Abstract: A spread spectrum system is used for transmitting data to devices in a distributed system. Each device has a respective spread spectrum code, and has a corresponding encoder in a central control system operating the same spread spectrum codes, the encoded data relating to the devices being aggregated over a shared channel. An additional broadcast spread spectrum coding sequence is allocated to a broadcast channel readable by a plurality of the devices using a command extraction function and used to transmit general commands for operation by the plurality of devices. Individual actuators may be arranged to respond in different ways to such a broadcast command, for example switching some on and switching others off. The broadcast may also be used to change the coding sequences allocated to individual devices, allowing flexible use of the available spread-spectrum coding sequences.

Abstract: A spread spectrum system is used for transmitting data to and from devices operable as sensors and actuators in a distributed system. Communication is made through a series of aggregation nodes in a branched hierarchical network. Each device and aggregation node has a respective spread spectrum code, and has a corresponding encoder/decoder in a central control system operating the same spread spectrum codes, the encoded data relating to the devices being aggregated over a shared channel. At each level in the hierarchy the aggregated signals to/from the next level are recoded. This allows the same codes to be re-used at different levels, and in different sub-branches in the same level, increasing the number of devices that can be served on one channel.

Abstract: A spread spectrum system is used for transmitting data to devices in a distributed system. Each device has a respective spread spectrum code, and has a corresponding encoder in a central control system operating the same spread spectrum codes, the encoded data relating to the devices being aggregated over a shared channel. An additional broadcast spread spectrum coding sequence is allocated to a broadcast channel readable by a plurality of the devices using a command extraction function and used to transmit general commands for operation by the plurality of devices. Individual actuators may be arranged to respond in different ways to such a broadcast command, for example switching some on and switching others off. The broadcast may also be used to change the coding sequences allocated to individual devices, for example to cause devices to switch between idle, duplex, transmit-only and receive-only modes, allowing flexible use of the available spread-spectrum coding sequences.

Abstract: A spread spectrum system is used for transmitting data to and from devices operable as sensors and actuators in a distributed system. Communication is made through a series of aggregation nodes in a branched hierarchical network. Each device and aggregation node has a respective spread spectrum code, and has a corresponding encoder/decoder in a central control system operating the same spread spectrum codes, the encoded data relating to the devices being aggregated over a shared channel. At each level in the hierarchy the aggregated signals to/from the next level are recoded. This allows the same codes to be re-used at different levels, and in different sub-branches in the same level, increasing the number of devices that can be served on one channel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, and an associated apparatus configured to implement such a method, for analysing mark-up language text content, such as might be found on a website or within online user generated content. The method comprises a training phase, in which plurality of schemas are automatically generated from a specified text and a final schema is compiled. This final schema can then be used to compare with other online text content such that content which matched the final schema can be identified, for example for further analysis and comparison.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of database technology, and to the automatic generation of search queries. The present invention provides a method of generating a database query, the method comprising: receiving a user selection of one of a number of predetermined generic database queries from a user; automatically identifying user specific data from user profile data corresponding to the user by applying the user profile data to a number of predetermined query statements associated with the selected generic query; automatically applying the user specific data to a number of user specific generator query statements in order to generate one or more user specific queries.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system which is able to detect similar web page elements which are described in mark-up language, such that the content of those elements can be captured. Text content may then be sent to a text classifier for further analysis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, and an associated apparatus configured to implement such a method, for analysing mark-up language text content, such as might be found on a website or within online user generated content. The method comprises a training phase, in which plurality of schemas are automatically generated from a specified text and a final schema is compiled. This final schema can then be used to compare with other online text content such that content which matched the final schema can be identified, for example for further analysis and comparison.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, and a system, for analysing a textual passage and classifying it against a number of predetermined categories. In the event that the text passage under analysis is not sufficiently similar to any of the predetermined categories then it will be classified as belonging to a further category.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system which is able to detect similar web page elements which are described in mark-up language, such that the content of those elements can be captured. Text content may then be sent to a text classifier for further analysis.

Abstract: An interactive workflow schedule optimizer arranged to enable a user to reconfigure an instantiated workflow for a task comprising a plurality of actions having a predetermined dependency relationship to each other. The optimizer comprises means to input one or more user-specified constraint conditions into the workflow schedule optimizer; means to regenerate a workflow dependent on user specified condition from the instantiated workflow, the regenerated workflow satisfying said one or more user-specified constraint conditions. The optimizer optimises the global utilisation of the resources required to fulfil the user request by processing in parallel the resource requirements of each of said plurality of actions required by the regenerated workflow.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of database technology, and to the automatic generation of search queries. The present invention provides a method of generating a database query, the method comprising: receiving a user selection of one of a number of predetermined generic database queries from a user; automatically identifying user specific data from user profile data corresponding to the user by applying the user profile data to a number of predetermined query statements associated with the selected generic query; automatically applying the user specific data to a number of user specific generator query statements in order to generate one or more user specific queries.

Abstract: An interactive workflow schedule optimiser arranged to enable a user to reconfigure an instantiated workflow for a task comprising a plurality of actions having a predetermined dependency relationship to each other. The optimiser comprises means to input one or more user-specified constraint conditions into the workflow schedule optimiser; means to regenerate a workflow dependent on user specified condition from the instantiated workflow, the regenerated workflow satisfying said one or more user-specified constraint conditions. The optimiser optimises the global utilisation of the resources required to fulfil the user request by processing in parallel the resource requirements of each of said plurality of actions required by the regenerated workflow.

Abstract: A method of invoking, from a device connected to a computer network, an electronic service, from amongst a plurality of such services, available from the network. The method comprises: receiving an electronic signal representative of a request for an electronic service, the service request being expressed in a first ontology; forming a group of mappings each of which specifies a method for mapping from the first ontology to another ontology; using the formed group of mappings to compare the received service request with descriptions of services available on the network expressed in the first ontology or any of the ontologies to which a mapping is available from the first ontology in the formed group of mappings; selecting one of the electronic services available on the network based on the result of the comparison; and transmitting an electronic signal to invoke the selected service.

Abstract: A service-composition framework arranged to generate a personalised order process for a user seeking to fulfil a service goal by composing a process from a multiplicity of registered services, the framework comprising: a service engine configured to compose one or more services into an order for offering to a user, each service comprising a plurality of actions to be performed; a portal via which the user can request said one or more services from said service engine to fulfil said service goal, the portal being arranged to enable the user to select which services are to be offered, wherein the framework is configured to dynamically determine both the plausibility and the feasibility of the services offered to the user whilst the user is executing their request for services via the portal and to maintain the users status and personal information within a session context.