Abstract: A communications terminal (200) including a user interface communicably coupled to a controller is configured to form a group of contacts. In one embodiment, the terminal displays only contacts having at least two attributes in common. In another embodiment, the terminal displays a group of contacts having a social relationship with at least two degrees of social separation relative to a user associated with the group. In another embodiment, a group of contacts is formed upon initiation of an application at the terminal, wherein all contacts in the group are associated with terminals running the same application and are also engaged in a common activity.

Abstract: A method (10) and system (50 or 200) of using a credit card media type (54) integrated with a wireless communication device (52) can include determining (12) that the wireless communication device is inoperable for use in a commercial transaction and enabling (14) the use and authorization of the credit card media type with a predetermined restriction profile that is more restrictive than when the credit card media type is used with the wireless communication device when operable. The method can lower (16) the payment authorization amount or limit a type of item that is purchased to a predefined type based on a remote network being unable to communicate with the wireless communication device. The method can also remove (18) the credit card media type from the communication device and enable the use and authorization of the credit card media type with the predetermined restriction profile.

Abstract: A communications terminal (200) including a user interface communicably coupled to a controller is configured to form a group of contacts. In one embodiment, the terminal displays only contacts having at least two attributes in common. In another embodiment, the terminal displays a group of contacts having a social relationship with at least two degrees of social separation relative to a user associated with the group. In another embodiment, a group of contacts is formed upon initiation of an application at the terminal, wherein all contacts in the group are associated with terminals running the same application and are also engaged in a common activity.

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: The invention concerns a method (200) and system (100) for providing a passenger profile. The method can include the steps of receiving (212) one or more passengers having mobile units (112) in a vehicle (110) in which at least some of the mobile units have been programmed with passenger profiles and receiving (214) the passenger profiles from the mobile units. The method can also include the step of informing (216) at least the driver of the vehicle of the passenger profiles once the passenger profiles are received. As an example, setting one or more parameters of the vehicle can be based on the received passenger profiles. In addition, setting the parameters of the vehicle based on the received passenger profiles may restrict the operation of the vehicle in a predefined manner.

Abstract: A method (400) of conducting a financial transaction. The method can include receiving from each of a plurality of credit providers an offer (130) indicating an incentive (125) available to a user for using an established credit account to make payment for the financial transaction at a point-of-sale terminal (110), and presenting the offers to the user. The user can be prompted to select one of the established credit accounts to make payment for the financial transaction.

Abstract: A method (300) of selecting a financial account to be used to make a contactless payment. The method can include, during a payment transaction at a point-of-sale terminal (110), selecting at least one financial account having associated financial information, the financial account selected from a plurality of available financial accounts. Contactless payment for the purchase can be made using the selected financial account. The method further can include identifying a type of purchase being made during the payment transaction. In such an arrangement, selecting the financial account can include selecting the financial account having associated financial information that best matches user preferences established for the identified type of purchase.

Abstract: A method is provided for interacting with a consumer in a shopping establishment. The method includes communicating a notification to a wireless communications device located in a shopping establishment and belonging to a consumer. The notification identifies a retail item having a negotiable purchase price or a special purchase price based on a consumer profile, a consumer shopping list, a prior consumer purchase, or a consumer buying trend. The notification also identifies a retail item having a special purchase price based on a total quantity existing in an inventory, a special purchase price only available during certain times of a day, or a special online purchase price. The method also includes determining whether a consumer wants to negotiate a purchase price for a retail item. The method further includes negotiating a purchase price for the retail item if the consumer wants to negotiate a purchase price for the retail item.

Abstract: A method (10) and system (50 or 200) of using a credit card media type (54) integrated with a wireless communication device (52) can include determining (12) that the wireless communication device is inoperable for use in a commercial transaction and enabling (14) the use and authorization of the credit card media type with a predetermined restriction profile that is more restrictive than when the credit card media type is used with the wireless communication device when operable. The method can lower (16) the payment authorization amount or limit a type of item that is purchased to a predefined type based on a remote network being unable to communicate with the wireless communication device. The method can also remove (18) the credit card media type from the communication device and enable the use and authorization of the credit card media type with the predetermined restriction profile.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a solution that establishes an emergency contact list, which includes at least one contact. The emergency contact list can be associated with a mobile device capable of wireless communications. The mobile device can be placed within a quiet zone that restricts wireless communications capabilities of the mobile deice while the mobile device is within the quiet zone. A communication attempt can be detected that involves the mobile device and a second device used by a communication participant. When the communication participant is included within the emergency contact list, at least one emergency communication action can be automatically performed. The emergency communication action can provide a communication capability for a communication conducted responsive to the communication attempt that is a capability denied for communications where the communication participant is not included in the emergency contact list.

Abstract: An electronic system comprises two or more receivers, each receiver having a defined range for input signals; and an automatic gain control circuit configured to adjust the gain of two or more signals and pass the two or more adjusted signals to the two or more receivers, wherein the automatic gain control circuit adjusts the gain of each of the two or more signals based on an analysis of all of the two or more signals.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method (200) and system (100) for providing a passenger profile. The method can include the steps of receiving (212) one or more passengers having mobile units (112) in a vehicle (110) in which at least some of the mobile units have been programmed with passenger profiles and receiving (214) the passenger profiles from the mobile units. The method can also include the step of informing (216) at least the driver of the vehicle of the passenger profiles once the passenger profiles are received. As an example, setting one or more parameters of the vehicle can be based on the received passenger profiles. In addition, setting the parameters of the vehicle based on the received passenger profiles may restrict the operation of the vehicle in a predefined manner.

Abstract: A method for an RF base station (105) to transmit an emergency message to a selective call receiver (104). The base station (105) receives incoming messages that are to be transmitted to selective call receivers, some of which incoming messages are emergency messages that include an emergency code, such as "911". The base station (105) creates a shortened emergency message by removing the emergency code from an incoming emergency message, and sends the shortened emergency message to a selective call receiver (104), along with an alert instruction for actuating a priority alert in the selective call receiver (104).