Abstract: A system for providing services to subscribers of a network supports the provision of a plurality of different services to multiple subscribers. A first processing unit comprises a web container and provides a first execution environment for a first set of software applications. A second processing unit provides a second execution environment for a second set of software applications. One of the processing units comprises a state identification unit for identifying dynamic session-based state information, and the delivery of services by the first and second processing units takes into account the dynamic state information. This can facilitate the delivery of services in a manner which is tailored more closely to subscriber requirements, which vary in a dynamic manner.

Abstract: One embodiment of a system for providing services to subscribers of a network supports the provision of a plurality of different services to multiple subscribers. A processor arrangement is provided for hosting the different services. A data structure is provided for storing data associated with subscribers of the system, wherein data associated with subscribers of the system comprises a plurality of sets of data, each set of data relating to a respective level of authentication. A trust model comprises a set of relationships between the sets of data, and the trust model determines the access rights of subscribers to different services in dependence on the data set which has been used to authenticate the subscriber in a given subscriber session. The use of this trust model enables services and other access rights to be provided to a subscribed which match the level of authentication which has been applied to the subscriber during any particular session.

Abstract: A shopping assistance method and service system is provided in which a shopper captures information about an item of interest (90) and sends it over a mobile radio infrastructure (10) to a service system (40). At the service system, the information is processed to identify at least the type of item of interest. A determination is also made of a location associated with the information, this location will generally be that of the store (92) where the shopper captured the information, but could also be the shopper's home location. The service system next carries out a specific task (72) relating to the identified item (90), such as obtaining comparative prices, and then provides a report back to the shopper, the contents and/or organisation of the report taking account of the location previously determined as being associated with the information.

Abstract: Location information about a communicating entity (41), in particular a mobile entity, is derived by identifying intermediate nodes (42) along the communication path being used by the entity, and then looking up, in a database (44), the geographic significance of at least one of these nodes when considered in a direction along the communication path towards the entity of interest. Preferably, account is taken of any identified downstream/upstream nodes to refine the geographic significance of a node. The geographic significance information can be compiled by taking location fixes at a plurality of endpoint locations and associating the location data thus obtained with the intermediate nodes traversed when communication is effected from the corresponding endpoint locations.

Abstract: A computer system comprises an image capture device (10) for capturing an image of a paper document (such as a newspaper article or advertisement) to produce captured image information, and keys or the like for enabling a user to select one of a plurality of options (such as “view” or “order”) in relation to that capture information. The system also includes a document database (36) storing image information relating to the contents of a plurality of documents and, for each document, information relating to action which can be taken in relation to that document, and a processor system (30,36) for matching the captured image information with the stored image information for at least one of the documents and determining the respective action information, and for processing the determined action information and the user-selected option to produce a computer instruction as to action to be taken (such as load the newspaper article into the PC's web browser, or “electronically” order the product).

Abstract: To enable low cost distribution of pictures from a mobile entity that incorporates digital camera functionality, the mobile entity (20) generates both a high resolution picture image (81) and a low resolution thumbnail (80). This thumbnail (80) is distributed via a mobile radio infrastructure to a service system (40) that then transfers the thumbnail to specified recipients (60). After viewing the thumbnail (80), each recipient (60) indicates to the service system (40) whether they wish to receive the high resolution image (81) and, if so, whether it is to be transferred immediately or at the next. The service system (40) effects transfer of the high resolution image (81) accordingly. In other embodiments, distribution of the high resolution image is effected independently of the service system.

Abstract: A method is provided of adapting a user interface to the user's current situation. The method involves a user specifying a home-area interface (83), for example, a web browser home page, and an “away” interface (84). When the user connects to a network (10) using a device (20) and calls up his/her browser home page, a determination is made of the location of the device in order to decide which version of the home page is to be served back to the user device by the home-page server of the user. In a preferred embodiment, the “away” home page (84) includes specific types of local data of interest to the user (such as best local restaurants). When asked to provide the “away” home page, the homepage server uses this information to find the URLs of local special interest web sites (122) carrying the relevant type of data, the server inserting these URLs in the “away” home page (84) before providing it to the user device (20) concerned.

Abstract: Subscribers to a communications infrastructure, such as a GPRS network (17), can pre-pay for use of metered resources (18, 19, 37, 50, 54) of the infrastructure. When a pre-payment subscriber joins the network, the current credit amount for the subscriber is distributed as credit values between user-specific virtual purses (55-59) each associated with a respective metered resource. Upon use of a metered resource by the subscriber, the credit value held in the associated purse is correspondingly reduced, with use of the resource being dependent on the purse being in credit. The virtual purses are preferably electronically distributed to be close by the metered resources to which they relate whereby to reduce network billing traffic. When the subscriber leaves the network, the remaining credit values are consolidated from the purses.

Abstract: A method is provided for charging for resource usage in a communications infrastructure. User packet-data traffic is divided into a first traffic flow (53) associated with value-added service, VAS, resources (54, 55) provided by the communications infrastructure, and a second traffic flow (51) for other traffic. The first traffic flow (53) is routed through a VAS marshalling system (60) where the respective traffic components for the individual VAS resources (54, 55) are identified and metered.

Abstract: A stand facilitates and supports the use of digital cameras including digital video cameras in performing an equivalent function to a scanner in recording digital images which may be downloaded to a computer. The stand incorporates means for automatically configuring the camera into a mode of operation for document image capture on placing said camera into said stand. Said stand is adjustable in height and includes hinge sections 201 to appropriately position said camera for use in capturing an image of a document.

Abstract: A shopping assistance method and apparatus is provided in which a shopper captures information about an item of interest and either stores it in a handheld device or sends it over a mobile radio infrastructure to a service system for storage. When the shopper returns home, the shopper either downloads the captured data to a home PC or uses the latter to access the service system. In either case, the captured data is presented to the user as a personal shopping catalogue (80) showing, by shop visited (81), the items of interest (82, 83). The captured data can then be used to retrieve additional information, for example, from the websites of the shops concerned.

Abstract: A shopping assistance method and service system is provided in which a shopper captures information about an item of interest (90) and sends it over a mobile radio infrastructure (10) to a service system (40). At the service system, the information is processed to identify at least the type of item of interest. A determination is also made of a location associated with the information, this location will generally be that of the store (92) where the shopper captured the information, but could also be the shopper's home location. The service system next carries out a specific task (72) relating to the identified item (90), such as obtaining comparative prices, and then provides a report back to the shopper, the contents and/or organisation of the report taking account of the location previously determined as being associated with the information.

Abstract: A method is provided of adapting a user interface to the user's current situation. The method involves a user specifying a home-area interface (83), for example, a web browser home page, and an “away” interface (84). When the user connects to a network (10) using a device (20) and calls up his/her browser home page, a determination is made of the location of the device in order to decide which version of the home page is to be served back to the user device by the home-page server of the user. In a preferred embodiment, the “away” home page (84) includes specific types of local data of interest to the user (such as best local restaurants). When asked to provide the “away” home page, the homepage server uses this information to find the URLs of local special interest web sites (122) carrying the relevant type of data, the server inserting these URLs in the “away” home page (84) before providing it to the user device (20) concerned.

Abstract: A user (70) is pre-qualified for a service to be provided at a particular location. A service instance element (76) is stored as is location data (74) indicative of where the service is to be triggered. The service instance element (76) may be a full customized instance of the service delivery code or other item that provides an association between the user and an instance of the service for which the user has been qualified. Thereafter, the location of the user (70), as indicated by a mobile entity associated with the user, is periodically checked against the location data (74) and when a location match is indicated, the service instance (76) for which the user has been qualified is executed to deliver the required service to the user (70).

Abstract: A shopping assistance service system (40) is provided to which mobile enquirers (20) can submit enquiries regarding the availability of specified goods or services from local traders (70). The service system (40) in searching for solutions to the enquiry, takes account of the significance of the location of the enquiry. This significance can be both in terms of the objective significance concerning a function associated with the enquiry location, such as a shop, shopping mall, motorway, etc., and the subjective significance of the location, such as home, workplace, local to home area, remote from home area, etc.

Abstract: A shopping assistance service system (40) is provided to which enquirers (8A) can submit enquiries regarding the availability of item of interest from local traders (70). The enquiry message (150) includes a description (151) of the item of interest, this description being intended for human interpretation and taking the form of image and/or unstructured audio data. The service system (40) automatically determines a location associated with the enquiry, this being either the enquirer's current location or a location where the enquirer intends to shop. The service system (40) then selects from a database of traders (44), traders appropriate to the enquiry at least in terms of location and the type of the item of interest, and forwards the description of the item of interest to the selected traders (70A,B,D). Traders (70B,D) then respond either directly to the enquirer (8A) or via the service system (40).

Abstract: Location information about a communicating entity (41), in particular a mobile entity, is derived by identifying intermediate nodes (42) along the communication path being used by the entity, and then looking up, in a database (44), the geographic significance of at least one of these nodes when considered in a direction along the communication path towards the entity of interest. Preferably, account is taken of any identified downstream/upstream nodes to refine the geographic significance of a node. The geographic significance information can be compiled by taking location fixes at a plurality of endpoint locations and associating the location data thus obtained with the intermediate nodes traversed when communication is effected from the corresponding endpoint locations.

Abstract: A mobile user wishing to quickly generate a reminder note for him/herself, does so by activating a special “reminder” function of the user's mobile phone. This results in a voice path being set up through the mobile phone infrastructure to a service system to which the user then dictates the desired reminder note. The service system puts the reminder into an e-mail and sends it through an e-mail system to a special “reminder” e-mail box of the user from where the user can subsequently collect it. In an alternative embodiment, the reminder is temporarily stored in the mobile phone before uploading, possibly over a data bearer service offered by the infrastructure. In another alternative embodiment, the reminder is converted into e-mail in the mobile phone and then sent as such to the user's reminder e-mail box without being further handled by a service system.

Abstract: A method is provided for monitoring location-associated events such as the availability for collection at business premises of items previously ordered by a customer. The method involves storing a descriptor of the event of interest to the customer, the descriptor being stored, for example, in a third-party service system (40) by the business concerned. The descriptor explicitly or implicitly includes details of the parties and the location of the premises (70). Subsequently, when the customer comes near the business premises (70), the service system (40) determines a match with the event descriptor and thereupon carries out an event status check using status data provided by the business. The result of the status check is reported to the customer (115).

Abstract: A method is provided for monitoring location-associated events such as the availability for collection at business premises of items previously ordered by a customer. The method involves storing a descriptor of the event of interest to the customer, the descriptor being stored, for example, in a third-party service system (40) by the business concerned. The descriptor explicitly or implicitly includes details of the parties and the location of the premises (70). Subsequently, when the customer comes near the business premises (70), the service system (40) determines a match with the event descriptor and indicates as much to the customer (115), either directly or after first checking event status data provided by the business. Where the event descriptor is stored by the customer, either in a mobile device or a third-party system, then the determination of a match can be used to alert the business that the customer is near.