09th week of 2014 patent applcation highlights part 44 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20140057610 | AUTOMATIC RESPONSE OPTION MOBILE SYSTEM FOR RESPONDING TO INCOMING TEXTS OR CALLS OR BOTH - A cell phone with software to provide options to auto-respond to incoming text message or phone calls with a pre-stored text message or audio message. In some embodiments, the auto-response text message can be one selected by the user from among a plurality of pre-stored text messages. In other embodiments, the user can also choose an auto-response audio message to play to callers. In some embodiments, the cell system makes a determination of the speed at which cell phones in the system are moving for at least phones to which incoming text messages or phone calls are directed, and automatically determines whether or not to send an automated response message. In some embodiments, the cell phone makes a determination of its speed and asks the user if he or she wants to auto-respond to incoming texts or calls or both if moving at driving speed. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057611 | WIRELESS COMMUNICATION TERMINAL AND OPERATING SYSTEM - A wireless communication terminal has input devices for inputting an operation content for operating an application, a communicator for transmitting the operation content input from the input devices to a server, and receiving a server processing result as a result of predetermined processing executed by the server, and a controller determining in accordance with the application as an operation target based on the operation content whether the operation based on the operation content input before interruption of the communication is continued after the communication with the server is recovered, when the communication with the server is interrupted after the operation content is input from the input means and before a server processing result corresponding to the operation content is received from the server. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057612 | PROCESS OF INITIATION OF A CONVERSATION - The invention relates to a method of initiating a conversation, the method comprising the following steps:
| 2014-02-27 |
20140057613 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DYNAMIC DEVICE PAIRING - A communication system, method, and components are described. Specifically, a communication system that supports dynamic device pairing of communication devices is described. Such pairing is accomplished using a feature or pairing server, without requiring modification to associated communication endpoints. Moreover, sequenced applications can be applied for all communication endpoints when pairing is in effect. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057614 | Communications Network Call Initiation Transition - Systems and methods for initiating telephony calls are presented. In one example, a phone call initiation is detected on a first communications network. The phone call initiation is redirected to a second communications network. The call is connected utilizing the second communications network. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057615 | APPARATUS TO SELF-ACTIVATE AND SELF-CONFIGURE A DEVICE AND SYSTEM AND A METHOD THEREOF - Embodiments of the present invention allows a telecommunications provider to embed activation and configuration logic into SIM cards that consumers install in their wireless devices. The activation and configuration logic on a SIM card ensures that a wireless device is activated and properly configured to operate on a network. In some embodiments, the configuration logic on the SIM card also ensures that the wireless device is properly configured with backed up personal data and provisioned with services that a consumer had previously or is subscribed to. Typically, the wireless device is able to self-activate and self-configure when the SIM card is installed the wireless device. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057616 | MONITORING MOBILE DEVICE CONTEXT - Systems, methods and interfaces are disclosed for managing communications associated with a mobile communication device. Mobile communication devices process environmental inputs and transmit mobile communication device context information to a communication management system. The context information may, for example, reflect the motion and/or geographic location of the mobile device, and may reflect the risk associated with using the device to handle a call or other communications session. The communication management system uses the context information, optionally in combination with communication device profiles, to determine how to manage incoming and/or ongoing calls or other communication sessions. Mobile device users may also be inhibited from initiating communication sessions. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057617 | RADIO DEVICE AND RADIO SIGNAL PROCESSING METHOD - A radio device includes: a processor configured to execute radio communication processing; a first memory configured to store a program module of the radio communication processing, and to operate at a first clock; a second memory configured to store the program module that is transferred from the first memory, and executed by the processor, and to operate at a second clock a speed of which is higher than that of the first clock; and a control circuit configured to: determine the program module that is to be executed by the processor, based on a transition state of radio communication, and control the determined program module to be transferred from the first memory to the second memory. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057618 | Configuring Power Distribution Within Cooperation Areas of Cellular Communication Networks - There is provided a method for configuring a power distribution within a cellular network system. The cellular network system includes at least one cooperation area. The at least one cooperation area is defined by at least two base stations, each including at least one antenna, wherein each base station has at least one beam. The method includes configuring the base stations to transmit at a first transmit power level for providing a first receiving power level for a user equipment at a center region of the cooperation area, and configuring the base stations to transmit at a second transmit power level for providing a second receiving power level at a border region of the cooperation area, wherein the second receiving power level is lower than the first receiving power level. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057619 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ADJUSTING OPERATION MODES OF A MOBILE DEVICE - A computer-implemented method is performed by a mobile device for automatically activating a particular operation mode. The method includes: dividing a predefined time window into multiple time segments for the mobile device based on a user's schedule; for each time segment, defining an operation mode and associated information for the mobile device, wherein the associated information includes a set of instructions for processing incoming calls or messages during the time segment; and upon detection of the start of a particular time segment: identifying a corresponding operation mode; and activating the identified operation mode on the mobile device such that, in response to an incoming call or message, the mobile device performs a set of instructions associated with the operation mode. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057620 | METHOD, SYSTEM, AND TERMINAL FOR PERFORMING SYSTEM UPDATE BETWEEN MOBILE COMMUNICATION TERMINALS - A method, a system, and a terminal for performing a system update between mobile communication terminals. The method includes: determining, by a target mobile terminal, whether hardware is compatible with a source mobile terminal; if the hardware is compatible between both terminals, obtaining, by the target mobile terminal through a wireless network, a system backup file transferred by the source mobile terminal; and performing, by the target mobile terminal, a system update according to the system backup file. A system update can be implemented between mobile phones through a wireless network without depending on an update server or downloading an update file from the update server, thereby reducing the burden of the update server, and facilitating exchange of systems between mobile phone users. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057621 | MOBILE DEVICE CONNECTED WITH EXTERNAL INPUT DEVICE AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - Exemplary embodiments may disclose a mobile device which is connected with an external input device, and includes a first connector for receiving an input signal generated by the external input device through a docking station, the first connector being detachably connected with the docking station; and a first controller for receiving the input signal from the first connector, and executing a pre-stored function corresponding to the received input signal. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057622 | REASSIGNED MOBILE MESSAGE NOTIFICATIONS - The instant application describes a method of managing a customer's mobile station and providing a notification of a resultant change. The method includes steps of communicating over the air through a mobile communication network with a subscriber device management application running on the customer's mobile station; causing the subscriber device management application to attempt to change an operation control parameter of the customer's mobile station via the over the air communication; and determining an outcome of the attempted change of the operational control parameter of the customer's mobile station. The method also includes a step of sending a mobile messaging service message, providing notification of the attempted change of the operational control parameter of the customer's mobile station, through the mobile communication network to another mobile station associated with the customer. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057623 | CAPACITY STATION ACTIVATION METHOD, RADIO COMMUNICATION APPARATUS, AND SYSTEM - Embodiments of the present invention provide a capacity station activation method and system. The method includes: A coverage station sends activation control information to a capacity station, where the activation control information is used to enable the capacity station to send a pilot signal to a user in a power increasing manner; receives a measurement result of measuring the pilot signal by the user; determines, according to the measurement result, a capacity station that needs to be activated to meet a system requirement; and sends activation information to a determined capacity station that needs to be activated to activate the capacity station. With the capacity station activation method and system in the embodiments of the present invention, a capacity station that needs to be activated can be determined more accurately, and furthermore, transmit power of an activated capacity station can be controlled, thereby reducing energy consumption of a whole system. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057624 | COMMUNICATION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DETECTING A RADIO SIGNAL - For example, a communication device may be provided comprising an oscillator configured to generate a reference signal; an accuracy determiner configured to determine information about an accuracy of a frequency of the reference signal; a signal detector configured to detect the presence of a radio signal; and a controller configured to control the signal detector based on the information. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057625 | Method and Arrangement in a Telecommunications Network - Methods and apparatus for improving the reporting of mobility information are disclosed. An example method, suitable for implementation in a mobile terminal such as an LTE UE, begins with the detecting ( | 2014-02-27 |
20140057626 | MOBILE CELLULAR NETWORKS - Multiple mobile cellular network (MCN) communication systems can be networked together to form a network of MCN communication systems (NOM). Each MCN communication system within the NOM can operate as an independent cellular network to provide communications between user equipment within a covered area. The MCN can be managed by a network management control center (NMCC). The NMCC can be configured generate coverage maps of the NOM and NMC system coverage areas. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057627 | EVOLUTIONARY ALGORITHMS FOR GEOGRAPHIC LOAD BALANCING USING A DISTRIBUTED ANTENNA SYSTEM - Methods and apparatuses are presented for balancing non-uniformly distributed network traffic in a wireless communications system having a plurality of digital remote units (DRUs). In some embodiments, a method comprises partitioning the plurality of DRUs into a plurality of DRU sectors, and dynamically repartitioning the plurality of DRU sectors depending on traffic conditions in at least one of the DRU sectors, such that the repartitioning satisfies at least one of a soft capacity constraint or a hard capacity constraint. The dynamic repartitioning may be based on at least one optimization algorithm. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057628 | AUTOMATIC NEIGHBOUR RELATION - A mobile device operable to perform automatic neighbour relation functions in a wireless telecommunications network, a radio network controller, methods and a computer program product are disclosed. The mobile device is operable to perform automatic neighbour relation functions in a wireless telecommunications network in which neighbour relations derived by the mobile device are provided to a network node of the wireless telecommunications network and comprises: measurement logic operable, in an automatic neighbour relation mode, to measure characteristics of a neighbouring cell; and determination logic operable to determine, from the characteristics and from an indication of previously provided neighbour relations, whether a neighbour relation based on the characteristics has been provided previously to the network node and, if not, to generate a new neighbour relation to be provided to the network node. Hence, only neighbour relations which are not indicated as having been provided previously need be generated. Accordingly, no neighbour relation may be generated when an indication is provided that that neighbour relation has already been provided. This avoids transmitting redundant information, which reduces traffic in the network and reduces the unnecessary use of resources to transmit and process such duplicated information. This reduces the load in the network and in the mobile device. Furthermore, the power consumption of the mobile device may be reduced as a consequence. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057629 | METHOD, APPARATUS, AND SYSTEM FOR SEARCHING AND SELECTING NETWORK - Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method, an apparatus, and a system for searching and selecting a network, relate to the field of radio transmission, and can reduce the execution time and cost for searching and selecting a network. The method according to the present invention includes: acquiring information about a current location of a terminal and radio network information about the location; if it is obtained that multiple radio networks exist at the current location of the terminal according to the radio network information about the location, selecting a network among all radio networks that exist at the current location of the terminal according to a preset network selection rule; and camping on the selected radio network. The present invention is applicable to network search and selection. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057630 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR USER EQUIPMENT INTERACTION WITH A NETWORK USING INTERACTION INFORMATION - A method for receiving information on Tracking Areas (TAs) by a User Equipment (UE) in a communication network is provided. The method includes transmitting to a Mobility Management Entity (MME), an ATTACH REQUEST message in a deregistered state; and receiving, from the MME, an ATTACH ACCEPT message including at least two different types of Tracking Area Identify (TAI) lists that identify TAs. The at least two different types of TAI lists are concatenated in the ATTACH ACCEPT message and each of the at least two different types of TAI lists is variable within a maximum size. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057631 | CELL RESELECTION METHOD AND MOBILE TERMINAL - Embodiments of the present invention provide a cell reselection method and a mobile terminal. In the embodiments of the present invention, whether a cell where signal measurement needs to be performed exists is determined according to a neighboring cell list and a reselection prohibited list; if a cell where signal measurement needs to be performed exists, signal measurement is performed on the cell where signal measurement needs to be performed and a current serving cell to obtain a measurement result; and if the measurement result satisfies a trigger condition of cell reselection, cell reselection is triggered. Therefore, when cell reselection needs to be performed, signal measurement is no longer performed on a cell in the reselection prohibited list and unnecessary signal measurement and cell reselection are avoided, thereby decreasing power consumption of a mobile terminal and prolonging standby time of the mobile terminal. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057632 | Cell Re-Selection Using a Ranking Algorithm - In accordance with one embodiment, there is provided a method for use by a wireless cellular telecommunications device camped on a first cell. The method comprises, at the device: selecting a parameter applicable to a priority-based re-selection algorithm and also applicable to another cell; measuring an attribute of a signal received from a second cell; and, evaluating the second cell for re-selection according to a ranking algorithm based at least on the selected parameter and the measured attribute. A device and computer readable medium are also provided. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057633 | METHOD FOR SETTING, IN A WIRELESS CELLULAR TELECOMMUNICATION NETWORK, THE POWER OF UPLINK RADIO SIGNALS - A method for setting, in a wireless cellular telecommunication network, a power of radio signals transferred by mobile terminals served by plural nodes, the method including, executed by a server in charge of the nodes: checking if a message is received from one of the nodes, the message being representative of occurrence of an event in a cell of the node which transferred the message; adjusting a common parameter value for the nodes according to reception or not of the message; and transferring to each node the adjusted common parameter value or information derived from the adjusted common parameter value. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057634 | HANDOVER MANAGEMENT BASED ON SPEEDS OF WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICES - A mobile wireless communication device notifies communication infrastructure that the mobile wireless communication device is traveling at a speed greater than a threshold speed. In response, the network infrastructure instructs the mobile wireless communication device to use a transition procedure to transition between base stations where the transition procedure is different from a handover procedure used by the mobile wireless communication device to change base stations when the speed of the mobile wireless communication device is less than or equal to the threshold speed. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057635 | POSITIONING-ASSISTED CELL SELECTION AND HANDOVER FOR LTE - A cell-selection and a cell re-selection process include a wireless device that receives a signal from at least one node of a wireless network. The received signal can be a reference signal, an uplink signal, or a downlink signal, or a combination thereof. Location information of the wireless device is determined based on the received signal and transmitted to the wireless network. Information is received from the wireless network that contains a list of candidate nodes to which the wireless device can connect to the wireless network. The list of candidate nodes comprises a list of macro cell nodes, low-power cell nodes, or a combination thereof. The wireless device searches through the information containing the list of candidate nodes to determine a node for a connection to the wireless network. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057636 | MOBILE CELLULAR NETWORKS - Multiple mobile cellular network (MCN) communication systems can be networked together to form a network of MCN communication systems (NOM). Each MCN communication system within the NOM can operate as an independent cellular network to provide communications between user equipment within a covered area. When a UE in one MCN of the NOM moves into a different MCN of the NOM, the corresponding MCN communication systems can handover the UE. The UE can also be handed over between MCN communication systems when the MCN communication systems move. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057637 | Communication Terminal and Method for Performing Communication - A method for enabling a forwarding to network operation in a cellular mobile communication system is described, the cellular mobile communication system comprising a plurality of mobile stations and at least one base station, the method comprising: reporting forwarding capability of a first mobile station of the plurality of mobile stations with the at least one base station; discovering neighboring mobile stations to the first mobile station; selecting a second mobile station from the neighboring mobile stations and establishing a forwarding link between the first mobile station and the second mobile station; allocating radio resources for a link between the first mobile station and the second mobile station; and synchronizing the link between the first mobile station and the second mobile station to establish the forwarding network. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057638 | SYSTEM FOR TAILORING WIRELESS COVERAGE TO A GEOGRAPHIC AREA - Provided herein are systems and methods (i.e., utilities)that allow for synthesizing antenna patters for wireless access points that provide coverage in a wireless network. The utilities utilize various mathematical models to identify antenna settings that enhance coverage of a coverage area. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057639 | METHOD FOR ACHIEVING FAST DORMANCY OF USER EQUIPMENT (UE) IN CELL_PCH OR URA_PCH STATE IN UMTS - A method and a system which enables a User Equipment (UE) in a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UTMS) to achieve fast dormancy in least possible time are provided. The method reduces the signalling burden on UE and Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN) by eliminating the need of SCRI procedure by introducing cause value as ‘end of user data’ in Cell update cause Information element which can be used in cell update message in a Paging Channel (Cell_PCH) state and a UTRAN registration area (URA_PCH) states indicated to the network. The method reduces the time and signalling to transition the UE to an idle mode time and the method is energy efficient. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057640 | METHOD FOR CONFIGURING COORDINATED MULTIPOINT TRANSMISSION - Provided is a method for configuring coordinated multipoint transmission (CoMP) of the present invention. The method includes: providing a transmission mode to support CoMP and, at a base station (eNB), configuring the transmission mode to support CoMP to a user terminal (UE) by radio resource control (RRC) signaling. According to the method of the present invention, it becomes possible to configure CoMP so that the LTE system can support the CoMP function. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057641 | COMMUNICATION CONTROL APPARATUS, COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, AND COMMUNICATION METHOD - A communication control apparatus including: a processor configured to set each of starting time candidates for each of data communications performed by each of wireless communication apparatuses respectively, to estimate each of finishing time candidates for each of the data communications which corresponds to each of the starting time candidates, and to set each of starting times when each of wireless communication apparatuses is to start each of the data communications to each of the starting time candidates, by performing an optimization of a final finishing time candidate which is the final one of the finishing time candidates. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057642 | WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A device and method arranged to control access to resources of a communication network by a User Equipment (UE). One embodiment includes an apparatus for a user equipment for use in controlling access to resources of a communication network, the apparatus including a processing system arranged to cause the apparatus to: monitor for a change in a state of association between a Closed Subscriber Group (CSG) cell and the user equipment, said CSG cell having a Public Land Mobile Network Identity (PLMN ID) and a CSG Identity (CSG ID) associated therewith; and in response to a said change, communicate data indicative of the change, of said CSG ID and of said PLMN ID, for receipt by a Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC) associated with the user equipment, whereby to enable the UICC to control access to resources of said CSG cell. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057643 | WIRELESS COMMUNICATION APPARATUS, COMMUNICATION METHOD, AND PROGRAM - The wireless communication apparatus includes: a first wireless communication unit that connects with an external network, a second wireless communication unit that forms a service area in which it is possible to connect with the external network using either of a first frequency band and a second frequency band that are different from each other, a location information acquisition unit that acquires location information of the apparatus itself, and a selector that selects either the first frequency band or the second frequency band, based on the location information. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057644 | NETWORK AND USER BEHAVIOR BASED TIME-SHIFTED MOBILE DATA TRANSMISSION - A system, and computer program product for mobile data transmission are provided in the illustrative embodiments. A request for data is received from a mobile device. A determination is made whether a data transmission over a mobile data communication network in response to the request can be delayed, forming a time-shifting determination. A determination is made, responsive to the time-shifting determination being affirmative, a delayed schedule for the data transmission in response to the request such that the data transmission is completed by a deadline. The data is transmitted over the mobile data communication network according to the delayed schedule. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057645 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR AUTOMATIC CREATION OF A LOCATION-BASED TALK GROUP CALL WITH REDUCED MESSAGING OVERHEAD - Disclosed is a method of automatic establishment of a location-based talk group call with reduced messaging overhead. The initiating device may be a subscriber unit (SU). The SU determines a geographic reference location and generates location data representative of the location. The SU broadcasts a location-based talk group call header including the location data and including a location-based talk group call identifier field set to cause other SUs receiving the call header to receive and output subsequent data associated with the call header responsive to determining that its current geographic location satisfies the location criterion of the call. The location criterion may be fully determined by the initiating SU and specified in the call header, and may take the form of a specified radius that extends from the geographic reference location represented in the call header. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057646 | INDEX OF EVERYDAY LIFE - A mobile phone connected to a fleet of radio transceiver chips that can be individually identified by the mobile station, which automatically are associated with a photo when the phone camera is used in proximity. The transceiver chips have a small loudspeaker, vibrator and/or light emitter for producing an alarm, and the transceiver chip also can determine and send back its location to the mobile phone. The mobile phone deduces its location by GPS or triangulation, and has an application which can be programmed to check the location of items given predetermined criteria are met, or upon user request. For example the mobile phone can be used to program luggage lists, and check whether everything is with the user at a time. The best mode involves typically a smartphone with relevant application software and RFID tags enhanced by light emitter, loudspeaker and/or vibrator and adhesive. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057647 | MOBILE TERMINAL, CLOUD SERVER, AND METHOD FOR IDENTIFYING HOT SPOT - A method for identifying hot spots by providing an electronic map and receiving terminal data from plurality of mobile terminals. The terminal data comprising position information of the corresponding mobile terminal, time information when the terminal date from the corresponding mobile terminal is received. The method further determining positions on the electronic map to be hot spots based on the number of the terminal data received from the same position in a predetermined time period according to the terminal data. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057648 | PASSIVE DYNAMIC GEOFENCING FOR MOBILE DEVICES - Systems and methods for passive dynamic geofencing on a mobile device are discussed. For example, a method for passive dynamic geofencing can include operations such as monitoring a first parent geofence and a first plurality of child geofences; detecting crossing a boundary of the first parent geofence into a second parent geofence; loading the second parent geofence and a second plurality of child geofences encompassed by the second parent geofence; and monitoring the second parent geofence and the second plurality of child geofences. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057649 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING LOCATION INFORMATION IN MOBILE DEVICE - A method of location information in a mobile device capable of improving position accuracy of the mobile device using a database (DB) of peripheral auxiliary data when GPS and navigation are performed in the mobile device, and an apparatus thereof is provided. The method of providing location information in a mobile device includes acquiring initial location information of the mobile device when a location based service is executed, transmitting the acquired initial location information to a server, receiving auxiliary data corresponding to the initial location information from the server, classifying satellites to be used to determine a location with reference to the auxiliary data, and determining the location based on a satellite signal of a satellite having a high weight through the classification of the satellites. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057650 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING A LOCATION AREA OF A MOBILE USER - A system and a method for determining a location area of a user using a mobile communication terminal in a geographical area covered by a mobile radio network, based on location probabilities for defined sub-areas of the geographical area. The location probabilities may be determined based on, e.g., field strengths expected in the sub-areas from antennas and based on the antenna used by the mobile communication terminal. The location probabilities may indicate, for a sub-area, the probability that the mobile communication terminal is located in the respective sub-area. At least one ellipse defining the location area may be determined, such as based on the location probabilities. The location probabilities may enable determining elliptical location areas of mobile users much smaller than the area each antenna does cover physically, but without the need for measuring at the mobile communication terminal signal properties such as signal strength or observed time differences. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057651 | FILTERING AND CLUSTERING CROWD-SOURCED DATA FOR DETERMINING BEACON POSITIONS - Embodiments analyze crowd-sourced data to identify a moved or moving beacon. The crowd-sourced data involving a particular beacon is filtered based on a cluster start time associated with the beacon. A clustering analysis groups the filtered crowd-sourced data for the beacon into a plurality of clusters based on spatial distance. Timestamps associated with the crowd-sourced data in the clusters are compared to select one of the clusters. The crowd-sourced data associated with the selected cluster is used to determine position information for the moved beacon. The cluster start time for the beacon is adjusted based on the earliest timestamp associated with the positioned observations corresponding to the selected cluster. Adjusting the cluster start time removes from a subsequent analysis the positioned observations associated with one or more prior positions of the beacon. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057652 | Access Point Measurements for Received Signal Prediction - Disclosed is a method for position determination, including altering or generating at least one radio heatmap value in a collection of radio heatmap values, the altering or generating based, at least in part, on a measurement of one or more characteristics of wireless signals received by a receiver at a first wireless network access point and transmitted by a transmitter at a second wireless network access point; and transmitting at least a portion of the collection of radio heatmap values including the altered or generated radio heatmap value to a mobile station as positioning assistance information. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057653 | Positioning With Wireless Local Area Networks And WLAN-Aided Global Positioning Systems - Accurate position capability can be quickly provided using a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN). When associated with a WLAN, a wireless device can quickly determine its relative and/or coordinate position based on information provided by an access point in the WLAN. Before a wireless device disassociates with the access point, the WLAN can periodically provide time, location, and decoded GPS data to the wireless device. In this manner, the wireless device can significantly reduce the time to acquire the necessary GPS satellite data (i.e. on the order of seconds instead of minutes) to determine its coordinate position. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057654 | Positioning With Wireless Local Area Networks And WLAN-Aided Global Positioning Systems - Accurate position capability can be quickly provided using a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN). When associated with a WLAN, a wireless device can quickly determine its relative and/or coordinate position based on information provided by an access point in the WLAN. Before a wireless device disassociates with the access point, the WLAN can periodically provide time, location, and decoded GPS data to the wireless device. In this manner, the wireless device can significantly reduce the time to acquire the necessary GPS satellite data (i.e. on the order of seconds instead of minutes) to determine its coordinate position. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057655 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MEASURING DISTANCES, AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING POSITIONS - The present disclosure provides a ranging method by using a first signal transmitted by a first device, and a second signal generated and transmitted by a target device in response to the first signal. The ranging method calculates the distance between the target device and a second device being in communication with the first and target devices, by using: a first time interval from a point in time of first device's transmitting the first signal to a point of receiving first part of the second signal; a second time interval from a point of the second device's receiving the first signal to a point receiving the first part of the second signal; and a delay time interval from a point of the target device's receiving the first signal to a start time of the second signal and a duration of the first part of the second signal. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057656 | METHOD OF POSITIONING MOBILE TERMINAL AND MOBILE TERMINAL - A method of positioning a mobile terminal includes obtaining first accuracy information on acquisition of position information using a first method, obtaining second accuracy information on acquisition of position information using a second method when a displacement of the mobile terminal exceeds a predetermined distance, and selecting the first method or the second method to obtain position information after movement of the predetermined distance based on the first accuracy information and the second accuracy information. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057657 | DISPLAYING LOCATION-SPECIFIC IMAGES ON A MOBILE DEVICE - A system is provided for providing location-specific images to a mobile device for display. The system generally comprises three components: a mobile device having a screen, a position identification system (e.g., a GPS receiver) that determines the position of the mobile device, and a database containing location-specific images taken at various locations. Each location-specific image is associated with geographic coordinates of the location at which the image was taken. Based on the position of the mobile device as determined by the position identification system, a location-specific image is selected from the database and displayed on the screen of the mobile device. For example, when a user is using the mobile device as a car navigation system, a location-specific image of the user's destination location can be selected and displayed when the determined position of the mobile device comes within a certain distance from the geographic coordinates of the destination location. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057658 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LOCATION-BASED CONTENT DELIVERY - Various embodiments are described herein for a system and method for providing location-based content delivery to at least one target zone. The system comprises at least one content transceiver unit having a processor configured to control the operation of the content transceiver unit, and a communications subsystem coupled with the processor and being configured to communicate with at least one target in the at least one target zone. The processor is configured to send an introductory content page based on a content campaign to the at least one target when the at least one target initiates a content transmission session with the at least one content transceiver unit. The processor is also configured to send selected content to the at least one target when the at least one target selects a content option in the introductory content page. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057659 | INFERRING USER INTERESTS - Techniques are disclosed herein for inferring user interests and serving recommendations to the user. An example for serving recommendations based on inferred user interests is described. The example includes receiving a plurality of location data points for a user, the location data points including a geographic position and a time, and storing the location data points in a data store. The location data points are processed using a processor in communication with the data store to generate visited place data for the user where the visited place data represents a location visited by the user, a category of the location visited, and a time. A histogram of the visited place data is built across categories of locations visited and the histogram is stored in the data store. Recommendations are then served to the user within a category represented on the histogram. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057660 | WIRELESS NETWORK WITH ADAPTIVE AUTONOMOUS LOCATION PUSH - A method of providing location-based services includes transmitting a first location criterion from a wireless network server to a wireless device. The method also includes evaluating whether a physical location of the wireless device satisfies the first location criterion. The process of evaluating is performed in part using the wireless device. When the first location criteria is satisfied, the method further includes transmitting an indication from the wireless device to the server that the first location criterion has been satisfied. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057661 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ENHANCING A USER VISIT TO A SITE PREMISES - Exemplary systems and methods for enhancing a user visit to a site premises are disclosed. An exemplary method includes a mobile device tracking a geographic location of the mobile device, accessing site data associated with a site premises, and providing an interactive user interface configured to enhance a visit of a user of the mobile device to the site premises based on the site data associated with the site premises and the geographic location of the mobile device within the site premises. In certain embodiments, an output may be selected based on the geographic location of the mobile device within the site premises and provided via the interactive user interface for experiencing by the user of the mobile device. Corresponding systems and methods are also disclosed. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057662 | INTERACTIVE ADVISORY SYSTEM - A method for locating at least one individual located remotely from a broadcast network. An analysis unit compares user profiles, dynamic locations stored in the communicator location database, and/or fixed locations entered into the analysis unit. A data set of at least one matching individualized locatee user profile is generated and the individualized locatee user profile is transmitted to the locator via the locator's communicator device. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057663 | PORTABLE DEVICE - A portable device comprises a memory and a wireless signal receiver. The memory is used for storing a first internal setting and a second internal setting, wherein the first internal setting is capable of being determined by users, and the second internal setting is reserved and unchangeable. The wireless signal receiver is used for receiving a predetermined setting signal corresponding to the second internal setting. The portable device switches from the first state into the second state according to the second internal setting after the wireless signal receiver receives the predetermined setting signal. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057664 | MEASUREMENT COMPENSATION METHOD, APPARATUS, SERVER, AND SYSTEM IN BASE STATION POSITIONING - Embodiments of the present invention disclose a measurement compensation method, apparatus, server, and system in base station positioning. The method includes: receiving a reference signal time difference RSTD measurement value between different base stations that is reported by a mobile terminal; acquiring an RSTD measurement compensation value corresponding to a positioning aid device, where the positioning aid device is pre-deployed in a fixed position, the mobile terminal is positioned in a range corresponding to the fixed position, and the RSTD measurement compensation value is used to compensate RSTD measurement within the range; and compensating the RSTD measurement value according to the RSTD measurement compensation value to obtain an RSTD compensation result. By adopting the present invention, the RSTD measurement value reported by the mobile terminal can be compensated, so as to improve the positioning precision of the mobile terminal. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057665 | MOBILE COMMUNICATION TERMINAL WITH DISTANCE AND SPEED SENSING FUNCTION AND SENSING METHOD - A method for sensing distance between a mobile communication terminal and a target object and speed value of the mobile communication terminal relative to the target object is provided. The method includes receiving an activating signal generated by an input unit, controlling a switching unit to connect an encoding/decoding unit to a wave guide pipe; sending the activating signal to the encoding/decoding unit; generating an encoded electromagnetic wave signal having a specific frequency band according to the activating signal by the encoding/decoding unit; transmitting the encoded electromagnetic wave signals to a target object and receiving the electromagnetic wave signal reflected by the target object by the wave guide pipe; calculating distance value between the mobile communication terminal and the target object and speed value of the mobile communication terminal relative to the target object; and outputting a result of the calculating. The mobile communication terminal is also provided. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057666 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONFIGURATION OF FIXED PORT LOCATION IN A NETWORK ENVIRONMENT - A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes determining a location of a location detection device using a wireless link; determining an identity of a fixed port to which the location detection device is connected, where the location of the location detection device is proximate to the fixed port; and communicating a location of the fixed port to a location anchor. In more specific examples, the location of the fixed port is linked to a point of attachment in order to configure the fixed port. Additionally, the location of the fixed port can be presented to a server for application to a point of attachment via an application program interface (API). | 2014-02-27 |
20140057667 | SUPPORTING DEVICE-TO-DEVICE COMMUNICATION IN A RICH COMMUNICATION SERVICE CONTEXT - Methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to support device-to-device communication in a rich communication service context are disclosed. Some example methods disclosed herein include sending, to a network node, first device-to-device capability information for a first device, the first device-to-device capability information being associated with device-to-device functionality supported by the first device, and receiving, from the network node, second device-to-device capability information for a second device associated with a contact stored in the first device, the second device-to-device capability information being associated with device-to-device functionality supported by the second device. Other example methods disclosed herein include receiving, from a first device, first device-to-device capability information for the first device, and sending, to the first device, second device-to-device capability information for a second device associated with a contact stored in the first device. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057668 | WIRELESS COMMUNICATION APPARATUS, WIRELESS COMMUNICATION METHOD, COMPUTER PROGRAM, AND WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - A wireless communication apparatus includes: a first wireless communication section performing wireless communication on the basis of a first communication mode; a second wireless communication section performing wireless communication on the basis of a second communication mode using a different frequency band from the first communication mode; a beam learning signal generation section generating a beam learning signal for specifying a beam pattern at the time of the communication based on the second communication mode and transmitting the beam learning signal from the second wireless communication section; a response information acquisition section acquiring response information responding to the transmitted beam learning signal; and a preliminary information generation section generating preliminary information so as not to cause interference among a plurality of wireless communications using the second communication mode on the basis of the response information and transmitting the preliminary information from the first wireless communication section. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057669 | MOBILE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND MOBILE STATION - To reduce the number of cells in which a “Measurement Subframe Pattern” is broadcasted, in the mobile communication method according to the present invention, a radio base station eNB# | 2014-02-27 |
20140057670 | METHOD FOR PERFORMING DEVICE-TO-DEVICE COMMUNICATION IN WIRELESS ACCESS SYSTEM AND APPARATUS THEREFOR - The present invention provides a method for performing device-to-device communication in a wireless access system that supports the device-to-device communication and an apparatus therefor. Specifically, the invention comprises the steps of: receiving, from a base station, device-to-device communication parameters for broadcasted device-to-device communication; transmitting a detection signal to one or more devices using the received device-to-device communication parameters; receiving, from the one or more devices, link measurement information for measuring a link between a first device and the one or more devices using the detection signal; selecting a second device for performing the device-to-device communication from the one or more devices using the link measurement information; and performing the device-to-device communication with the selected second device. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057671 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INFORMING A DISPATCHER OF CONVENTIONAL TRAFFIC IN A DIFFERENT AND CONFLICTING TALKGROUP - A method for providing an indicator to a dispatcher of traffic on a shared multi-talkgroup channel is provided. The method includes initiating and transmitting a first communication on a first talkgroup over the multi-talkgroup channel, receiving a notification at a first dispatch console indicating a presence of traffic on the multi-talkgroup channel that will conflict with a second talkgroup during the first communication, wherein the first dispatch console is subscribed to participate in the second talkgroup on the multi-talkgroup channel, and generating an indicator at the first dispatch console indicating to a dispatcher the presence of traffic on the multi-talkgroup channel that will conflict with the second talkgroup during the first communication. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057672 | CONTACT MANAGEMENT - Contact management using a callsheet record, including: enabling a user to make entries and selections to the callsheet record, wherein the entries and selections to the callsheet record creates call scripts and tracks results and status of calls made by the user; and storing the entries and selections made to the callsheet record for future reference and modification. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057673 | MULTIPLE-PROCESSOR WIRELESS MOBILE COMMUNICATION DEVICE - A wireless mobile communication device includes a first processor configured to execute a software application and a second processor configured to manage wireless communication over a wireless network. The processors are located in the same communication device and configured for one of the processors to send data to the other processor under a protocol. In accordance with this protocol, if the sending processor does not receive a receipt acknowledgement for the sent data from the other processor before the end of a resend time period measured from when the data was sent, then the sending processor resends the data to the other processor after the end of the resend time period. However, the sending processor does receive the acknowledgement before the end of the resend time period, then the sending processor does not resend the data to the other processor. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057674 | MOBILE COMMUNICATION TERMINAL, DISPLAY METHOD FOR THE SAME, AND DISPLAY CONTROL PROGRAM - Provided is a mobile communication terminal wherein the kind of a communication system scheduled to be used for next communication can be distinguished obviously at a glance. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057675 | ADAPTIVE VISUAL OUTPUT BASED ON CHANGE IN DISTANCE OF A MOBILE DEVICE TO A USER - Systems, storage medium, and methods associated with adaptive visual output on a mobile device are disclosed herein. In embodiments, a storage medium may have instructions to enable the mobile device to determine a change in a distance between the mobile device and a user of the mobile device. The instruction may also enable the mobile device to operate an end-user application that may adaptively present a visual output based at least in part on a result of the change in the distance. Other embodiments may be disclosed or claimed. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057676 | SHARED SECRET ARRANGEMENTS AND OPTICAL DATA TRANSFER - Digital data is optically broadcast through an environment by controllably switching the brightness or chrominance of LED solid state lamps, or of other illumination sources (e.g., television screens and backlit computer displays). This optical data channel is useful to convey cryptographic key data by which devices within the environment can authenticate themselves to a secure network. In some embodiments, the optical modulation is sensed by the camera of a smartphone. The row data output by the smartphone's camera sensor is processed to extract the modulated data signal. In some monochrome embodiments, data communication speeds far in excess of the camera's frame rate (e.g., 30/second), or even the camera's row rate (e.g., 14,400/second) are achieved. Still greater rates can be achieved by conveying different data in different chrominance channels. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057677 | Tablet or Smart Phone Compatible Fish Finder Device - A fish finder system, comprising a sonar gadget, which communicates with a display device via digital wireless communication. The system contains a software product, which runs both on the sonar gadget and the display device, wherein the gadget part of the software is preferably adapted to run on an embedded microcontroller system and the user display device part of the software is preferably a downloadable application adapted to run on portable communication devices, such as smart phones, tablet computers, laptops or the like. Said display device part of the software is adapted not only to visualize the obstacles with indication of depth, size and movement, but also provide additional functionality, such as access to a camera device, digital maps and GPS, social network accounts, weather information and forecast, calendar with notes, information on moon phases and other kinds of information found on the Internet. Both software parts allow update functionality. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057678 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR LEVERAGING A MOBILE PHONE OR MOBILE COMPUTING DEVICE FOR USE IN CONTROLLING MODEL VEHICLES - Methods and systems for utilizing a mobile computing device (e.g., such as a mobile phone) for use in controlling a model vehicle are described. Consistent with some embodiments, a mobile computing device provides various user controls for generating signals that are communicated to a radio transmitter device coupled with the mobile computing device, and ultimately broadcast to a receiver residing at a model vehicle. With some embodiments, the mobile computing device may be integrated with a controller housing which provides separate user controls, such that a combination of user controls present on the mobile computing device and the controller housing can be used to control a model vehicle. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057679 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR OPTIMIZATION OF SIM CARD INITIALIZATION - Methods and apparatus for initializing a SIM card may include sending a request to read a file from the SIM card. In addition, the methods and apparatus may include receiving a SIM version identifier for the file from the SIM card and determining whether the SIM version identifier matches a cached version identified in a cache. When the SIM version identifier matches the cached version identifier, the methods and apparatus may include accessing the file from the cache. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057680 | SYSTEM FOR MANAGING MULTIPLE SUBSCRIPTIONS IN A UICC - The invention relates to a system for managing multiple subscriptions in a UICC, this system comprising a central server able to manage subscriptions stored on a UICC comprised in a mobile terminal in the field, at the request of a subscriber of one of these subscriptions. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057681 | Adaptive Noise Mitigation for Touch-Screen Displays - Touch-screen controllers, particularly those in mobile telephones, are prone to erratic behavior when the mobile telephone is plugged into devices, such as AC power adapters, that create electrical noise. To more intelligently mitigate noise in these and other electronic devices that include capacitive touch-screen displays, the present inventors devised, among other things, a touch-screen controller that measures noise level in the touch-screen display and increases its drive voltage only when necessary to exceed the measured noise level, thereby reducing the chance of noise signals being misinterpreted as touch events while also reducing power consumption over prior techniques. Moreover, for electronic devices that include radio receivers, intelligently increasing the touch-screen voltages based on measured noise, avoids the sensitivity-reduction (desense) issues that providing constant higher operating voltage creates. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057682 | ENHANCED MOBILE DEVICE HAVING MULTIPLE HOUSING CONFIGURATIONS - An apparatus comprises a first housing having a top surface and a bottom surface, a second housing having a top surface and a bottom surface, and one or more supports coupling the first housing to the second housing such that the first and second housings are electrically connected and the bottom surface of the first housing overlays the top surface of the second housing. The one or more supports are configurable in at least a first configuration wherein the bottom surface of the first housing and the top surface of the second housing are substantially contiguous with one another and a second configuration wherein the bottom surface of the first housing and the top surface of the second housing are separated by a space. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057683 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING LIGHT EMITTING ELEMENTS IN TERMINAL DEVICE AND TERMINAL DEVICE - A method for controlling light emitting elements includes: obtaining a first light intensity value detected by an ambient light sensor in a terminal device and obtaining a second light intensity value detected by an image capturing apparatus in the terminal device under same lighting conditions; determining a standard light intensity value corresponding to the second light intensity value according to a preset mapping between a light intensity value of the image capturing apparatus and a standard light intensity value of the ambient light sensor; obtaining a calibration parameter for the ambient light sensor according to the first light intensity value and the standard light intensity value; obtaining a detected light intensity value detected by the ambient light sensor when light emitting elements in the terminal device need to be controlled; and controlling the light emitting elements in the terminal device according to the detected light intensity value and the calibration parameter. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057684 | POWER LOOP CONTROL BASED ENVELOPE TRACKING - Configuration-feedback circuitry and transceiver circuitry are disclosed. The configuration-feedback circuitry regulates an output power from a radio frequency power amplifier based on a difference between a target output power from the radio frequency power amplifier and a measured output power from the radio frequency power amplifier. The transceiver circuitry regulates a modulated power supply voltage, which is used by the radio frequency power amplifier to provide power for amplification, based on the difference between the target output power from the radio frequency power amplifier and the measured output power from the radio frequency power amplifier. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057685 | Cell Phone Case Audio Amplifying Device - A cell phone case audio amplifying device includes a cell phone case. The cell phone case has a sound wave guiding duct or a sound wave guiding trench corresponding in position to an audio outlet of a speaker of a cell phone. The sound wave guiding duct opens at two ends thereof and widens gradually while extending lengthwise to thereby amplify sound at least threefold. A sound wave outlet is disposed on a lateral side of the cell phone case. The sound wave outlet is in communication with a largest opening side of the sound wave guiding duct. The sound wave outlet enables the amplified sound to propagate to the outside efficiently, such that the cell phone case is capable of audio amplification. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057686 | PROTECTIVE COVER FOR A WIRELESS DEVICE - In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a protective cover configured to attach to a wireless device having an exterior surface. The surface includes a first portion and a second portion mutually exclusive from the first portion. The second portion of the surface is associated with at least a portion of an antenna of the wireless device that performs proximity sensing for the wireless device. The protective cover is configured to cover the first portion of the surface when the protective cover is attached to the wireless device. The protective cover is configured to not cover the second portion of the surface when the protective cover is attached to the wireless device. As a result, the proximity sensing and/or the power transmitted by the antenna are not affected by the protective cover when the protective cover is attached to the wireless device and when the wireless device is operational. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057687 | CELLULAR PHONE CASE - The present invention relates to a protective case for cellular phones. By letting the cellular phone be closely fixed by a cellular phone supporting fixture elastically fixed with springs and plate springs attached to a protection cover when holding the cellular phone, in order to be capable of accommodating and fixing a wide range of cellular phones which slightly differ in size, thickness, model and etc. between cellular phone supporting fixture and plate spring, and by pulling out a moving board where the cellular phone is kept upward a fixed board when taking photographs with the cellular phone, users are able to take photographs in the condition in which a camera lens of the cellular phone is exposed outside the cellular phone case. Diverse types and functions of wallet receptacles can be combined on the face outside the main body of the cellular phone case. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057688 | MOBILE ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND WATERPROOF COVER - A mobile electronic device includes: a body unit that includes a waterproof area; and a cover unit that covers the waterproof area. One of the cover unit and the body unit includes: a sealing member that contacts a contact surface formed on a same plane as the other all along the periphery of the waterproof area, and seals the waterproof area; and a regulation unit that regulates the position of the sealing member. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057689 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MULTI-PLAYER ONLINE FARO GAME - A game system comprising a plurality of card rank icons, each card rank icon represents one of a plurality of types of cards. A plurality of case keep icons, each case keep icon represents a number of cards of one rank that have been played in a game, wherein one or more of the case keep icons further comprises a denomination field displaying a denomination of a card associated with the case keep icon and a plurality of status indicators disposed around a periphery of the denomination field. A plurality of wager icons configured to be generated on a user display, each wager icon configured to graphically represent a bet on one or more of the card ranks by overlapping one, two or four of the card rank icons. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057690 | METHOD OF PROVIDING ASSOCIATED WAGERING GAME FOR BLACKJACK - Systems, methods and apparatus for providing, hosting and conducting a wagering game associated with Blackjack, which includes steps and/or components configured for generating a random initial hand of playing cards in the underlying game to form an initial player hand and an initial dealer hand; comparing the random initial player hand of playing cards with a preset qualifying criteria comprising the initial player hand being composed of playing cards which are consecutively ranked; conducting the Blackjack game until a final outcome is achieved; determining a payout award which is at least partially determined by the number of consecutively ranked playing cards in the final player hand if the preset qualifying criteria is satisfied by the initial player hand; and providing the determined payout award or collecting the wager if the preset qualifying criteria is not satisfied. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057691 | INTELLIGENT BOARD GAME SYSTEM WITH VISUAL MARKER BASED GAME OBJECT TRACKING AND IDENTIFICATION - A board game system comprises one or more game objects, a processing device, a memory device and one or more cameras. Each of the game objects comprise a unique visual marker positioned on a top surface of the game object, wherein the unique visual marker comprises a series of concentric rings that represent data that uniquely identifies the game object. As s result, during the course of game play, the location and identification of the game objects are able to be determined by the processing device by analyzing images captured by the one or more cameras of the visual markers of the game objects on the game board. The processing device is able to compare the data of the visual markers to a table stored in the memory device that associates the data with a specific game object. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057692 | System and Method for Implementing an Additional Game to Players of a Lottery Game - A computer-implemented system and method for providing a lottery game includes providing players with a unique validation code for each desired play of a lottery game. A first encryption code is generated for each validation code and stored so that the first encryption code and algorithm are present only as electronic data in the computer system and are not provided to the players. Players submit their respective unique validation code for registration in the lottery game and the computer system applies the algorithm to each code submitted by a player to create a second encryption code for each unique validation code. The computer system compares the second encryption code with a record of the first encryption codes to determine whether a match exists between the second encryption code and one of the first encryption codes. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057693 | WAGERING GAME WITH PLAYER ACTIVATED SPECIAL FUNCTION WHICH SIMULATES PREDICTING THE GAME OUTCOME - A gaming system, apparatus, and method are disclosed with one or more special function zones which allow player interaction in a manner that simulates a good luck charm predicting the future game outcome. A preferred version provides a slot machine game with a special function zone beside the reels presented as a selectable “good luck charm,” which is seen in certain circumstances to predict the outcome of a reel spin. If the player touches the charm at any time, it animates with a first animation. There is a second, different animation that the charm can do while the reels are spinning This second animation foreshadows a reel stop which will hit a designated high-value outcome. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057694 | WAGERING GAME WITH SPECIAL FUNCTION COMMUNICATING MULTIPLE MEANINGS - A gaming system, apparatus, and method are disclosed with one or more special function zones which foreshadow or hint at game results in a manner designed to create a lucky or positive impression with the player. A preferred version provides a slot machine game with a special function zone behind and around the reels, which animates in certain circumstances to predict the outcome of a reel spin. The animation may have different meanings depending on the context within the game. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057695 | UNITY REEL GAMING MACHINE AND METHOD OF PLAY - A gaming machine and method featuring a plurality of matrices and a common game position or reel separate from, and positioned between, the plurality of matrices. Each of the plurality of matrices have a plurality of game positions and the plurality of matrices and common position are configured to display a game element selected from a population of game elements. During play of the game the game, the game positions and common position are randomly populated with game elements to form a configuration of game elements. The configuration of game elements forming predetermined winning and non-winning outcomes. The game element populated at the common position being evaluated in combination with game elements of adjacent game positions on the plurality of matrices in determining whether a winning outcome has resulted. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057696 | 3D REELS - A mechanical reel ( | 2014-02-27 |
20140057697 | GAMING SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR OPERATING GAMING SYSTEMS - At a first point in time, a first game outcome is determined in association with a play of a first game, the determined first game outcome is displayed, any first game award associated with the determined first game outcome is displayed, and if a second game triggering event occurs in association with the play of the first game, a second game outcome is determined in association with a play of the second game, the determined second game outcome is displayed, and any second game award associated with the determined second game outcome is displayed. At a second, different point in time, independent of any occurrence of any second game triggering event, a second game outcome in association with a play of the second game is determined, the determined second game outcome is displayed, and c any second game award associated with the determined second game outcome is displayed. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057698 | GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING A CASCADING SYMBOL GAME INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF INDEPENDENT REELS WHICH PROVIDE A STACKED SYMBOL FUNCTIONALITY - A gaming system displays a plurality of independent reels, wherein each independent reel generates a symbol from a plurality of symbol positions of that independent reel in accordance with a plurality of probabilities. At least two adjacent independent reels generate symbols according to relatively high probabilities of generating a designated symbol. For a play of the game, the gaming system generates and displays a symbol for each independent reel and provides an award for any displayed winning symbol combinations. In one embodiment, for at least one symbol position of at least one winning symbol combination, the gaming system re-generates a symbol for one or more independent, such as by displaying a symbol from an adjacent symbol position of that independent reel. The gaming system provides an award for any winning symbol combinations and repeats until no winning symbol combinations are displayed. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057699 | WILD SYMBOL BONUS GAME CONFIGURATION - A bonus game is initiated, with a processor, based upon a predetermined criteria in a base game being met, the bonus game having a plurality of bonus game reels. Further, an initial random spinning is performed, with the processor, of the plurality of bonus game reels to obtain an initial plurality of bonus game symbols on each of the plurality of bonus game reels. In addition, the process provides a prize distribution based upon the initial plurality of bonus game symbols matching at least one of a plurality of predetermined paylines. A random determination, for each of the initial plurality of bonus game symbols that is not a wild symbol, is performed to determine a wild transformation status based upon the initial plurality of bonus game symbols not matching the at least one of the plurality of predetermined paylines. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057700 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR TRACKING GAMING ACTIVITY - A gaming machine and method for tracking the activity of a user of a gaming machine includes a server with a database, the server being connected in communication with the gaming machine. The gaming machine assigns an account number to a user and creates and prints a tracking ticket for said user. The tracking ticket, in one embodiment, is erasable and re-printable by the gaming machine, and includes a respective code for the account number, but does not display personally identifiable information. The gaming machine creates a record in said database and assigns the account number to the record as a key value. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057701 | GAMING INCENTIVES BASED ON MEASURED EFFECT OF USER WEB ACTIVITY - A gaming system includes at least one gaming server having at least one processor and at least one memory device storing instructions. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one gaming server to assign one or more unique identifiers to a registrant, monitor for web activity associated with the one or more unique identifiers and initiated by the registrant, measure an effect of the web activity, and convert the measured effect into a gaming incentive. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057702 | System and Method for Providing a Mystery Prize - A system and method are set forth for offering a mystery award amongst a plurality of gaming devices. Based upon the play of a base game, the players are provided with an initial instance of a mystery game presentation such as a Bingo card. Players may increase their chances of winning by acquiring, for value, addition Bingo cards to be played with each base game play. For each base game play a determination is made as to whether a predetermined trigger condition has been satisfied. If it has the host computer sends a signal to a local controller to control one or more winning game instances to display a winning sequence to accompany and award. If the trigger condition is not satisfied, the local controller controls the display to display losing game sequences. Various trigger conditions may be used including basing a trigger on odds related to the game instance type. The game instance type can be Bingo, Keno, Poker, a sporting event or other event. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057703 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INTEGRATED MULTIPLE SOURCE PLAYER CASH ACCESS - The present invention relates to a system and method for integrating player tracking and cash access in a casino or other gaming environment. One aspect of the invention allows for fund access and management wherein gaming machines, such as slot machines or on-line virtual gaming machines, receive playable credits directly from a patron's banking or credit card account. Another aspect of the present invention relates to integrating player tracking and cash access transactions by allowing the players to provide a player tracking card for each financial transaction conducted in a gaming environment. In return, the casino issues gaming or bonus points to the players for allowing their transactions to be tracked. Yet another aspect of the present invention consolidates the players' financial account information into a single casino database. Players can subsequently credit or debit cash from the players' financial accounts using any associated customer identification cards or otherwise receive such credits in other forms that permit negotiations, including quasi-cash documents. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057704 | Method and System for Transfer of Credits Between Gaming Machines - A method and system for use in an establishment with an attendant responsible for monitoring and handling activity on a group of electronic gaming machines in a gaming establishment. Once a player has gaming credits available for play on an electronic gaming machine, the player may elect to continue play, cash-out or transfer credits to a different electronic gaming machine in the establishment. In the event the player elects either a cash-out or a transfer, the player alerts the attendant and the attendant executes a sequence of operations on the system to make a hand pay to the player, provide a credit voucher or to transfer the available credits to a different electronic gaming machine. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057705 | Methods and Systems for Rewarding Friends of a Player Based on Bonus Qualifying Condition Triggered by Player - In accordance with some embodiments, provided herein are systems, methods and articles of manufacture for providing bonuses to player of games (e.g., online wagering games) based on the achievement of a qualifying event by another player (e.g., a friend of the players who are provided the bonuses). In accordance with some embodiments, such bonuses are funded out of respective bonus funding accounts maintained and managed for the players (which may be game-specific). In accordance with some embodiments, such bonus funding accounts may be maintained for players without the player's knowledge or control and may be funded based on gaming activity of the players (e.g., a portion of each wager made by a player may be contributed to the balance of the player's bonus funding account). | 2014-02-27 |
20140057706 | REMOTE BETTING IN LIVE GAMES - In one aspect, a method for remote betting is provided, the method including identifying one or more open live games available for betting, receiving a betting request from a user to place one or more bets on one or more outcomes of one or more games of the one or more open live games, determining an outcome of the one or more games, wherein the outcome of the game is determined based on real-time gaming information received from one or more sources and initiating a financial transaction to settle the one or more bets placed by the user at least in part based on the determine outcome of the one or more games. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057707 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING FOR DISPOSITION OF PROMOTIONAL OFFERS IN A WAGERING ENVIRONMENT - Disclosed are data processing apparatus, systems, and methods implemented over a gaming network for providing for disposition of promotional offers in a wager-based gaming environment. A monitoring engine receives an identification of a promotional offer as having an unredeemed status. A determining engine determines that the promotional offer having the unredeemed status satisfies one or more parameters to designate the promotional offer for an auction. Such designation is independent of real-time wager-based game play in the gaming network. An auction control engine provides the designated promotional offer as an item to be auctioned in the wager-based gaming network. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057708 | MANAGEMENT OF PAYMENT OBLIGATIONS AMONG PLAYERS - In a video game different players can enter contracts and engage in various simple or complex financial transactions employing credit systems such as credit cards, other financial instruments and other mechanisms to facilitate the enforcement of such contracts. Default on agreements by players or player characters can result in financial penalties which the video game system can apply. | 2014-02-27 |
20140057709 | NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM AND INFORMATION PROCESSING DEVICE - The game program according to the present invention causes a computer to perform a registering process to register in advance in a storage unit attribute information specified by the player, an offering process to offer the game content to the player, a judgment process to compare the attribute information of the game content offered to the specified attribute information, a combining process to combine the game content offered with another game content to create a combined game content, and a recording process to record in the storage unit the combined game content as the game content owned by the player, without recording in the storage unit the game content offered as the game content owned by the player. | 2014-02-27 |