Nokia Corporation

Nokia Mobile Phones Limited

Stephan Meyers

Jouka Mikael Mattila

Jussi Pekka Holopainen

Hannu Olavi Nieminen

Eero Räsänen

Janne Uusilehto

Terje Lundin

Jonka Mattila

A method and system for distributing digital information is disclosed. Preferably, a user acquires a tangible object which contain a code authorizing access to the digital information. The user reads the tangible object through a reader, which sends the code to a server on which the digital information is stored. The server then authorizes access to the digital information to one or more access devices listed in registries belonging to the user. The user may use the digital information on the terms he agrees to, and, while in use by the user, access to the digital information to other users or other playback devices is disabled. Once the user no longer is using the digital information, the access device erases the digital information, and signals the server that the digital information is no longer in use, thereby re-enabling access to the digital information by the other playback devices listed in the registry.

Method and system for managing rights in digital information over a network

An apparatus for using metadata to more precisely process displayed content may include a processor executing stored instructions, which causes the apparatus to at least receive an image data frame including pixels having a visual object(s), wherein bits in the image data frame includes pixel data for a single pixel. The pixel data includes content and metadata fields. The metadata field includes a value. The metadata value indicates that the single pixel is part of a visual object in a category. The execution of the stored instructions may also cause the apparatus to identify pixels including a visual object by their metadata fields. The pixels include a visual object identifiable within the image data frame such that certain operations are performed on the pixels forming an individual visual object separate from pixels forming remaining visual objects in the visual field. Corresponding methods and computer program products are also provided.

Statistical metering and filtering of content via pixel-based metadata

Method for generating a virtual radio or television broadcast by downloading data, including content, information, and advertising, in any order from a Web site on the Internet. The data is downloaded to a device that is preferably portable, such an MP3 player or a mobile phone, and can be connected intermittently to the Internet over a wireless connection. Software loaded on the device uses an algorithm, specified by a user or otherwise, to organize the downloaded data into a particular order, such as into a conventional radio or television-style broadcast format. User data and preferences can also be uploaded to the Web site to influence the type of data that is downloaded. A virtual periodically-updated newscast can be similarly generated.

Cache device and method for generating a virtual radio or television broadcast

System and method for public wireless network access subsidized by dynamic display advertising that includes a mobile device at a location, such as a commercial establishment, detecting the presence of a Local Area Network (LAN). The mobile device requests access to the LAN from node, e.g., a hub, on the LAN. The hub requests identification information from the mobile device. The mobile device sends user information that includes identification and demographic information about a user of the mobile device to the hub. The hub gives access to the LAN to the mobile device. The mobile device now has access to a global communication data network, such as the Internet, through the hub on the LAN. The hub sends the demographic information about the users of all mobile devices at the location to an advertising server. The hub receives commercial messages from the advertising server. The commercial messages are selected based on the demographic information of the users. The hub sends the commercial messages to a display where they are displayed at the location for viewing by the users.

System and method for public wireless network access subsidized by dynamic display advertising

A portable rating apparatus for rating one of audio and video content. The apparatus includes a user-manipulable control dedicated for generating a signal indicating a rating of a media content. The rating corresponds to one of a plurality of categories of preferences. A processor, operatively connected to the user-manipulable control, receives the signal from the user-manipulable control and associates the rating with the media content. A memory device, operatively connected to the processor, stores the rating associated with the media content.

Portable device attached to a media player for rating audio/video contents

A method and apparatus for conducting multi-player games in a wireless telecommunications system including a wireless telecommunications network which communicates using radio signals with a plurality of mobile terminals. The objects of the multi-player games are accomplished in the invention by passing a virtual ball between the mobile terminals. The virtual ball can be passed between the mobile terminals using various means including infrared (IR) transmission, a call being placed, Short Message Service (SMS), or short range radio apparatus. The virtual ball could include data or information regarding the game and/or advertising or promotional information regarding products or services being offered. The data or information in the virtual ball is automatically displayed on the display of the mobile terminal upon receiving the virtual ball.

Electronically augmented multiplayer sporting game with virtual ball passed by infrared apparatus

A system for viewing information is provided and includes an electronic book having a display and a cover containing an electronic code associated with the information. When the cover is coupled to the electronic book, the information is viewable in the display and when the cover is not coupled to the electronic book, the information is not viewable in the display.

Tangibly encoded media identification in a book cover

A tangible icon is permanently encoded with a URL of a first network object. Links ('shortcuts') to other network objects are assigned as the contents of the first network object. A person in possession of the tangible icon can gain access to the other network objects without having to remember or enter their URLs, but need only present the physical icon to a reader. The system and method uses the URI encoded on the tangible icon to access the network object and to resolve the links contained therein to provide the contents of the linked objects. The number and size of the other network objects the user can access are virtually unlimited. The user gains access to the current version of an object.

Tangible icon representing network objects

The invention relates to a method and arrangement for using location data in a cellular network. The cellular network includes a centralized map data bank () in which the map data are arranged in accordance with the quadtree hierarchy. The terminal includes a presentation means () for displaying map data according to the quadtree hierarchy. Some of the terminal's function keys () are arranged so as to function as selection keys for fetching more detailed map screens of the quadtree hierarchy to the display. The map data and possible auxiliary data fetched from the map data bank are saved in the terminal's memory for later use.

Method and arrangement for arranging, selecting and displaying location data in a cellular telephone system, and a terminal of a cellular network

A portable video switching device receives video streams from a multiple number of different video capture devices located remotely and selects one of the video streams for further transmission. The portable video switching device receives video streams via wired, wireless or mobile telecommunication network connection and has video production capability to manipulate the selected video stream to add special effects, fading and the like.

Remote server switching of video streams

A method and apparatus for conducting multi-player games in a wireless telecommunications system including a wireless telecommunications network which communicates using radio signals with a plurality of mobile terminals. The objects of the multi-player games are accomplished in the invention by passing a virtual ball between the mobile terminals. The virtual ball can be passed between the mobile terminals by infrared (IR) transmission from IR apparatus included as part of each mobile terminal, by a call being placed through the wireless telecommunications system between mobile terminals, by a Short Message Service (SMS) message which is transmitted by a Short Message Service Center (SMSC) of the wireless telecommunications system, or by short range radio apparatus which operates according to the Bluetooth Standard. The virtual ball could include data or information regarding the game and/or advertising or promotional information regarding products or services being offered. The data or information in the virtual ball is automatically displayed on the display of the mobile terminal upon receiving the virtual ball.

A method and apparatus for acquiring and storing data in association with a mode annotation is disclosed. The apparatus has a plurality of operating modes and a storage device for storing acquired data elements. In the method, one of the plurality of operating modes is selected. A mode annotation which is indicative of the selected operating mode is selected thereafter. While the apparatus is operated in the selected operating mode, one or more data elements are acquired and stored in association with the mode annotation on the storage device. The apparatus and method disclosed enables acquired data to be efficiently recalled on the basis of associated operating mode annotations.

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Tampere, Finland

Stephan Meyers