Abstract: A data file having more than one modes of operation. The data file comprises an image component for storing an image as a representation of the data file and one or more data components appended to the image component. The image component comprises metadata associated with the one or more data components. In a first mode of operation, the image component of the data file is readable for viewing the image by an image viewer while the image component is part of the data file. The one or more appended data components are unreadable by the image viewer in the first mode of operation. In a second mode of operation, the image component and the one or more appended data components are readable by a file reader.

Abstract: There is provided a dynamic digitized visual icon appearing on a sender's and recipient's display with the icon being used to represent at least one word in a language that is being used by the sender during text messaging. The icon may include a static base image; and at least one component image overlaid onto the base image. The at least one component image may vary in accordance with determining an aspect selected from the group consisting of, for example, the at least one word, a preferred characteristics of the sender/recipient or a combination of both the aforementioned aspects. It is advantageous that the icon alters appearance whenever the at least one word is used by the sender/received by the recipient during text messaging. Corresponding methods to generate the aforementioned icons are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for distributed text-to-speech synthesis and intelligibility, and more particularly to distributed text-to-speech synthesis on handheld portable computing devices that can be used for example to generate intelligible audio prompts that help a user interact with a user interface of the handheld portable computing device. The text-to-speech distributed system 70 receives a text string from the guest devices and comprises a text analyzer 72, a prosody analyzer 74, a database 14 that the text analyzer and prosody analyzer refer to, and a speech synthesizer 80. Elements of the speech synthesizer 80 are resident on the host device and the guest device and an audio index representation of the audio file associated with the text string is produced at the host device and transmitted to the guest device for producing the audio file at the guest device.

Abstract: There is provided a method of customising live media content with the live media content including at least one dewarped panoramic view of a monitored area. The panoramic view may have a plurality of portions for selection by a user, the method comprising: receiving the live media with audio and video interleaved and/or compressed as a single stream data, receiving a selection of one of the plurality of portions of the panoramic view; and customising the live media based on the selection of the a portion of the panoramic view for display. A system to customise live media content is also disclosed.

Abstract: There is provided a method for generating a user interface for enabling access to data on a server. The method comprises updating metadata in a metadata server, the metadata server being functionally connected to the server; processing the metadata on the metadata server; sending a request to the server to perform a task; and generating the user interface on a client device based on the processed metadata for enabling access to data on the server. The user interface may preferably be used to send the request to the server. The task being performed by the server may include, for example, browsing a collection of files, organizing files, selecting files, editing files, uploading files, downloading files and so forth.

Abstract: A method, and apparatus is disclosed for input of information in an electronic device having a display, the apparatus comprising a graphic processor for displaying a plurality of objects on the display representative of the information to be input, each object of the plurality of objects arranged around the perimeter of a portion of the screen area of the display; a control interface for a user to control movement of a cursor generated in the display by the graphic processor and responsive to the control interface for scrolling through the plurality of objects and selection of an object for input of information.

Abstract: There is provided a host implemented method for redefining at least one user interface element on a secondary device. The method may include connecting the secondary device to the host for communication between the host and the secondary device; redefining the at least one user interface element using an application running on the host; reviewing the at least one user interface element as redefined using the application (possibly including a visual preview of the at least one user interface element as redefined when viewed on the secondary device); determining whether the secondary device is able to support the at least one user interface element as redefined using the application; and incorporating the at least one user interface element redefined using the application onto the secondary device.