Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed that is adapted to reside in a bay of an electronic device having an interface adapted to engage a suitable structure. In an embodiment, the apparatus lacks the suitable connector to engage the device bay interface. Alternatively, the apparatus is adapted to reside in the bay of the electronic device and is configured to couple to only a portion of an electrical interface in the device bay such that the apparatus is charged when it resides in the device bay. In an additional embodiment, a game controller comprises first and second portions comprising respective interfaces and a hinge configured to enable the portions to move with respect to one another.

Abstract: A method and system for distributing an electronic publication allows the distribution of customized publications, including customized advertising, customized content, or both. In accordance with the method for distributing an electronic publication, an electronic publication is retrieved from storage. The electronic publication is delivered to the consumer by electronically sending the electronic publication to the consumer's electronic mail address. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the electronic publication may include customized advertising. A consumer profile associated with the consumer is stored in a database and comprises a plurality of profile data items. A database of content items and advertising items is created, including at least some targeted advertising items.

Abstract: A method and system for distributing an electronic publication allows the distribution of customized publications, including customized advertising, customized content, or both. In accordance with the method for distributing an electronic publication, an electronic publication is retrieved from storage. The electronic publication is delivered to the consumer by electronically sending the electronic publication to the consumer's electronic mail address. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the electronic publication may include customized advertising. A consumer profile associated with the consumer is stored in a database and comprises a plurality of profile data items. A database of content items and advertising items is created, including at least some targeted advertising items.

Abstract: A wireless enable/disable locking system comprises a locking element configured to physically cooperate with a switch, the switch for enabling/disabling a wireless communication capability of a device, to lock the wireless communication state of the switch to either enabled or disabled.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed that is adapted to reside in a bay of an electronic device having an interface adapted to engage a suitable structure. In an embodiment, the apparatus lacks the suitable connector to engage the device bay interface. Alternatively, the apparatus is adapted to reside in the bay of the electronic device and is configured to couple to only a portion of an electrical interface in the device bay such that the apparatus is charged when it resides in the device bay. In an additional embodiment, a game controller comprises first and second portions comprising respective interfaces and a hinge configured to enable the portions to move with respect to one another.

Abstract: A hard disk drive protection system comprises a sensor configured to detect an impending shock event and a hard drive protection module configured to determine whether to issue a fast park command for a hard disk drive in response to detecting the impending shock event based on a permissible quantity of fast park cycles for the hard disk drive.

Abstract: A hard disk drive protection system comprises a sensor configured to detect an impending shock event and a hard drive protection module configured to determine whether to issue a fast park command for a hard disk drive in response to detecting the impending shock event based on a permissible quantity of fast park cycles for the hard disk drive.

Abstract: A hard disk drive protection system comprises a sensor configured to detect an impending shock event and a hard drive protection module configured to determine whether to issue a fast park command for a hard disk drive in response to detecting the impending shock event based on a permissible quantity of fast park cycles for the hard disk drive.

Abstract: A electronic device comprises a housing having a module bay configured to receive insertion of a modular biometric reader therein, the modular biometric reader located and usable within a periphery of the housing when disposed in the module bay.

Abstract: A wireless enable/disable locking system comprises a locking element configured to physically cooperate with a switch, the switch for enabling/disabling a wireless communication capability of a device, to lock the wireless communication state of the switch to either enabled or disabled.

Abstract: A keyboard illumination system comprises a computer device having a plurality of liquid crystal displays (LCDs). The system also comprises a display controller adapted to change an electrical state of at least one of the LCDs for providing a predetermined level of illumination by the at least one LCD for illuminating at least a portion of a keyboard of the computer device.

Abstract: A hard disk drive protection system comprises a sensor configured to detect an impending shock event and a hard drive protection module configured to determine whether to issue a fast park command for a hard disk drive in response to detecting the impending shock event based on a permissible quantity of fast park cycles for the hard disk drive.

Abstract: A hard disk drive protection system comprises a sensor configured to detect an impending shock event and a hard drive protection module configured to determine whether to issue a fast park command for a hard disk drive in response to detecting the impending shock event based on a permissible quantity of fast park cycles for the hard disk drive.

Abstract: A method and system for distributing an electronic publication allows the distribution of customized publications, including customized advertising, customized content, or both. In accordance with the method for distributing an electronic publication, an electronic publication is retrieved from storage. The electronic publication is delivered to the consumer by electronically sending the electronic publication to the consumer's electronic mail address. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the electronic publication may include customized advertising. A consumer profile associated with the consumer is stored in a database and comprises a plurality of profile data items. A database of content items and advertising items is created, including at least some targeted advertising items.

Abstract: A method and system for distributing an electronic publication allows the distribution of customized publications, including customized advertising, customized content, or both. In accordance with the method for distributing an electronic publication, an electronic publication is retrieved from storage. The electronic publication is delivered to the consumer by electronically sending the electronic publication to the consumer's electronic mail address. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the electronic publication may include customized advertising. A consumer profile associated with the consumer is stored in a database and comprises a plurality of profile data items. A database of content items and advertising items is created, including at least some targeted advertising items.

Abstract: A customer at an enrollment section (12) uses a self-dial telephone (14) to make a toll-free call to a customer service operator at a workstation (26). The operator activates a check-cashing card (18) obtained by the customer at the enrollment section, which includes enrolling a checking account against which the customer wishes to cash checks. The customer can subsequently use the activated card with automatic teller machines (57) to cash checks in transactions that are entirely automated, and that do not require the customer to have funds available for withdrawal from an institutional account. Each automatic teller machine interacts with a switch system (42), which in turn interacts with a host system (37), in order to determine whether to proceed with the check-cashing transaction. If authorization is granted, a dispense amount is determined by deducting one or more fees from the amount of the check, and the customer is then paid the dispense amount in cash.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method and system for distributing an electronic publication. The invention allows the distribution of customized publications, including customized advertising, customized content, or both. In accordance with the method for distributing an electronic publication, a version of an electronic publication is retrieved from storage. The electronic publication is delivered to the consumer by electronically sending the electronic publication to the consumer's electronic mail address with a return receipt requested. A receipt is then generated in response to the retrieval of the electronic publication from the consumer's electronic mailbox.