20798 results about "Communication interface" patented technology

A system for communicating between members of a group is disclosed which includes a communications interface transmitting at least one of voice, video and text communications from an originating member to at least one destination member within a virtual group. The graphical communication flow module graphically depicts to each member of the virtual group the originator and target of different types of communication (text, voice or iconic) occurring simultaneously within the virtual group. The simultaneous access window allows virtual group members to engage in “real-life” group activities (like viewing a video, reviewing a document, or participating in training exercises) while at the same time transmitting, receiving, and viewing communications occurring between computer users connected to the virtual group. This system of providing group interaction over networks has unique and important applications to virtual group counseling, virtual office meetings, and group communications in the form of chat rooms over the Internet.

The present invention provides a system for operating a power line communications system that employs surface wave communications and conducted communications. The system is comprised of a plurality of network elements, which may take the form of repeaters, communication interface devices, backhaul devices, medium voltage transducers, distribution points, aggregation points, and others. In one embodiment, surface waves are communicated over the medium voltage power lines and the conducted communications are communicated via the low voltage power lines to and from customer premises.

A portable data terminal (PDT) adapted to participate in a wireless mesh network including a plurality of peer PDTs can comprise: a PDT module including an encoded information reading (EIR) device, and a mesh point (MP) module communicatively coupled to the PDT module. The MP module can include a microcontroller and at least one wireless communication interface and can be configured to perform IEEE 802.11-conformant wireless station services including authentication, de-authentication, privacy, and MAC service data unit delivery, and IEEE 802.11-conformant wireless distribution system services including association, disassociation, distribution, integration, and re-association. The MP module can be further configured, responsive to receiving a MAC frame addressed to a recipient inside the wireless mesh network, to deliver the MAC frame using the distribution service. The MP module can be further configured, responsive to receiving a MAC frame addressed to a recipient outside of the wireless mesh network, to deliver the MAC frame using the integration service. The MP module can be further configured to route an incoming MAC frame according to its destination address and the frame control field. The MP module can be further configured to cause the PDT module to exit said sleeping state responsive to receiving a mobile management software (MMS) wake-up command.

A storage domain management system supports storage domains. The storage server includes a plurality of communication interfaces. A first set of communication interfaces in the plurality is adapted for connection to all kinds of users of data. A second set of communication interfaces in the plurality is adapted for connection to respective devices in a pool of storage devices for use in a storage domain. Data processing resources in the server are coupled to the plurality of communication interfaces for transferring data among the interfaces. The data processing resources comprise a plurality of driver modules and configurable logic linking driver modules into data paths. Each configured data path acts as a virtual circuit that includes a set of driver modules selected from the plurality of driver modules. A data storage transaction which is received at a communication interface is mapped to one of the configured data paths. A display and a user input device are included with data processing structures to manage images displayed on the display.

A system for electric grid utilization and optimization, comprising a communications interface executing on a network-connected server and adapted to receive information from a plurality of iNodes, the plurality of iNodes comprising a source iNode, a sink iNode, and a plurality of transmission or distribution iNodes, an event database coupled to the communications interface and adapted to receive events from a plurality of iNodes via the communications interface, a modeling server coupled to the communications interface, and a statistics server coupled to the event database and the modeling server, wherein the modeling server, on receiving a request to establish an allocation of at least one of transmission losses, distribution losses, and ancillary services to a specific sink iNode, computes at least one virtual path for flow of electricity between a source iNode and the specific sink iNode and wherein the modeling server further computes, for each transmission or distribution iNode included in the computed virtual path, at least one energy loss and allocates a portion thereof to the specific sink iNode, is disclosed.

A power management system for a lighting circuit may include a grid shifting controller that includes a processor and a connection to an external power source. The power management system may also include a communication interface associated with the grid shifting controller. The grid shifting controller may be configured to provide control information to a processor of at least one grid shifting electrical fixture over the communication interface, the control information being configured to direct the at least one grid shifting electrical fixture on the use of power from the external power source and an energy storage device associated with the at least one grid shifting electrical fixture.

A method and apparatus for communicating with and monitoring the operation of a device implanted within a patient. A transceiver capable of being implanted within a patient provides a communication interface between an implanted medical device and a monitor external to the patient's body. The external monitor can communicate with a remote monitoring center over a communication network. The external monitor also provides control signals to the implanted device via the transceiver unit. The transceiver apparatus is capable of two-way communication between the implanted device and the external monitor. The transceiver apparatus is also capable of detecting actions performed by the implanted device and physiological signals directly from the patient's body. Thus, the transceiver apparatus provides circuitry for determining whether an implanted medical device is operating properly. The transceiver apparatus provides a way to remotely reprogram one or more implanted medical devices.

A programmable and expandable building automation and control system 10. A system platform supports interchangeable smart card 12, security card 22, power supply card 24, telephone / voice / modem card 26, HVAC relay control 62, auxiliary relay control 66, power 80, telephone interface 30, sensor analog inputs 32, smoke detector interface 54, siren / strobe output 82, tamper loop 52, protected peripheral power supply 72, switched peripheral power supply 74, PLC communication protocol interface 18, RS 232 communication interface 14, RS 485 communication interface 16, touchscreen user interface 28, and “smart” key interface 34 via “smart” key 104. In addition to touchscreen and smart key interface, user-interface with system 10 is accommodated via telephone, personal computer or personal digital assistant, or through infrared or radio frequency transmission.

A mobile game device for selective display of one or more pre-purchased games of chance thereon. The game device includes a removable communication interface adapted to communicate with a central gaming system to selectively receive gaming data controlling the play and outcome of the pre-purchased game of chance, generated at a first time. The game device further includes a display screen, and one or more input mechanisms. A game device microprocessor device is provided which is configured to: commence play, selectively activated by operation of the one or more input mechanisms, of the pre-purchased games of chance using the gaming data at a selected second time after the first time; and selectively display on the display screen the generated outcome of the game of chance.

The present invention is generally directed to a computerized fitness equipment that is designed to simulate, emulate, or implement actual race conditions with other users. An exemplar fitness equipment includes at least one operating component and sensors to monitor performance parameters of the at least one operating component (such as speed of movement). A display is also provided, along with logic to provide a visual display of a user's performance (as measured through the first performance parameters). In one embodiment, a communication interface is provided to communicate the first performance parameters to at least one remote, similarly-configured, fitness equipment. Performance parameters from the remote fitness equipment are also received through the communication interface. The fitness equipment includes logic to compare the first performance parameters with performance parameters received from remote fitness equipment and display the results in a comparative fashion to the user.

The system and method of the present invention provides peripheral awareness of information to a user. The information to be provided is either determined automatically, or specified by the user. Once the information to be provided is determined or specified, it is automatically tracked or watched via at least one conventional communications interface for accessing one or more conventional communications sources. Current information is then automatically dynamically provided in an interactive peripheral display which minimizes any potential distraction to the user. Determining or specifying, tracking or watching, and providing the information is accomplished using at least one customizable dynamic encapsulated object, a "ticket," that when paired with a "viewer," provides peripheral awareness of information to the user. Further, in one embodiment, the tickets are sharable among users, and may be copied, cut, pasted, saved, transmitted, dragged and dropped from web pages, etc., like any other electronic file using conventional techniques.

An RF addressable sensor network architecture is provided. The RF addressable sensor network includes one or more RF addressable sensors, one or more wireless sensor readers coupled to a communications network, and one or more end user devices coupled to the communications network. The RF addressable sensor network may also include a sensor network processor. An RF addressable sensor includes one or more sensor elements, one or more antennas for communicating with the wireless sensor reader, an RF power and communications interface, and RFID control module, and a sensor interface. The wireless sensor reader includes one or more antennas, a user interface, a controller, a network communications module, and an RF addressable sensor logic module.

A data network may include an upstream router having one or more data handling queues, a downstream router, and a policy server. In one embodiment, the policy server includes processing resources, a communication interface in communication with the processing resources, and data storage that stores a configuration manager executable by the processing resources. The configuration manager configures data handling queues of the upstream router to provide a selected bandwidth to one or more of a plurality of service classes of data flows. In addition, the configuration manager transmits to the downstream router one or more virtual pool capacities, each corresponding to a bandwidth at the upstream router for one or more associated service classes among the plurality of service classes. In one embodiment, the configuration manager configures the data handling queues on the upstream router only in response to acknowledgment that one or more virtual pool capacities transmitted to the downstream router were successfully installed.

A system and method for simulating a wireless application for subsequent deployment on a mobile device, the mobile device configured for using the deployed application to communicate over a network with a data source through a transaction server. The method and system comprising executing the simulated application to generate at least one message configured for receipt by the simulated communication interface of the transaction server; simulating the server communication interface for receiving the message and for transmitting the asynchronous message intended for transmission to the data source via the interface; establishing a connection to the network by a development tool and transmitting the asynchronous message over the network to the data source; wherein the simulated server communication interface is used to monitor the status (i.e. a return value if any) of the transmitted asynchronous message.

A system is provided that includes a request module adapted to receive a request from an initiation interface initiated by a user and a user profile module adapted to associate the request with a user profile of the user. The user profile includes at least a payment plan selected by the user and an identification number of the user. The system also includes a payment interface adapted to submit a payment demand to the payment plan and a mobile communication interface adapted to transmit a confirmation to a mobile communication network for transmission to a wireless device associated with the identification number. In the system, the initiation interface may be a wireless device, a magnetic swipe reader, a wireless barcode reading device, an RFID interface, a website, and / or a web banner interface. A method of operating a server is provided. A computer-readable storage medium containing a set of instructions for a processor is provided.

A system for presentation and management of energy-related information and securities, comprising a digital exchange, a client system comprising a plurality of display and input modalities, a communications interface software adapted to allow communications between the client system and the digital exchange, and a control interface within the client system adapted to drive the display and input modalities, wherein the control interface, on receiving input from a user, causes data from the digital exchange to be retrieved and displayed in one or more of the display modalities to the user, and upon receipt of a request from the user via an input modality of the client system after the user has retrieved and reviewed data from the digital exchange, an order to execute a transaction is transmitted to the digital exchange by the client system, and on receipt of an order to execute a transaction from a client system, the digital exchange combines the ordered transaction with other similar transactions from a plurality of users and thereby creates or modifies a marketable security visible to at least one other user via the digital exchange, is disclosed.

Systems, methods, and devices for conducting sales transactions are provided. Embodiments include handheld, portable, electronic, point of purchase devices configured to acquire identification information from articles to be purchased, to determine a purchase price, and to acquire payment information for the purchase price. The point of purchase devices may include one or more input devices such as a near field communication device, a camera, a scanner, and a biometric sensor for acquiring the identification information and / or the payment information. In some embodiments, the near field communication device may be detachable from the point of purchase device. The point of purchase devices also may contain communication interfaces, such as a near field communication interface, a local area network interface, a short message service interface, and a personal area network interface, for transmitting the information to an external server.

A wireless communication device comprises a user interface, a memory, a wireless communication interface, and a processing system. The wireless communication interface is configured to wirelessly receive a message. The processing system is configured to direct the memory to store the message. The processing system is configured to drive the user interface to display the message, display a message redaction indicator, and responsively receive a message redaction instruction. The processing system is configured to redact a portion of the message responsive to the message redaction instruction and direct the memory to store the redacted portion of the message. The processing system is configured to drive the user interface to display the message without the redacted portion, display a message recovery indicator, and responsively receive a message recovery instruction. The processing system is configured to recover the message responsive to the message recovery instruction and drive the user interface to display the message with the previously redacted portion.

An identity verification system is used to identify persons with high accuracy, while avoiding direct contact with the device to prevent any negative psychological reaction from a user. The system includes: a camera unit and an image processing unit for obtaining object images of body parts (such as fingerprints and irides) by scanning, without physical contact; an image display unit for displaying layered images of the body part as scanned and a guide showing the body part in an optimal position; a control unit for extracting biometric characteristic data from object images and sending the data to a verification server after encrypting by an encryption unit; and a communications interface unit.

A computer implemented online music distribution system provides for the secure delivery of audio data and related media, including text and images, over a public communications network. The online music distribution system provides security through multiple layers of encryption, and the cryptographic binding of purchased audio data to each specific purchaser. The online music distribution system also provides for previewing of audio data prior to purchase. In one embodiment, the online music distribution system is a client-server system including a content manager, a delivery server, and an HTTP server, communicating with a client system including a Web browser and a media player. The content manager provides for management of media and audio content, and processing of purchase requests. The delivery server provides delivery of the purchased media data. The Web browser and HTTP server provide a communications interface over the public network between the content manager and media players. The media player provides for encryption of user personal information, and for decryption and playback of purchased media data. Security of purchased media data is enhanced in part by the use of a personal, digital passport in each media player. The digital passport contains identifying information that identifies the purchaser, along with confidential information, such as credit card number, and encryption data, such as the media player's public and private keys. The media player encryption data is used to encrypt purchased media data, which is decrypted in real time by the media player. The media player also displays confidential information, such as the purchaser's credit card number, during playback.

A head mounted support system for a head mounted apparatus. The apparatus includes a monocular display with a wireless communications interface, a user input device, a transmitter, receiver and a controller. The controller is configured to control the transmitter for sending and receiving control signals to and from an external device via the wireless interface. The monocular display is positioned relative to the user's dominant eye to display images to the user while occluding less than half of the user's maximum viewing space, while enabling the user to send and receive audible information or music. The head mounted support system may include an ear loop, and a housing for storing one or more functional components of the apparatus.

A set top box, comprises storage storing the lead portion of one or more objects prior to receiving a request for consumption of one of the one or more objects; a user interface for receiving a request for consumption of the requested object; a communication interface for communicating with a remote device, the remote device initiating delivery of a balance portion of the requested object upon request; and a control module coupled to the storage device, to the user interface and to the communication interface for initiating consumption of the lead portion, for requesting delivery of the balance portion, and for receiving at least part of the balance portion of the object during consumption of the object. The size of the lead portion may be computed to reduce the likelihood of consumption interruption. The size of the lead portion may be computed based on communication channel conditions. The size of the lead portion may computed based on the worst case channel condition over a predetermined window of time. The size of the lead portion may be computed by an algorithm accounting for download speed, object size, and playback time. The size of the lead portion may be computed so that the final bit of the balance portion of the object is expected to be received before the final bit is needed for consumption. The size of the lead portion may be computed based on object popularity. The size of the lead portion may be increased based on the expected demand of the object.

A system for single-action energy resource scheduling and participation in energy-related securities, comprising a communications interface executing on a network-connected server and adapted to receive information from a plurality of client user interfaces and a secure action server coupled to the communications interface, wherein the secure action server, on receiving a connection from a client user interface, assigns a unique client identifier to the client user interface and associates the unique identifier with a client account, and wherein the secure action server, on receiving a request from a client user interface, determines whether the client user interface is mapped to an authorized market participant who has enabled single-action scheduling, execution order, or participation confirmation functionality for the client user interface, and passes information to the client user interface pertaining at least to a single action needed to confirm scheduling, execution order, or participation and wherein the secure action server, on receiving indication from the communications interface that a required single action has been taken, at least updates information about the market participant who took the action, is disclosed.

Key diversification is performed during a mutual authentication between a SAM integrated circuit (IC) card storing a master key, and a user IC card storing an identification number. The user IC card is connected to the SAM IC card through a communications interface. The key diversification includes deriving sub keys from the master key, and computing ciphered strings through corresponding cryptographic computations on a string obtained by an elaboration on the identification number with the sub keys. A diversification key is generated by linking together a combination of bytes of the ciphered strings.

Mechanisms and techniques operate in a computerized device to perform backup and restore operations on data portions such that if a backup server already has a copy of the content of a data portion, no client computer systems need to transfer a copy of the data portion to the backup server, even if the data portion in those clients has a different name, location, or other attributes. A backup client produces an identification of a data portion stored within a first computerized device to be backed up. The backup client conveys, to a backup server, the identification of the data portion stored within the computerized device and receives, over the communications interface, a transfer indication from the backup server. The backup client determines if the transfer indication indicates that the backup server already contains a copy of the data portion identified by the identification, and if not, the backup client transfers a copy of the data portion from the local storage device to the backup server over the communications interface.

The present invention provides a system for operating a power line communications system that is comprised of a plurality of network elements, which may take the form of repeaters, bypass devices, backhaul devices, wireless backhaul devices, enhanced bypass device, communication interface devices and others. In one embodiment, two groups of network elements in the same electrical distribution system are isolated except selected communication link.