Abstract: An automobile monitoring arrangement tracks and records automobile operation for post-use automobile operation analysis and in a manner with default-operation modes that facilitate use by automobile owners/supervisors and by those supervised by the automobile owners/supervisors. In one specific embodiment, a record of automobile-operation data contains periodic recordings of speed and direction of an automobile while it was being driven, as such data is provided by a conventional electronic compass and the automobile's electronic speed indicating signal. A processor performs calculations using speed and directional data to calculate acceleration and rate of directional change. Automobile operation data from the recording devices and the calculations performed is compared to stored reference data to determine if the vehicle was abused or driven in an unsafe manner by the operator.

Abstract: Techniques are generally described that relate to a computer-implemented method of using a virtual device operating in a first computer network to perform a service on behalf of a low-power device operating in a second computer network includes receiving, by the virtual device, device data reports and a device descriptor from the low-power device. The virtual device may be adapted to store the device data reports and/or the device descriptor in computer-readable memory coupled to the virtual device. The virtual device may also be adapted to receive a low-power device service request from a requesting device operating in a third computer network and may determine that the device descriptor indicates that the low-power device is unavailable to respond to the low-power device service request. A response to the low-power device service request may be generated by the virtual device based on the device data reports.

Abstract: A method of creating a projection of a situational network includes creating, by an event node server, an event node in a multi-dimensional personal information network, where the event node corresponds to a situation. A projection of nodes of the situational network is formed using geographic locations of a plurality of devices corresponding to nodes in the multi-dimensional personal information network. An invitation is transmitted to establish a link with the event node server to the devices corresponding to each node in the projection. A response is received from at least one of the devices accepting the invitation to establish a link with the event node server. A link with each device accepting the invitation is established.

Abstract: A method of receiving media content at a networked media viewing device at a first location includes receiving a request to establish a roaming profile session at the networked media viewing device at the first location. A request to establish the roaming profile session with a source device at a second location capable of transmitting media content to the first location is provided to a central authority. Content from the second location is received via a content link established with the source device at the second location.

Abstract: Techniques described herein generally relate to systems, devices and methods for determining a wireless access point for a communications device in a wireless network. In some examples, the communications device may be assigned to a default wireless access unit in response to a request from the communications device for wireless access, where the default wireless access unit may provide the communications device with wireless access. A default wireless access unit may be arranged to monitor the network activity of the communications device to determine if the network activity satisfies a pre-determined condition, where the communications device may be re-assigned to an adaptive wireless access unit when the pre-determined condition is satisfied.

Abstract: An electronic processing system for generating a partially personalized electronic data display that contains a combination of recommended and expanded interest items. The system retrieves a first set of data describing an area of user interests and retrieves a first set of items corresponding to the area of user interests. The system retrieves a second set of items in an expanded area of interest that is not directly included in the area of user interest. The first and second set of items are combined and the combined set of recommended and expanded interest items is displayed.

Abstract: Presenting viewers with an alternative brief version of a recorded advertisement when they choose to fast-forward through or skip (or any other trick play event) the recorded advertisement. The alternative advertisement may be displayed instead of or in conjunction with the recorded advertisement (i.e., fast-forwarding advertisement is displayed in one portion of the screen (i.e., background or portion of a split screen) and the alternative brief version is displayed in another portion). The alternative brief version of the advertisement (trick play advertisement) may be a marketing message that is a static screen presenting a logo or a portion of the recorded advertisement, or may be a condensed version of the actual advertisement. The trick play advertisements may be targeted. An alternate or entirely unrelated advertisement can also be displayed as the trick play advertisement.

Abstract: A method of presenting a visual representation of a probable impact of a weather phenomenon to a location includes obtaining an impact function for the location by combining a weather function corresponding to a characteristic of the weather phenomenon with a damage function associated with the same characteristic. A graphic representation of an interest at the location is obtained. A visual representation of a probable impact of the weather phenomenon on the interest by modifying the graphic representation of the interest, where the modification is based on a predicted impact to the interest determined using the impact function.

Abstract: A virtual private branch exchange is formed by a plurality of interconnected feature server modules, each having an integral feature server that is configured and operates independently of the other feature server modules. Within a virtual private branch exchange, the feature server modules may be logically arranged in a hierarchy having at least a main feature server module and one or more subordinate feature server modules. A particular feature server module may operate in multiple virtual private branch exchanges, and may have a distinct set of rules for handling calls originating in different virtual private branch exchanges.

Abstract: A method of providing location based service information in a situational network includes establishing the situational network linking a plurality of individuals in response to an indication of an occurrence of a situation. Information related to availability of a service at a plurality of service locations affected by the situation is received, where the service is provided by one or more of a plurality of service providers An individual location associated with each of the plurality of individuals is determined. The available service locations that are in closest proximity to the individual location of the respective individuals is transmitting to each of the individuals based on the availability of the service.

Abstract: A self-cleaning material is generally described that may include a substrate having a first surface. A self-cleaning layer of aligned nanotube structures may be formed on the first surface of the substrate, where absorption of light by the nanotube structures may cause a change in state of the self-cleaning material based on an angle of incidence of the light and an orientation vector corresponding to the layer of aligned nanotube structures.

Abstract: A self-distribution method and system for distributing information content among network connected devices includes receiving a query having a code against a database from a wireless communications device, the code uniquely representing one of an advertising campaign, a product, or a service. A result set is generated by querying the database, forwarding a link associated with the result set to a user-preferred remote location, the link being sent in an electronic message. The link directs a user to a first version of information content. A plurality of options to purchase user-preferred items from the first version of information content include “purchase now” and “purchase later” features. A reminder message is forwarded to the wireless communications device if a user at the remote location selects the “purchase later” feature. The user is enabled to conduct a purchase transaction from the remote location or the wireless communications device.

Abstract: A portable energy monitoring point includes at least one power plug receptacle, each power plug receptacle operably coupled to a separate integral power sensor circuit. Each integral power sensor circuit is configured to determine an electrical current drawn by an electrical load connected to the corresponding at least one power plug receptacle. An integral digital communications circuit is configured to wirelessly transmit to a remote device a power consumption for each of the at least one power plug receptacles. The power consumption is derived from the electrical current drawn by the electrical load connected to the corresponding at least one power plug receptacle.

Abstract: Techniques are generally described that relate to a method and system for associating a virtual device operating in a virtual network having a virtual device coordinator with a low-power device. Example methods may include receiving, by the virtual device coordinator, a low-power device descriptor from the low-power device. The virtual device coordinator may be arranged to determine a low-power device classification based on the received low-power device descriptor. The virtual device may be configured, by the virtual device coordinator, based on one or more of the low-power device classification and/or the low-power device descriptor. The virtual device coordinator may be adapted to store an association record indicating that the virtual device is associated with the low-power device.

Abstract: A tactile interface includes a plurality of individually controllable drivers positioned about a perimeter of a tensioned elastomeric material. Each driver includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a piezoelectric material. A top surface of the first electrode is coupled to the tensioned elastomeric material. The piezoelectric material is disposed between a top surface of the second electrode and a bottom surface of the first electrode. Driver circuitry can apply control information to each of the plurality of individually controllable drivers to produce a wave pattern in the tensioned elastomeric material. Some example methods of providing a tactile image on a tactile interface include producing a time-varying potential difference across the top electrode and the bottom electrode of the drivers so that a standing wave pattern can be created in the elastomeric material. The tactile image can be formed by modulating a subset of the plurality of drivers.

Abstract: A method of presenting targeted advertising in a situational network includes receiving a plurality of advertisements from at least one advertising entity. An indication of an occurrence of a situation is obtained. Devices corresponding to a plurality of individuals are automatically connected to a situational network established in response to the situation. At least one of the advertisements is provided to at least one of the individuals based on determining an affiliation of the individual to the situation.

Abstract: Techniques are provided that extend the capabilities of mobile phone devices to automatically assign media content items to “contacts” list entries. Thus, if a mobile device user indicates the desire to purchase a media content item to be assigned to or associated with another mobile device user (e.g., an entry in a contacts list), the experience of acquiring that media content item and making the assignment can be seamless reducing the number of tedious manual steps to accomplish that task.

Abstract: An advertisement storage and filtering system for selectively identifying targeted advertisements to be stored in the memory of the STB. This storing of the selected advertisements can be accomplished in a number of ways. In one embodiment, the advertisements, in real-time and as they are received at the STB, are processed by the STB and only those advertisements with the appropriate characteristics are stored on the hard drive (HD). This may require some buffering of the advertisements in the STB memory as the STB processes and determines whether or not to store the advertisement. The information required to determine whether or not to store the advertisement could also be sent in advance, e.g., as a data service in an advertisement channel. Alternatively, the STB may store incoming advertisements in a memory temporarily and subsequently determine whether or not to retain the stored advertisements.

Abstract: A method of predicting information related to a path of a weather phenomenon includes obtaining a plurality of tracks corresponding to the weather phenomenon from at least one source. A factor is assigned to each of the plurality of tracks. A set of probabilities for the weather phenomenon to intersect a plurality of segments corresponding to a boundary is determined using at least intersection points of the plurality of tracks with the boundary and the factor assigned to each of the plurality of tracks.

Abstract: A method of providing information related to a weather phenomenon includes obtaining a plurality of model tracks corresponding to a weather phenomenon from at least one forecast center. A probabilistic description of one or more characteristics of the weather phenomenon is determined based on a statistical analysis of the model tracks corresponding to the weather phenomenon. An electronic representation of the probabilistic description is provided.