Abstract: Systems and methods for providing advanced unified messaging are described. The subscriber specifies preferences based on message type, access device type, the subscriber's schedule, and other information. A message server utilizes this information to extract keywords and develop abstracts of particular messages. Subsequently, when the subscriber requests access to a message, the message server has the capability of tailoring delivery of messages to the subscriber on a specific access device.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for enriching a non-linkable media representation presentable at a user terminal. In an illustrative embodiment, a hotlink canvas receives a hot link composition from an action enabling kernel and displays hotlinks in the hotlink canvas by overlaying a transparent panel on top of the non-linkable media whereby the non-linkable media becomes interactive and hyperlinkable. The hotlink canvas provides the following functions: query media current position and state; forward media position and state to the action enabling kernel; receive contending hotlink candidates from the action enabling kernel; pick one hotlink among a set of hotlink candidates; compose hotlinks by receiving hotlinks meta data from the action enabling kernel; display range contours of hotlinks on the media object by overlaying a hotlink canvas; perform an action specified; request the action enabling kernel to handle an action; and decouple hotlinks in otherwise linkable media.

Abstract: A network implementing HotMedia architecture provides real time measurement and prediction of bandwidth for adaptive content delivery of rich media according to available user bandwidth. The rich media file created at the creation station is transmitted by the delivery station to the client station in steaming Java applets having a framework including a thumbnail frame and a media frame. In real-time, the client station detects the bandwidth used by the Java applet; predicts the available bandwidth for next media delivery based on the detected bandwidth and fetches the corresponding sensitive bandwidth media fame from a web server according to a linear or non-linear prediction algorithm resulting in bandwidth sensitive rich media content delivery from the delivery station to the client station for display and user interaction.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing telecommunications services are described. An embodiment of the present invention includes a construct, such as an extensible markup language (XML) construct, containing a telecommunications service model. The model is a semantic representation of the logic necessary to perform the service. A component executing within a computing environment reads the XML construct and changes its behavior based on the model contained in the construct. An interface between the computing environment and the telecommunications network provides the conduit through which services are delivered.

Abstract: A procedure for increasing the efficiency of the implementation of a solution to a business problem is presented. In such a procedure a soliciting business that has a given problem seeks solutions from other businesses that have a close relationship to the soliciting business. Such other businesses are motivated to provide specialized solutions in a timely manner and at a potential lower cost than that which would have been received if the soliciting business had used a standard request for business procedure.

Abstract: A system and method for unifying hotspot subject to non-linear transformation and interpolation in heterogeneous media representations includes a content creator for creating Rich Media, e.g. stills, animation, panorama and a delivery system including an action handler for responding to a hotspot in the Rich Media when selected by a user interacting with a projected image display. The hotspot is expressed in the media as an area defined in terms of a Euclidean, rectangular coordinate system for transformation and mapping of the media image hotspot coordinates into corresponding coordinates of a hotspot location in the projected image display. Unfortunately, the image coordinates in the media do not necessarily map directly into corresponding coordinates in the projected image. Flat media images can be linearly transformed to projected image coordinates. However, panorama media require non-linear transformation of media coordinated to projected image coordinates.

Abstract: A multi-media information system enables tracking of user interactions to media presentations. A content creation phase enables a creator to specify presentation events or user interactions that can be tracked. A token(s) is introduced into the content by the creator to represent each piece of information to be tracked. A deployment delivery phase delivers the presentation to a web page for a user experience phase and interaction. Trackable information is communicated by the user to the tracking server at different instances of time. Each pre-authored trackable information can be flagged to be “real-time” or otherwise at the granularity of the token or at the granularity of each trackable context. When trackable information is not “real-time”, the information is put into one of several information clusters of different priority. When each cluster achieves a critical mass, the cluster moves to a ready state for transmission to the tracking server.

Abstract: A network capable of providing rich media presentations includes a network server and a client station. The network implements HotMedia architecture to transmit the presentation including non-linkable media from the server to the client station. The server transmits the presentation as a streaming file in a framework of frames including a header frame, thumbnail frame, meta frame, media frame and end-of-stream frame. The client station includes an action enabling kernel and a client master module. The action enabling kernel contains a table lookup of action triggering inputs and consequent action commands for hotlinking. The master module controls a selection process of the various types of media involved in the presentation and provides a signal to the action enabling kernel to provide an appropriate action handler to the server. When a media frame is encountered the master module checks to determine that a media object has been created to handle the media frame.

Abstract: An occlusion culling method for image processing and system therefor. The culling method first determines which polygons are hidden, or occluded, by other objects. These hidden or occluded polygons will not contribute to the final scene and, therefore, need not be rendered. In the first major step, the input models are preprocessed to build a hierarchical data structure which is as an approximation to the input models. Simple polygonal occluders are determined for substitution in place of the complex image geometry in successive visibility queries. Once the first preprocessing step is complete, the second step may be executed at run-time, while a user is inspecting, or visualizing, the input. In the second step, the occluders, determined in the first step, are used to selectively forego rendering shapes or shape portions that are unseen from the current viewpoint.

Abstract: Disclosed in one embodiment is a computer-implemented method for providing location-sensitive and time-sensitive calendaring to a wireless device, such as a cellphone, pager, PDA, etc. A user's calendar is maintained with a number of appointments, start times and end times for the appointments, meeting place and a list of attendees for the appointments. When the present time reading is within a predetermined minimum of a meeting start time of an appointment of a calendar of a user, the location of the user is determined based on the location of the wireless device. The location of the meeting place is also determined. Using historical data (of the user or others), the estimated time of arrival of the user at the meeting place is determined. If the estimated time of arrival is after the meeting start time, then a late message may be sent to the user and/or to the other meeting attendees.

Abstract: In response to an internet interrogation by a user for goods or services, a hypermedia presentation is provided that starts out with delivery and presentation of simple thumbnail descriptions of the available goods and services, and proceeds in steps through delivery and presentation of more complex descriptions. The presentations are arranged in segments and permit multiple modes of operation. Each mode has a different set of attributes that permit progress through the presentation in a different manner. When a user first enters a website, he is placed in navigation mode which enables him to browse the website by moving from category to category of goods, having an initial look at the offerings of each category. The user can then move on to the inspection and/or transaction modes. In the inspection mode: the user can examine in more detail the various aspects of the goods he is interested in; can change to a more detailed explanation; zoom in on various portions of the goods; and obtain related information.

Abstract: A single file contains all information for a complete presentation. Each presentation file contains both data and software for the presentation. It includes both the data and software provided to the user and that retained by the server for the performance of the presentation. The basic building block for a presentation is a frame. The presentation file can contain a file header frame and multiple media frames, and one or more meta data frame. Of the frame types, the file header frame is the only one whose presence is mandatory in the presentation file format. The file header frame identifies the subject matter and contents of the presentation file providing information on the media types and total length of the file. The most degenerate yet useful version of a presentation file would have the file header frame followed by a media frame containing a thumbnail description. A thumbnail description may constitute a simple still picture or written description of the subject matter.

Abstract: Network presentations to be displayed on the users screen are divided into increasing more detailed phases. In each phase, the code controlling the phase and the data displayed in the phase are segmented. In transmission over the network, the transmission of the code segment of each phase precedes the transmission of the data segment for that phase. Code transferred to the user's terminal monitors the progress of the display of the current phase on the users screen. When sufficient data for the new phase showing then displayed scene enters the users storage, the code for the incoming phase takes over the presentation on the screen substituting data from the incoming phase for the proceeding phase. In this way, transitions are orderly and seamless.