Abstract: The present invention provides a method for placing an order utilizing a personal digital device. Communication is established between a personal digital device and an ordering unit, such as the drive through ordering unit located at a restaurant. The communication is established using a wireless protocol. The personal digital device places an order with the ordering unit using the wireless protocol. The personal digital device can also pay for the order by sending payment information to the ordering unit using the wireless protocol.

Abstract: This invention relates to an armrest personal digital media system. More particularly, this invention is provided to allow individuals to use a portable, removable digital storage device in conjunction with an armrest system to provide personalized entertainment options on airplanes, or other mass transportation modes. Implementation of this invention will allow users to enjoy their own digital entertainment choices without requiring the owning, carrying, toting or powering of digital playing devices or computers while in transit. The invention provides the armrest of a seat with a variety of modules, including a memory interface module, to allow for a removable memory device to be engaged with the playback/record components of an armrest to play/record content via an audio player/recorder and/or a video player/recorder.

Abstract: An exemplary electronic apparatus monitors whether a security badge remains within an area proximate to the electronic apparatus in order to protect against loss or theft of the badge especially when the user is away from the secure environment for which the badge facilitates access. A transmitter periodically transmits a poll signal intended for reception by an RFID module attached to the badge, the poll signal having a predetermined magnitude to limit the effective reception range of the poll signal to the proximate area. A receiver can receive a reply signal generated by the RFID module in response to receipt of the poll signal where the reply signal includes identification information that is unique to the electronic device. The received identification information is compared with first identification information stored in memory of the electronic apparatus to determine if the received identification information matches the first identification information.

Abstract: An exemplary method automatically identifies the location of a voice over Internet protocol (VOIP) telephone relative to the structure of a building upon the VOIP telephone making a 911 call. The identity of the VOIP telephone is transmitted to a database accessible by the VOIP system upon a 911 call origination. Records have been previously created and stored in the database that link each VOIP telephone located in or associated with a building to a text based description of an area of the building. A node instructs the database to find the stored record associated with the VOIP telephone. The identity of the VOIP telephone and the text based location information of the location of the VOIP telephone relative to the structure of the building are transmitted to the 911 call center. This enables a 911 call center operator to immediately discern the location of the 911 caller relative to the structure of the building.

Abstract: A request is received from a user of a communication device to block a use of a ring tone remotely selected by another user for an incoming call to the communication device. The ring tone remotely selected by the other user is blocked from being played to the user of the communication device on the incoming call to the communication device.

Abstract: An apparatus in one example comprises an Internet Protocol telephone set accommodating at least first and second Internet Protocol addresses, wherein at least first and second sets of configuration parameters associated with the first and second Internet Protocol addresses are stored in the telephone set, and one of the first and second sets of configuration parameters is applied to a selected telephone line.

Abstract: A self-service kiosk in one example provides a user with selectable digital content. A computer controls the operation of the kiosk. A user transaction interface module, connected to the computer, communicates information to and from the about the digital content desired by the user and payment for providing file download services. A user download interface module selectively makes accessible a physical connection port by which the download file is transmitted to a removable storage media supplied by the user that is coupled to the port.

Abstract: A ring tone is played to a called party for a call that meets one or more criteria. The ring tone is remotely selected by a calling party or a third party.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for configuring and controlling access of a computing device based upon the location of the computing device. The communication system determines the location of a computing device. If the location of the computing device is within a valid location area, the computing device is granted a dynamic IP address. The communication system retrieves previous login information for the computing device. The communication system determines if the computing device is configured for access to a network. If previous login information for the computing device is found, the communication system uses the retrieved login information to login the computing device to the network. The previous login information is then stored.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for changing the status of a mobile apparatus based upon the velocity of the mobile apparatus. The communication system determines the velocity of a mobile apparatus by calculating the difference between a first position of a mobile apparatus at a first time and a second position of the mobile apparatus at a second time. If the velocity of the mobile apparatus exceeds a predetermined threshold, the communication system changes the status of the mobile apparatus to a sleep state and ends a call that the mobile apparatus is involved in.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for disabling a computing device based on the location of the computing device. The computing device, such as a computer or the like, determines if there is a location restriction for the computing device. This can be accomplished by checking the BIOS of the computing device, and is preferably accomplished during the powering up of the computing device. If so, the computing device determines its location. This can be accomplished utilizing a Global Positioning System (GPS). The computing device is disabled if there is a location restriction for the computing device for the current location of the computing device.

Abstract: A point of sale terminal that can be used to sell commodities such as gasoline, is also used to wirelessly distribute content files, such as MP3 and video files. The content files are addressed to a particular wireless playback receiving device. Wireless distribution of content files at other merchant's sites whereat point of sale terminals can be used enables the contents of playback devices to be updated without having to couple the device to a computer. Receipt of payment or account information prior to file transmission helps protect against theft.

Abstract: One or more X10 gateway components of an apparatus in one example communicate one or more messages between one or more mobile communication devices and one or more module components.

Abstract: One or more video server components of an apparatus that play one or more videos at one or more mobile phones while one or more phone calls associated with the one or more mobile phones are on hold.

Abstract: An application server component of an apparatus that serves to maintain one or more communication session restrictions set by one or more administrators for one or more mobile communication devices. The application server component employs one or more of the one or more communication session restrictions to advise one or more network components for control of one or more connections of one or more communication sessions for one or more of the one or more mobile communication devices.

Abstract: In a communications system (100), a network access device (102) is coupled to a packet network (104) and a circuit-switched network (106). User terminals (112, 130) coupled to the network access device make requests for network access. The network access requests may include data indicating which network is required for a call. This is particularly useful for user terminals that need a certain level of reliability for a call, for example, TTY/TDD devices. A processor (124) in the network access device (102) determines whether each request for network access includes a request for one of the circuit-switched or packet network (202). If the request for network access identifies one of the networks for the call, that network is used for the call, if it is available (208, 212, 214). A fast busy is used as a failure notification to the user terminal (112, 122) if the selected network is not available (210).

Abstract: A short message service request to receive one or more notifications of any one or more weather alerts that occur during a time period in one example is received from a mobile station. A notification of a weather alert, of the one or more notifications of the any one or more weather alerts, is sent to the mobile station upon an occurrence of the weather alert during the time period.

Abstract: A remote control device is located in an environment proximate to conditions to be monitored and actions to be implemented. The remote control device is able to receive and transmit wireless text based communications. A user employing a wireless communication device that supports text based messaging can transmit a control message containing a predetermined command to the remote control device. After preferably authenticating the user, the remote control device initiates a predetermined action based on receipt of a corresponding command.

Abstract: An undersea cable reliably transmits optical control signals and data. At ast one optical fiber is axially disposed in an otherwise solid electrical conductor which transmits power the length of the cable. A concentrically disposed dielectric insulating layer prevents shorting with the surrounding seawater and a load-bearing annulus coaxially contains the other elements to also protect them from environmental abuses. During deployment or towing, the load-bearing annulus shares part of the load with the solid electrical conductor and a coaxially disposed sleeve encloses all of the other elements for preventing a leaching action of seawater and to defocus externally originating, concentrated forces.

Abstract: A tethered underwater work system comprises a primary lift module attached o a support vehicle by means of a primary tether. A submarine work vehicle is removably attached to said primary lift module and connected thereto by means of a secondary tether. Additionally, the lift module contains electrical distribution systems to permit an extensive control and instrumentation linkage with the submarine work vehicle and remotely controlled manipulators mounted thereon.