Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for profiling recipients into recipient categories on the basis of responses to content items provided to users. The profiling is based on rankings that are assigned to the content items, recipient categories, links between the content items and links between the content items and recipient categories. In one embodiment the ranking of a given content item is calculated on the basis of rankings of other content items having a link to the given content item, together with the ranking of the link between the content items, while the ranking of a given respondent in respect of a given recipient category is calculated on the basis of rankings of content items and/or categories that have a link to that recipient category. The links between content items and to the recipient categories indicate a particular response, by the respondent, in respect of content items.

Abstract: A method of recovering energy from the potential energy of water in a body of water includes providing a reservoir at least partly below a surface of a body of water, leading water from the body of water in the reservoir, and storing potential energy by removing water from the reservoir. A hydroenergy plant recovers energy from the water while leading the water into the reservoir using a turbine and an electric generator coupled to the turbine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for characterizing recipients into recipient categories on the basis of responses to questions provided to users. The characterization is based on rankings that are assigned to the questions, recipient categories, links between the questions and links between the questions and recipient categories. In one embodiment the ranking of a given recipient category is calculated on the basis of rankings of another recipient category having a link to the given recipient category, together with the ranking of the link between the recipient categories. The links between questions and recipient categories indicate a particular response, by the respondent, in respect of questions. The recipients are characterized with respect to the recipient categories on the basis of the rankings assigned to the recipient categories.

Abstract: A system and method concerned with supporting or implementing functionality to provide efficient delivery of MMS messages to a plurality of recipients. In at least one arrangement the delivery status of already transmitted MMS messages is monitored; for a plurality of messages having a delivery status indicating that the messages are undeliverable to the intended recipient, a new set of recipients is selected and MMS messages transmitted to the new set of recipients. In this way delivery of a desired quota of deliverable MMS messages is effected with greater efficiency than is possible with conventional methods.

Abstract: Methodologies, systems and software support or implement functionality to provide sponsored browsing of web/WAP sites and/or services for mobile device users wherein web sites are selected for browsing in dependence on a data size requirement for providing access to content available from a given web/WAP site.

Abstract: A method, a system and an end-user terminal for providing a handover between a digital unidirectional data communication domain and a digital bi-directional data communication domain is disclosed. Exemplary domains can be a broadcast network such as IP over DVB (Digital Video Broadcasting) network, or a broadcast mode, in further examples IP over DVB-T (Terrestrial DVB) or alternatively referred to as IPDC (IP Datacast), the 3G (The Third Generation for Mobile Communication) network, in further examples UTRAN (UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Node). The embodiments apply measurement signalling structure of the Inter-system handover of ULMTS (Universal Mobile Telephone System) to control the handover. The measurements of the cell is extended to contain digital unidirectiona communications domain cells such as IP over DVB cells, as well as apply these cells to perform the handover.

Abstract: An enhanced contact directory application and associated enhanced contact directory for provisioning in a mobile device that enables the mobile device user to have access to information identifying the cost or likely cost of communicating with listed contacts via the mobile device prior to initiating communication with the contacts.

Abstract: Methodologies and system functionality are provided to determine mobile device capabilities and/or configuration setting and user abilities and/or inclinations as a precursor to or as part of the management, delivery and/or assessment of the efficacy of promotional material. The determination of the mobile device capabilities and/or configuration settings and user abilities and/or inclinations may be performed, for example, when provisioning a new service or after such a service has been utilized by a mobile device user. Further, such a determination may be performed in connection with a mobile device service that provides free or subsidized service to mobile device users.

Abstract: Methodologies and system functionality are provided to determine mobile device capabilities and/or configuration setting and user abilities and/or inclinations as a precursor to or as part of the management, delivery and/or assessment of the efficacy of promotional material. The determination of the mobile device capabilities and/or configuration settings and user abilities and/or inclinations may be performed, for example, when provisioning a new service or after such a service has been utilized by a mobile device user. Further, such a determination may be performed in connection with a mobile device service that provides free or subsidized service to mobile device users.

Abstract: An edge router (6) for multicast data transfer comprises a cache (10). In response to a request for a file from a host (3a), the router (6) retrieves the file from a content provider (2). The file, comprising data packets A-G, is stored in the cache (10) before transmission to host (3a) to allow the receipt of requests for the same file from other hosts (3b, 3c). A timer is activated to count down through a predetermined waiting period T. A file delivery group is defined, comprising host (3a). Any other hosts (3b, 3c) located in the same cell as host (3a), requesting the same file during period T are added to the group. When a predetermined number of requests have been received or, alternatively, when the waiting period T expires, the file is retrieved from the cache (10) and forwarded to the hosts (3a, 3b, 3c), in the group.

Abstract: An interactive system and method for controlling access to a plurality of communications sessions involving a plurality of users including controlling access to a plurality of communications sessions, each of said communications sessions being for access by a plurality of users, wherein data identifying said plurality of communications sessions have been stored in association with data indicative of one or more characteristics thereof. The method includes receiving a request to initiate communications among members of a group of users, wherein said request includes data identifying the group of users, responsive to receiving said request, selecting a communications session on the basis of data identifying the group and at least some of said stored data indicative of characteristics of a given communications session, and transmitting messages to at least some members of the group.

Abstract: System and method for delivering upon request credits having monetary value to a mobile device using a communications network. An account of available credit for the user of the mobile device is maintained and authorization to issue credit is generated when a request for credit for the mobile device is received and there is available credit in the account associated with the mobile device equal to or greater than the requested credit. Credit may be sponsored by one or more sponsors and issued to the user, upon authorization, to enable the user to use the mobile device to purchase items, e.g., at a point of sale terminal.

Abstract: System, method and computer program for enabling use of a plurality of advertisement brokers in order to obtain advertisements for use by a service provider. Data about a user requesting a service from the service provider and/or about pricing relating to advertisements provided by the advertisement brokers is obtained and based thereon, one of the advertisement brokers is selected to provide an advertisement to be associated with the service being requested by the user.

Abstract: A network includes a service provider, a plurality of transmitters and a receiving device. The receiving device identifies the frequencies at which broadcast services are provided by a transmitter local to the receiving device. A search is carried out until a signal is received by the receiving device (S4.1). Then, the receiving device looks-up the transmitter (step S4.2). This involves searching the table 29 and identifying the row 30 that includes data corresponding to the frequency of the found signal. Optionally, it is determined whether or not there is only one candidate transmitter (step S4.3), by determining how many rows 30 in the table 29 include data corresponding to the frequency of the found signal. If there is more than one row, then the transmitter is disambiguated (step S4.4.).

Abstract: In prior art methods of processing transactions, funds for any given transaction are typically designated for payment from a single account. Further, funds are often pre-paid into accounts associated with a subscription to a telecommunications network, reducing the funds that a user can allocate to the single account. This can cause the amount of funds available from the single account to be below that required to cover one or a series of transactions, leading to the problem that only transactions of a limited size or number can be effected for a given account balance. In embodiments of the present invention, a method of processing a transaction is provided in which, responsive to a request for a transaction, a plurality of accounts associated with a party to the transaction are identified, including at least one account associated with a subscription to a telecommunications network. Funds for the transaction are selected on the basis of account balances of the identified accounts.

Abstract: Method and system for enabling different information-containing units such as advertisements, to be included in or otherwise presented in conjunction with broadcast content so that individuals receiving the same content can be presented with different information. A suitable information unit for each individual is independently selected based on information about each user. For example, when the broadcast content is on multiple channels and the user's terminal is receiving content on one channel having information that is not suitable for that user, the individual's terminal may be directed to switch to another channel selected from among a plurality of different channels based on the user's settings, profile and/or rules. As such, the information, or data units, being provided to each user can be customized thereby providing an extremely effective form of direct and targeted advertising in the broadcast of various content, such as television programs, radio programs, data, videos and audio.

Abstract: In accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention, methodologies and mechanisms are provided that enable methods, systems and software for supporting or implementing functionality to intercept a phone call and/or data transmission in a cellular network and direct it to at least one receivers' VoIP account if the account is active and provides VoIP connectivity.

Abstract: System and method for delivering upon request credits having monetary value to a mobile device using a communications network. An account of available credit for the user of the mobile device is maintained and authorization to issue credit is generated when a request for credit for the mobile device is received and there is available credit in the account associated with the mobile device equal to or greater than the requested credit. Credit may be sponsored by one or more sponsors and issued to the user, upon authorization, to enable the user to use the mobile device to purchase items, e.g., at a point of sale terminal.

Abstract: An interactive system and method for controlling access to a plurality of communications sessions involving a plurality of users including controlling access to a plurality of communications sessions, each of said communications sessions being for access by a plurality of users, wherein data identifying said plurality of communications sessions have been stored in association with data indicative of one or more characteristics thereof. The method includes receiving a request to initiate communications among members of a group of users, wherein said request includes data identifying the group of users, responsive to receiving said request, selecting a communications session on the basis of data identifying the group and at least some of said stored data indicative of characteristics of a given communications session, and transmitting messages to at least some members of the group.

Abstract: Cellular receivers, in the form of portable radiotelephones are commonplace, and their design and operation is well understood. Such portable radiotelephones can be used for making and receiving telephone calls, sending and receiving messages, and even browsing world-wide computer network such as the Internet. Many standards exist for portable radiotelephones, including global system for mobile communications (GSM), general radio packet service (GPRS). Receivers capable of receiving digital television signals; such as signals according to the terrestrial digital video broadcasting (DVB-T) standard are also commonplace. The present invention provides a method and apparatus for receiving and transmitting signals via multiple communication channels.