An adaptive interface for a programmable system, for predicting a desired user function, based on user history, as well as machine internal status and context. The apparatus receives an input from the user and other data. A predicted input is presented for confirmation by the user, and the predictive mechanism is updated based on this feedback. Also provided is a pattern recognition system for a multimedia device, wherein a user input is matched to a video stream on a conceptual basis, allowing inexact programming of a multimedia device. The system analyzes a data stream for correspondence with a data pattern for processing and storage. The data stream is subjected to adaptive pattern recognition to extract features of interest to provide a highly compressed representation which may be efficiently processed to determine correspondence. Applications of the interface and system include a VCR, medical device, vehicle control system, audio device, environmental control system, securities trading terminal, and smart house. The system optionally includes an actuator for effecting the environment of operation, allowing closed-loop feedback operation and automated learning.

Ergonomic man-machine interface incorporating adaptive pattern recognition based control system

A method and system for placing an order to purchase an item via the Internet. The order is placed by a purchaser at a client system and received by a server system. The server system receives purchaser information including identification of the purchaser, payment information, and shipment information from the client system. The server system then assigns a client identifier to the client system and associates the assigned client identifier with the received purchaser information. The server system sends to the client system the assigned client identifier and an HTML document identifying the item and including an order button. The client system receives and stores the assigned client identifier and receives and displays the HTML document. In response to the selection of the order button, the client system sends to the server system a request to purchase the identified item. The server system receives the request and combines the purchaser information associated with the client identifier of the client system to generate an order to purchase the item in accordance with the billing and shipment information whereby the purchaser effects the ordering of the product by selection of the order button.

Method and system for placing a purchase order via a communications network

Provided herein are methods and systems relating to location-based services such as social networking, providing demographic information, tracking mobile devices, providing business information, providing an adaptable user interface, remotely effecting a change on a portable electronic device, providing a geofence, outputting location-based information on a mobile device, varying transmissions to and from a mobile device, providing location-based alerts, verifying transactions and tailoring information to the behavior of a user.

Location-based services

The present invention is generally directed to a system for monitoring a variety of environmental and/or other conditions within a defined remotely located region. In one aspect, a system is configured to monitor utility meters (613) in a defined area. The system is implemented by using a plurality of wireless transmitters (614), each integrated into a sensor (612) adapted to monitor a particular data input. The system also includes a plurality of transceivers (221) that are dispersed throughout the region at defined locations. The system uses a local gateway (210) to translate and transfer information from the transmitters to a dedicated computer (260) on a network (230). The dedicated computer collects, compiles and stores the data for retrieval upon client demand across the network. The computer further includes means for evaluating the received information and identifying an appropriate control signal to be applied at a designated actuator.

System and method for monitoring and controlling remote devices

A system for integrating video programming with the vast information resources of the Internet. A computer-based system receives a video program with embedded uniform resource locators (URLs). The URLs, the effective addresses of locations or Web sites on the Internet, are interpreted by the system and direct the system to the Web site locations to retrieve related Web pages. Upon receipt of the Web pages by the system, the Web pages are synchronized to the video content for display. The video program signal can be displayed on a video window on a conventional personal computer screen. The actual retrieved Web pages are time stamped to also be displayed, on another portion of the display screen, when predetermined related video content is displayed in the video window. As an alternative, the computer-based system receives the URLs directly through an Internet connection, at times specified by TV broadcasters in advance. The system interprets the URLs and retrieves the appropriate Web pages. The Web pages are synchronized to the video content for display in conjunction with a television program being broadcast to the user at that time. This alternative system allows the URLs to be entered for live transmission to the user.

Enhanced video programming system and method for incorporating and displaying retrieved integrated Internet information segments

Computerized travel reservation information and planning system that generates "map ticket" output in various media, for guidance and transactions en route. Such print or electronic documents can include bar or alphanumeric codes for automated recognition and/or access. WHERE?, WHO/WHAT?, WHEN? and HOW? menus enable flexible user inquiries accessing selectable geographic, topical, temporal and transactional data records and relational processing. Sub-menus provide further capabilities: e.g. routing, topical searching; searches of events calendars, almanacs, appointment books, related itinerary scheduling; trip budgeting issues, plus travel arrangement availabilities or other goods/services offers. Online communications links access updated or supplemental information on places, times, topics and other provider goods/service offers. Online computer-aided routing system enables input of selectable travel origin, destination, and waypoints to compute travel routes, available transportation services, costs, options, and schedules. A point-of-interest database lets users pick types of attractions or accommodations within a user-selected region around routes of travel. Users engage in an iterative planning process, revising or editing travel plans, previewing travelogs of alternate routes, selecting point of interest parameters, comparing times and costs of transportation options, in order to achieve a satisfactory travel plan. The system provides printed or electronic output that may include any one or more of text itinerary, ordered set of travel maps, customized collection of information on points of interest information and a selected array of valid reservation confirmations, tickets and/or discount coupons coded with elements for automated recognition and processing. Mobile users, including GPS-linked users, can access the system via wireless communication units.

Travel reservation information and planning system

An Integrated Routing/Mapping Information System (IRMIS) links desktop personal computer cartographic applications to one or more handheld organizer, personal digital assistant (PDA) or “palmtop” devices. Such devices may be optionally equipped with, or connected to, portable Global Positioning System (GPS) or equivalent position sensing device. Desktop application facilitates user selection of areas, starts, stops, destinations, maps and/or point and/or route information. It optionally includes supplemental online information, preferably for transfer to the PDA or equivalent device. Users' options include route information, area, and route maps. Maps and related route information are configured with differential detail and levels of magnitude. Used in the field, in conjunction with GPS receiver, the PDA device is configured to display directions, text and map formats, the user's current position, heading, speed, elevation, and so forth. Audible signals identifying the next turn along the user's planned route are also provided. The user can pan across maps and zoom between two or more map scales, levels of detail, or magnitudes. The IRMIS also provides for “automatic zooming,” e.g., to show greater detail or closer detail as the user approaches a destination, or to larger scale and lower resolution to show the user's overall planned route between points of interest. The IRMIS also enables the user to mark or record specific locations and/or log actual travel routes, using GPS position information. These annotated location marks and/or “breadcrumb” or GPS log data can be saved, uploaded, displayed, or otherwise processed on the user's desktop geographic information or cartographic system. The IRMIS application and data may be distributed online and/or in tangible media in limited and advanced manipulation formats.

Integrated routing/mapping information

A Computer Aided Routing and Position System (CARPS) determines a travel route (123) along selected waypoints (124) that include a travel origin and a travel destination and intermediate waypoints therebetween. The selected waypoints (124) may be uploaded to or downloaded from various geocoding devices that utilize the Global Positioning System (GPS). A CARPS database incorporates travel information selected from a range of multimedia sources about the transportation routes, waypoints, and geographically locatable points of interest (POIs) selected by the user (103) along the travel route (123). The CARPS software (100) permits user selection of specified POI types within a user-defined region of interest and user selection of particular POIs from the selected types within the region of interest. The CARPS software (100) is constructed to present a user-customized travel log for preview.

Computer aided routing and positioning system

A computer aided map location system (CAMLS) provides correlation and coordination of spatially related data between a computer (PDA/PC/EC) and a set of printed maps typically printed on paper depicting surface features at desired levels of detail. A first set of constant scale printed maps substantially coincides with or is overprinted with equal area grid quadrangles of a first scale grid. The first scale grid quadrangles are identified by a first set of unique names. The PDA/PC/EC has a computer display or other computer output, a first database, and display subsystem. The first database includes the first set of unique names of the grid quadrangles of the first scale grid. The boundary lines of the respective first scale grid quadrangles are identified in the first database by latitude and longitude location. The display subsystem causes the display of a selected grid quadrangle or gridname on the PDA/PC/EC display in response to a user query. The displayed grid quadrangle or gridname is correlated with a grid quadrangle of a printed map from the first set of printed maps. The PDA/PC/EC may have access to a second database or multiple databases of latitude and longitude locatable objects (loc/objects) for display on selected grid quadrangles. Alternatively or in addition the PDA/PC/EC may incorporate a user location system such as a GPS location system for displaying the location and route of the CAMLS user on the display. Multiple level scales of grids and corresponding multiple sets of maps at the different scales are available. Communications links are provided between CAMLS computers and CAMLS users in various combinations.

Computer aided map location system

A computer aided routing system (CARS) determines a travel route between a user selected travel origin and travel destination following user selected waypoints along the way. A CARS database incorporates travel information selected from a range of multimedia sources about the transportation routes, waypoints, and geographically locatable points of interest (POIs) selected by the user along the travel route. The CARS software permits user selection of specified POI types within a user defined region of interest and user selection of particular POIs from the selected types within the region of interest. The transportation routes, waypoints, POIs and region of interest are identified in the computer by coordinate locations of a selected geographical coordinate system. The CARS software is constructed to present a user customized travelog for preview on the computer display of the user defined travel route. The travel planner can preview on the computer display a multimedia travelog particularly customized for the user defined travel route including multimedia information on the transportation routes, waypoints, and POIs selected by the user. The user can engage in an iterative trip planning process of revising the route and previewing travelogs of revised travel routes until a satisfactory travel route is determined.

David M. Delorme

Papers

Travel reservation information and planning system

Integrated routing/mapping information

Computer aided routing and positioning system

Computer aided map location system

Computer aided routing system