Abstract: A shopping assistance method and service system is provided in which a shopper captures information about an item of interest (90) and sends it over a mobile radio infrastructure (10) to a service system (40). At the service system, the information is processed to identify at least the type of item of interest. A determination is also made of a location associated with the information, this location will generally be that of the store (92) where the shopper captured the information, but could also be the shopper's home location. The service system next carries out a specific task (72) relating to the identified item (90), such as obtaining comparative prices, and then provides a report back to the shopper, the contents and/or organisation of the report taking account of the location previously determined as being associated with the information.

Abstract: A storage apparatus for sentimental electronic memorabilia includes a memory and processor for the storage and manipulation of files within which memorabilia is stored, and a monitor for assimilating the memorabilia; in the case of visually assimilable files, the monitor is a visual monitor. Each file is associated with an artefact which acts as a vehicle for the establishment of sentimental links to electronically stored information. The artefacts are stored within a box which also houses the monitor and processor. The association of artefacts with files is through the provision of an rf tag identifier on the artefact. Once the identifier is read by an rf tag reader on the box, the file corresponding to the identifier is retrieved from the memory and furnished to a user in an assimilable form by means of the monitor.

Abstract: A camera comprising means for capturing an image, integral scent association means operable by a user to associate a scent with the image, and integral means operable to cause the said scent to be perceived by a user. The invention also provides a printer comprising printing means and integral scent generation means, wherein the scent generation means comprise a drive mechanism and a tape having a plurality of scented regions, the drive mechanism being operable to spool the tape and the scent generation means being operable to cause a selected scented region to emit its scent.

Abstract: A method of reminding a user of a forthcoming event, the method being performed by a processor and comprising the steps of: (a) acquiring the time when the forthcoming event is due to occur; (b) acquiring a user-selected digital image associated with the said forthcoming event; (c) storing the digital image in a digital image storage device; and (d) displaying the said digital image before the user a predetermined time period in advance of the said time when the said forthcoming event is due to occur, in order to remind the user of the said forthcoming event.

Abstract: A portable audio and/or video output device comprises display means, data storage means, and selection means. The storage means is arranged to store data and the display means are arranged to display a graphical representation indicative of some or all of the stored data. The selection means are arranged to select a portion of the data in response to an action executed by a user of the device viewing the graphical representation.

Abstract: A shopping assistance method and apparatus is provided in which a shopper captures information about an item of interest and either stores it in a handheld device or sends it over a mobile radio infrastructure to a service system for storage. When the shopper returns home, the shopper either downloads the captured data to a home PC or uses the latter to access the service system. In either case, the captured data is presented to the user as a personal shopping catalogue (80) showing, by shop visited (81), the items of interest (82, 83). The captured data can then be used to retrieve additional information, for example, from the websites of the shops concerned.

Abstract: A shopping assistance method and service system is provided in which a shopper captures information about an item of interest (90) and sends it over a mobile radio infrastructure (10) to a service system (40). At the service system, the information is processed to identify at least the type of item of interest. A determination is also made of a location associated with the information, this location will generally be that of the store (92) where the shopper captured the information, but could also be the shopper's home location. The service system next carries out a specific task (72) relating to the identified item (90), such as obtaining comparative prices, and then provides a report back to the shopper, the contents and/or organisation of the report taking account of the location previously determined as being associated with the information.