Abstract: Mechanisms are provided for determining the location of a stylus for a portable electronic device. One embodiment provides for determining at a first time that a stylus was not returned to a stylus receiver of the portable electronic device and determining last usage information relating to a last usage of the stylus at a second, earlier time. The embodiment may further include storing by the portable electronic device the determined last usage information and determining stylus location information based on the last usage information. The embodiment may further include providing an indication of the stylus location information to a user. Stylus location information may include one or more of a physical location, a geographic location, a calendar event associated with a last usage, directions to a place of last usage, an application being used at last usage of the stylus, or a user identity.

Abstract: Methods for determining the location of a stylus for a portable electronic device are disclosed. One embodiment provides a method for determining at a first time that a stylus was not returned to a stylus receiver of the portable electronic device and determining last usage information relating to a last usage of the stylus at a second, earlier time. The method may further include storing by the portable electronic device the determined last usage information and determining stylus location information based on the last usage information. The method may further include providing an indication of the stylus location information to a user. Stylus location information may include one or more of a physical location, a geographic location, a calendar event associated with a last usage, directions to a place of last usage, an application being used at last usage of the stylus, or a user identity.

Abstract: Systems, methods and media for determining the location of a stylus for a portable electronic device are disclosed. One embodiment provides a method for determining at a first time that a stylus was not returned to a stylus receiver of the portable electronic device and determining last usage information relating to a last usage of the stylus at a second, earlier time. The method may further include storing by the portable electronic device the determined last usage information and determining stylus location information based on the last usage information. The method may further include providing an indication of the stylus location information to a user. Stylus location information may include one or more of a physical location, a geographic location, a calendar event associated with a last usage, directions to a place of last usage, an application being used at last usage of the stylus, or a user identity.

Abstract: Provided is a system and method for defining information of interest to a particular user and for automatically presenting that information on a user defined channel of a media access device. The method is suitable for use with Internet-connected television, or Web TV, and Internet radio. A user defines subject areas of information that are of specific interest to the user. Each subject area is associated with a particular media outlet or channel of the media access device. The method provides means to scan particular channels of the media access device for information that corresponds to the defined subject areas. When information corresponding to a particular subject area is detected, the media access device is, if necessary, switched on and tuned to the particular channel associated with the particular subject area. In addition, means are provided for automatically recording the detected information for playback at a later time.

Abstract: Provided is a method for controlling a media device such that a user can define specific events as interruptions and automatically change the channel when one of these events is detected. The media control device (MCD) is configurable, both respect to the type of event that is considered an interruption and the alternate channel(s) to which the media device is changed. Once the interrupt has concluded, the MCD changes the radio back to the original station. In the alternative, during an interruption the MCD may simply replace the interrupted channel with a stream from another device. Introduction of a short time delay between the reception of a media signal and the presentation of the signal to a user enables the MCD to execute the described functions in a manner that appears seamless to the user.

Abstract: Provided is a system that enables a computer user to purchase and maintain installed operating systems and applications. Also provided is a method and system that detects and installs updates to programs and operating systems (OSs) on a computing system and ensures that the upgrades are compatible with existing software. A method is provided wherein a computer environment is scanned for all installed software and supporting files and logic such as libraries and OSs. A detected configuration is transmitted to a service provider who generates a service and support plan. The plan is offered to the administrator of the computer environment as an alternative to vendor-supplied plans. Thus, an administrator of a particular computing environment is able to centralize the maintenance and upgrade of installed software. The claimed technology provides access to a single-source pricing and support structure and enables the service provider to negotiate and purchase bulk upgrade packages.

Abstract: Provided is a method for caching a media stream such as a television channel or a radio station such that a viewer or listener may receive an entire programming segment regardless of when in the segment the stream is accessed. The beginning of a segment is recalled, or downloaded, to a local cache during a switch to the channel transmitting the segment and associated with a playback marker. The segment is also cached as the segment is transmitted. The user views the segment from the beginning, first from the cache downloaded when the channel is switched and, then, from the local cache stored as the programmed is viewed. In the case of broadcast media, a number of streams are designated as monitored streams. The programming on monitored streams is segmented into programs or smaller segments and the segments are cached on local memory as the programs are broadcast.

Abstract: Provided is a method that enables a media subscriber to pay for and send pay-per-view media content to a third party. The subscriber is billed for the content in a normal fashion. The viewer selects a specific program that is scheduled for transmission and provides information about the identity of the other subscriber, or the recipient, so that the content can be delivered to the recipient. Additional information may include a reason for sending the program and an additional message. The recipient receives notification that the programming has been purchased on his or her behalf and is given the option of accepting or declining the program. If the recipient accepts the program, the recipient may specify a date and time for viewing or specify that the programming be recorded.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for configuring language dependent features for a hotel room. A hotel guest is associated with a hotel room. The language preference for the hotel guest is located. The language preference is used to configure language dependent features for the hotel room.

Abstract: A method of, and an apparatus and computer usable program code for, dynamically creating an electronic catalog for a user by a catalog provider. At the outset, the catalog is created by identifying a current location of the user and receiving a second location. The contents of the catalog are determined based on the locations. The format for presenting the catalog is determined based on the second location and attributes associated with the user. In response to identifying a change in the first location, the contents of the catalog are adjusted dynamically. Upon requesting checkout of an online shopping basket that contains items of selected catalog entries, the items in the shopping basket are identified as either available or not available for checkout, based on the current location of the requesting user. When a change is detected in the user's location, the contents of the online shopping basket are adjusted dynamically based on the changed location.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for creating a dynamic food order for a traveler. A food order is received from the traveler. A determination is made as to whether a real-time itinerary for the traveler has changed. In response to a change in the real-time itinerary, the food order is adjusted based on the real-time itinerary and preferences stored in the traveler's profile to form an adjusted food order.

Abstract: Methods 300 and systems 100 for evaluating proposed food purchases which vary from a pre-planned diet are provided. A nutrition-related scheme, the pre-planned diet, is developed on the basis of achieving a primary goal such as increasing the intake of a particular nutrient or losing a certain amount of weight. The nutrition-related scheme, which may be stored in a memory 103 of a computer 120, includes a list of approved food items. When a user proposes to substitute a food item for an approved food item a version of the program stored on a PDA 120 determines whether the substituted item negatively interacts with any of the approved diet items, for example, affecting the user's ability to metabolize a nutrient in the approved item.

Abstract: A method, program product, and system for application of an electronic prescription object to food preparation. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes accessing a prescription object. Further, communications are established between the prescription object and an information repository by use of at least one of a communication network or a server provided by the information repository. Prescription object data is sent to the information repository. The information repository searches for information in response to the prescription object data sent to the information repository by the prescription object. Search information is related to at least one of food preparation or drug and food interactions. Search results are sent to the prescription object from the information repository.

Abstract: Systems, methods and media for determining the location of a stylus for a portable electronic device are disclosed. One embodiment provides a method for determining at a first time that a stylus was not returned to a stylus receiver of the portable electronic device and determining last usage information relating to a last usage of the stylus at a second, earlier time. The method may further include storing by the portable electronic device the determined last usage information and determining stylus location information based on the last usage information. The method may further include providing an indication of the stylus location information to a user. Stylus location information may include one or more of a physical location, a geographic location, a calendar event associated with a last usage, directions to a place of last usage, an application being used at last usage of the stylus, or a user identity.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, an apparatus, and computer program product for ordering television stations and programs are provided. Aspects of the present invention allow users to order television stations and programs based on their preferences. In addition, the aspects of the present invention allow the custom order of stations and programs to be displayed contiguously in the programming guide. Furthermore, the aspects of the present invention automatically activate a custom order based on an assignment of a particular time or schedule. Moreover, the aspects of the present invention identify a specific user from a plurality of users that share the same programming guide, such that a corresponding custom order of stations and programs may be retrieved for the specific user.

Abstract: Methods 300 and systems 100 for evaluating proposed food purchases which vary from a pre-planned diet are provided. A nutrition-related scheme, the pre-planned diet, is developed on the basis of achieving a primary goal such as increasing the intake of a particular nutrient or losing a certain amount of weight. The nutrition-related scheme, which may be stored in a memory 103 of a computer 120, includes a list of approved food items. When a user proposes to substitute a food item for an approved food item a version of the program stored on a PDA 120 determines whether the substituted item negatively interacts with any of the approved diet items, for example, affecting the user's ability to metabolize a nutrient in the approved item.

Abstract: A hand-held communication device, such as a mobile telephone or personal digital assistant, containing a camera is provided with the capability to distinguish printing from graphics in an image and to magnify and enhance the printing for display on the device. The device can thus aid a user in a situation needing visual enhancement, such as in a darkened restaurant.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for sharing one or more graphics images between devices using profiles. A request to establish a communications link is transmitted from a first device to a second device using a first profile. A response indicating acceptance of the first profile or a request to negotiate a different profile is received from the second device. A profile matching the second device is negotiated and selected at the first device. One or more graphics images are transmitted from the first device to the second device using the profile matching the second device.

Abstract: Transmission of interactive menus that include a user's requesting, by a call to a call service, a service of the call service, the call service including services, a voice response system, and one or more interactive menus; receiving in a telecommunication device from the call service an interactive menu, including suspending the requested service at a processing point; the user's providing interactive menu response information according to the interactive menu; and the user's resuming the requested service with the interactive menu response information from the processing point at which the requested service was suspended.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for displaying keystrokes on a display screen in the mobile communications device. In response to detecting a user input selecting a character on a keypad, the character is displayed on the display screen using a full screen display of the character. The full screen display is adjusted to the selected size after a selected period of time.