Abstract: There is described a personal communication apparatus (10), for example a mobile telephone, for generating a verifiable recording of a transaction (240), the transaction (240) comprising an exchange of information. The apparatus includes a receiving component, a protection component, a memory and a recording component. The receiving component is capable of receiving a transaction between a user (100) of the apparatus and a remote person, and of receiving biometric data (BIOKY) of the remote person. The protection component is capable of protecting the voice conversation with the biometric data (BIOKY). The recording component is capable of recording the transaction protected with the biometric data on the memory (30). There is also described a communication apparatus (10), which may be the same mobile telephone, operable to support authentication of a transaction therein. The communication apparatus comprises a memory (30) and an authentication component.

Abstract: There is described a communication apparatus (10) for communicating via one or more services provided by a service provider (80). The apparatus (10) is preferably a mobile telephone. Moreover, the apparatus (10) includes a memory device (30) susceptible to receive one or more data carriers (20) distributed by the provider (80) in return for payment. The device (30) is operable on presentation of the one or more data carriers (20) thereto to directly access data (60, 65, 300) on the one or more data carriers (20). Furthermore, the apparatus (10) is further arranged to be capable of communicating the data (60) to the provider (80) for the provider (80) to check the data (60) for updating a toll credit for the apparatus (10) according to information conveyed in the data (60) when the data (60) is found to be valid. Use of the data carrier (20) enables advertising and addresses problems encountered when, for example, using contemporary scratch cards for toll crediting purposes.

Abstract: A method (100; 200; 300; 400; 500) for scanning a track of a disc-shaped storage medium (2) comprises the steps of: receiving (101; 201; 301; 401; 501) at least one scanning command; calculating (102, 103; 211, 212; 311, 313; 411; 511) energy consumption estimates at different scanning mode settings (CAV; CLV); determining (110; 213; 312, 314, 320; 412; 512) a scanning mode setting associated with minimal expected energy consumption; executing (121, 122; 221, 222; 321, 322; 421; 521) said at least one scanning command at the thus determined scanning mode setting.

Abstract: There is provided a sales promotion device (10) for modifying purchasing behavior. The device (10) is distinguished in that it includes spatially co-located first and second component parts (20, 30; 40, 50, 60). The first component part (20, 30) comprises a consumer product (20) and the second component part (40, 50, 60) is operable to encourage a purchaser of the device (10) to seek one or more further products (30), the second part (40, 50, 60) being electronically responsive when spatially presented by the purchaser at retailing premises (200) to enable the purchaser to gain access to and/or take possession of the one or more further products (30).

Abstract: There is provided a method of automatically including one or more context related links in association with scene data content. The method is distinguished in that involves providing a recording apparatus including: (i) a data store for reading and/or writing data content; (ii) a sensor for sensing audio and/or visual subject matter from a scene and generating corresponding scene data content; (iii) identifying components for use in identifying a spatial location of the apparatus in proximity of the scene and/or an identity of the scene; (iv) a microprocessor for co-ordinating operation of the data store, the sensor and the identifying components.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a system for performing digital rights management. The idea of the invention is that a master right associated with a content is stored at a first authorised device (211). An authorised device is a device which can be considered trusted and performs actions with contents according to the associated rights. These devices enforce rights that are bound to contents, and perform the security tasks of the DRM system employed. A subright is derived from the master right, which subright controls what type of access a second authorised device (261) is given to the associated content. Finally, the subright is distributed to the second authorised device, given that the second device complies with predetermined distribution criteria associated with the master right. The device distributing the subright authenticates the device which is to receive the subright, ensuring that the second device can be trusted.

Abstract: The invention relates to a data storage device (101) which comprises a data interface (103) for reading data from a spinning data storage disc (105). The data storage device (101) comprises a motor (111) for spinning the data storage disc (105) at a desired speed. The data storage device (101) further comprises a speed change processor (115) for determining a preferred motor speed change time; and a motor controller (113) for controlling the motor (111) to perform the speed change in response to the preferred motor speed change time. Specifically, the preferred motor speed change time resulting in the lowest energy consumption for disc spin-up and jump operations are determined, and the motor (111) is controlled to change the speed substantially within the preferred motor speed change time. The invention is particularly suitable for Small Form Factor Optical (SFFO) disc systems and allows for reduced energy consumption and thus increased battery life.

Abstract: There is described a dynamic memory buffer (30, 210) for buffering between one or more software applications (40) executing on computing means and one or more data generating and/or receiving devices (20) in communication through the buffer (30, 210) to the one or more applications (40), the buffer (30, 210) including buffer managing means (210) for controlling allocation of one or more portions of the buffer (30) to the one or more applications (40) so as to reduce power dissipation occurring within the one or more devices (20).

Abstract: The invention proposes applications for storage units that comprise a main data carrier and a chip associated with said main data carrier, the proposed applications being directed to a use of such storage units with portable radio-communication devices. The proposed applications are: a) transmitting to the portable radio-communication device data descriptive of the storage unit; b) transmitting a warning to the portable radio-communication device in response to a storage unit wanted notice; c) storing specific data sent by the portable radio-communication device, d) on request, returning said specific data. The invention also proposes a portable radio-communication device specifically designed for implementing such applications. Advantageously, the radio-communication means of the portable device are used to generate a signal for powering the contactless chip.

Abstract: A usage mode for an electronic reading device (300) such as an electronic book, such as those using electrophoretic displays, reduces delays in displaying a new page. Successive first and second pages are displayed on respective first and second display regions (410, 420; 610, 630, 650; 620, 640, 660). In response to a next page command provided after the user reads the first page, but before the user starts or completes reading the second page, a third page is displayed on the first display region in place of the first page, while the second page remains displayed on the second display region. In a first, initiation part of the command, first shaking pulses (710), which are not visible in the display region, are provided to the first display region to reduce image history effects. A second, display part of the command causes a drive pulse (740) to be provided to the first display region. A reset pulse (720) and further shaking pulses (730) may also be provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical record carrier (55) recording apparatus (5) such as a small form factor optical drive and to a portable device (1), such as a mobile phone or a palmtop computer, comprising such an optical record carrier (55) recording apparatus (5). To enable different accessing modes having different data rates depending on the power mode of the recording apparatus an appropriate switching means (53) is provided in the recording apparatus for switching accessing means (54) for accessing an optical record carrier (55) for reading data from or recording data to said optical record carrier (55) between said accessing modes. A first accessing mode has a low data rate and is used in a low power mode while a second accessing mode has a high data rate and is used or allowed to be used in a high power mode.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for editing a recorded data stream is disclosed. A frame number is received from a user interface for an edit point in the recorded data stream selected by a user. An expected presentation timestamp of the selected frame number is calculated. A first predetermined value is added to the expected timestamp to form a first time limit. The first predetermined value is then subtracted from the expected presentation timestamp to form a second time limit, wherein the first and second time limits form a time window. The system then searches for the selected frame at the expected presentation timestamp on a storage device using the time window. The predetermined values are chosen to ensure that only a single frame (the required frame) can have a PTS within the time window.

Abstract: A recording medium (D) comprises a file system area (FSA), a data area (DAA) and an initial defect management area (DMA). A system comprises a drive (DR) for writing data (DA) to or reading data (DR) from the data area (DAA) or the defect management area (DMA), and a host (H) for sending data (DA) to or for receiving data (DA) from the drive (DR) when the drive (DR) is in a mounted state wherein a file system (FS) in the file system area (FSA) is available to the host (H). The method of accessing such a recording medium (D) detects (S1) whether a shortage of free space in the defect management area (DMA) is to be expected, and if yes, allocates (S2) supplemental defect management area (SDMA) at the cost of the data area (DAA). The file system (FS) is adapted to reflect the latest state of available data area (DAA) and the allocated supplemental defect management area (SDMA).