Abstract: A communication system for exchanging video images with annotations is set out. The annotations may be time sensitive so as to fade after a preselected amount of time and not clutter up the screen on which the video images are being displayed. The annotations may be drawable entities made by gestures which, after being made, are read, decoded and stored for potential future reference.

Abstract: A system and method for enhanced communication among a multitude of users by enabling each user to augment theirs' and others' screens for a limited amount of time is set out. The augmentation may be limited only by the user's imagination and ability to create a drawable entity using gestures via a touch sensitive surface, mouse or the like. A time limit may be associated with the drawable entity in order to affect its fading and ultimate disappearance from the screen. The time limit may vary as well as be conditioned upon the message or meaning or type of drawable entity being communicated.

Abstract: An example of an augmented reality based social platform can include the computer implemented modules of: an avatar creation module for creating user based avatars which can be manipulated within the social platform, a map generation module for creating an augmented map of a real-world location, said map generation module capable of integrating platform user interactable objects with corresponding real-world objects, an auxiliary application integration module capable of integrating a non-platform based application with its platform based counterparts, and a commercial conversion module capable of spatially reserving area, surfaces, pathways, interactable objects or a combination thereof within the augmented map for exclusive usage rights of one, or a collection of, avatar(s). A platform can also include a user data integration module capable of integrating non platform based user information with its platform based counterpart.

Abstract: An example of an augmented reality based social platform can include the computer implemented modules of: an avatar creation module for creating user based avatars which can be manipulated within the social platform, a map generation module for creating an augmented map of a real-world location, said map generation module capable of integrating platform user interactable objects with corresponding real-world objects, an auxiliary application integration module capable of integrating a non-platform based application with its platform based counterparts, and a commercial conversion module capable of spatially reserving area, surfaces, pathways, interactable objects or a combination thereof within the augmented map for exclusive usage rights of one, or a collection of, avatar(s). A platform can also include a user data integration module capable of integrating non platform based user information with its platform based counterpart.

Abstract: A method of evaluating the usage in a received signal of codes from a tree of codes that can be used to orthogonalise communications signals, the method including testing to determine if a given code is in use in the received signal and deducing from the result and from the tree structure the need to test in the received signal for the use of the codes in the portion of the tree depending from said given code. The invention also includes corresponding apparatus and software.

Abstract: A method of evaluating the usage in a received signal of codes from a tree of codes that can be used to orthogonalise communications signals, the method including testing to determine if a given code is in use in the received signal and deducing from the result and from the tree structure the need to test in the received signal for the use of the codes in the portion of the tree depending from said given code. The invention also includes corresponding apparatus and software.