Abstract: An illustrative method for transferring data to a device includes identifying the data that is to be transferred to the device, modulating the data with a signal, providing the signal to a contact microphone that is in physical contact with an individual, and transmitting the signal through a body of the individual to the device using the contact microphone. An illustrative method for authenticating the individual includes transmitting a signal through a body of the individual in response to the individual physically contacting an authentication device, receiving a modified signal including the signal as modified by the body of the individual, removing the signal from the modified signal to identify a unique body signature of the individual, comparing the unique body signature to a database to determine if the database includes the unique body signature, and selectively authenticating the individual based upon whether the database includes the unique body signature.

Abstract: An illustrative method for transferring data to a device includes identifying the data that is to be transferred to the device, modulating the data with a signal, providing the signal to a contact microphone that is in physical contact with an individual, and transmitting the signal through a body of the individual to the device using the contact microphone. An illustrative method for authenticating the individual includes transmitting a signal through a body of the individual in response to the individual physically contacting an authentication device, receiving a modified signal including the signal as modified by the body of the individual, removing the signal from the modified signal to identify a unique body signature of the individual, comparing the unique body signature to a database to determine if the database includes the unique body signature, and selectively authenticating the individual based upon whether the database includes the unique body signature.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for determining an electromagnetic signature for authenticating a device, a user, and/or a location. In exemplary embodiments, a magnetometer captures an electromagnetic signature which is then compared with one or more authorized electromagnetic signatures. If the electromagnetic signature matches an authorized electromagnetic signature, then access is granted. The magnetometer is integrated into a communication device having a processor and a logic. The magnetometer captures an electromagnetic signature of a surrounding environment and detects motion of the communication device through the captured electromagnetic signature. The logic on the communication device locks or unlocks features of the device based upon the captured electromagnetic signature. In further embodiments of the subject disclosure, the magnetometer is in communication with a server which authenticates a user or communication device to provide access to a remote location.

Abstract: Sensors on vehicles may be used to automatically obtain data about events and conditions pertaining to vehicles. The data may be automatically provided to a server, third party, agency, subscriber, a vehicle, a driver, or the like. In example embodiments, data may be obtained regarding vehicles pertaining to, for example, location, braking, acceleration, turning, stopping, speed, direction, video data (e.g., via a camera on the vehicle), tire pressure, depth, or the like, or any appropriate combination thereof. The obtained data may aggregated. The aggregated data may be utilized to determine if events related to the vehicle are occurring and to determine a condition associated with the event.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for determining an electromagnetic signature for authenticating a device, a user, and/or a location. In exemplary embodiments, a magnetometer captures an electromagnetic signature which is then compared with one or more authorized electromagnetic signatures. If the electromagnetic signature matches an authorized electromagnetic signature, then access is granted. The magnetometer is integrated into a communication device having a processor and a logic. The magnetometer captures an electromagnetic signature of a surrounding environment and detects motion of the communication device through the captured electromagnetic signature. The logic on the communication device locks or unlocks features of the device based upon the captured electromagnetic signature. In further embodiments of the subject disclosure, the magnetometer is in communication with a server which authenticates a user or communication device to provide access to a remote location.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed which relate to tactile communication. Devices are included for direct tactile input and having logic for conversion of speech and other forms of audio into vibrotactile sequences. Vibrotactile sequences are transmitted to devices equipped with tactile output, such as vibrators. Voice coil vibrators create sensations of tapping and rubbing in addition to vibration.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed which relate to a wearable alert device that emits a physical stimulation upon receiving a signal from a wireless communication device. The wireless communication device is in wireless communication with the wearable alert device, and the wireless communication device sends alerts to the wearable alert device each time it receives an incoming call. The alert is received by the wearable alert device, which in turn emits the physical stimulation to the user wearing it.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, receiving segment ratings and semantic labels associated with media content from a group of first communication devices, analyzing the segment ratings and the semantic labels to identify universal segments among the plurality of segments that satisfy a threshold based on common segment ratings and common semantic labels; and providing universal reactions and an identification of the universal segments to a second communication device for generation of a content rating for the media content based on the universal segments and reaction data collected by sensors of the second communication device, where the universal reactions are representative of the common segment ratings and the common semantic labels for the universal segments. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: An illustrative method for transferring data to a device includes identifying the data that is to be transferred to the device, modulating the data with a signal, providing the signal to a contact microphone that is in physical contact with an individual, and transmitting the signal through a body of the individual to the device using the contact microphone. An illustrative method for authenticating the individual includes transmitting a signal through a body of the individual in response to the individual physically contacting an authentication device, receiving a modified signal including the signal as modified by the body of the individual, removing the signal from the modified signal to identify a unique body signature of the individual, comparing the unique body signature to a database to determine if the database includes the unique body signature, and selectively authenticating the individual based upon whether the database includes the unique body signature.

Abstract: A thermoelectric display including an array of thermoelectric devices is used to provide output to a user in the form of thermal feedback. The thermal feedback may be used to provide navigation cues to the user to enable eyes-free navigation. The thermal feedback may be used to provide target acquisition cues to enable the user to accurately target a contact point on a touchscreen. The thermal feedback may be used to convey an emotive aspect of a message to the user. The thermal feedback may be used to identify to the user a caller associated with an incoming call. The thermoelectric display may be, alternatively or additionally, used to provide input to another device, such as a mobile device to which the thermoelectric display is operatively coupled.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for determining an electromagnetic signature for authenticating a device, a user, and/or a location. In exemplary embodiments, a magnetometer captures an electromagnetic signature which is then compared with one or more authorized electromagnetic signatures. If the electromagnetic signature matches an authorized electromagnetic signature, then access is granted. The magnetometer is integrated into a communication device having a processor and a logic. The magnetometer captures an electromagnetic signature of a surrounding environment and detects motion of the communication device through the captured electromagnetic signature. The logic on the communication device locks or unlocks features of the device based upon the captured electromagnetic signature. In further embodiments of the subject disclosure, the magnetometer is in communication with a server which authenticates a user or communication device to provide access to a remote location.

Abstract: Information is provided by an interactive voice response system. The interactive voice response system receives an initial communication initiated by a remote requesting party and addressed to a numbered communications address. Based upon receipt at the interactive voice response system of the initial communication, visual data to provide to the remote requesting party as part of an integrated interactive script is determined. The visual data is provided to the remote requesting party during the initial communication as part of the integrated interactive script.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed which relate to tactile communication. Devices are included for direct tactile input and having logic for conversion of speech and other forms of audio into vibrotactile sequences. Vibrotactile sequences are transmitted to devices equipped with tactile output, such as vibrators. Voice coil vibrators create sensations of tapping and rubbing in addition to vibration.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed which relate to a wearable alert device that emits a physical stimulation upon receiving a signal from a wireless communication device. The wireless communication device is in wireless communication with the wearable alert device, and the wireless communication device sends alerts to the wearable alert device each time it receives an incoming call. The alert is received by the wearable alert device, which in turn emits the physical stimulation to the user wearing it.

Abstract: A system and methodology that enables a mobile device user to privately retrieve information while engaged in an active communication session is provided. The innovation enables a user to prompt lookup and retrieval of information (e.g., calendar appointments, contact information, task information) without interruption of the active communication session. The content of the information can be configured and conveyed by way of private audible feedback only detectible by the requesting party.