Abstract: Controlling access to a resource including creating a security object in dependence upon user-selected security control data types, the security object comprising security control data and at least one security method, the security control data including a security control password in a security control language; receiving a request for access to the resource; receiving security request data, the security request data including a security request password in a security request language, the security request language being a language other than the security control language; and determining access to the resource in dependence upon the security control data and the security request data. Embodiments include converting a security request password from speech to text. Embodiments include translating a security request password from the security request language to the security control language.

Abstract: Controlling access to a resource, including creating a security object in dependence upon user-selected security control data types, the security object including security control data and at least one security method, the security control data including one or more security control CPU attributes, receiving a request for access to the resource, receiving security request data including one or more security request CPU attributes, and providing access to the resource in dependence upon the security control data and the security request data.

Abstract: A telephone user sets up a “personalized” menu identifying a set of information options from which he or she desires to select when placed on-hold in a telephone system. The user's personal preferences are then saved. When the party later makes a call to a telephone system or is called, and then is placed on-hold, the party's telephone service provider or local equipment accesses the user's personalized menu and offers the one or more information options as defined in the menu. In an illustrative embodiment, the personalized menu options are voiced over the telephone line and the user then makes selections using keypad (i.e. DTMF signaling) or voice input. A response may be interrupted to make another menu selection, or to repeat the current response. If the response being played has not completed when the other party returns, that response is suspended and may be completed when the user is placed back on hold or the call is completed.

Abstract: A mobile or desktop computer having a system bus that is exposed externally using a wireless transceiver so that input and output devices within proximity of the computer can be configured for immediate use. The wireless system bus of the invention provides discovery and acceptance of wireless peripheral devices within the range of the wireless transmissions. Serial or parallel communication can be supported on the same or different frequency channels. Preferably, the invention utilizes a dedicated discovery frequency for detecting the presence of peripherals in the proximity. Commands and data can be exchanged between the computer and the peripheral device in a secured manner.

Abstract: Controlling access to a resource, including creating a security object in dependence upon user-selected security control data types, including asserting security control data as security facts into a security knowledge database and asserting security rules into the security knowledge database, the security object including security control data and at least one security method, receiving a request for access to the resource, and receiving security request data. Embodiments include asserting the security request data as security facts into the security knowledge database, and determining access to the resource in dependence upon the security facts and security rules in the security knowledge database.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in a data processing system for presenting a set of objects within the data processing system. Responsive to detecting movement of a pointer over an object within the set of objects, an object type is identified for the object. Presentation of the object is then magnified based on the object type.

Abstract: A broadcast receiver such as a radio, television, or web browser, which automatically tunes to a preselected signal source upon initialization for a predetermined period of time. During this period of time, the user of the system may receive useful information or directions, such as directions to exit an airport or train station, instructions to orient a new user with a rental car or rental receiver, news, traffic reports, weather reports, instructions regarding hotel facilities or check-in and check-out procedures. In an enhanced form of the invention, the receiver may be automatically tuned to a series of signal sources on a timed basis. Upon conclusion of the predetermined time interval, the radio is optionally re-tuned to a user's preferred radio station or the last signal source which was tuned prior to shut off.

Abstract: Controlling access to a resource for a group of users including creating a group security object in dependence upon one or more user-selected group security control data types, the group security object comprising security control data and at least one security method, the security control data comprising at least one security control user identification; receiving a request for access to the resource; receiving security request data, wherein the security request data includes at least one security request user identification; and determining access to the resource in dependence upon the security control data and the security request data.

Abstract: Controlling access to resources through use of security objects including creating a security object in dependence upon user-selected security control data types, the security object comprising security control data and at least one security method; receiving a request for access to the resource; receiving security request data; and determining access to the resource in dependence upon the security control data and the security request data. Creating a security object includes storing in the security object a resource identification for the resource; storing in the security object an authorization level of access for the resource; storing in the security object user-selected security control data types; and storing in the security object security control data for each user-selected security control data type. Embodiments include deploying the security object on a security server or on a client device.

Abstract: Temporal control of access to a resource including creating a security object in dependence upon user-selected temporal security control data types, the security object comprising temporal security control data and at least one security method; receiving a request for access to the resource; receiving temporal security request data; and determining access to the resource in dependence upon the temporal security control data and the temporal security request data. Embodiments include storing in the security object a resource identification for the resource; storing in the security object user-selected temporal security control data types; and storing in the security object temporal security control data for each user-selected temporal security control data type. Some embodiments grant access to resources if a maximum allowable number of invocations is greater than a count of invocations. Some embodiments grant access if the time when a security object is invoked is within a validity period.

Abstract: A telephone device is customized with an indicator for presenting call connection status information to hearing impaired or deaf users. The telephone device detects call status events, such as ringing and busy signals, and presents the call status via the display. The telephone device also receives codes indicating particular call status events. A telephone device may generate a code, which indicates that the user is hearing impaired. Thus, devices receiving this code may perform particular functions in response to such a code. Public switches and public branch exchanges may also be modified to generate and deliver call status codes or messages. The present invention may also deliver call status information through another medium, such as a computer network.

Abstract: A broadcast receiver which automatically tunes to a signal source depending on a set of rules and vehicle state conditions, such as seat occupancy, door sensors, time, day of the week, weather conditions, program content rating, vehicle location, user language preference, user identity and driver preferences. The user can configure a set of rules which causes the receiver to be automatically retuned in response to changes in conditions of the vehicle, such as favorites for the commute to work and favorites while driving with children. This eliminates the driver's distraction while operating the vehicle of searching for stations and routinely changing the station setting, thereby enhancing the usefulness, convenience, and safety of the vehicle broadcast receiver.

Abstract: A customized menu of information options is created according to user data about a calling party. User data may include user location data or relationship data between the calling party and a called party. The calling party selects from the customized menu to create a “personalized” menu identifying a set of information options from which he or she desires to select when placed on-hold in a telephone system. The user's personal preferences are then saved. When the party later makes a call to a telephone system and is placed on-hold, the telephone system accesses the user's personalized menu and offers the one or more information options as defined in the menu. In an illustrative embodiment, the personalized menu options are voiced over the telephone line and the calling party then makes selections using keypad (i.e. DTMF signaling) or voice input. A response may be interrupted to make another menu selection, or to repeat the current response.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for security object enhancement and management are provided. The apparatus and method make use of security objects in which security object data is encapsulated with security object attributes and methods defining the way in which the security object may be used. Because the security object is an encapsulated object, the security object may operate on itself to perform security object management operations. Furthermore, because the security object need not be linked to the items requiring security object protection a priori, the security object may be defined in any manner deemed appropriate by the user. As a result, users of the security objects are given greater freedom in defining the security object, the security object content type, and the way in which the security object may be used.

Abstract: A system and method are presented for receiving directory information from directory assistance to an electronic communication device. Electronic communication devices may include, but are not limited to telephones, facsimile machines and electronic organizers. The system and method as described herein allows a user of an electronic communication device to contact directory assistance to obtain directory information and subsequently have the information transmitted to the directory of the device. Thus, the information is electronically transferred to the device without intervention from the user. The transfer may include an update of an existing directory entry within the electronic communication device or the creation of a new entry. The system and method as described herein minimizes the tedious and laborious task of creating and updating directory entries for the user.

Abstract: A method and system for capturing a telephone number record from a Web site. The method includes recording on the browser a destination address of a communications terminal that contains an electronic telephone directory, selecting one or more telephone number records to capture that are displayed on a Web page, and transmitting a message, either from the computer running the browser or from the server hosting the Web page sent to the communications terminal containing the electronic telephone directory. The telephone number record is then recorded in the electronic telephone directory.

Abstract: A method for sending a message containing a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) to a customer. The method includes recording in a customer's telephone system a destination address of the communications terminal, selecting at least one URL to be sent to the communications terminal during a telephone call, obtaining the destination address, generating a message containing the URLs, and sending the message from a telephone system of the merchant or sender to the destination address of the customer's communications terminal. The message may also contain additional items, including for example, electronic coupons, an on-line trial subscription, a user ID, a user password, advertisements, sender information, or combinations thereof, wherein the user ID and user password are required by the Website having the address of the URLs. The method may further include recording the at least one URL into the bookmark section of the browser in the communications terminal.

Abstract: A method and system for sending a telephone number record from a browser to at least one user device having an electronic telephone directory. The method includes recording in the browser a destination address of a user device that contains an electronic telephone directory, entering a telephone number record into a browser dialogue box, and transmitting the telephone number record to the user device identified or associated with the destination address. The telephone number record is then recorded in the electronic telephone directory. Preferably, the content and format and other aspects of the record are determined in accordance with a user customizable profile.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product that send wireless control messages to electronic devices, such as audio and video recorders, cameras, radios, televisions, mobile phones, portable or handheld computers and personal digital assistants, that have come within an environment or that are in an environment that changes. In such an environment, a wireless receiver in the mobile electronic device receives the control messages. In a hardware implementation, electronic gates are set to disable the one or more features of the device. In a software implementation, current power status flags are set in a memory device within the mobile electronic device to a reduced power setting. Outside the environment, the electronic gates or power status flags revert to full power. The device driver for each feature of the mobile electronic device will reject I/O operations inconsistent with the current power status flags for that feature.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for a central control computer, located within a given environment, to wirelessly communicate with, control and enhance the use of various mobile electronic devices entering the given environment. These devices each possess a wireless transceiver. The central control computer transmits a discovery signal and control message to these mobile electronic devices within the range of the wireless transmissions. This allows discovery of the central control computer by the mobile electronic device and, after setting up a communication, the mobile electronic device disables one or more of its features as instructed by the central control computer. Furthermore, enhancements are provided by making available substitute features for the features of the mobile electronic device that were limited or disabled and by making available features not contained within the mobile electronic device itself.