Abstract: A system and method for substantially increasing billing flexibility on communications or media accounts which also offer user users the ability to make electronic purchases or other financial transactions, where those transactions are accounted for with an additional account or with the same account through which the media or communications services are offered. Charges associated with use of the communications service or making of the financial transactions may be increased or reduced depending on such factors as volume of use, number of transactions, and a monetary value of the transactions.

Abstract: A system and method for placing products or services within interactive television or radio programming or other programming, and for facilitating viewers' purchases thereof. The present invention allows viewers to mark and store placed products or services for later consideration or purchase; provides a virtual catalog entry showing such options as different colors, styles, or sizes, as may be appropriate given the nature of the product or service; identifies local or regional sources or providers of selected products or services; indicates availability and estimated delivery times for selected products or services; and allows for a greater variety of products and services to be placed.

Abstract: A affiliate marketing system and method for retail stores involves assigning a unique retail store identifier to a retail store and presenting the unique retail store identifier and a website address in conjunction with a product offered for sale in the retail store. A purchaser of the product may access the website and make a purchase. By entering the identity of the retail store, such as by entry of the unique retail store identifier or by selecting the retail store from a list, a commission for the purchase is allocated to the retail store.

Abstract: A system and method for receiving an electronic response to an advertisement that is wirelessly transmitted to a mobile wireless communications device involve routing a connection from the wireless communications device to a source based at least in part on a location of the mobile wireless communications device. A wireless communications device has an input and a display and, in response to an input indicating interest in that which is advertised, transmits its location for use in routing a connection with a source associated with the advertisement.

Abstract: A system for storing a plurality of digital audio and digital video recordings and transmitting a selected audio or video recording to a wireless communications device, such as a cellular telephone, involves storing a plurality of digital audio and video recordings in memory. The digital recordings are categorized and may be selected for transmission to a personal computer and a wireless communications device. When validly selected, at least the identity of the selected recording is stored in a personal memory account of the user.

Abstract: A system and method employs an online site for making stored digital video recordings available for selection and download to a wireless communications device. Upon receipt of a selection for a digital video recording, the system and method causes the selected digital video recording to be wirelessly transmitted to the wireless communications device. The selected digital video recording is also made available to a personal computer associated with the user who made the selection. At least a title of the selected digital video recording is stored in a personal storage account of the user.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are provided for calculating a course for avoiding user identified criteria. A navigation device with route calculation capabilities includes a processor connected to an input and a memory that includes cartographic data and user identified criteria. A route calculation algorithm can be used to calculate a course between two or more waypoints based on the predefined user criteria of the cartographic data. Performing the route calculation algorithm includes analyzing the cartographic data with a preference for providing the course that identifies and avoids the user identified criteria. A display is connected to the processor and is capable of displaying the calculated route and cartographic data. The device is also adapted to dynamically analyze an area surrounding a present location for user identified criteria to avoid and display the results of the analysis.

Abstract: A wireless communications device has a transponder for transmitting information for making a transaction to a point of sale terminal. When the device is within the range of a field generated by the point of sale terminal, the transponder is excited and transmits the information to the point of sale terminal. The wireless communications device also includes a cellular transmitter for use in making a purchase transaction.

Abstract: A affiliate marketing system and method for retail stores involves assigning a unique retail store identifier to a retail store and presenting the unique retail store identifier and a website address in conjunction with a product offered for sale in the retail store. A purchaser of the product may access the website and make a purchase.

Abstract: A method for developing a direct person-to-person multilevel direct affiliate marketing network using electronic communications makes a first person an affiliate member of an affiliate marketing program via an online registration process. An electronic communication is generated that has a unique hyperlink that, when selected, links to a source associated with the affiliate marketing program and identifies the first person so that a commission can be allocated to the first person based upon purchases made at the source as a result of access to the source via the link. The first person can forward the electronic communication to others who can use the link to access the source and purchase products or services and/or become an affiliate member. A person that becomes a new affiliate member as a result of accessing the source via the link is placed in a developing network organization of the first person.

Abstract: A mobile cellular telephone is used to select a music recording from a remote source, such as online music recording storage facility, and wirelessly receive the selected music recording. The received music recording is stored in a memory of the cellular telephone where it is available for playback with an audio player in the cellular telephone. Additional information, such as a title and artist associated with the music recording, is transmitted from the remote source to the cellular telephone with the music data. During playback of the music recording, the information is presented on a display of the cellular telephone. A system includes the remote music source and the mobile cellular telephone and may include an online user account via which the music recording is selected and downloaded to the cellular telephone.

Abstract: An article has a sheet of material dimensioned to cover the opening to the cargo area of a vehicle. The sheet is adapted for releasable engagement about the periphery of the cargo opening. The sheet is made of screen or other mesh-like material. Various fasteners, such as a zipper, velcro, adhesive, snaps, clasps, and the like. In one embodiment, an elastomeric cord looped through the outer periphery of the sheet is adapted to stretch into place about a rubber gasket located about the periphery of the cargo opening. In a similar embodiment, an elastic band is used in such a manner. In another embodiment, a draw string is provided at the periphery of the sheet for drawing the sheet tightly about the rubber gasket on the vehicle. Preferably, a wide band of stretchable material, such as elastic or Spandex.RTM. is positioned between the mesh sheet and the outer periphery to permit the article, when in place, to yield to certain forces without becoming unattached from the vehicle.

Abstract: A device for playing recorded audio at one or more selected times. An alarm clock and recorder are coupled together such that audio recorded by the user plays at a time selected by the user on the clock. The device permits multiple times to be selected. In one mode of operation, all recorded audio (such as messages) is played at each selected time. In another mode of operation, audio portions, such as individual messages, are associated with individual times, and each audio portion plays only at its associated, selected time. In yet another mode of operation, a time interval may be selected whereby, after initial playback of audio, the audio is replayed each time the interval of time passes.