Abstract: A method (400, 500) and a system (100) of conducting transactions for acquisition of virtual items. The method can include receiving from a user (108) a request to acquire the virtual item. Responsive to an identity indicator (112) that is exclusively unique to an identity confirmation device (110) being communicated from the identity confirmation device, a determination can be made whether the identity indicator corresponds to the user. Responsive to determining that the identity indicator corresponds to the user, the virtual item can be provided to the user. The method also can include receiving from a user a request to acquire the virtual item, receiving from an identity confirmation device an identity indicator exclusively unique to the identity confirmation device, and communicating the request and the identity indicator from the client device to a server (104).

Abstract: A method (400, 500) and a system (100) of conducting transactions for acquisition of virtual items. The method can include receiving from a user (108) a request to acquire the virtual item. Responsive to an identity indicator (112) that is exclusively unique to an identity confirmation device (110) being communicated from the identity confirmation device, a determination can be made whether the identity indicator corresponds to the user. Responsive to determining that the identity indicator corresponds to the user, the virtual item can be provided to the user. The method also can include receiving from a user a request to acquire the virtual item, receiving from an identity confirmation device an identity indicator exclusively unique to the identity confirmation device, and communicating the request and the identity indicator from the client device to a server (104).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing a communication link in a communication network are provided. A continuous actuation button is configured to initiate a communication link between communication devices. The communication link is initiated when a force applied on the continuous actuation button exceeds a first force threshold. The force applied on the continuous actuation button is sampled at periodic time intervals. A release event of the continuous actuation button is detected when the force applied on the continuous actuation button reaches a second force threshold. The communication link is maintained for a predefined period of time after detecting the release event based on whether the sampled force indicates that the release event was unintentional. The predefined period of time is sufficient to allow a user to take action to avoid disconnection if undesired.

Abstract: A method (200) of creating pairwise combinatorial test cases from system configuration data can include reading a graphic representation of the system configuration data (210, 230, 260). Within the graphic representation, parameters can be represented by nodes and parameter can be represented by flows linking the nodes. The method further can include identifying paths of flows through the graphic representation until each parameter value of the graphic representation has been paired with all values of each other parameter of the graphic representation (205). Each path can specify a pairwise combinatorial test case.

Abstract: A method (10) of payment of communication services includes determining (14) if a request (12) for services is an essential service or non-essential service, determining (19) if a device and/or user is authorized for non-essential service, and determining (20) if there are sufficient pre-pay funds for the non-essential service. The method can further include rejecting (26) the request for non-essential service if the device and/or user is unauthorized or if insufficient pre-pay funds exist. The method grants (16) the request if the request is for essential service (such as voice services). The essential service or subscription or post-pay service can be added (18) to a recurring bill. If the device and/or user is authorized and sufficient prepay funds exist, then the method grants (22) the request for the non-essential service. In response or in conjunction with granting, the method can deduct (24) funds from prepay funds upon granting the request.

Abstract: A method for managing a communication link in a communication network (100) is provided. The method enables exchange of data between a first communication device (102) and at least one second communication device (104). The method includes providing a continuous actuation button (210) configured to initiate the communication link. Further, the method includes initiating the communication link when a force applied on the continuous actuation button exceeds a first force threshold. Furthermore, the method includes sampling the force applied on the continuous actuation button at periodic time intervals. Moreover, the method includes detecting a release event of the continuous actuation button when the force applied on the continuous actuation button reaches a second force threshold. Moreover, the method includes maintaining the communication link for a predefined period of time after detecting the release event at the continuous actuation button. The communication link is maintained based on the sampled force.

Abstract: A method (400, 500) and a system (100) of conducting transactions for acquisition of virtual items. The method can include receiving from a user (108) a request to acquire the virtual item. Responsive to an identity indicator (112) that is exclusively unique to an identity confirmation device (110) being communicated from the identity confirmation device, a determination can be made whether the identity indicator corresponds to the user. Responsive to determining that the identity indicator corresponds to the user, the virtual item can be provided to the user. The method also can include receiving from a user a request to acquire the virtual item, receiving from an identity confirmation device an identity indicator exclusively unique to the identity confirmation device, and communicating the request and the identity indicator from the client device to a server (104).

Abstract: A mobile device (160) and method (300) for generating wind instrument sounds is provided. The mobile device can include a microphone (102) for capturing an air turbulence in response to a blowing action, a keypad (104) for selecting a virtual valve to associate with the air turbulence, a synthesis engine (106) for synthesizing a musical note in response to the blowing and the virtual valve, and an audio speaker (108) for playing the musical note. One or more keys of the keypad can be depressed during the blowing action on the microphone for synthesizing a musical note of a wind instrument. A display (110) can present a musical notation (800) and a fingering chart (810) for musical notes.

Abstract: A method (300) that can include receiving a call identifier (130) for an incoming call and associating the incoming call with at least one category (140, 145, 150) selected from a group consisting of at least three categories. An indicator (160) that correlates to the category with which the incoming call is associated can be presented to a user (120). Presenting the indicator can include presenting a particular color to the user and/or presenting a vibration, sound or image to the user. The method further can include automatically responding to the incoming call with a particular greeting only if the call identifier is blank or indicates an unknown caller (125). In another arrangement, the method can include automatically responding to the incoming call with a particular greeting only if the caller is unknown and the call identifier indicates that the caller is a particular gender or is exhibiting a particular emotion.

Abstract: A method (500) for reserving energy resources on a communication device (115, 120, 300). The method can include receiving an emergency indicator (135) associated with an emergency plan. Based on the emergency indicator, an amount of energy to reserve on a communication device can be selected. The selected amount of energy then can be reserved on the communication device. Receiving the emergency indicator can include receiving an indicator (140, 145) of an assigned role or task. Receiving the emergency indicator also can include receiving an indictor of the energy to be reserved. Selecting the amount of energy to reserve can include selecting an amount of energy associated with the role or task. In response to receiving the emergency indicator, an acknowledgement (150, 155) of whether an assignment of the role or task is accepted can be communicated.

Abstract: A brush, that includes a bristle support member (205) and at least one bristle (210) attached to the bristle support member. The brush also includes at least one sensor (115) that detects motion of the brush and generates corresponding motion signals. A processor (110) can process the motion signals to generate gaming signals (160) and a gaming adapter (155) can communicate the gaming signals to a gaming device (165). The processor and gaming adapter can be positioned, at least in part, within the bristle support member. The brush also can include a timer (145) that generates timing signals. The processor can process the timing signals to limit a duration of game play. The processor also can process the timing signals to limit a number of gaming sessions in a period. Further, the gaming adapter can stop communicating the gaming signals after a timeout of the timer.

Abstract: A method (200) to support gaming on mobile stations (110, 112, 114, 116, 118). The method can include selecting an active player (120) from a plurality of mobile station users (120, 122, 124, 126, 128). Further, unit information (132, 134, 136, 138) can be collected for a plurality of mobile station users (122, 124, 126, 128) not selected as the active player. A user list (140) to be presented to the active player can be generated. The user list can include user names for the users not selected as the active player. The method also can include generating an offer to be presented to the active player. The offer can be based on the collected unit information. In addition, the method can include initiating a prompt to be presented to the active player to choose between accepting the offer and removing a user from the user list.

Abstract: A system, method and computer readable medium are provided for facilitating a multiplayer game over a wireless network. According to the method, a request to transfer information between two of the wireless devices is received during the multiplayer game (e.g., 804), with the information being at least one of text, audio, and image information. It is determined whether the requested transfer is permitted according to a set of predefined rules for the multiplayer game (808), and the information is transferred between the two wireless devices only if it is determined that the predefined rules permit the requested transfer (810). Also provided are a wireless device (e.g., 106) for use with a multiplayer game and a server (e.g., 102) for facilitating a multiplayer game over a wireless network.

Abstract: A method (500) for providing entertainment. The method can include receiving at least one statistical parameter (140) of a first entity (150) that participates in real world events and updating a performance parameter of a toy (110) that moves in real space or of a gaming device (405). The performance parameter can correlate to a performance of the first entity. In one arrangement, the statistical parameter can be received in real time. The statistical parameter can be a statistical rating of the first entity relative to at least a second entity (155) with which the first entity is competing. In one arrangement, the statistical parameter can be received on a remote control unit (120) as a parameter update (170). The parameter update also can be communicated to the toy. Further, the toy can be controlled with the remote control unit.

Abstract: A method (500) for controlling operation of a mobile station. The method can include, on a first mobile station (110), monitoring for other mobile stations (115, 120) within a personal area network. Responsive to identifying at least a second mobile station within the personal area network, at least one operating parameter on the first mobile station can be automatically modified. Modifying the operating parameter can include, for example, automatically communicating an identifier (130) associated with the second mobile station to a third communication device (125), for instance by sending an e-mail, sending a text message or placing a call. In another arrangement, at least one call handling function can be changed in response to matching the identifier with a second identifier contained in the list of known identifiers.

Abstract: A method (500) for selectively improving output multimedia quality on a mobile station (105). The method can include detecting a circumstance in which a user of the mobile station would benefit from receiving high quality multimedia information (120) as opposed to multimedia information presented in a standard manner. Responsive to the detected circumstance, at least one parameter of a communication signal which communicates the multimedia information to the mobile station can be configured to provide the multimedia information at a quality that is higher than a standard quality at which multimedia information otherwise would be provided. Circumstances that can be detected include whether the mobile station is activated in an environment having high background noise, whether the mobile station is activated in a vehicle, and/or whether the mobile station is moving at a rate of speed that is at least equal to a threshold value.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method (300, 400) and system (100) for tracking content rental. The method includes the steps of—from a portable electronic device (112)—requesting (312, 416) multimedia content for a rental session, determining (314, 418) whether the request for the rental session is authorized, receiving (320, 422) at the portable electronic device the multimedia content for the rental session if the request is authorized and terminating (324, 426) the rental session based on a predetermined power condition of the portable electronic device.

Abstract: Within a mobile communication device (100), a method (300) of specifying two or more musical notes for substantially concurrent playback can include receiving (302) an input specifying a root note (FIG. 2 ) indicating a position on a neck of a stringed instrument and associating (308) at least one column of input keys such as numeric keys (115) of the mobile communication device with a string of the stringed instrument (130). Numeric keys next to one another and within a same column can specify notes which vary by approximately a half-step (130). The method also can include detecting (312) at least one activation of the numeric keys specifying at least one additional note to be played substantially concurrently or in a defined sequence with the root note (FIG. 5 ), thereby specifying a musical chord.

Abstract: A communication device (122) supports secure communications using automated encryption key scheduling. The communication device (122) is provided with access to one or more schedules having entries of specific time periods, such as date and time of day information, that govern selection of encryption keys. A schedule is selected and accessed using current time information to obtain an encryption key (310, 320, 330). Subsequent communications are conducted using the obtained encryption key (340).

Abstract: A communication system (101) interfaces to an information network (140) through provider equipment (110, 130) to provide data to subscriber units (120, 125). A request is received (410) at the provider equipment (110, 130) from a subscriber unit (120) for streamed data sourced on the information network. The provider equipment determines (420) whether this data corresponds to a request that is currently being serviced on a particular communication channel accessible to the subscriber unit. When such is the case, the request is satisfied by communicating (425) a designator for this channel to the subscriber unit. Otherwise, the provider equipment accesses (430) the information network to obtain (440) the data, and communicates (450, 460) a designated channel to the subscriber unit for receipt of this data. The provider equipment then couples the data from the information source and transmits (470) this data on the designated channel.