Abstract: Methods and systems for improving the security of devices to prevent unauthorized access to designs and software code are described.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for classifying a message. The method includes receiving the message, identifying in the message a distinguishing property; generating a signature using the distinguishing property; and comparing the signature to a database of signatures generated by previously classified messages.

Abstract: A system and method for diminishing false positive classifications of unsolicited electronic-mail is disclosed. An electronic-mail message is received whereby a set of message classifiers are applied the message. One or more signatures indicative of unsolicited electronic-mail based on at least the application of the aforementioned classifiers is generated. The one or more signatures are applied to subsequently incoming electronic-mail messages whereby unsolicited electronic-mail may be more accurately identified and false positive identification of normal electronic-mail messages are reduced.

Abstract: A gaming system comprises a handheld user input device, a processor for receiving input data from the handheld user input device and a gaming application for receiving data from the processor based on the received input data from the handheld user input device. The handheld user input device emulates one of a plurality of different devices associated with the gaming application. Each of the plurality of different devices have a set of input commands associated therewith. The set of input commands associated with the one of a plurality of different devices includes a command based on one of motion and orientation of the handheld device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for improving the security of devices to prevent unauthorized access to designs and software code are described.

Abstract: A method and system for controllably and selectively securing a portable computing device to a physical holding device includes a physical holding device for receiving a portable computing device. A locking mechanism locks the portable computing device to the physical holding device. A security application associates with the portable computing device for responding to an authorization input for generating an electronic locking mechanism control signal. An actuator mechanism responds to the electronic locking mechanism control signal to actuate the locking mechanism in locking the portable computing device to the physical holding device.

Abstract: A migration tool and methods for migrating computer personalization information from one computer to another when a network is not available, when a network is available but use of the network is undesirable for some reason, and/or when the computer which is the source of the data being migrated has limited or unknown resources to support conventional forms of data migration.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for classifying a message. The method includes receiving the message, identifying in the message a distinguishing property; generating a signature using the distinguishing property; and comparing the signature to a database of signatures generated by previously classified messages.

Abstract: A migration tool and methods for migrating computer personalization information from one computer to another when a network is not available, when a network is available but use of the network is undesirable for some reason, and/or when the computer which is the source of the data being migrated has limited or unknown resources to support conventional forms of data migration.

Abstract: A method and system for limiting use of a computer apparatus when the apparatus is disconnected from a network. Under the method and system of the present invention, the computer apparatus will periodically contact a host or data center, via a network, to be updated, backed-up, enabled, re-enabled, disabled, etc. However, if the computer apparatus is being used beyond its predetermined time period or conditions of use, the apparatus can be automatically disabled without having to contact the host or data center via the network.

Abstract: Door-to-door transportation is provided in a nearly on-demand manner by employing a set of multipassenger vehicles, e.g., vans, whose routes are continuously updated. The position of each multipassenger vehicle, as well as the traffic conditions along the projected route of each multipassenger vehicle, are constantly monitored. Upon receiving a request for a ride, e.g., via telephone, which specifies a) the pick-up location, b) the destination and, optionally, c) a desired time of arrival thereat and d) the number of people, a suitable "path" to the destination which satisfies the request is determined, if possible. A "path" for a ride is a specification of the particular multipassenger vehicles, and the location and nature of any required transfers for a person's requested ride. A path may also include the streets over which the rider will pass and any scheduled stops.

Abstract: Individuals are provided with a transaction card which is to be presented for at least certain classes of transactions, e.g., truck rentals, purchases of chemicals, etc. Encoded electronically within the card are a) physical verification information and b) identity information. The identity information is encrypted, to create an encrypted identity file, using an "identity encryption key." The matching "identity decryption key" is held in secret by an appropriate government agency or agencies. The encrypted identity file and the physical verification information are then commingled and encrypted together using the "public encryption key" of a so-called public key encryption/decryption pair to create a composite encrypted file. The matching "public decryption key" is distributed to the society at large and is, in particular, stored at points-of-sale/transaction.

Abstract: Interexchange carriers make their rate information for long-distance service available in a database. PBXs and telephone central offices access that rate information using ISDN and/or SS7 signaling and use it as a basis for determining which carder to use at any given time in the routing of a call. Such accessing may be carried out on a call-by-call basis. Or a carrier's schedule of rates can be stored locally in the PBX or local switching office, thereby obviating the need for a database query for every call.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a voice message based on a text message from a text messaging system is disclosed. The voice message stored in a voice messaging system or may be directly transmitted to a recipient telephone number. The text messaging system comprises one or more addressable nodes including a messaging system interface node, which receives the text message from the text messaging system based on its node address and generates a voice message responsive to the text message. Signals may be generated to access the voice messaging system, and the voice message may be communicated to the voice messaging system for storage. The voice message may comprise speech corresponding to the text of the text message, created, for example, by conventional text-to-speech synthesis techniques. The text message may also be communicated to a text message addressee with use of the text messaging system, and the voice message may comprise speech reflecting that a text message has been so communicated.

Abstract: Interexchange carriers make their rate information for long-distance service available in a database. PBXs and telephone central offices access that rate information using ISDN and/or SS7 signaling and use it as a basis for determining which carrier to use at any given time in the routing of a call. Such accessing may be carried out on a call-by-call basis. Or a carrier's schedule of rates can be stored locally in the PBX or local switching office, thereby obviating the need for a database query for every call.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for tracking participation in a conference call is disclosed. A conference tracker at a first location transmits a status signal to another conference tracker at a second location. The conference tracker at the second location receives the status signal and recognizes it as representative of an attribute of one or more of the parties at the first location. The attribute represented may be the identity of the first location, thereby informing the conference tracker at the second location that the first location remains connected to the conference call. In this manner, the conference tracker may inform a party of the number of connected locations or that a particular location has disconnected. The attribute represented may be the identity of the first location when a party at that location is speaking. In this manner, the conference tracker at the second location may thereby inform a listening party of the location of the speaking party.

Abstract: A system for playing card games remotely includes both a multimedia communication system that allows players located remotely from each other to see and hear each other, and a "card toaster" and associated image recognition system at each game site which receives and manages a physical deck of cards at every site at which the game is being played. The toaster has the capability of (1) reading cards, for example, by scanning them, (2) finding particular cards, and, if necessary, sorting them, and (3) distributing cards, such as by dealing them. The system enables the players to deal and then play a game, such as the game of bridge, in a manner which closely approximates the manner in which a game is played when all players are co-located. Thus, once play is started, the image recognition system reads the cards played on a table at any site, and transmits information regarding those cards to the other sites.

Abstract: The problems of fraud in card transactions can be reduced by, after requiring the person engaged in the card transaction to initially identify himself, such as by supplying a card number, a) requesting, the person to supply as authentication information either 1) a randomly selected piece of prestored information or 2) information derived from a randomly selected piece of prestored information; and b) completing the transaction only if the authentication information requested is correctly supplied. The authentication information requested is described in terms of its nature, i.e., what it represents, so that one can not deduce from the request the correct response without knowing the selected prestored piece of information.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an array phasing technique which normally provides directional spotbeams, and in the event of a failure mode of a phase shift controller for providing a wide area coverage beam. In an arrangement for practicing the present technique, each array feed element has disposed at its input a serial arrangement of a fixed value phase shifter (32) and a variable phase shifter (34). Each variable phase shifter has a separate control signal supplied to it by a phase shift controller (36). During normal operation the combined fixed value and variable phase shifters cause the array to radiate a flat wavefront in a predetermined direction, and in a failure mode of the phase shift controller the fixed phase shifters cause the array to radiate a diverging area coverage beam.