Abstract: A technique for obtaining caller-originated alert signals in IP-based communication sessions is disclosed. According to one embodiment, the technique may be realized as a method comprising the steps of: receiving, from a first user equipment and via a first communication channel, a request to initiate a communication session, the request being received at a second user equipment; in response to the request, causing a phonepage server to transmit, via a second communication channel, a caller-originated alert to the second user equipment; and rendering the caller-originated alert to alert a user associated with the second user equipment.

Abstract: A technique for obtaining caller-originated alert signals in IP-based communication sessions is disclosed. According to one embodiment, the technique may be realized as a method comprising the steps of: receiving, from a first user equipment and via a first communication channel, a request to initiate a communication session, the request being received at a second user equipment; in response to the request, causing a phonepage server to transmit, via a second communication channel, a caller-originated alert to the second user equipment; and rendering the caller-originated alert to alert a user associated with the second user equipment.

Abstract: A technique for obtaining caller-originated alert signals in IP-based communication sessions is disclosed. According to one embodiment, the technique may be realized as a method comprising the steps of: receiving, from a first user equipment and via a first communication channel, a request to initiate a communication session, the request being received at a second user equipment; in response to the request, causing a phonepage server to transmit, via a second communication channel, a caller-originated alert to the second user equipment; and rendering the caller-originated alert to alert a user associated with the second user equipment.

Abstract: A mobile device including a location module configured to determine a location of the mobile device, and a caller identification (ID) and/or caller ID blocking module configured to provide caller ID and/or caller ID blocking features by sending and/or receiving a signal with caller ID and/or caller ID blocking information. The caller identification and/or caller ID blocking module is configured to enable and disable the caller ID and/or caller ID blocking features based upon the location of the mobile device determined by the location module.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system, method, and computer readable medium for applying customized settings to a mobile communications device utilizing a removable storage media. The mobile communications device detects when a removable storage media has been operatively inserted. Next it is determined whether there is a customized settings file stored on the removable storage media. The customized settings file contains fields that define one or more characteristics relating to the mobile communications device's configuration. The customized settings in the customized settings file are then applied such that the mobile communications device is configured with the specific settings contained in the customized settings file. The customized settings file may also be stored at and retrieved from a remote location or received in a message using a mobile messaging service utilizing the RF module within the mobile communications device.

Abstract: A portable communication device is equipped to search for content stored on a target electronic device. The portable communication device transfers user-defined content search query to an electronic device via a near-field communications (NFC) module. The portable communication device receives search results from the electronic device via the NFC module and indicates to the user that search results have been received from the electronic device. The portable communication device facilitates content searching and data transfer between two devices.

Abstract: A method of conducting a search includes tagging a user selected segment of audio content that includes search criteria to define an audio clip. The audio clip is captured from the audio content and transferred to a search support function to conduct a search based on the search criteria from the audio clip.

Abstract: A portable communication device is equipped to search for content stored on a target electronic device. The portable communication device transfers user-defined content search query to an electronic device via a near-field communications (NFC) module. The portable communication device receives search results from the electronic device via the NFC module and indicates to the user that search results have been received from the electronic device. The portable communication device facilitates content searching and data transfer between two devices.

Abstract: A method and a system are provided for wirelessly connecting two data devices. A user intending to connect the devices issues a connect activation command and then moves one device toward the other device along a connection vector. Wireless communication connection is established through Ultra WideBand (UWB) protocol when the two devices are in range of each other. The wireless connection is terminated when the one device is moved along a displacement vector.

Abstract: A method of conducting a search using a mobile electronic device may include playing digital audio content at the mobile electronic device, and accepting user input at the mobile electronic device to capture a portion of the digital audio content. Search criteria may be provided wherein the search criteria is based on the captured portion of the digital audio content and on information separate from the captured portion of the digital audio content. A search may be conducted using the search criteria based on the captured portion of the digital audio content and on the information separate from the captured portion of the digital audio content. A result of the search may be provided at the mobile electronic device, and the result of the search may be displayed at the mobile electronic device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for aiding shoppers. A shopper enters a product search query into a hand-held device and, via Near-Field Communication (NFC) technology, transfers the query to a terminal at a shopping establishment. The terminal forwards the search query to a search engine over a network and the search engine, after consulting a database, returns results meeting the criteria of the search query to the terminal for presentation on a display at the terminal. The shopper is then offered the option of transferring the results data, via NFC devices located in the hand-held device and the terminal, from the terminal to a memory in the hand-held device.

Abstract: Methods for providing a user state file enabling interactions between virtual and real world identities include determining a real world identity of a user and determining a virtual world identity of the user. An associated user designation is provided for a first and a second associated user. A real world identity and/or a virtual world identity is determined for the associated users. The first associated user has at least a real world identity and the second associated user has at least a virtual world identity. A communication history is established between the user and the first and second associated users, the communication history including communications in the real world and/or the virtual world. The user state file is generated based on the determined real world and virtual world identities of the user and the associated users and the communication history between the user and the associated users.

Abstract: A portable communication device is equipped to search for content stored on a target electronic device. The portable communication device transfers user-defined content search query to an electronic device via a near-field communications (NFC) module. The portable communication device receives search results from the electronic device via the NFC module and indicates to the user that search results have been received from the electronic device. The portable communication device facilitates content searching and data transfer between two devices.

Abstract: A mobile device a location module configured to determine a location of the mobile device, a controller configured to tag content with a creation location of the mobile device when the content is created using the mobile device, and memory configured to store the tagged content. The controller is configured to sort the tagged content based upon the creation location with respect to a specific location. Also, a mobile device is provided that includes a location module configured to determine a location of the mobile device, a controller configured to tag content with a receipt location of the mobile device when the content is received by the mobile device, and memory configured to store the tagged content.

Abstract: A portable communication device is equipped to search for content stored on a target electronic device. The portable communication device transfers user-defined content search query to an electronic device via a near-field communications (NFC) module. The portable communication device receives search results from the electronic device via the NFC module and indicates to the user that search results have been received from the electronic device. The portable communication device facilitates content searching and data transfer between two devices.

Abstract: A system and method for exchanging location assistance information between electronic devices using a near field communication (NFC) interface. Positioning satellite signals are received from one or more position satellites. Location assistance information is generated based at least in part on the received positioning satellite signals and/or navigation information. The location assistance information is transferred through a near field communication interface from the first electronic device to another electronic device, wherein the location assistance information includes one or more contemporaneous positioning satellite signals received by the first electronic device.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide methods of operating an electronic device, such as a wireless communications terminal, a personal digital assistant and/or a media player, having a personal information manager, such as a scheduling application and/or a contact management application. Data is received at the electronic device, the received data including audio and/or visual content and associated personal information manager data. The personal information manager is controlled responsive to the personal information manager data.

Abstract: A portable device authorizes a payment transaction from an account associated with the portable device. The portable device comprises a communication system, such as a near field communication (NFC) system, for communicating with a transaction system of a merchant or other receiving entity, a user interface, a memory storing account information for each of a plurality of accounts, and a transaction application. The transaction application applies at least one predetermined selection rule to the plurality of accounts to determine a selected subset of the plurality of accounts. A display of the user interface displays, under control of the transaction application, a plurality of transaction option indicators. Each transaction option indicator, which may be text or graphic, represents a one of the accounts within the selected subset of accounts. The transaction application prompts user selection of a selected one of the transaction option indicators.

Abstract: A portable electronic device that includes an antenna and at least one of a transmitter or a receiver connected to the antenna for transferring information between the portable electronic device and a corresponding device via the antenna. The corresponding device includes a visual indicator indicative of a location of an antenna of the corresponding device. The portable electronic device further includes an imaging device for obtaining an image of the visual indicator, an image analyzer for determining a location of the portable electronic device antenna relative to that of the corresponding device based on the image, a direction analyzer for determining a movement direction of the portable electronic device that would reduce an alignment offset between the antennas, and a directional indicator for indicating the movement direction to a user of the portable electronic device.

Abstract: A mobile device including a location module configured to determine a location of the mobile device, and a caller identification (ID) and/or caller ID blocking module configured to provide caller ID and/or caller ID blocking features by sending and/or receiving a signal with caller ID and/or caller ID blocking information. The caller identification and/or caller ID blocking module is configured to enable and disable the caller ID and/or caller ID blocking features based upon the location of the mobile device determined by the location module.