A transaction security apparatus which comprises a transaction device, wherein the transaction device one of generates and transmits a first signal in response to a transaction, and a communication device associated with an individual account. The communication device receives the first signal. The communication device generates a second signal which provides a notification to the individual account holder of the transaction. The transaction device transmits the first signal to the communication device. The first signal is transmitted over a communication network directly to the communication device.

Transaction security apparatus and method

A technique for implementing in a networked client-server environment, e.g., the Internet, network-distributed advertising in which advertisements are downloaded, from an advertising server to a browser executing at a client computer, in a manner transparent to a user situated at the browser, and subsequently displayed, by that browser and on an interstitial basis, in response to a click-stream generated by the user to move from one web page to the next. Specifically, an HTML advertising tag is embedded into a referring web page. This tag contains two components. One component effectively downloads, from an distribution web server and to an extent necessary, and then persistently instantiates an agent at the client browser. This agent “politely” and transparently downloads advertising files (media and where necessary player files), originating from an ad management system residing on a third-party advertising web server, for a given advertisement into browser cache and subsequently plays those media files through the browser on an interstitial basis and in response to a user click-stream. The other component is a reference, in terms of a web address, of the advertising management system. This latter reference totally “decouples” advertising content from a web page such that a web page, rather than embedding actual advertising content within the page itself, merely includes an advertising tag that refers, via a URL, to a specific ad management system rather than to a particular advertisement or its content. The ad management system selects the given advertisement that is to be downloaded, rather than having that selection or its content being embedded in the web content page.

Technique for implementing browser-initiated user-transparent network-distributed advertising and for interstitially displaying an advertisement, so distributed, through a web browser in response to a user click-stream

An electronic game including at least one display exhibiting a plurality of windows or segments each displaying a different subject matter is disclosed. The different subject matter in each of the plurality of windows preferably includes a real time promotional points total, an awards display, a sponsor advertising material display, an Internet display and an electronic game. The electronic game, which may include a wagering game, may be played by tendering money or tendering promotional points instead of money. Promotional points may be awarded instead of a portion of a money award, or supplemental to it. Promotional points may be accumulated by players through both gaming and non-gaming activities, including activities not involving a commercial transaction. An electronic gaming apparatus is described which also serves as an Internet portal.

Method and apparatus for awarding and redeeming promotional points at an electronic game

Multiple Java Virtual Machines (JVMs) operate on a single direct execution JAVA processor with each JVM operating in a separate time slice called a partition. Each JVM has its own data and control structures and is assigned a fixed area of memory. Each partition is also allotted a fixed period of time in which to operate, and, at the end of the allotted time, a context switch is forced to another JVM operating in the next partition. The context switch does not transfer control directly from one JVM to another JVM. Instead, at the end of a partition time period control is switched from the currently operating JVM to a “master JVM” during a time period called an “interstice.” The master JVM handles system interrupts and housekeeping duties. At the end of the interstice time period, the master JVM starts a proxy thread associated with the next JVM to become operational. The proxy thread handles JVM-specific interrupts and checks the status of the associated JVM. If the JVM appears operational the proxy thread transfers control to the JVM thread. Time intervals such as partition times and interstice times are enforced by hardware timers and memory accesses are checked by address comparison circuitry to prevent a system failure due to a malfunction in either the master JVM or another JVM.

Real time processor capable of concurrently running multiple independent JAVA machines

A method of operating a self service terminal (SST) (12) is described, in which the SST (12) detects characteristics of a mobile computing device held by a user (16), and configures the user interface dependent on the detected characteristics. The characteristics may include features of the mobile device, such as communication facilities, or may include user identification information. Where the user is identified, a user profile may be retrieved from a remote SST operator (14). Certain embodiments of the invention may detect devices held by a second or subsequent user (18), and retrieve the relevant user profile prior to the second user (18) interacting with the SST (12).

Self service terminal

An apparatus and method for vending public communications services. The apparatus includes a telephone, a multimedia terminal, and a payment receiver for receiving an authorization to accept charges for enabling use of at least one of the telephone and the multimedia terminal.

Public communications services vending method and apparatus

An apparatus and method for distributing multimedia services. The apparatus includes a transmitter for transmitting for receipt by at least one device a multimedia configuration file for configuring at least one device to present multimedia services to a user.

Multimedia public communication services distribution method and apparatus with distribution of configuration files

An apparatus and method for recording actual time used by a service which makes requests for data. The apparatus includes a first timer for recording time during which the service is in operation and a second timer rendered operable when the service requests data. The second timer is operable to disable the first timer to suspend the recording of the time when the second timer acquires a value exceeding a pre-defined value, representing the time during which the service is waiting for data in response to a request for data and the second timer re-enables the first timer when the data is received.

Method and apparatus for recording actual time used by a service which makes requests for data

An apparatus and method for distributing multimedia services. The apparatus includes a transmitter for transmitting for receipt by at least one device (36) a multimedia configuration file for configuring at least one device to present multimedia services to a user.

Public communications services distribution method and apparatus

A method and apparatus for providing information at a telephone. The method
involves establishing a telephone call to a telephone services provider, answering the
telephone call at the telephone services provider receiving a request for the information
from the telephone at the telephone services provider during the telephone call,
transmitting an information message from the telephone services provider to the telephone
in response to the request during the telephone call, receiving the information message at
the telephone, and, producing a user-readable representation of the information message
at the telephone.

Andrew Raines Hillson

Papers

Public communications services vending method and apparatus

Multimedia public communication services distribution method and apparatus with distribution of configuration files

Method and apparatus for recording actual time used by a service which makes requests for data

Public communications services distribution method and apparatus

Access terminal with printer