Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for selecting targeted advertisements based on a user's personal points of reference. The personal points of reference identify user specific locations of interest based at least on geographic locations. In order to determine which advertisements are relevant to a user's personal point of reference, the advertisements served by an advertising server contain metadata appended therein. The ad metadata is correlated with locations, and provides geographical sensitivity to specific locations. Thus, advertisements are matched to points of reference based on geo-location data. When the advertising server is presented with a user's personal point of reference, the ad server compiles the point of reference's geo-location data against the ad metadata, and determines if there is a match. Upon a match being identified, the advertisement associated with the ad metadata is served to the user.

Abstract: A method receiving an e-mail message addressed to a recipient and comprising header data and message content. The method applies a template to transform the e-mail message to an SMS (Short Message Service) format. The method also forwards the message to the recipient as a first SMS message.

Abstract: A user-specified personal point of reference provides a basis of orientation information for a geographic location. The orientation information associated with a geographic location is relative to the one or more user-specified personal points of reference. A personal point of reference can be specific to a user and can be shared by two or more users. Orientation information can comprise one or more display indicators, such as and without limitation one or more visual indicators, textual indicators, etc. Orientation information can comprise at least one indicator of distance, and can include other indicators, such as without limitation indicators of direction and/or travel time. The one or more visual or display indicators can be provided in a user interface display in response to a search request by a user.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for selecting targeted advertisements based on a user's personal points of reference. The personal points of reference identify user specific locations of interest based at least on geographic locations. In order to determine which advertisements are relevant to a user's personal point of reference, the advertisements served by an advertising server contain metadata appended therein. The ad metadata is correlated with locations, and provides geographical sensitivity to specific locations. Thus, advertisements are matched to points of reference based on geo-location data. When the advertising server is presented with a user's personal point of reference, the ad server compiles the point of reference's geo-location data against the ad metadata, and determines if there is a match. Upon a match being identified, the advertisement associated with the ad metadata is served to the user.

Abstract: A method for obtaining service when in a no-coverage area of a radiotelephone communication system includes a first step of storing information regarding a last known available communication system. This can be accomplished through the communication system when loss of service is imminent or through independent means after service is lost. A next step includes reporting the information about the last known available communication system to a user of the radiotelephone. A next step includes using the information to obtain service from the last known available communication system. For example, a user could use timing information to backtrack their steps or use location information to obtain service.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a method for managing operational parameters of a cognitive radio device to minimize non-compliance with a regulatory policy involves sensing a change in an operational condition that will affect compliance with a current operational policy; estimating a time at which the current operational policy will become invalid; selecting a method for determining how to update the current operational policy; and updating the current operational policy of the cognitive radio device. Other embodiments may incorporate more, fewer or other elements.

Abstract: In certain embodiments of a cognitive radio, a method of establishing operational policies, involves determining that a new policy decision should be made; requesting a policy decision from an authority having more computing power than the cognitive radio; receiving the policy decision from the authority; and implementing the policy decision in the cognitive radio. Other embodiments may incorporate more, fewer or other elements.

Abstract: An improved system and method using a streaming captcha for online verification is provided. A request sent by a client device may be received by a server to serve a streaming captcha to the client device. A server may compose a streaming captcha by superimposing a captcha character string on a video. The streaming captcha may be streamed to the client device. The streaming captcha may be displayed on the client device, and a character string input by a user may be received in response to display of the streaming captcha. The character string received may be sent to the server for verification. The server may verify that the character string received is the same as the captcha character string displayed in the streaming captcha. The server may then send an indication of the verification to the client device.

Abstract: A message alert system is useful for a communication device (10) having a display (12) and a processor (30). The message alert system includes a computer-readable medium (32) and a routine stored in the computer-readable medium (32) and configured for execution by the processor (30). The routine includes a first routine that receives a message having a message type, and a second routine that generates a display item (40) for the display (12) of the communication device (10) in accordance with the message type such that the display item (40) comprises information indicative of the message type of the received message and whether further messages of the message type have been received by the communication device (10). The routine may further includes a memory check routine that determines whether storing the message in the computer-readable medium (32) would result in exceeding a predetermined amount of the capacity of the computer-readable medium (32).

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a method for managing operational parameters of a cognitive radio device to minimize non-compliance with a regulatory policy involves sensing a change in an operational condition that will affect compliance with a current operational policy; estimating a time at which the current operational policy will become invalid; selecting a method for determining how to update the current operational policy; and updating the current operational policy of the cognitive radio device. Other embodiments may incorporate more, fewer or other elements.

Abstract: In certain embodiments of a cognitive radio, a method of establishing operational policies, involves determining that a new policy decision should be made; requesting a policy decision from an authority having more computing power than the cognitive radio; receiving the policy decision from the authority; and implementing the policy decision in the cognitive radio. Other embodiments may incorporate more, fewer or other elements.