Abstract: System and method for public wireless network access subsidized by dynamic display advertising that includes a mobile device at a location, such as a commercial establishment, detecting the presence of a Local Area Network (LAN). The mobile device requests access to the LAN from node, e.g., a hub, on the LAN. The hub requests identification information from the mobile device. The mobile device sends user information that includes identification and demographic information about a user of the mobile device to the hub. The hub gives access to the LAN to the mobile device. The mobile device now has access to a global communication data network, such as the Internet, through the hub on the LAN. The hub sends the demographic information about the users of all mobile devices at the location to an advertising server. The hub receives commercial messages from the advertising server. The commercial messages are selected based on the demographic information of the users.

Abstract: A portable rating apparatus for rating one of audio and video content. The apparatus includes a user-manipulable control dedicated for generating a signal indicating a rating of a media content. The rating corresponds to one of a plurality of categories of preferences. A processor, operatively connected to the user-manipulable control, receives the signal from the user-manipulable control and associates the rating with the media content. A memory device, operatively connected to the processor, stores the rating associated with the media content.

Abstract: A method and system for distributing digital information is disclosed. Preferably, a user acquires a tangible object which contain a code authorizing access to the digital information. The user reads the tangible object through a reader, which sends the code to a server on which the digital information is stored. The server then authorizes access to the digital information to one or more access devices listed in registries belonging to the user. The user may use the digital information on the terms he agrees to, and, while in use by the user, access to the digital information to other users or other playback devices is disabled. Once the user no longer is using the digital information, the access device erases the digital information, and signals the server that the digital information is no longer in use, thereby re-enabling access to the digital information by the other playback devices listed in the registry.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conducting multi-player games in a wireless telecommunications system including a wireless telecommunications network which communicates using radio signals with a plurality of mobile terminals. The objects of the multi-player games are accomplished in the invention by passing a virtual ball between the mobile terminals. The virtual ball can be passed between the mobile terminals using various means including infrared (IR) transmission, a call being placed, Short Message Service (SMS), or short range radio apparatus. The virtual ball could include data or information regarding the game and/or advertising or promotional information regarding products or services being offered. The data or information in the virtual ball is automatically displayed on the display of the mobile terminal upon receiving the virtual ball.

Abstract: A system for viewing information is provided and includes an electronic book having a display and a cover containing an electronic code associated with the information. When the cover is coupled to the electronic book, the information is viewable in the display and when the cover is not coupled to the electronic book, the information is not viewable in the display.

Abstract: A method and system for distributing digital information is disclosed. Preferably, a user acquires a tangible object which contain a code authorizing access to the digital information. The user reads the tangible object through a reader, which sends the code to a server on which the digital information is stored. The server then authorizes access to the digital information to one or more access devices listed in registries belonging to the user. The user may use the digital information on the terms he agrees to, and, while in use by the user, access to the digital information to other users or other playback devices is disabled. Once the user no longer is using the digital information, the access device erases the digital information, and signals the server that the digital information is no longer in use, thereby re-enabling access to the digital information by the other playback devices listed in the registry.

Abstract: A tangible icon is permanently encoded with a URL of a first network object. Links (“shortcuts”) to other network objects are assigned as the contents of the first network object. A person in possession of the tangible icon can gain access to the other network objects without having to remember or enter their URLs, but need only present the physical icon to a reader. The system and method uses the URL encoded on the tangible icon to access the network object and to resolve the links contained therein to provide the contents of the linked objects. The number and size of the other network objects the user can access are virtually unlimited. The user gains access to the current version of an object.

Abstract: A tangible icon is permanently encoded with a URL of a first network object. Links (“shortcuts”) to other network objects are assigned as the contents of the first network object. A person in possession of the tangible icon can gain access to the other network objects without having to remember or enter their URLs, but need only present the physical icon to a reader. The system and method uses the URI encoded on the tangible icon to access the network object and to resolve the links contained therein to provide the contents of the linked objects. The number and size of the other network objects the user can access are virtually unlimited. The user gains access to the current version of an object.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and arrangement for using location data in a cellular network. The cellular network includes a centralized map data bank (454) in which the map data are arranged in accordance with the quadtree hierarchy. The terminal includes a presentation means (23) for displaying map data according to the quadtree hierarchy. Some of the terminal's function keys (29) are arranged so as to function as selection keys for fetching more detailed map screens of the quadtree hierarchy to the display. The map data and possible auxiliary data fetched from the map data bank are saved in the terminal's memory for later use.

Abstract: A portable video switching device receives video streams from a multiple number of different video capture devices located remotely and selects one of the video streams for further transmission. The portable video switching device receives video streams via wired, wireless or mobile telecommunication network connection and has video production capability to manipulate the selected video stream to add special effects, fading and the like.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conducting multi-player games in a wireless telecommunications system including a wireless telecommunications network which communicates using radio signals with a plurality of mobile terminals. The objects of the multi-player games are accomplished in the invention by passing a virtual ball between the mobile terminals. The virtual ball can be passed between the mobile terminals using various means including infrared (IR) transmission, a call being placed, Short Message Service (SMS), or short range radio apparatus. The virtual ball could include data or information regarding the game and/or advertising or promotional information regarding products or services being offered. The data or information in the virtual ball is automatically displayed on the display of the mobile terminal upon receiving the virtual ball.

Abstract: A seat arrangement for sitting furniture such as chairs has a seat member and a support arranged underneath the seat member, wherein the support has an elastic body allowing a tilting movement of the seat member about a pivot point arranged at the central seat member area. The elastic body is arranged at the center of the seat member and has an upper side and an underside. The support has a rigid top plate fixedly connected to the upper side of the elastic body and a rigid bottom plate fixedly connected to the underside of the elastic body. The top plate is correlated with the seat member and the bottom plate is correlated with an underframe of the sitting furniture. The same type of tilting support can also be arranged on a back rest of a chair.

Abstract: An optical subassembly for aligning an optical fiber with a light emitting device includes a fiber optic stub mounted in a ferrule and a v-groove device coupled to the ferule with a loose end of the fiber optic stub lying in the v-groove device. The other end of the fiber optic stub is polished. According to methods contemplated by the invention, the ferrule is mounted in a ring which is welded to a light emitting subassembly. The unpolished loose end of the fiber optic stub self-aligns with a mating fiber in the v-groove device. According to the presently preferred embodiment, the v-groove device is provided with s-bends which aid in self-alignment between the loose fibers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conducting multi-player games in a wireless telecommunications system including a wireless telecommunications network which communicates using radio signals with a plurality of mobile terminals. The objects of the multi-player games are accomplished in the invention by passing a virtual ball between the mobile terminals. The virtual ball can be passed between the mobile terminals by infrared (IR) transmission from IR apparatus included as part of each mobile terminal, by a call being placed through the wireless telecommunications system between mobile terminals, by a Short Message Service (SMS) message which is transmitted by a Short Message Service Center (SMSC) of the wireless telecommunications system, or by short range radio apparatus which operates according to the Bluetooth Standard. The virtual ball could include data or information regarding the game and/or advertising or promotional information regarding products or services being offered.

Abstract: A portable video switching device receives video streams from a multiple number of different video capture devices located remotely and selects one of the video streams for further transmission. The portable video switching device receives video streams via wired, wireless or mobile telecommunication network connection and has video production capability to manipulate the selected video stream to add special effects, fading and the like.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for acquiring and storing data in association with a mode annotation is disclosed. The apparatus has a plurality of operating modes and a storage device for storing acquired data elements. In the method, one of the plurality of operating modes is selected. A mode annotation which is indicative of the selected operating mode is selected thereafter. While the apparatus is operated in the selected operating mode, one or more data elements are acquired and stored in association with the mode annotation on the storage device. The apparatus and method disclosed enables acquired data to be efficiently recalled on the basis of associated operating mode annotations.

Abstract: A spindle drive for adjusting structural components of a motor vehicle seat relative to one another includes a casing having opposite end walls with openings therein, a spindle nut disposed in the casing and having a pair of opposite ends and an internally threaded bore extending therethrough between the opposite ends and generally aligned with the openings in the opposite end walls of the casing, an externally threaded spindle extending through the casing and openings of the end walls thereof and also threadably received through the internally threaded bore of the spindle nut so as to extend in opposite directions from the opposite ends of the spindle nut, the spindle having an end stop attached thereon such that one of the opposite ends of the spindle nut faces toward the end stop on the spindle, and at least one collar attached to and extending outwardly from the one end of the spindle nut and about the spindle and having an end surface facing toward the end stop on the spindle such that as the spindle is

Abstract: A system and method for aggregating and analyzing feedback operates by receiving a first set of travel information including information identifying a traveler, an itinerary of the traveler, and at least one travel service provider scheduled to provide services to the traveler. The system automatically generates a feedback request based on the first set of travel information and requests specific feedback regarding the at least one travel service provider. The feedback request is transmitted to the traveler for completion, and the system receives the feedback information from the traveler. The system then operates to analyze the feedback information received from the traveler.

Abstract: Data supplied to a display having a plurality of pixels comprises both content to be displayed and metadata that identifies the content of the respective pixel as being of a particular type by setting the metadata for each pixel to a value that is one of a predefined set of values. The identification of the content as being of a particular type enables the classification of the pixels on a per pixel basis into one or more categories. Pixels containing data for an advertisement can be identified and metered to determine the total display space they occupy and length of time they are displayed, which are both considered measures of the effectiveness of the advertisement. This metering can therefore be used to more equitably charge for advertising on web pages because an advertiser can be charged on the basis of what a user actually sees on the display. If only a percentage of the advertisement is visible, the advertiser pays an amount in proportion to the percentage of the advertisement that is visible.

Abstract: System and method for public wireless network access subsidized by dynamic display advertising that includes a mobile device at a location, such as a commercial establishment, detecting the presence of a Local Area Network (LAN). The mobile device requests access to the LAN from node, e.g., a hub, on the LAN. The hub requests identification information from the mobile device. The mobile device sends user information that includes identification and demographic information about a user of the mobile device to the hub. The hub gives access to the LAN to the mobile device. The mobile device now has access to a global communication data network, such as the Internet, through the hub on the LAN. The hub sends the demographic information about the users of all mobile devices at the location to an advertising server. The hub receives commercial messages from the advertising server. The commercial messages are selected based on the demographic information of the users.