Abstract: A system and method for supporting the storage of advertising data used for providing advertisements in video games relies upon a proxy server for storing the advertising data. Specifically, in a video game device that supports a network communications and does not support a large non-volatile memory suitable for storing advertising data a storage media external to the video game device is identified and a portion of the storage media is reserved for storing advertising data. During a video game session an opportunity to provide an advertisement is detected and suitable advertising data is identified on the storage medium and transferred to the computing device via the network.

Abstract: A thin client is for detecting a video game in execution. The video game does not support dynamic in game advertising. The thin client changes the video game content of the video game during execution thereof in order to provide in game advertising within the first video game in execution.

Abstract: A method for automatically enabling and disabling advertising in an advertising enabled gaming environment includes providing a video game in execution on a gaming platform having communications with a communications network. In addition, a server is provided within the communications network for delivering of advertising content to the video game. To this end, the advertising content is retrievably stored in at least a storage location for access by the server. According to a set of rules, delivery of the advertising content to the video game is selectively disabled. Such disabling is performed absent disabling of a network connection between the gaming platform and the server and absent deleting of the advertising content from the at least a storage location.

Abstract: In a video game session supporting a set of gamers participating in the game from a variety of different locations, an opportunity to provide an advertisement is presented. The content of the advertisement is chosen based upon specific criteria such as data relating to one of the gamers, for example, the location of the gamer. The chosen content of the advertisement is provided within an advertising spot of the video game.

Abstract: In order to enhance visual representation of an advertisement within a video game optical characteristics of the advertisement are specified. Specifically, downloaded data corresponding to an advertisement is used to provide an advertising image within a virtual environment of a video game. The advertising image is displayed having a portion that appears to be at least one of transmissive and reflective. In this way, advertisements are displayed in a fashion consistent with the appearance of a corresponding advertisement in the real world.

Abstract: A method of in game advertising wherein in game advertising spots are registered from different video games having similar demographic characteristics. The in game advertising spots are then grouped together into an aggregated community of advertising spots. An advertising campaign then delivers advertising content to the group of advertising spots as if the group were a single advertising spot.

Abstract: A method and system for generating random numbers is disclosed wherein an array of imaging sensors while not in normal use, captures ambient light and back scattered light. These light sources vary naturally over a range of intensities. Intensity values above and below a threshold value are decoded as “1” and “0” bits, respectively. The resulting values, based on noise within the array signal, are single bit values or n bit values. A preferred imaging sensor array is a charge coupled device. Other imaging sensor arrays such as capacitive fingerprint imagers may also be used for this purpose when sufficient noise exists within the imaging sensor array signal.

Abstract: A speech-to-text-to-speech for use with on-line and real time transmission of speech with a small bandwidth from a source to a destination. A speech is received and broken down to phonemes, which are encoded into series of symbols compatible with communication systems and other than a known symbolic representation of the speech in a known language for being transmitted through communication networks. When received, the series of symbols is decoded to restore the phonemes and for reconstituting a speech according to the phonemes prior to being communicated to a listening party.

Abstract: A telephone is provided with a biometric input sensor for receiving a biometric input. The telephone also includes memory for storing a plurality of phone numbers each associated with unique biometric information template. A comparator compares the biometric input to stored biometric templates in a database. Upon finding a match between the biometric input and the stored biometric templates an associated telephone number is provided to the telephone for dialing.

Abstract: A method and system of generating random numbers using imaging transducers of a charge coupled array. Noise signals detected by a first and a second imaging transducers of the array are processed together to yield a first value; noise signals detected by a third and a fourth imaging transducers are processed together to yield a second value; the first and second values are processed together to yield the random number.

Abstract: A secure card such as a credit card having a magnetic strip thereon is disclosed. The magnetic strip is coated with a thin amorphous layer having electrical characteristics and a processor. In a first state, the amorphous layer acts to interfere with reading of information from the magnetic strip. Identification of a user of the card as an authorized user thereof results in a second state in which the information stored in the magnetic strip is accessible. For example, biometric identification or the use of a PIN entered either directly into the card or through an input terminal cause the processor to switch power from the amorphous strip thereby removing the interference and unmasking the information on the magnetic strip.

Abstract: A transducer is provided with an integral smart card reader. For security applications the transducer is a biometric information input device. The device provides co-operative operation of the smart card and the transducer to provide user specific processing of biometric information provided by the user. Because of the integral smart card reader, tampering and monitoring of security operations is prevented.

Abstract: An air distribution system for conditioning air and selectably forcing the air into a passenger compartment or a trunk compartment of a vehicle is provided. The air may be pre-cooled or pre-heated before being forced by a ventilator to particular vents. This is particularly useful on a warm day when the top is down on a convertible. By cooling the trunk, specifically, groceries or perishables can be kept relatively cool.