Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for role- and locale-based mobile user device feature control are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method for controlling at least one feature of a mobile user device based on a locale and a role of a user of the mobile user device is disclosed. The method includes storing, in a database, role information defining a plurality of different roles assigned to different user types and corresponding locale-based mobile user device feature control policies. In response to a mobile user device being within the locale, a role of the mobile user device is determined. A policy corresponding to the role is selected from a database. At least one feature of the mobile user device is controlled based on the locale-based feature control policy.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a workflow for an object are described. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention include sending workflow information to at least one mobile device operated by a recipient of the object. The workflow information associates the object with the at least one mobile device and includes sender-generated metadata identifying a sender of the object. The present invention also includes detecting the object using the at least one mobile device when the object is delivered to the recipient. The present invention also includes receiving from the at least one mobile device user-generated metadata associated with the object, wherein the sender-generated and user-generated metadata facilitate in monitoring the object in the workflow As a result, the object is accurately and reliably monitored in the workflow.

Abstract: A system and method of the present invention provide parental and corporate control for a camera-phone. An administration authority web site is provided that enables an owner of a camera-phone to log into a server and establish a set of control policies that specify what actions on the phone are authorized for what user. The control policies that affect behavior of the camera-phone are downloaded to the camera-phone, and the camera-phone is then operated such that a user of the camera-phone is only able to perform actions authorized by the control policies. In a further embodiment, a control policy is provided that requires the camera-phone to upload captured images to the server for review by the camera-phone owner. In addition, the images may be quarantined until the camera-phone owner authorizes their release to the user.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for automatically annotating pictures in an image-capture device. The system includes an image capture system that is configured to capture an image. A memory is coupled to the image capture system and is configured to maintain a user-specific database. A processor is coupled to the memory and is configured to annotate the image with a tag based on data from the user-specific database.

Abstract: A method and system for utilizing an image capture device for obtaining information relating to an item having a barcode corresponding to a barcode number is described. The method and system includes capturing an image of the barcode and converting the image of the barcode to the barcode number. The barcode number is used to access a category of information related to the item and that may include information for at least one other product having a different barcode number. In another aspect, the method and system include providing information related to the item. In this aspect, data indicating the barcode number is received. The barcode number being determined based on an image captured of the barcode. The barcode is utilized to remotely access the category of information related to the item and including information for at least one other product having a different barcode number. At least a portion of the information is returned.

Abstract: In a method for synchronized multi-perspective image capture, an ad hoc network is formed between a plurality of image capture devices. A leader is then selected from the plurality of image capture devices. The leader sends the other image capture devices (termed “followers”) a capture message. In response to the capture message, the follower image capture devices synchronously capture images of a common subject matter. The follower image capture devices send their respective captured images to the leader. The leader then consolidates the captured images. In this manner, simultaneous and/or synchronized multi-perspective image capture of a common subject matter is accomplished without requiring expensive or specialized devices.

Abstract: A method and system for associating metadata with an image is described. The method and system include allowing a portion of the image to be selected. The method and system also include associating the metadata with the portion of the image that has been selected. In another aspect, the method and system include displaying the image with a portion of the image being highlighted. The metadata is associated with the portion of the image. In this aspect, the method and system also include allowing the metadata to be played in response to the portion of the image being selected. Consequently, the metadata can correspond to a specific portion of the image, instead of the image in its entirety.

Abstract: A server for processing voice-enabled transactions from a communication device including a communications interface in communication with the communications device for receiving a voice transaction message generated at the communications device, the voice transaction message being in one of a plurality of predetermined formats for carrying out a transaction. A voice recognition processor is coupled to the communications interface for performing voice recognition on the voice transaction message to generate a recognized message. A controller, operating under a program and in communication with the communications interface and the voice recognition processor, receives the recognized message, generates a corresponding processed transaction message for the transaction, and sends the processed transaction message to the communications device using the communications interface.

Abstract: A method and information processing device including a touch-responsive display for displaying a menu including at least one menu item, an information icon displayed adjacent the at least one menu item and showing an action which may be performed on the menu item, and a touch icon displayed adjacent the at least one menu item in a touch-responsive area of the display. A processor is coupled to the touch-responsive display, is adapted to detect contact with the touch-responsive area defining the touch icon, and is responsive to the detecting to perform the action shown by the information icon on the corresponding menu item.

Abstract: A button for efficiently displaying indicia on a hand-held device. A button constructed according to a first embodiment includes a main section and an integral extension having indicia positioned thereon. A second embodiment includes a main body section having at least one end containing indicia. Both embodiments provide for the user to actuate the button while still maintaining visible contact with the indicia. The present invention may also include an active character position within the button in which indicia is cycled through by actuating the button. The value of the indicia displayed in the active character position may then be input by an enter function.

Abstract: A method and system of forwarding messages to a subscriber. The invention includes a host server for receiving messages from a communications network. The message is forwarded to at least one of a plurality of devices associated with the subscriber. The host server will receive a signal from one of the devices indicating that the subscriber has received the message. After receiving this signal, the message is deleted from the other devices to which it was sent to ensure redundant messages are not received by the subscriber. The invention may use a multi-cast, probabilistic, or hybrid approach to deliver the messages to subscriber on a convenient device.

Abstract: A display control for a data storage device which includes a screen portion for visually displaying a part of a virtual page. The display control includes at least one sensor mounted on the device and configured to sense changes in position of the device in a reference coordinate system and transmit signals indicative of the changes. A control circuit is adapted to pan the virtual page over the screen portion responsive to signals from the sensor indicative of the position changes when the control circuit is in a panning mode. At least one touch-responsive first area on the screen portion when touched places the control circuit in the panning mode, and a touch-responsive second area on the screen portion when touched placing the control circuit out of the panning mode.

Abstract: A method for managing tasks in a multi-application device having a stack and a plurality of positions for storing identification of tasks, the tasks on the top of the stack being an active task. The method comprises the steps of sequentially cycling through the stack of tasks, selecting one of the plurality of tasks by invoking an action in the task, moving the selected task to the top of the stack, and pushing each task between the top of the stack and the selected task down one position in the stack.

Abstract: A service provider such as a physician or an automobile mechanic is identified from a wireless communicator based on categories of service providers such as physicians or automobile mechanics. In particular, a radiotelephone call is initiated from the wireless communicator to a first telephone number that corresponds to a first service provider of a first category, for example a first physician. The wireless receiver then detects that the radiotelephone call is not successfully completed, for example by detecting that a busy signal is obtained from the first telephone number, by detecting that a radiotelephone call to the first telephone number is repeatedly initiated during a predetermined time and/or by detecting that radiotelephone calls to multiple telephone numbers corresponding to service providers of the first category are initiated during a predetermined time.

Abstract: One or more movable magnification icons are configured to magnify displayed information and to facilitate user interaction with displayed information within touch-sensitive display screens for electronic devices. A magnification icon may incorporate the metaphor of an elongated magnifying bar that extends along a first dimension of a display screen. A control for moving the magnification icon within the display screen in response to user input may be provided as a slider control or other icon displayed within the display screen. Alternatively, a control for moving the magnification icon within the display screen may be provided as a mechanical input device adjacent the display screen.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for moving an object on a touchscreen display of a portable intelligent communications device or a separate computer is disclosed as including the steps of touching first and second areas on the display screen associated with the object to select the object, and identifying a new location for the object on the display screen. The object is selected when the first and second areas are touched within a predetermined time period, and moved to the new location when the location is identified on the screen within an additional predetermined time period. In touching the areas associated with an object to select the object, the screen is contacted at first and second points within a selection range about the object. From these points, the touches move in unison towards the center of the object, terminating at a point abutting or inside the periphery of the object. The first and second touches may be on opposite sides of the object and accomplished using a thumb and finger.

Abstract: A multi-application communication device comprising a wireless communicator configured to provide telecommunications between the device and the public land mobile network. The multi-application communication device includes a processor configured to run at least a current application program having a current application graphical interface and a telephone application having a telephone application graphical interface configured to control the wireless communicator. The communication device also includes a screen and an input device. A plurality of control buttons are displayed on the screen when the wireless communicator is not idle to control the wireless communicator without first changing the current application screen display to the telephone application screen display.

Abstract: A method of identifying a drug that inhibits the RSV membrane fusion machinery, such as the HRSV membrane fusion machinery; drugs that bind the N-helix coiled-coil of HRSV, particularly the N-helix coiled-coil pocket, and, thus, inhibit HRSV infection of cells, such as human cells; methods of inhibiting (partially or totally) HRSV infection of an individual; anitbodies that bind to the N-helix coiled-coil region of HRSV F1; and pharmaceutical compositions comprising HRSV infection neutralizing antibodies.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of determining which touchable item depicted on a computer touchscreen to select for an imprecise touch, including the steps of identifying all potentially selected touchable items for the imprecise touch, calculating a probability of intended selection for each potentially selected touchable item, and selecting the potentially selected touchable item having the greatest calculated probability of intended selection. It will be seen that the identifying step includes determining which touchable items depicted on the computer touchscreen overlap with the imprecise touch. The probability calculating step is a function of a distance between a centerpoint of the imprecise touch and a centerpoint for each potentially selected touchable item and/or a function of an overlap area between the imprecise touch and each potentially selected touchable item.

Abstract: A communications device for use in a communications network has a control system configured to transmit signaling to and through the communications network in either of a first or a second mode. The user interface is configured to receive user input to select the signaling mode.