Abstract: A method (400, 500) and a system (100) of conducting transactions for acquisition of virtual items. The method can include receiving from a user (108) a request to acquire the virtual item. Responsive to an identity indicator (112) that is exclusively unique to an identity confirmation device (110) being communicated from the identity confirmation device, a determination can be made whether the identity indicator corresponds to the user. Responsive to determining that the identity indicator corresponds to the user, the virtual item can be provided to the user. The method also can include receiving from a user a request to acquire the virtual item, receiving from an identity confirmation device an identity indicator exclusively unique to the identity confirmation device, and communicating the request and the identity indicator from the client device to a server (104).

Abstract: A method (400, 500) and a system (100) of conducting transactions for acquisition of virtual items. The method can include receiving from a user (108) a request to acquire the virtual item. Responsive to an identity indicator (112) that is exclusively unique to an identity confirmation device (110) being communicated from the identity confirmation device, a determination can be made whether the identity indicator corresponds to the user. Responsive to determining that the identity indicator corresponds to the user, the virtual item can be provided to the user. The method also can include receiving from a user a request to acquire the virtual item, receiving from an identity confirmation device an identity indicator exclusively unique to the identity confirmation device, and communicating the request and the identity indicator from the client device to a server (104).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing a communication link in a communication network are provided. A continuous actuation button is configured to initiate a communication link between communication devices. The communication link is initiated when a force applied on the continuous actuation button exceeds a first force threshold. The force applied on the continuous actuation button is sampled at periodic time intervals. A release event of the continuous actuation button is detected when the force applied on the continuous actuation button reaches a second force threshold. The communication link is maintained for a predefined period of time after detecting the release event based on whether the sampled force indicates that the release event was unintentional. The predefined period of time is sufficient to allow a user to take action to avoid disconnection if undesired.

Abstract: A method (200) of creating pairwise combinatorial test cases from system configuration data can include reading a graphic representation of the system configuration data (210, 230, 260). Within the graphic representation, parameters can be represented by nodes and parameter can be represented by flows linking the nodes. The method further can include identifying paths of flows through the graphic representation until each parameter value of the graphic representation has been paired with all values of each other parameter of the graphic representation (205). Each path can specify a pairwise combinatorial test case.

Abstract: A method (10) of payment of communication services includes determining (14) if a request (12) for services is an essential service or non-essential service, determining (19) if a device and/or user is authorized for non-essential service, and determining (20) if there are sufficient pre-pay funds for the non-essential service. The method can further include rejecting (26) the request for non-essential service if the device and/or user is unauthorized or if insufficient pre-pay funds exist. The method grants (16) the request if the request is for essential service (such as voice services). The essential service or subscription or post-pay service can be added (18) to a recurring bill. If the device and/or user is authorized and sufficient prepay funds exist, then the method grants (22) the request for the non-essential service. In response or in conjunction with granting, the method can deduct (24) funds from prepay funds upon granting the request.

Abstract: A method for managing a communication link in a communication network (100) is provided. The method enables exchange of data between a first communication device (102) and at least one second communication device (104). The method includes providing a continuous actuation button (210) configured to initiate the communication link. Further, the method includes initiating the communication link when a force applied on the continuous actuation button exceeds a first force threshold. Furthermore, the method includes sampling the force applied on the continuous actuation button at periodic time intervals. Moreover, the method includes detecting a release event of the continuous actuation button when the force applied on the continuous actuation button reaches a second force threshold. Moreover, the method includes maintaining the communication link for a predefined period of time after detecting the release event at the continuous actuation button. The communication link is maintained based on the sampled force.

Abstract: A method (400, 500) and a system (100) of conducting transactions for acquisition of virtual items. The method can include receiving from a user (108) a request to acquire the virtual item. Responsive to an identity indicator (112) that is exclusively unique to an identity confirmation device (110) being communicated from the identity confirmation device, a determination can be made whether the identity indicator corresponds to the user. Responsive to determining that the identity indicator corresponds to the user, the virtual item can be provided to the user. The method also can include receiving from a user a request to acquire the virtual item, receiving from an identity confirmation device an identity indicator exclusively unique to the identity confirmation device, and communicating the request and the identity indicator from the client device to a server (104).

Abstract: A mobile device (160) and method (300) for generating wind instrument sounds is provided. The mobile device can include a microphone (102) for capturing an air turbulence in response to a blowing action, a keypad (104) for selecting a virtual valve to associate with the air turbulence, a synthesis engine (106) for synthesizing a musical note in response to the blowing and the virtual valve, and an audio speaker (108) for playing the musical note. One or more keys of the keypad can be depressed during the blowing action on the microphone for synthesizing a musical note of a wind instrument. A display (110) can present a musical notation (800) and a fingering chart (810) for musical notes.

Abstract: A method (300) that can include receiving a call identifier (130) for an incoming call and associating the incoming call with at least one category (140, 145, 150) selected from a group consisting of at least three categories. An indicator (160) that correlates to the category with which the incoming call is associated can be presented to a user (120). Presenting the indicator can include presenting a particular color to the user and/or presenting a vibration, sound or image to the user. The method further can include automatically responding to the incoming call with a particular greeting only if the call identifier is blank or indicates an unknown caller (125). In another arrangement, the method can include automatically responding to the incoming call with a particular greeting only if the caller is unknown and the call identifier indicates that the caller is a particular gender or is exhibiting a particular emotion.

Abstract: The present solution includes a method for reporting a status indicator using a mobile device during a disaster. In the method, a status indicator can be entered into a mobile communication device. The status indicator can he communicated to a disaster response system. The disaster response system can also automatically determine a location of the mobile communication device. The disaster response system can make the status indicator and the location available to concerned parties. The location and status indicators can be continuously updated for a duration of a disaster allowing the concerned parties to receive current information about subscribers. In one embodiment, a set of previously established actions associated with user developed disaster response plan can be initiated by the disaster response system.

Abstract: A method and system for PTT management includes a PTT server (100) and a plurality of PTT devices (110) associated with the members of a PTT group (120) via a wireless network (130). The PTT server can include, or be coupled to, a mass storage device storing a database of member information (106) and a schedule (105). The stored schedule can use a scheduling application or module used to define the order of activities by each member of the PTT group to participate, to assign a time for an activity of each member, or to enter other information associated with the PTT group event. The member information can include contact information, task sign-on/sign-off information, current network status information, current availability information, alternative availability information, and request information. The plurality of devices is used to maintain contact and coordinate activities among the members of the PTT group.

Abstract: A brush, that includes a bristle support member (205) and at least one bristle (210) attached to the bristle support member. The brush also includes at least one sensor (115) that detects motion of the brush and generates corresponding motion signals. A processor (110) can process the motion signals to generate gaming signals (160) and a gaming adapter (155) can communicate the gaming signals to a gaming device (165). The processor and gaming adapter can be positioned, at least in part, within the bristle support member. The brush also can include a timer (145) that generates timing signals. The processor can process the timing signals to limit a duration of game play. The processor also can process the timing signals to limit a number of gaming sessions in a period. Further, the gaming adapter can stop communicating the gaming signals after a timeout of the timer.

Abstract: A method (10) and system (200) for user interface enhancement using speaker directionality can include a speaker phone having a microphone array (35, 36, and 37) on a communication device (32) at a first location and a processor (202) coupled to the microphone array. The processor can be programmed to associate (12) a speaker direction with a given speaker using the microphone array and identify (14) the given speaker and provide an indication of the given speaker at a communication device (42) at a second location in communication with the communication device at the first location. The processor can be further programmed to map (18) or assign sectors to a number of speakers using the microphone array in the first location based on speaker directionality of each of the number of speakers.

Abstract: A method (500) for reserving energy resources on a communication device (115, 120, 300). The method can include receiving an emergency indicator (135) associated with an emergency plan. Based on the emergency indicator, an amount of energy to reserve on a communication device can be selected. The selected amount of energy then can be reserved on the communication device. Receiving the emergency indicator can include receiving an indicator (140, 145) of an assigned role or task. Receiving the emergency indicator also can include receiving an indictor of the energy to be reserved. Selecting the amount of energy to reserve can include selecting an amount of energy associated with the role or task. In response to receiving the emergency indicator, an acknowledgement (150, 155) of whether an assignment of the role or task is accepted can be communicated.

Abstract: A method (200) to support gaming on mobile stations (110, 112, 114, 116, 118). The method can include selecting an active player (120) from a plurality of mobile station users (120, 122, 124, 126, 128). Further, unit information (132, 134, 136, 138) can be collected for a plurality of mobile station users (122, 124, 126, 128) not selected as the active player. A user list (140) to be presented to the active player can be generated. The user list can include user names for the users not selected as the active player. The method also can include generating an offer to be presented to the active player. The offer can be based on the collected unit information. In addition, the method can include initiating a prompt to be presented to the active player to choose between accepting the offer and removing a user from the user list.

Abstract: A system, method and computer readable medium are provided for facilitating a multiplayer game over a wireless network. According to the method, a request to transfer information between two of the wireless devices is received during the multiplayer game (e.g., 804), with the information being at least one of text, audio, and image information. It is determined whether the requested transfer is permitted according to a set of predefined rules for the multiplayer game (808), and the information is transferred between the two wireless devices only if it is determined that the predefined rules permit the requested transfer (810). Also provided are a wireless device (e.g., 106) for use with a multiplayer game and a server (e.g., 102) for facilitating a multiplayer game over a wireless network.

Abstract: A mobile device (160) and method (300) for generating wind instrument sounds is provided. The mobile device can include a microphone (102) for capturing an air turbulence in response to a blowing action, a keypad (104) for selecting a virtual valve to associate with the air turbulence, a synthesis engine (106) for synthesizing a musical note in response to the blowing and the virtual valve, and an audio speaker (108) for playing the musical note. One or more keys of the keypad can be depressed during the blowing action on the microphone for synthesizing a musical note of a wind instrument. A display (110) can present a musical notation (800) and a fingering chart (810) for musical notes.

Abstract: A system (200) and method (400) for affecting a performance (210) is provided. During the performance, a plurality of audience evaluations can be received (310), the plurality of audience evaluations can be associated with the performance (320), and a sensory aspect of the performance can be adjusted (330) in accordance with the plurality of audience evaluations. The method can include capturing a plurality of sensory actions from multiple devices (160) handled in an audience, generating a plurality of evaluations from the plurality of sensory actions, and identifying a collective audience assessment of the performance from the plurality of sensory actions.

Abstract: A system (100) and method (300) is provided for multi-dimensional action capture. The method can include creating a multimedia message (310), associating a sensory action with a multimedia message (320), and assigning an emotional component to the multimedia message based on the sensory action (330). The multimedia message can include at least one of text, audio, or visual element that is modified based on the emotional component to express a user's emotion. In one arrangement, the method of multi-dimensional action capture can be applied to visually render an avatar.

Abstract: A method (500) for providing entertainment. The method can include receiving at least one statistical parameter (140) of a first entity (150) that participates in real world events and updating a performance parameter of a toy (110) that moves in real space or of a gaming device (405). The performance parameter can correlate to a performance of the first entity. In one arrangement, the statistical parameter can be received in real time. The statistical parameter can be a statistical rating of the first entity relative to at least a second entity (155) with which the first entity is competing. In one arrangement, the statistical parameter can be received on a remote control unit (120) as a parameter update (170). The parameter update also can be communicated to the toy. Further, the toy can be controlled with the remote control unit.