Abstract: Methods and systems for protecting the privacy of a user of a communication system that include enabling a first user to block a second user so that the first user generally appears to the second user to be unavailable. The method includes allowing a third user to establish a group that includes the first user and the second user. The group may be any sort of group that involves communication among three or more users. For example, the group may be an instant message group, voice chat, conference call, video conference, or any other suitable group communication. The method also enables a blocked user to be temporarily unblocked so as to prevent his blocking decision to be revealed to the blocked user.

Abstract: There is described an interconnect hub for routing an Instant Message (IM) or related communication between a sending IM device in a first IM community and a recipient IM device in one of a plurality of potential second IM communities. The interconnect hub comprises a router for determining the destination of IM communications and routing the IM communications to the intended recipient, a search function for finding the service provider providing IM services to the user identifier, and a cache comprising a plurality of records associating user identifiers with corresponding service providers (mobile or Internet). When the IM communication is received by the interconnect hub, the router examines the recipient user identifier, accesses the cache keying on the recipient user identifier, retrieves the service provider associated with the recipient user identifier, and forwards the IM communication to the associated service provider for delivery to the intended recipient.

Abstract: A method for transmitting/receiving multimedia contents via a radiocommunication network includes a first step of a first server transmitting an identifier specific to a multimedia content over a dedicated point-to-point transmission channel to all terminals registered with the first server as interested in the content, a second step of the first server transmitting to a second server adapted to provide a broadcast content transmission service a request to broadcast a message including the content in its entirety and its identifier, and a third step of the second server broadcasting the message over a broadcast channel.

Abstract: A mobile communications system comprising a radio access network having a multiplicity of network sites organised in a multi-layered hierarchy and a traffic flow management system for controlling the routing of traffic flow through the network. The management system trades resource at the various network sites against a plurality of user Quality of Service parameters to achieve required contractual levels of commitment to a multiplicity of users.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a communications environment comprising a digital marketplace arrangement which enables user to have dynamic access to a variety of network operators and service operators which are registered with the marketplace. The users can communicate with the digital marketplace via a logical market channel enabling user, service providers and network operators to interact in real time and negotiate for appropriate communication links and quality of service. Each communications environment may comprise more than one digital marketplace.

Abstract: There is described an interconnect hub for routing an Instant Message (IM) or related communication between a sending IM device in a first IM community and a recipient IM device in one of a plurality of potential second IM communities. The interconnect hub comprises a router for determining the destination of IM communications and routing the IM communications to the intended recipient, a search function for finding the service provider providing IM services to the user identifier, and a cache comprising a plurality of records associating user identifiers with corresponding service providers (mobile or Internet). When the IM communication is received by the interconnect hub, the router examines the recipient user identifier, accesses the cache keying on the recipient user identifier, retrieves the service provider associated with the recipient user identifier, and forwards the IM communication to the associated service provider for delivery to the intended recipient.

Abstract: A presence server comprises a state machine to maintain current machine states for a plurality of users, and a mapper to map the current machine state for each user to a corresponding presence status.

Abstract: Methods and systems for protecting the privacy of a user of a communication system that include enabling a first user to block a second user so that the first user generally appears to the second user to be unavailable. The method includes allowing a third user to establish a group that includes the first user and the second user. The group may be any sort of group that involves communication among three or more users. For example, the group may be an instant message group, voice chat, conference call, video conference, or any other suitable group communication. The method also enables a blocked user to be temporarily unblocked so as to prevent his blocking decision to be revealed to the blocked user.

Abstract: A message system is associated with a message domain which includes a mobile radio network, a message server conforming to a first standard referred to as the Enhanced Message Service and/or Short Message Service standard and/or a message server conforming to a second standard referred to as the Multimedia Message Service standard. The message domain further includes a message gateway which includes a database including a table of message profiles of terminals belonging to the message domain and is able to convert a message sent in accordance with the first standard into a message in accordance with the second standard.

Abstract: A method for transmitting/receiving multimedia contents via a radiocommunication network includes a first step of a first server transmitting an identifier specific to a multimedia content over a dedicated point-to-point transmission channel to all terminals registered with the first server as interested in the content, a second step of the first server transmitting to a second server adapted to provide a broadcast content transmission service a request to broadcast a message including the content in its entirety and its identifier, and a third step of the second server broadcasting the message over a broadcast channel.

Abstract: Method for activating the camera at a second radiocommunication terminal (3), from a first radiocommunication terminal (1), the first and second terminals (1,3) being located in a radiocommunication network, said first terminal (1) comprising means of sending commands to the second terminal and receiving commands from the second terminal (3), the said first and second terminals (1,3) being connected to an instant messaging service according to the WAP protocol, characterized in that: the said first terminal (1) sends a command to the second terminal (3), the second terminal (3) receives and analyzes said command, the analysis of said command causes the camera to be activated at the second terminal (3), and at least one image captured by the camera to be recorded in the second terminal (3).

Abstract: A message system is associated with a message domain which includes a mobile radio network, a message server conforming to a first standard referred to as the Enhanced Message Service and/or Short Message Service standard and/or a message server conforming to a second standard referred to as the Multimedia Message Service standard. The message domain further includes a message gateway which includes a database including a table of message profiles of terminals belonging to the message domain and is able to convert a message sent in accordance with the first standard into a message in accordance with the second standard.

Abstract: A mobile communications network (20) comprises a local exchange (24) or mobile switching center effectively connected to a plurality of cell site switches (22), each cell site switch (22) being effectively connected to a cluster (14) of base station transceivers (13). The connection between each cell site switch (22) and the respective cluster (14) is formed by a common bus (21) to which each base station transceiver (13) in the cluster and the pertaining cell site switch (22) is directly connected.

Abstract: Method for activating the camera at a second radiocommunication terminal (3), from a first radiocommunication terminal (1), the first and second terminals (1,3) being located in a radiocommunication network, said first terminal (1) comprising means of sending commands to the second terminal and receiving commands from the second terminal (3), the said first and second terminals (1, 3) being connected to an instant messaging service according to the WAP protocol, characterized in that: the said first terminal (1) sends a command to the second terminal (3), the second terminal (3) receives and analyzes said command, the analysis of said command causes the camera to be activated at the second terminal (3), and at least one image captured by the camera to be recorded in the second terminal (3).

Abstract: A mobile communications system comprising a radio access network having a multiplicity of network sites organised in a multi-layered hierarchy and a traffic flow management system for controlling the routing of traffic flow through the network. The management system trades resource at the various network sites against a plurality of user Quality of Service parameters to achieve required contractual levels of commitment to a multiplicity of users.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a communications environment comprising a digital marketplace arrangement which enables user to have dynamic access to a variety of network operators and service operators which are registered with the marketplace. The users can communicate with the digital marketplace via a logical market channel enabling user, service providers and network operators to interact in real time and negotiate for appropriate communication links and quality of service. Each communications environment may comprise more than one digital marketplace.

Abstract: A message system is associated with a message domain which includes a mobile radio network, a message server conforming to a first standard referred to as the Enhanced Message Service and/or Short Message Service standard and/or a message server conforming to a second standard referred to as the Multimedia Message Service standard. The message domain further includes a message gateway which includes a database including a table of message profiles of terminals belonging to the message domain and is able to convert a message sent in accordance with the first standard into a message in accordance with the second standard.