Abstract: A computer system and method for filtering unauthorized electronic mail messages that are sent by senders to a user. In one embodiment, the system includes a list of the identifications of the senders who are authorized to send an electronic mail message to the user. When an electronic mail message is received, the system determines whether the identification of sender in the electronic mail message is in the list of the identifications of the senders who are authorized. When the sender of the electronic mail message is determined to be authorized, the system stores the electronic mail message in a designated folder. When the sender of the electronic mail message is determined to be not authorized, the system stores the electronic mail message in a folder other than the designated folder.

Abstract: A computer system and method for filtering unauthorized electronic mail messages that are sent by senders to a user. The system includes a list of the identifications of the senders who are authorized to send an electronic mail message to the user. When an electronic mail message is received, the system determines whether the sender of the electronic mail message is authorized by determining whether the identification of sender in the electronic mail message is in the list of the identifications of the senders who are authorized. When the sender of the electronic mail message is determined to be authorized, the system stores the electronic mail message in an Inbox folder. When the sender of the electronic mail message is determined to be not authorized, the system stores the electronic mail message in a Junk Mail folder.

Abstract: An aircraft, the aircraft including a whole-aircraft ballistic parachute that is coupled to the aircraft. The aircraft determines if a pre-activation action needs to be performed before activation of the whole-aircraft ballistic parachute. The aircraft also receives a whole-aircraft ballistic parachute activation request. The aircraft then issues a command to perform the pre-activation action and then activates the deployment of the whole-aircraft ballistic parachute. The aircraft then issues a command to perform a post-activation action.

Abstract: A method performed by an aircraft, the aircraft including a wing, aircraft fuel, and a whole-aircraft parachute that is coupled to the aircraft. The method comprises: deploying the whole-aircraft parachute while the aircraft is in flight; and after deploying the parachute, but before the aircraft contacts the earth or any object coupled to the earth, discharging at least a portion of the aircraft fuel from the wing of the aircraft.

Abstract: A method performed by an aircraft, the aircraft including a wing, aircraft fuel, and a whole-aircraft parachute that is coupled to the aircraft. The method comprises: deploying the whole-aircraft parachute while the aircraft is in flight; and after deploying the parachute, but before the aircraft contacts the earth or any object coupled to the earth, discharging at least a portion of the aircraft fuel from the wing of the aircraft.

Abstract: An aircraft, the aircraft including a whole-aircraft ballistic parachute that is coupled to the aircraft. The aircraft determines if a pre-activation action needs to be performed before activation of the whole-aircraft ballistic parachute. The aircraft also receives a whole-aircraft ballistic parachute activation request. The aircraft then issues a command to perform the pre-activation action and then activates the deployment of the whole-aircraft ballistic parachute. The aircraft then issues a command to perform a post-activation action.

Abstract: A computer system and method for filtering unauthorized electronic mail messages that are sent by senders to a user. The system includes a list of the identifications of the senders who are authorized to send an electronic mail message to the user. When an electronic mail message is received, the system determines whether the sender of the electronic mail message is authorized by determining whether the identification of sender in the electronic mail message is in the list of the identifications of the senders who are authorized. When the sender of the electronic mail message is determined to be authorized, the system stores the electronic mail message in an Inbox folder. When the sender of the electronic mail message is determined to be not authorized, the system stores the electronic mail message in a Junk Mail folder.

Abstract: A method and telephone apparatus which detects when a telephone number has been entered into the telephone and determines if the entered telephone number has previously been stored in the memory of the telephone is provided. If the entered telephone number has not been previously stored, it is then stored into memory. In addition, the telephone automatically initiates a call to a remote computer and transmits the entered telephone number to the remote computer. The computer assigns an alphanumeric identifier to the telephone number and transmits the alphanumeric identifier back to the telephone which stores the alphanumeric identifier in the telephone memory in association with the telephone number. Accordingly, the telephone number can later be recalled and dialed through the use of the alphanumeric identifiers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for building a database of content objectionable scenes of an audiovisual work, and a method and apparatus which uses the database to control reproduction of the work. The database may be stored on a server and made available to clients which control an audiovisual reproduction apparatus through a direct dial-up or Internet connection.

Abstract: A computer system and method for filtering unauthorized electronic mail messages that are sent by senders to a user. The system includes a list of the identifications of the senders who are authorized to send an electronic mail message to the user. When an electronic mail message is received, the system determines whether the sender of the electronic mail message is authorized by determining whether the identification of sender in the electronic mail message is in the list of the identifications of the senders who are authorized. When the sender of the electronic mail message is determined to be authorized, the system stores the electronic mail message in an Inbox folder. When the sender of the electronic mail message is determined to be not authorized, the system stores the electronic mail message in a Junk Mail folder.

Abstract: A method and telephone apparatus that detects an incoming telephone call and determines if the telephone number of the call's originator has previously been stored in the memory of the telephone is provided. If the originator's telephone number has not been previously stored, it is stored into the memory of the telephone. In addition, if an alphanumeric identifier associated with the originator's telephone number was received with the originator's telephone number, it is also stored into memory. If the alphanumeric identifier was not received, the telephone automatically initiates a call to a remote computer and transmits the telephone number of the originator to the remote computer. The computer assigns an alphanumeric identifier to the telephone number and transmits the alphanumeric identifier back to the telephone which stores the alphanumeric identifier in the telephone memory in association with the telephone number.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that automatically adjusts a web hosting service plan for a web site based upon measured usage of the web site. The system measures the usage statistics of the web site, compares the usage statistics against a set of available service plans for the web site, determines if staying with the current service plan results in a lowest cost, and switches the service plan to the plan with the lowest cost if applicable. In one embodiment of the present invention, the service plan specifies a fixed cost for a maximum amount of bandwidth, and an additional cost for additional bandwidth over the maximum bandwidth. In one embodiment of the present invention, the system measures the following usage statistics: bandwidth resulting from access to the web site, disk space used by the web site, response time of the web site, and memory space used by the web site.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that automatically determines which communication service plan is the most cost effective for a communication device. The system operates by receiving usage statistics for the communication device, as well as a set of available service plans for the communication device. The system uses the usage statistics to calculate charges for the available service plans in order to determine the most cost-effective service plan, and then communicates results of the determination to an interested party. In one embodiment of the present invention, the system charges the interested party a fee for providing the results of the determination. In one embodiment of the present invention, the system additionally receives a request to switch a current service plan to an alternate service plan, and then switches the current service plan to the alternate service plan.

Abstract: A method and telephone apparatus that places a telephone call to a directory assistance system and verbally provides the system with information identifying an entity is provided. The directory assistance system transmits data including at least the phone number and alphanumeric identifier of the entity to the telephone. Upon receipt of the data from the directory assistance system, the data is stored into the memory of the telephone. Thus, the telephone is automatically programmed with at least a telephone number and its associated alphanumeric identifier. Accordingly, the telephone number can later be recalled and dialed through the use of the alphanumeric identifiers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically updating a group of databases when new information is entered into any one of the databases in the group is disclosed. When a first database is updated with new information, a phone call, page or email is sent to the other databases. The updated database sends the new information to the other databases via the phone call, page or email, and the new information is stored in each database. In this manner, the information contained in each associated database will be kept current and accurate without requiring manual re-entry of the new information into each separate database.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that retrieves and installs device driver software across a network. The system includes a detection mechanism that detects the presence of a device in a computer system for which no current driver is installed in the computer system. The system also includes a reading mechanism that reads a locator specifying the location of a current driver for the device from a non-volatile memory on the device. The system additionally includes a driver retrieving mechanism that uses the locator to communicate with a remote host across the network in order to retrieve the current driver for the device from the remote host. The system also includes an installation mechanism that installs the current driver on the computer system.

Abstract: A radar detector for alerting an operator of a motor vehicle to an incoming police radar signal. This radar detector includes a microprocessor; a circuit coupled to the microprocessor for detecting the incoming police radar signal; and a global positioning system receiver coupled to the microprocessor. Upon detection of an incoming radar signal, the radar detector can utilize the position, velocity, and/or heading data from the global positioning system receiver to determine whether to generate an alert.

Abstract: A radar detector for alerting an operator of a motor vehicle to an incoming police radar signal. This radar detector includes a microprocessor; a circuit coupled to the microprocessor for detecting the incoming police radar signal; and a global positioning system receiver coupled to the microprocessor. Upon detection of an incoming radar signal, the radar detector can utilize the position, velocity, and/or heading data from the global positioning system receiver to determine whether to generate an alert.

Abstract: A radar detector for alerting an operator of a motor vehicle to an incoming police radar signal. This radar detector includes a microprocessor; a circuit coupled to the microprocessor for detecting the incoming police radar signal; and a global positioning system receiver coupled to the microprocessor. Upon detection of an incoming radar signal, the radar detector can utilize the position, velocity, and/or heading data from the global positioning system receiver to determine whether to generate an alert.

Abstract: An aircraft, the aircraft including a whole-aircraft ballistic parachute that is coupled to the aircraft. The aircraft determines if a pre-activation action needs to be performed before activation of the whole-aircraft ballistic parachute. The aircraft also receives a whole-aircraft ballistic parachute activation request. The aircraft then issues a command to perform the pre-activation action and then activates the deployment of the whole-aircraft ballistic parachute. The aircraft then issues a command to perform a post-activation action.