Abstract: A real-time-communication (RTC) collaboration platform allows for customer-initiated and/or agent-initiated RTC collaboration sessions that may include rich media (voice, video, screen shares, annotations, drawings, document sharing and editing, etc.). The collaboration session may be initiated in various embodiments, by a smart trigger including one or more links that may be selected as a trigger. When the link(s) are selected session information may be transmitted or otherwise elected to target the session. In some embodiments, a combination of smart trigger devices may provide additional benefits, such as restricting the initiation of a session to a location where the NFC tag is present. Although individual examples provided herein describe the smart trigger as a QR code, an NFC tag, and/or a link on a web page, smart triggers of any type may be used to initiate a communication session as described herein. A smart trigger may also be used to extend the collaboration session to a new device.

Abstract: Various energy harvesting and control techniques are used to power and control electronic accessories from the audio output channels and microphone input channel of mobile digital devices while preserving audio input and output functionality. One technique uses one of the stereophonic audio channels to generate power, and the other in conjunction with the microphone jack to enable bi-directional communications while preserving audio input and output. Another technique allows a low powered electronic accessory with bi-directional communications to be supported while simultaneously supporting audio input & stereo output. These techniques facilitate the ability to play music, narration and instruction and to receive oral responses and instruction with no perceived loss or gaps, even while using the audio jack of a mobile digital device to harvest energy and bi-directional communication.

Abstract: Electronic gifting is performed using various devices, servers, and other system nodes on a network. A gifting server and a transaction facility server associated with a transaction facility have access to the network. A donor's personal electronic device and a recipient's personal electronic device also have access to the network. Both the donor personal electronic device and the recipient personal electronic device may be enabled with the light-simulated barcode technology and/or NFC technology. Financial systems such as, for example, credit card systems, banking systems, and loyalty card systems may also have access to the network, or may be directly accessible to the transactions facility systems.

Abstract: Various energy harvesting and control techniques are used to power and control electronic accessories from the audio output channels and microphone input channel of mobile digital devices while preserving audio input and output functionality. One technique uses one of the stereophonic audio channels to generate power, and the other in conjunction with the microphone jack to enable bi-directional communications while preserving audio input and output. Another technique allows a low powered electronic accessory with bi-directional communications to be supported while simultaneously supporting audio input & stereo output. These techniques facilitate the ability to play music, narration and instruction and to receive oral responses and instruction with no perceived loss or gaps, even while using the audio jack of a mobile digital device to harvest energy and bi-directional communication.

Abstract: Various energy harvesting and control techniques are used to power and control electronic accessories from the audio output channels and microphone input channel of mobile digital devices while preserving audio input and output functionality. One technique uses one of the stereophonic audio channels to generate power, and the other in conjunction with the microphone jack to enable bi-directional communications while preserving audio input and output. Another technique allows a low powered electronic accessory with bi-directional communications to be supported while simultaneously supporting audio input & stereo output. These techniques facilitate the ability to play music, narration and instruction and to receive oral responses and instruction with no perceived loss or gaps, even while using the audio jack of a mobile digital device to harvest energy and bi-directional communication.

Abstract: A real-time rich communications (“RTC”) architecture consolidates a SIP/IMS framework and other frameworks for the desired communication and messaging services into a RTC host, which functions like a client to a SIP/IMS core in an IMS network, but which functions like a server to any number of RTC client devices over any number and any type of RTC capable networks. Advantageously, the RTC host may manage the RTC functions in the RTC clients without requiring support from any network infrastructure. Advantageously, the frameworks may be but need not necessarily be modular to facilitate design flexibility, modification, and upgrade. Advantageously, an RTC client may be a thin client.

Abstract: Electronic gifting is performed using various devices, servers, and other system nodes on a network. A gifting server and a transaction facility server associated with a transaction facility have access to the network. A donor's personal electronic device and a recipient's personal electronic device also have access to the network. Both the donor personal electronic device and the recipient personal electronic device may be enabled with the light-simulated barcode technology and/or NFC technology. Financial systems such as, for example, credit card systems, banking systems, and loyalty card systems may also have access to the network, or may be directly accessible to the transactions facility systems.

Abstract: Various energy harvesting and control techniques are used to power and control electronic accessories from the audio output channels and microphone input channel of mobile digital devices while preserving audio input and output functionality. One technique uses one of the stereophonic audio channels to generate power, and the other in conjunction with the microphone jack to enable bi-directional communications while preserving audio input and output. Another technique allows a low powered electronic accessory with bi-directional communications to be supported while simultaneously supporting audio input & stereo output. These techniques facilitate the ability to play music, narration and instruction and to receive oral responses and instruction with no perceived loss or gaps, even while using the audio jack of a mobile digital device to harvest energy and bi-directional communication.

Abstract: The techniques described herein facilitate the reliable and widespread communication of information in support of various types of transactions at various types of facilities using personal electronic devices, which are electronic devices that can be easily carried on the person. Personal electronic devices may be enabled to access and communicate information using Near Field Communications (“NFC”), as well as to communicate information to bar code scanners by emitting light that simulates a reflection of a scanning beam being moved across a static visual image of a bar code. Such a personal electronic device may be used for transactions both at the relatively uncommon facilities which have the newer NFC systems as well as the many facilities which have the older bar code scanners, thereby enhancing its value to its user. Moreover, NFC and light-simulated bar codes may be used cooperatively on a personal electronic device to enable a variety of novel and useful methods of communicating information.

Abstract: A personal digital electronic device is provided with two enhancements, namely (a) an IR receiver and associated circuitry and software/firmware for mimicking a laser scanner operation, so that information existing in physical form with an associated bar code may be entered into the personal digital electronic device at the point of transaction; and (b) a radio receiver and associated circuitry and software/firmware to receive and process RDS feeds, so that offers, coupons and promotions embedded in the RDS feeds may be detected and used to place or update information on the personal digital electronic device. The personal digital electronic device is enabled for communication with a bar code scanner preferably using the “active light” communication technology.

Abstract: Techniques are described for facilitating the reliable communication of information to bar code scanners from mobile digital devices, thereby enabling mobile digital devices to easily access the current commercial infrastructure. These techniques may be used to access many other goods and services in addition to conventional commercial services. The core enabling technology is the use of various elements commonly found on mobile digital devices to provide light that simulate a reflection of a scanning beam being moved across a static bar code image, and to confirm completion of the scan. The control system may interpret the light provided by the mobile digital device as merely a conventional identification type bar code, although the control system may be enhanced to identify and receive other types of information, including identity and credit information.

Abstract: Techniques are described for facilitating the reliable communication of information to bar code scanners from mobile digital devices, thereby enabling mobile digital devices to easily access the current commercial infrastructure. These techniques may be used to access many other goods and services in addition to conventional commercial services. The core enabling technology is the use of various elements commonly found on mobile digital devices to provide light that simulate a reflection of a scanning beam being moved across a static bar code image, and to confirm completion of the scan. The control system may interpret the light provided by the mobile digital device as merely a conventional identification type bar code, although the control system may be enhanced to identify and receive other types of information, including identity and credit information.

Abstract: An accessory for a personal electronic device detects data encoded into light, sound, vibration energy, radio frequency energy, or a combination thereof, and provides the encoded data either to a bar code scanner using light, or to an NFC terminal using NFC protocols. The accessory may be stand-alone, or attachable to the personal electronic device from a suitable housing or integrated into a housing component of the personal electronic device.

Abstract: A personal digital electronic device is provided with two enhancements, namely (a) an IR receiver and associated circuitry and software/firmware for mimicking a laser scanner operation, so that information existing in physical form with an associated bar code may be entered into the personal digital electronic device at the point of transaction; and (b) a radio receiver and associated circuitry and software/firmware to receive and process RDS feeds, so that offers, coupons and promotions embedded in the RDS feeds may be detected and used to place or update information on the personal digital electronic device. The personal digital electronic device is enabled for communication with a bar code scanner preferably using the “active light” communication technology.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for communicating information encoded in a bar code format between a mobile communications device and a bar code scanner. Transmission information data is encoded into a bar code format. A signal is generated from the bar code format to simulate a reflection of a scanning beam being moved across a static visual image of the bar code format; and the signal is transmitted as light pulses from the mobile communications device.

Abstract: An accessory for a personal electronic device detects data encoded into light, sound, vibration energy, radio frequency energy, or a combination thereof, and provides the encoded data either to a bar code scanner using light, or to an NFC terminal using NFC protocols. The accessory may be stand-alone, or attachable to the personal electronic device from a suitable housing or integrated into a housing component of the personal electronic device.

Abstract: Techniques are described for facilitating the reliable communication of information to bar code scanners from mobile digital devices, thereby enabling mobile digital devices to easily access the current commercial infrastructure. These techniques may be used to access many other goods and services in addition to conventional commercial services. The core enabling technology is the use of various elements commonly found on mobile digital devices to provide light that simulate a reflection of a scanning beam being moved across a static bar code image, and to confirm completion of the scan. The control system may interpret the light provided by the mobile digital device as merely a conventional identification type bar code, although the control system may be enhanced to identify and receive other types of information, including identity and credit information.

Abstract: Various communications clients such as, for example, Push to Talk over Cellular (“PoC”) client applications and PoC devices provided with client applications, provide extended services such as filler information for dead time intervals, and communication of PoC session content with non-PoC subscribers and with PoC subscribers who are offline. Through the use of one or more client applications to provide these extended services, the user experience is enriched and operators may monetize these extended services without need to modify the operating system or the network.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for communicating information encoded in a bar code format between a mobile communications device and a bar code scanner. Transmission information data is encoded into a bar code format. A signal is generated from the bar code format to simulate a reflection of a scanning beam being moved across a static visual image of the bar code format; and the signal is transmitted as light pulses from the mobile communications device.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for communicating information encoded in a bar code format between a mobile communications device and a bar code scanner. Transmission information data is encoded into a bar code format. A signal is generated from the bar code format to simulate a reflection of a scanning beam being moved across a static visual image of the bar code format; and the signal is transmitted as light pulses from the mobile communications device.