Abstract: A system and method for item tracking and management. A marking tag is affixed to each item to be tracked, such as articles of commercial airline passenger luggage, so that it can be read as items enter and leave the system through which they are actively managed. The marking tag bears unique identifying information that in a central registration database is associated with the person to which the item (or items) belongs. The marking tag may also bear additional information about the owner or the about the article itself. Each time the owner checks the item, the time and place of checking is noted in the registration database. A historical record of places the item has been checked is kept and may be used for identifying passengers, baggage or situations that may require greater scrutiny by security personnel. A check-out station is provided to monitor the return of items to their respective owners, and a lost item return system aids in the recovery of lost items.

Abstract: A multi-player video game server includes a player control interface, a video interface, and a game engine. The player interface couples the game server to a network and can receive game control data over the network from multiple players. Each player has a game control device at which game control data can be input. The video interface couples the game server to a video transmission network and transmits game display video over the video transmission network. The game engine is coupled to the player interface and the video interface and includes a processor and a memory. The memory stores multi-player video game instructions that configure the processor to process game control data and render the game display video that is then provided to the video interface for transmission over a video network. A multi-player video gaming method includes receiving a number of player input data connections at a game server.

Abstract: A system and a method for providing an interface to and customizing an interactive application for one or more players is provided. The interactive game of the presently preferred embodiment is played in a wireless environment using a mobile station as a user interface with commands entered via a keyboard or via voice. The game is tracked and controlled using a game center and a game server, which is typically at a location remote from the mobile station. Communication between the game server and the mobile station is typically performed using a base station connected to a telecommunications network. The game server executes a software application, which runs a game center. Individual games are managed within the context of this application.

Abstract: A system and a method for the customization of an interactive game based on mobile station activity. The interactive game is played in a virtual space using a wireless mobile station as a user interface. The game is tracked and controlled using a game center and a game server. The game server executes a software application that runs a game center. A command set is provided for each state within the game. The choice of a command from the command set changes the game state. Games are designed to be customizable based on, for example, current location of the mobile station, call usage on the mobile station, or wireless services utilized by the mobile station.

Abstract: A user interface, and an associated method, facilitates operation of a mobile station by a physically-disabled user. In one implementation, concave-shaped face covers are provided for the telephonic keypad of a mobile station to facilitate its usage by a physically-disabled user. In another implementation, the mobile station is provided with a TTY (telecommunications device), also to facilitate operation of the mobile station by a physically-disabled user. And, in another implementation, a location-request signal generator, carriable by a user, generated a location-request signal upon actuation by the user. The mobile station includes a local receiver for receiving the location-request signal and an annunciator for annunciating reception of the location-request signal. If the mobile station becomes misplaced, a user actuates the location-request signal generator, and the annunciation signal generated responsive to detection of such signal at the mobile station facilitates location of the mobile station.