Abstract: In a method of purchasing online, a client device of a customer communicates a purchase selection which is received by a vendor computer system. The vendor computer system, in response, communicates a cost of the purchase selection and fund confirmation address to the client device. The client device communicates a payment authorization for the cost that is received by a fund guardian. The client device also communicates biometric information. The fund guardian confirms the availability of sufficient funds to pay the cost. The biometric information is applied along with a stored biometric print to authenticate the customer. The vendor computer system communicates a fund confirmation address which is received by the fund guardian. When sufficient funds are available to pay the cost, and when the customer is authenticated, the fund guardian communicates a fund confirmation to the vendor computer system at the fund confirmation address.

Abstract: Mobile communications devices include sensors for monitoring for environmental hazards that an individual carrying the mobile communications device may encounter when moving from place to place. Examples of such environmental hazards are smoke, poisonous gases including carbon monoxide, and the like. Upon detecting an environmental hazard, the mobile communications device of the individual may take some action. The mobile communications device may generate a local alert to call the attention of the individual to the environmental hazard. The mobile communications device may originate an outbound emergency communication to inform other parties such as emergency personnel that the environmental hazard exists.

Abstract: A system and methods are provided for remotely recovering and purging data from a wireless device in a communications network. The system includes a wireless device capable of executing a data recovery/purge application program for receiving a message from a communications device in the network. The application program retrieves the data in the wireless device, purges the data from the wireless device, and sends a return message, including the data retrieved from the wireless device, to the communications device.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for establishing device interaction among electronic devices of a device environment and a notification device interfaced with the user. Notification devices allow the user to communicate directly with the device environment, such as by entering information in a mobile phone that has a wireless connection to the environment. A device of the environment has a first transmitter and receiver for communicating with other devices, such as a notification device within the environment. In the instance where a notification device is located remotely, the device of the environment may also include a second transmitter and receiver for communicating with the remotely located notification device through a remote communications transport. A memory stores interaction rules and translation rules, and a processor implements the interaction rules and translation rules to establish interaction with the notification device.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for alerting a calling or message sending party as to whether a desired receiving wireless electronic communication device is off or out of range for sending and receiving transmissions. When a call is placed to a wireless telephone or when a message or page is placed to a wireless communication device such as a pager, text messaging device, or personal digital assistant, the operational status of the receiving wireless telephone or other wireless communication device is checked by the wireless network in which the wireless device operates. A message or call is returned to the calling party or sender to alert the calling party or sender if the desired receiving device is off or out of range so that the calling party or message sending party may choose an alternate means of communicating with the desired receiving party.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed which relate to the calibration and quality assurance of motion tracking enabled radiation therapy machines. A phantom, capable of mimicking human breathing through inflation and deflation of the lungs, houses an independently moving target (tumor) that detects the amount of radiation received from the radiation therapy machine. This amount can be compared with a desired amount to determine if adjustment or repositioning is necessary. The servo-mechanism(s) of the motion tracking enabled radiation therapy machine(s) are adjusted in comparison of detected versus programmed motion of the respiring phantom having incorporated independently moving target that incorporated radiation dose detector(s). In the invention, motion tracking and irradiation mechanisms of the radiation therapy machine are adjusted to calibrate with reference to performance specifications of the radiation therapy machine.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention includes a surgical device for passing suture through soft tissue. The surgical device can include at least one elongate superelastic member having a thickness and having a first resting configuration that defines at least one curve having a first radius of curvature greater than or equal to 3 times the thickness of the superelastic member. The surgical device also can include a thermally formed opening in the superelastic member, the opening adapted to receive at least one strand of suture. Moreover, the surgical device can include a superelastic member adapted to be straightened into a second configuration having a second radius of curvature larger than the first radius of curvature.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for forwarding communications to a first destination number to a second destination number after receipt of a forwarding indication from the second destination number. In the first embodiment, the method comprises the steps of the communication device coupled to the second destination number receiving a forwarding indication, determining the first destination number to be forwarded based on the forwarding indication, and forwarding communications directed to the first destination number to the second destination number. In the second embodiment, the method comprises the steps of the client device coupled to the second destination number receiving a forwarding indication, determining the first destination number to be forwarded based on the forwarding indication, and forwarding communications directed to the first destination number to the second destination number.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to implement a dynamic and efficient cascading policy management framework architecture for both wired and wireless networks. A plurality of Policy Functions (PFs) are assigned to a plurality of Policy Enforcement Points (PEP). The PFs make decisions regarding local policy control at the specific PEP. The PFs then delegate the policy requests or IP flows to a separate PEP that is more conducive to enforcing that policy request. Thus, policy decisions are made at the point where the most information is available, leading to fewer policy requests traversing back and forth across a network. Additionally, this cascading Policy Management Framework Architecture allows for unified policy management across multiple types of networks, including wired (Internet) and wireless (UMTS).

Abstract: A system for a mobile wireless communications device configured to stream video to a peer device over a mobile wireless network, the device configured to increase the radio channel capacity between the wireless communication devices and the network to allow faster video encoding and transmission. The video transmitting device receives measurements on radio conditions related to the radio channels carrying the video and determines if the radio conditions can support an increased channel capacity. If so, the transmitting device sends a request to the network to increase capacity on the radio channels. If the network determines that the other resources transporting the video can support an increase in traffic resulting from an increase in the radio channel capacity, then the network sends orders to carry out a radio channel capacity increase.

Abstract: Wireless user equipment in possession of a user can be identified (e.g., by its telephone number) based upon observations or knowledge of another such user. Information associated with one of a first user and second user, such as a telephone number, can then be provided to the other. For example, a first user who observes a second user may wish to know the number of the second user's mobile phone without asking the second user for his or her number. The second user's number can be determined by estimating the location of the second user based upon the first user's location and the first user's observations about the second user, and identifying any user equipment at the estimated location.

Abstract: A system for storing subscriber information in a centralized location includes a processor, memory coupled to the processor, and a data storage device coupled to the processor. The data storage device includes a subscriber profile portion for storing personal information about a subscriber. The subscriber profile portion includes a subscriber identification portion for storing an identification string. The subscriber profile portion is associated with an account type portion for storing account information, a portal portion for storing portal information, and an account status portion for storing account status information. The data storage device further includes a subscription portion for storing subscription information. The subscription portion is associated with a device portion for storing device information, a services portion for storing services information, and a mobile subscription portion for storing mobile subscription information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing downlink transmit delay diversity (TDD). In accordance with the invention, a BTS includes at least one simplex transceiver (S-TRX) that does not implement downlink TDD and at least one duplex transceiver (D-TRX) that does implement TDD. In accordance with the preferred embodiment, the BTS has “N” S-TRXs and “A” D-TRXs, where N and A are positive integers and A is less than N. When downlink TDD is implemented, a total of N+A transceivers may be used (i.e., N S-TRXs and A D-TRXs). When downlink TDD is not needed, as many as N S-TRXs may be used. When downlink TDD is not needed, typically no D-TRXs are used. Therefore, the present invention reduces the amount of resources that is required to implement downlink TDD. In addition, the present invention efficiently utilizes resources by preferably implementing downlink TDD only when it is needed.

Abstract: A recording device provides conversation recording with real-time notification between users of communication terminals engaged in a conversation. The recording device provides a recording start notification to a second communication terminal in response to receiving an initiate recording request from a first communication terminal, and initiates recording of the conversation. The recording device terminates recording of the conversation in response to receiving a terminate recording request from the first communication terminal, provides a recording stop notification to the second communication terminal, and saves the recorded conversation to a file in a file storage medium. The recording start and recording stop notifications can be either audible or electronic notifications. The first communication terminal may be muted prior to providing a notification, and un-muted subsequent to the notification. The recording device may obtain permission from the second communication terminal to record the conversation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing distinctive vibration alerts are described herein. In different aspects, the methods may include sensing an event and determining a corresponding vibration definition for the event based on one or more properties of the event. The methods also include providing the corresponding vibration definition. The methods then further include producing mechanical vibrations of the device based on the vibration definition.

Abstract: A service request is received and associated with a subscriber id. Profile information is accessed for the source of the service request. A copy of the profile information is stored in a network element employed by the source of the service request to access the network.

Abstract: Call handoff from an 802.1x network to a cellular network, and vice versa. A wireless device that has both cellular and 802.1x capability detects the strength of a cellular signal and of an 802.1x signal. If a call is taking place over the 802.1x network and the strength of the 802.1x signal drops below a particular level and the strength of the cellular signal is above a certain level, the call is handed off from the 802.1x network to the cellular network. If a call is taking place over the cellular network and the cellular signal strength drops below a certain level while the 802.1x signal strength is above a certain level, the call is handed off from the cellular network to the 802.1x network. In addition, the user of the wireless device can manually initiate the handoff by actuating a handoff selector of the wireless device.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for tagging or identifying bad, faulty or objectionable media resource files in real time, as the media is playing, by users who are exposed to the media. The tagging is simple to use and easy to remember, allowing for increased use of the tagging process to identify, correct and replace bad, faulty or objectionable media.

Abstract: A method for password protecting a subscriber-created distribution list in a wireless network includes receiving in a wireless network a subscriber-created password and a distribution list of a plurality of destination addresses, storing the distribution list and the subscriber-created password in a data structure within the wireless network, associating the subscriber-created password with the distribution list, and limiting access to the distribution list based on the subscriber-created password.

Abstract: A system and a method for implementing an energy-efficient multimedia messaging system to improve mobile device usability and maximize mobile device battery life. The disclosed system includes a hierarchical messaging system for multimedia content leveraging short message service (SMS), an embedded system-based new interface device, and the Internet capability of mobile network access devices which support programmatic control for a power optimization policy. This system reduces energy overhead in network access devices and improves the usability of the multimedia messaging service.