Abstract: A method is provided for inserting signature blocks into a message being transmitted along a communication path between a first client station and a second client station. The method includes a step of receiving, at an intermediate node in the communication path, a message transmitted from the first client station destined for delivery to the second client station. The message bears a sender-identifier (e.g., email address) and a recipient-identifier (e.g., email address). The method further includes a step of selecting, based at least in part on the sender-identifier, a predefined signature block for the message. The method further includes a step of inserting the selected signature block into the message. The signature block to be inserted may be based on both the sender identifier and the recipient identifier.

Abstract: A method and system for integrating imaging printing and communication service in a subscriber service plan. A service provider, such as a wireless carrier, will establish for a subscriber an integrated service plan that entitles the subscriber to engage in a designated quantity of communications on a recurring time period basis, such as monthly, and to also have a designated quantity of images printed on the recurring time period basis, for a designated fee. The integrated service plan will then be used as a basis to authorize communication service to the subscriber and further as a basis to authorize image prints requested by the subscriber.

Abstract: A messaging service node sends encoded messages to wireless devices prompting the devices to capture media (e.g., audio and/or image) and send the media file to a network address specified in the message. The service node may be managed by a wireless service provider, and provides this media capture message service for unrelated, independent entities such as insurance companies, health or medial companies, government agencies, etc. The encoded message may take the form of a Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) message, but other formats are possible. The media is preferably captured by a camera or microphone incorporated into the wireless device.

Abstract: A method and system for triggering installation of program logic on a machine, such as a PC. A server transmits installation-trigger logic to a wireless communication device (WCD), which the WCD stores in its data storage. When the WCD becomes connected with a PC, the PC views the WCD as a mass-storage drive, and the PC reads and executes the installation-trigger logic in the same manner that a PC would run an AUTORUN file on a conventional mass-storage drive. Per the installation-trigger logic, the PC then downloads and installs a designated software program. The PC then sends an installation-notice to the server, and the server responsively sends a cancellation-message to the WCD. In response to the cancellation-message, the WCD then deletes or otherwise disables the installation-trigger logic, so that the process will not be repeated the next time the WCD is connected with the PC.

Abstract: A method for inspecting a part by a non-destructive ultrasound inspection, the part is immersed in an acoustic wave conducting medium and an incident ultrasound wave having a wide beam of section ? is emitted into the ultrasound-conducting medium towards the part. The characteristics of the waves reflected by faces of the part to be inspected are measured on at least a small section ?, the characteristic dimensions of which are substantially less than those of the section ?. The location of the section or sections ? is determined such that, despite the possible variations of the position of the part and the relative slopes of its faces, the section ? is always located in the volumes passed through by the reflected waves, for example substantially in an area close to the axis of the incident beam when the incident beam is controlled to be oriented substantially in a direction perpendicular to a face of the part.

Abstract: A method and system for (i) detecting each performance of any function of a plurality of functions associated with an incentive program, (ii) changing a stored value in response to detecting each performance of the function(s) associated with the incentive program, and (iii) transmitting to a network, an update value that corresponds to the stored value, for transmission in turn of the update value to a system coupled to the network. An incentive program may be arranged to provide incentive for users to perform the functions associated with the incentive program, so as to facilitate an entity in achieving a given objective or set of objectives. The incentive provided to the users may take the form of an award and is based on the update value(s) transmitted to the network.

Abstract: A wireless communication device, such as a cell phone, will transmit into a network an indication of a person's health status, such as a quantity of exercise in which the person engaged or a measure of some aspect of the person's body systems, as determined by a health status sensor provided separate from or integral with the wireless communication device. Based on the reported health status information, the network will then register a discount on the price that a wireless service provider charges for providing the wireless communication device with wireless communication service.

Abstract: A method and system for customizing a wireless device's user-interface is provided. A wireless carrier will use an identifier of the wireless device (such as an electronic serial number) as a basis to correlate the device with a vendor of the device and in turn to select a customization package that defines a user-interface corresponding with the vendor. For instance, the user interface can have color schemes, graphics, sounds and other attributes that are similar to the color schemes, graphics, sounds and other attributes that the vendor uses to promote the vendor's services or products. The wireless carrier will then send the customization package (or a pointer to the customization package) to the device, over the air for instance. And the device will responsively adopt the selected user interface as a base user interface.

Abstract: A method and system for creating digital image files provides for writing capture location metadata and transmit location metadata into a digital image file. A digital camera captures an image, stores digital image data in a digital image file and then adds capture location metadata into the digital image file. The digital camera then receives a user request to transmit the digital image file to a network server, and in response to the user request the digital camera writes transmit location metadata into the digital image file. The digital camera then sends the digital image file to the network server.

Abstract: A method and system for conveying a digital image to an assistance center, such as an emergency-assistance center (e.g., 911 center). A camera phone captures an image and sends the image to a network server, and the network server stores the image in correlation with an identifier, such as an identifier of the camera phone or an identifier of an assistance call placed by the camera phone. The assistance center then queries the network server to obtain a photo correlated with the identifier. And the network server responsively provides the photo to the assistance center.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for delivering a photo captured during a predefined time-interval prior to a voice call. A camera phone or other telephone device will detect that an image is captured during the predefined time-interval prior to the device engaging in a voice call with a given party. In response, the device will automatically send the image to the given party.

Abstract: A mechanism is disclosed for managing delivery of digital image files to image processing labs for printing. The mechanism involves marking a digital image file with metadata that indicates a processing lab at which an image in the file should be printed. In turn, the mechanism involves reading the metadata indication from the file to identify the processing lab where the image should be printed and responsively sending the image file to that designated processing lab. Such digital image files could be sent to an image hub, which could then read the metadata indications from the files and responsively route the files to designated processing labs for printing.

Abstract: To inspect a part (1) by a non-destructive ultrasound inspection, the part is immersed in an acoustic wave conducting medium and an incident ultrasound wave (3) having a wide beam of section ? is emitted into the ultrasound-conducting medium towards the part. The characteristics of the waves (4, 5) reflected by faces (11, 12) of the part to be inspected are measured on at least a small section ?, the characteristic dimensions of which are substantially less than those of the section ?. The location of the section or sections ? is determined such that, despite the possible variations of the position of the part (1) and the relative slopes of its faces (11, 12), the section ? is always located in the volumes passed through by the reflected waves (4, 5), for example substantially in an area close to the axis 31 of the incident beam (3) when the incident beam is controlled to be oriented substantially in a direction perpendicular to a face (11) of the part.

Abstract: A method and system for customizing a wireless device's user-interface is provided. During activation of the wireless device for service, the wireless carrier will use an identifier of the wireless device (such as an electronic serial number) as a basis to correlate the device with a vendor of the device and in turn to select a customization package that defines a user-interface corresponding with the vendor. For instance, the user interface can have color schemes, graphics, sounds and other attributes that are similar to the color schemes, graphics, sounds and other attributes that the vendor uses to promote the vendor's services or products. The wireless carrier will then send the customization package (or a pointer to the customization package) to the device, over the air in an activation response message for instance. And the device will responsively adopt the selected user interface as a base user interface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting a digital image correlated with a phone number to a destination after placing a voice call with the phone number. The method involves (i) maintaining data that correlates phone numbers with digital images, (ii) placing a voice call between a telephone which maintains the data and a device operating under the phone number, (iii) using the data to identify a digital image correlated with the phone number involved in the voice call, and (iv) sending the digital image from the telephone to a destination associated with the phone number. The apparatus may be a camera phone that includes an image-capturing segment, a communication interface, a processor, data storage, and program-logic for carrying out the function of transmitting a digital image correlated with a phone number to a destination, after placement of a voice call with the phone number.

Abstract: A method and system for conveying a digital image to an assistance center, such as an emergency-assistance center (e.g., 911 center). A camera phone captures an image and sends the image to a network server, and the network server stores the image in correlation with an identifier, such as an identifier of the camera phone or an identifier of an assistance call placed by the camera phone. The assistance center then queries the network server to obtain a photo correlated with the identifier. And the network server responsively provides the photo to the assistance center.