Abstract: A device, system and method for confidentially communicating a security alert to a monitoring service or other entity are provided. A mobile device of the present disclosure, e.g., a cellular phone, GSM phone, media player, personal digital assistant (PDA), etc., will enable a user to send a security alert or emergency communication to another party, e.g., an alerting such a monitoring service, where the user can accomplish this alert without letting anyone know that they are sending the alert so that the user does not put themselves in further danger by alerting the perpetrator of the crime to the alert. Moreover, the user will be able to send the monitoring service information on the nature of the alert including a geographic location of the user.

Abstract: A device, system and method for confidentially communicating a security alert to a monitoring service or other entity are provided. A mobile device of the present disclosure, e.g., a cellular phone, GSM phone, media player, personal digital assistant (PDA), etc., will enable a user to send a security alert or emergency communication to another party, e.g., an alerting such a monitoring service, where the user can accomplish this alert without letting anyone know that they are sending the alert so that the user does not put themselves in further danger by alerting the perpetrator of the crime to the alert. Moreover, the user will be able to send the monitoring service information on the nature of the alert including a geographic location of the user.

Abstract: A method, controller and system in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure facilitate automatic acquisition of broadcast content for a user. Within the method, controller and system, a user device having a digital imaging device, a controller, and at least one network interface is configured to scan a visual code overlaid on visual broadcast content displayed on a display device. The user device interprets the scanned visual code to identify the visual broadcast content, and retrieves user preferences stored on the user device to facilitate acquisition of the stored content by the user. The user preferences identify a user-preferred site for acquiring the broadcast content, and may identify other parameters as well. The user device then establishes a transaction between the user device and the user-preferred site to acquire the broadcast content. In an embodiment, mere acceptance of the transaction by the user completes the transaction.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a novel and non-obvious method, system and computer program product for image annotation for image auxiliary information storage and retrieval. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for image annotation for image auxiliary information storage and retrieval is provided. The method includes loading a digital image into memory of a computer and selecting separately stored auxiliary information for the digital image. A network location of the auxiliary information can be encoded. Finally, the encoding can be embedded into the digital image.

Abstract: A computer-related and/or business type method is presented for embedding one or more media hotspots within a digital media file and, in response to interaction from a separate target entity, such as via an associating request, associating one or more resultant actions with the media hotspot(s). In exchange for associating the one or more resultant actions with the media hotspot(s), an interactive media service entity being affiliated with a web site displaying the digital media file and/or a user being affiliated with the digital media file itself is compensated based upon at least one compensation plan.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for vehicle traffic flow data acquisition and reporting for onboard vehicle navigation. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for vehicle traffic flow data acquisition and reporting for onboard vehicle navigation can include acquiring imagery of multiple vehicles traveling on a roadway between two locations and individually identifying the different vehicles in the imagery. An elapsed time of travel can be determined for the individually identified vehicles between the two locations and a rate of travel can be computed for each of the individually identified different vehicles based upon the elapsed time of travel. Thereafter, the rate of travel for at least one of the individually identified different vehicles can be broadcast to a subscriber for at least one of the two locations.

Abstract: A system and method for verifying a user's identity during a point-of-sale transaction are provided. The system and method provide for applying for, receiving and verifying a financial services provider card; providing a plurality of requested biometric identification data to a financial services provider; uploading the plurality of biometric identification data of a user requested by the financial services provider via a network connected computing device to a preselected website; storing the plurality of biometric identification data in a remote server coupled to the preselected website; and using the plurality of requested biometric identification data to execute a point-of-sale transaction, wherein a merchant can verify the financial services card with the biometric identification data provided by the remote server or provided by the user via a point-of-sale terminal.

Abstract: A system and method for retrieving and storing digital documents with physical file storage systems are provided. The disclosed system and methods allow a user to retrieve digital documents from a conventional file storage system and to seamlessly categorize and store the digital documents within the conventional file storage system. The system and method provide for receiving an identifier associated with the physical file folder; and accessing the digital documents of the physical file folder using the received identifier. The system and method further provide for storing digital content in a file folder over a network including uploading and storing the digital content; entering an identification code associated with at least one file folder; and assigning digital content to the at least one selected file folder.

Abstract: A system and method for previewing and purchasing digital content are provided. A method for previewing and rating digital content over a network includes accessing at least one preselected web site via a network connected media player assembly. Once the web site is accessed, at least one preview content is downloaded to the network connected media player assembly and the preview content is transferred to a portable media storage and playback device. The preview content is previewed and rated through the portable media storage and playback device and the rating of the preview content is then uploaded to the preselected web site via the network connected media player assembly. The preview content is purchased based on the user rating. Finally, the purchased preview content is downloaded to the portable media storage and playback device via the network connected media player assembly.

Abstract: A device, system and method for confidentially communicating a security alert to a monitoring service or other entity are provided. A mobile device of the present disclosure, e.g., a cellular phone, GSM phone, media player, personal digital assistant (PDA), etc., will enable a user to send a security alert or emergency communication to another party, e.g., an alerting such a monitoring service, where the user can accomplish this alert without letting anyone know that they are sending the alert so that the user does not put themselves in further danger by alerting the perpetrator of the crime to the alert. Moreover, the user will be able to send the monitoring service information on the nature of the alert including a geographic location of the user.

Abstract: A system and method is provided to allow a physician to consider alternative medications while he is electronically prescribing medications to the patient, and to also allow the physician to be aware of and provide free medications and/or rebates to the patient.