Abstract: A method for billing wireless telecommunications services based upon density parameters includes determining a cell resolution for a subscriber during a billing period, associating the cell resolution with the subscriber, translating the cell resolution into a set of cells that approximate to of a density map, determining a rating structure for the set, calculating a rating for service rendered to the subscriber based upon the set and the rating structure, and generating a bill reflecting the rating. An apparatus for implementing the above method is also taught.

Abstract: Biometric data, such as fingerprint data, of at least one authorized user of a digital multimedia product is embedded into a digital multimedia product, to thereby control use of the digital multimedia product by a prospective user who obtains access to the digital multimedia product. The digital multimedia product, including the biometric data of the at least one authorized user that is embedded therein, is stored in a digital storage medium. At least some use of the digital multimedia product by a prospective user is prevented upon failure to match biometric data of the prospective user to the biometric data that is embedded in the digital multimedia product.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus to carry out the method that enables a mobile phone to reduce the bitrate of an image to be transmitted by the mobile phone. The method first removes a portion of an original image frame thereby creating dead clusters within the image frame. The dead clusters are then filled with data to create a new image frame having a smaller bitrate than the original image frame. The new image frame is then encoded such that it requires less bandwidth during transmission than the original image frame would require.

Abstract: A portable communications device can include a transceiver configured to receive wireless communications, and a controller coupled to the transceiver. More particularly, the controller can be configured to process communications transmitted and received by the transceiver, and the controller can be configured to provide a plurality of functionalities of the portable communications device. In addition, the controller can be configured to selectively inhibit operation of at least one of the plurality of functionalities while maintaining operation of at least another of the plurality of functionalities responsive to an inhibit communication received wirelessly at the transceiver. Related control devices and methods are also discussed.

Abstract: Biometric data, such as fingerprint data, of at least one authorized user of a digital multimedia product is embedded into a digital multimedia product, to thereby control use of the digital multimedia product by a prospective user who obtains access to the digital multimedia product. The digital multimedia product, including the biometric data of the at least one authorized user that is embedded therein, is stored in a digital storage medium. At least some use of the digital multimedia product by a prospective user is prevented upon failure to match biometric data of the prospective user to the biometric data that is embedded in the digital multimedia product.