Abstract: A method and an Ethernet local area network are described herein in which the Ethernet local area network is configured to enable a talking device (e.g., microphone) to send a media stream to one or more listening devices (e.g., speakers). In one embodiment, the method for configuring the Ethernet local area network includes the following steps: (1) providing a user of a talking device with a “relevant” catalog which contains information including positional information about one or more listening devices; (2) allowing the user to interface with the “relevant” catalog so they can select at least one of the listening device(s); (3) enabling the talking device to send a subscribe-request message to the selected listening device(s) requesting that the selected listening device(s) subscribe to the talking device; (4) and sending a media stream from the talking device to the selected listening device(s).

Abstract: A method and an Ethernet local area network are described herein in which the Ethernet local area network is configured to enable a talking device (e.g., microphone) to send a media stream to one or more listening devices (e.g., speakers). In one embodiment, the method for configuring the Ethernet local area network includes the following steps: (1) providing a user of a talking device with a “relevant” catalog which contains information including positional information about one or more listening devices; (2) allowing the user to interface with the “relevant” catalog so they can select at least one of the listening device(s); (3) enabling the talking device to send a subscribe-request message to the selected listening device(s) requesting that the selected listening device(s) subscribe to the talking device; (4) and sending a media stream from the talking device to the selected listening device(s).

Abstract: Dynamic delivery of different commercials to different viewers is achieved using a network node within an IPTV packet-switched network that is coupled to receive both a multicast television program and commercial programs. The network node is able to identify one or more subscribers to the multicast television program and to identify targeted commercial programs for each of the subscribers. The network node further includes a commercial inserter for inserting the respective targeted commercial program for each of the subscribers into the multicast television program to produce respective customized programs and to transmit the customized programs towards the respective subscribers.

Abstract: A system and method for provisioning presence application services using a customizable presence data model. An ontology depository having at least one domain-specific ontology model for a particular presence application is provided on a communications network. Presence client software associated with a general-purpose presence entity is customized by referencing a domain-specific ontology model of the ontology depository, whereby the presence entity becomes operable to engage in a particular presence application relating to the domain-specific ontology model.