Abstract: Devices, methods and computer program products are provided for dispatching messages to recipients and for prioritizing the dispatch of generic-recipient messages. The device and methods are generally automatic and, thus, require minimal manual intervention by system administrators. Further, the devices and methods are capable of supporting both local and remote message dispatching so as to optimize the system and achieve a lowest cost alternative. In addition, the devices and methods of the present invention dispatch messages over various communication means, such as short-range wireless, Internet, cellular networks and the like.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program for ordering, paying for and delivering goods and services from a content provider to a user which assures the content provider that he will be paid and that assures the user that he will receive the content at an agreed upon price. Thus, this system, method and computer program facilitates business transactions occurring between parties who do not know each other by using a trusted third party to either take the user's order, deliver to the user's order, and/or bill the user the correct amount for the goods and services contracted for. This system, method and computer program relies on the Global System for Mobile (GSM) communications system to authenticate the user and provide algorithms and modules that are used to generate cipher keys and service responses so as to insure the content provider will be paid and that the user will not be overcharged.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for playing games between the clients of entities at different locations by linking multiple players together through a network using the users' mobile phones. The method includes connecting a plurality of mobile phones together through a network for playing a game, setting up a game scenario for each of the plurality of mobile phones and transmitting game signals between the plurality mobile phones across the network. At least two of the plurality of mobile phones are remotely located. The mobile phones connect to the network through a base station. A connection from a mobile phone to the network through a base station is a low power radio frequency connection. The interactive game may be interrupted when a mobile phone receives a call. The interactive game is interrupted only for the mobile phone receiving the call.

Abstract: A hotspot access point enables a mobile wireless device to resume a service with a network server when service is interrupted by the mobile device moving out of the coverage area of the access point. A short-range communication link is established by the access point with the mobile device based on a local identification of the device. The access point requests additional information from the wireless device. The additional information relates to a wide area network identification of the device. The mobile device transmits additional information to the access point which stores the local area identification and additional identification. The access point transmits to the mobile device a coded identificator of the wireless device based upon the local area identification and a network identification of the device. The access point determines whether service with the mobile device is open and establishes a wide area connection with the mobile device.

Abstract: Apparatus, and associated method, provides for downloading an application with a selectable lifetime from an application database to a mobile terminal. The mobile terminal user's identification information and the selected lifetime for the application are stored in an application-license database. When the user seeks to download the same application on a subsequent occasion the user is able to download that application for a reduced fee if lifetime remains from when the application was first downloaded. In addition, the application may be configured to delete or uninstall itself from the mobile terminal when the selected lifetime for the application expires.

Abstract: Apparatus, and associated method, provides for downloading an application with a selectable lifetime from an application database to a mobile terminal. The mobile terminal user's identification information and the selected lifetime for the application are stored in an application-license database. When the user seeks to download the same application on a subsequent occasion the user is able to download that application for a reduced fee if lifetime remains from when the application was first downloaded. In addition, the application may be configured to delete or uninstall itself from the mobile terminal when the selected lifetime for the application expires.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for tuning a broadcast processing system by using channel data from an interactive information source. The broadcast processing system interfaces with a broadcast medium and may include an interfacing apparatus that interfaces to the broadcast medium for extracting an appropriate broadcast signal and for tuning the broadcast processing system. The viewer uses a mobile terminal that communicates with the interactive information source over a first wireless communications path. The viewer may interact with the web site by navigating through the associated web pages in order to obtain broadcast information about the selected program, in which the broadcast information may be sent to the mobile terminal over the first wireless communications path. The broadcast information is processed by the wireless terminal in order to obtain the channel data.

Abstract: A system for displaying a graphical indication of a proximately located device is disclosed. When a mobile terminal (e.g., a mobile telephone) equipped with short-range communications (e.g., Bluetooth or wi-fi) as well as conventional long-range communications capabilities comes within range of set top box (e.g., a digital broadcast receiver), the set top box (STB) overlays an icon over the broadcast screen image indicating that a mobile terminal is present that can be used as a back channel to the cable operator. The overlaid icon may be presented in differing colors to indicate various characteristics of the mobile terminal, e.g., a type of the mobile terminal (phone vs. PDA) or a capability of the mobile terminal (e.g., ability to establish a GPRS or other data connection). A user of the STB can then use interactive services offered by the cable operator, and deliver interactive selections and commands to the cable operator via the mobile terminal back channel.

Abstract: A method and a system for administering digital collectible cards for mobile terminals. The method comprises storing a digital collectible card on a server, associating at the server the digital collectible card with information indicating the owner of the card, accessing the server with the wireless user terminal via wireless communication, supplying identification information about the user of the wireless user terminal to the server, and transferring the digital collectible card to the wireless user terminal having identified the user as the owner of the card.

Abstract: Apparatus, and associated method, provides for downloading an application with a selectable lifetime from an application database to a mobile terminal. The mobile terminal user's identification information and the selected lifetime for the application are stored in an application-license database. When the user seeks to download the same application on a subsequent occasion the user is able to download that application for a reduced fee if lifetime remains from when the application was first downloaded. In addition, the application may be configured to delete or uninstall itself from the mobile terminal when the selected lifetime for the application expires.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for providing a seamless link between a mobile terminal and application software stored on a server. An icon corresponding to the application software is displayed on a display of the mobile terminal. In response to a user selecting the icon, the mobile terminal downloads the application software from the server and automatically runs the application software. The mobile terminal may also be configured to remove one more applications from the mobile terminal to free up enough memory for the application software.

Abstract: A method allows a user of a mobile terminal to participate in an interactive service relating to multimedia programming. A software application is stored in the mobile terminal. The software application is launched so that it is prepared to receive information concerning the interactive service from a server. Upon receipt of this information, the software application utilizes a stored user interface to prompt the user of the mobile terminal. The software application utilizes previous received information concerning the user so that when the information is received, the user interface prompting the user is provided automatically and without the need for user approval.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating interactive presentations using messaging technologies to import solicited information into the presentation or demonstration from mobile terminals of the presentation participants. A request to respond to a presentation query is presented to presentation recipients. An address is provided to the presentation recipients, where the address identifies where the presentation recipients may submit a message response via a network message service operable on the presentation recipients' mobile communication devices. The message responses submitted by the presentation recipients and received via the network message service are collected, and the vote results obtained from the presentation recipients' message responses are introduced as input parameters to the interactive presentation. The vote results can then be presented as an integral part of the interactive presentation.

Abstract: A method and a system for administering digital collectible cards for mobile terminals. The method comprises storing a digital collectible card on a server, associating at the server the digital collectible card with information indicating the owner of the card, accessing the server with the wireless user terminal via wireless communication, supplying identification information about the user of the wireless user terminal to the server, and transferring the digital collectible card to the wireless user terminal having identified the user as the owner of the card.