Abstract: A system for implementing a content-centered chat room operates to display messages received from one or more invitees of a subscriber on the subscriber's TV as program content is displayed on the subscriber's TV. The subscriber and the invitees all watch television, either a common TV program or different TV programs. Participants may be located in the same or in several different locations, and if the invitee-participants are also subscribers, the chat room may also appear on their TV screens. A subscriber invites friends to participate in the chat session for a specific TV program using the set top box (STB) of his television to send invitations, and a dedicated subscriber server coordinates notification of the invitees and directs their message-comments to a chat session displayed with the program content.

Abstract: A system for implementing a content-centered chat room operates to display messages received from one or more invitees of a subscriber on the subscriber's TV as program content is displayed on the subscriber's TV. The subscriber and the invitees all watch television, either a common TV program or different TV programs. Participants may be located in the same or in several different locations, and if the invitee-participants are also subscribers, the chat room may also appear on their TV screens. A subscriber invites friends to participate in the chat session for a specific TV program using the set top box (STB) of his television to send invitations, and a dedicated subscriber server coordinates notification of the invitees and directs their message-comments to a chat session displayed with the program content.

Abstract: A method for user assisted association between a television and a telephony device is provided. A set-top box requests an identification code from a server. The server identifies the set-top box, generates the code and transmits it to the set-top box. The set-top box displays the code and a user transmits the code back to the server via a telephony device. The server identifies the telephony device, and using the code, associates between the set-top box and the telephony device.

Abstract: A major aspect of the invention offers the subscriber the capacity to control one telephone connection from another, and/or from a television, including call diversion and transferring. Preferably this is done utilizing correlation and cross-linking between the various telephone and other devices connections. As in the preferred embodiment the cross-linking is performed primarily at the infrastructure level rather then at the device level, the subscriber enjoys unified telephony environment, as well as call control services from one connection to another.

Abstract: A telephone call management system and method are disclosed, allowing for call review where a voice mail message being recorded for a specific telephone may be played on a television associated therewith during the time it is being recorded. Optionally, the call may further be retrieved and rerouted to the user telephone responsive to a command entered via the television distribution gateway, and any call may be recorded responsive to commands entered via the gateway.

Abstract: A telephone call management system and method are disclosed, allowing for call review where a voice mail message being recorded for a specific telephone may be played on a television associated therewith during the time it is being recorded. Optionally, the call may further be retrieved and rerouted to the user telephone responsive to a command entered via the television distribution gateway, and any call may be recorded responsive to commands entered via the gateway.

Abstract: In its broadest form, the present invention provides a method for user assisted association between devices in two classes of service, such as a telephony device and a notification device. By way of example, a user logs on to a server. At least one telephone number is associated with the user. An agent on a notification device such as a television, PDA, PC, etc. is activated, and displays a code received directly or indirectly from the server. When the authenticated user enters the code, the server is able to associate the telephone number and the notification device. Call information or call management capacity may therefore be provided via the notification device. Optionally, the user may also specify rules for handling calls and/or call information. The invention similarly extends to self provisioning between other service types and networks.

Abstract: A method for user assisted association between a television and a telephony device is provided. A set-top box requests an identification code from a server. The server identifies the set-top box, generates the code and transmits it to the set-top box. The set-top box displays the code and a user transmits the code back to the server via a telephony device. The server identifies the telephony device, and using the code, associates between the set-top box and the telephony device.

Abstract: A telephone call management system and method are disclosed, allowing for call review where a voice mail message being recorded for a specific telephone may be played on a television associated therewith during the time it is being recorded. Optionally, the call may further be retrieved and rerouted to the user telephone responsive to a command entered via the television distribution gateway, and any call may be recorded responsive to commands entered via the gateway.

Abstract: A method for efficient encoding of video frames by pre-encoding image primitives such as text, pictures, icons, symbols and the like, and storing the pre-encoded primitive data. When a video frame needs to be encoded, portions of it that correspond to pre-encoded primitives are identified, and the pre-encoded primitives data are sent to the output stream, thus saving the need to repeatedly re-encode the primitive portion.

Abstract: A light weight gamma-camera head and assemblies and kits which embody it. The gamma-camera head has a detector assembly which includes an array of room temperature, solid state spectroscopy grade detectors each associated with a collimator and preamplifier, which detectors and associated collimators and preamplifiers are arranged in parallel rows extending in a first direction and suitably spaced from each other in a second direction normal to the first direction, each of the parallel detector rows holding a plurality of detectors. The head may optionally have an electric motor for moving the detector in the second direction and optionally also in the first direction, either stepwise or continuously.

Abstract: A light weight gamma-camera head and assemblies and kits which embody it. The gamma-camera head has a detector assembly which includes an array of room temperature, solid state spectroscopy grade detectors each associated with a collimator and preamplifier, which detectors and associated collimators and preamplifiers are arranged in parallel rows extending in a first direction and suitably spaced from each other in a second direction normal to said first direction, each of the parallel detector rows holding a plurality of detectors. The head further has electric motor means for moving the detector means in the second direction and optionally also in the first direction, either stepwise or continuously.

Abstract: A light weight gamma camera head and assemblies and kits which embody it. The gamma camera head has a detector assembly which includes an array of room temperature, solid state spectroscopy grade detectors each associated with a collimator and preamplifier, which detectors and associated collimators and preamplifiers are arranged in parallel rows extending in a first direction and suitably spaced from each other in a second direction normal to said first direction, each of the parallel detector rows holding a plurality of detectors. The head further has electric motor means for moving the detector means in the second direction and optionally also in the first direction, either stepwise or continuously.