Abstract: A method for retrieving and displaying a photorealistic image of a device that is connected to a computing device or available for connection comprises the steps of: using the computing device to receive data from the device; using the computing device to retrieve identifying information from the device; using the computing device to retrieve a photorealistic image from a database based on the identifying information; and displaying the retrieved photorealistic image on the computing device.

Abstract: A computer-based method and system for ascertaining whether multiple radios available for connection to a mobile computing device are associated with a single wireless device comprise the steps of: using the mobile computing device to receive data from a radio of a wireless device; querying a database to ascertain whether the mobile computing device has previously identified that radio; if not, sending a request for identifying information to the radio; if no response is received, scanning the received data from the radio to look for and capture identifying information; processing the captured identifying information into a simplified name; querying the database to ascertain whether the mobile computing device has previously identified another radio with a similar simplified name, which indicates that the respective radios are associated with a single wireless device; communicating information that the respective radios are associated with a single wireless device to one or more software applications; and sto

Abstract: A computer-based method and system for identifying and selecting a wireless device for connection comprises the steps of: using a computing device to receive data identifying each wireless device available for connection to the computing device in a given location; querying a database for information about each wireless device identified in the given location; determining connection requirements for the computing device; and selecting a wireless device for connection based on an analysis of the information about each wireless device available for connection to the computing device in the given location in view of the determined connection requirements.

Abstract: A computer-based method and system for managing user preferences for one or more software applications running on a mobile computing device comprises the steps of: using the mobile computing device to receive data concerning a location of the mobile computing device; using the mobile computing device to receive data about each wireless device present and/or available for connection in the location; querying a first database to ascertain optimal user preferences for the one or more software applications running on the mobile computing device based on the location of the mobile computing device and the wireless devices present and/or available for connection in the location; and communicating instructions to one or more software applications for changing the user preferences associated with each software application to the optimal user preferences.

Abstract: A computer-based method for inferring a location of a mobile computing device comprises the steps of using the mobile computing device to receive data about one or more devices present in a first location at a first time, including those devices available for connection; assigning an identification code to each device present in the first location; storing said data and identification code for each device present in the first location in a database; receiving new data about each device present in a location at a subsequent time, including those devices available for connection to the mobile computing device; and inferring that the mobile computing device is at the first location by comparing the new data to the stored data and identification codes.

Abstract: A system and method for multi-radio control unifies disparate radio technologies and communication protocols and abstracts them such that a user of a personal electronic device having a plurality of disparate radios is not required to know or understand the radio technology needed to connect to a remote wireless device or service. An intermediate layer receives requests from a user interface application, generates specific driver commands to each radio, and returns information received from each radio to the user interface application module. A user interface application module initiates a search for available remote wireless devices, provides the user with information regarding the available remote wireless devices, and establishes a connection to an available remote wireless device in response to a user selection. The user interface application module also presents notifications to the user, and also handles disconnect requests and security credential dialogs.