Abstract: This invention relates to a system and a method for distributing an invitation to one or more communication terminals connected in a wireless communications network. The system and method enables a user of a communication terminal to invite other users of communication terminals to a shared media experience, such as watching a television transmission at the same time, while the users may be at different locations.

Abstract: A media system comprising a broadcast system, a telecommunication system, a content processing system, and a user terminal. While a media stream is broadcast, a group of content items associated with the media stream are generated. The content items are presented in the user terminal in a first mode, wherein a presentation element corresponding to a content item is changed to another presentation element according to the timing information of the content item, or in a second mode wherein a presentation element is changed to another presentation element in response to a user action. Transition from the second mode is allowed only by authorization according to a pre-defined procedure. The interactive operations are thus controlled by the user and thus not overridden by content timed or pushed to the user terminal for display.

Abstract: A solution for enhancing communication in a telecommunication system is provided. In the solution, data concerning a dynamic profile of at least some of the terminals of the system is maintained in the system. The data is available to other terminals. When music is played in a terminal the dynamic profile of the terminal is updated with information relating to the music played in the terminal.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system and method for delivering a media object associated with a media stream broadcasted from a communication device to a broadcast receiving unit such as a personal computer, a multimedia terminal, a television receiver, a television, or any type of radio receiver, to a terminal such as a phone, a cellular or mobile phone, a personal computer, a television, or a personal office assistant.

Abstract: A mobile station has a processor and a user input mechanism such as a button that is operable to cause the processor to extract at least one feature from a digital media sample. The feature, such as a spectral centroid, is descriptive of an identity of a content of the media sample. Preferably, the same user input that causes the feature extraction also causes a transmitter to establish a link and to send a message to a network address, the message having a plurality of extracted features from which the digital media sample may not be reconstructed. Where a reply message identifies a media file that matches the media sample, another user input at the same or a different button causes an authorization message to be sent so that a copy of the media file, identified in the reply message and having features that exactly match the plurality of extracted and transmitted features, is downloaded to the mobile station.

Abstract: A mobile station MS has a transducer or other interface to receive a media sample, a processor to extract features from a digital version of the media sample, a transmitter to transmit those extracted features, and preferably a buffer so feature extraction can begin on a portion of music received prior to a user input to identify the media sample. The features describe the content of the digital version of the media file. A server receives the extracted features from the MS, extracts additional features which may be higher order features extracted from the MS-extracted features and/or lower order features extracted from a segment of the digital media sample sent from the MS. The server uses all extracted features to search a database and identify the underlying file from which the media sample is taken. A single user entry at the MS initiates the feature extraction, link setup, and transmittal of features. A further entry purchases a copy of the entire media file that is downloaded to the MS.

Abstract: A computer program embodied in a computer readable medium in a mobile station MS includes instructions to display a first identifier, such as a song title, associated with a first media (music or video) file and a second identifier identified with a second media file. The first identifier indicates that the first media file is stored in the MS and the second identifier indicates that the file is not stored within the MS. Five such identifiers are disclosed, with functionality to up/download the media files one or more at a time from a PC or a networked server. Playlists and albums may be similarly indicated in their identifiers. The user is enabled to create and edit playlists on the MS without regard to what media files are stored on the MS. The MS may store file identifiers for the database maintained on the PC, a large-scale database maintained at a media service server, or a portion thereof. A mobile station is also described.

Abstract: The invention is related to a method for collecting information on an audience of a broadcast media stream. The method comprising: broadcasting a media stream on at least one broadcast channel of the broadcast system, transmitting parallel information on at least one parallel channel which parallel information is associated and synchronized with the media stream of at least one broadcast channel, connecting the audience to the media system as passive users or active users, the active users receiving the parallel information and the passive users not receiving the parallel information, collecting information on the audience connected to the media system, the information being on active users and/or passive users, processing the collected information in a predetermined way.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system of delivering an object relating to a broadcast media stream to a user terminal (110) of a radio system (206). A broadcast system (2000) broadcasts the media stream, associates the object to the media stream and delivers an object identification of the object to at least one user terminal (110) either through the radio system or as an RDS broadcast. The user terminal (110) presents the object identification in synchronization with the media stream in the user terminal and sends, if a user requests the delivery of the object based on the object identification, a transaction signal with the object identification to a database (208) having at least one object through the radio system (206). The database (208) delivers the object of the object identification to the user terminal (110), which sent the request signal, through the radio system (206).

Abstract: The invention relates to a media system, a user terminal and a method of providing one or more content items to at least one user terminal, the content item being related to a broadcast media stream. The method comprises: attaching the content item to a broadcasting time line of the broadcast media stream by a broadcasting system; broadcasting the broadcast media stream by the broadcasting system; synchronizing an internal time of the user terminal with the internal time of the broadcasting system; sending the content item attached to the broadcasting time line from the radio system to the user terminal; and presenting the received content item in the user terminal at a given moment in time that is based on the attachment and on the synchronization.

Abstract: The invention is related to a method and a system of providing a service associated with a media stream for user equipment The system comprises a server connected to a communication network for providing the service using the radio interface of the communication network. The system further comprises a broadcast system for providing the media stream. Associating data for associating the media stream with the service is transmitted from the system to the user equipment. The associating data is received, and the system is configured to provide the user equipment with the service by using the associating data.

Abstract: A radio station (1) transmits a radio programme using a VHF-FM singal which is received by a WAP-enabled mobile commnicaitons device (3). The signal includes radio datea service (RDS) data which includes the URL of a web-site associated with the radio station. The user accesses the web-page and participates in an opinion poll by casting a vote. The server logs the vote. The radio station counts the votes and announces the votes while the radio programme is still on air.

Abstract: A system for issuing electronic coupons. A master coupon is provided by a service which may be copied by customers and placed into their individual electronic wallets. The coupons may have a variable benefit or value which may be established by a variety of parameters. The parameters include a set time period, certain action by the customer, the purchase of specific items, the purchase of specific dollar values, or external parameters such as the score in a baseball game. The coupons may be transferred or recopied by the customer as desired. The customer may gain additional benefits by recopying the coupons to others.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for permitting a data terminal to connect to a broadcast station web site and to receive a broadcast station broadcast in response to selection of a bookmark. Selection of the bookmark results in a tuner on the data terminal being tuned to receive a broadcast while the data terminal substantially simultaneously connects to a web site for the broadcast station. Broadcast frequency information and web site address information for the bookmark may be stored on the data terminal, or such information may be stored remotely, such as on a station id server in communication with the data terminal. The bookmark may be programmed by the user and may represent different broadcast stations according to parameters.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for permitting a mobile device to connect to a broadcast station web site and to receive a broadcast station broadcast in response to selection of a bookmark. Selection of the bookmark results in a tuner on the mobile device being tuned to receive a broadcast while the mobile device substantially simultaneously connects to a web site for the broadcast station. The bookmark may be programmed by the user and may represent different broadcast stations according to parameters. Bookmarks may be displayed to the user based on geographical location information. Bookmarks may be created by scanning for available broadcasts at a geographical location. RDS information may supplement broadcast information and may be sent to the mobile device via CBS messages.

Abstract: A system and a method for modifying the behavioral characteristics of a mobile station terminal according to a functional location. A small transmitter, or button, which utilizes short range radio transmissions is used to define a functional location. The button is identified with particular functions using a device ID. In some of the disclosed embodiments, the button transmits the device ID continuously. In some other disclosed embodiments, the button transmission is triggered by a mobile station in proximity to the button. In some of the disclosed embodiments, the mobile station can store a mapping of device IDs to particular behaviors (or functions). In some other disclosed embodiments, the mobile station can request and receive a set of behaviors based on the device ID from a server attached to a telecommunications network. In some of the disclosed embodiments, receipt of a device ID can trigger a remote set of behaviors via a telecommunications network.

Abstract: A method and system for collecting data on a user of communication device into a customer register. A product of a consumer carries out active marketing by transmitting a product code to its environment. The user of the communication device receives the product code when he retrieves the product data corresponding to the product code from a server or when he performs a purchase operation concerning the product to which said product code refers, data on the user of the communication device are stored in the customer register and a reward is formed to the consumer on the basis of the realized retrieval of said product data, or said purchase operation and the product code referring to the identity codes of the consumer.

Abstract: A screen saver is provided for an apparatus having a display screen, a storage medium, a computer application stored in the storage medium, and a screen saver program stored in the storage medium. The application has a handle that executes the application in a screen saver mode when it is selected. The handle is contained in a carousel, which includes a database containing the handles. The database also includes rules for selecting the handles and parameters associated with each handle. When a timeout period of inactivity is exceeded on the apparatus, the screen saver program is executed. The screen saver program selects the application handle from the carousel, which executes the application in the screen saver mode. While operating in the screen saver mode, the application creates images that are shown on the display screen.

Abstract: Techniques for accumulating a collective payment for content and services from end-users include each end-user contributing to a total collective payment through one or more individual payments. A content provider receives this total collective payment. When the total collective payment is greater than or equal to a collective earning threshold, the content provider transmits the content item at a premium quality level. However, when the total collective payment is less than the collective earning threshold, the content provider transmits the content item at an impaired quality level. The content item may be transmitted at an impaired quality level in any number of ways. For instance, the content provider may reduce the size of one or more images included in the content item. Also, the content provider may increase the distortion of audio signals included in the content item. Alternatively, the content provider may even interrupt transmission of the content item to produce this impaired quality level.

Abstract: A method and system for playing a distributed game over a wireless telecommunications network is disclosed. The game is initiated when a game server sends a task (e.g., a question) to a first group of mobile terminals. Each mobile terminal may either respond to the task (e.g., submit an answer) or forward the task to another mobile terminal. Once a mobile terminal forwards the task, that mobile terminal no longer retains the task. The game ends when a mobile terminal submits a correct task response, when a global time limit ends, or when all mobile terminals have submitted incorrect responses. Responses and forwards can be sent using any known data messaging technique.