Abstract: A portable electronic device having an adaptable skin covering a substantial portion of the portable electronic device and configured to display a customizable image. The image to be displayed may be input from a user of the portable electronic device, or may be transmitted to the portable electronic device through a wireless communication network. In a preferred embodiment, the adaptable skin is touch sensitive, and the skin image to be displayed includes indicia for selection. The adaptable display may be any adaptable display technology, including electrophoretic displays, electrowetting displays, dielectrophoresis displays, bistable LCDs, and preferably electrochromic displays. A wireless communication network and methods for providing skin images to a portable electronic device are also disclosed.

Abstract: A plurality of end users remotely access a network that includes a hub site and a number of provider sites. Information relating to the end user is associated with a non-externally identifying symbol. Public end-user information is shared with providers without permission from the end user. Private end-user information is shared with providers only upon receiving permission from the end user.

Abstract: The present invention describes a revolutionary new device bridging the gap between the virtual multimedia-based Internet world and the real world, best exemplified by print media. More particularly, the invention relates to communicating multimedia information using a scanner for machine-readable code containing a link information corresponding to a provider information depicted on the printed medium, a user interface for obtaining user input information corresponding to the provider information, a communications bridge for sending the link information and the user input information via the network, a receiver in communication with the scanner, capable of receiving the link information and user input information, and further capable of receiving and playing a multimedia information sequence, and a portal server in communication with the scanner via the network capable of selecting a multimedia information sequence corresponding to the link information and the user input information.

Abstract: A method for bridging the gap between the virtual multimedia-based Internet world and the physical world of tangible object media, such as print media. More particularly, a method for managing a domain name service based on initiating a communication from an object containing provider information using a scanner, a portal server and a receiver connected across a network. The method involves scanning a machine-readable code containing a link information corresponding to the provider information from the object using the scanner and storing the machine-readable readable code in a memory. The link information is then extracted from the machine readable code in the memory. A user input information corresponding to the provider information is also obtained and stored in the memory. The link information and the user input information are then sent to the portal server via the network.

Abstract: Information representative of scanned machine-readable codes is transmitted between network sites. Information associated with scans of machine-readable codes are received at a first site and stored within a database, along with a unique alpha-numeric identifier. The end user is directed from the first site to a second site with a URL that includes a symbol identifying an address of the second site on the network and the unique alpha-numeric identifier. A request (which includes a representation of the unique alpha-numeric identifier) for the information stored at the first site is received. The information stored at the first site is sent to the second site.

Abstract: Information representative of scanned machine-readable codes is transmitted between network sites. Information associated with scans of machine-readable codes are received at a first site and stored within a database, along with a unique alpha-numeric identifier. The end user is directed from the first site to a second site with a URL that includes a symbol identifying an address of the second site on the network and the unique alpha-numeric identifier. A request (which includes a representation of the unique alpha-numeric identifier) for the information stored at the first site is received. the information stored at the firs site is sent to the second site.

Abstract: A plurality of end users remotely access a network that includes a hub site and a number of provider sites. Information relating to the end user is associated with a non-externally identifying symbol. Public end-user information is shared with providers without permission from the end user. Private end-user information is shared with providers only upon receiving permission from the end user.

Abstract: An end user is directed to a network location using information corresponding to a provider associated with the end user. A database including records associated with a different machine-readable code is provided. One or more of the records includes a number of different network addresses associated therewith, each network address being associated with a different provider. Scans of machine-readable codes are received at a network site. In response to the scan information, records associated with the machine-readable codes scanned by the user are retrieved from the database. At least one network address for each of the retrieved records is selected based on criteria specified by the provider, an express need of the user or property information of a session of the end-user on the network. At least one selected network address is transmitted from the network site to the end-user.

Abstract: A plurality of end users remotely access a network that includes a hub site and a number of provider sites. Upon the end user inputting code information, network address information corresponding to a location on the network of a provider that is associated with the codes is identified. The end user is directed to that location on the network. The user may annotate the code information, which is then stored in the hub site.