Abstract: User devices are used to access various forms of electronic content. Sensors in the user device or information about environmental data associated with the device, such as weather at the locale of the user device, may be used to determine the occurrence of physical events. Recommendations such as offers for sale of extended warranties, warranty replacement, and so forth may be provided based at least in part on the physical events.

Abstract: A reader device for radio frequency identification transponders, which implements enhanced radio frequency identification transponder functionality. The reader device is capable of serving as a radio frequency identification transponder. Such a reader device includes a reader logic unit, a radio/high frequency (RF/HF) interface and an antenna, and is adapted to communicate at least with radio frequency identification transponders in a reader operation mode. The reader device also includes a transponder logic unit that is connected to the reader device and in particular to the radio/high frequency (RF/HF) interface such that the reader device acts as a radio frequency identification transponder in a transponder operation mode. In particular, the transponder logic unit is adapted to communicate with other reader devices for radio frequency identification transponders.

Abstract: A computing device can enable and/or provide communication functionality based at least in part upon a type of pressure applied to the device by a user. In some embodiments, a device can attempt to determine a mood or disposition of the user based upon the way in which the user is gripping and/or squeezing the device, and can provide the user or another person with information about that user's current mood. Similarly, a user might be able to use certain motions or pressure applications at one or more locations on a device to cause certain communications to be sent, such as to send a specific message or convey a certain mood of the user. At least a portion of the computing device can have pressure-sensitive material or capability, in order to allow for input on the sides, back, or other appropriate locations on the device.

Abstract: One or more points of interest (POI) are presented using point of interest indicators. The indicators are configured to encode information associated with the point of interest in one or more attributes. The indicators may comprise ideograms while the attributes encoding information may include ideogram color, background color, shading, relative size, animation, or a combination thereof. This encoding allows for compact and efficient transfer of information during presentation to a user.

Abstract: User devices are used to access various forms of electronic content. Sensors in the user device or information about environmental data associated with the device, such as weather at the locale of the user device, may be used to determine the occurrence of physical events. Recommendations such as offers for sale of extended warranties, warranty replacement, and so forth may be provided based at least in part on the physical events.

Abstract: A reader device for radio frequency identification transponders, which implements enhanced radio frequency identification transponder functionality. The reader device is capable of serving as a radio frequency identification transponder. Such a reader device includes a reader logic unit, a radio/high frequency (RF/HF) interface and an antenna, and is adapted to communicate at least with radio frequency identification transponders in a reader operation mode. The reader device also includes a transponder logic unit that is connected to the reader device and in particular to the radio/high frequency (RF/HF) interface such that the reader device acts as a radio frequency identification transponder in a transponder operation mode. In particular, the transponder logic unit is adapted to communicate with other reader devices for radio frequency identification transponders.

Abstract: A reader device for radio frequency identification transponders, which implements enhanced radio frequency identification transponder functionality. The reader device is capable of serving as a radio frequency identification transponder. Such a reader device includes a reader logic unit, a radio/high frequency (RF/HF) interface and an antenna, and is adapted to communicate at least with radio frequency identification transponders in a reader operation mode. The reader device also includes a transponder logic unit that is connected to the reader device and in particular to the radio/high frequency (RF/HF) interface such that the reader device acts as a radio frequency identification transponder in a transponder operation mode. In particular, the transponder logic unit is adapted to communicate with other reader devices for radio frequency identification transponders.

Abstract: A reader device for radio frequency identification transponders, which implements enhanced radio frequency identification transponder functionality. The reader device is capable of serving as a radio frequency identification transponder. Such a reader device includes a reader logic unit, a radio/high frequency (RF/HF) interface and an antenna, and is adapted to communicate at least with radio frequency identification transponders in a reader operation mode. The reader device also includes a transponder logic unit that is connected to the reader device and in particular to the radio/high frequency (RF/HF) interface such that the reader device acts as a radio frequency identification transponder in a transponder operation mode. In particular, the transponder logic unit is adapted to communicate with other reader devices for radio frequency identification transponders.

Abstract: A RF-ID based wireless terminal includes a reader device with transponder functionality implementing ECMA 340 standard for near field communication and has shortened session set-up and user identification. The reader device is operable in an active communication mode or a passive communication mode. During the active mode, one RF-ID tag reader simulates a RF-ID tag while the other simulates a RF-ID tag reader. The reader includes a transponder, which operates during periods of time when the reader is not energized. A radio frequency interface provides signal for operation of the reader in the reader operation mode or transponder mode of operation. An RF-ID reader upon receiving a response signal from a semi-passive or active RF-ID tag of reader emulating a tag informs the terminal CPU which instructs the short-range communication to enter e.g. a page scanning mode which shortens session set-up time and user identification.

Abstract: The invention provides for docking short-range wireless communication tags, which may be Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) or near Field Communication (NFC) smart cards, onto a mobile terminal having a corresponding short-range wireless communication reader device, such as an RFID reader or a NFC reader. Docking of the tag to the mobile terminal may take the form of attaching or otherwise affixing the tag to the mobile terminal via a tag holding mechanism, such that the reader device may periodically read the tag and also provide for interrogation and reading of other external short-range wireless communication tags and devices in the proximity of the mobile terminal when the reader device is not communicating with the docked tag.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a reader device for radio frequency identification transponders, which implements enhanced radio frequency identification transponder functionality. In particular, the present invention relates a reader device, which is capable to serve as a radio frequency identification transponder. A reader device for radio frequency identification transponders comprises a reader logic unit (300, 310), a radio/high frequency (RF/HF) interface (150) and an antenna (160). The reader device is adapted to communicate at least with radio frequency identification transponders (700) in a reader operation mode. The reader device comprises additionally a transponder logic unit (200, 210, 510). The transponder logic unit (200, 210, 510) is connected to the reader device (600) and in particular to the radio/high frequency (RF/HF) interface (150) such that the reader device (600) acts as a radio frequency identification transponder (700) in a transponder operation mode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mediating service which mediates and switches, respectively, networked services between a portable electronic device and service providers operating the networked services. A service request message is received from a portable, electronic terminal via a data communication connection to provide at least a tag identification sequence and a subscriber identification. The tag identification sequence is originally obtained from a RFID tag by an RF tag reader connected to said portable, electronic terminal. One or more individual services are selected by means of the tag identification sequence and on the basis of the subscriber identification. The mediating service provider further initiates the establishing of the one or more selected individual services between the portable, electronic terminal and at least one tag service provider which operates the one or more selected individual services.

Abstract: The invention provides for docking short-range wireless communication tags, such as Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) or near Field Communication (NFC) smart cards onto a mobile terminal having a corresponding short-range wireless communication reader device, such as an RFID reader or a NFC reader.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, method and computer program product for implementing an automatic identification system to improve the functionality of a personal communication device. A data carrier that contains one or more data items transmits a data signal wirelessly to a personal communication device equipped with an RFID reader. The personal communication device decodes the data signal and at least a portion of the data is used by the personal communication device to establish a communication connection with another device or network. The data subsequently transmitted by the personal communication device is accomplished using GSM, GPRS, WAP, EDGE, UMTS or other similar wireless network protocol. The communication connection is used to provide a request for a service such as a phone call, an Internet connection, a third party service, or to request for the storage of data in a network.

Abstract: Merchant-media information is communicated to a selected user in response to a user identification (ID) being presented at a media location. According to one example embodiment, a user presents an ID tag to an ID tag reader at a merchant-media arrangement (e.g., a billboard, display screen, audio speaker or advertisement) having a media content ID. The ID tag communicates a user ID to the ID tag reader, and an information request signal including data representing the user ID and the media content ID is sent to a remote server. The remote server uses the user ID and the media content ID to send media content information (e.g., product data, a discount voucher, etc.) to a user address. With this approach, users can request and/or receive information at a point-of-use media display.