Abstract: A method for renewing and enhancing device protection accounts is provided, the method including firstly receiving a data file containing account information at predetermined intervals from a protection carrier, secondly referencing the data file when an account subscriber contacts a provider, thirdly determining whether the subscriber is eligible for account renewal and enhancement; and fourthly notifying the subscriber that account renewal and enhancement eligibility has been determined.

Abstract: A method of upgrading a device account is provided, the method comprising: disposing a processor in communication with a software package, wherein said software package is capable of receiving a data file containing a current device account status indicator from a device account status data provider; referencing said data file to inform a decision regarding whether a device account owner is eligible for an account upgrade at the time a device account claim is processed; and notifying said owner whether a device protection account upgrade is available.

Abstract: Methods and means for device account based protection coverage are provided which allow for account holders to share a protection plan across a shared account, thereby covering a plurality of individual devices and discreet devices. Program users are able to manage their device protection in a manner more consistent with the way they use their device and services. Users are also able to purchase rate-tailored protection plans for all (or some) of the plurality of devices tied to the account, thereby facilitating cost-sharing of service fees with other members associated with the account. Account members can also share claims benefits across the protected group.

Abstract: One embodiment includes a method for offering a protection policy for a mobile device, the method comprising the steps of providing an application, conducting a test of the mobile device, calculating the risk of protecting the mobile device, and offering an protection policy. The application is configured to operate on the mobile device and to test at least one function of the mobile device. The test is conducted by the application and verifies at least one function of the mobile device through the application. The risk of protecting the mobile device is based upon at least one result of the test. The protection policy for the mobile device is based upon the calculated risk, has a cost, and is offered for purchase to a user of the mobile device.

Abstract: A method for renewing device protection accounts is provided, the method including at least the receiving of a data file containing account information at predetermined intervals from a protection carrier; referencing the data file when an account subscriber contacts a provider; determining whether the subscriber is eligible for account renewal; and notifying said subscriber that account renewal eligibility has been determined.

Abstract: A disclosed system includes a processor circuit that is configured to evaluate a candidate for employment. The processor circuit performs operations including receiving a first dataset representing preferences for characteristics of an employee, receiving a second dataset representing characteristics of the candidate for employment, and generating a difference metric that represents deviations between the first dataset and the second dataset. The processor circuit may be further configured to compare the difference metric to a predetermined suitability threshold, and to designate the candidate as a suitable candidate when the difference metric is less than the threshold. The system may further include a display device and a user input device. The processor circuit may control the display device to display questions to a user on a graphical user interface, and to control the user input device to receive user data from the user in response to the presented questions.

Abstract: Methods and means for device account based protection coverage are provided which allow for account holders to share a protection plan across a shared account, thereby covering a plurality of individual devices and discreet devices. Program users are able to manage their device protection in a manner more consistent with the way they use their device and services. Users are also able to purchase rate-tailored protection plans for all (or some) of the plurality of devices tied to the account, thereby facilitating cost-sharing of service fees with other members associated with the account. Account members can also share claims benefits across the protected group.

Abstract: A method of upgrading a device account is provided, the method comprising: disposing a processor in communication with a software package, wherein said software package is capable of receiving a data file containing a current device account status indicator from a device account status data provider; referencing said data file to inform a decision regarding whether a device account owner is eligible for an account upgrade at the time a device account claim is processed; and notifying said owner whether a device protection account upgrade is available.

Abstract: One embodiment includes a method for offering a protection policy for a mobile device, the method comprising the steps of providing an application, conducting a test of the mobile device, calculating the risk of protecting the mobile device, and offering an protection policy. The application is configured to operate on the mobile device and to test at least one function of the mobile device. The test is conducted by the application and verifies at least one function of the mobile device through the application. The risk of protecting the mobile device is based upon at least one result of the test. The protection policy for the mobile device is based upon the calculated risk, has a cost, and is offered for purchase to a user of the mobile device.

Abstract: A disclosed system includes a processor circuit that is configured to evaluate a candidate for employment. The processor circuit performs operations including receiving a first dataset representing preferences for characteristics of an employee, receiving a second dataset representing characteristics of the candidate for employment, and generating a difference metric that represents deviations between the first dataset and the second dataset. The processor circuit may be further configured to compare the difference metric to a predetermined suitability threshold, and to designate the candidate as a suitable candidate when the difference metric is less than the threshold. The system may further include a display device and a user input device. The processor circuit may control the display device to display questions to a user on a graphical user interface, and to control the user input device to receive user data from the user in response to the presented questions.

Abstract: A communications system and method is provided for facilitating access to a service center resource. A request is received from a mobile device of a user to access a service center associated with a destination specific application on the mobile device. The request includes information entered by the user and associated with the request. An identification of a service center resource of the service center that matches needs of the user based upon the information entered by the user and a determination of an availability of the service center resource is made. A first communication is launched to a communications address associated with the mobile device and a second communication is launched to a communications address associated with the service center resource. The first communication and the second communication are bridged.

Abstract: A method of upgrading a device account is provided, the method comprising: disposing a processor in communication with a software package, wherein said software package is capable of receiving a data file containing a current device account status indicator from a device account status data provider; referencing said data file to inform a decision regarding whether a device account owner is eligible for an account upgrade at the time a device account claim is processed; and notifying said owner whether a device protection account upgrade is available.

Abstract: Methods and means for device account based protection coverage are provided which allow for account holders to share a protection plan across a shared account, thereby covering a plurality of individual devices and discreet devices. Program users are able to manage their device protection in a manner more consistent with the way they use their device and services. Users are also able to purchase rate-tailored protection plans for all (or some) of the plurality of devices tied to the account, thereby facilitating cost-sharing of service fees with other members associated with the account. Account members can also share claims benefits across the protected group.

Abstract: One embodiment includes a method for offering a protection policy for a mobile device, the method comprising the steps of providing an application, conducting a test of the mobile device, calculating the risk of protecting the mobile device, and offering an protection policy. The application is configured to operate on the mobile device and to test at least one function of the mobile device. The test is conducted by the application and verifies at least one function of the mobile device through the application. The risk of protecting the mobile device is based upon at least one result of the test. The protection policy for the mobile device is based upon the calculated risk, has a cost, and is offered for purchase to a user of the mobile device.

Abstract: Technologies for service discovery and media sharing are disclosed. A described technique includes receiving, at a first device, service information for a streaming service provided by a second device, the first device and second device being on different first networks, the first networks being different local multicast networks; inserting an entry in a multicast domain name system (mDNS) cache of the first device based on the service information such that the streaming service is (i) discoverable by the first device via a mDNS query and (ii) accessible through a second network that interconnects the first networks; and sending streaming information from the first device to the second device through the second network for the streaming service.

Abstract: Methods and means for device account based protection coverage are provided which allow for account holders to share a protection plan across a shared account, thereby covering a plurality of individual devices and discreet devices. Program users are able to manage their device protection in a manner more consistent with the way they use their device and services. Users are also able to purchase rate-tailored protection plans for all (or some) of the plurality of devices tied to the account, thereby facilitating cost-sharing of service fees with other members associated with the account. Account members can also share claims benefits across the protected group.

Abstract: A method for integrating interactions in an address book application that includes managing a plurality of contacts of an electronic address book, identifying a contact with a relationship to an interaction service, collecting dynamic information corresponding to the identified contact, and facilitating an interaction using the dynamic information.

Abstract: Technologies for mobile device security are disclosed. A described technique includes launching a monitoring application that has a priority receiver attribute for a Short Message Service (SMS); receiving, within the monitoring application, a message from the SMS, the message being distributed to other applications on the mobile device; parsing the message to extract an originating address and message data; storing, in a data structure controlled by the monitoring application, the originating address and the message data; after a predetermined time interval, using the originating address and the message data stored in the data structure to determine whether the message has been stored in a non-priority client SMS database residing on the mobile device; and if the message has not been stored in the client SMS database, determining whether one or more applications other than the monitoring application that have the priority receiver attribute are associated with malicious activity.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for service discovery and media sharing are described. For example, a described technique includes identifying, at a first device, a streaming service; receiving a request to establish communication with a second device, the first device and the second device being on different first networks, the first networks being different local multicast networks; and providing, in response to the request, service information to the second device to cause the second device to internally publish multicast domain name system (mDNS) information regarding the streaming service such that the streaming service is (i) discoverable by the second device via a mDNS query and (ii) accessible through a second network that interconnects the first networks.

Abstract: Methods and means for device account based protection coverage are provided which allow for account holders to share a protection plan across a shared account, thereby covering a plurality of individual devices and discreet devices. Program users are able to manage their device protection in a manner more consistent with the way they use their device and services. Users are also able to purchase rate-tailored protection plans for all (or some) of the plurality of devices tied to the account, thereby facilitating cost-sharing of service fees with other members associated with the account. Account members can also share claims benefits across the protected group.