Abstract: System and method that use a pressure sensitive mat to monitor vitals signs of an individual positioned on the pressure sensitive mat. The pressure sensor mat is coupled to pressure sensors that each have an adjustable pressure responsivity. In order to be able to monitor the vital signs without interruption due to the individual repositioning themself on the pressure sensitive mat and thereby running the risk of increasing the pressure on some pressure sensors to the point of saturation, or running the risk of decreasing the pressure on other pressure sensors to the point losing any usable signal, the system comprises circuitry that monitors a baseline pressure sensor at one pressure sensor and controls, as a function of the monitored signal, the pressure responsivity at a neighbor pressure sensor. This allows the neighbor sensor to generate a monitored signal with discernable time dependent features associated with the individual's vital signs.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system, method, and apparatus for managing the calling-party identification information offered to called parties. Accordingly, a caller can designate the Caller ID information to the called party based on the context of the call (e.g. the role of the caller) rather than the terminal used. Typically the calling party does this by selecting which of multiple values they wish to have sent with the call request. It is beneficial to implement such a mechanism in a secure manner—the ability to employ a different calling-number or calling-name ID should be restricted to properly-authorized and authenticated persons—in order to ensure the quality of this information. Accordingly, preferred embodiments include an authentication mechanism for verifying the calling party information is authentic.

Abstract: According to a commercial method of the present invention, a merchant forwards transaction data to a consumer. If the consumer accepts the transaction, a payment command is forwarded to a service provider. The service provider selectively applies authentication before approving payment. Once payment is approved, the service provider forwards a payment instruction, including consumer account information, to a payment service. The payment service forwards payment to the merchant and a payment confirmation is returned to the service provider and, through the service provider, to the consumer. The service provider stores information about each transaction performed by each subscriber. Consumer identity is protected because it is only exchanged between the service provider and the payment service, and is not made available to the merchant. In addition, the storage of the transaction information by various devices facilitates the return process and adds marketing capability to the service provider.

Abstract: A system for communicating with a wireless-enabled device. The system comprises an input for receiving from the device a signal indicative of the device being in a de-powered operational state; a functional entity configured to determine, on a basis of (i) knowledge that the device is in the de-powered operational state and (ii) context information regarding the device, a certain action to be taken by the device while in the de-powered operational state; and an output for causing transmission of a message to the device, wherein the message is for causing the device to take the certain action while in the de-powered operational state.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system, method, and apparatus for managing the calling-party identification information offered to called parties. Accordingly, a caller can designate the Caller ID information to the called party based on the context of the call (e.g. the role of the caller) rather than the terminal used. Typically the calling party does this by selecting which of multiple values they wish to have sent with the call request. It is beneficial to implement such a mechanism in a secure manner—the ability to employ a different calling-number or calling-name ID should be restricted to properly-authorized and authenticated persons—in order to ensure the quality of this information. Accordingly, preferred embodiments include an authentication mechanism for verifying the calling party information is authentic.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system, method, and apparatus for managing the calling-party identification information offered to called parties. Accordingly, a caller can designate the Caller ID information to the called party based on the context of the call (e.g. the role of the caller) rather than the terminal used. Typically the calling party does this by selecting which of multiple values they wish to have sent with the call request. It is beneficial to implement such a mechanism in a secure manner—the ability to employ a different calling-number or calling-name ID should be restricted to properly-authorized and authenticated persons—in order to ensure the quality of this information. Accordingly, preferred embodiments include an authentication mechanism for verifying the calling party information is authentic.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system, method, and apparatus for managing the calling-party identification information offered to called parties. Accordingly, a caller can designate the Caller ID information to the called party based on the context of the call (e.g. the role of the caller) rather than the terminal used. Typically the calling party does this by selecting which of multiple values they wish to have sent with the call request. It is beneficial to implement such a mechanism in a secure manner—the ability to employ a different calling-number or calling-name ID should be restricted to properly-authorized and authenticated persons—in order to ensure the quality of this information. Accordingly, preferred embodiments include an authentication mechanism for verifying the calling party information is authentic.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system, method, and apparatus for managing the calling-party identification information offered to called parties. Accordingly, a caller can designate the Caller ID information to the called party based on the context of the call (e.g. the role of the caller) rather than the terminal used. Typically the calling party does this by selecting which of multiple values they wish to have sent with the call request. It is beneficial to implement such a mechanism in a secure manner—the ability to employ a different calling-number or calling-name ID should be restricted to properly-authorized and authenticated persons—in order to ensure the quality of this information. Accordingly, preferred embodiments include an authentication mechanism for verifying the calling party information is authentic.

Abstract: Consumer information in electronic transactions is protected by avoiding disclosure of the consumer information to a merchant. In order to execute a transaction, the merchant forwards transaction data, i.e., an offer, to the consumer. In order to accept the offer, the consumer forwards a payment command to a service provider. The service provider selectively applies authentication before approving payment. Once payment is approved, the service provider forwards a payment instruction, including consumer account information, to a payment service. The payment service forwards payment to the merchant. Consequently, consumer information is not provided to the merchant. Further, the consumer need not necessarily provide any communication directly to the merchant. Payment confirmation may be returned to the service provider and, through the service provider, to the consumer. The service provider may also store information about each transaction performed by each subscriber.

Abstract: An architecture that enables distributed storage capacity to be shared as though accesses were being made to a Fiber Channel Switch is described. The distributed capacity may include Fiber Channel devices and thus a method for addressing Fiber Channel devices coupled in a resilient ring has been provided. Expected Fiber Channel behavior and reliability are attained in the architecture of this invention through the application of bandwidth provisioning and extended reach mechanisms at each node in the ring. The bandwidth provisioning mechanisms ensure that access is provided to the communication links of the ring for each node according to a defined bandwidth distribution. The extended reach mechanisms of the invention ensure that the standard Fiber Channel packet delivery assumptions are satisfied. The solution exploits native ring characteristics to deliver customer separation and management of the resulting storage network.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system, method, and apparatus for managing the calling-party identification information offered to called parties. Accordingly, a caller can designate the Caller ID information to the called party based on the context of the call (e.g. the role of the caller) rather than the terminal used. Typically the calling party does this by selecting which of multiple values they wish to have sent with the call request. It is beneficial to implement such a mechanism in a secure manner—the ability to employ a different calling-number or calling-name ID should be restricted to properly-authorized and authenticated persons—in order to ensure the quality of this information. Accordingly, preferred embodiments include an authentication mechanism for verifying the calling party information is authentic.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system, method, and apparatus for managing the calling-party identification information offered to called parties. Accordingly, a caller can designate the Caller ID information to the called party based on the context of the call (e.g. the role of the caller) rather than the terminal used. Typically the calling party does this by selecting which of multiple values they wish to have sent with the call request. It is beneficial to implement such a mechanism in a secure manner—the ability to employ a different calling-number or calling-name ID should be restricted to properly-authorized and authenticated persons—in order to ensure the quality of this information. Accordingly, preferred embodiments include an authentication mechanism for verifying the calling party information is authentic.

Abstract: A device suitable for wireless communication with a network entity. The device comprises a functional unit configured to monitor an operational state of the device and, in response to detecting that the device is in a de-powered operational state, to inform the network entity of an ability of the device to wirelessly communicate with the network entity during a future time interval while the device remains in a de-powered operational state. A second functional unit capable of wireless communication with the network entity may also be provided and may be selectably powered from either a main power source or an alternate power source such that the second functional unit is powered from the alternate power source during the future time interval and becomes unpowered from the alternate power source after the future time interval. Thus, de-powered devices can be located and communicated with more easily.

Abstract: A system for communicating with a wireless-enabled device. The system comprises an input for receiving from the device a signal indicative of the device being in a de-powered operational state; a functional entity configured to determine, on a basis of (i) knowledge that the device is in the de-powered operational state and (ii) context information regarding the device, a certain action to be taken by the device while in the de-powered operational state; and an output for causing transmission of a message to the device, wherein the message is for causing the device to take the certain action while in the de-powered operational state.

Abstract: A device suitable for wireless communication with a network entity. The device comprises a functional unit configured to monitor an operational state of the device and, in response to detecting that the device is in a de-powered operational state, to inform the network entity of an ability of the device to wirelessly communicate with the network entity during a future time interval while the device remains in a de-powered operational state. A second functional unit capable of wireless communication with the network entity may also be provided and may be selectably powered from either a main power source or an alternate power source such that the second functional unit is powered from the alternate power source during the future time interval and becomes unpowered from the alternate power source after the future time interval. Thus, de-powered devices can be located and communicated with more easily.

Abstract: A switching module provides connection of a processor to a redundant local area network. Redundant access units switch control selects the access unit used by the processor based on the status of each local area network. In particular, two 10BaseT Ethernet LANs are monitored by scanning for respective link beats or data.