Abstract: A method and communication system are disclosed for conducting a conference among sets of conference participants connected by a communication system. This system has at least one conference server, at least one image reproduction unit at each conference environment and at least one microphone at each conference environment. The method involves calculating respective virtual images of a majority of the conference environments, each virtual image containing at least one image corresponding to at least one conference participant who is present at that conference environment, calculating an aggregate representation of the virtual images of all conference environments and displaying the aggregate representation on at least one image reproduction unit. The method also calculates an individual representation for an individual conference participant and provides the individual participant with the individual representation while simultaneously providing to that individual the aggregate representation.

Abstract: Data characterizing the presence state of a user registered to use a communication service is sent to a server for the management of presence data in order to update presence data allocated to the user of a communication service. The data sent to the server is stored as presence data allocated to the user and is made available for predefinable other users. Authorization to change presence data is given to another selected user upon user release.

Abstract: A method for the transmission and adaption of data can include the steps of generating generic requirement documents, identifying a plurality of suitable communication patterns on the basis of the generic requirement documents, determining currently available transport options and their service quality across at least one communication network, and selecting a communication pattern from a plurality of suitable communication patterns based on the network transmission qualities of the at least one communication network. The method can utilize a first functional layer and a second functional layer that are integrated between a software application layer and a network access layer that each receive input documents that are independent of each other. The input documents of the second functional layer can contain transport-related information while the input documents of the first functional layer can contain application-related information.

Abstract: A method and communication system are disclosed for conducting a conference among conference participants connected by a communication system. This system has at least one conference server and at least one image reproduction unit at each conference environment. The method involves collecting context data concerning at least one of the conference participants at multiple timed intervals; calculating a relationship value from the context data at the timed intervals; determining a relationship status, wherein the relationship status is expressed using one of several categories defined by a threshold value, depending on the calculated relationship value; and displaying the relationship status on at least one image reproduction unit during the conference. The method may be performed at the beginning of the conference and/or when a new participant joins the conference.

Abstract: A method and communication system are disclosed for conducting a conference among sets of conference participants connected by a communication system. This system has at least one conference server, at least one image reproduction unit at each conference environment and at least one microphone at each conference environment. The method involves calculating respective virtual images of a majority of the conference environments, each virtual image containing at least one image corresponding to at least one conference participant who is present at that conference environment, calculating an aggregate representation of the virtual images of all conference environments and displaying the aggregate representation on at least one image reproduction unit. The method also calculates an individual representation for an individual conference participant and provides the individual participant with the individual representation while simultaneously providing to that individual the aggregate representation.

Abstract: A method can include the steps of logging in of mobile devices of participants when they are located in the same physical conference environment and managing the resources of these devices such that the resources of the logged-in devices are combined into an audio system to output audio conference information using a sound output process in the conference environment. The conference environment may be a conference room. The audio conference information may be audio to be output to the participants at the conference environment. The formed audio system can include speakers of the user devices for outputting such audio. The microphones of the user devices may also be used to form an audio input system for the conference for allowing audio of the participants to be received and transmitted during the conference. A communication system can be configured to implement embodiments of the method.

Abstract: In a procedure for handling security settings of a mobile end device the operating conditions of the end device are determined Then minimum security requirements are established according to the operating conditions by evaluating contextual data regarding the operating conditions of the end device. Next it is determined whether the security settings on the end device comply with at a least with the minimum security requirements. Access to applications is allowed or denied according to the security settings on the mobile end device. Should the end device not meet minimum security requirements the user may be prompted to change the security settings on the end device. The method may involve locating the end device and issuing of a warning in the end device does not meet minimum security settings.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for tracking changes in a collection of web documents, for example, provided by a web site. The web documents are retrieved at a first assigned point in time and a second assigned point in time. Then a similarity measure for a combination of a retrieved web document at a first assigned point in time and a retrieved web document at a second assigned point in time is calculated for determining pairs of corresponding web documents. By comparing said calculated similarity measure of a pair of corresponding web documents with predetermined thresholds for the similarity measure a change in the content of the corresponding web document between the first assigned point in time and second assigned point in time is detected. Instead of referring to identifiers like URLs for web pages the content similarities of web pages are considered. The proposed strategy facilitates the work of marketing analysts.

Abstract: In a method and system for controlling voice communication of a first person with at least a second person via a communication network a first microphone receives and converts vocal utterances from the first person to a voice signal. A first processor generates a transmission signal by processing the voice signal. A transmitter sends the transmission signal to a receiver. The receiver generates a listening signal by processing the received signal and transmits the listening signal to a speaker. The speaker converts the listening signal to an acoustic signal to be perceived by the first person. In this method a second processor generates the listening signal from the received signal by branching the voice signal and adding the branched voice signal to the received signal. The branched voice signal may be subjected to variable attenuation and/or amplification before being added to the branched voice signal to the received signal.

Abstract: Data characterizing the presence state of a user registered to use a communication service is sent to a server for the management of presence data in order to provide presence data allocated to the user of a communication service. The data sent to the server is stored as presence data allocated to the user and is made available for predefinable first users. The user is provided with presence data allocated to predefinable second users. The predefinable first and second users are determined by means of an activated service profile allocated to the user.

Abstract: Method for an electronic device (IT) that is controllable in at least one operating state (OP) and one standby state (SBY), with which a main processing unit (MPU) controls the operating state (OP) and a preprocessing unit (PPU) controls the standby state (SBY), such that, by means of the preprocessing unit (PPU), the main processing unit (MPU) and, to some extent, the functional units of the electronic device (IT) that are implemented by circuitry are switched by the control into at least one state having reduced energy consumption.

Abstract: A communication system is provided that includes a plurality of communication devices and a plurality of servers. The servers are communicatively coupled to the communication device and each server hosts a service accessible by the communication devices. One of the servers or at least one of the communication devices may communicate with at least one of the servers and the communication device to monitor communication events related to a project defined for monitoring by user input provided for creating the project for purposes of monitoring the project.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to an arrangement for the imaging representation of information, particularly for use with communication terminals. The arrangement comprises an image output device having at least one first partial region and at least one second partial region, wherein the first partial region is designed such that the representation of the information is optimized for high-quality imaging and the second partial region is designed such that it is optimized for lower-quality imaging. According to the method, the first partial region is activated when data is present for output using high-quality imaging, while the second partial region is always actively operated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to an arrangement for the imaging representation of information, particularly for use with communication terminals. The arrangement comprises an image output device having at least one first partial region and at least one second partial region, wherein the first partial region is designed such that the representation of the information is optimized for high-quality imaging and the second partial region is designed such that it is optimized for lower-quality imaging. According to the method, the first partial region is activated when data is present for output using high-quality imaging, while the second partial region is always actively operated.

Abstract: Method for an electronic device (IT) that is controllable in at least one operating state (OP) and one standby state (SBY), with which a main processing unit (MPU) controls the operating state (OP) and a preprocessing unit (PPU) controls the standby state (SBY), such that, by means of the preprocessing unit (PPU), the main processing unit (MPU) and, to some extent, the functional units of the electronic device (IT) that are implemented by circuitry are switched by the control into at least one state having reduced energy consumption.

Abstract: A collective packet generator forms collective Internet Protocol (IP) data packets, each of which contains several IP data packets of different communication data streams, for encrypted transmission of each of the communication data streams as a sequence of IP data packets. A particular collective IP data packet is encrypted by an encryption module for encrypting IP data packets. The encrypted collective IP data packets are then transmitted via a communication network.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for tracking changes in a collection of web documents, for example, provided by a web site. The web documents are retrieved at a first assigned point in time and a second assigned point in time. Then a similarity measure for a combination of a retrieved web document at a first assigned point in time and a retrieved web document at a second assigned point in time is calculated for determining pairs of corresponding web documents. By comparing said calculated similarity measure of a pair of corresponding web documents with predetermined thresholds for the similarity measure a change in the content of the corresponding web document between the first assigned point in time and second assigned point in time is detected. Instead of referring to identifiers like URLs for web pages the content similarities of web pages are considered. The proposed strategy facilitates the work of marketing analysts.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for comparing entities, such as companies or trademarks, based on available pricing and feature information regarding goods or services provided by the companies. Web services, e.g. price finding robots, are employed to obtain pricing and feature information for similar products from different companies. Products having similar features but derive from different companies can be grouped to clusters and be analyzed with respect to average pricing levels. Data formats for pricing and feature information stemming from different web services may be automatically retrieved and mapped into a common format. The method allows to evaluate systematic deviations in the company's pricing policies or to detect if companies do not have a matching product portfolio. One can also estimate the prestige or acceptance of a company or brand as a function of prices tolerated by the underlying market. This may facilitate marketing strategies.

Abstract: Data characterizing the presence state of a user registered to use a communication service is sent to a server for the management of presence data in order to provide presence data allocated to the user of a communication service. The data sent to the server is stored as presence data allocated to the user and is made available for predefinable first users. The user is provided with presence data allocated to predefinable second users. The predefinable first and second users are determined by means of an activated service profile allocated to the user.

Abstract: Data characterizing the presence state of a user registered to use a communication service is sent to a server for the management of presence data in order to update presence data allocated to the user of a communication service. The data sent to the server is stored as presence data allocated to the user and is made available for predefinable other users. Authorization to change presence data is given to another selected user upon user release.