Abstract: A system and means for recognising phrases of approval, questions and answers in speech conversations exchanged between communication devices such that the phrase recognition means is conditional upon detection of a non-speech event from the devices to denote a subject of interest, the phrase recognition means employing detection of non-speech events from the devices to identify and select speech recognition rules of relevance to the subject item, questions about the subject and answers to the questions. Speech recognition means logs detected speech and non-speech events to a repository for later analysis.

Abstract: A system and means for recognising phrases of approval, questions and answers in speech conversations exchanged between communication devices such that the phrase recognition means is conditional upon detection of a non-speech event from the devices to denote a subject of interest, the phrase recognition means employing detection of non-speech events from the devices to identify and select speech recognition rules of relevance to the subject item, questions about the subject and answers to the questions. Speech recognition means logs detected speech and non-speech events to a repository for later analysis.

Abstract: A communication device for enabling a conversation with at least one other device, the conversation relating to an item; the communication device being adapted to: present a plurality of user selectable questions relating to the item; receive a signal indicative of user selection of one of the user selectable questions and send the selected question to the at least one other device as part of the conversation exchange.

Abstract: A handheld device operable to connect to a data communication network, wherein the device comprises: a screen, a user input device, and a controller adapted to form or change a group that includes the device and at least one other handheld device and adopt a leader device or follower device status. When the leader status is adopted, the controller is adapted to display an item in response to a user input and transmit data indicative of the item to the at least one other device in the group. When the follower device status is adopted, the controller is adapted to receive data indicative of an item from a leader device and display information corresponding to the indicative data.

Abstract: An interactive television system is operable to receive television signals and data for implementing interactive television services. At least some of the interactive television data received is stored on a removable, non-volatile memory, such as a memory card or stick. To allow a user to access services, the system is operable to generate a user interface. Services that are available via information stored on a memory card are marked.

Abstract: A method for providing services to a television system, the method comprising receiving a user message via a telephone line, the message including a translated version of user information (436); using the message received to identify an address for the television system associated with the user and broadcasting a return message for receipt by the television system, the return message including the television system address.

Abstract: An interactive television user interface (439) that is adapted to allow a user to access a service; receive personalised data inputs for a service for a designated user; store the personalised data for that service and present the stored data to the designated user the next time the service is accessed. The personalised data may include; for example, weather information for a user selected geographic area (444, 441, 442).

Abstract: A television system for presenting interactive television services to a user. The system comprises a local memory in which one or more data parameters are stored. The system is operable to determine the availability of data from a data source, and capture a first portion of the available data and store it in a first area of the local memory. The system uses the parameters stored in the local memory to determine whether the first data portion references a second portion of the available data. In the event that it does, the second portion of the data is captured and also stored in the first area of local memory. The first and second portions of data are processed according to their identities. The processed data is written to a second area of the local memory, so that it can be used to present interactive television services to the user.

Abstract: Systems and Methods for an interactive television application are implemented to have data collection features. Data may be collected on acts that occur to interface a user and the interactive television application that has been implemented on user equipment. The acts may be discrete acts such as user key entries on a remote control, displays that are generated by the interactive television application, channels changes, etc. Duration information may be recorded. A data record may be generated for each discrete act. Data records may be in a format that is compatible with conventional database applications.