Abstract: According to exemplary embodiments, networked object management software, devices, systems and methods are described which use social mapping principles to streamline interactions between users and their networked objects, as well as between the networked objects themselves. Friendship relationships are established, by a network management system, between a plurality of the networked objects, each of the plurality of networked objects being associated with a use. When the network management system receives a task request, it can then assign the requested task to one of the plurality of networked objects which has a capability to perform the requested task and which also has an established friendship relationship with the user.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for providing connectivity information, regarding a consumer electronic device that is connected to a local network, to an Internet server. The method includes a step of a mobile communication unit retrieving the connectivity information of the consumer electronic device from the local network and then transmitting the connectivity information of the consumer electronic device to the Internet Server via an access network independent from the local network.

Abstract: Method and apparatus of supporting selection of operator connection offers for a Machine to Machine equipment (10) comprised in a communication network. A network node (14) receives (42) a operator connection request from the Machine to Machine equipment (10) and obtains (44) operator connection offers for the Machine to Machine equipment (10) wherein each offer originates from a separate operator. The network node (14) selects (46) one or more of the obtained offers and sends (48) the selected offers to a decision entity associated with the Machine to Machine equipment (10), for selecting one of the selected offers.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of generating annotation tags (28) for a digital image (22) includes maintaining a library (16) of human-meaningful words or phrases organized as category entries (72) according to a number of defined image description categories (70), and receiving context metadata (20) associated with the capture of a given digital image (22). The method further includes selecting particular category entries (72-1, 72-2) as vocabulary metadata (24) for the digital image (22) by mapping the context metadata (20) into the library (16), and generating annotation tags (28) for the digital image (22) by logically combining the vocabulary metadata (24) according to a defined set of deductive logic rules (30) that are predicated on the defined image description categories (70). In another embodiment, a processing apparatus (12), such as a digital processor (18, 26) and supporting memory (14), etc., is configured to carry out the above method, or to carry out variations of the above method.

Abstract: A method and arrangement for switching between a common media stream and a selective media stream of a media session received in a media player including a media buffer entity. Media frames of either a common media stream or a selective media stream are received and buffered in the media buffer entity. A switch at the media buffer entity is then controlled so that the output of the media buffer entity is changed from delivering common media frames to delivering selective media frames, or vice versa, upon detecting a stream switching trigger frame in the received media frames.

Abstract: A system for controlling charging for energy usage is provided. The system may comprise a plurality of devices powered by electricity and a management network managing energy usage consumed by the plurality of devices. Each device of the plurality of devices may include a sensing unit for measuring energy usage consumed by the device, and a transmitting unit for transmitting the measurement of the energy usage to the management network. The management network may include a receiving unit for receiving the measurement transmitted by the transmitting unit, an identification unit for identifying a device for which the received measurement has been measured, and a charging unit for controlling charging to a user of the identified device based on the received measurement.

Abstract: A method of establishing a secure communication channel between a user terminal (2) and a SIP server (14) for the purpose of controlling a service such as an IPTV service. The method comprises sending from the user terminal (2) to the SIP server (14) a session initiation request, via an IP Multimedia Subsystem network, where the IP Multimedia Subsystem network incorporates into the request a P-Asserted-Identity. At the SIP server (14), access to the service is authorized on the basis of said P-Asserted-Identity and, upon successful authorization, a security token is sent to the user terminal (2), via the IP Multimedia Subsystem network. The SIP server (14) and the user terminal (2) use said security token to establish a secure communication channel between each other.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of generating annotation tags (28) for a digital image (22) includes maintaining a library (16) of human-meaningful words or phrases organized as category entries (72) according to a number of defined image description categories (70), and receiving context metadata (20) associated with the capture of a given digital image (22). The method further includes selecting particular category entries (72-1, 72-2) as vocabulary metadata (24) for the digital image (22) by mapping the context metadata (20) into the library (16), and generating annotation tags (28) for the digital image (22) by logically combining the vocabulary metadata (24) according to a defined set of deductive logic rules (30) that are predicated on the defined image description categories (70). In another embodiment, a processing apparatus (12), such as a digital processor (18, 26) and supporting memory (14), etc., is configured to carry out the above method, or to carry out variations of the above method.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conducting remote discovery of services across different local networks. A service discovery gateway in one local network issues a request for discovery information on the services in the opposite local network, embedded in a presence subscribe message over an IMS network. Discovery information is then received in a generic format embedded in a presence notify message over the IMS network. The received discovery information has been collected by a service discovery gateway in the first local network using a local service discovery protocol in the first local network. The received discovery information is announced to devices in the second local network, using a local service discovery protocol valid within the second local network. Thereby, local services can be provided and utilized across different local networks, even when different device-specific service discovery protocols are used within the local networks.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for providing connectivity information, regarding a consumer electronic device that is connected to a local network, to an Internet server. The method includes a step of a mobile communication unit retrieving the connectivity information of the consumer electronic device from the local network and then transmitting the connectivity information of the consumer electronic device to the Internet Server via an access network independent from the local network.

Abstract: According to exemplary embodiments, networked object management software, devices, systems and methods are described which use social mapping principles to streamline interactions between users and their networked objects, as well as between the networked objects themselves. Friendship relationships are established, by a network management system, between a plurality of the networked objects, each of the plurality of networked objects being associated with a use. When the network management system receives a task request, it can then assign the requested task to one of the plurality of networked objects which has a capability to perform the requested task and which also has an established friendship relationship with the user.

Abstract: A method of establishing a secure communication channel between a user terminal (2) and a SIP server (14) for the purpose of controlling a service such as an IPTV service. The method comprises sending from the user terminal (2) to the SIP server (14) a session initiation request, via an IP Multimedia Subsystem network, where the IP Multimedia Subsystem network incorporates into the request a P-Asserted-Identity. At the SIP server (14), access to the service is authorised on the basis of said P-Asserted-Identity and, upon successful authorisation, a security token is sent to the user terminal (2), via the IP Multimedia Subsystem network. The SIP server (14) and the user terminal (2) use said security token to establish a secure communication channel between each other.

Abstract: A method and arrangement for switching between a common media stream and a selective media stream of a media session received in a media player including a media buffer entity. Media frames of either a common media stream or a selective media stream are received and buffered in the media buffer entity. A switch at the media buffer entity is then controlled so that the output of the media buffer entity is changed from delivering common media frames to delivering selective media frames, or vice versa, upon detecting a stream switching trigger frame in the received media frames.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and software program is provided for scheduling and admission controlling of real-time data packet traffic. Data packets are admitted or rejected for real-time processing according to throughput capabilities of a packet scheduler. A delivery deadline is determined for each payload data packet at the packet scheduler and packets are sorted into a time-stamp-based queue. Deadline violations are monitored and an adaptation of payload data packets can be triggered on demand in order to enter a stable state.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and software program is provided for scheduling and admission controlling of real-time data packet traffic. Data packets are admitted or rejected for real-time processing according to throughput capabilities of a packet scheduler. A delivery deadline is determined for each payload data packet at the packet scheduler and packets are sorted into a time-stamp-based queue. Deadline violations are monitored and an adaptation of payload data packets can be triggered on demand in order to enter a stable state.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and software program is provided for scheduling and admission controlling of real-time data packet traffic. Data packets are admitted or rejected for real-time processing according to throughput capabilities of a packet scheduler. A delivery deadline is determined for each payload data packet at the packet scheduler and packets are sorted into a time-stamp-based queue. Deadline violations are monitored and an adaptation of payload data packets can be triggered on demand in order to enter a stable state.