WO2001037518A2

WO2001037518A2 - Mobile support system

Info

Publication number: WO2001037518A2
Application number: PCT/IL2000/000745
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ehud Spiegel; Haim Schlesinger; Ziv Koren; Oded Melinek
Original assignee: Netprox Corporation
Priority date: 1999-11-14
Filing date: 2000-11-14
Publication date: 2001-05-25
Also published as: IL138836A0; AU1297901A; WO2001037518A3

Abstract

Data provision apparatus (1400), comprising: a clip store containing a plurality of definitions of data elements, at least two of said definitions for two different data sources; a data extractor adapted for extracting data matching said definitions, from a plurality of unrelated data sources, said data being arranged by said sources for visual display; and a data pusher adapted for forwarding at least an indication of said extracted data to a user in the form of an alert.

Description

MOBILE SUPPORT SYSTEM FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the processing and use of information over mobile networks, for example serving cellular users using virtual resources. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Although the Internet allows any person to look for any data or post any data, many persons are not technically proficient in accessing the Internet, lack the time to search for data and/or the costs of maintaining a WWW site up to date are beyond their means. Thus, the actual level of use of the Internet is lower than what is technically possible, due to various entry barriers.

Due to the proliferation of different formats on the Internet, not all browsers are compatible with all sites, for example, WAP data can only be viewed by WAP browsers on cellular telephones.

Web clipping is a process in which a user indicates and copies a specific part of a WWW page. Comverse Technologies Ltd., markets a web clipping software called Infopeeler, that allows a user to mark a portion of interest on a page, by converting the displayed text of the WWW page into links.

EZLogin Inc. and Octopus Inc., market products that allow a user to define a profile, which profile includes an indication of areas of interest on various WWW pages. When the user connects to the service, a page containing the areas of interest is displayed.

Additional services exist that contact an information provider and request information, in a raw format.

Also known are alerting services provided by particular Internet sites, for example sending an e-mail to a user when a new potential date logs on (e.g., in dating service or stock market).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An aspect of some embodiments of the invention relates to an open global mobile Internet Infrastructure, that allows data from substantially any Internet source (or other networked sources) to be provided to a user. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the user uses a cellular telephone and/or other devices that have gained widespread user acceptance, alternatively or additionally to using a personal computer with a browser. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, data that a user is interested in chases the user, rather than the user looking for the data. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the data is provided in the form of an alert to the user, for example to a user's cellular telephone. An aspect of some exemplary embodiments of the invention relates to a method of monitoring arbitrary WWW sites. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a user defines a portion of a site to be of interest. That portion maybe defined in spatial terms, for example relative to landmarks on the WWW page, or relative to a table or one or more anchor terms in the page. A monitoring server periodically views the page and determines if changes occurred in the monitored region. If changes occurred and optionally if the changes match a change defined by the user as reportable, the changes are reported to the user.

An aspect of some embodiments of the invention relates to a cellular infrastructure architecture for providing resources to mobile users. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the resources comprise one or more of processing power, long and/or short term storage, application software and/or data. Optionally, a resource may be shared between and/or accessible by multiple mobile users, or between mobile and fixed users, for example, a blackboard. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, some or all of the processing is performed by the infrastructure, rather than by the user's mobile device. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a user using such provided resources can function as if he had a full functionality personal computer on his mobile device. Optionally, a user defines which services he would prefer. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the resources are located in servers, which are optionally connected by the Internet network or a similar network. The user's device is optionally connected to the server using a WAP or other protocol capable of connecting to the network. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the resources are treated as virtual resources, such as virtual memory, virtual processors, virtual servers (e.g., for services and applications) or even a virtual computer. Thus, the distributed nature of the resources and the user may be transparent to some application programs and visible to others. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, as the user moves between cells, the resources move with him (optionally based on a prediction of movement), to keep the resource at a proximity (geographical or communication wise) to him. Alternatively or additionally, any application executed by the user on the virtual processor may take the user's instant and/or projected location into account. Although the virtual server and the virtual resources are optionally united, in some cases, one or both may be geographically distributed and/or the server and the resources geographically separated. In one example, audio is provided from one source (storage server) and video is provided from a second source. These types of multimedia data, for example, may be processed and/or stored remotely from their fixed depository, for example at nearby cell stations. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a user can tradeoff between quality of information, quality of delivery (e.g., glitches and burps), cost and level of confidence in meeting the requested parameters.

In accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the invention, the user's details and preferences used to personalize his interaction with location based services and/or other cellular services and/or other types of services. The preferences (and/or other user associated information) may be stored, for example, at a central database with some or all of the preferences for other users. Alternatively or additionally, the preferences may be stored at the user's home computer. Alternatively or additionally, some or all of the preferences may be stored at one or more service or content provider. Optionally, a same set of preferences is used for one or more of personalizing Internet, cellular and/or other services.

In accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the invention, the data according to user's preferences is updated responsive to the specific location of the user. Alternatively or additionally, the data is updated responsive to an expected location, path and/or schedule of the user. Alternatively or additionally, the data according to user's preferences is updated responsive to the expected arrival time at a specific location. An example of a large data set which needs to be set up in advance is entertainment material, such as movies, for viewing on the cellular phone, or for feeding, through the cellular telephone, to a local viewer, such as one positioned on a train or in an airport. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the viewer includes a cable for connecting it to the cellular telephone.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the virtual computing resources support web browsing. Alternatively or additionally, the user may scroll web pages while only a relevant portion of them is shown on the user's device screen. The rest of the web page or other data being scrolled through may be stored on a blackboard at the virtual server. Such a blackboard may take into account the user's current or predicted position, for example with part or all of the blackboard representing a map, which the user can scroll through relative to his current position. Newly arriving data, updated data or processing results which are relevant for a geographical location may be displayed in a corresponding position, possibly with a notice being forwarded to the user as well. Such a blackboard may include several layers, for example for different uses, for representing different possible future outcomes (e.g., paths) and/or for representing a time axis (e.g., a different layer for each time period).

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a virtual processor and/or other resource is used for coordinating between two cellular telephone users or a cellular telephone user and a computer user. In one example, a blackboard is shared by the two users. Alternatively or additionally, a same virtual processor is used by both users. Alternatively or additionally, a same resource is shared by the two users. In another application, one user can drag items from his blackboard (or cellular display) to a different user's blackboard (or cellular display). Possibly, only a portion of the users' blackboards is shared. In exemplary applications, two users can play a game via the virtual processor. Alternatively or additionally, other types of consumer-consumer contact may be facilitated by the virtual processor.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, several virtual computing resources may be combined in order to increase performance for single or multiple users. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the virtual computing resources are utilized and/or combined more efficiently based on knowing the users locations and predicted locations.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a large file may be broken up into possibly overlapping sections and each section distributed in advance to a different cellular station. This distribution may be based, for example, on an expected schedule such as a train schedule, on which train the user is located or usually takes. Alternatively or additionally, the user can inform the system of his expected path. Alternatively or additionally, the system can predict the path, for example based on previous user patterns and/or on real-time information regarding transportation problems. Possibly, some amount of transportation of data files in real-time will be required as the actual path unfolds. Possibly, the switching of a user between cells is dedicated by the convenience of transporting data to the user (e.g., availability at the cell station) and not only on quality of contact and/or load considerations.

Alternatively, real-time transmission of the required data from the source to the user is provided. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the path prediction is used to pre- allocate communication channels for transporting the data as needed, rather than attempting to receive the bandwidth ad-hoc.

Optionally, a hierarchy of base stations is provided, for example responsive to the ease in data transfer therebetween. In an exemplary application, data files or data file portions are provided to a "parent" base station and then forwarded to a "child" base station, based on need. Alternatively to a strict hierarchical organization, other organization methods may be used, for example, the cells may be grouped as sets, possibly with fuzzy or overlapping borders, and data transferred mainly between members of a same set, rather than between sets.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the virtual server operating for a cellular user exhibits agent like behavior. Optionally, this agent can continue its activity even when the cellular telephone is off, busy with a call or out of contact. Possibly, in such cases, the processing is delegated to a user's physical processor, such as one at home, as short response times may not be needed, while processing may be cheaper and/or more available there.

Alternatively or additionally, the processing may be routed to other parts of the virtual network. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the virtual agent is interposed between the Internet and the cellular telephone, so sensitive personal data need not travel on the

Internet.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the agent also serves as a log device.

Alternatively or additionally, the agent may serve as a reminder system, for example in conjunction with a scheduler. Alternatively or additionally, the agent may receive instructions from the cellular telephone user, for example by key-presses or by voice recognition.

An aspect of some exemplary embodiments of the invention relates to connecting between small service providers and simple users. Optionally the connection method includes a server that reduces the level of computer proficiency needed by the service provider (e.g., for configuring and/or maintaining the connection). Alternatively or additionally, the proficiency level of a content user is reduced, for example allowing a user to define what information and/or messages he desires, in a single manner over a plurality of WWW sites.

An aspect of some embodiments of the invention relates to the integration of a cellular telephone interface with a PC based interface. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the interface is used for interacting with an services on the Internet, from a plurality of different devices. Alternatively or additionally, the interface is used for supporting cooperation between multiple users.

In an exemplary embodiment, the interface comprises an Explorer Bar (or corresponding software mechanism) on an Internet explorer browsing software (or on a corresponding software). This explorer bar may be activated in a similar manner to the

"history" or "favorites" explorer bars. Optionally, location based services are provided via such an explorer bar.

An aspect of some exemplary embodiments of the invention relates to a cellular telephone device forming a single interface of a user with a plurality of communication and data processing equipment irrespective of the user's location, and optionally, by being aware of a user's location, enhancing the services provided to the user. Thus, a user can interface a single data store and schedule irrespective of his location. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the user can access a schedule on a virtual processor using a home PC or using a cellular telephone. Alternatively or additionally, a user can control household systems by his cellular telephone communicating, through a remote server with the home computer, which computer controls elements of the household system. Thus, a cellular telephone can be used as a remote control for a television or other devices at home, including the computer itself. An aspect of some exemplary embodiments of the invention relates to emulating a cellular telephone using a computer, a set-top box or other electronic equipment. One expected result is that a same user interface can be used for a variety of devices. Alternatively or additionally, non-cellular telephone devices can use the tricks and techniques developed to assist in using a cellular telephone, to make their interface simpler and/or more accessible to plain users.

Optionally, location based services can be applied towards the home computer or other electronic device that is emulating the cellular telephone, since their location is known. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a precise location for the cellular telephone, which can be fed to a computer location server or to the cellular provider, is generated from the exact location of the computer, which can be known in advance or possibly determined using other means such as a GPS receiver on the computer. Alternatively or additionally, other cellular location methods may be used. Alternatively or additionally, a user can input a virtual location, at the cellular telephone and/or at the home computer to provide a virtual presence, in which the user will be provided with services and information as if he was at the other location. A virtual presence may be used for example as part of a tour planing process, to get a feeling for the type of real-time guidance to be received from a travel guide provider over the cellular telephone. Optionally, the virtual presence is accompanied by presentation of tour related information, received from the tour-guide provider, for example, images or video for the location. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the location-based services are provided via a computer location server that is an intermediate between the service providers (e.g., a tour-guide company) and the cellular telephone location generation system. Thus, a single service provider can easily work with many different types of location determination systems. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the computer location server is on the Internet. Thus, a location service for a telephone may be provided by the telephone or the cellular company providing the location information to the computer location server, which forwards it to the information server. The information from the information server may be returned through the computer server or directly to the computer or cellular telephone. The same computer location server may be used when the location is emulated by a home computer. Optionally, but not necessarily, the computer location server is not integrated with the cellular provider or with the location-based service.

An aspect of some exemplary embodiments of the invention relates to a method of interfacing between a cellular telephone and a computer. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a portion of the computer display is mapped to the cellular telephone display (or a portion thereof). The mapping may be dynamic, in that the two displays are synchronized or the mapping may be performed once. The communication may be one way, for example copying from the computer to the cellular telephone or vice versa. Alternatively, two way communication may be provided. The mapping may be exact or there may be a conversion between the two displays, for example to adjust for resolution or size differences. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the cellular telephone can select the computer to which it connects. Optionally the connection is via the Internet, however, other connection schemes, such as a dedicated connection between the cellular provider and the computer may also be used. Optionally, as a result of the mapping, items can be dragged on and off the cellular telephone display using the computer. Alternatively or additionally, the computer user can see and understand the cellular user better by viewing his screen display. In the example of a cellular telephone with a camera, the camera image may be viewed in a same or a separate window on the computer. Alternatively or additionally, the computer user can perform activities on the cellular telephone, such as programming it (e.g., storing new numbers), through the home computer. Alternatively or additionally, the cellular user can operate the computer by panning the display and/or using controls on his display. Generally, suitable remote operation software will be required on the computer, on the cellular telephone and/or at the cellular center. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, when a user leaves home (or an office or other location with a suitably registered computer or other electronic device with a display), that leaving activity is detected and a display on a home computer is copied or linked to the cellular telephone. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a fixed part of the screen is so linked. An opposite activity of unlinking (and optionally copying back) may be performed, for example when the user returns or reaches a different registered computer. Optionally, the linking and unlinking require a user command, however this is not required in all embodiments.

Optionally, a user can use his home computer to set up the display for the cellular telephone. Alternatively or additionally, the user can use the home computer to set up a blackboard display on which the display of the cellular telephone can pan and zoom. Possibly, the user's home computer serves as at least part of the virtual processing power, by providing this service itself, rather than the blackboard being at a different location.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the part of the screen that a user copies to the cellular telephone comprises a portion of an Internet browser, for example, an explorer bar portion of the browser.

An aspect of some exemplary embodiments of the present invention relates to finding a cellular telephone location by using information from multiple sources, in which a fine- resolution location is found by using correspondence between data acquired by the cellular phone (or other electronic equipment) and externally provided data. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, images and/or sounds (such as traffic, church bells and subway trains) acquired by a mobile camera (or microphone) equipped device are matched with a pre- stored images or sounds, for example satellites images or images acquired by other camera- enabled cellular telephones. In one embodiment, relatively low quality image data acquired by the mobile camera are correlated with satellite images, to determine one or a few locations. Other image data matching methods, such as feature extraction, may also be used.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, an approximate location is assumed based on the user's habitual activities, such as his home and office or based on an analysis of his electronic schedule program. Alternatively or additionally, an initial rough location is given by a cellular operator of a cellular unit attached to or including the mobile camera, which gives the location of cell or the base station currently in contact with the cellular device.

An aspect of some exemplary embodiments of the invention relates to analyzing the acquired location data to determine a movement of the cellular telephone and/or to assist in predicting a future position and/or path of the user. This information may be used, for example for setting up of data to be transferred to the user and/or for more efficient use of a display of the cellular phone, by allow the display to relate to the position and/or orientation of the user of the cellular phone. Optionally, when the user turns, the display changes. The display may include, for example icons representing WWW sites for each relevant geographical location. Optionally, the user can browse using arrow keys or by advancing along a time axis. As used herein, a "location" of a user is the user's current position, real or reported. In some cases, an "effective location" of a user is the location of a server through which the user connects for example, the location of a WAP gateway, for a connection through the gateway. A "path" of a user is the set of locations through which the user travels and/or is expected to travel (predicted path and location). A user's "schedule" adds a time line to the path and location information, in which the time when a user will be at a location and/or a duration of the user are also added. In some cases a schedule will also include a description or information associated with activity of the user at the location.

An aspect of some exemplary embodiments of the invention relates to degrading a position determination capability of cellular provider. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the accuracy is degraded by varying the transmission strength, for example to model movement. Alternatively or additionally, the accuracy is degraded by providing an antenna on the cellular telephone having a highly variable angular variation in field strength, so if the phone moves even a small amount, the amplitude received at the base station changes significantly. Alternatively or additionally, an attachment to the cellular telephone antenna which performs one or both of these functions is provided. Alternatively or additionally, the virtual agent can cooperate with other cellular telephones to generate signals which are representative of the current cellular phone, at locations of the other cellular telephones. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, camera-based positioning methods (as described herein, for example) are performed by the virtual agent or by a separate provider and not by the cellular provider. Thus, the cellular provider may be denied access to the results of the positioning.

In an alternative method, a telephone with an integrated GPS receiver can intentionally incorrectly report its location, for example in response to a user request. Possibly, the user's agent provides a fake, yet reasonable, path that the cellular telephone is supposedly following. Possibly, and especially if a computer locations server is used, different location accuracies and/or resolutions are provided to different users of the information. Possibly, the provided location includes an indication of the imprecision of the location, for example, a location can be indicated as "at the XXX mall". Alternatively or additionally, the location information may be processed by the computer location server, for example to correct it, to match it up with the location of other users and/or to associate it with geographical features of interest, such as an identification of nearby stores. Possibly, the precision of the location is improved by matching the path of the user to a known geographical path, such as a road, by using referencing information, such as a user indicating he is at a particular store or by using statistics of spatial distribution of other users whose location is known.

An aspect of some exemplary embodiments of the invention relates to encrypting information using a known or expected location, path and/or schedule of the user as a key. Thus, the user is able to read the material only when his position is determined. Eavesdroppers, who are not aware of the predicted position, will be unable to read the material. In some cases, the position (or an expected path) key does not contain enough bits to ensure secrecy and an additional encryption scheme may be used.

An aspect of some exemplary embodiments of the invention relates to a method of monitoring a radiation dosage of a cellular telephone user and optionally supplying a user with a measure of the dosage. Generally, a radiation dose can be estimated from the distance between the cellular telephone and the base station and/or from operating information from the cellular telephone itself or the base station. For example, in an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the received power at the cellular telephone (or base station) are used to estimate the radiation field near the telephone. However, some cellular telephones cannot report their power transmission level. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the transmission by a user's telephone is estimated from the transmission power of nearby telephones. The other cellular telephones may be from a same provider or from a different provider.

There is thus provided in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a data provision apparatus, comprising: a clip store containing a plurality of definitions of data elements, at least two of said definitions for two different sites; a data extractor adapted for extracting data matching said definitions, from a plurality of unrelated data sources, said data being arranged by said sources for visual display; and a data pusher adapted for forwarding at least an indication of said extracted data to a user in the form of an alert.

Optionally, said sources of data comprises WWW pages. Optionally, said data element comprises a small portion of a page.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, said sources of data are accessed via an Internet. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, said data extractor also receives information sent by an operator of at least one of said arbitrary sources. Alternatively or additionally, said apparatus comprises a definitions user interface adapted for receiving said definitions, which definitions user interface is independent of a data source for which a definition is entered. Optionally, said definitions user interface is a computer based interface. Alternatively or additionally, said definitions user interface is a cellular telephone interface. Alternatively or additionally, said definitions user interface is an IVR interface. Alternatively or additionally, said definitions user interface comprises a set-top box. Alternatively or additionally, said definitions user interface comprises a marked up hypertext-capable interface. Alternatively or additionally, said definitions user interface comprises an interface for entering new definitions. Alternatively or additionally, said definitions user interface comprises an interface for selecting from existing definitions. Alternatively or additionally, said definitions user interface comprises an interface for modifying existing definitions. Alternatively or additionally, said definitions user interface comprises an interface for entering filtering information. Alternatively or additionally, said definitions user interface comprises an interface for entering delivery information.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, said clip store is arranged according to users. Alternatively or additionally, at least some of said definitions for a particular user, are provided by said user. Alternatively or additionally, at least some of said definitions for a particular user, are provided by an operator of said data source. Alternatively or additionally, at least some of said definitions for a plurality of users, are provided by an operator of said data source.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, said data extractor works with a site without any intervention by a site operator of the data source. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, said apparatus comprises a filtering store including at least one filtering information element for filtering said extracted data element.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, said apparatus comprises a delivery store including at least one delivery information element for defining a delivery method for said data pusher to use for said forwarding.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, said apparatus comprises a user device on which said alert is provided. Optionally, said data pusher works said user device without any hardware of software modification of the user device. Alternatively or additionally, said user device is a personal computer. Alternatively or additionally, said user device is a television. Alternatively or additionally, said user device is a wireless mobile device. Alternatively or additionally, said user device is a cellular telephone. Alternatively or additionally, said user device is a PDA (personal digital assistant).

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, said alert is provided as an alert without additional content. Alternatively, said alert is provided with content. Alternatively or additionally, said alert is provided with a response functionality.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, said apparatus comprises an alerts management user interface on said user device. Optionally, said alerts management user interface lists alerts by priority. Alternatively or additionally, said alerts management user interface lists alerts by time of arrival. Alternatively or additionally, said alerts management user interface lists alerts by source. Alternatively or additionally, said alerts management user interface retrieves, upon user request, a content of said alert. Alternatively or additionally, said alerts management user interface includes filtering logic.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, said alert is provided by e-mail. Alternatively or additionally, said alert is provided using an instant messaging system.

Alternatively or additionally, said alert is provided by SMS message. Alternatively or additionally, said alert is provided as data to a dedicated program on a user device, which program converts said data to alerts.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, said data pusher sends said alert differently, responsive to a location of said user. Alternatively or additionally, said data pusher sends said alert differently, responsive to a time of day. Alternatively or additionally, said data pusher sends said alert differently, responsive to a date. Alternatively or additionally, said data pusher sends said alert differently, responsive to filtering information associated with said user. Alternatively or additionally, said data pusher sends said alert differently, responsive to delivery information associated with said user.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, said data pusher sends different alerts to different users based on same extracted information.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, said data pusher sends different alerts responsive to at least one of time, date, and location of the user. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, said data pusher processes said extracted data prior to sending the processed data to said user. Alternatively or additionally, said data pusher forwards a previously prepared message responsive to said extracted data. Alternatively or additionally, said data pusher includes an input for receiving a request for said alert from said user. There is also provided in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, apparatus for providing resources to wireless mobile devices, comprising: a plurality of geographically distributed resource servers; a communication connection between each of said servers and mobile devices; a memory store including user-associated information, associated with users of said mobile devices and available to all of said resource servers; and a master server for dynamically assigning resources of said resource servers to unrelated mobile devices.

Optionally, said master server assigns resources to groups of interacting devices. Alternatively or additionally, said master server comprises a program distributed between a plurality of resource servers. Alternatively, said master server is associated with a particular resource server.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, said resources are assigned based on a location associated with a mobile device. Optionally, said location is a present location. Alternatively or additionally, said location is a projected location.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, said resources are assigned to a user's device based on a QoS (Quality of Service) agreement with said user. Alternatively or additionally, said resources are assigned to a user's device based on a tradeoff between at least two of quality of service, response time, dependability and cost, said tradeoff being approved by said user.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, said memory store is maintained by a central database engine.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, said user-associated information comprises user defined data element definitions for data monitoring. Alternatively or additionally, said user-associated information comprises user preferences for user interfaces. Alternatively or additionally, said user-associated information comprises a user profile. Alternatively or additionally, said user-associated information comprises a user's schedule. Alternatively or additionally, said user-associated information comprises a user's typical travel path. Alternatively or additionally, said user-associated information comprises identification information. Alternatively or additionally, said user-associated information comprises payment means.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, said mobile device comprises a cellular telephone.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, at least some of said resource servers are associated with base stations of a cellular telephone network. Alternatively or additionally, at least some of said resource servers are installed in conjunction with said base stations.

Alternatively or additionally, at least some of said resource servers are installed separate from said base stations.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, at least some of said user-associated information is maintained at a remote location. Optionally, said remote location is associated with a service provider.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, said assigned resources comprise CPU resources. Optionally, said CPU executes software provided by said mobile device. Alternatively or additionally, said CPU executes software downloaded to said CPU under the direction of said mobile user. Alternatively or additionally, said assigned resources comprise executable application resources, executed at said resource server. Optionally, said application processes information retrieved by said system for said mobile user. Alternatively or additionally, said application generates a display for said mobile user. Alternatively or additionally, said application comprises a software agent. Optionally, said agent executes for said mobile device even when said mobile device is not connected to said system.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, said application comprises an alert monitor, that monitors WWW sites and generates alerts to mobile devices based on changes in monitored pages. Optionally, said alert monitor receives information for generating said alert, from a data source associated with the monitored site.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, said application comprises a spell checker. Alternatively or additionally, said application comprises a search engine. Alternatively or additionally, said application comprises a location based service.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, said resource comprises a memory resource. Optionally, said memory resource comprises a short term memory resource. Alternatively or additionally, said memory resource comprises a long term storage memory resource. Alternatively or additionally, said memory resource comprises a personal blackboard. Optionally, said apparatus comprises a browser for selectively showing parts of said blackboard on said mobile device. Alternatively or additionally, said apparatus comprises Internet access software for retrieving a WWW page to said blackboard.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, said memory resource comprises a blackboard accessible by a plurality of mobile devices. Alternatively or additionally, said memory resource comprises a blackboard shared between a mobile device and a fixed computer. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, said resource comprises a network software client emulator that emulates a client executing on the mobile device by executing the software on a resource server and sending an output of the software to said mobile device. Optionally, said network software client comprises a Java client.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, said system distributes parts of a single file to multiple resource servers, for a particular client. Optionally, said parts overlap.

Alternatively or additionally, said distribution matches an expected travel of said mobile device. Alternatively or additionally, said distribution is performed prior to said mobile device having an effective location that is geographically near most of said resource servers.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, said system distributes a file to a resource server associated with a future location of a particular client.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, said master server reassigns said resources so that said resources move seamlessly with said client.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, said apparatus comprises a connection to a location providing system, for providing a current location of said mobile device. Optionally, said location providing system provides a location of a fixed location device.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, said apparatus comprises a predictor for predicting a future spatial-temporal coordinate of said user.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, said apparatus comprises user interface logic for accessing said system by said user. Optionally, the user interface comprises a single user interface logic for use with a plurality of different types of user operated devices.

Alternatively or additionally, said user interface logic utilizes display pages stored at said system and remote from said mobile device.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, said resource servers send information to said mobile device using a cellular protocol. Alternatively or additionally, said resource servers send information to said mobile device using a WAP protocol. Alternatively or additionally, said resource servers send information to said mobile device using a voice protocol. Alternatively or additionally, said resource servers send information to said mobile device using an internet protocol. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, said apparatus comprises a connection to a personal computer associated with a user.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, said master server treats said personal computer as a resource server for uses associated with the user.

There is also provided in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method of synchronizing the usage of a mobile wireless device having a first display and another device having a second display, comprising: associating at least a portion of the first display to at least a portion of the second display; and manipulating said two associated portions of displays in a synchronized manner. Optionally, said mobile device comprises a cellular telephone. Alternatively, said mobile device comprises a PDA (personal digital assistant).

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, said second display comprises a television display. Alternatively, said another device comprises a fixed personal computer. Alternatively, said another device comprises a cellular telephone. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, said displays are associated with a blackboard. Optionally, said blackboard is provided by a third device.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, manipulating comprises copying from one of said displays to another of said displays. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, manipulating comprises maintaining a live correspondence between the contents of said two display parts. Alternatively or additionally, manipulating comprises continuously copying from one display to the other display, so that the second display reflects the contents of the first display.

Optionally, copying comprises adapting the copied information to at least one characteristic of a target display. Optionally, the characteristic comprises a display size. Alternatively or additionally, the characteristic comprises a display resolution.

Optionally, manipulating comprises dragging a graphical object from one display to the other display via their associated portions.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, said another device is adapted to simulate the behavior of said mobile device. Alternatively or additionally, said mobile device and said another device utilize a same interface.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, said manipulation is under the control of said mobile device. Alternatively or additionally, said manipulation is under the control of said another device. There is also provided in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method of distributing alerts, comprising: preparing a plurality of alert messages; receiving an indication from an alert requester that a particular one of said alert messages is to be sent; and transmitting said alert message by an alert transmitter to a plurality of alert receivers, said alert messages being filtered by at least one of said alert receiver and said alert transmitter responsive to filtering parameters associated with the alert receivers. Optionally, said alert is transmitted by one transmission method to all alert receivers. Alternatively, said alert is transmitted by different transmission methods to different alert receivers. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, said alert is transmitted by a cellular network.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, said alert message is associated with a site operated by said alert requester.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, said indication is entered by computer. Alternatively, said indication is received via a non-computer interface.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, said filtering parameters define alert subjects of interest.

There is also provided in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method of uniform interaction, comprising: providing a storage of personalization parameters for an interface; executing a user interface on a first device, using said personalized parameters; modifying at least one of said personalization parameters at said storage; and executing a substantially same user interface on a second device, using said modified personalization parameters. Optionally, said first device comprises a personal computer. Alternatively, said first device comprises a cellular telephone.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, said user interface is integrated into an internet browser in at least one of said devices.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, said personalization parameters define an interface behavior. Alternatively or additionally, said personalization parameters define a content display as part of said interface. Alternatively or additionally, said interface utilizes at least one of said personalization parameters for two different applications that use said interface and are provided by different vendors.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, said first device emulates said second device. Optionally, emulation comprises providing location based services for emulated virtual locations of the second device.

There is also provided in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a data distribution system, comprising: a monitoring server adapted to retrieve information from substantially arbitrary electronically published data sources, responsive to predefined data needs; a processor associated with said server, for processing said data; a plurality of user servers, each user server associated with a plurality of users and at least one of said servers at least indirectly defining said data needs; and a data transmitter adapted to transmit at least one of said data and a processed result of said data, to at least one of said plurality of user servers, said transmitter transmitting data only to user servers requiring said data. Optionally, said processor detects changes in said retrieved data. Alternatively or additionally, said user servers further process said data responsive to user-associated information. Alternatively or additionally, an association of said users with said user servers is dynamic. Alternatively or additionally, said at least one of said data and said processed results are provided to said users as alerts.

There is also provided in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method of finding a location of a mobile data acquisition device, comprising: determining a rough location for said device; acquiring data using said device; and matching said acquired data to a database of geographically registered data, to determine a more exact location for said device. Optionally, said data acquisition device comprises a camera. Alternatively or additionally, said data acquisition device comprises a microphone. Alternatively or additionally, said determining comprises determining using a matching of visual images. Alternatively or additionally, said determining comprises determining using a cellular localization system. Alternatively or additionally, said determining comprises determining using a GPS system.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, said matching comprises matching to a database of three-dimensional images. Alternatively or additionally, said matching comprises matching a three-dimensional image.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, said method comprises accumulating said acquired data to extend said database.

There is also provided in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method of radiation dosage monitoring, comprising: estimating a dosage of radiation generated by a telephone; and generating an alert if said dosage is higher than a threshold amount. Optionally, the method comprises changing at least one characteristic of a connection of said telephone based on said alert. Optionally, said characteristic comprises an intensity of transmission from the telephone. Alternatively or additionally, said characteristic comprises a duration of said connection. Alternatively or additionally, said characteristic comprises an identity of a base station with which the connection is made. Alternatively or additionally, said characteristic comprises a quality of said connection.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, estimating comprises estimating based on reporting by the telephone. Alternatively or additionally, estimating comprises estimating based on reporting by the base station of at least one of reception power and transmission power. Alternatively or additionally, estimating comprises estimating based on conversation durations.

There is also provided in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method of encryption, comprising: determining an expected location of a recipient; generating an decryption key based on said location; and encrypting information such that it can be decrypted using said key. There is also provided in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method of location hiding, comprising: electronically providing incorrect location indicating information from a cellular telephone; and calculating an incorrect location based on said incorrect location information. Optionally, said incorrect information comprises an unexpected variation in amplitude of transmission by said telephone. Alternatively or additionally, said incorrect information comprises an erroneous GPS location.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, said incorrect information is provided in response to a request for information.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, said incorrect information lowers a resolution of location determination. Alternatively, said incorrect information reports a different location from a real location.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be now be described in the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary implementation of a cellular architecture, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2A is a schematic illustration of a user interface in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2B is a schematic illustration of an alternative user interface in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cellular network connected through an Internet network to servers, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cellular network connected through attached servers to an Internet network, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention; Fig. 5 is a schematic rendering of a browsing screen of a cellular device; Figs. 6-8 are schematic illustrations of exemplary displays for a cellular telephone in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention; Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a satellite viewing an area on earth, at a relatively low resolution;

Figs. 10-12 are schematic diagrams illustrating close views of the area and showing finer details than in Fig. 9; Fig. 13 is a flowchart of a method for finding a rough location of a user, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention; and

Fig. 14 is a flowchart of a method for finding a fine-resolution location of a user, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OVERVIEW

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a mobile support architecture is provided. This architecture supports various activities by mobile users, for example, retrieving information from data sources and providing computational resources to supplement the resources in a mobile device. In some embodiments of the invention, a single interface is provided to the user, over a variety of devices. Optionally, the interface adapts itself to the location the user is at, for example, by changing the interface complexity or by changing the options or the order in which such options are provided to a user.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, as shown, for example in Fig. 1, the support system comprises one or more computer resources that manage data and/or processing for the mobile units.

DISTRIBUTION VS. AGGREGATION

In some embodiments of the invention, the computer and/or data resources are distributed, in various manners, as will be described below. Such distribution may allow load balancing and especially geographical load balancing between the various computer resources. Alternatively or additionally, a distributed layout assists in scalability, as additional servers can be added where they are needed, for example in server farms, or by subdividing the areas controlled by each server. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a load balancing server exists for redistributing processing requests between servers. It should be noted that the users are mobile, so, in some embodiments of the invention, the current and/or expected motion of the users is a concern, for data and/or processing management. VIRTUAL RESOURCES

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, each user is provided with a virtual processor, for performing the users processing needs. Alternatively or additionally, a user is provided with a virtual memory store, for storing data and/or programs. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, these virtual resources travel with the user, so that the location of actual implementation is geographically near the user, for example, to reduce delay time and system routing complexity. The virtual resources may reside on a single or on multiple computers. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, files are transferred from one computer to another as required. Optionally, the user's home computer can also act as a virtual processor and/or memory store, when operational. Optionally, a cache is defined, for storing a users last-used and/or often-used data, for fast retrieval. This cache can also be one of the "traveling" virtual resources. As will be explained below, these resources may be permanently or temporarily allocated. In a particular implementation of a virtual processor, a Java client is emulated at the virtual processor. However, the display is shown on a mobile device carried by the user. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the display is piped to the mobile device. Alternatively or additionally, data processing results of the Java client are sent to the mobile device. Alternatively or additionally, data from the mobile device is sent to the virtual processor. Possibly, a dedicated software element is installed in the mobile device, to support the communications. Alternatively, the mobile device is treated as a display device for the virtual processor.

Java script is one example of several different types of software programs that may migrate from the cellular telephone to a virtual processing resource. Another example is the SIM tool kit. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, some of the more complex functions may be performed at a remote location, where more processing power is available. Alternatively or additionally, a device with expanded memory may be emulated using remotely available memory. The SIM toolkit may be modified to support such remote procedure execution. It should be noted that in some embodiments of the invention, the migration is controlled by the telephone or by a script provided by the user. In other applications, the migration of the software may be automatic, for example responsive to the detection that the cellular telephone cannot or will have trouble supporting various functionality. Alternatively or additionally, such migration may be used to prevent programs from being installed on the mobile device and possibly causing problems in the operation of the device. By migrating the programs, the device can always be operated without the programs. Additionally, debugging may be simpler at the virtual resource. EXEMPLARY ALERT SYSTEM In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, one of the services provided by the mobile support system is extraction of data from data sources and sending the data to user- associated communication devices. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, an alert is generated if the data is changed and/or meets various criteria. In some embodiments of the invention, the data is extracted, for example as web clippings or as complete web pages, at the requests of the user. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, however, the data is forwarded to the user. Optionally, a user is alerted when data is forwarded to him. Alternatively or additionally, the data simply appears on the user's communication device, the appearance being its own alert. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a dedicated alert management system is defined for generating and managing alerts to users. Optionally, the alert system uses the same hardware and/or software as can be used for virtual resources, for example being executed as a service application among other services. Optionally, at least some of the hardware is dedicated for alert provision.

Fig. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary system implementation 1400 of a cellular architecture, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. In this exemplary embodiment, one master server 1404 and four types of sub-servers, a services server 1402, a location server 1406, a users server 1410 and a monitoring server 1412, are provided. In other implementations, some of the sub-servers may be dispensed with or they may be integrated with others of the sub-servers or the main server. Alternatively or additionally, the functionality of a sub-server may be divided between other sub-servers and/or the main server. In the figure, arrow directions are shown to indicate main flow directions. However, and especially as will be clear from the description below, data may also flow opposite of the arrow direction.

In the system shown in Fig. 1, master server 1404 serves to coordinate the activities of the other servers, some of which may be multiply instantiated and/or combined into single servers. Alternatively or additionally, master server 1404 is in charge of updating and retrieving information from a central database 1401. Alternatively or additionally, master server 1404 is in charge of distributing load between multiple instances of servers, and especially to take into account spatial distribution of users. Alternatively or additionally, master server 1404 is also in charge of system reliability. Thus, for example, each server may be implemented as two servers where one server can take over if the other one fails. Further, some activities can optionally continue even if master server 1404 is temporarily out of contact. It is noted that a distributed implementation can also be provided, in which database 1401 and/or master server 1404 may be geographically distributed, as multiple, possibly redundant, elements.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, master server 1404 is not part of the communication link between various servers. Instead, the master server may be used for updating the various servers and/or for load balancing and/or troubleshooting. For example, services server 1402 may be directly connected to users server 1410 and/or monitoring server

1412.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, master server 1404 maintains a table mapping virtual resources used by mobile devices to real resources at various servers. The devices access the resources using a code associated with the resource. Thus, when the resource moves, the access code does not need to change and the move can be transparent to the mobile devices. Alternatively or additionally, the table includes a status of each resource, so that server shifting is not done in the middle of a context. Alternatively or additionally, the table includes expected usage of the resource and/or expected time of changing of resource, for example, if the mobile has a known path and/or a known profile of using the resource. This information may be used to assist in smooth and/or planned shifting of resources between servers.

Services server 1402 is in charge of defining the interface between system 1400 and a plurality of content/service providers on an information web (e.g., Internet) 1432. Other, or multiple, communication and/or data sources may be supported as well. A user computer 1408 may interact with services provider 1402 directly, through an Internet connection 1414 or indirectly via a service site 1430. Alternatively, other user interface devices, such as set-top boxes and PDAs may be used instead of or in addition to computer 1408. Server 1402 may, for example, convert data between formats, convert input commands between one input device and another and/or converts displays for the user device. Alternatively or additionally, server

1402 serves as an interface for various services, for example, as a portal.

Location server 1406 is in charge of providing location information of a user from various location providers, such as a GPS on a cellular telephone 1424 or using other cellular location techniques as known in the art and/or as defined herein. Alternatively or additionally, the location of a static user interface device may be known.

Monitoring server 1412 (which is optionally multiply instantiated, to provide a more robust monitoring capability and/or scalability), is in charge of monitoring Internet 1432 and/or other resources. An interface 1426 is provided for monitoring server 1412 to access Internet 1432. Alternatively or additionally, a second interface 1428 is provided for monitoring services outside the Internet, for example mobile telephone services or services and/or data on other data networks. The monitoring server (and/or other elements of system 1400) may be positioned to be near (spatially or communication-wise) to where data is most often retrieved from and/or sent to. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, interface 1428 is used to interact with interactive services (Internet or non-Internet), for example services requiring a password and/or a series of commands to access the data. The series of commands and/or password may be provided by the user or may be known by the system.

Users server 1410 which is also optionally multiply instantiated, to provide better geographical response and/or scalability, is in charge of providing virtual computing power (shown as "MY VP") and to control other aspects of interaction with a particular user. Users server 1410 can be used to access both cellular telephones 1424 and personal computers 1408. Alternatively, a plurality of servers are provided, for different types of user interaction. It is noted, however, that integrating all interaction types through a single server assists in integrating the interfaces for the different devices. Exemplary interfaces to a cellular telephone include a WAP interface 1420, a voice interface (synthesizer and/or voice recognition) 1422 and an SMS link 1418. Exemplary connections to a computer include an Internet 1414 or other digital connections, such as a cable connection or a dial-up connection.

In an alternative architecture, two types of processing servers are distinguished, those that require communication with WWW sites (e.g., change monitors) and those that do not (e.g., time based alerts). In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the different types of servers are provided on separate computers.

In some embodiments of the invention, a server is provided as a server farm, in which farm workload may be balanced between different computers, for example, to ensure reliability, response time and/or efficient use of available infrastructure. In an exemplary process, a user accesses services server 1402, optionally via service site 1430, to define information to be retrieved from a content provider site and a method and location to which the retrieved information should be pushed. The information and/or definitions are optionally stored on database 1401. Monitoring server 1412 is alerted to the need to retrieve the information, and may retrieve it responsive to input from location server 1406. The definitions of the required information and/or its format may be provided, for example, from master server 1404 or from users server 1410. Master server 1404 optionally directs the closest and/or most free monitoring server 1412 to collect the information. The collected information is then processed and provided to users server 1410 for dissemination to users and/or to master server 1404 for storage. The relevant (closest and/or most free) users server 1410 then sends the information to the user. The information and/or control instructions between users server 1410 and monitoring server 1412 can go through master server 1404. Alternatively, master server 1404 sets up links between particular servers and then the servers can communicate directly among themselves. Monitoring server 1412 can, for example, provide several different types of monitoring. One type of monitoring is simply forwarding of message from content providers to users. Such messages can be directed to a single user or to a group of users. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, pre-defined messages are provided, for example a contact provider can ask to send a message number 45, which means "15% off on purchases until the end of the month". Such a message can be sent in a very simple manner, for example, by dialing using a telephone and entering the code using DTMF tones or using a fax form sent to a fax server. A same code may generate different messages for different users, for example, loyal customers may be offered a larger discount. Alternatively, each user of the site may define particular codes, which the service provider sends to individual users or groups of users. These messages may be actually sent, for example by telephone, e-mail, entering service site 1430, or a message may be placed in the WWW site of the service provider to be picked up by monitoring server 1412.

If a particular part of the site is defined as dedicated for monitoring server 1412, all messages, even for different users may be stored at the site. Alternatively or additionally, monitoring server 1412 can be set up to monitor for changes (in general or particular changes) on certain parts of the content provider WWW page. For example, an anchor point may be defined to be a beginning of a table and the monitored portion defined to be the second column, third row. Alternatively, the entire page is parsed and a user, when selecting what information he desires to monitor is presented with the page, wherein information that can be monitored is highlighted. Alternatively, the information is highlighted when the user places a pointer over the information. During a set-up step, a user can view such a highlighted page and, for example, using a mouse, determine which monitoring options are available for each display parts and/or select the monitoring desired from such a list of options. The page portion may be detected later by matching a pattern, for example with the monitored data being located between two unchanging patterns on the page.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a vendor may choose to work more closely with system 1400, for example by marking up his site for parts that might be of interest for monitoring. Such marking may be supplemented by the vendor providing the changed information to system 1400 and or an indication when information that may be monitored changes. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the vendor adds tags to a WWW page to indicate content to be monitored. Such content may also include recommended information, for example delivery and/or monitoring information. Alternatively or additionally, system 1400 may provide such recommendations to the vendor, for example based on statistics of request by users.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a vendor uses a same marking technique as used by a user, to mark up his own site. Then, the vendor can submit the monitor request(s) as an indication of which items on his pages should be more easily available for users and/or as suggested monitoring information. Tags may then be added, for example manually or automatically, to the vendor's WWW site. Alternatively, the tags and/or recommendations may be stored by system 1400, for use when a page is fetched.

The monitoring task may be divided between the content site and the monitoring server in various ways. In one example, an element-by-element retrieval of data from the site to the monitoring server is used. Such a retrieval may be simple but it may waste bandwidth resources. Alternatively, monitoring server 1412 downloads the content site as a page and then analyzes it locally. Alternatively, the content provider analyses its contents and provides (by pushing or by pulling) only the changed elements to the monitoring server. It is noted that multiple connections to a site may be required, for example, if the information retrieved is private and the content site does not provide the information for several users together. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, monitoring server 1412 can log-on to the site as a particular user, to retrieve that user's information. Further, the monitoring server can also register as the user, without the user being required to actually separately register with the content provider. A single registration may be provided for each user, or, alternatively, a single registration for each type of expected response from the content provider. In some cases, monitoring server 1412 will both request information and access the published information, in parallel.

Not all changes will necessarily generate an alert. Some users may define a threshold of changes above which to generate an alert. If there are no users whose threshold is met, there is no need to froward the changed data. Optionally, the monitoring server is emulated as two separate servers, one for accessing the site and one for processing the retrieved contents. If the contents are of interest, they may be forwarded to a plurality of user-servers, each of which is associated with different users. Different data types may be supported, for example, time, date, number and composite. The monitoring information may include instructions on the parsing of the extracted data. Altematively, the parsing may depend on the data extracted.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the extracted data is processed, for example, using a user-personalized script or function, or using a user provided script. Several different scripts and/or personalization may be applied to a same data element, responsive to user's needs.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a user can pay extra for receiving content and/or an alert earlier than other users, for example by a special, out of order, request being made to the content provider.

In the case of a problem with connection to the content provider, information may be retrieved from an alternative site (for example, based on a user preference or on a system table) or an error message may be displayed or an error alert provided.

Personal computer 1408 optionally implements the personalized portal, as described below with respect to Fig. 2 A, which describes an exemplary user interface. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a same portal interface is used for both computer 1408 and cellular telephone 1424. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the portal is a client software run on computer 1408 (or cellular telephone 1424), which may be downloaded, for example from service site 1430 or the client software may be integrated with a browsing program. Alternatively, the user portal is executed on one of the servers.

In a variation of the above methodology, the client software is downloaded to computer 1408, however, the pages and/or menus displayed by the software are downloaded ad hoc from service site 1430 or from users server 1410.

Alternatively, the interface is provided as an HTML page (or other type of format document or network script language) and displayed locally, but processed remotely, for example at an HTML server of users server 1410.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the interface may be provided by multiple WWW sites. In one example, the interface may be limited for use with sites associated with a particular site, however, this is not essential. Alternatively or additionally, the interface may be adapted to the specific needs or desires of the site operator. The interface itself may execute at the server of the site. Alternatively or additionally, the interface may utilize storage and/or processing resources of system 1400. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, such multiple institution of the above or other interfaces is used for branding of the interface by important Internet service or content providers. In a cellular telephone, a complete browsing ability, as described above, is optionally provided. However, in some implementations, a limited functionality, for example only the ability to receive SMS messages and the ability to turn on and off alerts and/or alert levels is provided. It is noted that by using alerts, a cellular telephone user can retrieve information that would otherwise be too complicated to access using only a cellular telephone. Such alerts may be grouped and/or defined in levels, so a user can selectively receive only some levels or only some groups. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the alerts are responsive to the user's instant location, for example to provide coupons, as described below.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method of secure communication using a cellular telephone is provided. In this method, a user sets up purchase instructions or other sensitive instructions ahead of time, for example, using personal computer 1408 with an SSL link. When a user receives an alert that a product is available (or that his order ready) the user sends the predefined message. However, as the message is a code, it is difficult for a thief to know it in advance. Further, the code can be predefined for a particular content provider and/or situation.

As noted above, cellular telephone 1424 and computer 1408 may be interfaced using users server 1410, for example to pass information between the two devices owned by a same or different users, especially to facilitate seamless interaction with an Internet using a cellular telephone in conjunction with a personal computer. Further, information can be passed between two (or more) cellular telephones using the meditative abilities of users server 1410. It should be noted that some of the information retrieved by the interface may be stored locally, at the computer or at the cellular telephone.

In an example of integration of location based services with easy interaction with content providers, a cross-sales coupon program may be implemented. In such a program, when a user is near a first store, such a hamburger bar, the user is offered a deal in which buying a hamburger will also yield a discount in a second store, such as a book store.

This example illustrates the use of location based alerts, whereby a user is alerted responsive to his location. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, such location based alerts are private cases of server based scripts. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a server based script is a script in that the monitoring server can execute scripts for the benefit of the content providers, to determine whether or not to generate an alert and which users to generate it for. Thus, a content provider can define complex logic of interactions with users without the content provider being required to provide them at the content provider site. It is noted that, no actual WWW content site is required, however, one is optionally provided. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the content provider can select which scripts to activate using coded messages sent by the content provider (e.g., by DTMF) to the monitoring server. A complementing scheme can be used by users, who can provide scripts for filtering alerts at their virtual processor on users server 1410. The term script is used to include not only script type languages, but also graphical programming languages, codes, procedural languages rules and/or other computer programming methods known in the art. It is expected, however, that for some applications, scripts, per se, will be the preferred programming method.

It is noted that system 1400 can provide a method for a content provider to tap a large database of users without being required to build up customer confidence and without the identification of the users being provided to the content provider.

An advantage of system 1400 being able to connect to a large plurality of content and/or service providers with only a small amount of investment in infrastructure is that a user can personalize his portal to the Internet using a very large number of available sites, thus a better personalization can be available that from systems that require a user to select between a limited number of supported content providers.

In some cases, an alert can be a response expecting alert, to which a user can respond. One example is a shopping alert. A user may be alerted when a product he desired is available at a price he is willing to pay. An alert can be defined to both announce that the item is available, and to receive an order from the user. Thus, a user is provided with a subset of the complex functionality typically required when accessing a WWW site. In a simplest example, the user provides a yes/no answer to confirm or reject the purchase. In a more complex case, the user is provide with access to a specially prepared WWW site (or interface application or script) for performing the purchase (or performing other services), in which site the options are much simplified, for ease of operation and/or for better fitting in a mobile device. Optionally, master server 1404 stores user purchasing tools, for example credit card information or electronic money token, which can be used by master server 1404 to perform the purchase directly, without requiring input of the payment information by the user.

Although the above description has focused on cellular telephones, it is noted that similar applications can also be implemented for satellite telephones. It is noted that in satellite telephones, a user may leave a cell not because he moved, but because the base station (satellite) moved, however this mainly affects the prediction algorithms and not the actual ability to predict a location, enhance the location quality and/or act on the available information. The virtual server is optionally on the ground and is optionally in direct communication with the satellite with which the satellite telephone is in communication. However, some amount of processing power and/or memory may be provided on the satellite itself, for example to provide faster responses to a user's request. Also, other cellular technologies, such as local area telephones are known and can be adapted for the applications described herein. EXEMPLARY USER INTERFACE

In some exemplary embodiments of the invention, a same user interface is used for multiple communications devices. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the user interface can be selectively integrated into a browser. Alternatively, it may be shown on a cellular telephone or other limited-screen device. Alternatively or additionally, for example as described below, the user interface is used for collaboration between a cellular telephone and a personal computer or other device.

Fig. 2 A illustrates an Internet Browser 1300 as shown on the display of a typical PC or similar device, wherein the image of the location based services and/or other cellular based services resides in a dedicated frame, called an explorer bar (in the terminology of Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser). In some embodiments of the invention, two such dedicated bars are provided, for example to allow a user to switch between two services easily using his cellular telephone. Alternatively or additionally, a same interface is used for multiple applications, for example, for applications added by a third party.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, Internet Browser 1300 has a Menu Bar 1310 carrying folding command menus, a Buttons Bar 1320 having buttons for popular activities related to browsing, and an Address Bar 1330 for displaying the address of the current Web-site presented in a Browsing Frame 1340 of the browser. Using a folding View menu in the Menu Bar 1300, for example, the user can choose whether to display or hide Buttons Bar 1320 and/or Address Bar 1330. Other bars such as a Status Bar are optionally available. By using optional scrolling bars (not shown) the Web-page may be scrolled in order to present and view areas outside of the window borders.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, Internet Browser 1300 has two frames, a left frame comprising an Explorer Bar 1350 and a right frame comprising a browsing frame 1340. An Explorer Bar is a standard feature of the Microsoft's Internet Explorer Version 5, usually displaying the History or Favorites lists, but may be also customized by using an SDK (System Development Kit) provided by Microsoft. Its content can be any information that the Browser can present. By using Menu Bar 1310 and/or buttons at the Buttons Bar 1320, the user can activate or hide the Explorer Bar and select between available display alternatives. The user can also drag the border between Browsing Frame 1340 and Explorer Bar 1350. The browser described in Fig. 2 A is Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser. It is understood that anyone skilled in the art can make an analogous system using the Netscape browser, any other conventional Internet browser or by programming a new browser. If the technique of creating an Explorer-type bar is not available, a separate bar may be created, pushing the Browser to the right of it. Alternatively, a separate window may be provided.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, cellular-designed services and/or location based services are accessed via the user's PC. Fig. 2 A illustrates doing so using the Explorer bar 1350. The restaurants-type alternatives as presented in Fig. 8 (described below for a cellular telephone) are presented here as element 1210, 1220, 1230 and 1240 in the Explorer Bar 1350. Thus, a user may intuitively uses a same format and/or content of presentations and/or method of interaction, whether he is using his PC or his mobile device. This logical equivalence between interfaces for different devices may also be used for other interface designs. Alternatively or additionally, a same set of personalization parameters may be maintained for the interface, regardless of the device on which it is shown. Possibly, some customization parameters are different for the different devices, for example, for accommodating resolution differences.

It should be understood that almost any cellular-designed or location based service may be operated in the Explorer bar. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, explorer bar portion 1350 may be mirrored, copied or linked to the user's cellular telephone, for example after being set up on the user's home computer. As used herein, mirroring is a process that allows two devices to access a single resource (for example the browsing area). For example, selecting a particular control on either PC or telephone will have a same effect. Copying is simply providing a copy, which may or may not access exactly the same resources. Linking allows one interface to selectively affect the other interface, for example as will be described below.

Alternatively or additionally, Internet services may be also transferred to the Explorer bar. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the user may select parts of a Web-page representing such services (or information) to be active in the Explorer bar, and also defines preferences in using them. In one example, a user requests automatic sending of stock data when he is returning from work. Alternatively or additionally, the preferences may be automatically extracted by learning the user's habits. Optionally, a similar logic as used in other tree-based systems, such as AOL's system. Optionally, the computer location server automatically calls those services, after having fed them the current location (real or virtual) of the user. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the user's PC location is known and serves as the current location to be used in location based services.

Alternatively to a side-by-side configuration, explorer bar 1350 may have a different shape, especially to conform to the size, resolution and/or aspect ratio of the cellular device being used by the user. Alternatively, the Explorer Bar is located in the bottom of the Browser. This option may be used to operate it regularly on the Browser left side, and minimized it to a thin bar at the bottom of screen when it is not needed in its full form, but is still required for maintaining the presence of the services. This feature may be used, for example, if the user's computer serves as a remote processor for the cellular telephone. Alternatively or additionally, a floating bar, for example in a separate window, may be provided.

Fig. 2A shows an optional banner 1360. This banner (e.g., an advertisement) can, for example, provide a restaurant recommendation. Upon clicking this banner, more information may be shown in the browsing frame of the Internet Explorer or in the explorer bar. In a cellular telephone, the user may pan the view to the right to view the browsing frame of the computer. Alternatively, the browsing frame may replace the explorer bar in the cellular telephone display, when the banner is activated. Similarly, any restaurant may open a Web- page providing more details, such as an image, a price list, travel and/or parking directions and/or a wine menu. As the user's address or location in known, the directions may start at his location. Thus, in some embodiments of the invention, location based services may be enhanced using information retrieved from the Internet, or vice versa.

In some exemplary embodiments of the invention, the above interface methodology is used to access remote services, for example Internet or cellular services. Alternatively or additionally, such a user interface may be used as an interface to locally executed software and/or as an application platform, for example for locally executed applications or for client- server based services.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, various remote services are provided using system 1400, for example, spelling, dictionary and translation services.

Alternatively or additionally, system 1400 may be used to provide SMS (or other messaging method) support, for telephones that do not provide such a support. Alternatively or additionally, system 1400 is used as a gateway to convert between multiple formats and protocols.

As can be appreciated, the user interface and/or the services accessed by the interface, may contain many options. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the user sets up the interface and/or the services by selecting from a previously set up set of defaults. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the sets of defaults are arranged in a tree of options, and a user can select by browsing the tree. Such a method may also be used for programming in defaults from an interactive TV, using a remote control. Optionally, a user can modify the setting, after they are selected. Details of exemplary configurations and/or other details may be found for example in

Israel applications 138836 (Filed October 3, 2000 and entitled "Mobile Support System"), 138816 (filed October 2, 2000 and entitled "WWW Page Marking and Monitoring"), 137602 (filed July 31, 2000 and entitled "Message Routing"), 134746 (filed February 27, 2000 and entitled "Cellular Architecture"), 133322 (filed December 5, 1999 and entitled "Cellular Architecture") and 132920 (filed November 14, 1999 and entitled "Cellular Architecture") and of applicant Netprox, the disclosures of all of which are incorporated herein by reference. ALERT APPLICATION

As noted above, one exemplary application for system 1400 is for providing alerts on changes in data at content providers, to a user. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the alerts are presented to a user as a list of alerts. Alternatively or additionally, the alerts may be grouped in various methods. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the number of alerts in each group is shown, in a first window, and when the group is selected, a listing of the alerts for the group, is presented, for example, in a second window. Alternatively or additionally, when an alert is selected, its contents may be displayed, however, some alerts may include only a source and no content. In some embodiments of the invention, the contents may be replied to and/or interacted with, for example a user selecting from three options shown in the alert, the selecting causing an e-mail to be sent to the content provider, to provide more information or perform a purchase. Alternatively, the alert may contain an active part of a WWW page, for example a form or a search field.

The alerts may be presented in various orders, for example, order of priority. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a user can set up filtering parameters that affect which alerts are sent by system 1400 and/or which alerts are viewed on various devices. Optionally, a priority of an alert may be modified by a user, for example manually or as part of the filtering information. Alternatively or additionally, the sender of the alert or the content provider can modify the alert priority level. In some embodiments of the invention, a sender of an alert or the content provider can be made aware (e.g., by his own alert) if the user has not read or responded to an alert. A new alert may replace a previous alert from a same source. Alternatively, alerts may accumulate, to a limited or unlimited amount. Once a quota of alert storage space is filled, further alerts may be blocked from being sent. Alternatively or additionally, old alerts are erased. Alternatively or additionally, a latest alert may be overwritten. Selected ones of the stored alerts may be deleted as well, for example, storing more of the recent alerts and fewer of the older alerts. Alternatively or additionally, alerts may replace or update older alerts on a content basis. For example, an alert sent at 10:00 AM that a stock has fallen 10% may replace an alert sent at 9:45 AM, that the same stock has fallen by 5%.

The alerts may be set up per user, for example by a user selecting a WWW page and indicating on the page which parts to monitor as a basis for sending an alert. Alternatively, a user may select alerts (or other calibration information) from a list of system-provided alerts or alerts entered by other users.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a user can select delivery and filtering options to be different for different alerts, for example, based on their priority, source and/or contents. Alternatively or additionally, a user can select the delivery method and/or filtering to be dependent on time of day or day of week. In one example, some alerts are not provided on vacation days. Alternatively or additionally, the delivery location is different for work hours and off-hours. In another example, only urgent or high priority alerts are provided during a lecture. A user can indicate the existence of the lecture to the system by sending a message. Alternatively or additionally, the system may have access to the user's schedule. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the time and date based filtering is defined as part of a user's profile.

In some cases, an alert will be bounced from device to device, for example, if the defined receiving computer refuses the alert, the alert may be sent to an alternative device. Alternatively, some devices may define to the alert server a forwarding address for the alert.

Alternatively, the device itself (or an operator, such as a cellular operator) may forward the alert to an alternative address, if the device is unavailable.

In some embodiments of the invention, alert behavior before vacation or after vacation is also modified. In one example, alert frequency and/or urgency is increased before a vacation. Alternatively or additionally, cumulative alerts are provided after a vacation, that include the contents of what occurred during a vacation.

Alternatively or additionally, to alerts being responsive to changes in data sources, other types of alerts may be available. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a vendor can enter a request to "publish" an alert. All users that have filtering setting that accept the alert may display the alert. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the vendor calls in or faxes in the alert request, for example, selecting one of a set of previously defined alerts. That there may be no "data source" being monitored.

Alerts may also be defined for a viewed WWW or a received e-mail (especially standard format e-mail), for example, based on keywords displayed or based on a pattern matching. The alerts may be defined to be limited, to particular WWW sites, or e-mail senders. Alternatively or additionally, the alerts may be limited based on a page title or e-mail subject. The alert may be sent to the viewer, the information provider and/or a third party. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, certain keywords may be "sold" to a vendor. For example, a vendor may be notified every time a user views the phrase "soft drink". The vendor may send, for example, an advertisement for a soft drink. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a script defining this behavior is programmed into system 1400, so that the vendor is not aware of the user's identity and/or is not required to be in the loop.

Alternatively or additionally, to the alert, links and/or associated information may be provided, for example, in an explorer bar or in the user interface bar described above. ALTERNATIVE EXEMPLARY INTERFACE

Fig. 2B is a schematic illustration of an alternative user interface 1500 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. As with interface 1300, this interface may also be used, as an explorer bar or as a portal for a cellular telephone. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, interface 1500 comprises a plurality of applications that can be switched between by selecting a suitable tab 1502. Shown is a single application, an alert application. Optionally, additional applications may be added to the other tabs and/or additional tabs added.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, interface 1500 comprises an optional row (or other shaped area) of application specific buttons 1504, an optional row of (typically) application-neutral buttons 1518, an optional banner area 1526 (corresponding to 1360) and two optional display areas 1514 and 1516, in which area 1514 typically shows general information and area 1516 shows details of information selected in 1514 and/or serves as a user selection area. In some embodiments, the same screen layout is maintained for different applications, however, this is not always possible.

In the exemplary alert application shown, button 1506 is used to display a directory of available services (for alerts) in area 1514. A detail of the directory and/or informational messages relating to the directory or a detail thereof may be shown in area 1516. Alternatively or additionally, set-up parameters for the service may be entered via area 1516. Button 1508 is used to list those services to which alerts are subscribed by the user. Alternatively or additionally to services, button 1508 may be used for showing menu options and/or content, for example various preferred items of information. In some cases, a user will prepare ahead of time, for example, on a home computer, a list of subjects and/or information to be provided under a single group. Then, using the mobile device, a user can access the previously prepared list by selecting "favorites" (button 1508) and selecting the group name from area 1514, which will place the previously prepared information in area 1516.

Button 1510 is used to list incoming alerts. For example, a list of alerts is shown in area 1514 and details of an alert, or a list of alerts belonging to a single class selected in area 1514, are shown in area 1516.

Button 1512 is used to define an alert on a WWW page or other data source being viewed in the main window (shown in Fig. 2A, not in Fig. 2B). Areas 1514 and 1516 may be used for providing a copy of the data element being analyzed and/or to allow a user to enter various information about the new alert, for example, filtering options, a script to execute, delivery method and/or timing and/or a text pattern to use for finding the exact area being monitored. Alternatively or additionally, other functions may be activated from interface 1500. It is noted that by the interface being integrated with the browser, tracking and interacting with viewed WWW pages may be simpler to implement.

The alert may be defined on the source WWW page. Alternatively, the alert may be defined for the page as modified by a portal, for example, a wireless internet portal.

Alternatively, the defining may be based on a limited page display, but the alert acts on the original page (or a different page, where multiple page varieties are provided by a single server).

Button 1520 is used to pause the reception of new alerts. Possibly, areas 1514 and/or 1516 are used to modify the functionality of the pause.

Button 1522 is used to receive all available alerts, possibly even alerts that are not yet scheduled to be sent, for example periodic alerts.

Button 1524 is used to leave the alert application.

The above are exemplary button assignments and may be varied for other embodiments and/or applications.

An exemplary additional embodiment is a communication embodiment, in which areas 1514 and 1516 may be used to drag information between mapped areas of different users.

As noted above, interface 1500 may be used for multiple device types. Various aspects of the interface may need to be adapted for devices with a limited resolution. A basic adaptation is limiting the ability to define a new alert, in that a complete WWW page is not displayed in a side window.

Alternatively or additionally, a more limited display may use icons instead of text labels, provide fewer lines for each section and/or between sections, show fewer details, provide fewer interface manipulation objects (e.g., scroll bars) show fewer items simultaneously and/or scroll the entire screen. Alternatively or additionally, some or all of the interface may be minimized and then displayed only when needed, for example, using a menu, or by keeping only an icon or the tab part of the interface visible. ADDITIONAL EXEMPLARY SYSTEM CONFIGURATIONS FOR MOBILE USERS In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, system 1400 or another mobile support system may be used to assist in interfacing mobile units and stationary units. Alternatively or additionally, data for the mobile unit may be provided to a portion of a mobile network near the location of the mobile unit.

Figs. 3 and 4 are schematic diagrams of mobile support system configurations, which may be used, for example, for location based services, or for other uses, as described herein. One difference between the configurations of the two figures is in the type of association between cellular system elements and the mobile support system elements.

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cellular network connected through the Internet to servers. A single cellular device 710 is shown. Two cellular centers 720 and 730 are shown. The interconnections of the cellular centers are not shown. Each cellular center is connected to an Internet 740. The Internet network has servers for web-site content (not shown). When the user of cellular device 710 browses the Internet, a connection is made to a cellular center 730, for example chosen over cellular center 740 due to a better signal condition. The cellular center 730 will retrieve the relevant data from the Internet server having the desired content.

There are several potential problems in browsing the web using the above structure. Typically the web site is located far (e.g., communication lines) from cellular center 730, and considering that many users may browse the Internet at the same time, the cellular network and/or connections to the Internet may be heavily loaded. The load may increase because cellular devices are mobile, and web-sites data may need to be transferred from cellular center to another, according to the user's movements. Another potential problem is that the cellular device is limited it its screen size and its memory resources, so special translators and buffers are typically needed at the cellular center to allow the user to see a correct image of the web- page or its relevant part, and/or to compensate for the lack of memory on the cellular device itself. Furthermore, because of limited resources it may be difficult to perform many common browsing tasks, such as comparing sites.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a main server 745 (possibly corresponding to master server 1404 above or system 1400) is connected to the Internet network 740 and holds the personal information and preferences of the users. In addition, server 745 can include user location data and browsing page address, received through the Internet from the cellular centers or using more precise location determination techniques, for example as described below. Alternatively to obtaining the browsing page address from the cellular center, the user can browse all the time using the service site as a shield, writing the web address in a special field, read by main server 745. Main server 745 controls servers 750, 760 and 770 in different locations, and connected to the Internet network 740. Servers 750, 760 and 770 can provide virtual computing resources to the users. Each of these servers provides multiple virtual computing resources, and each may be dedicated to a user. The allocation can vary, for example with time, need and load. The virtual computing resources can retrieve web-pages from the Internet and store them, as well as other personal data, interact with the user and/or operate popular computer programs. The logical interface between them and the user can be that of a thin client. Main server 745, storing the web-operation of each user and his location, can support each user with a virtual computing resource, which resource is capable of moving between the servers to match the users location or expected location. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the users may use full-sized web-page images, which are stored at server 745, with the user scrolling his cellular device and receiving from their virtual computing resource only the relevant part. Browsed pages can be stored at the virtual computing resource which can also serve also as a cache, allowing the users, for example, to freely compare between information on multiple web pages. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, server 745 maintains an HTML page (or other interface) that allows a user to switch between different browsing windows, or view previously retrieved information. This interface may, for example, include a control on the user interface described above in Fig. 2A.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, main server 745 uses the preferences, location and/or heading of each user, to prepare information matching the users current and/or expected location and/or arrival time at a location. The above described virtual computing resources may execute even while the user is not on on-line, and supply the user with the relevant information when he goes on-line. In another mode of operation, the virtual computing resource can send a user targeted messages, optionally matching to user defined preferences. Examples are "A mile ahead is Macdonald's", or "you are approaching snow on the road".

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of a cellular network connected through attached servers to the Internet network. The operation can be similar to Fig. 3. Cellular device 810 is analogous to cellular device 710, main server 865 is analogous to main server 745, and the Internet network 860 is analogous to Internet network 740. Cellular centers 820 and 830 are analogous to cellular centers 720 and 730. The difference is that instead of servers 750, 760 and 770 being attached to the Internet in general, they are servers attached to cellular centers, which may be better distributed geographically and thus, in some instances, data may have a shorter distance to travel, over more available lines. Server 840 is attached to cellular center 820, and server 850 is attached to cellular center 830. A combination of the methods of Fig. 3 and of Fig. 4 may also be provided, for example, a specialized data processor may be on the Internet, rather than at a particular cellular station, in addition to the servers associated with the various cellular centers. It is noted that also servers 750-770 may be associated with and/or be geographically located at particular cellular centers. This placement may result in faster communication.

Alternatively, a system configuration can combine the concepts of Figs. 3 and 4. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the resources of multiple virtual computing means may be efficiently combined for computational intensive tasks posed by some of the users, knowing their location and location changes. In one example, CPU resources are partitions so that users with different peak CPU times (e.g., users that require heavy processing at different times) are served by a single processing server. EXEMPLARY LOCATION BASED APPLICATION Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a browsing screen 910 of a cellular device, in which the sites are graphically shown according to their relevant location to the user's location. Assuming that the user is interesting in a special kind of a shop, icon 920 shows the closest matching shop to the current location of the user. Other optional sites are graphically shown according to their relative position to the user's direction of heading 915. Shop 925 is the next one near the expected movement path, shop 930 is already behind, shops 940, 945 and 950 are to the right, and shops 955, 960 and 965 are to the left. Additionally or alternatively, the sites are graphically shown according to their relevant location to the user's expected location. The users browse with direction arrows. Additionally or alternatively, the user may use the effect of time changes combined with his expected change of place, as input for browsing. Optionally, a travel planning program, such one including road maps, may be used to estimate expected arrival times and the user's path.

ADDITIONAL EXEMPLARY LOCATION BASED APPLICATION

Figs. 6-8 are schematic illustrations of exemplary displays for a cellular telephone in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention for providing a location based service. Although the displays are described for cellular telephones, using a universal interface, such screens may also be used for another device, such as a television or a personal computer.

Fig. 6 shows a basic screen 1005 of a cellular device, after the user has selected an option indicating he wants location based services. First, the user optionally defines his location, in this case selecting between the buttons representing New York 1010, Washington 1020, Los Angeles 1030 or San Francisco 1040. For the following discussion it is assumed that the user has selected New York 1010. It is understood that this is a representative diagram only, and a wider tree of screen selections may have been made for location, such as first selecting for country or later selecting street address. It is also understood that using location reporting systems, the location of the cellular telephone user may be determined without need for screen 1005 and the city selection screen would be redundant and/or skipped, unless information is desired for some other location.

Fig. 7 shows basic screen 1005 after the selection for New York has been made. Now the user can choose between different location based services. Possibly, there is a default selection, to avoid switching too many screens. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the screens are generated and/or stored locally, for examples using a Java enabled telephone, to provide a faster response. Alternatively, the screen generation and/or display logic may be remote. The exemplary services shown are Shopping 1110, Restaurants 1120, Emergency 1130, and TV Programs 1130. It is assumed the user selected Restaurants 1120.

Fig. 8 shows basic screen 1005 after the selection for Restaurants has been made. Now the user can chose between Italian 1210, Japanese 1220, Chinese 1230, and Steak 1230. It is assumed the user selects Japanese 1220. After selecting for a Japanese restaurant the user might view additional screens, for example to filter or sort over exact location, price range, seats availability and so on. If a user's preferences are known in advance, automatic recommendations may be given. The user may also be presented with a map and directions for arriving at the selected restaurant. In case there is a location monitoring of the user's cellular device, the directions may be updated in real time according to the user's path of movement. As described above, other types of data may also be updated in response to the user's location and/or motion.

Tree-based location responsive services (in which a user explicitly enters his location) are provided on the Internet, for example AOL's "Digital City" and MSN's "Pavement". MULTI-USER INTERACTION

Referring back to Fig. 2A, in some embodiments of the invention, a user may desire to interact with a different user. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a common white board (not shown) is provided by system 1400, which multiple users can view. Alternatively or additionally, a user can drag an item off window 1340 and onto bar 1350. The bar may be the user's bar or a different user's bar. Thus, for example, a user can set up his "bar" at home, prior to leaving with his cellular telephone. Alternatively or additionally, a user's assistant can drag information off a screen of the assistant's computer (or other device) onto the user's bar. Suitable authorizations may be required for such an operation. By providing the user's bar mirrored to that on the assistant's screen, the dragged item can appear on the user's cellular telephone screen. Alternatively or additionally, an assistant can drag items between two user bars displayed on his screen. Alternatively or additionally, a user can drag items off his bar into another persons bar or screen, possibly using a "send" command. NON-INTERNET USAGE

It should be appreciated that system 1400 does not require actual connection to an Internet to be used. In one example, a user can set up an alert, receive and alert or send an alert, using a telephone connection. Alternatively or additionally, by a user selecting from a list of pre-set information services or alerts, the user is not aware of the relationship to an Internet. Possibly, also membership in information services is mediated by system 1400. BUSINESS COMMUNICATION FACILITATION In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, two content providers or vendors can be made aware of each other, for example, for collaboration purposes. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, when one vendor sends an alert, another vendor can be notified, so the alerts go out together. One example is offering a package deal at a mall that a user is traveling by, when an alert for one vendor is sent based on the user's location, also the other vendor can send an alert. Optionally, a script for the collaboration is executed at system 1400 or on the local computer.

Alternatively or additionally, system 1400 can act as a gateway, for example, for converting between messages in different formats. A user can send a message in a first format to a "mailbox" of a second user at system 1400. System 1400 generates an alert to the second user, in the second user's format and/or language, and sends the alert to the second user. A response from the second user may undergo the opposite conversions, for example.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the system supports two-way viral marketing of the system. On the one hand, a user may use the system on a content provider, and if the user is satisfied, he may suggest to the content provider to better adapt his site to the system. Once the content provider thus joins, he brings the use of the system to many users. In particular, alerts may be generated by the system, in some embodiments thereof, without any active subscription by the users of the content provider. If they like the alerts, they may use them for other unsupported content providers, and so on. A feature of some embodiments of the invention is that the system supports easy addition of services. The user interface can be a standard interface. A multiplicity of support services may be provided and the user profiles are already defined in the system. Thus, adding a service may be as simple as making it available and defining how it is accessed using the standard interface. Optionally, a definition of how the user profiles affect the service is also prepared.

IMAGE BASED LOCATION

For many applications, standard cellular location technologies may be used, for example, GPS, TOA at base stations and estimation using phase differences. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, an image based location system is provided, which determines a position using image matching. Optionally, image databases, data links and/or processing power used for such a location method is provided via system 1400.

Fig. 9 illustrates a satellite 100 looking at an area 110 of earth, and viewing a plurality of rough details 120, 130 and 140. A reference mark X (150) indicates a user's true location. Generally, the user is too small to be identified in the satellite image, even if it is real-time. In this and the following figures, rough details are shown as clumps of buildings, while fine details are shown as individual buildings. Depending on the actual imaging technology used, the ranges involved and the physical scene, other images may be more appropriate, for example mountains.

Fig. 10 shows fine details 200, 210, 220 and 230 of rough detail 120 of Fig. 9. Fig. 11 shows fine details 300, 310 and 320 of rough detail 130 of Fig. 9. Fig. 12 shows a fine detail 400 of rough detail 140 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 13 is a flowchart of a method of finding a rough location of the user, which will be explained with reference to Figs. 9-12. The user is standing in front of building 210, at location 150 as indicated in Fig. 9. Since he is located in a slightly different place than that used as a viewpoint for Fig. 10, his mobile camera sees buildings 200, 210, 220 and 230, as well as other nearby objects in a slightly different way than that presented in Fig. 10. Possibly, some details are hidden, and other previously hidden details are shown. At 510, the cellular operator supplies an approximate location of the user, for example using cellular location technologies known in the art. Optionally, a user can enter or affirm an estimate. Alternatively or additionally, the telephone may include a compass for generate at least a partial gaze direction of the camera. At 515, a relevant image(s) that includes the surroundings of the user is captured by satellite 100 and then provided. It is appreciated that the image may be previously acquired or real-time. Thus, in some embodiments, no live satellite link is required.

Further, if the expected travels of the user, or statistics for a group of users are known, these images can be acquired, for the positioning task, shortly before they are needed, possibly at matching seasonal, angular view, weather and/or daylight conditions, to assist in the matching task. Also, such data may be pre-provided to the computers that are expected to perform the image correlation task. Altematively or additionally, feature extraction on these images may be performed ahead of time responsive to the above statistical knowledge of potential need.

The obtained image area (Fig. 9) covers rough details 120, 130 and 140 of Fig. 9. The data of these rough details are provided at 520. At 525, an image (or sequence thereof) is acquired using the user's camera, and at 530 a rough representation is created from the user's camera image. At 535, this rough image is compared to rough details 120, 130 and 140 seen by the satellite and brought, at 520. The comparison results, at 540, in determining the user's rough location as being at near object 120. Alternatively, correlation based method or other methods may be used, in which 530 may not be required. It is noted that in some image comparison methods there is no need to transmit the complete images, for example, only extracted features are required.

Alternatively or additionally to using cellular station data for location, a GPS signal may be used. In a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the rough location is found by using both GPS data and satellite images. In another exemplary embodiment of the current invention, the rough location is found by using the triplet of GPS, satellite images, and cellular data. In some cases, two levels of satellite images are used, one having a lower resolution and one having a higher resolution, once a rough position estimate is determined. Fig. 14 is a flowchart of a method of finding a fine-resolution location of the user, which will be explained with reference to Figs. 10 and 13. The rough location of the user is found at 610, optionally as described in the description of Fig. 13. Using an image database, and knowing that the user is in front of rough detail 120, the detailed image of 120 is obtained at 620. The comparison of the details in detailed image 120 to the user's camera image is performed at 630, to determine the user location, at 640, to be in front of building 120.

Optionally, a single location is chosen if there is more than one possible matching, for example, a best match. Optionally, the selection is narrowed down by comparing the mobile camera image data to known references. Such a comparison can also result in a higher resolution location. Possibly, a series of acquired images are used to further narrow the range of possibilities and/or obtain a higher resolution location estimate.

Possibly the cellular camera is automatically controlled or the user is requested to control it or point it in a certain direction, to obtain the images required for the methods of Figs. 13 and 14. Alternatively or additionally, an attempt is made to obtain the images transparently to the user. Alternatively or additionally, the user is instructed, for example using a voice or visual display, to acquire images. In some cases, the method of Fig. 14 uses two or more images as input, for example if determining by rough detail images left both 120 and 130 as viable alternatives. Optionally, after finding the user's exact location, the user may be tracked directly by the satellite (or other camera supporting platform or by microwave antenna array supporting platform) for example using a very fine lenses, or by continuously using the method of Fig. 14, with switching to neighboring fine details images when the user reach the edges of the current image.

Additionally to the images and/or cellular base position, a GPS indication at the user's location may be used to refine the results and/or determine the rough position. It is understood that fine locations inside objects such as building, may be similarly found. From the above method, it may be known that the user is entering a certain building. By matching his camera view to a fine image (or structural) database describing the interior of that certain building, the exact location may be computed.

The fine images database may be constructed, for example, by specially acquiring images. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, users may contribute to a database by creating camera reference images (there are many available such users), possibly requiring the user's permission, by acquiring images and sending them through the cellular link to the database processing means. One potential aid for such creation is that the absolute position of various reference points, such as buildings and historical sites, may be stored in a database and used to register the images or image streams acquired by user cameras. In one example, a complete log of a user's path (and a corresponding reference image set) may be generated by backtracking (off- line, or in real-time) from a known-reference imaged at some point in the path.

Thus, it is possible to generate an up-to-date map of the layout of stores and shopping malls. This information can be used for many uses, especially in conjunction with personal preference information, if available, for example, for targeting advertisement, for route planning for price comparison and/or for generating a virtual representation of a shopping mall for at-home shopping of the same or a different user. Alternatively or additionally, the information may be used for guiding a user (e.g., via speech instructions or via displayed instructions or a map), for example to an exact shelf in a real or virtual mall where a desired piece of merchandise can be found. The indexing of products to location may be provided, for example, by object recognition, by manual (e.g. by users) entering the information and/or by the store.

The images acquired by the satellite are typically near vertical or at a substantial angle to the horizontal, and the images acquired by the user's camera are typically near horizontal. It may be required to match the two image sets even though they are acquired at different angles. Alternatively, the user may acquire angular directed images. An exemplary method of matching the two image sets is by correlating between three-dimensional images created separately from the satellite view and from the user view. Each three dimensional image (for the satellite and/or camera) is created, for example, from a plurality of images of same area, taken from a different locations, especially while a camera is panning and/or moving. This is used for corresponding between the near-horizontal taken camera images, to the near-vertical (from sky) taken satellite images. Alternatively or additionally, diagonal aerial images or images from office buildings are used. Alternatively or additionally, the cellular telephone may include a depth detecting camera.

Corresponding between same distinct points such as clear comers, and knowing the camera parameters, allow for calculating the shapes and/or various dimensions of the seen details. Alternatively or additionally, other methods of feature extraction, pattern matching and/or morphing may be used. POWER MONITORING

Another service that may be provided by a remote server, or by a program executing at on a cellular telephone, is monitoring a radiation dosage of a cellular telephone user. Generally, a radiation dose can be estimated from the distance between the cellular telephone and the base station and/or from operating information from the cellular telephone itself or the base station. However, some cellular telephones cannot report their power transmission level. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, an agent tracks the duration of talking and the distances from base station and/or other relevant information, and, possibly using a biological- interaction radiation model, derives a dosage. An alternative method tracks maximum power levels of the transmitted signal, optionally taking into account the different power levels used while making the connection, and multiplying by the relevant times lengths. If a non-linear model of the effect of the radiation is available, such a non-linear model is optionally used to generate an effective dosage.

Optionally, a user can calibrate the model used. For example, different values may be used for right and left handed people, for persons that tend to extend or not extend an antenna, based on statistics of conversations using a speakerphone and/or based on various radiation dosage affecting peripherals the user may use. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the statistics of usage of a car telephone are determined automatically based on the rate of motion of the user, for a plurality of telephone calls, and/or the correspondence of such motion with known locations of streets and/or other transportation means.

Possibly, the agent alerts the user if the dosage is above a desired amount. Optionally, the power transmission level is reduced, to lower the dosage, even if this results in lower quality of communication.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the cellular operators supply more accurate radiation levels, for example levels measured at the base-station or measured at the telephone. In a programmable telephone, the radiation metering may be performed by the telephone itself. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, by an independent service providing the user with the maximum figures, the cellular provider is motivated to measure more exact levels and provide them to the user. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the received power at the cellular telephone (or base station) are used to estimate the radiation field near the telephone. However, some cellular telephones cannot report their power transmission level. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the transmission by a user's telephone is estimated from the transmission power of nearby telephones. The other cellular telephones may be from a same provider or from a different provider. Alternatively or additionally, to calculating the radiation dosage from the telephone, the described method can be used to calculate the radiation dosage from the base stations, to passerbys. Alternatively to monitoring the radiation dosage locally, the radiation dosage may be monitored by a third party. Optionally, the dosage information logged can be viewed on the cellular telephone itself, or using a different device, such as a personal computer, for example via the Internet, or be sent as an alert, for example using system 1400. In response to the radiation dosage indication, it is expected that a cellular provider and/or the telephone will initiate a process of switching between base stations. Alternatively or additionally, a user may set alert levels, in response to a dosage threshold or an instant power level being exceeded. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the user turns off the telephone or switches to a lower quality connection (e.g., lower power level or other base station), responsive to an alert. This response may be manual or it may be automatic, for example by the telephone or by the cellular provider. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, responses to the radiation levels and dosages are provided by a watchdog type program, for example executing in the telephone, at the cellular provider and/or at a third party service provider. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the watchdog is independent of the normal operation of the cellular telephone, thereby providing a higher certainty with a lower system complexity. Similar techniques may also be used for other wireless devices, such as wireless home telephones.

It will be appreciated that the above described methods of wireless data provision may be varied in many ways, including, changing the order of steps, which steps are performed on- line and which steps are performed off-line. In addition, various distributed and/or centralized configurations may be used to implement the above invention, optionally utilizing a variety of software tools and/or various hardware/software combinations. In addition, a multiplicity of various features, both of methods and of devices has been described. It should be appreciated that different features may be combined in different ways. In particular, not all the features shown above in a particular embodiment are necessary in every similar exemplary embodiment of the invention. Further, combinations of the above features are also considered to be within the scope of some exemplary embodiments of the invention. Also within the scope of the invention are computer readable media on which software, for performing part or all of an exemplary embodiment of the invention, are written. It should also be appreciated that many of the embodiments are described only as methods or only as apparatus. The scope of the invention also covers hardware and/or software adapted and/or designed and/or programmed to carry out the method type embodiments. In addition, the scope of the invention includes methods of using, constructing, calibrating and/or maintaining the apparatus described herein. Heads, where they appear, are provided for ease of browsing and should not be construed as necessarily limiting the contents of the section to that which is suggested by the heading. When used in the following claims, the terms "comprises", "comprising", "includes", "including", "having" or their conjugates mean "including but not limited to".

It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited by what has thus far been described. Rather, the scope of the present invention is limited only by the following claims.

Claims

1. A data provision apparatus, comprising: a clip store containing a plurality of definitions of data elements, at least two of said definitions for two different data sources; a data extractor adapted for extracting data matching said definitions, from a plurality of unrelated data sources, said data being arranged by said sources for visual display; and a data pusher adapted for forwarding at least an indication of said extracted data to a user in the form of an alert.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said sources of data comprises WWW pages.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said data element comprises a small portion of a page.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said sources of data are accessed via an Internet.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said data extractor also receives information sent by an operator of at least one of said arbitrary sources.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a definitions user interface adapted for receiving said definitions, which definitions user interface is independent of a data source for which a definition is entered.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said definitions user interface is a computer based interface.

8. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said definitions user interface is a cellular telephone interface.

9. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said definitions user interface is an IVR interface.

10. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said definitions user interface comprises a set-top box.

11. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said definitions user interface comprises a marked up hypertext-capable interface.

12. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said definitions user interface comprises an interface for entering new definitions.

13. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said definitions user interface comprises an interface for selecting from existing definitions.

14. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said definitions user interface comprises an interface for modifying existing definitions.

15. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said definitions user interface comprises an interface for entering filtering information.

16. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said definitions user interface comprises an interface for entering delivery information.

17. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said clip store is arranged according to users.

18. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least some of said definitions for a particular user, are provided by said user.

19. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least some of said definitions for a particular user, are provided by an operator of said data source.

20. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least some of said definitions for a plurality of users, are provided by an operator of said data source.

21. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said data extractor works with a site without any intervention by a site operator of the data source.

22. An apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a filtering store including at least one filtering information element for filtering said extracted data element.

23. An apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a delivery store including at least one delivery information element for defining a delivery method for said data pusher to use for said forwarding.

24. An apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a user device on which said alert is provided.

25. An apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said data pusher works said user device without any hardware of software modification of the user device.

26. An apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said user device is a personal computer.

27. An apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said user device is a television.

28. An apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said user device is a wireless mobile device.

29. An apparatus according to claim 28, wherein said user device is a cellular telephone.

30. An apparatus according to claim 28, wherein said user device is a PDA (personal digital assistant).

31. An apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said alert is provided as an alert without additional content.

32. An apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said alert is provided with content.

33. An apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said alert is provided with a response functionality.

34. An apparatus according to claim 24, comprising an alerts management user interface on said user device.

35. An apparatus according to claim 34, wherein said alerts management user interface lists alerts by priority.

36. An apparatus according to claim 34, wherein said alerts management user interface lists alerts by time of arrival.

37. An apparatus according to claim 34, wherein said alerts management user interface lists alerts by source.

38. An apparatus according to claim 34, wherein said alerts management user interface retrieves, upon user request, a content of said alert.

39. An apparatus according to claim 34, wherein said alerts management user interface includes filtering logic.

40. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said alert is provided by e-mail.

41. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said alert is provided using an instant messaging system.

42. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said alert is provided by SMS message.

43. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said alert is provided as data to a dedicated program on a user device, which program converts said data to alerts.

44. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said data pusher sends said alert differently, responsive to a location of said user.

45. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said data pusher sends said alert differently, responsive to a time of day.

46. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said data pusher sends said alert differently, responsive to a date.

47. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said data pusher sends said alert differently, responsive to filtering information associated with said user.

48. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said data pusher sends said alert differently, responsive to delivery information associated with said user.

49. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said data pusher sends different alerts to different users based on same extracted information.

50. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said data pusher sends different alerts responsive to at least one of time, date, and location of the user.

51. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said data pusher processes said extracted data prior to sending the processed data to said user.

52. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said data pusher forwards a previously prepared message responsive to said extracted data.

53. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said data pusher includes an input for receiving a request for said alert from said user.

54. Apparatus for providing resources to wireless mobile devices, comprising: a plurality of geographically distributed resource servers; a communication connection between each of said servers and mobile devices; a memory store including user-associated information, associated with users of said mobile devices and available to all of said resource servers; and a master server for dynamically assigning resources of said resource servers to unrelated mobile devices.

55. An apparatus according to claim 54, wherein said master server assigns resources to groups of interacting devices.

56. An apparatus according to claim 54, wherein said master server comprises a program distributed between a plurality of resource servers.

57. An apparatus according to claim 54, wherein said master server is associated with a particular resource server.

58. An apparatus according to claim 54, wherein said resources are assigned based on a location associated with a mobile device.

59. An apparatus according to claim 58, wherein said location is a present location.

60. An apparatus according to claim 58, wherein said location is a projected location.

61. An apparatus according to claim 54, wherein said resources are assigned to a user's device based on a QoS (Quality of Service) agreement with said user.

62. An apparatus according to claim 54, wherein said resources are assigned to a user's device based on a tradeoff between at least two of quality of service, response time, dependability and cost, said tradeoff being approved by said user.

63. An apparatus according to claim 54, wherein said memory store is maintained by a central database engine.

64. An apparatus according to claim 54, wherein said user-associated information comprises user defined data element definitions for data monitoring.

65. An apparatus according to claim 54, wherein said user-associated information comprises user preferences for user interfaces.

66. An apparatus according to claim 54, wherein said user-associated information comprises a user profile.

67. An apparatus according to claim 54, wherein said user-associated information comprises a user's schedule.

68. An apparatus according to claim 54, wherein said user-associated information comprises a user's typical travel path.

69. An apparatus according to claim 54, wherein said user-associated information comprises identification information.

70. An apparatus according to claim 54, wherein said user-associated information comprises payment means.

71. An apparatus according to claim 54, wherein said mobile device comprises a cellular telephone.

72. An apparatus according to claim 54, wherein at least some of said resource servers are associated with base stations of a cellular telephone network.

73. An apparatus according to claim 54, wherein at least some of said resource servers are installed in conjunction with said base stations.

74. An apparatus according to claim 54, wherein at least some of said resource servers are installed separate from said base stations.

75. An apparatus according to claim 54, wherein at least some of said user-associated information is maintained at a remote location.

76. An apparatus according to claim 75, wherein said remote location is associated with a service provider.

77. An apparatus according to claim 54, wherein said assigned resources comprise CPU resources.

78. An apparatus according to claim 77, wherein said CPU executes software provided by said mobile device.

79. An apparatus according to claim 77, wherein said CPU executes software downloaded to said CPU under the direction of said mobile user.

80. An apparatus according to claim 54, wherein said assigned resources comprise executable application resources, executed at said resource server.

81. An apparatus according to claim 80, wherein said application processes information retrieved by said system for said mobile user.

82. An apparatus according to claim 81, wherein said application generates a display for said mobile user.

83. An apparatus according to claim 80, wherein said application comprises a software agent.

84. An apparatus according to claim 83, wherein said agent executes for said mobile device even when said mobile device is not connected to said system.

85. An apparatus according to claim 80, wherein said application comprises an alert monitor, that monitors WWW sites and generates alerts to mobile devices based on changes in monitored pages.

86. An apparatus according to claim 85, wherein said alert monitor receives information for generating said alert, from a data source associated with the monitored site.

87. An apparatus according to claim 80, wherein said application comprises a spell checker.

88. An apparatus according to claim 80, wherein said application comprises a search engine.

89. An apparatus according to claim 80, wherein said application comprises a location based service.

90. An apparatus according to claim 54, wherein said resource comprises a memory resource.

91. An apparatus according to claim 90, wherein said memory resource comprises a short term memory resource.

92. An apparatus according to claim 90, wherein said memory resource comprises a long term storage memory resource.

93. An apparatus according to claim 90, wherein said memory resource comprises a personal blackboard.

94. An apparatus according to claim 93, comprising a browser for selectively showing parts of said blackboard on said mobile device.

95. An apparatus according to claim 93, comprising Internet access software for retrieving a WWW page to said blackboard.

96. An apparatus according to claim 90, wherein said memory resource comprises a blackboard accessible by a plurality of mobile devices.

97. An apparatus according to claim 90, wherein said memory resource comprises a blackboard shared between a mobile device and a fixed computer.

98. An apparatus according to claim 54, wherein said resource comprises a network software client emulator that emulates a client executing on the mobile device by executing the software on a resource server and sending an output of the software to said mobile device.

99. An apparatus according to claim 98, wherein said network software client comprises a Java client.

100. An apparatus according to claim 54, wherein said system distributes parts of a single file to multiple resource servers, for a particular client.

101. An apparatus according to claim 100, wherein said parts overlap.

102. An apparatus according to claim 100, wherein said distribution matches an expected travel of said mobile device.

103. An apparatus according to claim 100, wherein said distribution is performed prior to said mobile device having an effective location that is geographically near most of said resource servers.

104. An apparatus according to claim 54, wherein said system distributes a file to a resource server associated with a future location of a particular client.

105. An apparatus according to claim 54, wherein said master server reassigns said resources so that said resources move seamlessly with said client.

106. An apparatus according to claim 54, comprising a connection to a location providing system, for providing a current location of said mobile device.

107. An apparatus according to claim 106, wherein said location providing system provides a location of a fixed location device.

108. An apparatus according to claim 54, comprising a predictor for predicting a future spatial-temporal coordinate of said user.

109. An apparatus according to claim 54, comprising user interface logic for accessing said system by said user.

110. An apparatus according to claim 109, wherein the user interface comprises a single user interface logic for use with a plurality of different types of user operated devices.

111. An apparatus according to claim 109, wherein said user interface logic utilizes display pages stored at said system and remote from said mobile device.

112. An apparatus according to claim 54, wherein said resource servers send information to said mobile device using a cellular protocol.

113. An apparatus according to claim 54, wherein said resource servers send information to said mobile device using a WAP protocol.

114. An apparatus according to claim 54, wherein said resource servers send information to said mobile device using a voice protocol.

115. An apparatus according to claim 54, wherein said resource servers send information to said mobile device using an internet protocol.

116. An apparatus according to claim 54, comprising a connection to a personal computer associated with a user.

117. An apparatus according to claim 54, wherein said master server treats said personal computer as a resource server for uses associated with the user.

118. A method of synchronizing the usage of a mobile wireless device having a first display and another device having a second display, comprising: associating at least a portion of the first display to at least a portion of the second display; and manipulating said two associated portions of displays in a synchronized manner.

119. A method according to claim 118, wherein said mobile device comprises a cellular telephone.

120. A method according to claim 118, wherein said mobile device comprises a PDA (personal digital assistant).

121. A method according to claim 118, wherein said second display comprises a television display.

122. A method according to claim 118, wherein said another device comprises a fixed personal computer.

123. A method according to claim 118, wherein said another device comprises a cellular telephone.

124. A method according to claim 118, wherein said displays are associated with a blackboard.

125. A method according to claim 124, wherein said blackboard is provided by a third device.

126. A method according to claim 118, wherein manipulating comprises copying from one of said displays to another of said displays.

127. A method according to claim 118, wherein manipulating comprises maintaining a live correspondence between the contents of said two display parts.

128. A method according to claim 118, wherein manipulating comprises continuously copying from one display to the other display, so that the second display reflects the contents of the first display.

129. A method according to claim 126, wherein copying comprises adapting the copied information to at least one characteristic of a target display.

130. A method according to claim 129, wherein the characteristic comprises a display size.

131. A method according to claim 129, wherein the characteristic comprises a display resolution.

132. A method according to claim 118, wherein manipulating comprises dragging a graphical object from one display to the other display via their associated portions.

133. A method according to claim 118, wherein said another device is adapted to simulate the behavior of said mobile device.

134. A method according to claim 118, wherein said mobile device and said another device utilize a same interface.

135. A method according to claim 118, wherein said manipulation is under the control of said mobile device.

136. A method according to claim 118, wherein said manipulation is under the control of said another device.

137. A method of distributing alerts, comprising: preparing a plurality of alert messages; receiving an indication from an alert requester that a particular one of said alert messages is to be sent; and transmitting said alert message by an alert transmitter to a plurality of alert receivers, said alert messages being filtered by at least one of said alert receiver and said alert transmitter responsive to filtering parameters associated with the alert receivers.

138. A method according to claim 137, wherein said alert is transmitted by one transmission method to all alert receivers.

139. A method according to claim 137, wherein said alert is transmitted by different transmission methods to different alert receivers.

140. A method according to claim 137, wherein said alert is transmitted by a cellular network.

141. A method according to claim 137, wherein said alert message is associated with a site operated by said alert requester.

142. A method according to claim 137, wherein said indication is entered by computer.

143. A method according to claim 137, wherein said indication is received via a non- computer interface.

144. A method according to claim 137, wherein said filtering parameters define alert subj ects of interest.

145. A method of uniform interaction, comprising: providing a storage of personalization parameters for an interface; executing a user interface on a first device, using said personalized parameters; modifying at least one of said personalization parameters at said storage; and executing a substantially same user interface on a second device, using said modified personalization parameters.

146. A method according to claim 145, wherein said first device comprises a personal computer.

147. A method according to claim 145, wherein said first device comprises a cellular telephone.

148. A method according to claim 145, wherein said user interface is integrated into an internet browser in at least one of said devices.

149. A method according to claim 145, wherein said personalization parameters define an interface behavior.

150. A method according to claim 145, wherein said personalization parameters define a content display as part of said interface.

151. A method according to claim 145, wherein said interface utilizes at least one of said personalization parameters for two different applications that use said interface and are provided by different vendors.

152. A method according to claim 145, wherein said first device emulates said second device.

153. A method according to claim 152, wherein emulation comprises providing location based services for emulated virtual locations of the second device.

154. A data distribution system, comprising: a monitoring server adapted to retrieve information from substantially arbitrary electronically published data sources, responsive to predefined data needs; a processor associated with said server, for processing said data; a plurality of user servers, each user server associated with a plurality of users and at least one of said servers at least indirectly defining said data needs; and a data transmitter adapted to transmit at least one of said data and a processed result of said data, to at least one of said plurality of user servers, said transmitter transmitting data only to user servers requiring said data.

155. An apparatus according to claim 154, wherein said processor detects changes in said retrieved data.

156. An apparatus according to claim 154, wherein said user servers further process said data responsive to user-associated information.

157. An apparatus according to claim 154, wherein an association of said users with said user servers is dynamic.

158. An apparatus according to claim 154, wherein said at least one of said data and said processed results are provided to said users as alerts.

159. A method of finding a location of a mobile data acquisition device, comprising: determining a rough location for said device; acquiring data using said device; and matching said acquired data to a database of geographically registered data, to determine a more exact location for said device.

160. A method according to claim 159, wherein said data acquisition device comprises a camera.

161. A method according to claim 159, wherein said data acquisition device comprises a microphone.

162. A method according to claim 159, wherein said determining comprises determining using a matching of visual images.

163. A method according to claim 159, wherein said determining comprises determining using a cellular localization system.

164. A method according to claim 159, wherein said determining comprises determining using a GPS system.

165. A method according to claim 159, wherein said matching comprises matching to a database of three-dimensional images.

166. A method according to claim 159, wherein said matching comprises matching a three- dimensional image.

167. A method according to claim 159, comprising accumulating said acquired data to extend said database.

168. A method of radiation dosage monitoring, comprising: estimating a dosage of radiation generated by a telephone; and generating an alert if said dosage is higher than a threshold amount.

169. A method according to claim 168, comprising changing at least one characteristic of a connection of said telephone based on said alert.

170. A method according to claim 169, wherein said characteristic comprises an intensity of transmission from the telephone.

171. A method according to claim 169, wherein said characteristic comprises a duration of said connection.

172. A method according to claim 169, wherein said characteristic comprises an identity of a base station with which the connection is made.

173. A method according to claim 169, wherein said characteristic comprises a quality of said connection.

174. A method according to claim 168, wherein estimating comprises estimating based on reporting by the telephone.

175. A method according to claim 168, wherein estimating comprises estimating based on reporting by the base station of at least one of reception power and transmission power.

176. A method according to claim 168, wherein estimating comprises estimating based on conversation durations.

177. A method of encryption, comprising: determining an expected location of a recipient; generating an decryption key based on said location; and encrypting information such that it can be decrypted using said key.

178. A method of location hiding, comprising: electronically providing incorrect location indicating information from a cellular telephone; and calculating an incorrect location based on said incorrect location information.

179. A method according to claim 178, wherein said incoπect information comprises an unexpected variation in amplitude of transmission by said telephone.

180. A method according to claim 178, wherein said incoπect information comprises an erroneous GPS location.

181. A method according to claim 178, wherein said incoπect information is provided in response to a request for information.

182. A method according to claim 178, wherein said incorrect information lowers a resolution of location determination.

183. A method according to claim 178, wherein said incorrect information reports a different location from a real location.