Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable code for shredding objects. The apparatus has a number of components including a receptacle that is configured to receive objects. A shredding unit is connected to the receptacle, wherein the shredding unit selectively destroys the objects placed into the receptacle. An object detector is used to detect the presence of an object in the receptacle. An object identifier identifies objects placed into the receptacle. The apparatus also has a memory and a connector. The connector is used to establish a communications link with a data processing system. A controller in the apparatus stores identifications of objects identified by the object identifier in the memory and sends a signal to the shredding unit to control shredding of the objects.

Abstract: A method, system, and program for security screening of electronic devices by device identifier are provided. A security scanning system detects an identifier from an electronic device. The identifier may be a radio frequency identifier or other type of identifier which is preferably detectable by the security scanning system regardless of the operating status of the electronic device. The security scanning system queries a database with the identifier for information about the electronic device. Responsive to receiving the information about the electronic device from the central database, at least one real-time scanned characteristic of the electronic device is compared with this information. The information includes characteristics of the components of the electronic device and an x-ray overlay of the electronic device. If the real-time scanned characteristics and the information match, then electronic device is designated as secure.

Abstract: Administration of credit account transaction authority including receiving a request for authorization for a credit transaction against a credit account for purchase of at least one item available for purchase through credit transactions, wherein the item available for purchase has a content rating, and wherein the credit account has a content rating, an account owner, and at least one authorized account user; comparing the content rating of the item requested for purchase and the content rating of the credit account, wherein the comparing produces a determination whether the content rating of the item requested for purchase matches the content rating of the credit account; and authorizing the requested transaction when the content rating of the item requested for purchase matches the content rating of the credit account.

Abstract: A method, system, and program product enable a user of one wireless telephone device to remotely view or operate another wireless telephone device. The method includes a first wireless device that receives a remote control command from a second wireless device, wherein the remote control command requests authorization for the second wireless device to operate the first wireless device. If the first wireless device authorizes the second wireless device to operate the first wireless device, both enter a remote control mode, wherein operations entered on the second wireless device are transmitted to the first wireless device for operation by the first wireless device. Also, if the first wireless device authorizes the second wireless device to view the operations of first wireless device, both enter a remote viewing mode, wherein operations entered on the first wireless device are transmitted to the second wireless device for viewing by the second wireless device.

Abstract: A method, system, and program for providing consumer healthy habits incentives are provided. A consumable item, consumed by an individual, is detected. A health factor is detected for the consumable item. An electronic incentive is selected for the individual according to the health factor, such that the individual is encouraged to consume a healthy selection of consumable items. An electronic incentive may be further specified according to the personal health history, exercise history and consumption history of an individual.

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: A method is disclosed for delivering personalized content from a content provider system to a satellite communication receiver user. The user selects content from the content provider system and specifies Internet or satellite delivery. If the user specifies Internet delivery, then the content provider system transmits the selected content to the user via the Internet. However, if the user specifies satellite delivery, then the content provider system acquires the user's satellite communication receiver ID code from the user. The content provider system then transfers the selected content and the user's ID code to a satellite transmitter of a satellite radio provider system. The satellite transmitter transmits the selected content and ID code via a satellite to the user's satellite communication receiver.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable code for shredding objects. The apparatus has a number of components including a receptacle that is configured to receive objects. A shredding unit is connected to the receptacle, wherein the shredding unit selectively destroys the objects placed into the receptacle. An object detector is used to detect the presence of an object in the receptacle. An object identifier identifies objects placed into the receptacle. The apparatus also has a memory and a connector. The connector is used to establish a communications link with a data processing system. A controller in the apparatus stores identifications of objects identified by the object identifier in the memory and sends a signal to the shredding unit to control shredding of the objects.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and media for aggregating and processing product information are disclosed. Embodiments include hardware and/or software for receiving an electronic receipt from a merchant that describes a transaction for a product by a purchaser and gathering product information from one or more sources such as the merchant, the product's manufacturer, the purchaser's bank, and/or an accessories dealer. Upon gathering the product information, the product information is associated with the transaction for the product on the electronic receipt and packaged in a standard, electronic format, an aggregated package, that is accessible and manageable by the purchaser's software, such as a personal finance manager (PFM) like Quicken™, Quickbooks™, Microsoft Money™, or the like. The aggregated package can then be sent to the purchaser via an email address supplied by the purchaser at the time of the purchaser or by the purchaser's bank while completing a funds transfer for the transaction.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided for use of a confirmation object by a reviewing computer to determine the accuracy of statements in a received document. The reviewing computer receives a document containing a statement and a confirmation object associated with the statement. The confirmation object includes a hyperlink to a substantiation object residing on a web page on a server computer. The reviewing computer reads the statement. The reviewing computer actuates the confirmation object, thereby transmitting a request to the server computer that the web page containing the substantiation object be served to the reviewing computer. The reviewing computer receives the web page containing the substantiation object from the server computer, reads the substantiation object, and compares the statement with the substantiation object in order to ascertain their degree of agreement. A substantiation authority system including a server computer is also provided for substantiating statements in a document.

Abstract: A method of providing customized information to a customer. In an embodiment, the method of providing customized information to a customer such as a car rental customer includes receiving at least one customer preference. Next, data is accessed in accordance with the at least one customer preference. Such data in accordance with the at least one customer preference is written to a storage device which is delivered to the customer. This information may also be provided wirelessly via the Internet so that this information may be up-dated in real time.

Abstract: A method, system, and program product enable a user of one wireless telephone device to remotely view or operate another wireless telephone device. The method includes a first wireless device that receives a remote control command from a second wireless device, wherein the remote control command requests authorization for the second wireless device to operate the first wireless device. If the first wireless device authorizes the second wireless device to operate the first wireless device, both enter a remote control mode, wherein operations entered on the second wireless device are transmitted to the first wireless device for operation by the first wireless device. Also, if the first wireless device authorizes the second wireless device to view the operations of first wireless device, both enter a remote viewing mode, wherein operations entered on the first wireless device are transmitted to the second wireless device for viewing by the second wireless device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for merging mobile, or wireless, telephone service with existing wired telephone equipment in a facility, such as a home or business, are provided. With the apparatus and method, a converter is associated with the facility such that a wireless telephone number is associated with the converter. Telephone calls may be made to the facility via a wireless telephone network and the converter. The converter receives calls from the wireless telephone network directed to the converter, converts the format of the wireless telephone call to a wired telephone call format, and routes these calls to one or more wired telephone units in the facility. Calls originating from the wired telephone units in the facility are received by the converter which converts the call signals to an appropriate format for wireless network routing, and forwards the call to the wireless network.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a multi-way connection management (MWCM) system for monitoring and maintaining call connections among a group of participating parties. The multi-way call connection may be established by connecting the originating party and the desired participating parties. Once a multi-way call connection is established, the multi-way call connection may be maintained until the originating party desires to terminate the call. Any disconnected party may rejoin the multi-way call by an automatic redial performed by the MWCM system. Additionally, the originating party may provide a call continuation period of the multi-way call when the originating party can rejoin the multi-way call. In this manner, other participating parties may stay in the multi-way call during the provided period without the originating party being connected.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system for altering an administrator of a multi-way call during the multi-way call connection and transferring the associated charges from one administrator to another. After a multi-way call connection is established from the originating party to many participating parties, the originating party may be given an opportunity to shift an administrator role to one of the participating parties. The participating party designated to be a new administrator may accept or refuse the request from the originating party. Once the participating party accepts the new administrator role, the subsequent charges may be transferred to the participating party and the originating party may be able to continue in or to drop out from the multi-way call without further responsibility of charges.

Abstract: A method, system, and program for delivering consumer service information to a user via a user's television service carrier are provided. A user places a call to a consumer service center and selects to receive information displayed at the user's television. An identification for a user's television service carrier and the user's account number are retrieved by the consumer service center. The consumer service center contracts with the user's television service carrier for bandwidth for information delivery. Then, the consumer service center delivers the information via the user's television service carrier in association with the user's account number, such that the user receives the information at a television interface receiving the information over the contracted bandwidth from the user's television service carrier.

Abstract: A method, system, and program for security screening of electronic devices by device-reported data are provided. A device scanner system at a security checkpoint queries a powered on electronic device for device-reported data via a network connection. The device-reported data may include the operational status of at least one component of the electronic device, a configuration of the electronic device, and a current ownership of the electronic device. Responsive to receiving the device-reported data, the device scanner system retrieves expected data for the electronic device. Then, the device scanner system assigns a security level to the electronic device indicating whether the device-reported data matches the expected data, such that the electronic device is screened based on data reported by the powered on electronic device.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for providing a portion of an electronic mail message having a reduced resolution are presented. The method includes determining whether it is desirable to provide less than all of an electronic mail message, selecting a portion of the electronic mail message, and reducing a resolution of the selected portion of the electronic mail message. The method also includes providing the portion of the electronic mail message with reduced resolution.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for providing a portion of an electronic mail message based upon digital rights. The method includes determining that a user is authorized to receive less than all of an electronic mail message based on at least one digital right associated with the electronic mail message, selecting a portion of the electronic mail message that the user is authorized to receive, and providing the selected portion of the electronic mail message.