Abstract: A method for discovering the presence of hidden neighbor mobile devices in a common environment is disclosed. A given mobile unit is moved into a common environment with the given mobile device having a unique identifier associated therewith. The common environment is scanned within a scan range associated with the given mobile device. The presence of broadcasting devices scanned by the given mobile device is detected and identification information received therefrom. The received identification information is transmitted to a central location in addition to the unique identifier. The given mobile device receives from the central location information about a hidden mobile unit that is not scannable by the given mobile device, but can scan other broadcast devices in the common environment, which information provides an indication that the hidden mobile unit had previously scanned at least one of the broadcast devices scanned by the given mobile device.

Abstract: A method for authenticating a user transaction based upon scanned wireless signals is disclosed and includes receiving a wireless fingerprint from a mobile unit associated with a transaction by a user at a location, determining if the received wireless fingerprint matches a stored wireless fingerprint associated with the location, and authorizing the transaction if the received wireless fingerprint matches the stored wireless fingerprint associated with the location. If the location is not known or known as a “bad” location, additional information to authenticate the user or transaction can be requested from the user via a phone call, push notification within an application or a text message.

Abstract: A method for determining proximity of two or more mobile units within a defined locale is disclosed. Each of the mobile units is operable to scan at least a portion of the locale associated with the scanning one of the mobile units. The presence of the ones of the plurality of wireless devices is detected within the associated portion of the locale, detecting receiving the unique information from the detected ones of the plurality of wireless devices or device IDs. The received information is formed into a wireless fingerprint and transmitted to a server, which has a database of stored wireless fingerprints that are compared to the received fingerprint and a determination made as to the stored wireless fingerprints within the locale. The relative proximity position of the mobile devices associated with stored wireless fingerprints within the locale is then determined and are transmitted to the scanning one thereof.

Abstract: A method for automating actions within a network includes receiving at least one wireless signal from at least one wireless network device; determining identifying information associated with the at least one wireless signal; determining a scanned wireless fingerprint associated based upon the identifying information; matching the scanned wireless fingerprint to a stored wireless fingerprint; and initiating an action in response to matching of the scanned wireless fingerprint to the stored wireless fingerprint.

Abstract: A method for automating actions within a network includes receiving at least one wireless signal from at least one wireless network device; determining identifying information associated with the at least one wireless signal; determining a scanned wireless fingerprint associated based upon the identifying information; matching the scanned wireless fingerprint to a stored wireless fingerprint; and initiating an action in response to matching of the scanned wireless fingerprint to the stored wireless fingerprint.

Abstract: A method for automating actions within a network includes receiving at least one wireless signal from at least one wireless network device; determining identifying information associated with the at least one wireless signal; determining a scanned wireless fingerprint associated based upon the identifying information; matching the scanned wireless fingerprint to a stored wireless fingerprint; and initiating an action in response to matching of the scanned wireless fingerprint to the stored wireless fingerprint.

Abstract: There is disclosed a data receiving device for coupling to an AC power line through a standard light bulb socket. A standard medium lamp base is supported by a frame and connected to a branch circuit of the AC power line. An electrical device having signal terminals and supported by the frame is driven by electrical circuitry having a first input and a first output. The first output is coupled to the signal terminals for driving the electrical device. A data receiver has a second input for receiving both AC power and a data signal from the AC power line. The second input is coupled to the lamp base and a second output is coupled to the first input of the electrical circuitry. In another aspect, a data interface comprising a standard medium lamp base coupled to a data terminal device having a data receiving and/or transmitting interface circuit therein is threadably engaged to a standard medium lamp receptacle connected to the AC power line branch circuit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for obtaining preferred information from a network by execution of a sequence of actions in response to a single actuation in a network terminal device. A sequence of actions is programmed in network terminal device. The sequence of actions are executed in response to a single actuation if a softkey. A network destination parameter and a user preference parameter are also programmed. The sequence of actions includes coupling a destination parameter into the network, upon receipt of a network reply message corresponding to said destination parameter, coupling a preference parameter into the network, and upon receipt of the preferred information from the network, outputting the preferred information from the network terminal device.

Abstract: There is disclosed a data receiving device for coupling to an AC power line through a standard light bulb socket. A standard medium lamp base is supported by a frame and connected to a branch circuit of the AC power line. An electrical device having signal terminals and supported by the frame is driven by electrical circuitry having a first input and a first output. The first output is coupled to the signal terminals for driving the electrical device. A data receiver has a second input for receiving both AC power and a data signal from the AC power line. The second input is coupled to the lamp base and a second output is coupled to the first input of the electrical circuitry. In another aspect, a data interface comprising a standard medium lamp base coupled to a data terminal device having a data receiving and/or transmitting interface circuit therein is threadably engaged to a standard medium lamp receptacle connected to the AC power line branch circuit.

Abstract: An apparatus for converting a low voltage alternating current (AC) wiring circuit to a high speed data communications link, comprising a primary coupling circuit and a secondary coupling circuit. The apparatus provides low voltage AC power to a data device and couples data signals between the data device and the AC power line via the converted low voltage AC wiring circuit. An example is provided for retrofitting a door chime system to a high speed data link such as a video camera system.

Abstract: A data receiving or transmitting device, having data receiving or transmitting capability, is coupled respectively from or to an AC power line through a standard light bulb socket. In one aspect, a data interface includes a data receiving device that may be configured for extracting data encoded for transmission or encoding data to be embedded and transmitted along the AC power line branch circuit. In another aspect a data receiving device includes a loudspeaker, an amplifier, and a data decoder coupled to the AC power line for playback of audio program material communicated to the device along the power line. The device screws into a light bulb socket for a “no-tools” installation.

Abstract: An apparatus for converting a low voltage alternating current (AC) wiring circuit to a high speed data communications link, comprising a primary coupling circuit and a secondary coupling circuit. The apparatus provides low voltage AC power to a data device and couples data signals between the data device and the AC power line via the converted low voltage AC wiring circuit. An example is provided for retrofitting a door chime system to a high speed data link such as a video camera system.

Abstract: A network interface cassette for coupling signals between a wireless network and a tape head in a cassette tape player. The network interface cassette includes an enclosure that is conformed to the cassette tape form factor. It contains a transceiver that converts base band signals for radio frequency communications within the wireless network. It also contains a network controller that is coupled to communicate the base band signals with the transceiver. The network controller converts digital audio signals to and from the base band signals. There is an audio processor that converts the digital audio signals to analog audio signals. A coupling means converts the analog audio signals to magnetic audio signals. The coupling means is aligned to couple the magnetic audio signals to the tape head. A power supply with batteries and a generator driven from the cassette player capstan are provided. A wireless user interface adapter is provided to couple microphone and audio signals to the apparatus.

Abstract: A network interface cassette for coupling signals between a wireless network and a tape head in a cassette tape player. The network interface cassette includes an enclosure that is conformed to the cassette tape form factor. It contains a transceiver that converts base band signals for radio frequency communications within the wireless network. It also contains a network controller that is coupled to communicate the base band signals with the transceiver. The network controller converts digital audio signals to and from the base band signals. There is an audio processor that converts the digital audio signals to analog audio signals. A coupling means converts the analog audio signals to magnetic audio signals. The coupling means is aligned to couple the magnetic audio signals to the tape head. A power supply with batteries incorporates a spindle driven sensor means to control power and function selection within the device.