Abstract: A system and method includes a plurality of wireless and/or wired access points coupled to a network. The network may couple to a wide area network, such as the Internet. In one embodiment, a portable computing device (PCD) may store identification information which uniquely indicates a network provider of a plurality of possible network providers or may also or instead indicate an access or privilege level. When the access point receives the identification information from a PCD, the access point may determine the appropriate network provider for the PCD using the identification information and network access may then be provided. Thus the network system is useable by subscribers of each of the plurality of possible network providers, thereby enabling subscribers to “roam” on various wireless networks. The access information may also include an access level which indicates the user's access or privilege level.

Abstract: An apparatus includes memory and a processor. The processor is operable to receive identification information of a user from a portable computing device. The processor is also operable to access the memory to identify a previous trip record based on the identification information of the user and to identify a user preference based on the previous trip record. The processor is further operable to generate reservation information based on the user preference, where the reservation information is associated with a requested trip of the user.

Abstract: Configuring and managing gateway devices. A gateway device may be installed at a location, such as a merchant location or home. The gateway device may manage (e.g., monitor and/or control) one or more devices at the location. For example, the gateway device may manage various fuel tank devices, point of sale devices, refrigeration devices, liquid dispensing devices, etc., at a convenience store. The gateway device may provide reported information to and receive commands from a cloud server, which may be in communication with other devices which may be used to view reported information of or control the managed devices. The cloud server may also be configured to install applications, e.g., for execution by the cloud server, the gateway device, and/or other devices. For example, the gateway device may install applications provided by the cloud server to manage the devices coupled to the gateway device.

Abstract: A geographic-based communications service system has a mobile unit for transmitting/receiving information, and access points connected to a network. The access points are arranged in a known geographic locations and transmit and receive information from the mobile unit. When one of the access points detects the presence of the mobile unit, it sends a signal to the network indicating the location of the mobile unit and the information requested by the mobile unit. Based on the signal received from the access point, the network communicates with information providers connected to the network and provides data to the mobile unit through the access point corresponding to the location of the mobile unit.

Abstract: A system and method for providing access and/or roaming features on a network system. The network system includes a plurality of wireless and/or wired access points coupled to a network. In one embodiment, a portable computing device (PCD) of a user may store identification information which uniquely indicates a network provider of a plurality of possible network providers. Each of the access points are operable to “listen for” or detect identification information associated with numerous different providers. When the access point receives the identification information from a PCD of a user, the access point may determine the appropriate network provider for the portable computing device using the identification information. Network access may then be provided to the portable computing device through the determined network provider.

Abstract: A geographic-based communications service system has a mobile unit for transmitting/receiving information, and access points connected to a network. The access points are arranged in a known geographic locations and transmit and receive information from the mobile unit. When one of the access points detects the presence of the mobile unit, it sends a signal to the network indicating the location of the mobile unit and the information requested by the mobile unit. Based on the signal received from the access point, the network communicates with information providers connected to the network and provides data to the mobile unit through the access point corresponding to the location of the mobile unit.

Abstract: A geographic-based communications service system has a mobile unit for transmitting/receiving information, and access points connected to a network. The access points are arranged in a known geographic locations and transmit and receive information from the mobile unit. When one of the access points detects the presence of the mobile unit, it sends a signal to the network indicating the location of the mobile unit and the information requested by the mobile unit. Based on the signal received from the access point, the network communicates with information providers connected to the network and provides data to the mobile unit through the access point corresponding to the location of the mobile unit.

Abstract: A shield that can be coupled to an eyeglass frame. The shield includes a sheet of material that can extend between the eyeglass frame and a user's face during use. The sheet of material includes an insertion edge that couples to a shield mount channel of the eyeglass frame and a contact edge that can be in contact or in near contact with a user's face during use. The shield can inhibit the evaporation of moisture from a user's eye region during use.

Abstract: A geographic-based communications service system has a mobile unit for transmitting/receiving information, and access points connected to a network. The access points are arranged in a known geographic locations and transmit and receive information from the mobile unit. When one of the access points detects the presence of the mobile unit, it sends a signal to the network indicating the location of the mobile unit and the content information requested by the mobile unit. Based on the signal received from the access point, the network communicates with information providers connected to the network and provides data to the mobile unit through the access point corresponding to the location of the mobile unit.

Abstract: A geographic-based communications service system has a mobile unit for transmitting/receiving information, and access points connected to a network. The access points are arranged in a known geographic locations and transmit and receive information from the mobile unit. When one of the access points detects the presence of the mobile unit, it sends a signal to the network indicating the location of the mobile unit and the information requested by the mobile unit. Based on the signal received from the access point, the network communicates with information providers connected to the network and provides data to the mobile unit through the access point corresponding to the location of the mobile unit.

Abstract: System and Method for providing access to multiple wireless service providers (WSPs) on a shared network infrastructure. The system includes a plurality of access points (Aps) coupled to a network which may be distributed in airports, mass-transit stations, businesses, etc. The network may couple to a wide area network, such as the Internet. Each AP may include a plurality of virtual Aps (VAPs), each corresponding to a WSP. A portable computing device (PCD) of a user stores identification information indicating a WSP of a plurality of possible WSPs, and which may include an access level of the user. Each AP “listens for” or detects identification information associated with numerous WSPs. When the AP receives the identification information from the PCD, it determines the VAP/WSP for the PCD using the identification information. Network access is then provided to the PCD through the determined WSP at the determined access level.

Abstract: A multiservice merchant gateway (MMG) is disclosed. The MMG allows point of sale terminals and other devices to be interfaced with a wide area network, thereby improving speed and service to terminal owners and users, allowing for more efficient systems on merchant premises, and also allowing the merchant to provide and/or utilize various additional features and services. Support infrastructure for configuring MMGs, managing MMGs, and providing related services are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus and software have been discovered for use by individual users to monitor the geographic location of other people or assets with some relationship to the user. Once some manner of location information is determined, users have the ability to describe that location in various ways and control how that information is shared with other users.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus and software have been discovered for use by individual users to monitor the geographic location of other people or assets with some relationship to the user. Once some manner of location information is determined, users have the ability to describe that location in various ways and control how that information is shared with other users.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus and software have been discovered for use by individual users to monitor the geographic location of other people or assets with some relationship to the user. Once some manner of location information is determined, users have the ability to describe that location in various ways and control how that information is shared with other users.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus and software have been discovered for use by individual users to monitor the geographic location of other people or assets with some relationship to the user. Once some manner of location information is determined, users have the ability to describe that location in various ways and control how that information is shared with other users.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus and software have been discovered for use by individual users to monitor the geographic location of other people or assets with some relationship to the user. Once some manner of location information is determined, users have the ability to describe that location in various ways and control how that information is shared with other users.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus and software have been discovered for use by individual users to monitor the geographic location of other people or assets with some relationship to the user. Once some manner of location information is determined, users have the ability to describe that location in various ways and control how that information is shared with other users.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus and software have been discovered for use by individual users to monitor the geographic location of other people or assets with some relationship to the user. Once some manner of location information is determined, users have the ability to describe that location in various ways and control how that information is shared with other users.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus and software have been discovered for use by individual users to monitor the geographic location of other people or assets with some relationship to the user. Once some manner of location information is determined, users have the ability to describe that location in various ways and control how that information is shared with other users.