Abstract: Methods and apparatus for allowing an individual to preserve his/her privacy and control the use of the individual's images and/or personal information by other, without disclosing the identity of the individual to others, are described. In various embodiments the individual seeking privacy provides his/her identifying information, images, and sharing preferences indicating desired level of privacy to a control device which is then stored in a customer record. The control device can be queried to determine if an image or other information corresponds to a user who has restricted use of his/her image or other information in a public manner. Upon receiving a query the control device determines using the stored customer record whether an individual has authorized use of his or her image. Based upon the determination a response is sent to the querying device indicating whether the use of the image and/or individual's information is authorized.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for associating content with wireless signals, e.g., beacon signals, and for controlling the ability to access or alter content provided in response to an indication that one or more wireless signals have been received are described. In some embodiments a beacon transmitter is placed in a product such as a teddy bear, story book, toy, piece of jewelry, etc. Devices in the range of the wireless transmitter detect the signal and report the receipt of the signal to a registry device. The registry device takes into consideration which wireless signal or signals were reported as being received in a given time period, the identity of the device reporting the receipt of the signal, the time period in which the wireless signal was received, and/or other factors. Based on one or more rules the registry device determines which content, if any, to supply to the device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for efficiently communicating emergency management related information are described. A communications system includes a server, e.g., an emergency management server, and a plurality of beacon transmitters located at different known locations at a site of interest, e.g., a building on a college campus. An emergency management person's device sends information to the server to be communicated to one or more individuals in proximity to a beacon transmitter, with different information being communicated corresponding to different beacon transmitters. The information corresponding to a beacon transmitter includes at least one of a recommended escape route or emergency action. The server receives information including, e.g., a beacon transmitter identifier, from a user device, which is in proximity to a particular beacon transmitter.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for communicating information to a visitor of a site, e.g., a theme park, historical site, zoo, etc., providing mementoes of the visit and/or communicating information encouraging future, e.g., repeat, visits are described. In various embodiments costumed characters, vending carts and/or other items of interest may move around a site and thus be at different locations at different times of the day. In some embodiments beacon transmitters are inserted in the costumes of the characters, on the vending carts and/or on other moveable items. Each beacon transmitter transmits a unique wireless signal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for allowing an individual to preserve his/her privacy and control the use of the individual's images and/or personal information by other, without disclosing the identity of the individual to others, are described. In various embodiments the individual seeking privacy provides his/her identifying information, images, and sharing preferences indicating desired level of privacy to a control device which is then stored in a customer record. The control device can be queried to determine if an image or other information corresponds to a user who has restricted use of his/her image or other information in a public manner. Upon receiving a query the control device determines using the stored customer record whether an individual has authorized use of his or her image. Based upon the determination a response is sent to the querying device indicating whether the use of the image and/or individual's information is authorized.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for allowing an individual to preserve his/her privacy and control the use of the individual's images and/or personal information by other, without disclosing the identity of the individual to others, are described. In various embodiments the individual seeking privacy provides his/her identifying information, images, and sharing preferences indicating desired level of privacy to a control device which is then stored in a customer record. The control device can be queried to determine if an image or other information corresponds to a user who has restricted use of his/her image or other information in a public manner. Upon receiving a query the control device determines using the stored customer record whether an individual has authorized use of his or her image. Based upon the determination a response is sent to the querying device indicating whether the use of the image and/or individual's information is authorized.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for associating content with wireless signals, e.g., beacon signals, and for controlling the ability to access or alter content provided in response to an indication that one or more wireless signals have been received are described. In some embodiments a beacon transmitter is placed in a product such as a teddy bear, story book, toy, piece of jewelry, etc. Devices in the range of the wireless transmitter detect the signal and report the receipt of the signal to a registry device. The registry device takes into consideration which wireless signal or signals were reported as being received in a given time period, the identity of the device reporting the receipt of the signal, the time period in which the wireless signal was received, and/or other factors. Based on one or more rules the registry device determines which content, if any, to supply to the device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing educational and/or other information to a user of a user device, in response to the receipt of one or more wireless signals, are described. Educational information is loaded into a user device along with information on locations where the information can be accessed and/or suggestions on how to position the user device to obtain access to the stored information and/or capture an image to be used in a virtual reality experience in which stored educational content is presented. Short range wireless signals are transmitted in an area corresponding to a device or apparatus to which training or other education information relates. Receipt of one or more wireless signals trigger access on a user's communications device to training information, operational information or other information such a service information relating to the apparatus or device associated with the short range wireless signal which is received.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for using wireless networks to support a variety of school related operations including attendance record keeping, student class work assignment receipt and student test answer result receipt are described. Short range wireless signals transmitted in an area corresponding to a class session are used to facilitate verification of a student's presence in the class. Students submit attendance messages, test answer messages and/or work corresponding to an assignment wirelessly with the submission message or attendance message including information from a short range wireless signal received by the student device along with student authentication information such as a captured image or fingerprint obtained from the student at the time of submission or attendance message transmission. Based on the information in a received message the network node authenticates the student and that it was submitted from the area of the class. Records are updated based on received message content.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for associating content with wireless signals, e.g., beacon signals, and for controlling the ability to access or alter content provided in response to an indication that one or more wireless signals have been received are described. In some embodiments a beacon transmitter is placed in a product such as a teddy bear, story book, toy, piece of jewelry, etc. Devices in the range of the wireless transmitter detect the signal and report the receipt of the signal to a registry device. The registry device takes into consideration which wireless signal or signals were reported as being received in a given time period, the identity of the device reporting the receipt of the signal, the time period in which the wireless signal was received, and/or other factors. Based on one or more rules the registry device determines which content, if any, to supply to the device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for communicating information to a visitor of a site, e.g., a theme park, historical site, zoo, etc., providing mementoes of the visit and/or communicating information encouraging future, e.g., repeat, visits are described. In various embodiments costumed characters, vending carts and/or other items of interest may move around a site and thus be at different locations at different times of the day. In some embodiments beacon transmitters are inserted in the costumes of the characters, on the vending carts and/or on other moveable items. Each beacon transmitter transmits a unique wireless signal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for communicating information to a visitor of a site, e.g., a theme park, historical site, zoo, etc., providing mementoes of the visit and/or communicating information encouraging future, e.g., repeat, visits are described. In various embodiments costumed characters, vending carts and/or other items of interest may move around a site and thus be at different locations at different times of the day. In some embodiments beacon transmitters are inserted in the costumes of the characters, on the vending carts and/or on other moveable items. Each beacon transmitter transmits a unique wireless signal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for allowing an individual to preserve his/her privacy and control the use of the individual's images and/or personal information by other, without disclosing the identity of the individual to others, are described. In various embodiments the individual seeking privacy provides his/her identifying information, images, and sharing preferences indicating desired level of privacy to a control device which is then stored in a customer record. The control device can be queried to determine if an image or other information corresponds to a user who has restricted use of his/her image or other information in a public manner. Upon receiving a query the control device determines using the stored customer record whether an individual has authorized use of his or her image. Based upon the determination a response is sent to the querying device indicating whether the use of the image and/or individual's information is authorized.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for allowing an individual to preserve his/her privacy and control the use of the individual's images and/or personal information by other, without disclosing the identity of the individual to others, are described. In various embodiments the individual seeking privacy provides his/her identifying information, images, and sharing preferences indicating desired level of privacy to a control device which is then stored in a customer record. The control device can be queried to determine if an image or other information corresponds to a user who has restricted use of his/her image or other information in a public manner. Upon receiving a query the control device determines using the stored customer record whether an individual has authorized use of his or her image. Based upon the determination a response is sent to the querying device indicating whether the use of the image and/or individual's information is authorized.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for efficiently communicating emergency management related information are described. A communications system includes a server, e.g., an emergency management server, and a plurality of beacon transmitters located at different known locations at a site of interest, e.g., a building on a college campus. An emergency management person's device sends information to the server to be communicated to one or more individuals in proximity to a beacon transmitter, with different information being communicated corresponding to different beacon transmitters. The information corresponding to a beacon transmitter includes at least one of a recommended escape route or emergency action. The server receives information including, e.g., a beacon transmitter identifier, from a user device, which is in proximity to a particular beacon transmitter.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for associating content with wireless signals, e.g., beacon signals, and for controlling the ability to access or alter content provided in response to an indication that one or more wireless signals have been received are described. In some embodiments a beacon transmitter is placed in a product such as a teddy bear, story book, toy, piece of jewelry, etc. Devices in the range of the wireless transmitter detect the signal and report the receipt of the signal to a registry device. The registry device takes into consideration which wireless signal or signals were reported as being received in a given time period, the identity of the device reporting the receipt of the signal, the time period in which the wireless signal was received, and/or other factors. Based on one or more rules the registry device determines which content, if any, to supply to the device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for allowing an individual to preserve his/her privacy and control the use of the individual's images and/or personal information by other, without disclosing the identity of the individual to others, are described. In various embodiments the individual seeking privacy provides his/her identifying information, images, and sharing preferences indicating desired level of privacy to a control device which is then stored in a customer record. The control device can be queried to determine if an image or other information corresponds to a user who has restricted use of his/her image or other information in a public manner. Upon receiving a query the control device determines using the stored customer record whether an individual has authorized use of his or her image. Based upon the determination a response is sent to the querying device indicating whether the use of the image and/or individual's information is authorized.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for protecting private information and for verifying the identity of an individual, preferably as part of a commercial transaction. The present invention utilizes an electronic data base which contains information regarding the individual and a personal key which is associated with the private information. In the preferred embodiment, the private information is a Social Security Number. Alternative embodiments of the present invention utilize keys which are single use keys, multi-use keys or keys which have an expiration date. Alternative embodiments allow for the key to be received through a web browser interface, over a telephone or by other common electronic communication means. The subscriber can also enable a verification block feature so as to prevent the use of the private information for a period of time, thereby combating identity theft.