Abstract: A method, system and program for coordinating multiple local and remote manufacturers for a manufacturing order is provided. A manufacturing order from a user is divided into multiple manufacturable parts. Next, a local bid request for the manufacturing order is submitted to multiple local manufacturers. In response to receiving multiple local bids for the manufacturing order, a remote bid request is submitted to multiple remote manufacturers for bidding on a selection of the manufacturable parts as requested in the local bids. The user selects from the bid options provided by local and remote manufacturers.

Abstract: A window is generated for displaying information and for scrolling through the information responsive to receiving a scrolling command. Responsive to a user selection, either a non-context-sensitive scrolling mode is enabled, for which a certain one of the scrolling commands scrolls the window by a fixed step size, or a context-sensitive scrolling mode is enabled, for which the same certain one of the scrolling commands scrolls the window by a variable step size responsive to content of the information displayed. In a current position of the window a certain object is top-most in the window. With context-sensitive scrolling enabled, if the end of the top-most object is shown in the current position scrolling steps the window to a next position where a next portion of the information is displayed beginning at the top of a next object after the current top-most object.

Abstract: A first portion of certain information is displayed in a window of a computerized display device. The window includes a scroll bar to control scrolling of the window through the information. The information includes a succession of objects. Context is indicated for the information by displaying indicators representing respective ones of the objects, including ones of the objects that are outside the first portion of the information that is displayed in the window. The indicators are displayed in an area of the window, including an area within the scroll bar. In another aspect, positions of the indicators represent relative positions of the objects within the information. In a still further aspect, displayed attributes of the indicators represent the type of the objects represented by the respective indicators.

Abstract: A system and method are presented for sending a message from one telephone to another by transmission of a short code. A set of message units stored within the receiving telephone is assigned to a set of codes which may be transmitted. The receiving telephone is a code-compatible telephone configured to detect an incoming code and forward the corresponding message unit to an output device associated with the code-compatible telephone. A message unit may comprise an entire message, or a portion of a message, such that multiple message units are combined to form a message. The message units may be alphanumeric or non-alphanumeric. An alphanumeric message unit contains multiple alphanumeric characters, while a non-alphanumeric message unit may contain graphical or auditory information. An alphanumeric or graphic message unit is forwarded to a display screen on the code-compatible telephone if the corresponding code is received. An auditory message unit is instead forwarded to the telephone's loudspeaker.

Abstract: A keyboard that may be utilized as a pointing device for disabled users is presented. The keyboard has one or more large buttons that allows the keyboard to be toggled between two different states. The first state corresponds to using the keyboard as a pointing device. A movement sensor is activated that may detect movement of the keyboard. The detected movement of the keyboard is then used by a computer system to control the movement of a cursor about a display screen. Additionally, one or more keys on the keyboard are grouped together to form compound keys that correspond to the pointing device buttons. The second state of the keyboard corresponds to that of standard keyboard operation in which a user may utilize the keyboard to type in letters, numbers, and commands in the typical fashion.

Abstract: A standard based automated system is disclosed for filling out electronic forms based on a standard. A user creates a standard compliant database with labeled fields for name(s), address(s), telephone number(s), credit card number(s), and other information. A requester creates a standard compliant form and sends the form to the user where the form extracts information from the appropriate fields of the database. The user also creates a set of rules for combining the standard compliant database with the standard compliant form by applying a set of rules for default values, a set of rules responsive to flags included in the form, and a set of rules to make certain decisions when conflicts arise among field values. The completed form is then presented to the user for approval and returned to the information requester.

Abstract: A system and method for using write-and-destroy transaction cards which cannot be reprogrammed. The write-and-destroy transaction cards are programmed (i.e., written to) at bit increments representing, in total, the stated value of the card. The stated value may be represented in one or a plurality of denominations and currencies. In use, the remaining value of a card can be ascertained at a merchant location by reading those bits which have not been erased. The remaining value can additionally be confirmed by contacting the issuing financial institution using a unique serial number which may be encoded onto each transaction card. Upon confirmation that the card has sufficient value to conduct the desired transaction, the card is decremented by erasure of the bits representing that value.

Abstract: A method, program and apparatus for providing access to alternate images in an electronic document are provided. The present invention comprises identifying an initial image to be displayed in an electronic document (typically a web page) and then determining if alternate versions of the image are available for display. If alternate versions of the image are available, they are provided within the same electronic document. The alternate images differ from the initial image in size and resolution, allowing users with visual impairments to access larger, higher resolution images. The user accesses the alternate images by means of a selector displayed within the electronic document. When selected, the alternate image replaces the initial image in the electronic document, and the document is reformatted.

Abstract: Accessibility profiles are created for different environments, application programs, and system functions. Environmental conditions may include time of day, telephone numbers dialed, caller ID, level of background noise, etc. Users can define accessibility profiles for each program they use, which determine preferred speaker volume settings, display settings, keyboard and keypad characteristics, and may automatically invoke companion programs such as voice recognizors, text-to-speech converters, and gesture recognizors. Accessibility profiles are organized and stored in a processor-readable repository, and are retrieved upon user activation of an application program or system function such as a word processor, auto-dialer, e-mail reader, etc. The system parses the appropriate accessibility profile, adjusts the available system accessibility settings, and launches any associated companion programs.

Abstract: A system and method facilitating online shopping at different merchant sites is provided. A client-based shopping cart application generates an online shopping cart usable at plural merchant sites. The shopping cart application can be a browser plug-in running on a remote client computer. The client shopping cart application stores product and shopper configuration information locally on the client computer and allows the exchange of information between merchant sites and the shopping client. The client shopping cart can contain items from different merchant sites. At check-out time, the shopping cart application seamlessly transfers information about the purchaser and the items in the shopping cart to the various merchant sites. The client shopping cart can be configured to limit various shopping attributes, such as the sites that can be visited, the amount that can be spent shopping, the time of day that shopping can take place, as well as language and currency limitations.

Abstract: A party who makes a telephone call (a “calling party”) sets up a “personalized” menu identifying a set of information options from which he or she desires to select when placed on-hold in a telephone system. The user's personal preferences are then saved. When the party later makes a call to a telephone system and is placed on-hold, the telephone system accesses the user's personalized menu and offers the one or more information options as defined in the menu. In an illustrative embodiment, the personalized menu options are voiced over the telephone line and the calling party then makes selections using keypad (i.e. DTMF signaling) or voice input. A response may be interrupted to make another menu selection, or to repeat the current response. If the response being played has not completed when the called party answers, that response is suspended and may be completed when the caller is placed back on hold or the call is completed.

Abstract: An information system for communication between a digital camera and bidirectional device that is located in proximity to a photographic site is disclosed. In the absence of the digital camera, the bidirectional device may provide communication with a personal digital communication device (PDCD) carried by the photographer. The digital camera may transmit preferences and camera data to the bidirectional device so that customized information, prepared by an information provider, may be automatically transmitted to the digital camera or PDCD or, via the Internet, to the photographer's e-mail address. A standardized photographic identification data packet (PIDDP) may be defined for use by the digital camera or the PDCD, for communication with the bidirectional device. The PIDDP may be transmitted by means of radio frequency, infrared, Bluetooth enabled transmission, or any other transmission method.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a local telephone directory based on a mobile telephone location is provided. When the mobile telephone moves from one mobile telephone area, such as a cell, to another area, new local telephone information is received from the mobile telephone company. The mobile telephone receives the local telephone information and stores the information in a dynamic directory storage area. The user can enter preferences such as a preferred language, that is used to identify local numbers. Dynamic speed dial keys may also be assigned so that, for example, the local police station is always assigned to the same speed dial key even though the local police station phone number changes as the mobile phone moves from one area to another. The filtering of data can be performed at either the mobile telephone company or on the mobile telephone after receiving the local directory information.

Abstract: A system and method for notifying a user of urgent phone messages is provided. When a telephone or text message is received by the phone answering system, a priority is determined for the message. If the telephone call is identified as an urgent telephone call, the system repeatedly dials the subscriber's phone in order to notify the user of the urgent message. In one embodiment, multiple locations, such as pagers, email addresses, and alternate phone numbers are contacted in order to inform the user of the urgent message. When the user is contacted, the urgent messages are played for the user. In a mobile telephone system environment, determinations are made as to whether the user is operating in roam mode before messages are delivered. A caller id function can further be included to selectively allow messages to be identified as urgent based upon the identification of the caller.

Abstract: A method for delivering coupons to consumers via mobile communication devices, based on location. The present invention includes an electronic database of merchant coupons. Users can then access the database by means of mobile phone, laptop computer, personal digital manager (PDA) or other mobile device. The user receives a menu of service preferences such as retail, dining, automobile service, lodging and entertainment and selects the desired services. Discount coupons for merchants in the user's vicinity are then sent to the user. The coupons are chosen based on the selected preferences and the user's location, which is determined according to the remote transmitting tower through which the user's signal is being sent.

Abstract: An impaired person is provided with a personalized accessibility device, which communicates an identification of a disability or impairment to an assistance device, which provides assistance. The present invention also provides a method and apparatus for providing feedback to a person with impairment. The feedback may be configured based on the type and extent of impairment, as well as personal preferences, such as a preferred language. The assistance device may also request a response from the disabled or impaired person, thus solving the person's Special Needs in a conversational manner without calling attention to the impairment.

Abstract: A system and method for using write-and-destroy transaction cards which cannot be reprogrammed. The write-and-destroy transaction cards are programmed (i.e., written to) at bit increments representing, in total, the stated value of the card. The stated value may be represented in one or a plurality of denominations and currencies. In use, the remaining value of a card can be ascertained at a merchant location by reading those bits which have not been erased. The remaining value can additionally be confirmed by contacting the issuing financial institution using a unique serial number which may be encoded onto each transaction card. Upon confirmation that the card has sufficient value to conduct the desired transaction, the card is decremented by erasure of the bits representing that value.

Abstract: A system and method are presented for sending a message from one telephone to another by transmission of a short code. A set of message units stored within the receiving telephone is assigned to a set of codes which may be transmitted. The receiving telephone is a code-compatible telephone configured to detect an incoming code and forward the corresponding message unit to an output device associated with the code-compatible telephone. A message unit may comprise an entire message, or a portion of a message, such that multiple message units are combined to form a message. The message units may be alphanumeric or non-alphanumeric. An alphanumeric message unit contains multiple alphanumeric characters, while a non-alphanumeric message unit may contain graphical or auditory information. An alphanumeric or graphic message unit is forwarded to a display screen on the code-compatible telephone if the corresponding code is received. An auditory message unit is instead forwarded to the telephone's loudspeaker.

Abstract: A system and method for grouping together multiple keys on a keyboard to form compound keys is presented. An exemplary configuration of compound keys involves grouping function keys “F1” through “F4” together to form one key, grouping function keys “F5” through “F8” to form a second key, and grouping function keys “F9” through “F12” to form a third key. In such an embodiment, actuating any of the keys “F1” through “F4” results in the same input to the operating system or application program. A compound key may be assigned to a response such as “yes”, “enter”, or “cancel”. In another embodiment, a group of keys could be assigned to a particular alphanumeric character. The alphanumeric keys could in this way be grouped into a reduced number of larger alphanumeric compound keys. A separate group of keys (e.g.

Abstract: In a data processor having an application program accessible from a DTMF telephone, a calculator program is also provided. When a user has accessed the application program by means of a DTMF telephone, the user can switch to the calculator program to carry out a calculator function by means of a hot key input, in which the user presses the star key twice. Once in the calculator program, the user can enter numbers by pressing the telephone numerical keys and enter key sequences to command mathematical operations to be performed. The user can hot key back to the application program to continue the application program at any time by again entering the hot key transfer sequence in which the user presses the star key twice.