Abstract: A system includes a hardware platform, at least one driver, a plurality of devices connected to the hardware platform, a middleware interface, and a plurality of software services. Each of the plurality of devices is selected from the group consisting of sensors and actuators. The plurality of software services is generated by the at least one driver, wherein a software service associates with a device, and wherein each of the software services complies with the middleware interface. A method for interfacing a plurality of devices to a hardware platform includes communicably connecting each of the plurality of devices to the hardware platform, converting each of the plurality of devices into a programmable software service using a driver, and programming each of the software services to comply with a middleware interface.

Abstract: A system for communication between a mobile node and a communications network is provided for use with a communications network having one or more communications network nodes that define a foreign agents and that communicate with the mobile node in a predefined region. The system includes a ghost-foreign agent that advertises a foreign agent so that the mobile node is aware of the foreign agent when the mobile node is located outside the predefined region. The system further includes a ghost-mobile node that signals the foreign agent in response to the foreign agent advertising and based upon a predicted future state of the mobile node.

Abstract: A system includes a hardware platform, at least one driver, a plurality of devices connected to the hardware platform, a middleware interface, and a plurality of software services. Each of the plurality of devices is selected from the group consisting of sensors and actuators. The plurality of software services is generated by the at least one driver, wherein a software service associates with a device, and wherein each of the software services complies with the middleware interface. A method for interfacing a plurality of devices to a hardware platform includes communicably connecting each of the plurality of devices to the hardware platform, converting each of the plurality of devices into a programmable software service using a driver, and programming each of the software services to comply with a middleware interface.

Abstract: A system includes a hardware platform, at least one driver, a plurality of devices connected to the hardware platform, a middleware interface, and a plurality of software services. Each of the plurality of devices is selected from the group consisting of sensors and actuators. The plurality of software services is generated by the at least one driver, wherein a software service associates with a device, and wherein each of the software services complies with the middleware interface. A method for interfacing a plurality of devices to a hardware platform includes communicably connecting each of the plurality of devices to the hardware platform, converting each of the plurality of devices into a programmable software service using a driver, and programming each of the software services to comply with a middleware interface.

Abstract: A system for communication between a mobile node and a communications network is provided for use with a communications network having one or more communications network nodes that define a foreign agents and that communicate with the mobile node in a predefined region. The system includes a ghost-foreign agent that advertises a foreign agent so that the mobile node is aware of the foreign agent when the mobile node is located outside the predefined region. The system further includes a ghost-mobile node that signals the foreign agent in response to the foreign agent advertising and based upon a predicted future state of the mobile node.

Abstract: A method of task and memory assistance using a mobile communication device can include storing a profile of a user and determining a task to be performed by the user based on the user profile. The method can also include notifying the mobile communication device of the task. The method can further include providing sensory indicators in an increasing order of intervention until an acknowledgement is received from user, or for a predetermined number of notifications.

Abstract: A portable communication device (200) can serve as a multimedia controller and can include a transceiver having wireless access to a client computer (510) coupled to a multimedia device (515, 520, and 525). The multimedia controller can also include a display (205) coupled to the transceiver (201), and a processor (202) coupled to the display and the transceiver. The processor can be programmed to send instructions to the client computer to perform at least one function among retrieving status information regarding the multimedia device, retrieving a program channel guide, controlling a recording function, selecting a program channel for display at the multimedia controller or selecting content from the client computer or a server coupled thereto for display at the multimedia controller. The processor can also be programmed to receive status information or content in response to sending instructions and to display the status information or content.

Abstract: A system includes a hardware platform, at least one driver, a plurality of devices connected to the hardware platform, a middleware interface, and a plurality of software services. Each of the plurality of devices is selected from the group consisting of sensors and actuators. The plurality of software services is generated by the at least one driver, wherein a software service associates with a device, and wherein each of the software services complies with the middleware interface. A method for interfacing a plurality of devices to a hardware platform includes communicably connecting each of the plurality of devices to the hardware platform, converting each of the plurality of devices into a programmable software service using a driver, and programming each of the software services to comply with a middleware interface.

Abstract: A system for emulating mobile network communications can include one or more wireless nodes configured to variably adjust signal reception sensitivity and signal transmission strength; at least one mobile node configured to wirelessly communicate with selected ones of the wireless nodes; and a network emulator communicatively linked to each wireless node. The network emulator can replicate attributes of a wired communications network. The system also can include a controller communicatively linked with the wireless nodes and configured to control signal reception sensitivity and signal transmission strength of each said wireless node, as well as a home agent configured to interact with at least one mobile node via selected ones of the wireless nodes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device, a method, and a machine readable storage for managing a material substance program. The device can include a portable computing device having mobile telephony capabilities and a portable computing device having mobile telephony capabilities; and a wireless identification device communicably coupled to the portable computing device for identifying materials. The method for managing a material substance program can include scanning a material source to identify a material identifier, sending the material identifier to a proxy server, receiving material information from the proxy server, and displaying material information on a portable computing device having mobile telephony capabilities.

Abstract: A method of remote surveillance and assisted care using a mobile communication device can include determining a location of a user. The method can also include adjusting at least one camera according to the location, and capturing an image of an area around the location. Further, the method can include transmitting the image to a remote information processing system.

Abstract: The present invention can include a communication system having a plurality of portable devices being communicatively linked via an ad-hoc, wireless network such that each portable device functions in a peer-to-peer fashion. Each portable device can include a communication architecture including an application configured to control service discovery, usage, and advertising, a service manager and a micro-hypertext transfer protocol server. The service manager can be configured to discover services provided by other ones of the portable devices, and register and advertise services provided by the portable device within which the service manager is disposed, under control of the application. The micro-hypertext transfer protocol server can be configured to send and receive queries to facilitate service discovery, usage, and advertising.

Abstract: A system for targeted messaging includes a messaging platform for communicating messages to a target group, a target group selecting module for selecting the target group from a group of potential message recipients based upon a target criterion including the location of each potential message recipient relative to a predefined targeted region. A method of targeted messaging includes defining a targeted region, selecting a target group from a group of potential message recipients based upon the location of each potential message recipient relative to the targeted region, and transmitting a message to the selected target group.

Abstract: A mobile communication device can include a cellular radio-frequency transceiver serviceable by a commercial carrier and a short-range wireless transceiver for communicating with a local access point. The mobile communication device can further include a processor configured to control the operation of the short-range wireless transceiver and the cellular radio-frequency transceiver.

Abstract: An integrated development tool for constructing a server-side proxy for interacting with a wireless, mobile device can include at least one module. The module can be configured to generate program code to perform a specific function of the server-side proxy. The integrated development tool also can include means for accessing the at least one module.

Abstract: A method for controlling appliances can include the step of presenting at least one appliance option for a controlled appliance upon a mobile communications device having mobile telephony capabilities. At least one appliance message can be transmitted across the wireless communications link between a smart space control unit and the mobile communications device. In one arrangement, wireless communication link can be a mobile telephony link. At least one appliance signal can be conveyed between the smart space control unit and the controlled appliance.

Abstract: A portable communication device (200) can serve as a multimedia controller and can include a transceiver having wireless access to a client computer (510) coupled to a multimedia device (515, 520, and 525). The multimedia controller can also include a display (205) coupled to the transceiver (201), and a processor (202) coupled to the display and the transceiver. The processor can be programmed to send instructions to the client computer to perform at least one function among retrieving status information regarding the multimedia device, retrieving a program channel guide, controlling a recording function, selecting a program channel for display at the multimedia controller or selecting content from the client computer or a server coupled thereto for display at the multimedia controller. The processor can also be programmed to receive status information or content in response to sending instructions and to display the status information or content.

Abstract: A system for communication between a mobile node and a communications network is provided for use with a communications network having one or more communications network nodes that define a foreign agents and that communicate with the mobile node in a predefined region. The system includes a ghost-foreign agent that advertises a foreign agent so that the mobile node is aware of the foreign agent when the mobile node is located outside the predefined region. The system further includes a ghost-mobile node that signals the foreign agent in response to the foreign agent advertising and based upon a predicted future state of the mobile node.

Abstract: A method of remote surveillance and assisted care using a mobile communication device can include determining a location of a user. The method can also include adjusting at least one camera according to the location, and capturing an image of an area around the location. Further, the method can include transmitting the image to a remote information processing system.

Abstract: A pedestrian navigation and spatial relation device including a position finder, a spatial relationship sensor, an input mechanism, and an output mechanism. The position finder can be configured to determine a geographic position of the device based upon received wireless signals. The spatial relationship sensor can provide data used to detect a position of at least one obstacle relative to the device. The input mechanism can specify a destination location. The output mechanism can present device output to a user. The device output can include sensory indicators for at least one of guiding a pedestrian to the destination location and warning a pedestrian about the detected obstacles.