Abstract: In one illustrative example, a bridge connecting a universal serial bus (USB) interface and an advanced technology attachment (ATA) interface may decode a customized small computer system interface (SCSI) command to enable the system to send ATA commands over the USB interface. A customized SCSI command may implement a “pass-through” feature that allows the system to support logical block addresses (LBA) of 48 or more bits, and Self-Monitoring and Reporting Technology (SMART) commands associated with a hard disc drive (HDD). In conjunction with the bridge, the system may send an ATA-command payload, within a wrapper. The bridge may remove the wrapper without substantially altering the payload, and send the ATA-command payload over the ATA bus.

Abstract: An apparatus of the present invention includes partition selection circuitry configured to selectably provide individual access to multiple ones of a plurality of partitions of a data storage component by a host device without multiple partition support. The apparatus can also include the data storage component and/or the host device. The partition selection circuitry uses a logical block addressing (LBA) address generated by the host device, and an operating mode indicator indicative of a particular partition, to allow the partitions of the data storage component to be accessed by the host device without multiple partition support. Methods implemented by the apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and system for providing wireless access at a reduced rate. In one embodiment, access to a WAP is provided to an end-user at a rate subsidized by a first entity. The first entity includes advertisements in an end-user view.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a connection of a client device to a wireless access point is identified. Further, the appearance of a screen presented on the client device is modified to reflect the brand associated with a provider of the wireless access point.

Abstract: Methods and system to provide advertisements in a view of an end user accessing a wireless access point. The advertisements are related to the WAP based on a predetermined criterion.

Abstract: A system and method for providing preferred types of electronic documents. The system enabling a provider of electronic documents to select at least one preference regarding one or more types of electronic document to be received and published from an advertisement distribution system, receiving a request for at least one electronic document from the provider, the request including one or more content-based criteria, selecting one or more electronic documents based on the at least one preference and the one or more content-based criteria, and enabling the provider to publish the preferred types of electronic documents.

Abstract: A system and method for rating a document comprising an image are provided. A document is received for distribution. Rating information associated with the document is received from one or more rating entities. At least one of said one or more rating entities comprises a processor to determine rating information associated with the image. The document is approved for distribution based on the rating information.

Abstract: The serving of ads of different ad types, such as text ads and image ads, competing to be rendered on an ad area of a document may be arbitrated by (a) determining candidate ads to serve in response to an ad request, wherein the candidate ads include at least one ad of a first ad type and at least one ad of a second ad type, (b) determining a score of each of at least some of the candidate ads, (c) comparing alternative sets of the at least some of the candidate ads to select a set that best meets at least one policy goal, and (d) serving the selected set of candidate ads. Performance parameter values of ads of one type, such as image ads for example, may be estimated from performance parameter values of ads of a second type, such as text ads for example.

Abstract: A system for and method of forming graphical advertisements is presented. The disclosed techniques ensure that the graphical advertisements are compatible with available space and industry-standard sizing. The techniques further allow for insertion of a link into the graphical advertisement, where the link is configured such that an activating user will not receive unwanted material.

Abstract: Service delivery systems and methods are described. In one aspect, a service delivery system includes a set of tokens, a database, multiple terminals, and a service manager. Each of the tokens includes a respective token identifier. The database stores personal user profiles each of which is associated with a respective token identifier. The terminals are distributed about a selected locale. Each terminal has a reader that is operable to read token identifiers from tokens and a controller that is operable to transmit read token identifiers and context data identifying one or more conditions under which a token identifier is read through a network connection each time a token identifier is read. The service manager is connected to each of the terminals through a respective network connection and to the database.

Abstract: Service delivery systems and methods are described. In one aspect, a service delivery terminal includes a network adapter, a memory, a reader, and a controller. The network adapter is operable to exchange data over a network connection. The memory stores a database of one or more access addresses for each of one or more remote services accessible over the network connection. The reader is operable to read token identifiers from tokens. The controller is operable to transmit read token identifiers to a selected service access address in the stored database over the network connection each time a token identifier is read.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a user ID to a printer to print personalized content for a specific user. The printer detects an ID provided by a user. This ID uniquely identifies the user. The printer determines a reference to the personalized content. The reference is based upon the user ID. The printer uses the reference to request the personalized content stored somewhere on a network. Upon receipt of the personalized content over the network, the printer prints the personalized content on paper.