Abstract: A computer-implemented method of enabling device use is provided. The method includes receiving from a first user an indication of at least one geographic area. Location information of a second user corresponding to a mobile device is received. The location information of the second user and the at least one geographic area are compared, and at least one of an application on the mobile device and a functional component of the mobile device are enabled based on the comparison of the location information of the second user and the at least one geographic area. A computing system for enabling device use is also provided.

Abstract: A computer implemented method is provided including establishing a value corresponding to a particular user of a device, receiving an indication of a triggering condition of the particular user of the device, the triggering condition being enabled by the device or measurable by the device, and determining the triggering condition has been met by the user via the device. The method further includes modifying the value responsive to determining the triggering condition has been met, determining when the value crosses a particular threshold, and disabling an application or a functional component of the device responsive to the value crossing the particular threshold. A system for implementing the method is also provided.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for managing application program access to a protected resource residing on a mobile device is provided. The method includes receiving from an application program a request for a permission to access the protected resource, and receiving from a source external to the mobile device an authentication of the application program. An authorization to provide the permission to access the protected resource is received and permission to access the protected resource is provided to the application program in response to receiving the authorization. Data produced by the protected resource is cryptographically signed, and a notification is generated in response to at least one of the application program requesting the permission to access the protected resource and the application program accessing the protected resource. A system for managing application program access to a protected resource residing on a mobile device is further provided.

Abstract: System and method for determining when to initiate radio signal measurements to determine mobile device location. The method includes determining a plurality of locations of one or more mobile devices based on radio signal measurements. Acceleration of the one or more mobile devices between the plurality of locations is determined based on sensor measurements. A first location of a particular mobile device is determined and acceleration is measured by the particular mobile device. It is determined when to initiate radio signal measurements by the particular mobile device to determine a second location of the particular mobile device based on the measured acceleration of the particular mobile device, the determined plurality of locations of the one or more mobile devices, and the determined acceleration of the one or more mobile devices. Radio signal measurements are initiated by the particular mobile device to determine the second location of the particular mobile device.

Abstract: A method and corresponding system for providing an indication of one or more states of a geographic area. The method includes acquiring sensor data including sensor measurements taken by a plurality of mobile devices at a plurality of locations and acquiring location data corresponding to the plurality of locations of the sensor measurements. At least one processor determines one or more states of a geographic area corresponding to the plurality of locations based on the sensor data, and an indication is provided of the one or more states of the geographic area to a particular user.

Abstract: A device locating method includes broadcasting by a first mobile device a signal comprising an identifier associated with the first mobile device. A second mobile device receives and measures the signal broadcast by the first mobile device to produce one or more signal measurements. The second mobile device transmits the identifier associated with the first mobile device and the one or more signal measurements to a computing system. The computing system receives the identifier associated with the first mobile device and the one or more signal measurements from the second mobile device. The computing system estimates a location of the first mobile device based on the one or more signal measurements, and the location is transmitted to a user associated with the first mobile device. A traffic flow determination method, product ordering method and associated systems are also provided.

Abstract: An oral monitoring system is provided. The oral monitoring system includes one or more cameras configured for installation in a mouth for capturing images. A memory is configured for storing images. One or more processors are configured to process images captured by the one or more cameras, and a wireless transmitter is configured to transmit data corresponding to the captured images. A chemical sensor is further provided and the wireless transmitter is further configured to transmit data corresponding to substances detected by the chemical sensor.

Abstract: A bio-implantable identification device configured for implantation in a user's body is provided. The bio-implantable identification device includes at least one memory configured to store a key, a receiver configured to receive an identification request, at least one processor configured to sign the identification request using the key stored in the at least one memory of the device, and a transmitter configured to transmit the signed request.

Abstract: A device locating method includes broadcasting by a first mobile device a signal comprising an identifier associated with the first mobile device. A second mobile device receives and measures the signal broadcast by the first mobile device to produce one or more signal measurements. The second mobile device transmits the identifier associated with the first mobile device and the one or more signal measurements to a computing system. The computing system receives the identifier associated with the first mobile device and the one or more signal measurements from the second mobile device. The computing system estimates a location of the first mobile device based on the one or more signal measurements, and the location is transmitted to a user associated with the first mobile device. A traffic flow determination method, product ordering method and associated systems are also provided.

Abstract: System and method for determining when to initiate radio signal measurements to determine mobile device location. The method includes determining a plurality of locations of one or more mobile devices based on radio signal measurements. Acceleration of the one or more mobile devices between the plurality of locations is determined based on sensor measurements. A first location of a particular mobile device is determined and acceleration is measured by the particular mobile device. It is determined when to initiate radio signal measurements by the particular mobile device to determine a second location of the particular mobile device based on the measured acceleration of the particular mobile device, the determined plurality of locations of the one or more mobile devices, and the determined acceleration of the one or more mobile devices. Radio signal measurements are initiated by the particular mobile device to determine the second location of the particular mobile device.

Abstract: A computer-implemented mobile device locating method is provided. The method includes determining a current cell sector of a mobile device and comparing the current cell sector with a cell sector list of previously determined cell sectors. A current location of the mobile device is determined if the current cell sector is not listed in the cell sector list. The current location is compared with a last determined location. The current cell sector is added to the cell sector list if the current location is substantially the same as the last determined location. The cell sector list is cleared if the current location is not substantially the same as the last determined location.

Abstract: A process-based, automated phone fraud management system that operates over a communication network to protect a user from attempted fraud by a fraud agent is disclosed. Local application software interacts with server software to provide alerts for a protected user based on phone numbers known to be, assumed to be, or found to be associated with fraud agents. The server keeps lists of phone numbers, and searches those lists to classify phone numbers. Phone calls to or from numbers associated with a fraud agent are interrupted. Questionable calls are converted to text and the text is then searched to identify words and phrases commonly associated with phone fraud.

Abstract: A computer-implemented user contribution method is provided. The method includes retrieving event data posted by a plurality of users related to a first user, the event data including indications of at least one geographic area. The event data is compared with predetermined trigger data. A quality value of the at least one geographic area is determined based on the comparison of the event data with predetermined trigger data, and an indication of the quality value of the at least one geographic area is transmitted to a second user. A user contribution based mapping system is further provided.

Abstract: A method and corresponding system for providing an indication of one or more states of a geographic area. The method includes acquiring sensor data including sensor measurements taken by a plurality of mobile devices at a plurality of locations and acquiring location data corresponding to the plurality of locations of the sensor measurements. At least one processor determines one or more states of a geographic area corresponding to the plurality of locations based on the sensor data, and an indication is provided of the one or more states of the geographic area to a particular user.

Abstract: A system is provided including a non-transitory computer readable storage medium that causes a mobile device to store client states indicating statuses of mobile device functional components. Each client state corresponds to a functional component. A client digest of the client state is stored. A server digest corresponding to a server state and the client digest is received from a server. The server state indicates a status of a mobile device functional component. The server digest is compared with the client digest. A state request is transmitted to the server responsive to a determination of a difference between the server digest and client digest. The server state is received from the server. The functional component is enabled or disabled as indicated by the server state. The server state and digest are stored as the client state and digest respectively. Methods for control of mobile device functional components are also provided.

Abstract: A device locating method includes broadcasting by a first mobile device a signal comprising an identifier associated with the first mobile device. A second mobile device receives and measures the signal broadcast by the first mobile device to produce one or more signal measurements. The second mobile device transmits the identifier associated with the first mobile device and the one or more signal measurements to a computing system. The computing system receives the identifier associated with the first mobile device and the one or more signal measurements from the second mobile device. The computing system estimates a location of the first mobile device based on the one or more signal measurements, and the location is transmitted to a user associated with the first mobile device. A traffic flow determination method, product ordering method and associated systems are also provided.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for managing application program access to a protected resource residing on a mobile device is provided. The method includes receiving from an application program a request for a permission to access the protected resource, and receiving from a source external to the mobile device an authentication of the application program. An authorization to provide the permission to access the protected resource is received and permission to access the protected resource is provided to the application program in response to receiving the authorization. Data produced by the protected resource is cryptographically signed, and a notification is generated in response to at least one of the application program requesting the permission to access the protected resource and the application program accessing the protected resource. A system for managing application program access to a protected resource residing on a mobile device is further provided.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for disseminating user mobile device location information is provided. The method includes enabling a first request for location information of a mobile device based on at least one of a particular schedule and a particular criterion. Mobile device location information is received responsive to the first request. The mobile device location information received responsive to the first request is stored. A second request for the mobile device location information is received from a requester. Responsive to the second request, the requester is provided the location information received responsive to the first request, and at least one user-visible consequence is initiated responsive to the second request, wherein the at least one user-visible consequence is not initiated responsive to the first request.

Abstract: This invention pertains generally to a method for resolving and managing eventual consistency conflicts when using a Prefix Hash Tree (“PHT”) in which the underlying storage system is a Distributed Hash Table (“DHT”). An embodiment according to the within invention comprises a computer implemented method for resolving eventual consistency conflicts when using a PHT and DHT.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling device use is provided. A computing system stores a first state corresponding to a status of one or more functional components of a user device. A user device stores a second state corresponding to the first state and corresponding to the status of the one or more functional components of the user device. An instruction to modify the status of the one or more functional components of the user device is received, and the computing system modifies the first state and the status of the one or more functional components at a network level responsive to the instruction. The user device modifies the second state and the status of the one or more functional components at a device level responsive to the instruction.