Abstract: Disclosed are arrangements, referred to as just-in-time workflow (JITW) arrangements, which provide a decentralised process (900) for performing a sequence of tasks, in which individual network services successively identify (961), assemble (960) and execute (962) a chain of subsequent network services on the basis of their suitability to communicate over a network and to perform their associated tasks.

Abstract: Disclosed are arrangements which seek to update schemas in a controlled manner so that a device (3710) or service can accurately parse documents conforming to a new version of a schema (3724, 3734) without the need for translation services or extra information within the document to provide guides for translation. One embodiment provides a “best-effort” attempt to process documents of an unknown schema, based on a defined similarity threshold, instead of rejecting such documents as being invalid. The arrangements disclosed seek to provide a satisfactory output from an input document that conforms with an unexpected schema. A method for constraining evolution of a schema associated with a markup language includes the steps of defining the schema and defining a metaschema associated with the schema. The metaschema provides rules for valid changes to the schema.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing media items is disclosed. The method involves selecting a sub-set (106) of the media items (102), and concurrently displaying a spatial representation (606) and a temporal representation (610) of the selected sub-set. Using this starting point, a user can browse, using either a temporal control input (414) or a spatial control input (406), applied to the associated temporal or spatial display (610, 606 respectively), to modify the media item selection (106). The display corresponding to the non-selected navigation mode is automatically and contemporaneously changed to reflect the change in the media item selection.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for proofing (644) a variable document intended for printing are disclosed in which a GUI (2000) is configured to allow user manipulation of layout rules associated with content containers within a template for variable document generation. Selective proofing (2100) involves proofing a plurality of variable data documents each formed from a common layout in which variable data content is placed into containers having locations and sizes within the layout and defined by layout rules. Measures of variation (2103, 2106) and measures of deviation (2109, 2110) are calculated. The measures of deviation are processed (2112) to give a deviation value. Once completed for each document, the deviation values of the documents are compared (2114) to identify at least one group of the documents for presentation for further assessment. Live proofing includes creating a layout (2002) for a variable data document based upon a template established in the GUI.

Abstract: A method of animating a sprite in a video production comprising a plurality of sequential video frames is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of selecting (2004) a feature, with which the sprite is to be juxtaposed, in one of said video frames, applying (2006) a feature tracking process to the video production to thereby output (2008), for a series of said plurality of video frames containing the feature, a temporal-spatial record for the feature across the plurality of video frames, and compositing (2010), with the series of said plurality of video frames, a corresponding series of instantiations of the sprite dependent upon the temporal-spatial record.

Abstract: A method of parsing a markup language document comprising syntactic elements is disclosed, said method comprising, for one of said syntactic elements, the steps of identifying (310) a type of the element, processing (318) the element by determining a hash representation thereof if said type is a first type, and augmenting (314) an at least partial structural representation of the document using the hash representation if said type is said first type.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of establishing a desired communication between an originating entity (102) and a target entity (106). Each entity is coupled to a communication network (100) and has a corresponding profile (112, 142) related to information handled by the entity. Initially a compatibility is determined between the profile (112) of the originating entity (102) and the profile (140) of the target entity (106). If a direct profile compatibility is determined between the originating entity and the target entity, the desired communication are establishing directly between the originating entity and the target entity. If step a direct profile compatibility between the originating entity and the target entity cannot be determined the network is searched to identify an additional entity (108) coupled to the network (100) and having a direct profile compatibility with one of the target or source entity to thereby form a linked entity pair providing communications (112, 124) with the additional entity.

Abstract: A method for production and post-production processing of multi-media input data where the method comprises the steps of inputting one or more multi-media input data sets inputting one or more templates and applying the one or more templates to the one or more input data sets so to produce a processed output data set for storage, and/or display and/or further processing.

Abstract: A method and system (100) for conveying a video message is disclosed. Video data comprising at least image data and associated audio data is captured and a video message structure (401) is created. A link is established between the structure (401) and the video data to create a structured video message. The structured video message is characterized by a video message structure (401) that provides an originator (103), of the message, enhanced manipulation capabilities for the video data by manipulating the structure (401). The structured video message can be conveyed to a recipient for viewing and/or for providing the recipient substantially the same enhanced manipulation capabilities.

Abstract: A method and system (100) for conveying a video message is disclosed. Video data comprising at least image data and associated audio data is captured and a video message structure (401) is created. A link is established between the structure (401) and the video data to create a structured video message. The structured video message is characterized by a video message structure (401) that provides an originator (103), of the message, enhanced manipulation capabilities for the video data by manipulating the structure (401). The structured video message can be conveyed to a recipient for viewing and/or for providing the recipient substantially the same enhanced manipulation capabilities.

Abstract: A method of animating a sprite in a video production comprising a plurality of sequential video frames is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of selecting (2004) a feature, with which the sprite is to be juxtaposed, in one of said video frames, applying (2006) a feature tracking process to the video production to thereby output (2008), for a series of said plurality of video frames containing the feature, a temporal-spatial record for the feature across the plurality of video frames, and compositing (2010), with the series of said plurality of video frames, a corresponding series of instantiations of the sprite dependent upon the temporal-spatial record.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing media items is disclosed. The method involves selecting a sub-set (106) of the media items (102), and concurrently displaying a spatial representation (606) and a temporal representation (610) of the selected sub-set. Using this starting point, a user can browse, using either a temporal control input (414) or a spatial control input (406), applied to the associated temporal or spatial display (610, 606 respectively), to modify the media item selection (106). The display corresponding to the non-selected navigation mode is automatically and contemporaneously changed to reflect the change in the media item selection.

Abstract: A document creation system and method in which electronic information intended for reproduction and including at least one hyperlink is accessed. The accesses information is formatted into a contiguous localized document in a reproducible format into which is incorporated at least one functional link related to a hyperlink. The functional link is reproducible in a material form in the localized document for replicating a function associated with the hyperlinks. The localized document can then be displayed to reveal the function links which are manually traversable. Display is typically by printing and the functional links may include printed lines, cutouts in the paper or tabs applied to the paper.

Abstract: A method of parsing a markup language document comprising syntactic elements is disclosed, said method comprising, for one of said syntactic elements, the steps of identifying (310) a type of the element, processing (318) the element by determining a hash representation thereof if said type is a first type, and augmenting (314) an at least partial structural representation of the document using the hash representation if said type is said first type.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of establishing a desired communication between an originating entity (102) and a target entity (106). Each entity is coupled to a communication network (100) and has a corresponding profile (112, 142) related to information handled by the entity. Initially a compatibility is determined between the profile (112) of the originating entity (102) and the profile (140) of the target entity (106). If a direct profile compatibility is determined between the originating entity and the target entity, the desired communication are establishing directly between the originating entity and the target entity. If step a direct profile compatibility between the originating entity and the target entity cannot be determined the network is searched to identify an additional entity (108) coupled to the network (100) and having a direct profile compatibility with one of the target or source entity to thereby form a linked entity pair providing communications (112, 124) with the additional entity.