Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are designed to manage web content displayed at a client device during one or more browser sessions. Responsive to a request for a first web page, the first web page is displayed at the client device through the browser session. A timeout condition at the browser is detected and a second predetermined web page is displayed at the client device, replacing the first web page, and optionally also clearing cache memory.

Abstract: A device and a method is provided for protecting a laptop computer or other shock-sensitive electronic devices from impact while being transported within conventional luggage along with personal articles by securing one or more collapsible and lightweight bands of material having external hook and loop fasteners to the laptop computer and securing a plurality of pads along the edges of the electronic device by coupling the pads to the external hook and loop fasteners of the band of material. The pads are secured using a plurality of easily secured and removed straps, such as an elastic band or harness.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for managing a mobile phone answering mode and outgoing message or other indicator based on a location of the mobile phone are provided. The apparatus and method make use of a location system to ascertain the current location of a mobile telephone being carried by a user. Based on the current location, the apparatus and method determine whether operation of the mobile telephone to receive and/or send calls should be restricted. In addition, the apparatus and method determine an appropriate outgoing message to be provided to calling parties while the mobile telephone is located in an area where use of the mobile telephone to receive calls is prohibited. The particular outgoing message provided is customized to the current location of the mobile telephone and optionally, the caller ID of the calling party.

Abstract: The present invention presents a method and computer program product for operating a mobile electronic device having a wireless transceiver within an automobile having an on-board computer. The method includes: receiving a wireless information message from the mobile electronic device within the automobile to the on-board computer, establishing a wireless communication link between the on-board computer and the mobile electronic device; communicating instructions from the on-board computer to the mobile electronic device to disable a one or more features within the mobile electronic device; and then communicating reconfiguration instructions from the on-board computer to the mobile electronic device, whereby the mobile electronic device reconfigures itself to become a slave device to the on-board computer. The motorist may then utilize the mobile electronic device through the input and output devices of the on-board computer.

Abstract: A system and method for notifying a user of urgent phone messages is provided. When a telephone or text message is received by the phone answering system, a priority is determined for the message. If the telephone call is identified as an urgent telephone call, the system repeatedly dials the subscriber's phone in order to notify the user of the urgent message. In one embodiment, multiple locations, such as pagers, email addresses, and alternate phone numbers are contacted in order to inform the user of the urgent message. When the user is contacted, the urgent messages are played for the user. In a mobile telephone system environment, determinations are made as to whether the user is operating in roam mode before messages are delivered. A caller id function can further be included to selectively allow messages to be identified as urgent based upon the identification of the caller.

Abstract: Communication of location specific content to client devices including identifying a client device at a location of a location specific device, wherein the client device comprises client device attributes, the client device attributes comprising a client device identification code, and wherein the location specific device comprises a location identification code; recording user preferences for the client device; selecting, in dependence upon the user preferences for the client device and upon the location identification code, content for transmission to the client device; transmitting the selected content through the location specific device to the client device for presentation; and enabling retention of the content within the client device for a period of time.

Abstract: A method, computer program, and data processing system for accepting Internet access charges for a user examining a particular website is disclosed. The present invention enables businesses, organizations, and individuals to entice users that must pay for Internet access time to browse their websites freely without concern for cost.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and data processing system for allowing a third party to assume a mobile telephone user's airtime and other charges when the mobile telephone user enters a particular geographic area, such as the third party's property is disclosed.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and data processing system for specifying a party to be billed for the entirety of mobile telephone airtime and other charges in a telephone conversation is disclosed. Either the caller or a called party may accept all airtime and/or other charges. In addition, the parties need not operate a mobile telephone, but may use a conventional “wire” telephone.

Abstract: Online shopping including purchasing an electronic item from a merchant web site, wherein the purchasing is carried out by use of a client shopping cart, wherein the client shopping cart further comprises a merchandise pickup facility installed on a client, wherein the client is coupled for data communications to the merchant web site; downloading, to the client, the electronic item through the merchandise pickup facility to the client; and installing the electronic item through the merchandise pickup facility on the client.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for merging mobile, or wireless, telephone service with existing wired telephone equipment in a facility, such as a home or business, are provided. With the apparatus and method, a converter is associated with the facility such that a wireless telephone number is associated with the converter. Telephone calls may be made to the facility via a wireless telephone network and the converter. The converter receives calls from the wireless telephone network directed to the converter, converts the format of the wireless telephone call to a wired telephone call format, and routes these calls to one or more wired telephone units in the facility. Calls originating from the wired telephone units in the facility are received by the converter which converts the call signals to an appropriate format for wireless network routing, and forwards the call to the wireless network.

Abstract: A method, computer program, and data processing system for providing telephone call minutes as an incentive for participating in commercial transactions is disclosed. An amount of telephone minutes commensurate with a transaction (e.g., a number of minutes per dollar spent at a store) is crediting to a user's pre-paid telephone account in response to entering into a commercial transaction with an organization offering the incentive.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and data processing system for transferring mobile telephone minutes or other mobile telephone services or features from one customer to another is disclosed. A customer dials into an interactive service that allows the customer to specify one or more recipients and a number of minutes, services, or features to transfer. A data processing system associated with the customer's mobile telephone service provider effects a transfer of minutes, services, or features from the customer's account to the recipients' accounts. In addition, a notification that the transfer has occurred can be sent to the recipients.

Abstract: A method, program, and system for processing electronic receipts within a computer network are provided. The present invention comprises creating a customer profile for a user using a Smart Receipt application. When the user purchases items, electronic receipts (smart receipts) are sent from the point of sale to a designated database. The database may be on a credit card company server, the product manufacturer's server, a special cash receipts server, or a central clearing house server. When the customer wants a copy of a receipt, he or she enters search parameters which specify the desired receipt. The search parameters may include item type, date of purchase, and method of purchase. A Smart Receipt object is then initiated, which retrieves the specified electronic receipt from the appropriate database, according to the search parameters. A copy of the retrieved electronic receipt is then downloaded to a client machine (e.g. PDA, PC) designated by the customer profile.

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: A window is generated for displaying information and for scrolling through the information responsive to receiving a scrolling command. Responsive to a user selection, either a non-context-sensitive scrolling mode is enabled, for which a certain one of the scrolling commands scrolls the window by a fixed step size, or a context-sensitive scrolling mode is enabled, for which the same certain one of the scrolling commands scrolls the window by a variable step size responsive to content of the information displayed. In a current position of the window a certain object is top-most in the window. With context-sensitive scrolling enabled, if the end of the top-most object is shown in the current position scrolling steps the window to a next position where a next portion of the information is displayed beginning at the top of a next object after the current top-most object.

Abstract: A first portion of certain information is displayed in a window of a computerized display device. The window includes a scroll bar to control scrolling of the window through the information. The information includes a succession of objects. Context is indicated for the information by displaying indicators representing respective ones of the objects, including ones of the objects that are outside the first portion of the information that is displayed in the window. The indicators are displayed in an area of the window, including an area within the scroll bar. In another aspect, positions of the indicators represent relative positions of the objects within the information. In a still further aspect, displayed attributes of the indicators represent the type of the objects represented by the respective indicators.

Abstract: A method, program and apparatus for providing access to alternate images in an electronic document are provided. The present invention comprises identifying an initial image to be displayed in an electronic document (typically a web page) and then determining if alternate versions of the image are available for display. If alternate versions of the image are available, they are provided within the same electronic document. The alternate images differ from the initial image in size and resolution, allowing users with visual impairments to access larger, higher resolution images. The user accesses the alternate images by means of a selector displayed within the electronic document. When selected, the alternate image replaces the initial image in the electronic document, and the document is reformatted.

Abstract: Accessibility profiles are created for different environments, application programs, and system functions. Environmental conditions may include time of day, telephone numbers dialed, caller ID, level of background noise, etc. Users can define accessibility profiles for each program they use, which determine preferred speaker volume settings, display settings, keyboard and keypad characteristics, and may automatically invoke companion programs such as voice recognizors, text-to-speech converters, and gesture recognizors. Accessibility profiles are organized and stored in a processor-readable repository, and are retrieved upon user activation of an application program or system function such as a word processor, auto-dialer, e-mail reader, etc. The system parses the appropriate accessibility profile, adjusts the available system accessibility settings, and launches any associated companion programs.

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.