Abstract: System and methods are provided to create representations of geographic areas. Such representations enable users to search for items and services of interest and to quickly locate and utilize such items and services. Representations are created using user preferences thus reducing the amount of information presented to a user, i.e., user preferences control the contents of a representation. Control APIs contained within a representation may be used to control devices represented in a representation or to manufacture them using 3-D printing technologies. Methods to learn user preferences via his movements and other actions and impose a user's preferences upon an environment are shown. Some details of the invention are described by applying the invention to problems in retail marketing and figures depicting an implementation illustrate certain aspects of the invention.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for using information broadcast by devices and resources in the immediate vicinity of a mobile device, or by sensors located within the mobile device itself, to ascertain and make a determination of the immediate environment and state of the mobile device. The sensor data is then used to identify situational profiles to target and determine the relevance of apps, advertisements, content, and recommendations.

Abstract: Decentralization of application programs is a growing trend. It is known that user data communicated to different components of a transaction or application may be linked to derive a composite profile of users. A system and methods are presented that maintain user data privacy in decentralized networks, possibly containing multiple sensor devices. Applications to controlling smart devices and service portability across providers are shown.

Abstract: A method of controlling dissemination of content to communication devices over one or more communication networks includes receiving, by a content dissemination mechanism, a message reflecting a user-initiated action that is to cause dissemination of a given content item to a plurality of communication devices each associated with a user. Responsive to the message, a group of communication devices is identified to which the given content item is to be disseminated. A first subset of the identified group is determined. The content item is disseminated to a first subset of communication devices in the identified group. The determining is based at least in part on a first ratings formula derived at least in part from ratings of the given content item provided by users to whom the given content item has already been disseminated.

Abstract: A system and method is presented that extracts snippets form web pages according to specially designed logic. The extracted snippets might be made relevant to, i.e., indexed by, a location and time/day applicability. Such snippets may be thought of as apps or services that are defined only when a mobile terminal is in a pre-defined geographical area at a certain time and day (e.g., as defined by a calendar of events). Extracted snippets are stored and made searchable. Methods and a system are described to control the display of snippet search results. Snippets may be selected by user or by programmed logic and executed on the mobile terminal or in remote servers without the need to download the app or source code associated with the snippet.

Abstract: A system includes a database of image data associated with a vehicle; and control logic configured to cause a user device to capture one or more images and compare data associated with the one or more images with the image data to determine if a user is present in a vehicle and disable a text messaging function at least in part responsive to the determination using the image data.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for using information broadcast by devices and resources in the immediate vicinity of a mobile device, or by sensors located within the mobile device itself, to ascertain and make a determination of the immediate environment and state of the mobile device. This determination may be used to control and manage the actions that the device is asked to carry out by or on behalf of the user.

Abstract: A method of associating multiple user endpoints (UEs) with a single IMS session in an IMS network having a serving node for controlling at least one IMS session for a user and at least a first access network for providing access to UEs. The method involves associating a first UE with the user and with an IMS session; discovering a second UE in a proximity of the first UE; discovering information about the second UE; communicating the information about the second UE to the serving node; the serving node utilizing computer-implemented policy logic to determine whether to associate the second UE with the user and the EMS session; and if the policy logic determines that the second UE is to be associated, the serving node associating the second UE with the IMS session while retaining the association with the first UE.

Abstract: An online service provisioning process is provided during which the service provider's knowledge about the user to whom the service is delivered does not increase. This is accomplished by presenting user attribute information to the service provider as obfuscated objects that can be independently verified and which are privacy preserving.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided which allow computer programs or other entities to share user data and information so that users may be authenticated and their preferences shared among entities in networked environments and machines. Cryptographic credentials are generated for these purposes. While the credentials can be shared to provide entities with user authentication and preference data, a salient feature of the sharing technology is that the user is always in control of, and integral to, the sharing protocol. Moreover, the sharing preserves the privacy of the user's data.

Abstract: A method for sharing information has an assertion associated therewith such that the receiving communication device is able to verify the assertion without the sender revealing underlying data demonstrating the validity of the assertion. The assertion is derived from underlying data input to a pre-provisioned first algorithm. The assertion is encapsulated in a first data object by a PGE that controls an environment in which the first algorithm is executed. A first proof is generated that is configured to verify that the first algorithm used the underlying data to produce the assertion when provided to a PVE along with the first data object. The underlying data is excluded from the first proof and the first data object such that privacy of the underlying data is maintained. The information, the first proof and the first data object are sent to the receiving communication device from the sending communication device.

Abstract: A method of associating multiple user endpoints (UEs) with a single IMS session in an IMS network having a serving node for controlling at least one IMS session for a user and at least a first access network for providing access to UEs. The method involves associating a first UE with the user and with an IMS session; discovering a second UE in a proximity of the first UE; discovering information about the second UE; communicating the information about the second UE to the serving node; the serving node utilizing computer-implemented policy logic to determine whether to associate the second UE with the user and the EMS session; and if the policy logic determines that the second UE is to be associated, the serving node associating the second UE with the IMS session while retaining the association with the first UE.

Abstract: A method for sharing information has an assertion associated therewith such that the receiving communication device is able to verify the assertion without the sender revealing underlying data demonstrating the validity of the assertion. The assertion is derived from underlying data input to a pre-provisioned first algorithm. The assertion is encapsulated in a first data object by a PGE that controls an environment in which the first algorithm is executed. A first proof is generated that is configured to verify that the first algorithm used the underlying data to produce the assertion when provided to a PVE along with the first data object. The underlying data is excluded from the first proof and the first data object such that privacy of the underlying data is maintained. The information, the first proof and the first data object are sent to the receiving communication device from the sending communication device.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for using information broadcast by devices and resources in the immediate vicinity of a mobile device, or by sensors located within the mobile device itself, to ascertain and make a determination of the immediate environment and state of the mobile device. This determination may be used to control and manage the actions that the device is asked to carry out by or on behalf of the user.

Abstract: System and methods are provided to create representations of geographic areas. Such representations enable users to search for items and services of interest and to quickly locate and utilize such items and services. Representations are created using user preferences thus reducing the amount of information presented to a user, i.e., user preferences control the contents of a representation. Control APIs contained within a representation may be used to control devices represented in a representation or to manufacture them using 3-D printing technologies. Methods to learn user preferences via his movements and other actions and impose a user's preferences upon an environment are shown. Some details of the invention are described by applying the invention to problems in retail marketing and figures depicting an implementation illustrate certain aspects of the invention.

Abstract: An online service provisioning process is provided during which the service provider's knowledge about the user to whom the service is delivered does not increase. This is accomplished by presenting user attribute information to the service provider as obfuscated objects that can be independently verified and which are privacy preserving.

Abstract: A method for achieving consensus amongst a distributed and decentralized set of computers, devices or components in a network interacting via messaging is presented. The method does not rely on the availability of an overall ledger that is consulted for every interaction. Rather, the interacting components communicate directly with each other via messages that contain proofs of consistency that may be used to achieve local consistency amongst the interacting components. Local consistency guarantees global consistency. For regulatory and record keeping purposes, use of an overall ledger may be contemplated for regulatory and record keeping purposes. The latter may be updated by the interacting devices via an asynchronous updating mechanism.

Abstract: A method is provided for validating an assertion provided by a web resource. The method includes: sending a first request to the web resource over a communications network; responsive to the first request, receiving a web page from the web resource, the web page including at least one user-selectable representation of a cryptographic credential, the cryptographic credential including at least one assertion that is based on underlying data and at least one proof that allows verification that the assertion accurately reflects the underlying data without revealing the underlying data; receiving a selection of the user-selectable representation that causes a second request for verification of the proof to be sent over the communications network; and responsive to the second request, receiving a response indicating whether or not the representation accurately reflects the underlying data.

Abstract: A method for achieving consensus amongst a distributed and decentralized set of computers, devices or components in a network interacting via messaging is presented. The method does not rely on the availability of an overall ledger that is consulted for every interaction. Rather, the interacting components communicate directly with each other via messages that contain proofs of consistency that may be used to achieve local consistency amongst the interacting components. Local consistency guarantees global consistency. For regulatory and record keeping purposes, use of an overall ledger may be contemplated for regulatory and record keeping purposes. The latter may be updated by the interacting devices via an asynchronous updating mechanism.

Abstract: A system and method is presented that extracts snippets form web pages according to specially designed logic. The extracted snippets might be made relevant to, i.e., indexed by, a location and time/day applicability. Such snippets may be thought of as apps or services that are defined only when a mobile terminal is in a pre-defined geographical area at a certain time and day (e.g., as defined by a calendar of events). Extracted snippets are stored and made searchable. Methods and a system are described to control the display of snippet search results. Snippets may be selected by user or by programmed logic and executed on the mobile terminal or in remote servers without the need to download the app or source code associated with the snippet.