in the address book information service system sets groups in an address book according to category information and transmits group information on the set groups and preset user information to a service device; the service device searches new address book information corresponding to the group information on the basis of the location of a user by using the group information and the user information and transmits the searched new address book information to the terminal device; and the terminal device automatically registers the received new address book information in the address book, thereby enabling the user to easily look up new address book information.