Abstract: An on-line gaming or other activity system utilizing videoconferencing or other communication methods in a broadband network provides remote locations (participants or spectators) with live video/audio of the on-going game or activity occurring at a different location. A network device, such as a videoconferencing unit, at the remote location receives video that includes real-time or live images of actual physical object(s) as presented or utilized during the game or activity (at the other location). The remote participant device is operable for receiving real-time or live video/audio or other user input (at the remote location) and transmitting this information to the game or activity location. This user input information received by the game or activity is operable for controlling, affecting or playing the game/activity at the game/activity location.

Abstract: An antenna support structure (or base station) in a wireless network is provided that supports both an antenna for wireless communications and one or more outdoor images or pictorial messages. The antenna is mounted to the support structure and is operable for receiving and transmitting wireless signals from one or more communications devices located at a remote location allowing for broadband wireless access to the communications device. The antenna support structure also functions as a base station (or repeater/relay station) and wirelessly communicates to a backhaul network.

Abstract: A vehicle status device and system for remotely updating and monitoring the status of a vehicle. The vehicle status device is located in a vehicle and reports status information for the vehicle and an owner to an interrogating unit. The device includes a database of status information for the vehicle and owner. An update receiver in the device receives updated information from a wide area paging network for storage in the database. An interrogation receiver receives an interrogation signal from the interrogating unit, and a response transmitter transmits encoded status information, including a vehicle identification (VID), to the interrogating unit in response. The updating and monitoring system also includes an interrogating unit which includes an interrogation transmitter for transmitting the interrogation signal to the vehicle status device, and a response receiver for receiving the encoded status information from the vehicle status device.

Abstract: A vehicle status device and system for remotely updating and locally indicating the status of a vehicle. The vehicle status device is located in a vehicle and indicates status information for the vehicle on a vehicle-status indicator on the vehicle when the device is interrogated by an interrogating unit. The device includes a database of status information for the vehicle and owner. An update receiver in the device receives encoded updated information from a wide area paging network for storage in the database. An interrogation receiver receives an interrogation signal from the interrogating unit, and a processor decodes the status information and sends it to the status indicator in response. The system also includes an interrogating unit which includes a police radar transmitter or a laser transmitter for transmitting the interrogation signal to the vehicle status device. The status indicator includes a set of summary status lights and may also include an LCD display for detailed status information.

Abstract: A method and system generate a compacted binary coded decimal (BCD) data set from a BCD digital data stream. The invention uses a translation matrix to translate blocks of data extracted from the BCD digital data stream. The BCD blocks are read to determine the number and position of 1's or 0's in the BCD block. The invention then generates a unique identifier number from a set of identifiers associated with either each of the 1's or each of the 0's. The result is a BCD number that has fewer BCD digits than the original BCD block. This process may be repeated numerous times to result in a compacted BCD data set that has fewer BCD digits but that can be translated back to the original BCD blocks that form the original BCD data stream.