Abstract: A method is provided for inviting an assistant entity, such as a customer service representative acting through a endpoint system, into an existing network communication session established by a service system. The service system controls the joining of endpoint entities to the session and enables endpoint entities joined to the session to communicate with each other. The method involves a first party associated with an endpoint system already joined to the session, indicating to the service system that the presence of an assistant entity is required. The service system selects an appropriate assistant entity taking account of the current context of the communication session, and joins the selected assistant entity to the session.

Abstract: A method of creating an interactive broadcast, comprising allowing a plurality of participants to vote on an aspect of a scenario in a virtual space, the broadcast being a computer-generated animated scenario comprising graphics and audio, the participants voting by means of user interface devices which are linked over a communications network to a server, the server being operative to process the received votes and determine how the broadcast should be collectively influenced in view of the votes received, and then generate the broadcast.

Abstract: One embodiment of a method of producing a transit graph of a priori information relating to movements of a plurality of targets from a first of a plurality of targets locations to a second of the plurality of locations can be broadly summarized by the following steps: processing a plurality of target observations from a plurality of image capture devices to produce at least one primary track for at least one target, wherein each primary track includes ordered sequences of observation events having similarities in their visual signatures; and processing the at least one primary track to determine a priori information relating to movement of a target from a first of a plurality of locations to a second of the plurality of locations. Other methods and systems are also provided.

Abstract: One embodiment of a method of refining a plurality of primary tracks of a plurality of targets can be broadly summarized by the following steps: receiving a plurality of primary tracks, wherein each primary track includes ordered sequences of observation events having similarities in their visual signatures; dividing the primary tracks into separate refinement packages; allocating the refinement packages to different ones of a plurality of processors; and receiving one or more refined tracks from the plurality of processors. Other methods and systems are also provided.

Abstract: A technique for consistently simulating at two different complexities of simulation is described. This technique is particularly relevant to simulation of a creature-like autonomous agent (biological or artificial or hybrid). The model, in the particular case a model of the creature, comprises at least two portions. The first portion contains functions used in both of the different complexities of simulation. The second portion comprises two alternative versions, a first version for use in one complexity of simulation, and a second version for use in the other complexity of simulation.

Abstract: One embodiment of a method of tracking a plurality of targets can be broadly summarized by the following steps: capturing a plurality of images of a plurality of targets with a plurality of image capture devices; generating a target observation for each target, said target observation including at least a visual signature of the target and a time value; partitioning target observations according to similarities in their visual signatures; and producing primary tracks from the partitioned target observations, wherein each primary track includes ordered sequences of observation events having similarities in their visual signatures. Other methods and systems are also provided.

Abstract: A content-provider entity provides content to media channels established in respect of a network communication session. The content-provider entity has a transport subsystem for establishing media channel connections to a session transport mechanism in accordance with channel type and connection details received by the entity. The content-provider entity also has a media subsystem providing a respective media handler of appropriate type for each media channel connection established by the transport subsystem. Each media handler is responsible for delivering media content of its associated type from a media source to the corresponding channel connection. A delivery controller of the media subsystem controls the selection and delivery of media content through the media handlers in dependence on context data supplied to the content-provider entity.

Abstract: A method is provided of establishing network communication later in time between a first endpoint entity accessing an information resource over a network and a second endpoint entity, such as a customer service representative system, associated with that resource. The method uses a service system that can set up a communication session and join endpoint systems to the session to enable them to communicate with each other the network. According to the method, upon the first endpoint entity indicating that it wishes to communicate with a second endpoint entity in the future, the service system generates and stores a session identifier for a communication session to be used in the future and passes a copy of the identifier over the network to the first endpoint entity.

Abstract: A service system associated with a web site establishes a respective communication session for each of at least selected web pages and joins to the session any party currently viewing the page. A sessions overview subsystem is notified of parties joining and leaving sessions and maintains a real-time database of current page sessions and the parties currently joined to each session. A user interface of the overview subsystem dynamically generates a sessions overview page from the real-time database and serves this page to a requesting permitted user, such as a customer service representative in a contact center associated with the service system. The permitted user can then select a specific session and request to be joined to it.

Abstract: A contact center uses a service system to establish communication over a data network, such as the internet, between customer endpoint systems and the endpoint systems of customer service representatives, CSRs, of the contact center. The service system establishes communication between endpoint systems by joining them to an appropriate communication session with an associated transport mechanism that allows the exchange of data across the network between the joined endpoint systems. For each communication session, a respective service instance and session instance are created. The service instance provides service specific behaviour while the session instance provides generic operations for adding and removing endpoint systems to the communication session. By specifying different service-specific behaviors, a range of corresponding customer services can be offered.

Abstract: A technique for consistently simulating at two different complexities of simulation is described. This technique is particularly relevant to simulation of a creature-like autonomous agent (biological or artificial or hybrid). The model, in the particular case a model of the creature, comprises at least two portions. The first portion contains functions used in both of the different complexities of simulation. The second portion comprises two alternative versions, a first version for use in one complexity of simulation, and a second version for use in the other complexity of simulation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wireless communication system (1) comprising a mobile station (2, 4), a server (8) for supporting a virtual environment (30), a sensor (28) remote from the mobile station (2, 4), which station for monitoring a variable and a communication network (6) for providing wireless communication between the mobile station (2, 4) and the virtual environment (30) and communication between the sensor (28) and the server (8), whereby the sensor output affects the virtual environment (30). A corresponding method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A gaming system comprises a gaming platform, such as a mobile platform, on which a player can play a game, a communication network for providing communication between the gaming platform and a game server, and a prize supplier database for providing prize supplier location information. When a game prize signal is generated, the game server communicates location information about an appropriate prize supplier for receipt by the player. The game server selects the appropriate prize supplier from the prize supplier database, this selection being effected, for example, on the basis of closeness to the location of the gaming platform. A corresponding gaming server apparatus and game-prize information method are also provided.

Abstract: A technique for simulating the activities of a large number of creatures is described. The technique utilises two modes of simulation. The first mode of simulation is arranged to simulate the activities of all of the creatures. The second mode of simulation is arranged to simulate the activities of a few of the creatures, at a more detailed level than the first mode. The second mode is utilised by the first mode to determine new parameters of individual creatures when the creatures undergo a change in environment.

Abstract: A method of creating an interactive broadcast, comprising allowing a plurality of participants to vote on an aspect of a scenario in a virtual space, the broadcast being a computer-generated animated scenario comprising graphics and audio, the participants voting by means of user interface devices which are linked over a communications network to a server, the server being operative to process the received votes and determine how the broadcast should be collectively influenced in view of the votes received, and then generate the broadcast.

Abstract: A helper entity monitors content on media channels established in respect of a network communication session. Upon a content-dependent trigger condition being met, the helper entity delivers advisory content over one or more of the channels.

Abstract: A method is provided of establishing network communication later in time between a first endpoint entity accessing an information resource over a network and a second endpoint entity, such as a customer service representative system, associated with that resource. The method uses a service system that can set up a communication session and join endpoint systems to the session to enable them to communicate with each other the network. According to the method, upon the first endpoint entity indicating that it wishes to communicate with a second endpoint entity in the future, the service system generates and stores a session identifier for a communication session to be used in the future and passes a copy of the identifier over the network to the first endpoint entity.

Abstract: A contact center uses a service system to establish communication over a data network, such as the internet, between customer endpoint systems and the endpoint systems of customer service representatives, CSRs, of the contact center. The service system establishes communication between endpoint systems by joining them to an appropriate communication session with an associated transport mechanism that allows the exchange of data across the network between the joined endpoint systems. For each communication session, a respective service instance and session instance are created. The service instance provides service specific behaviour whilst the session instance provides generic operations for adding and removing endpoint systems to the communication session. By specifying different service-specific behaviors, a range of corresponding customer services can be offered.

Abstract: A service system associated with a web site establishes a respective communication session for each of at least selected web pages and joins to the session any party currently viewing the page. A sessions overview subsystem is notified of parties joining and leaving sessions and maintains a real-time database of current page sessions and the parties currently joined to each session. A user interface of the overview subsystem dynamically generates a sessions overview page from the real-time database and serves this page to a requesting permitted user, such as a customer service representative in a contact center associated with the service system. The permitted user can then select a specific session and request to be joined to it.

Abstract: A content-provider entity provides content to media channels established in respect of a network communication session. The content-provider entity has a transport subsystem for establishing media channel connections to a session transport mechanism in accordance with channel type and connection details received by the entity. The content-provider entity also has a media subsystem providing a respective media handler of appropriate type for each media channel connection established by the transport subsystem. Each media handler is responsible for delivering media content of its associated type from a media source to the corresponding channel connection. A delivery controller of the media subsystem controls the selection and delivery of media content through the media handlers in dependence on context data supplied to the content-provider entity.