Abstract: A service providing apparatus for providing a service to a user of a user interface card (10) is disclosed. The card (10) is configured for insertion into a card read device (1) that has a receptacle (4) to receive the interface card (10). The interface card (10) comprises a substrate (12) with indicia (14) formed thereon. The apparatus also comprises a central processing unit for receiving a service identifier and data stored on the card (10), from the read device (1). The data is related to a user selected indicia (14), wherein the central processing unit is configured to provide a service. The service is identified by the service identifier.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of establishing a desired communication between an originating entity (102) and a target entity (106). Each entity is coupled to a communication network (100) and has a corresponding profile (112, 142) related to information handled by the entity. Initially a compatibility is determined between the profile (112) of the originating entity (102) and the profile (140) of the target entity (106). If a direct profile compatibility is determined between the originating entity and the target entity, the desired communication are establishing directly between the originating entity and the target entity. If step a direct profile compatibility between the originating entity and the target entity cannot be determined the network is searched to identify an additional entity (108) coupled to the network (100) and having a direct profile compatibility with one of the target or source entity to thereby form a linked entity pair providing communications (112, 124) with the additional entity.

Abstract: A read device (1) for reading an interface card (10) is disclosed. The card (10) is configured for insertion into the read device (1). The card (10) comprises indicia (14) formed thereon and a memory (19) having data stored therein for communicating with an external device. The read device (1) comprises a substantially transparent touch sensitive membrane (8) arranged to overlay the interface card (10) upon receipt of the card (10) in the read device (1). The read device (1) also comprises a central processing unit for sending a service identifier, and a specific portion of the data to the external device. The specific data is related to a user selected indicia (14), wherein the external device provides a service identified by the service identifier upon receipt of the data.

Abstract: A read device (1) for reading an interface card (16). The card (16) is configured for insertion into the read device (1). The card (16) comprises indicia formed thereon and a memory having data stored therein for communicating with an external device (601, 700). The read device (1) comprises a substantially transparent touch sensitive membrane (8) arranged to overlay the interface card (16) upon receipt of the card (16) in the read device (1). The read device (1) also comprises a central processing unit (45) for sending a service identifier, a distinguishing identifier and a specific portion of the data to the external device (601, 700). The specific data is related to a user selected indicia (14). A service identified by the service identifier upon receipt of the data is provided via the external device (601, 700).

Abstract: Disclosed is an electronic ticketing system (100, 200) and method (60) utilizing a smart card (31) The smart card can be loaded with pre-purchased tickets which are then booked at a subsequent date. Alternatively, the booking and payment for the ticket can be made at the one transaction. The smart card is customizable by a user (100) who would normally be a promoter or organizer of an event for which tickets are required. Also disclosed is a multiple purpose card (70, 91, 141, 151, 161) which is both a smart card having electronic data stored (78) therein and a conventional business card having information (72) printed thereon for use by a reader. The donee of the card is able to insert same into a card reader (12) to obtain detailed information from the computer (100) of the donor of the card. The multiple purpose smart card may also be used as a trading card (506) as part of a set (500) of similar cards each offering differing levels of user access to a database (526) related to the set.

Abstract: The method is adapted for using multiple cards with a single reader. The method initiates a session of an application upon an insertion of a first card into the reader. The session is maintained active when the first card is removed from the reader and a second card associated with the first card is to be inserted in the reader. The method performs an action upon an insertion of the second card into the reader.

Abstract: A method and system (100) for conveying a video message is disclosed. Video data comprising at least image data and associated audio data is captured and a video message structure (401) is created. A link is established between the structure (401) and the video data to create a structured video message. The structured video message is characterized by a video message structure (401) that provides an originator (103), of the message, enhanced manipulation capabilities for the video data by manipulating the structure (401). The structured video message can be conveyed to a recipient for viewing and/or for providing the recipient substantially the same enhanced manipulation capabilities.

Abstract: A service providing apparatus for providing a service to a user of a user interface card (10) is disclosed. The card (10) is configured for insertion into a card read device (1) that has a receptacle (4) to receive the interface card (10). The interface card (10) comprises a substrate (12) with indicia (14) formed thereon. The apparatus also comprises a central processing unit for receiving a service identifier and data stored on the card (10), from the read device (1). The data is related to a user selected indicia (14) wherein the central processing unit is configured to provide a service. The service is identified by the service identifier.

Abstract: A method and system (100) for conveying a video message is disclosed. Video data comprising at least image data and associated audio data is captured and a video message structure (401) is created. A link is established between the structure (401) and the video data to create a structured video message. The structured video message is characterized by a video message structure (401) that provides an originator (103), of the message, enhanced manipulation capabilities for the video data by manipulating the structure (401). The structured video message can be conveyed to a recipient for viewing and/or for providing the recipient substantially the same enhanced manipulation capabilities.

Abstract: A read device (1) for reading an interface card (10) is disclosed. The card (10) is configured for insertion into the read device (1). The card (10) comprises indicia (14) formed thereon and a memory (19) having data stored therein for communicating with an external device. The read device (1) comprises a substantially transparent touch sensitive membrane (8) arranged to overlay the interface card (10) upon receipt of the card (10) in the read device (1). The read device (1) also comprises a central processing unit for sending a service identifier, and a specific portion of the data to the external device. The specific data is related to a user selected indicia (14), wherein the external device provides a service identified by the service identifier upon receipt of the data.

Abstract: A “secure pick-up” process is described, allowing secure print jobs to be sent across a network (100). A security key (300) is inserted into an initiating camera (102), allowing information (110) to be transferred from the camera (102) to a printer (104). However, the printer (104) is not permitted to output printed pages until the security key (300) is equivalently inserted into the printer (104). Such provides the initiating party with the assurance that the print job will not be output by the printer (104) until the print initiator (ie. the user) goes to the printer (104) and physically inserts the security key (300).

Abstract: A method is described whereby a user may interact with control indicia (22, 24) of a smartcard (10) to modify data stored in a volatile portion of a memory chip (19). A possible source of data may be from the smartcard 10 itself, whereby an incident where a region on a pressure sensitive membrane (8) of a controller (2) associated with a specific index (22, 24) has been pressed is stored on the memory chip (19). This enables the occurrence of this incident to be extracted later. Another possible source of the data is a software application, running on a computer. A user may save a state of the application, enabling the user to return to that state of the application later by activation of a region on the pressure sensitive membrane (8) associated with the same control index (22, 24).

Abstract: A read device (1) for reading an interface card (16). The card (16) is configured for insertion into the read device (1). The card (16) comprises indicia formed thereon and a memory having data stored therein for communicating with an external device (601, 700). The read device (1) comprises a substantially transparent touch sensitive membrane (8) arranged to overlay the interface card (16) upon receipt of the card (16) in the read device (1). The read device (1) also comprises a central processing unit (45) for sending a service identifier, a distinguishing identifier and a specific portion of the data to the external device (601, 700). The specific data is related to a user selected indicia (14). A service identified by the service identifier upon receipt of the data is provided via the external device (601, 700).

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of establishing a desired communication between an originating entity (102) and a target entity (106). Each entity is coupled to a communication network (100) and has a corresponding profile (112, 142) related to information handled by the entity. Initially a compatibility is determined between the profile (112) of the originating entity (102) and the profile (140) of the target entity (106). If a direct profile compatibility is determined between the originating entity and the target entity, the desired communication are establishing directly between the originating entity and the target entity. If step a direct profile compatibility between the originating entity and the target entity cannot be determined the network is searched to identify an additional entity (108) coupled to the network (100) and having a direct profile compatibility with one of the target or source entity to thereby form a linked entity pair providing communications (112, 124) with the additional entity.

Abstract: The method is adapted for using multiple smartcards with a single reader. The method initiates (1.3) a session of an application upon an insertion of a first smartcard into the reader. The session is maintained active when the first smartcard is removed from the reader and a second smartcard associated with the first smartcard is to be inserted in the reader (1.4.4.1). The method performs (1.4.4.2.4.2) an action upon an insertion of the second smartcard into the reader.

Abstract: A method is described whereby a user may interact with control indicia (22, 24) of a smartcard (10) to modify data stored in a volatile portion of a memory chip (19). A possible source of data may be from the smartcard 10 itself, whereby an incident where a region on a pressure sensitive membrane (8) of a controller (2) associated with a specific index (22, 24) has been pressed is stored on the memory chip (19). This enables the occurrence of this incident to be extracted later. Another possible source of the data is a software application, running on a computer. A user may save a state of the application, enabling the user to return to that state of the application later by activation of a region on the pressure sensitive membrane (8) associated with the same control index (22, 24).