Abstract: A visual representation of a set of instantiated virtualized resources may be displayed and include a linear row of graphical representations of individual ones of a set of instantiated virtualized resources. In addition, a performance-related metric for individual ones of the set of instantiated virtualized resources may be monitored, and the display may be caused to reflect values for the metric for the individual instantiated virtualized resources in connection with the corresponding graphical representations of the individual instantiated virtualized resources.

Abstract: A visual representation of a set of instantiated virtualized resources may be displayed and include a linear row of graphical representations of individual ones of a set of instantiated virtualized resources. In addition, a performance-related metric for individual ones of the set of instantiated virtualized resources may be monitored, and the display may be caused to reflect values for the metric for the individual instantiated virtualized resources in connection with the corresponding graphical representations of the individual instantiated virtualized resources.

Abstract: A method is provided for inviting an assistant entity, such as a customer service representative acting through a endpoint system, into an existing network communication session established by a service system. The service system controls the joining of endpoint entities to the session and enables endpoint entities joined to the session to communicate with each other. The method involves a first party associated with an endpoint system already joined to the session, indicating to the service system that the presence of an assistant entity is required. The service system selects an appropriate assistant entity taking account of the current context of the communication session, and joins the selected assistant entity to the session.

Abstract: A method of creating an interactive broadcast, comprising allowing a plurality of participants to vote on an aspect of a scenario in a virtual space, the broadcast being a computer-generated animated scenario comprising graphics and audio, the participants voting by means of user interface devices which are linked over a communications network to a server, the server being operative to process the received votes and determine how the broadcast should be collectively influenced in view of the votes received, and then generate the broadcast.

Abstract: A technique for consistently simulating at two different complexities of simulation is described. This technique is particularly relevant to simulation of a creature-like autonomous agent (biological or artificial or hybrid). The model, in the particular case a model of the creature, comprises at least two portions. The first portion contains functions used in both of the different complexities of simulation. The second portion comprises two alternative versions, a first version for use in one complexity of simulation, and a second version for use in the other complexity of simulation.

Abstract: A user is pre-qualified for a service provided at a particular location. Location data indicative of where the service is to be triggered and a service element are stored. The service instance element is a full customised instance of the service delivery code or other item that provides an association between the user and an instance of the service for which the user is qualified. The user location, as indicated by a mobile entity associated with the user, is periodically checked against the location data. When a location match occurs, the service instance for which the user has been qualified is executed to deliver the required service to the user. An example is an airline traveler buying, from a travel agent, an air ticket having an associated service wherein, the traveler, upon arriving at the relevant airport, is contacted via its mobile device and guided through check-in and boarding.

Abstract: Location data about a mobile entity (70) is periodically provided to a location-sensitive application, for example, a route-tracking application. The location data is updated at a frequency that is adaptively varied in dependence on the provision of location data about the mobile entity from other sources (45). The update frequency can also be made dependent on further factors such as: the motion of the mobile entity(“V”), the current environment of the mobile entity (“E”), and the progress of the location-sensitive application (“Z”).

Abstract: A content-provider entity provides content to media channels established in respect of a network communication session. The content-provider entity has a transport subsystem for establishing media channel connections to a session transport mechanism in accordance with channel type and connection details received by the entity. The content-provider entity also has a media subsystem providing a respective media handler of appropriate type for each media channel connection established by the transport subsystem. Each media handler is responsible for delivering media content of its associated type from a media source to the corresponding channel connection. A delivery controller of the media subsystem controls the selection and delivery of media content through the media handlers in dependence on context data supplied to the content-provider entity.

Abstract: Location information about a communicating entity (41), in particular a mobile entity, is derived by identifying intermediate nodes (42) along the communication path being used by the entity, and then looking up, in a database (44), the geographic significance of at least one of these nodes when considered in a direction along the communication path towards the entity of interest. Preferably, account is taken of any identified downstream/upstream nodes to refine the geographic significance of a node. The geographic significance information can be compiled by taking location fixes at a plurality of endpoint locations and associating the location data thus obtained with the intermediate nodes traversed when communication is effected from the corresponding endpoint locations.

Abstract: A service system associated with a web site establishes a respective communication session for each of at least selected web pages and joins to the session any party currently viewing the page. A sessions overview subsystem is notified of parties joining and leaving sessions and maintains a real-time database of current page sessions and the parties currently joined to each session. A user interface of the overview subsystem dynamically generates a sessions overview page from the real-time database and serves this page to a requesting permitted user, such as a customer service representative in a contact center associated with the service system. The permitted user can then select a specific session and request to be joined to it.

Abstract: A contact center uses a service system to establish communication over a data network, such as the internet, between customer endpoint systems and the endpoint systems of customer service representatives, CSRs, of the contact center. The service system establishes communication between endpoint systems by joining them to an appropriate communication session with an associated transport mechanism that allows the exchange of data across the network between the joined endpoint systems. For each communication session, a respective service instance and session instance are created. The service instance provides service specific behaviour while the session instance provides generic operations for adding and removing endpoint systems to the communication session. By specifying different service-specific behaviors, a range of corresponding customer services can be offered.

Abstract: A technique for consistently simulating at two different complexities of simulation is described. This technique is particularly relevant to simulation of a creature-like autonomous agent (biological or artificial or hybrid). The model, in the particular case a model of the creature, comprises at least two portions. The first portion contains functions used in both of the different complexities of simulation. The second portion comprises two alternative versions, a first version for use in one complexity of simulation, and a second version for use in the other complexity of simulation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wireless communication system (1) comprising a mobile station (2, 4), a server (8) for supporting a virtual environment (30), a sensor (28) remote from the mobile station (2, 4), which station for monitoring a variable and a communication network (6) for providing wireless communication between the mobile station (2, 4) and the virtual environment (30) and communication between the sensor (28) and the server (8), whereby the sensor output affects the virtual environment (30). A corresponding method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A gaming system comprises a gaming platform, such as a mobile platform, on which a player can play a game, a communication network for providing communication between the gaming platform and a game server, and a prize supplier database for providing prize supplier location information. When a game prize signal is generated, the game server communicates location information about an appropriate prize supplier for receipt by the player. The game server selects the appropriate prize supplier from the prize supplier database, this selection being effected, for example, on the basis of closeness to the location of the gaming platform. A corresponding gaming server apparatus and game-prize information method are also provided.

Abstract: A technique for simulating the activities of a large number of creatures is described. The technique utilises two modes of simulation. The first mode of simulation is arranged to simulate the activities of all of the creatures. The second mode of simulation is arranged to simulate the activities of a few of the creatures, at a more detailed level than the first mode. The second mode is utilised by the first mode to determine new parameters of individual creatures when the creatures undergo a change in environment.

Abstract: A method is provided of adapting a user interface to the user's current situation. The method involves a user specifying a home-area interface (83), for example, a web browser home page, and an “away” interface (84). When the user connects to a network (10) using a device (20) and calls up his/her browser home page, a determination is made of the location of the device in order to decide which version of the home page is to be served back to the user device by the home-page server of the user. In a preferred embodiment, the “away” home page (84) includes specific types of local data of interest to the user (such as best local restaurants). When asked to provide the “away” home page, the homepage server uses this information to find the URLs of local special interest web sites (122) carrying the relevant type of data, the server inserting these URLs in the “away” home page (84) before providing it to the user device (20) concerned.

Abstract: A helper entity monitors content on media channels established in respect of a network communication session. Upon a content-dependent trigger condition being met, the helper entity delivers advisory content over one or more of the channels.

Abstract: A contact center uses a service system to establish communication over a data network, such as the internet, between customer endpoint systems and the endpoint systems of customer service representatives, CSRs, of the contact center. The service system establishes communication between endpoint systems by joining them to an appropriate communication session with an associated transport mechanism that allows the exchange of data across the network between the joined endpoint systems. For each communication session, a respective service instance and session instance are created. The service instance provides service specific behaviour whilst the session instance provides generic operations for adding and removing endpoint systems to the communication session. By specifying different service-specific behaviors, a range of corresponding customer services can be offered.

Abstract: A service system associated with a web site establishes a respective communication session for each of at least selected web pages and joins to the session any party currently viewing the page. A sessions overview subsystem is notified of parties joining and leaving sessions and maintains a real-time database of current page sessions and the parties currently joined to each session. A user interface of the overview subsystem dynamically generates a sessions overview page from the real-time database and serves this page to a requesting permitted user, such as a customer service representative in a contact center associated with the service system. The permitted user can then select a specific session and request to be joined to it.

Abstract: A content-provider entity provides content to media channels established in respect of a network communication session. The content-provider entity has a transport subsystem for establishing media channel connections to a session transport mechanism in accordance with channel type and connection details received by the entity. The content-provider entity also has a media subsystem providing a respective media handler of appropriate type for each media channel connection established by the transport subsystem. Each media handler is responsible for delivering media content of its associated type from a media source to the corresponding channel connection. A delivery controller of the media subsystem controls the selection and delivery of media content through the media handlers in dependence on context data supplied to the content-provider entity.