Abstract: Methods and software products are disclosed for protecting against software piracy. When a customer purchases software, the seller performs an activation process by identifying a unique computer identifier (ID) for the computer system of the customer, and activating the software based on the computer ID, such as by encoding the computer ID on the media storing the software. When the customer attempts to install the software on a computer system, the computer system executes an installation process. The computer system identifies its own computer ID and the computer ID used to activate the software. The computer system determines if its computer ID corresponds with the computer ID used to activate the software. If the computer IDs correspond, then the computer system is allowed to install the software. If not, the computer system is prevented from installing the software.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for adding attachments to voice calls. A communication system for the invention includes a file server and a switching system of a circuit-based network. During a voice call connected between a first station and a second station over the circuit-based network, the switching system detects a code entered by the user of the first station. Responsive to detecting the code, the switching system transmits a query to the file server. The file server processes the query to locate one or more files stored in the file server. The file server then transmits the located file to the switching system. The switching system plays the file to the second station over the connection for the voice call.

Abstract: Communication networks, communication devices, and associated methods are disclosed for translating voice communications for calls from one language to another. When a call is placed from a first party to a second party, the communication network receives voice communications for the call from the first party that are in a first language. The communication network identifies the first language of the first party and a second language of the second party. The communication network then translates the first party's voice communications in the first language to the second language, and transmits the first party's voice communications in the second language to the second party. The second party may listen to the first party's voice communications in the second language. The communication network also translates the second party's voice communications from the second language to the first language so that the first party may listen to the second party's voice communications.

Abstract: A method, software, and computer system for defending against virus attacks is described. Assume that a computer system receives an instruction to run an executable file. Before the computer system runs the executable file, the computer system determines if the executable file is certified to run on the computer system. If the executable file is not certified, then the computer system prevents the executable file from running. If the executable file is certified, then the computer system determines if the executable file has been modified since being certified. If the executable file has been modified, then the computer system prevents the executable file from running. If the executable file has been certified and has not been modified, then the computer system runs the executable file. Because many viruses are included in executable files, virus attacks may be prevented by requiring executable files to be certified before they can run.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a law enforcement entity to remotely control a vehicle are provided. One embodiment of the invention includes a system adapted to remotely control a vehicle. The system comprises an authorization system adapted to receive a request for remotely controlling the vehicle from a law enforcement entity, to identify at least one vehicle control parameter authorizing the law enforcement entity to control at least one vehicle movement function of the vehicle, and to transmit an authorization for remotely controlling the vehicle and at least one vehicle control parameter responsive to the request. The system further comprises a control system adapted to receive the authorization and the at least one vehicle control parameter from the authorization system and transmit a control signal to the vehicle that controls the at least one vehicle movement function of the vehicle authorized by the at least one vehicle control parameter.

Abstract: A universal remote control (10) is provided for wireless remote control of one or more devices (D1 . . . Dn) equipped for remote control by respective original remote controls having visual appearances different from one another. The universal remote control (10) includes: a memory (40) that stores one or more descriptions associated with one or more original remote controls that are selectively emulated by the universal remote control (10), the descriptions including information describing the visual appearances of the original remote controls that the descriptions are associated with; and, a graphical user interface (20) upon which is displayed a representation of one of the original remote controls selected for emulation by the universal remote control (10), the representation having a visual appearance substantially the same as the original remote control being emulated.

Abstract: A method for receiving and transmitting signals in a cellular radio network. The method comprising receiving a plurality of radio signals at different frequencies using a single radio receiver at the base station, scanning the incoming signals and saving the signals to a buffer with a first processor, reading, processing and time-multiplexing the buffered signals with a second processor, transmitting the time-multiplexed radio signal via a single physical link to a mobile switching center, demultiplexing the time-multiplexed radio signal into independent radio signals corresponding to the incoming signals at the mobile switching center with a third processor;, processing the independent radio signals with the third processor; and routing the independent radio signals to the proper end users.

Abstract: A universal remote control (10) is provided for wireless remote control of one or more devices (D1 . . . Dn) equipped for remote control by respective original remote controls having visual appearances different from one another. The universal remote control (10) includes: a memory (40) that stores one or more descriptions associated with one or more original remote controls that are selectively emulated by the universal remote control (10), the descriptions including information describing the visual appearances of the original remote controls that the descriptions are associated with; and, a graphical user interface (20) upon which is displayed a representation of one of the original remote controls selected for emulation by the universal remote control (10), the representation having a visual appearance substantially the same as the original remote control being emulated.

Abstract: A system for consolidating project development data from a plurality of project development work groups. The invention includes a plurality of data sources providing project development data in native formats from the project development work groups. At least some of the native formats are dissimilar enough to prevent direct data sharing between at least some of the data sources. The system also includes a data bus connected to the data sources for transferring data in a universal format and a plurality of interfaces connected to the data bus and the data sources for converting data from the data sources native formats into the universal format. A data pool connected to a data bus serves as a reference for the entire enterprise data where all the providers and consumers of the data are connected to the data bus. A data manager connected to the data pool provides all the administrative functions for the data pool.