Abstract: Basic personal data of an individual is stored as different data files based on content or intended use. The selection of personal data for inclusion in a data file may be performed in accordance with service provider requests or by the end user, preferably with the assistance of templates. Each data file is assigned a unique identifier and is preferably stored in a network server (or, alternatively, in the user's mobile device). The data files may be organized into groups according to content or intended use. For each of the stored files, a graphical symbol is stored in the user's mobile device. When displayed to the user, the symbol preferably resembles a card. Moreover, each group of data files is preferably displayed as a pack of cards. In this manner, the organization of the cards is such that the user can easily select a card needed to obtain a service.

Abstract: A layer-based user interface for computing devices. In the layer-based user interface, the functionality of the device is distributed to layers and accessed via them. Each layer is composed of a number of components or features that are typically represented by icons. The components can present, for example, data or functions to the user. The components can be interactive or un-interactive. A subset of interactive components is navigational. Navigational components are a special case of the components because of their central role in the user interface concept.

Abstract: Basic personal data of an individual is stored as different data files based on content or intended use. The selection of personal data for inclusion in a data file may be performed in accordance with service provider requests or by the end user, preferably with the assistance of templates. Each data file is assigned a unique identifier and is preferably stored in a network server (or, alternatively, in the user's mobile device). The data files may be organized into groups according to content or intended use. For each of the stored files, a graphical symbol is stored in the user's mobile device. When displayed to the user, the symbol preferably resembles a card. Moreover, each group of data files is preferably displayed as a pack of cards. In this manner, the organization of the cards is such that the user can easily select a card needed to obtain a service.

Abstract: Basic personal data of an individual is stored as different data files based on content or intended use. The selection of personal data for inclusion in a data file may be performed in accordance with service provider requests or by the end user, preferably with the assistance of templates. Each data file is assigned a unique identifier and is preferably stored in a network server (or, alternatively, in the user's mobile device). The data files may be organized into groups according to content or intended use. For each of the stored files, a graphical symbol is stored in the user's mobile device. When displayed to the user, the symbol preferably resembles a card. Moreover, each group of data files is preferably displayed as a pack of cards. In this manner, the organization of the cards is such that the user can easily select a card needed to obtain a service.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for transferring content and one or more tokens between a server and one or more terminals. The method and system consists of a first terminal capable of connecting to a server and enabling the purchase of content and one or more tokens from the server. The server stores the content and token(s) on behalf of a user. The first terminal is capable of downloading the content and the token(s) stored at the server. Alternatively, a second terminal is capable of automatically downloading the content and the token(s) from the server upon connecting to a network.

Abstract: Basic personal data of an individual is stored as different data files based on content or intended use. The selection of personal data for inclusion in a data file may be performed in accordance with service provider requests or by the end user, preferably with the assistance of templates. Each data file is assigned a unique identifier and is preferably stored in a network server (or, alternatively, in the user's mobile device). The data files may be organized into groups according to content or intended use. For each of the stored files, a graphical symbol is stored in the user's mobile device. When displayed to the user, the symbol preferably resembles a card. Moreover, each group of data files is preferably displayed as a pack of cards. In this manner, the organization of the cards is such that the user can easily select a card needed to obtain a service.

Abstract: A method, system, apparatus and computer program product for personalizing the functionality of a personal communication device. A personal communication device receives a wireless communication signal from one or more electronic tags. The signal is decoded by the personal communication device and the tag information is forwarded to a central processor of the device for executing the communication of data previously stored in a memory location, or triggering an application or service. The data, application or service is of interest to the user and relevant to the location the tags whose signal was received and processed by the device.

Abstract: A method and system locate a transponder that has an associated identifier and content data, at a location substantially accessible to a user of the mobile terminal. The transponder is activated by the mobile terminal with a wireless signal. In response, the mobile terminal receives at least the identifier and the content data from the activated transponder at the mobile terminal. From the received identifier and/or content data, the method and system select one or more of the stored data items according to one or more criteria.

Abstract: Basic personal data of an individual is stored as different data files based on content or intended use. The selection of personal data for inclusion in a data file may be performed in accordance with service provider requests or by the end user, preferably with the assistance of templates. Each data file is assigned a unique identifier and is preferably stored in a network server (or, alternatively, in the user's mobile device). The data files may be organized into groups according to content or intended use. For each of the stored files, a graphical symbol is stored in the user's mobile device. When displayed to the user, the symbol preferably resembles a card. Moreover, each group of data files is preferably displayed as a pack of cards. In this manner, the organization of the cards is such that the user can easily select a card needed to obtain a service.

Abstract: Disposable mini-applications are executable software items whose activation, deactivation and deletion in a mobile terminal are defined by trigger parameters and rules. Trigger parameters may include, but are not intended to be limited to, location, time, stored user data and the like. Rules are one or more trigger parameters needed to effect one of the foregoing actions. In one embodiment, a housekeeping means monitors for data that corresponds to the parameters and satisfies the rules, and performs a variety of housekeeping functions relating to the disposable mini-applications. The deletion of the disposable mini-application clears memory space associated with storing and executing the disposable mini-application, and thus, makes that space available for other purposes.

Abstract: An electronic service information data (including, e.g., an electronic coupon) is sent to a user in response to interaction at a merchant-media arrangement. According to one example embodiment, a user with a user-communications device views information conveyed by the merchant-media arrangement. In response to communication between the user-communications device and the merchant-media arrangement, the user-communications device and the merchant-media arrangement cooperate to generate a merchant-information-request signal that includes at least a merchant-media ID code for the merchant-media arrangement. The merchant-information-request signal is then used to generate a user-redeemable electronic service information that corresponds to the information conveyed by the merchant-media arrangement (e.g., via the merchant-media ID code). In a more specific embodiment, the electronic service information is sent in a Java Midlet that is downloaded for access and activation by the user.

Abstract: A method and system for providing selective access to appliances by terminals in a smart environment is provided. Each terminal and appliance is assigned a unique identification code (UID). Appliances and terminals wirelessly transmit their UID and receive UIDs transmitted by other appliances and terminals. Upon receiving a terminal's UID, an appliance queries a database to determine whether the terminal is authorized to control that appliance based on authorization information stored in the database. An owner may be notified if a terminal without authorization attempts to control an appliance or enters the environment. When a previously unauthorized user, local to the environment, desires access to the smart environment while the owner(s) is away from the environment, a request may be securely transmitted to an owner at his or her remote location. The owner may grant access to one or more appliances, and securely transmit the authorization back to the local user.

Abstract: A method and system are provided to evaluate a privacy indication of a request for one or more data items of user information by a requesting party based on at least one privacy attribute of one or more of the requested data items; and to provide to the requesting party one or more of the requested data items according to the evaluated privacy indication.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for facilitating a shopping experience. A user creates and stores a shopping list in a mobile terminal. Upon entering a shop, the mobile terminal downloads a shopping mini-application, which checks item availability and provides recommended substitute and complimentary items preferably taking user profile information into consideration. The mobile terminal also provides the user with reminders based on the user's purchasing history. Special offers are also presented to the user. Once the shopping list has been finalized, an optimal shopping route is computed for gathering the items on the list and is displayed to the user in the form of a map. The optimal route and recommendations may be updated at any time throughout the shopping experience in response to either the user's request, modifications to the shopping list and/or the user's divergence from the optimal route. The mini-application automatically may be deleted at the POS to conserve memory space.

Abstract: A method and system locate a transponder that has an associated identifier and content data, at a location substantially accessible to a user of the mobile terminal. The transponder is activated by the mobile terminal with a wireless signal. In response, the mobile terminal receives at least the identifier and the content data from the activated transponder at the mobile terminal. From the received identifier and/or content data, the method and system select one or more of the stored data items according to one or more criteria.

Abstract: A method and system for collecting data on a user of communication device into a customer register. A product of a consumer carries out active marketing by transmitting a product code to its environment. The user of the communication device receives the product code when he retrieves the product data corresponding to the product code from a server or when he performs a purchase operation concerning the product to which said product code refers, data on the user of the communication device are stored in the customer register and a reward is formed to the consumer on the basis of the realized retrieval of said product data, or said purchase operation and the product code referring to the identity codes of the consumer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing/receiving personalized messages relating to goods and/or services. An exemplary method for providing personalized messaging to a user of a mobile terminal includes: receiving user data comprising an act to be performed by the user and an instruction to be followed by the user when performing the act; comparing the user data with service data for goods or services that may assist the user in completing the acts in accordance with the instructions; and based on the comparison, providing personalized messaging to the mobile terminal concerning the goods or services. The user data compared with the goods or services also may include user profile data, calendar data and/or location information to further personalize the messaging. Some or all of this user data may be received directly from the mobile terminal or, alternatively, may be obtained from a network-based trusted server.

Abstract: A method, system, apparatus and computer program product for personalizing the functionality of a personal communication device. A personal communication device receives a wireless communication signal from one or more electronic tags. The signal is decoded by the personal communication device and the tag information is forwarded to a central processor of the device for executing the communication of data previously stored in a memory location, or triggering an application or service. The data, application or service is of interest to the user and relevant to the location the tags whose signal was received and processed by the device.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for protecting personal privacy in a wireless local area network using a framework at both the terminal and the service in the wireless local area network. The terminal includes a memory that stores the profile data for a user. The terminal is coupled by radio frequency to an access point that is also coupled to a wired network such as the Internet. A service operator coupled to the wired network offers a service opportunity to the user by sending a message to the terminal that includes the service opportunity. If the profile data for the user indicates that the user is interested in either this type of service opportunity or this particular service, the user sends at least a portion of the profile data to the service operator. The service operator uses the profile data to personalize the service prior to sending it to the user.

Abstract: The user's Bluetooth device substitutes a pseudonym address for the Bluetooth Device Address (BD_ADDR). The pseudonym address is a randomized version of the BD_ADDR. The pseudonym address is used in all the functions of the Bluetooth device that normally use the BD_ADDR, including the frequency hopping sequence, the device access code, the initialization key in link encryption, the authentication code, and the various packet addresses. In this manner, the user's privacy is protected by preventing the user's identity, routes, and activities from being correlated with his/her device's address. In addition to the Bluetooth standard, the technique also applies to other wireless standards.