Abstract: A method of improving the lighting conditions of a real scene or video sequence. Digitally generated light is added to a scene for video conferencing over telecommunication networks. A virtual illumination equation takes into account light attenuation, lambertian and specular reflection. An image of an object is captured, a virtual light source illuminates the object within the image. In addition, the object can be the head of the user. The position of the head of the user is dynamically tracked so that an three-dimensional model is generated which is representative of the head of the user. Synthetic light is applied to a position on the model to form an illuminated model.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a new paradigm in Multimedia Services Creation Methodology, and new Service Creation and Service Execution Environments, based on this methodology. A service designer can access the Service Creation Environment via a Web based Graphical User Interface (GUI), to design new service in an automated way. The design process includes creation of the Service Logic Script (SLS), and associated databases that are used for storage of service and subscriber related data. The service developer (user) assembles Language Graphical Objects (LGO) into Service Logic Script. LGOs are part of a new graphical language that has been developed to meet multimedia service creation needs. They represent service control and call control primitive functions that have to be performed, in order to provide a multimedia service to service subscribers.

Abstract: Intra-cell upstream data forwarding can be utilized in a wireless network such as a wireless local area network. A network forwarding path can be determined based on the signal strength of an access point signal received at client stations within the network, referred to as the observed access point signal strength (OASS). In particular embodiments, a station that is either originating or forwarding a frame can insert its own OASS into the frame before transmitting it and a client station that receives a frame can forward it only if its own OASS exceeds the frame-enclosed OASS, by at least a predetermined amount.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments comprise a method comprising: within a backbone network: for backbone network traffic addressed to a particular target and comprising attack traffic and non-attack traffic, the attack traffic simultaneously carried by the backbone network with the non-attack traffic: redirecting at least a portion of the attack traffic to a scrubbing complex; and allowing at least a portion of the non-attack traffic to continue to the particular target without redirection to the scrubbing complex.

Abstract: A biometric authentication system is disclosed that provides a trusted third party biometric authentication capability for independent confirmation of identity of parties. A repository of biometric templates for registered parties is disclosed that permit a biometric authenticator to perform independent authentication services for other parties by matching received biometric information against biometric information in the repository, or by providing requested biometric information.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and programs for generating an authorized profile for a text communication device or account, may sample a text communication generated by the text communication device or account during communication and may store the text sample. The systems, methods, and programs may extract a language pattern from the stored text sample and may create an authorized profile based on the language pattern. Systems, methods, and programs for detecting unauthorized use of a text communication device or account may sample a text communication generated by the device or account during communication, may extract a language pattern from the audio sample, and may compare extracted language pattern of the sample with an authorized user profile.

Abstract: There is provided for a system, method, and computer readable medium storing instructions related to controlling a presentation in a multimodal system. A method for the retrieval of information on the basis of its content for real-time incorporation into an electronic presentation is discussed. One method includes controlling a media presentation using a multimodal interface. The method involves receiving from a presenter a content-based request associated with a plurality of segments within a media presentation preprocessed for context-based searching; displaying the media presentation and displaying to the presenter results in response to the content-based request; receiving a selection from the presenter of at least one result; and displaying the selected result to an audience.

Abstract: Incorporating and operating a mesh base station in a wireless network is described. The mesh base station can utilize common wireless resource allocations as a corresponding wireless base station while transmitting to wireless subscriber stations during the same time period. The mesh base station obtains a data packet from the wireless base station over a backhaul link during a scheduled time period and transmits the data packet to the designated wireless subscriber station during another scheduled time period. The wireless base station and the mesh base station can also receive data packets from wireless subscriber stations during a same time period. A wireless network can be configured with two mesh base stations at an approximate boundary of two adjacent sector coverage areas, where a coverage area is supported by a wireless base station and each mesh base station supports wireless subscriber stations within a coverage radius.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for content-based non-linear control of video data playback. A multimedia database having multimedia data including multimedia content data is searched based on a user query to determine a first set of multimedia data. The multimedia data includes indexes to and condensed representations of corresponding video data stored in a video database. A portion of the first set of multimedia data is displayed at a control device in response to the user query. A user of the control device selects an element of the first set of multimedia data for video playback and video data corresponding to the element delivered to a video device for playback. A user of the control device selects an element of the first set of multimedia data for additional information and a second set of multimedia data corresponding to the element delivered to the control device.

Abstract: A method and arrangement for providing location information of a called mobile communication device to a calling party are implemented through a mobile device locator platform disposed in the communication network. A mobile device subscriber to the location service initiates a process where the location of his mobile device is updated on a regular basis and the location information stored in a database on the platform. When a call is placed to his subscribed device, the location information is transmitted to the calling party prior to setting up the call to the called device, allowing the calling party to determine whether or not to proceed with the call, as well as eliminating the need to ask the common question “where are you?” when placing a call to a mobile device.

Abstract: A clausifier for extracting clauses for spoken language understanding is disclosed. The method relates to generating a set of clauses from speech utterance text and comprises inserting at least one boundary tag in speech utterance text related to sentence boundaries, inserting at least one edit tag indicating a portion of the speech utterance text to remove, and inserting at least one conjunction tag within the speech utterance text. The result is a set of clauses that may be identified within the speech utterance text according to the inserted at least one boundary tag, at least one edit tag and at least one conjunction tag. The disclosed clausifier comprises a sentence boundary classifier, an edit detector classifier, and a conjunction detector classifier. The clausifier may comprise a single classifier or a plurality of classifiers to perform the steps of identifying sentence boundaries, editing text, and identifying conjunctions within the text.

Abstract: An arrangement for allowing “hands-free” access to DTMF-controlled systems, such as one's voice mail messaging systems, utilizes a speech-to-DTMF tone application that monitors the communication between the user and the DTMF-controlled system. A speech recognition unit is utilized to retrieve certain voice commands (e.g., “next”, “skip”, “repeat”, “forward”, etc.) when uttered by the user. The application then translates the received commands into the proper DTMF tone sequence used by the DTMF-controlled system and transmits the DTMF tones to the system. The application is particularly useful in the cell phone environment and avoids the necessity of the user to constantly switch between using the keypad and listening to messages/commands from the system.

Abstract: A method of decoding, composing and rendering a scene. First information is obtained, the first information including a part of a MPEG-4 BIFS scene description stream and at least one coded MPEG-4 media stream. The first information is decoded by invoking a BIFS scene decoder and one or more specific media decoders that are required by the scene. Second information is obtained, the second information including a second part of a BIFS scene description stream that contains a reference to an external application. The second information is decoded by invoking the BIFS scene decoder and an external application decoder. An integrated scene is composed, the integrated scene including one or more decoded MPEG-4 media objects and one or more external application objects specified in the decoded scene descriptions streams. The composed integrated scene is rendered on a display.

Abstract: A system and method for storing data representing a multidimensional entity using corresponding dimensions for the data, storing a further dimension for the data, the further dimension being a modification timestamp indicating a time when the data was modified, receiving a request for the data representing the multi-dimensional entity, the request including a request timestamp indicating a further time when a previous request for the data representing the multi-dimensional entity was received and transmitting the data only when the modification timestamp is later than the request timestamp.

Abstract: Switches within a telecommunications network exchange so-called available bandwidth messages, each of which advertises how much bandwidth remains unassigned on a respective link. The network is of a type in which circuits are provisioned with various predefined numbers of time slots (equivalent to bandwidth). The sending of an available bandwidth message for a given link is triggered by a change in the number of time slots available on that link if that change results in a change in the number of circuit bandwidths that can be accommodated by that link for a newly provisioned circuit.

Abstract: A method of receiving content includes joining an in-progress multicast stream to receive a first portion of a content. The method further includes sending a request to a peer for a catch-up portion of the content, the request including a deadline for delivery of the content, and receiving the catch-up portion of the content from the peer prior to the deadline.

Abstract: A system and method of updating automatic speech recognition parameters on a mobile device are disclosed. The method comprises storing user account-specific adaptation data associated with ASR on a computing device associated with a wireless network, generating new ASR adaptation parameters based on transmitted information from the mobile device when a communication channel between the computing device and the mobile device becomes available and transmitting the new ASR adaptation data to the mobile device when a communication channel between the computing device and the mobile device becomes available. The new ASR adaptation data on the mobile device more accurately recognizes user utterances.

Abstract: A system and method is provided to automatically generate content for ITV products and services by processing primary media sources. In one embodiment of the invention, keywords are automatically extracted from the primary media sources using one or more of a variety of techniques directed to video, audio and/or textual content of the multimodal source. In some embodiments, keywords are then processed according to one or more disclosed algorithms to narrow the quantity of downstream processing that is necessary to associate secondary sources (reference items) with the primary video source. Embodiments of the invention also provide automatic searching methods for the identification of reference items based on the processed keywords in order to maximize the value added by the association of reference items to the video source.

Abstract: A method of content adaptive encoding video comprising segmenting video content into segments based on predefined classifications or models. Based on the segment classifications, each segment is encoded with a different encoder chosen from a plurality of encoders. Each encoder is associated with a model. The chosen encoder is particularly suited to encoding the unique subject matter of the segment. The coded bit-stream for each segment includes information regarding which encoder was used to encode that segment. A matching decoder of a plurality of decoders is chosen using the information in the coded bitstream to decode each segment using a decoder suited for the classification or model of the segment. If scenes exist which do not fall in a predefined classification, or where classification is more difficult based on the scene content, these scenes are segmented, coded and decoded using a generic coder and decoder.

Abstract: A speaker-verification digital signature system is disclosed that provides greater confidence in communications having digital signatures because a signing party may be prompted to speak a text-phrase that may be different for each digital signature, thus making it difficult for anyone other than the legitimate signing party to provide a valid signature.