Abstract: A method is provided for improved navigation guidance in a portable navigation device (104) having a first navigation operating mode (302) for requesting (318, 324) and receiving (326, 334) routelet data and navigation route data and operating in accordance with the routelet data (332) and a second operation navigation mode (304) for operating in accordance with the navigation route data (338). The method includes in the first navigation operating mode (302), the steps of transmitting a routelet request (318) comprising location data, speed data and direction data, the location, speed and direction data determined (312, 314 316) in response to a present location, a present speed and a present direction of travel, respectively, of the portable navigation device (104), receiving routelet data (326) and operating in accordance with the received routelet data (332).

Abstract: A system and method for managing content between different client devices in various domains (such as vehicle, home, and person). The system and method include receiving an input from a user on the first client device to pause the content. After receiving the input, the first client device determines whether the first client device is connected to a wireless communication system. If the first client device is connected to the wireless communication system, the first client device sends a data message to the second client device through a host system. In one embodiment, the second client device will then store the content in the second client device after receiving the data message to permit the user to resume playback of the content on the second client device. In another embodiment, the host system will store the content itself or access the content from a content provider and transfer the content directly to the second device with a data message that indicates the paused location of the content.

Abstract: In an information appliance system 100, a user device 108 comprises a client platform (200, FIG. 5) that includes a service framework (235, FIG. 5) to discover and connect with a variety of services, both remote and local, transient and persistent, and to disconnect from them when they are no longer of interest or become unavailable. The service framework 235 provides a standard, consistent, simplified way for services to make themselves available and for service-using entities to locate and connect with the services of interest to them. From the perspective of the client platform 200, all services, whether local or remote, are presented as local services to the application. Each remote service is represented as a local service through the use of a local proxy that insulates the service user from the complexities of communicating with a remote server. Various methods of operating a service framework are also described.

Abstract: A system and method for managing content between different client devices in various domains (such as vehicle, home, and person). The system and method include receiving an input from a user on the first client device to delay the content. After receiving the input, the first client device determines whether the first client device is connected to a wireless communication system. If the first client device is connected to the wireless communication system, the first client device sends a data message to a host system. In one embodiment, the host system will then obtain the content (in whole or in part) after receiving the data message to permit the user to resume playback of the content on the first client device or another client device.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for mobile wireless transactions. The method comprises transmitting (105) a first signal having data indicating a first item, receiving (110) a second signal from a mobile wireless unit in response to the first signal when the mobile wireless unit is within a predetermined proximity to the first item, the second signal indicating a user of the mobile wireless unit seeks an option to purchase the first item, and reserving (115) the option to purchase the first item for a predetermined time period. The system comprises a transmitter (44) configured to transmit a first signal having data indicating a first item, a receiver (46) configured to receive a second signal transmitted by a mobile wireless unit (16) if the mobile wireless unit is within a predetermined proximity to the first item and a user of the mobile wireless unit seeks an option to purchase the first item, and a processor (42) configured to reserve the option to purchase for a predetermined time period.

Abstract: A method is provided for improved navigation guidance in a portable navigation device (104) having a first navigation operating mode (302) for requesting (318, 324) and receiving (326, 334) routelet data and navigation route data and operating in accordance with the routelet data (332) and a second operation navigation mode (304) for operating in accordance with the navigation route data (338). The method includes in the first navigation operating mode (302), the steps of transmitting a routelet request (318) comprising location data, speed data and direction data, the location, speed and direction data determined (312, 314 316) in response to a present location, a present speed and a present direction of travel, respectively, of the portable navigation device (104), receiving routelet data (326) and operating in accordance with the received routelet data (332).

Abstract: A system and method for managing content between different client devices in various domains (such as vehicle, home, and person). The system and method include receiving an input from a user on the first client device to delay the content. After receiving the input, the first client device determines whether the first client device is connected to a wireless communication system. If the first client device is connected to the wireless communication system, the first client device sends a data message to a host system. In one embodiment, the host system will then obtain the content (in whole or in part) after receiving the data message to permit the user to resume playback of the content on the first client device or another client device.

Abstract: A system and method for managing content between different client devices in various domains (such as vehicle, home, and person). The system and method include receiving an input from a user on the first client device to pause the content. After receiving the input, the first client device determines whether the first client device is connected to a wireless communication system. If the first client device is connected to the wireless communication system, the first client device sends a data message to the second client device through a host system. In one embodiment, the second client device will then store the content in the second client device after receiving the data message to permit the user to resume playback of the content on the second client device. In another embodiment, the host system will store the content itself or access the content from a content provider and transfer the content directly to the second device with a data message that indicates the paused location of the content.

Abstract: In an information appliance system 100, a user device 108 comprises a client platform (200, FIG. 5) that includes a service framework (235, FIG. 5) to discover and connect with a variety of services, both remote and local, transient and persistent, and to disconnect from them when they are no longer of interest or become unavailable. The service framework 235 provides a standard, consistent, simplified way for services to make themselves available and for service-using entities to locate and connect with the services of interest to them. From the perspective of the client platform 200, all services, whether local or remote, are presented as local services to the application. Each remote service is represented as a local service through the use of a local proxy that insulates the service user from the complexities of communicating with a remote server. Various methods of operating a service framework are also described.

Abstract: In an information appliance system 100, a user device 108 comprises a client platform (200, FIG. 5) that includes a service framework (235, FIG. 5) to discover and connect with a variety of services, both remote and local, transient and persistent, and to disconnect from them when they are no longer of interest or become unavailable. The service framework 235 provides a standard, consistent, simplified way for services to make themselves available and for service-using entities to locate and connect with the services of interest to them. When a service is requested from a remote server, a service frontend (281, FIG. 9) on the client platform attempts to find its corresponding service backend (282, FIG. 9) on a server providing the requested service and, if it finds it, the frontend and backend coalesce in a fully formed service that is made available to a requesting service-using entity. As a result, platform resources and security are maintained.

Abstract: An internet radio for portable applications and uses such as in an automobile. The internet radio allows access to a host of audio, visual and other information. Normal radio channel function is provided along with programmable content and channel selection, as well as automatic content and channel updating by location and style. Internet access is also provided. Direct or targeted advertising, as well as electronic commerce is supported. Connection to the internet is through wireless communications. Programmability is achieved off-line via a web page and remote computer. Customized information is also communicated to the radio such as stock quotes, travel information, advertising, and e-mail. Onboard global positioning allows for channel updating by location, traffic information, geographic advertising and available similar content.

Abstract: In an information appliance system 100, a user device 108 comprises a client platform (200, FIG. 5) that includes a service framework (235, FIG. 5) to discover and connect with a variety of services, both remote and local, transient and persistent, and to disconnect from them when they are no longer of interest or become unavailable. The service framework 235 provides a standard, consistent, simplified way for services to make themselves available and for service-using entities to locate and connect with the services of interest to them. From the perspective of the client platform 200, all services, whether local or remote, are presented as local services to the application. Each remote service is represented as a local service through the use of a local proxy that insulates the service user from the complexities of communicating with a remote server. Various methods of operating a service framework are also described.

Abstract: In an information appliance system 100, a user device 108 comprises a client platform (200, FIG. 5) that includes a service framework (235, FIG. 5) to discover and connect with a variety of services, both remote and local, transient and persistent, and to disconnect from them when they are no longer of interest or become unavailable. The service framework 235 provides a standard, consistent, simplified way for services to make themselves available and for service-using entities to locate and connect with the services of interest to them. When a service is requested from a remote server, a service frontend (281, FIG. 9) on the client platform attempts to find its corresponding service backend (282, FIG. 9) on a server providing the requested service and, if it finds it, the frontend and backend coalesce in a fully formed service that is made available to a requesting service-using entity. As a result, platform resources and security are maintained.

Abstract: An internet radio for portable applications and uses such as in an automobile enables remotely configuring a wireless communication device comprising the steps of remotely configuring a format for providing content on said wireless communication device for a first user; remotely configuring a second format for providing content on said wireless communication device for a second user; receiving configuration data representing said format for said first user and said format for said second user from a remote network; and providing selected content from content downloaded from said network. Customized information is also communicated to the radio such as stock quotes, travel information, advertising, and e-mail. Onboard global positioning allows for channel updating by location, traffic information, geographic advertising and available similar content.

Abstract: In an information appliance system 100, a user device 108 comprises a client platform (200, FIG. 5) that includes a service framework (235, FIG. 5) to discover and connect with a variety of services, both remote and local, transient and persistent, and to disconnect from them when they are no longer of interest or become unavailable. The service framework 235 provides a standard, consistent, simplified way for services to make themselves available and for service-using entities to locate and connect with the services of interest to them. The service framework 235 comprises service event notification registries (254, 256, FIG. 7) in which service-requesting entities register templates defining the types of services they want to locate and connect with.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for recognizing written items including characters and symbols is disclosed. A scanner is utilized for scanning the characters and symbols. A recognition module is used to confidently identify the scanned characters and symbols. The recognition module includes a mechanism for recognizing characters. This mechanism includes a character recognition rule base which yields identified characters and unidentified characters. The unidentified characters are conveyed to neural networks for recognition. The recognition module also includes a mechanism for recognizing symbols. This mechanism includes a symbol recognition rule base which yields identified symbols and unidentified symbols. The unidentified symbols are conveyed to neural networks for recognition. The recognition module also includes a mechanism for context processing of the characters and symbols. The context processor utilizes a multilevel blackboard with a number of ascending levels.

Abstract: A technique for recognizing hand-drawn graphic symbols operates on vectorized graphic data, including lines, arcs, and circles, that have been produced by an automatic drawing recognition system. The user creates segmented rule bases for recognizing various symbols by describing the geometric structures of recognizable symbols and subsymbols. The rule bases each are compiled into a respective decision tree. Fetched input vectors and entities are placed in software "blackboards", and more particularly, into appropriate symbol slots and subsymbol slots thereof. The growing symbols and subsymbols on the blackboards are continually restructured until they form closed loops or the blackboards are filled. The decision tree then is applied to all possible permutations of the symbols and/or subsymbols to accomplish partial or complete recognition.