Abstract: Methods and systems for deciding whether, when, for how long, and/or where insertable image content will be displayed on top of a video presentation (i.e. existing image content) are disclosed. This can be for the imminent placement of insertable image content or a delayed placement of insertable image content. The decision making process depends upon the generation of a ‘cool map’. A cool map is a weighted map of the screen real estate that shows the areas that it would be practical to place insertable image content.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for processing media content to be rendered as a presentation for a user at a set of one or more media devices (60, 600) in an arrangement at a point in time, the presentation being based on layout rules (66b) defining suitability and configuration of media objects (55) for rendering, the arrangement and one or more user-associated characteristics and/or attributes constituting a context for the presentation which is formed of selected media objects from a set, the context having one or more constraints (66c), each constraint defining a property of the context affecting the rendering of at least a subset of the selected media objects (55).

Abstract: Playing of first and second content streams delivered to respective first and second receiving devices is achieved following a seek command to one of the devices, by a synchronization controller which receives information identifying the segment in the first stream in which the start point is located, and the duration of time between the start point and the beginning of the next segment, and transmits a command to the second receiving device identifying a segment in a second stream, at which to resume play, and a time at which to start displaying, allowing the display controlled by the second receiving device to be resynchronized with the display controlled by the first receiving device after operation of the seek command on the first device.

Abstract: Playing of first and second content streams delivered to respective first and second receiving devices is achieved following a seek command to one of the devices, by a synchronization controller which receives information identifying the segment in the first stream in which the start point is located, and the duration of time between the start point and the beginning of the next segment, and transmits a command to the second receiving device identifying a segment in a second stream, at which to resume play, and a time at which to start displaying, allowing the display controlled by the second receiving device to be resynchronized with the display controlled by the first receiving device after operation of the seek command on the first device.

Abstract: A method of generating a new path to a destination node (29G) in a virtual environment comprising a plurality of nodes (29A-G). The method comprises nodal information identifying one or more nodes associated with a previously created path to said destination node, dynamically reconfiguring the topology of the virtual environment to define a start node (29A) for said new path, and processing said stored nodal information to determine the new path to said destination (29G) by including at least one node of said previously created path.

Abstract: A computer system is arranged to automatically calculate a path along nodes in a virtual world. After the co-ordinates for the virtual world environment have been initially defined (40), including nodes along which a path may travel, the system automatically increases the density of nodes in the environment up to a desired density. New nodes are added between each pair of nodes which have line of sight to each other (44 to 47), dramatically increasing the number of available links and nodes. This is repeated until a sufficient density of nodes is reached and no more nodes are being added (48 and 49).

Abstract: A method to create within a computer system, an association between the appearance of a token and one or more stored files for the purpose of retrieving and presenting said one or more stored files, comprising the steps of: measuring said appearance of said token; creating a token identity from the obtained measurement; storing said token identity in an identity store; associating within said computer system, said stored file with said token identity; subsequently measuring said appearance of said token; creating a subsequent identity for said token using subsequent measurement data obtained from said subsequent measurement; searching in said identity store for a match with said subsequent identity; upon the location of a match, retrieving said one or more stored files; and presenting said retrieved file to a user.