Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided that allows code signed by a master key to grant trust to an arbitrary second key, and also allows code, referred to as an antidote and also signed by the master key to revoke permanently the trust given to the second key.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing secure online transactions provides a user interface that is intuitive and easily to understand. The invention integrates an online wallet service with credit card issuers that provide online credit card authentication services. The method provides a keypad interface for PIN entry, or an interface that resembles an offline transaction receipt. The apparatus that stores personal information and credit card information uses a level-two authentication password to protect the user's credit card information. The invention integrates with the credit card issuer when a personal identification number is required for the user to perform online transactions by the credit card issuer. The embodiments include integrations when the level-two authentication password is equivalent to the personal identification number and that when they or not equivalent.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for the time-based provisioning of wireless devices. A network access point monitors operation of wireless devices within a service region. When provisioning logic is activated at the network access point, the access point determines if the tracked parameter (such as power on or the onset of signal transmission) of the wireless device occurs within a designated time interval from the time of the provisioning activation. If the tracked device qualifies, the network access point proceeds with provisioning the device. In one system embodiment, the network access point tracks the power on time of wireless devices. When a wireless device to be authorized is powered on, the provisioning logic at the network access point notes the power on time. The user then activates the provisioning access at the network access point, and the network access point provisions the wireless device if it is recently powered on.

Abstract: In a method for data processing in a multiple-database system, a fixed number of logical partitions are mapped to a number of physical databases. When a user of such system initiates a data query request, only one physical database is searched for data related to the user, even if the data is scattered among multiple databases.

Abstract: A system and method to facilitate real-time communications and content sharing among users over a network are described. In one preferred embodiment, multiple links to content information are dynamically generated for a sender user. Responsive to selection of a link by the sender user, the link and associated metadata information are communicated to at least one recipient user engaged in the real-time communications session with the sender user.

Abstract: There is disclosed an enhanced text entry system which uses word-level analysis to correct inaccuracies automatically in user keystroke entries on reduced-size or virtual keyboards. A method and system are defined which determine one or more alternate textual interpretations of each sequence of inputs detected within a designated auto-correcting region. The actual interaction locations for the keystrokes may occur outside the boundaries of the specific keyboard key regions associated with the actual characters of the word interpretations proposed or offered for selection, where the distance from each interaction location to each corresponding intended character may in general increase with the expected frequency of the intended word in the language or in a particular context. Likewise, in a virtual keyboard system, the keys actuated may differ from the keys actually associated with the letters of the word interpretations.

Abstract: A JavaScript enhancement is provided that increases performance of the JavaScript by avoiding the use of locking mechanisms in multi-threaded sessions. To do so, an object is deemed owned by a thread exclusively until the script is ended or suspended. Because scripts are typically short and complete quickly, the overhead to start and end a request containing a script is much less than the overhead of locking each and every object access done by the script, on average.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for the time-based provisioning of wireless devices. A network access point monitors operation of wireless devices within a service region. When provisioning logic is activated at the network access point, the access point determines if the tracked parameter (such as power on or the onset of signal transmission) of the wireless device occurs within a designated time interval from the time of the provisioning activation. If the tracked device qualifies, the network access point proceeds with provisioning the device. In one system embodiment, the network access point tracks the power on time of wireless devices. When a wireless device to be authorized is powered on, the provisioning logic at the network access point notes the power on time. The user then activates the provisioning access at the network access point, and the network access point provisions the wireless device if it is recently powered on.

Abstract: A text entry system uses word-level analysis to automatically correct inaccuracies in user keystroke entries. The system determines one or more alternative textual interpretations of each sequence of inputs detected within an auto-correcting keyboard region. The actual contract locations for the keystrokes may occur outside the boundaries of the specific keyboard key regions associated with the actual characters of the word interpretations proposed for selection, where the distance from each contact location to each corresponding intended character may increase with the expected frequency of the intended word in the language or in a particular context. Each such sequence corresponds to a complete word, and the user can easily select the intended word from among the generated interpretations. Once the user selects the desired string, it is automatically accepted for output and the next input detected starts a new input sequence corresponding to the entry of a next word.

Abstract: A system and method for receiving an electronic communication containing an identifier or indicia of an entity and, in response to a user's selection of the identifier, initiating communication between the user and the entity. Upon receipt of the electronic communication (e.g., document, electronic mail message, sound file), the system scans or parses it to locate one or more entity identifiers. An entity identifier may be a telephone number, electronic mail address, network address, name or virtually any other indicia that may serve to identify the entity. When a user selects an entity identifier, the system offers one or more methods of communicating with the associated entity, which methods may depend on the form of the entity identifier (e.g., a telephone number) and/or a preference specified by the user. The system initiates the selected form of communication in response to the user's selection.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for instant message communication in a wireless and non-wireless environment. The invented system includes an apparatus that facilitates conversation with individuals not included in the user's buddy group, non-buddies. The system includes at least one additional routing code reserved for conversing with non-buddies. The first time during a user session that the system receives a message originating from or destined for a non-buddy, before routing the message, the non-buddy's personal identifier is associated with one of the reserved routing codes. The mobile user can then reply to the message using the same automated ‘reply’ function available for replies to buddies. The non-buddy routing code assignment is only for the duration of a user session. When the mobile user signs off from the system, the routing code becomes available for reassignment.

Abstract: A voice messaging system. The voice messaging system includes a set of geographically distributed devices in which voice messages are stored and logic that causes voice messages to be stored in respective devices in the set of devices from which messages can be efficiently retrieved. The logic may cause voice messages to be stored in a device from the set of devices closest to a location from which the user has retrieved messages. A voice message system comprising logic that receives and stores messages from callers for respective users and logic that selects and plays a message not left by a caller to a user. The message is selected based on information about the user, and the message not left by a caller may comprise an advertisement. A method of storing messages in a voice messaging system that has a plurality of voice mail boxes associated with a plurality of subscribers.

Abstract: The smart Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) electronic mail system utilizes an intelligent decision algorithm to decide if an addressee is HTML capable or if plain text is required. The user specifies if certain e-mail domains, newsgroups, and individual e-mail addresses are HTML-capable or require plain text e-mail or the invention will query directory servers such as Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) servers as to the HTML capabilities of an e-mail client. The user composes an HTML e-mail document, indicating the addressees in the “to” field and selects the “send” command, the invention examines the document and, if the addressee is known to be HTML-capable, the document is transmitted as is.

Abstract: A method of determining if one web site has the same information as another web site includes receiving a signal to select a form configured to find data in a file containing information displayed on a web site and accessed via a network, applying the selected form to the file and selectively identifying item information available in the file, copying identified item information to a first data file, the identified item information being related to a specific product or service, and comparing the first data file and a second data file to determine if the specific product or service of the first data file is related to the specific product or service of the second data file.

Abstract: A method of use provides an extremely efficient manner of ordering a radio program occurring at approximately the time presented, minimizing the need to remember any details. The method is embodied in a range of tactile and voice controls which people in motion need to have. Security options include voice signatures, button sequences and fingerprint identification. User feedback is embodied in both audio and visual display formats. A method of controlling a radio is claimed which provides for placing an order, querying the ordering system for additional information, initializing a user's identifying signature, initializing a session by identifying a user, if the user is not properly identified, blocking access to ordering, and in certain embodiments, calling the police. A radio device is claimed supporting an IF signal source containing essential information on the radio program, an embedded controller, user interface as well as a radio transceiver by which the ordering transaction is carried out.

Abstract: A voice messaging system. The voice messaging system includes a set of geographically distributed devices in which voice messages are stored and logic that causes voice messages to be stored in respective devices in the set of devices from which messages can be efficiently retrieved. The logic may cause voice messages to be stored in a device from the set of devices closest to a location from which the user has retrieved messages. A voice message system comprising logic that receives and stores messages from callers for respective users and logic that selects and plays a message not left by a caller to a user. The message is selected based on information about the user, and the message not left by a caller may comprise an advertisement. A method of storing messages in a voice messaging system that has a plurality of voice mail boxes associated with a plurality of subscribers.

Abstract: Client side program code examines electronic documents such as web pages and automatically fills out fields of forms contained in the document with the appropriate data from a user profile, without requiring prior mapping or examination of the form. The application maps user data to the appropriate form field by examining label text on the form as the user sees it, i.e. text that is visually nearest the field. For fields lacking labels, the application examines the field context to determine the required data. To enter the information in the correct format, the application parses visual hints concerning, for example, the date format provided to the user and formats the data accordingly. In the absence of any usable visual cues or contextual information, the program code parses the form's underlying markup code.

Abstract: A server agent system that provides agents, transmitted to a server by a client, that monitor specific event(s) on the server. When a pre-defined event(s) occurs, an agent performs a set action(s) in response to each event. The actions are predefined by the client. The agent requires no further intervention of the client once it is placed on the server and are created by a client or news reader and, when created by a news reader, agents are treated as a value added service provided by the application. The types of actions that an agent performs can be almost anything that the client desires and include the execution of Java and/or Javascript programs which are supplied by the client or the server. An agent's events and actions are subject to the same access control security restrictions as the client that submitted the agent. The types of agents available on a server are pre-defined and are supplied as agent templates and are building blocks for the client to build agents with.

Abstract: A reduced keyboard system for the Japanese language which uses word-level disambiguation of entered keystroke sequences, and which enables the user to select the desired interpretation of an ambiguous input key sequence as kana, and then select the desired textual interpretation associated with the selected kana interpretation. The system uses a highly compressed database format which has several advantages in terms of reduced size and minimal processing requirements during operation. Also disclosed is a reduced keyboard system which uses sequences of two keystrokes to specify each syllable, including the syllables with palatalized vowels that are written with two kana each. Input sequences of keystrokes are interpreted as ordered pairs of keystrokes which select a character according to its position in a two-dimensional matrix. The first keystroke of each ordered pair specifies the row of the matrix in which the desired character appears, and the second keystroke of each pair specifies the column.