Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for aiding shoppers. A shopper enters a product search query into a hand-held device and, via Near-Field Communication (NFC) technology, transfers the query to a terminal at a shopping establishment. The terminal forwards the search query to a search engine over a network and the search engine, after consulting a database, returns results meeting the criteria of the search query to the terminal for presentation on a display at the terminal. The shopper is then offered the option of transferring the results data, via NFC devices located in the hand-held device and the terminal, from the terminal to a memory in the hand-held device.

Abstract: Methods of securely communicating a message from a first terminal to a second terminal include generating a keypad including a random sequence of bits having a length L, encrypting the message at the first terminal using a bit string beginning at an offset O in the keypad, and transmitting the encrypted message and an indicator of the offset O to the second terminal. A communication terminal includes a controller, a communication module configured to establish a location-limited communication channel, and an encryption unit configured to store a keypad including a random sequence of bits having a length L, to encrypt an outgoing message using the keypad, and to decrypt an incoming message using the keypad.

Abstract: Playback of a media work is handed over from a source playback device to a target playback device while the source playback device is in a play mode. The target playback device continues playback of the media work at a current location in the media work being played. Handover of audio and video playback allows the user to enjoy continuity in playback of the media work when transitioning between playback devices.

Abstract: Multimedia data having a first resolution is transmitted and supplemental data is separately transmitted. When combined with the multimedia data having a first resolution, the supplemental data provides the multimedia content at a second resolution that is higher than the first resolution. The multimedia data having a first resolution is received and the supplemental data is separately received. The multimedia data having a first resolution and the supplemental data are combined, to provide the multimedia content at a second resolution that is higher than the first resolution. The multimedia data having a first resolution may be transmitted, received and played using streaming, while the supplemental data may be transmitted, received and played by downloading. Digital rights management schemes may be applied to the multimedia data having a first resolution and/or to the supplemental data.

Abstract: A portable device authorizes a payment transaction from an account associated with the portable device. The portable device comprises a communication system, such as a near field communication (NFC) system, for communicating with a transaction system of a merchant or other receiving entity, a user interface, a memory storing account information for each of a plurality of accounts, and a transaction application. The transaction application applies at least one predetermined selection rule to the plurality of accounts to determine a selected subset of the plurality of accounts. A display of the user interface displays, under control of the transaction application, a plurality of transaction option indicators. Each transaction option indicator, which may be text or graphic, represents a one of the accounts within the selected subset of accounts. The transaction application prompts user selection of a selected one of the transaction option indicators.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for aiding shoppers. A shopper enters a product search query into a hand-held device and, via Near-Field Communication (NFC) technology, transfers the query to a terminal at a shopping establishment. The terminal forwards the search query to a search engine over a network and the search engine, after consulting a database, returns results meeting the criteria of the search query to the terminal for presentation on a display at the terminal. The shopper is then offered the option of transferring the results data, via NFC devices located in the hand-held device and the terminal, from the terminal to a memory in the hand-held device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for producing digital souvenirs are disclosed. In an exemplary method, an order message is received from a requesting device via a short-range wireless link, such as a near-field communications (NFC) link. A first digital object included in the order message is combined with a stored digital object to obtain a customer object; in one or more embodiments the first digital object, stored digital object, and customer object each comprise a digital image. The resulting customer object is stored, and resource locator information is sent to the requesting device. The resource locator information comprises a network address for use in retrieving the stored customer object.

Abstract: A method for providing information to a GPS receiver includes selecting an apparent location and receiving positioning information corresponding to the positions of a plurality of satellites. The positioning information is combined and transmitted as a radio frequency signal that can be received by a GPS receiver. When the GPS receiver demodulates the radio frequency signal and calculates its position, the calculated position will be approximately at the apparent location, regardless of where the GPS receiver is physically located.

Abstract: An electronic device performs a transaction by providing purchaser information for communication to a certification facility, receiving identification information associated with the purchaser from the certification facility, and completing the transaction responsive to authentication of the user of the electronic device as being the purchaser based on the received identification information.

Abstract: A portable communication device is equipped to make reservations via a localized communication link with a resource. The portable communication device retrieves reservation availability information from a resource communicator and displays the reservation availability information for viewing by a user. User input indicative of a reservation request is received and the reservation request is transmitted to the resource communicator via a localized communication link. The portable communication device provides a convenient method to establish a reservation.

Abstract: A portable device authorizes a payment transaction from an account associated with the portable device. The portable device comprises a communication system, such as a near field communication (NFC) system, for communicating with a transaction system of a merchant or other receiving entity, a user interface, a memory storing account information for each of a plurality of accounts, and a transaction application. The transaction application applies at least one predetermined selection rule to the plurality of accounts to determine a selected subset of the plurality of accounts. A display of the user interface displays, under control of the transaction application, a plurality of transaction option indicators. Each transaction option indicator, which may be text or graphic, represents a one of the accounts within the selected subset of accounts. The transaction application prompts user selection of a selected one of the transaction option indicators.

Abstract: Playback of a media work is handed over from a source playback device to a target playback device while the source playback device is in a play mode. The target playback device continues playback of the media work at a current location in the media work being played. Handover of audio and video playback allows the user to enjoy continuity in playback of the media work when transitioning between playback devices.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for allowing a multimedia content provider to verify that a particular item of multimedia content has been rendered on a particular device, without the need to provide differentiated copies of the multimedia content. The method comprises: receiving a multimedia signal at a rendering device, wherein the multimedia signal includes an embedded code; extracting the embedded code from the multimedia signal; processing the embedded code with a device identification associated with the rendering device through a hash algorithm to obtain an end user code; and presenting the end user code in a user sensible format. The user sensible format may be visual, as viewed by an associated user on a display, or audible output from a speaker.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for routing emergency calls originated from mobile wireless devices in a Voice-over-IP (VoIP) system are described herein. In one or more embodiments, emergency calls are routed in a VoIP system by receiving incoming emergency calls originated from dual-mode mobile devices connected to the VoIP system through wireless access points (WAPs), determining locations associated with the incoming emergency calls, and redirecting callers to a cellular network. In other embodiments, emergency calls are routed in a VoIP system by mapping WAP identifiers to emergency answering points (EAPs), receiving an incoming emergency call from an originating WAP, identifying an EAP relating to the originating WAP, and directing the emergency call to the identified EAP.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for routing emergency calls originated from mobile wireless devices in a Voice-over-IP (VoIP) system are described herein. In one or more embodiments, emergency calls are routed in a VoIP system by receiving incoming emergency calls originated from dual-mode mobile devices connected to the VoIP system through wireless access points (WAPs), determining locations associated with the incoming emergency calls, and redirecting callers to a cellular network. In other embodiments, emergency calls are routed in a VoIP system by mapping WAP identifiers to emergency answering points (EAPs), receiving an incoming emergency call from an originating WAP, identifying an EAP relating to the originating WAP, and directing the emergency call to the identified EAP.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for routing emergency calls originated from mobile wireless devices in a Voice-over-IP (VoIP) system are described herein. In one or more embodiments, emergency calls are routed in a VoIP system by receiving incoming emergency calls originated from dual-mode mobile devices connected to the VoIP system through wireless access points (WAPs), determining locations associated with the incoming emergency calls, and redirecting callers to a cellular network. In other embodiments, emergency calls are routed in a VoIP system by mapping WAP identifiers to emergency answering points (EAPs), receiving an incoming emergency call from an originating WAP, identifying an EAP relating to the originating WAP, and directing the emergency call to the identified EAP.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for routing emergency calls originated from mobile wireless devices in a Voice-over-IP (VoIP) system are described herein. In one or more embodiments, emergency calls are routed in a VoIP system by receiving incoming emergency calls originated from dual-mode mobile devices connected to the VoIP system through wireless access points (WAPs), determining locations associated with the incoming emergency calls, and redirecting callers to a cellular network. In other embodiments, emergency calls are routed in a VoIP system by mapping WAP identifiers to emergency answering points (EAPs), receiving an incoming emergency call from an originating WAP, identifying an EAP relating to the originating WAP, and directing the emergency call to the identified EAP.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for upgrading software in wireless terminals. An initial version of software is provided in at least one memory in a wireless terminal. A software upgrade package is transferred into the at least one memory by a manufacturer of the wireless terminal. An upgraded version of software is generated in the wireless terminal from the initial version of software and the software upgrade package. The wireless terminal may then be operated according to the upgraded version of software.

Abstract: A handwritten symbol from a user is sensed and compared to a predetermined set of known symbols. A first one of the known symbols which corresponds to the sensed handwritten symbol is displayed to the user. In response to receiving an indication from the user that the displayed first known symbol does not correspond to the handwritten symbol, a second one of the known symbols which corresponds to the sensed handwritten symbol is selected and displayed to the user.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, there is disclosed a system for determining location of a mobile station. The mobile station includes a transceiver operating in a wireless network and a GPS receiver. The system includes a wireless network control system including GPS receivers for obtaining ephemeris data. The control system develops assistance information from the ephemeris data and transmits the assistance information to the mobile station via the wireless network. The assistance information represents range at a fixed location in the wireless network in proximity to the mobile station at a select time, and derivatives of the range, relative to plural select satellites in the GPS. The mobile station utilizes received assistance information for searching the composite received signals from the plural select satellites in the GPS to measure a code phase for plural ones of the select satellites in the GPS and returning the measured code phases to the wireless network control system via the wireless network.