1266 results about "Information delivery" patented technology

A visual index method provides graphical output from search engine results or other URL lists. Search engine results or a list of URLs are passed to a web crawler that retrieves the web page and other media information present at the associated URL. The web crawler then passes this information to a page renderer which also receives image scale and format information regarding the web pages present at the URLs. The graphical information as well as other media information is then rendered into a reduced graphical form so that the page may be summarily reviewed by the user. Media, visual, or other information may also be downwardly scaled as appropriate or rendered in its original as appropriate (such as with audio data streams). A variety of convenient formats allows the user to quickly and readily scan the presentation at the URL web pages or other data present. Image maps associated with the reduced images may also provide hyperlink access to the linked web page and/or multimedia allowing the links present on the web page in its original to be accessed through the reduced image provided by the web page renderer.

A methodology and system allows a plurality of reward scheme owners to give differential rewards, through a plurality of reward distribution agents, to various users based on the user profile. The reward scheme owner may be a seller, a manufacturer, a sales promotion agent or even an intermediary. Similarly, the reward distribution agent may be an on-line or a physical retailer, a broker, a seller or an intermediary. Also the users may be consumers, businesses, brokers or other intermediaries. In one specific case, a reward scheme owner defines a plurality of reward schemes, including at least one differential reward scheme giving different rewards to different users. The reward scheme owner communicates these to a central reward scheme database server. The reward scheme owners may or may not advertise these schemes. The user visits an online or a physical store. The store acting as a reward distribution agent dynamically profiles the user, queries the central reward scheme database server if the user profile meets the criterion for one or more rewards and offers the applicable rewards to the user. The store later receives reimbursement for the rewards offered to various users, from the reward scheme owners. This methodology and system may be used for offering targeted or differential discounts on different products and services, offering different promotional schemes on different combination of products, giving loyalty points, electronically distributing prizes, free samples, product warranties, tie-in promotions, cross selling, up selling, premiums, memberships, card discounts, organizing contests, sweepstakes, games and offering other similar rewards.

Systems and methods for performing financial transactions are provided. In one embodiment, the invention provides for method for bank card transactions, including: reading the token information at the point of swipe for traditional and non-traditional POS platforms; performing a low-security task on the token information using a first microprocessor, wherein the non-security task includes one or more tasks from the group of encryption determination, encryption-decryption request, key management, token information delivery, or transactional data delivery; and performing a security-related task on the token information using a second microprocessor based on a request from the first microprocessor, wherein the security-related task includes one or more tasks from the group of token information authentication, token information decryption, or token information encryption. Formatting the encrypted information such that it is compatible with the format of the current POS system.

The presence information delivery system according to this invention manages, for each user, data of one or plural presence group so as to associate one or plural presence information items for the presence information to be delivered with an ID or IDs of one or plural delivery destination user of the presence information relating to the presence information item. With this configuration, by generating a new presence group associating the presence information item with the delivery destination user, by registering the presence information item to another presence group, and by registering the delivery destination user into another presence group, the flexible information delivery is enabled according to characteristics or the like of the delivery destination user and presence information.

The method and apparatus for information conveyance and distribution to bidirectionally focus or guide a wide spectrum of electromagnetic waves propagated over a possible variety of propagation media, including free space or wireless, surface wave, and cable or wired transmission lines. The apparatus communicates with information devices immediately adjacent to these media wherein the devices, which are not themselves part of the apparatus, may have electromagnetic access to one another. The apparatus maintains adequate signal to noise ratio and low distortion for a possible variety of different signal modulation and encoding types which it can support while permitting transparent, simultaneous communications among a variety of devices. Spread spectrum techniques may be used within the apparatus to mitigate propagation medium distortions and impairments as well as to control access and provide a means for securing information within the corridor and for obtaining revenue. Adapters may be employed to provide either full or half duplex access to the information devices which utilize it.

The invention comprises music and information delivery systems and methods. One system comprises a portable communication device configured to receive a piece of music from an audio source and transmit the piece of music via a first communication medium to a host computer. The host computer is configured to receive the piece of music from the portable communication device and search a storage medium to identify and access the piece of music from the storage medium. The host computer is configured to transmit the piece of music via a second communication medium to one or more reception units that are configured to receive the piece of music from the host computer via the second communication medium.

A system and method for receiving travel information such as flight information, directional guidance to airport gates and facilities, and interacting autonomously with service providers such as airlines and rental car companies without requiring human resources to receive the tickets or car keys. The system devices essentially provide an automatic chaperon which can initiate processes such as querying databases or provide navigation guidance without intervention, setup procedures or any prior knowledge on behalf of the user. It can also access secured databases for retrieving rental car reservation information for automatic rental car checkout, personal health files for emergency cases, flight check-in, connecting flight information and call for emergency staff alerting the staff automatically of the caller's location within the compound, as well as recent health history and condition.

A novel method for using product identifiers includes capturing a product identifier identifying a product, selecting one of a plurality of queries, transmitting the product identifier and the selected query to a data provider, and receiving a response to the selected query from the data provider. The method is performed on a personal data device (e.g., a camera phone, PDA, tablet PC et.), which includes a network interface, a scanner operative to capture the product identifier, a user interface operative to receive the query selection, and an application program interface operative to associate the product identifier and the selected query, transmit the product identifier and the selected query to the data provider via the network interface, and to receive the response to the identifier and query from the data provider via the network interface. A method for the data providers to use the product identifiers is also disclosed, and includes receiving a request from a consumer including a unique product identifier and data indicative of the type of information requested, retrieving the type of requested information associated with the particular product from a database, and transmitting the retrieved information to the consumer. The data provider includes a database associating the product identifiers with information corresponding thereto, and means for the providing the associated information to the requesting consumer.

A system and method for coalescing a plurality of snapshots into a single destination volume file system. Each snapshot and its replicated file system is replicated in a directory associated with the destination file system in which the coalesced snapshots are stored. The destination file system can be associated with a backup server and information from each of the plurality of snapshots can be transferred to the backup server by an respective backup clients over a network. Information can be passed to the backup server from the backup client(s) using a dump and restore process.

A communication system for distributing information via a network to one or more subscribers includes a multi-port switch, one or more radio frequency (RF) modems coupled to respective ports of the switch, a combiner and a transmitter. The switch forwards source information to the RF modems based on address information. Each RF modem modulates and up converts information from the switch to an RF signal within a respective subscriber channel of the television broadcast spectrum. Each channel is assigned to one or more subscribers, and each subscriber is allocated unshared bandwidth. Each channel may be further divided into unshared bandwidth increments, so that multiple subscribers may share a single channel. The combiner combines modulated information from each RF modem into a combined signal and the transmitter transmits the combined signal to the subscribers via the network. An HFC network including a distribution point and one or more optical nodes is contemplated, each optical node serving a particular geographic area via a corresponding coaxial cable. Each subscriber destination includes a gateway device or the like that is tuned to a corresponding channel to retrieve source information from that channel, and to deliver the information to one or more local subscriber devices. The gateway further includes converters, a modulator and an up converter to receive and transmit subscriber information upstream to the distribution point. The gateways and an address resolution server enforce point to point communications. A bandwidth manager allocates bandwidth and monitors bandwidth usage.

Embodiments described herein relate to techniques, tools and processes for analyzing a computer system and determining the type and capabilities of hardware and software components resident on the computer system. This information can then be used for multiple different purposes. For example, the information may be used for (1) communicating an individual computer's ability to effectively operate a specific computer software and/or computer hardware product, (2) relaying the information to a technical support operation to allow a more rapid response, or (3) making a simple evaluation of the stand alone performance of a computer. These processes can be used for analyzing an individual computer's system inventory (computer hardware components and system software components) against a static set of manufacturer validated requirements for a hardware or software product.

An image processing system for delivering real scene information to a data processor. The system includes the data processor, an image-delivery mechanism, an information delivery mechanism, and a graphic processor.

The present invention discloses an apparatus for routing message services, including a message service information transmitting module, adapted to send a request message which carries message service information that associates the message service information receiver; a message service information route selecting module, adapted to send message service information to a message service information interworking interface module; and the message service information interworking interface module, adapted to the transfer the message service information to the home network of the message service information receiver. The invention also discloses a method for routing message services.

A method and system for intelligently directing a search of a peer-to-peer network, in which a user performing a search is assisted in choosing a host which is likely to return fast, favorable results to the user. A host monitor monitors the peer-to-peer network and collects data on various characteristics of the hosts which make up the network. Thereafter, a host selector ranks the hosts using the data, and passes this information to the user. The user then selects one or more of the highly-ranked hosts as an entry point into the network. Additionally, a cache may collect a list of hosts based on the content on the hosts. In this way, a user may choose to connect to a host which is known to contain information relevant to the user's search. The host selector may be used to select from among the hosts listed in the cache.

The invention comprises music and information delivery systems and methods. One system comprises a voice activated sound system wherein a user speaks and the sound system recognizes the speech and searches an internet database like Rhapsody™ to obtain a list of matching audio files and display the list on a dashboard screen of a vehicle. The user is able to identify the audio file by voice activation and the system is configured to receive the audio file.

A system and method for merchant invoked electronic commerce allowing consumers to purchase items over a network and merchants to receive payment information relating to the purchases. The system includes a server having software which gathers the purchasing information from a consumer to complete a purchasing transaction over a network. The system has a consumer data structure that stores purchasing information for registered consumers. The software is able to access the consumer data structure and enter the consumer's purchasing information during subsequent purchases. Having the software obtain and enter the consumer's purchasing information, the consumer does not have to enter the same information every time they purchase an item over the network. In alternate embodiments, the same technology can be applied to other arenas where a user may have to enter the same repetitive information. In addition, consumers can register with the consumer information server prior to making purchase. In an alternate embodiment, a merchant can gather the purchasing information from a consumer and pass the information to the consumer information server to allow the consumer to register with the consumer information server.

A method and apparatus for optimizing the data transfer rate over a transport layer (i.e., communication link) such as the Internet is provided. Initially the data is prepared for transmission by a transfer rate controller, then the data is encoded by a Forward Error Correction (FEC) encoder. After the data has been transferred over the transport layer, the quality of the data transfer link is assessed by an FEC decoder that determines if any errors occurred during data transfer and if errors are detected, the magnitude of the errors (i.e., FEC-correctable packets, FEC-uncorrectable packets). This information is used to generate a feedback message which is used by the transfer rate controller to adjust and optimize the data transfer rate for the link quality as determined at that point in time. By continually monitoring and assessing link quality and providing feedback to the transfer rate controller, the transfer rate can be continually adapted to the varying link quality. In addition to generating feedback used by the transfer rate controller to optimize data transfer rate, the FEC decoder can generate feedback that is used by the FEC encoder to optimize the FEC algorithm. If desired, feedback from the FEC decoders within the link layer demodulator and/or feedback from the receiver can be used to augment the feedback generated by the FEC decoder.

A method for providing broadband communications over a multi-layered network having a plurality of Open System Interconnection (OSI) Reference Model layers functioning therein includes monitoring at least one OSI reference model layer functioning in the multi-layered network. A quality of service event is determined whether to have occurred in the multi-layered network. The quality of service event is determined to have occurred at a layer N in the OSI reference model. Network provisioning is changed at a layer less than N in response to the quality of service event, and a signal is provided when the network provisioning at the layer less than N has been changed. A system for providing broadband communications includes a multi-layered network, a network monitor, and a network controller. The multi-layered network has a plurality of Open System Interconnection (OSI) reference model layers functioning therein. The network monitor is coupled to the multi-layered network, and the network monitor is adapted to monitor at least one OSI reference model layer functioning in the multi-layered network, determine that a quality of service event has occurred in the multi-layer network, and determine that the quality of service event occurred at a layer N in the OSI reference model. The network controller is coupled to the multi-layered network, and the network monitor is adapted to respond to the quality of service event in the multi-layered network by changing the network provisioning at a layer less than N.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to systems and methods for remote presence recognition information delivery. In an embodiment, the system includes an information delivery system. A remote presence detector is coupled to the information delivery system and is configured to send a presence indicator to the information delivery system. The information delivery system is configured to take an information delivery action based at least in part on the presence indicator.

A system is provided for communication and sensory monitoring. The system comprises a plurality of nodes installed as a network in a structure. Each of the plurality of nodes comprises an internode transceiver for wireless communication between nodes, a wireless network transceiver for wireless communication with one or more wireless devices, one or more sensors for monitoring the environment of the structure and a processor coupled to the internode transceiver, the wireless network transceiver and the one or more sensors to exchange data with the internode transceiver, the wireless network transceiver and the one or more sensors devices coupled to the processor and process the data. The system also includes a wide area network bridge coupled to the plurality of network nodes. The network bridge receives data from the plurality of network nodes and passes the information to a computer network for processing.

Under the limited bandwidth of the current wireless data network and with the low memory in mobile devices in use today, the process of going through a number of intermediate pages to get to a desired page increases the latency of the information deliver and intensifies the network traffic. A method for accelerating the navigation of hypertext pages based on a compound request is disclosed. After a compound request is entered and activated, the compound request is parsed into an antecedent request followed by a final request wherein the antecedent request comprises a plurality of intermediate requests. All the intermediate requests are processed individually and sequentially as if they were entered individually and cards corresponding to the intermediate requests are fetched sequentially. A final card containing desired information by the final request is fetched based on the card corresponding to the last intermediate request and thereby displayed.

A bidirectional communication system in which dial-up connection for transmitting communication data may be disconnected when not used, and may be insured to be reconnected when needed. Also, the system includes an arrangement in which availability of connection with dial-up may be notified/determined in advance. The bidirectional communication system includes a first communication station and one or more second communication stations, the second communication stations receiving information delivery service from the first communication station, and the second communication stations performing data communication with the first communication station by means of dial-up link. The first communication station includes: an assignor assigning to the second communication station a protocol identifier of a network layer; a connector/disconnector for connecting/disconnecting the communication link according to respectively the presence and absence of communication data from the second communication station; and a storage holding the protocol identifier of the network layer assigned to the second communication station during the information delivery service from the second communication station.

A dual head contrast media injection system performs a patency check or test injection, determining flow rate and/or flow volume from the programmed protocol. The tubing that connects syringes to a patient shares only a short common section near to the patient. Appropriate injection steps are taken to compensate for tubing elasticity. A wireless remote control and a touch screen control are provided, improving functionality and information delivery. The display brightness is controlled based on the ambient light, and the display panel includes a double swivel permitting re-orientation. The orientation of the display may also be controlled based on, e.g., the current step, the tilt angle of the powerhead, or a manual control. Furthermore, the display is customizable to identify the type of fluid (contrast, saline, etc.) on either side of the injector, to provide matched color coding, and to provide a folder/tab analogy for retrieving injection protocol parameters.

A method and system for prepaying wireless telecommunications charges utilizes computer hardware and software including, for example, a user's mobile phone, a mobile operator's interactive voice response unit, a mobile payments interactive voice response unit, SMS, test messaging, email, ATM, kiosk, the Internet, and/or WAP or the like, a mobile payments engine, a mobile operator's prepaid billing system, a subscriber database, a payment gateway, and a transaction processing platform. The mobile payments engine receives information identifying a user's wireless telecommunication device via the mobile payments interactive voice response unit, passes the information to the mobile operator's billing system with a request for validation of a mobile account for the user, and if validation is received, the mobile payments engine receives financial source account and user identity verification information from the user, assigns a mobile personal identification number for the user, and arranges a credit from the source account to the user's mobile account.

A mobile robot platform and a method for sensing movement of the same are disclosed, which utilize two omni-directional meter wheels perpendicular to each other and a magnetic sensing module for detecting a moving condition of the platform moving on a planar surface while transmitting the detected moving condition to a signal processing unit to calculate the position, velocity, angular position and angular velocity of the platform.

A method and apparatus manages packet header buffers of a forwarding engine contained within an intermediate node, such as an aggregation router, of a computer network. Processors of the forwarding engine add and remove headers from packets using a packet header buffer, i.e., context memory, associated with each processor. Addition and removal of the headers occurs while preserving a portion of the “on-chip” context memory for passing state information to and between processors of a pipeline, and also for passing move commands to direct memory access (DMA) logic external to the forwarding engine. A wrap control function capability within the move command works in conjunction with the ability of the DMA logic to detect the end of the context and wrap to a specified offset within the context. That is, rather than wrapping to the beginning of a context, the wrap control capability specifies a predetermined offset within the context at which the wrap point occurs.

A method and system for delivering tailored asset information to a device are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a method accesses a database comprising information from a first reporting source about an asset and information from a second reporting source about the asset. A pre-defined user selectable criteria is then utilized to select portions of the information from the first reporting source and the information from the second reporting source. A tailored asset information report is then generated, wherein the tailored asset information report comprises the pre-defined portions of the information about the asset. In so doing, a layout of the tailored asset information report is provided based on a graphical user interface (GUI).

Developing decision-making skills of a user through practice in a simulated environment comprises defining a simulated situation to be influenced by the user including a set of objects that are represented by an attribute-characteristic representation, presenting information concerning a current state of the simulation, obtaining decisions from the user that at least partially determine object designs to be evaluated, evaluating an object design using a value function having multiple optima, updating the simulation with the results from the evaluation, and permitting continued practice by selectively repeating several of these steps. A system executes simulation software that simulates such a situation on a processor, and includes evaluation software for selecting and evaluating design objects by applying a value function having multiple optima. At least one terminal and communication links are provided for information transfer and implementation of the simulated situation. Diagnosis of the user's cognitive approach is also disclosed.

A system and method for enabling a user to request and receive product information, participate in voting or polling activities, reprint an article or other publication, request and authorize a purchase of a magazine subscription, music sound clip, or other product, and/or share personal information with other users. The service request and information delivery may provided over a mobile phone. The user dials a series of digits into their phone and enters them into the disclosed system, for example by pressing the send key on a mobile phone. The digits entered by the user include a prefix or routing code, and a data code. The dialed digits are transferred to a call switching system, which determines, based on the prefix code, a processing system to which a message is sent including the originally dialed digits as well as identification of the user or phone that placed the call. The processing system may then determine, based on the identification of the mobile phone that placed the call, a user account. The processing system further determines, based on the data code of the dialed digits, the product information or other service such as entry of a polling response, vote, or product purchase, that is to be provided. The user account information may then be used to determine a delivery technique, such as electronic mail using an electronic mail address associated with the phone that made the call, SMS/MMS/EMS Text messaging, or WAP push, through which the product information associated with the data code may be forwarded to the requesting user.

A networked gaming system and method permitting a person using a player computer to view a game being played live at a casino, and to wager on the outcome of the game. The player computer is in communication with a wager server, which in turn is receiving at least a video and preferably also an audio signal of the casino game from the casino. Wagering may be accomplished by a variety of payment methods, including direct payment from a player computer to the wagering server or through the use of a credit-type card, in which instance a financial institution server will also be part of the system and method. Preferably, an additional system component is provided, consisting of a casino-wagering server interface, which will be in communication with the casino and wagering server, will monitor the game being played and the wager, and which will determine the outcome of the wager and communicate that information to the wagering server for communication to the player computer.