Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a PVR server for storing and playing back TV programs, in particular to an improved method for operating a network PVR and to an improved PVR server (102). The inventive method consists in determining the number of users storing in the personal archives thereof a determined TV program, which is stored in the memory (108) of the PVR server (102). When the user number is less than a predefined limit value, an erasing signal occurs to them and the program is cleared during a configurable period of time if no user selects said program as to be preserved.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and arrangement (100) for storing and playing back TV programs, in particular to the improved method and device (100) for operating a PVR, in particular a network PVR (102). The inventive device for storing and playing back the TV programs comprises means for selecting a storable TV program, means (102, 108) for recording a TV program and means (104, 102, 108) for playing back, in a time delayed manner, said recording during a recordable TV program. Said arrangement also comprises means for determining the beginning time of transmission of the recordable TV program and means for determining the total advertising duration which passes on the screen during the TV program transmission. Said invention makes it possible to determine, as soon as possible, a time to start an advertising-free playing back according to the beginning of transmission, the total duration of the advertising and to advise a user thereabout.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments relate to a device and/or an associated method in which a recorded television or radio program can be played back from a recording of said program without additional programs, such as commercial breaks. A current program can be resumed once the recording has been played back. Processed program segments can be retrieved while repeated segments can be tuned out during playback. The current program can be resumed more quickly if processed program segments are retrieved during playback.

Abstract: A method and configuration allows storing and playing back TV programs, in particular an improved method and configuration for operating a network PVR. The novel configuration for storing and playing back TV programs includes a PVR server capable of receiving several digitally encoded TV channels, of feeding several terminals, and of recording storable TV programs. The terminals are provided with means for selecting storable TV programs and means for transmitting the choice to the PVR server. The inventive configuration also comprises means for detecting particular contents (for example, advertising) associated with received TV programs and means for identifying said contents in the recordings of said TV programs. Said identifications can be used for preventing said particular content jump during playing back the TV programs recorded on the terminal and for substituting the particular contents by updated particular contents.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and arrangement for storing and playing back TV programmes, in particular to an improved method and arrangement (100) for operating a network PVR (102). The inventive arrangement (100) for storing and playing back TV programmes comprises a PVR server (102) provided with means for receiving several digitally encoded TV channels, for feeding several terminals (104) and for recording storable TV programmes. The terminals (104) are provided with means for selecting storable TV programmes (106) and means for transmitting the choice to the PVR server. The inventive system also comprises means making it possible to playing back the TV programmes which are selected for storing by the terminal (104) in the form of a continuous TV programme on said terminal (104).

Abstract: A method and a configuration for storing and playing back TV transmissions, in particular an improved method and configuration for operating a network PVR, include a PVR server for receiving digitally encoded TV channels. Terminals select TV transmissions to be stored and transmit the selection to the PVR server. The PVR server records the TV transmissions to be stored, wherein a small part of data items to be stored during recording is transmitted to the memory of the selecting terminal and a main part of the data items to be stored is recorded in a mass storage device coupled to the PVR server. The parts of the recording stored in the memory of the selecting terminal and in the mass storage device are combined in such a way that they can be played back through the use of the selecting terminal, either by the selecting terminal or by the PVR server.

Abstract: An improved method and configuration for operating a network containing a personal video recorder server having measures for receiving several digitally encoded TV channels, for feeding several terminals and for recording storable TV programs. The terminals have measures for selecting storable TV programs and measures for transmitting the choice to the PVR server. The configuration contains a first database in which the index of TV programs stored by the PVR in response to the selection produced by the terminal is recorded. The first database controls authorization or refusal to play back the stored programs on the terminal. A second database stores, for the first terminal, the other terminals authorized to play back the TV programs selected by the user of the first terminal or all TV programs associated therewith by the first data base index. Terminals that are not contained in the second database are not authorized.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a PVR server for storing and playing back TV programmes, in particular to an improved method for operating a network PVR and to an improved PVR server (102). The inventive method consists in determining the number of users storing in the personal archives thereof a determined TV programme, which is stored in the memory (108) of the PVR server (102). When the user number is less than a predefined limit value, an erasing signal occurs to them and the programme is cleared during a configurable period of time if no user selects said programme as to be preserved.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments relate to a device and/or an associated method in which a recorded television or radio program can be played back from a recording of said program without additional programs, such as commercial breaks. A current program can be resumed once the recording has been played back. Processed program segments can be retrieved while repeated segments can be tuned out during playback. The current program can be resumed more quickly if processed program segments are retrieved during playback.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a method comprising: determining a second program corresponding to a received first program; recognizing an interruption of the first program; based on a time of the interruption, specifying a time of continuation of the second program; and transmitting the second program to an output unit at the time of continuation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and arrangement (100) for storing and playing back TV programmes, in particular to the improved method and device (100) for operating a PVR, in particular a network PVR (102). The inventive device for storing and playing back the TV programmes comprises means for selecting a storable TV programme, means (102, 108) for recording a TV programme and means (104, 102, 108) for playing back, in a time delayed manner, said recording during a recordable TV programme. Said arrangement also comprises means for determining the beginning time of transmission of the recordable TV programme and means for determining the total advertising duration which passes on the screen during the TV programme transmission. Said invention makes it possible to determine, as soon as possible, a time to start an advertising-free playing back according to the beginning of transmission, the total duration of the advertising and to advise a user thereabout.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for charging for a communication link established from a first communication terminal (A) to a target communication terminal (B) via a packet-switched communication by transmitting message packets, the target communication terminal (B) featuring forwarding to at least one additional communication device (C). The inventive method comprises the following steps: —the first communication terminal (A) sends a signaling message (1) to the target communication terminal (B) via a monitoring network unit (5) of the communication network (4); —the target communication terminal (B) sends a reply signaling message (2), in which forwarding is indicated, into the communication network (4) after receiving the signaling message (1); —a fee calculation system that is installed at least in part in the monitoring network unit (5) uses the reply signaling message (2) for allocating charges, the forwarding charges being allocated to the first communication device (A) or the target communication device (B).

Abstract: The invention relates among other things to a method for operating a secondary computer (22), in which a memory unit in an originating computer (12) initially stores a first data volume (112) and a second data volume (114). During transmission of copies of the data volumes (112, 114), change reports (150, 154) are processed in the originating computer (12) and in a secondary computer (22) irrespective of whether the associated data volume has already been transmitted.

Abstract: A method for operating interface modules in an ATM communications device wherein interface modules which can be specified as active and/or redundant are connected to a central control unit. Control commands provided for this purpose are transmitted approximately simultaneously from the central control unit to the active and the redundant interface module during the establishment and clearing of at least one virtual connection, and the redundant interface module does not acknowledge receipt of the control commands. The load on the interface module is thus dynamically relieved.

Abstract: The invention relates to a communications system and a method for establishing a broadband connection, for example a multi-media connection between two or more users, by means of exchanges in a communications network, for example an ATM network. According to the invention, when the exchanges receive a request from a calling user to establish a broadband connection, said exchanges first establish a minimal connection between the users and once the minimal connection is in operation between the users, the requested broadband connection is established. The users of broadband network capacities, which have been reserved by the network at the request of the user, are billed during the call phase. Broadband connections of this type can receive a higher priority than the upgrade of minimal connections to complete connections. A voice connection comprising audio data constitutes for example a minimal connection. The broadband connection takes place for example between video telephones.

Abstract: In current telecommunications services, it is usual for the service provider of the initiator (e.g. the caller or the A-side) of the communications connection to determine the price and charge the A-side accordingly. The other subscribers are not usually charged. The A-side service provider pays a compensation amount (balance) to the B-side service provider. This fee charging and payment system is too rigid for modern communications services. The inventive method solves this problem.

Abstract: A method for administering presence information in a telecommunication and/or data network, especially for performing a service based on presence information.

Abstract: The invention relates to a communications system and a method for establishing a broadband connection, for example a multi-media connection between two or more users, by means of exchanges in a communications network, for example an ATM network. According to the invention, when the exchanges receive a request from a calling user to establish a broadband connection, said exchanges first establish a minimal connection between the users and once the minimal connection is in operation between the users, the requested broadband connection is established. The users of broadband network capacities, which have been reserved by the network at the request of the user, are billed during the call phase. Broadband connections of this type can receive a higher priority than the upgrade of minimal connections to complete connections. A voice connection comprising audio data constitutes for example a minimal connection. The broadband connection takes place for example between video telephones.

Abstract: In current telecommunications services, it is usual for the service provider of the initiator (e.g. the caller or the A-side) of the communications connection to determine the price and charge the A-side accordingly. The other subscribers are not usually charged. The A-side service provider pays a compensation amount (balance) to the B-side service provider. This fee charging and payment system is too rigid for modern communications services. The inventive method solves this problem.

Abstract: A method in which two terminals operated on a data transmission network store at least one electronic credit. With the aid of the credits, charge metering is performed. The electronic credits are transmitted with credit messages to control units, which check the validity of the credits and, depending on the result of the check, clear network resources.