Abstract: A method of monitoring one or more central processing units in real time is disclosed. The method may include monitoring state data associated with the one or more CPUs in real-time, filtering the state data, and at least partially based on filtered state data, selectively altering one or more system settings.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the identity of a product and then calculating an offer price for the product are disclosed. The identity of the product may be determined using near-field communication in one aspect. The system and method are operable to enable retailers to provide a lowest price for the product and conduct a series of offer calculations to determine an offer for a consumer. The offer is based, in part, on costs to the consumer in executing the transaction (e.g., travel time, fuel, etc.). The offer may be higher than the lowest price as determined by each retailer, respectively, while still providing a discount to the consumer to entice a purchase of the product.

Abstract: A method and system for providing context dependent pop-up menu icons that activate menu icons in response to a select & drag operation by manipulation of a pointing device. Presented icons may correspond to functions or actions that can be implemented with the particular type of content selected. Icons may be displayed in a consistent manner in terms of position and content with respect to the selected file or object. Icons may appear only during a select & drag operation, thereby leaving the display uncluttered at other times. Presentation of icons may be discontinued when the selected file or object is dragged beyond the area of the presented icons. New applications can register with the operating system to specify icons to be presented when corresponding files are selected or when particular content objects are selected within the application.

Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing performance scaling algorithms designated for operation on a mobile device are disclosed. A system memory includes program, use case, and results stores in addition to test logic. The program store contains a set of programs defined by the combination of a performance scaling algorithm and a set of parameters. The use case store contains information that identifies expected tasks to be performed by end users of the mobile device over time. The results store organizes a respective merit value determined after each of the set of programs has been executed for tasks defined by each use case. When executed, the test logic adjusts the mobile device and associates a select program for each of the use cases in response to the stored merit values. The merit values are determined as a function of a performance metric and a power metric.

Abstract: Methods and devices provide a gesture activated file sharing functionality enabling users to share files with other nearby computing devices. The file sharing functionality may include establishing wireless links with nearby devices and determine their relative locations. The computing device may detect a file sharing gesture and transmit files to or request files from a nearby device in response to the gesture. Base on gesture parameters, e.g., direction, speed and shape, and computing device attitude parameters, e.g., tilt angle and pointing direction, the computing device may identify a targeted device to which a file may be transmitted. The computing device may request user verification of the identified device and send a request to transmit files to the targeted device. The computing devices may transmit files using networks and addresses provided over the device-to-device communication links.

Abstract: Methods and systems enable defining customized virtual keyboards on a touch sensitive surface, such as a touchscreen. Using learning algorithms, a computing device may learn the typing patterns of a user and “morph” the keys of a virtual keyboard into locations, sizes, and orientations that are comfortable for the user and which may reduce typing errors. A user may create a custom keypad layout by performing a series of key strokes on a touch sensitive surface. The computing device may correlate the touch locations to particular keys and generate keypad layout data that can be used to display the virtual keyboard and interpret touches on the touch sensitive surface. The computing device may monitor user typing activity and refine the keypad layout data based on detected or corrected typing errors. Keypad layout data may be exported to other devices to enable users to take their virtual keyboards with them.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices for controlling a desired output of an output device. These devices include a first conductor, a second conductor having a varying, predetermined spacing from the first conductor, and a third conductor positioned on the actuator mechanism and having a plurality of interconnecting positions between the first conductor and the second conductor. A predetermined one of a plurality of output signals may be produced when the third conductor connects the first conductor and the second conductor to control the desired output of the output device.

Abstract: A virtual cash system, method, and apparatus for establishing account records containing a record of money amounts associated with a wireless device and a security code comprising a code portion to verify a deposit of money. Cash transfers between account records may be subject to restrictions associated with the cash amounts. Cash amounts can be spent from the account records directly from the wireless device via information derived from the wireless device via a bar code on the display, a short range radio signal, a light beam, or the like. A different security code is generated for each account transaction for verification.

Abstract: A virtual cash system, method, and apparatus for establishing account records containing a record of money amounts associated with a wireless device and a security code comprising a code portion to verify a deposit of money. Cash transfers between account records may be subject to restrictions associated with the cash amounts. Restrictions may include the specific merchant identifications, product type identifications for which cash transfers may be made. Alternatively, the restrictions may include spending limits on each cash transfer.

Abstract: A virtual cash system, method, and apparatus has an account record containing a record of money amounts associated with a wireless device and a transmitter for wirelessly transmitting to the wireless device predetermined information from the account record. Cash amounts can be spent from the account record directly from the wireless device via information derived from the wireless device via a bar code on the display, a short range radio signal, a light beam, or the like. A different security code is generated for each account transaction for verification.

Abstract: A novel and improved method and apparatus, in a WCDMA communication system (100), for informing a mobile station (101) of a downlink data frame time offset by determining the downlink data frame time offset, and transmitting the downlink data frame time offset via an Active Set Update message transmitted from a cell (102 or 103) to mobile station (101). Once an Active Set Update message is received, the data frame time offset information is provided to a timing block (201) which may determine data frame boundary of each downlink signal. Timing block (201) may then adjust the PN sequence timing corresponding to the downlink signal associated with the data frame time offset such that corresponding data symbols in each data frame are correctly soft combined in a combiner(210).

Abstract: A method of conduction transactions at a point-of-sale terminal using a wireless device is disclosed and may include initiating a transaction with the point-of-sale terminal via a wireless link, receiving at least one price from the point-of-sale terminal, determining whether the at least one price satisfies a price warning condition, and transmitting a first audible signal if the at least one price satisfies the price warning condition.

Abstract: A navigation device receives a destination location to automatically calculate a route to the destination location over a wireless network. The destination location may be generated by a third party at a remote computer or wireless device. The destination location may be entered into the remote computer or wireless device, or may be automatically generated by the device. The destination location is transmitted from the remote computer or wireless device to the navigation device. Once received, the user of the navigation device may have the option of accepting or rejecting the destination location. The navigation device then uses the destination location to calculate a route which is communicated to the User with minimal to no user interaction. Multiple destinations may be sent to the navigation device, thus allowing advanced programming of an entire trip.

Abstract: A navigation device receives a destination location to automatically calculate a route to the destination location over a wireless network. The destination location may be generated by a third party at a remote computer or wireless device. The destination location may be entered into the remote computer or wireless device, or may be automatically generated by the device. The destination location is transmitted from the remote computer or wireless device to the navigation device. Once received, the user of the navigation device may have the option of accepting or rejecting the destination location. The navigation device then uses the destination location to calculate a route which is communicated to the user with minimal to no user interaction. Multiple destinations may be sent to the navigation device, thus allowing advanced programming of an entire trip.

Abstract: Methods and systems for conducting financial transactions in a mobile environment utilizing a mobile device such as a mobile telephone or wireless connected personal digital assistant (PDA) that communicates with a mobile financial transaction system (MFTS) that stores user and transaction information. The MFTS receives information on behalf of a mobile device user corresponding to bills to pay or other payments to make. The MFTS also receives information corresponding to payment sources available for use in making payments. Selected payments information and payment source information are communicated to the mobile user via a wireless network and displayed for user selection. The user selects a payment to make and a payment source. A mobile payment instruction is generated and communicated to the MFTS. The MFTS instructs a payment instruction recipient to make a payment to an identified payee. Real-time updated account and payment balances are provided to the user's mobile device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for efficient routing in communication networks. In an aspect, a method is provided for traffic routing between first and second nodes in a communication network. The method includes detecting traffic transmitted between the first and second nodes, transmitting a request to a mobility agent associated with the first node to request authorization for a route optimization between the first and second nodes, receiving a response that authorizes the route optimization, and establishing an optimized route. In an aspect, an apparatus includes detector logic for detecting traffic transmitted between the first and second nodes, transmitting logic for transmitting a request to a mobility agent associated with the first node to request authorization for a route optimization between the first and second nodes, receiving logic for receiving a response that authorizes the route optimization, and connection logic for establishing an optimized route.

Abstract: CDMA code channels are acquired using a crystal oscillator that is not temperature compensated and that generates a tuning signal with relatively large frequency error (e.g., +/?5 ppm). Channel acquisition is first attempted at no offset from a start frequency that is obtained by fitting an ideal temperature/frequency error curve to available actual data points. Following unsuccessful pilot acquisition, the offset frequency is stepped in a “spiral” manner, and pilot acquisition is retried. When the pilot and synchronization channels are successfully acquired, but the system identification is unexpected, an adjacent channel image has been acquired, and the offset frequency is bumped by a large step (e.g., 15 kHz). Pilot acquisition is retried using spiral stepping. The crystal oscillator is calibrated after each successful acquisition of the pilot, synchronization and paging channels by retaining a data point in a frequency adjustment table for the temperature at which frequency acquisition was successful.

Abstract: Methods and systems for indicating a mobile financial payment utilizing a mobile device such as a mobile telephone (cellphone) or wireless connected personal digital assistant (PDA). A mobile financial transaction system (MFTS) is coupled for wireless communications with a mobile device of a user and is also coupled for electronic communications with one or more payment instruction recipients that can make a payment to a payee in behalf of the user. The mobile device allows for selection of a pre-existing payee or entry of payee information. The user provides input at the mobile device selecting a payee for a payment and a payment source for the payment. A mobile payment instruction comprising information corresponding to the payment to make and a payment source for the payment is wirelessly communicated to the MFTS.

Abstract: A system and method for inputting a password. The system and method operates to associate unique non-descriptive graphical features with unique text-based characters. The system and method operates to receive in sequence, a plurality of text-based characters. The system and method operates to display in sequence, in accordance with a sequence scheme, the non-descriptive graphical features associated with the plurality of text-based characters. The system and method also operates to process the plurality of text-based characters as the password. In addition, the system and method operates wherein the password, including text-based characters, may be deciphered from both the display of the non-descriptive graphical features associated with the plurality of text-based characters and the sequence scheme.

Abstract: Methods and systems for receiving a financial payment facilitated by use of a mobile device such as a mobile telephone (cellphone) or wireless connected personal digital assistant (PDA). A mobile financial transaction system (MFTS) is coupled for wireless communications with a mobile device of a user/payee, and also is coupled for electronic communication with a payment instruction recipient that effects payments by various methods. The system provides information corresponding to a received payment to a user/payee's mobile device. Information is displayed to the user/payee corresponding to a plurality of selectable payment methods available for receiving the payment. The user/payee provides input on his/her mobile device corresponding to selection of a payment method for receiving the payment. The mobile device generates a mobile payment instruction indicating the selected payment method and wirelessly communicates the mobile payment instruction to the MFTS.