Abstract: A user programmable smart card interface system is disclosed having a smart card (10) and a reader/writer (1) which is able to read data from, and write data into, an electronic memory (19) carried by the card. A user terminal (100) having processing capacity can be used by a user to write customised data into the electronic memory (19). The user is then able to utilise his own data to control a data controlled equipment (120) as the user desires. A storage apparatus (1000) for smart cards and smart cards (501) with a tactile operating surface arc also disclosed.

Abstract: A read device (1) for reading an interface card (10) is disclosed. The card (10) is configured for insertion into the read device (1). The card (10) comprises indicia (14) formed thereon and a memory (19) having data stored therein for communicating with an external device. The read device (1) comprises a substantially transparent touch sensitive membrane (8) arranged to overlay the interface card (10) upon receipt of the card (10) in the read device (1). The read device (1) also comprises a central processing unit for sending a service identifier, and a specific portion of the data to the external device. The specific data is related to a user selected indicia (14), wherein the external device provides a service identified by the service identifier upon receipt of the data.

Abstract: Methods, programs (120) and apparatus (100) are disclosed for accessing heterogenous data sources (150-153). Specifically, access maybe obtained by a method of interactively defining transformations for use in mapping at least one source data component from at least one data source to a target data component, includes selecting (500) at least one source data component. For each selected source data component, a corresponding list of representative data examples is generated (510). A resulting list of representative data examples for the target data component is compiled from the lists of representative data examples of the selected source data components, the resulting list of data examples being representative of the target data component. An example (514) from the resulting list of examples representative of the target data component is then modified (516), the example being modified as a single textual entity.

Abstract: A “secure pick-up” process is described, allowing secure print jobs to be sent across a network (100). A security key (300) is inserted into an initiating camera (102), allowing information (110) to be transferred from the camera (102) to a printer (104). However, the printer (104) is not permitted to output printed pages until the security key (300) is equivalently inserted into the printer (104). Such provides the initiating party with the assurance that the print job will not be output by the printer (104) until the print initiator (ie. the user) goes to the printer (104) and physically inserts the security key (300).

Abstract: An interface card (10) comprising a substrate (12) with indicia (14) formed thereon. The card (10) is configured for insertion into a read device (1). The read device (1) has a substantially transparent touch sensitive membrane (8) arranged to overlay the interface card (10) so as to present the indicia (14) to a user of the read device (1) through the membrane (8). The read device (1) also comprises a memory (19) for storing a service identifier for identifying a service to be received from an external device according to indicia (14) selected by the user and data stored in the memory (19) and associated with the indicia (14).

Abstract: A method is described whereby a user may interact with control indicia (22, 24) of a smartcard (10) to modify data stored in a volatile portion of a memory chip (19). A possible source of data may be from the smartcard 10 itself, whereby an incident where a region on a pressure sensitive membrane (8) of a controller (2) associated with a specific index (22, 24) has been pressed is stored on the memory chip (19). This enables the occurrence of this incident to be extracted later. Another possible source of the data is a software application, running on a computer. A user may save a state of the application, enabling the user to return to that state of the application later by activation of a region on the pressure sensitive membrane (8) associated with the same control index (22, 24).

Abstract: An interface card (16) comprising a substrate (60) with indicia (14) formed thereon is disclosed. The card (10) is configured for insertion into a read device (1). The read device (1) has a substantially transparent touch sensitive membrane (8) arranged to overlay the interface card (16) so as to present the indicia (14) to a user of the read device (1) through the membrane (8). The card (16) comprises a memory (19) for storing a distinguishing identifier and a service identifier for identifying a service to be received via an external device (100, 601) according to indicia selected by the user and data stored in the memory (19) and associated with the indicia (14).

Abstract: A read device (1) for reading an interface card (16). The card (16) is configured for insertion into the read device (1). The card (16) comprises indicia formed thereon and a memory having data stored therein for communicating with an external device (601, 700). The read device (1) comprises a substantially transparent touch sensitive membrane (8) arranged to overlay the interface card (16) upon receipt of the card (16) in the read device (1). The read device (1) also comprises a central processing unit (45) for sending a service identifier, a distinguishing identifier and a specific portion of the data to the external device (601, 700). The specific data is related to a user selected indicia (14). A service identified by the service identifier upon receipt of the data is provided via the external device (601, 700).

Abstract: A system is described including a media browser (101) for providing a user with a single user interface for browsing and searching different metadata collections over the Internet (102). A metadata server (212) is associated with each of the metadata collections. When the metadata server (212) receives a request, the metadata server (212) interprets the request and replies with a description that satisfies the request and according to a predetermined scheme. The description contains at least one link which represents a return link which represents a return request to the metadata server (212).

Abstract: A system is described in which a media browser (101), operating as a software application on a user terminal or preferably a server for a number of users, provides a user with a single user interface that facilitates browsing and searching different metadata collections over the Internet (102). A metadata server (212) is associated with each of the metadata collections. When the metadata server (212) receives a request from the media browser (101), the metadata server (212) interprets the request and replies with a description that satisfies the request and according to a predetermined scheme. The description contains at least one link which represents a return link which represents a return request to the metadata server (212).

Abstract: A context sensitive device is disclosed, the device comprising a card portion (101) having a number of user interpretable icons (eg 122), electronic apparatus (106) attached to the card portion (101) which comprises a memory in which are retained character strings, including contextual information, associated with corresponding icons (122). The apparatus (106) also has processor means coupled to said memory means, and communication means for coupling the processor to a reading device (302), which is configured to facilitate reading the context sensitive device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of establishing a desired communication between an originating entity (102) and a target entity (106). Each entity is coupled to a communication network (100) and has a corresponding profile (112, 142) related to information handled by the entity. Initially a compatibility is determined between the profile (112) of the originating entity (102) and the profile (140) of the target entity (106). If a direct profile compatibility is determined between the originating entity and the target entity, the desired communication are establishing directly between the originating entity and the target entity. If step a direct profile compatibility between the originating entity and the target entity cannot be determined the network is searched to identify an additional entity (108) coupled to the network (100) and having a direct profile compatibility with one of the target or source entity to thereby form a linked entity pair providing communications (112, 124) with the additional entity.

Abstract: The method is adapted for using multiple smartcards with a single reader. The method initiates (1.3) a session of an application upon an insertion of a first smartcard into the reader. The session is maintained active when the first smartcard is removed from the reader and a second smartcard associated with the first smartcard is to be inserted in the reader (1.4.4.1). The method performs (1.4.4.2.4.2) an action upon an insertion of the second smartcard into the reader.

Abstract: A virtual image album system is disclosed, the system comprising: a card (10) comprising a substrate (12) having a memory device (19) associated therewith, and indicia (24) formed on said substrate, said inidicia (24) being representative of image data, and function data stored within said memory device (19) and associated with said indicia (24); and a reader (1) for said card (10), said reader (1) comprising a touch sensitive membrane (8) arranged to overlay said card (10) and through which said indicia (24) are visible, said reader (1) being adapted to output specific said function data associated with a user selected one of said indicia (24), thereby to reference specific said image data.

Abstract: A customisable user interface system is disclosed, the system comprising: a card (10) comprising a substrate (12), a memory device (19) associated therewith, and indicia (70, 72) formed on said substrate (12) and user interpretable to relate to functions stored within said memory (19); and a reader device (1) for said card (10), the reader (1) comprising a touch sensitive device (8) arranged to overlay said card (10), and through which said indicia (70, 72) are visible, characterised in that said touch sensitive device (8) comprises a membrane via which said indicia (70, 72), arbitrarily arranged on said substrate (12), may be selected.

Abstract: A method is described whereby a user may interact with control indicia (22, 24) of a smartcard (10) to modify data stored in a volatile portion of a memory chip (19). A possible source of data may be from the smartcard 10 itself, whereby an incident where a region on a pressure sensitive membrane (8) of a controller (2) associated with a specific index (22, 24) has been pressed is stored on the memory chip (19). This enables the occurrence of this incident to be extracted later. Another possible source of the data is a software application, running on a computer. A user may save a state of the application, enabling the user to return to that state of the application later by activation of a region on the pressure sensitive membrane (8) associated with the same control index (22, 24).