Abstract: The invention includes a method and apparatus for facilitating cross-media use of object codes and object code readers, such as RFID tags and readers, barcode codes and readers, and the like. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving an object code read request from a user device where the object code read request indicates that an object has been read using an object code reader, determining at least one of a provider of the object code read using the object code reader and a provider of the object code reader used to read the object code, and performing at least one operation in response to the object code read response. The at least one operation performed in response to the object code read response may include one or more of determining an object code read response and determining revenue sharing. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving and storing registration information adapted for use in responding to object code read requests.

Abstract: A method of providing an Internet protocol television service to a subscriber, and a network element to execute this method. At an acquisition tier, IPTV packets are generated from video stream data of one or more video channels and transmitted to a FCC server cluster at a client-facing tier. IPTV packets associated with one of the one or more video channels selected by the subscriber are delivered from the deliver server cluster to a receiver of the subscriber at a client tier wherein the IPTV packets associated with the one of the one or more video channels are reassembled at said receiver into a coherent video stream. Said generated IPTV packets are routed from a network (5) of a TV broadcaster to networks of one or more TV operators or from a network of a TV operator to networks of one or more TV operators by means of IPTV service routers installed at an intertwine tier arranged between the acquisition tier and the client-facing tier.

Abstract: A multimedia distribution system or interactive digital television broadcast system (iDTV) comprising several content providers (CP: CP1, CP2) broadcasting channels of video signals to a user (TV, STB) via a content selector (CS). The broadcast system comprises a user behavior analyzer (UBA) with quantitative behavior classifier (E(w)) able to analyze and to classify the quantitative consumption behavior of the user, and with a qualitative behavior classifier (F(x)) having as output classified user behaviors and prediction on future behaviors of the user. The classifiers are coupled to an opportunities selector (G(y)) that also receives information from additional content providers (ACP: ACP1, ACP2, ACP3). Under control of the opportunities selector G(y), additional content, e.g. advertisements, meta-information, iTV applications, trailers, . . . is send to a multimedia data combiner (H(z)) whereby the additional content is published, e.g. by mixing or by an overlay operation on/ over the selected channel.

Abstract: Interactive response systems (1) of call centers for giving users access to information comprise means (11, 31) for receiving activation signals via audio or video or audio/video calls from the users and means (12, 32) for transmitting menu signals to the users and means (13, 21, 33) for receiving selection signals from the users are provided with means (22, 34) for transmitting video signals to the users for providing video to the user. This video may have entertaining, explaining, supporting and/or commercial functions and makes the interactive response systems more-sided and user friendly. The users either use two different devices (4, 5) or use one device (6) for exchanging audio and for receiving video. The interactive response systems (1) further comprise means (14, 35) for receiving link signals that provide direct or indirect links from the interactive response systems (1) to the devices (5) or to video or audio/video calls with the devices (6).

Abstract: The invention includes a method and apparatus for facilitating cross-media use of object codes and object code readers, such as RFID tags and readers, barcode codes and readers, and the like. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving an object code read request from a user device where the object code read request indicates that an object has been read using an object code reader, determining at least one of a provider of the object code read using the object code reader and a provider of the object code reader used to read the object code, and performing at least one operation in response to the object code read response. The at least one operation performed in response to the object code read response may include one or more of determining an object code read response and determining revenue sharing. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving and storing registration information adapted for use in responding to object code read requests.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for providing to an end device access to a service in accordance with a specific profile. The method including the steps of: sending information identifying the specific profile and identifying the end device to a transfer server, the transfer server obtaining the specific profile from a database based on that information, the transfer server identifying a service manager able to provide the service based on said specific profile, the transfer server requesting the service manager to provide to the end device access to the service. The information is obtained by proximity based interaction between the end device and a mobile device, and it consists of a first part identifying the end device and of a second part identifying the specific profile. The second part is stored in the mobile device.

Abstract: A method of providing an Internet protocol television service to a subscriber, and a network element to execute this method. At an acquisition tier, IPTV packets are generated from video stream data of one or more video channels and transmitted to a FCC server cluster at a client-facing tier. IPTV packets associated with one of the one or more video channels selected by the subscriber are delivered from the deliver server cluster to a receiver of the subscriber at a client tier wherein the IPTV packets associated with the one of the one or more video channels are reassembled at said receiver into a coherent video stream. Said generated IPTV packets are routed from a network (5) of a TV broadcaster to networks of one or more TV operators or from a network of a TV operator to networks of one or more TV operators by means of IPTV service routers installed at an intertwine tier arranged between the acquisition tier and the client-facing tier.

Abstract: A communication system according to the current invention contains a context vault (104) and context community manager (105) for enriching a communication session between a first user (101) and second user (102) with context information. The context vault (104) maintains context information, e.g. location or agenda information, and/or context information locators in relation to users. The community context manager (105) maintains access rights in relation to the context information. During the communication session between the first user (101) and a second user (102), the communication server (103) retrieves context information in relation to the first user (101) from the context vault (104) and provides that context information or parts thereof to the second user (102) in accordance with the access rights kept in the community context manager (105), and vice versa.

Abstract: An interactive multimedia broadcasting system with an end-user terminal (TV), e.g. an enhanced television system or preferably an Internet Protocol TeleVision IPTV infrastructure, adapted to receive channels of multimedia data, a content server (CS) adapted to transmit these channels to the terminal, an interactivity database (ID) adapted to receive, from the content server, notices of available interactivity on the channel transmitted to the terminal, and an interactivity server (IS) controlled by the interactivity database and adapted to transmit interactive items (Interactivity 1, Interactivity 2, Interactivity 3) to the terminal and to receive feedback from this terminal. The feedback relates to the acceptance, by the user, of the interactive data proposed by said interactive items. This system is for instance. The content server is adapted, upon acceptance by the user, to transmit the interactive data to his/her terminal (TV) on an extra channel.

Abstract: Interactive response systems (1) of call centers for giving users access to information comprise means (11, 31) for receiving activation signals via audio or video or audio/video calls from the users and means (12, 32) for transmitting menu signals to the users and means (13, 21, 33) for receiving selection signals from the users are provided with means (22, 34) for transmitting video signals to the users for providing video to the user. This video may have entertaining, explaining, supporting and/or commercial functions and makes the interactive response systems more-sided and user friendly. The users either use two different devices (4, 5) or use one device (6) for exchanging audio and for receiving video. The interactive response systems (1) further comprise means (14, 35) for receiving link signals that provide direct or indirect links from the interactive response systems (1) to the devices (5) or to video or audio/video calls with the devices (6).

Abstract: A terminal device (TD) coupled to a multimedia distribution system (MDS). The terminal device is provided with an interface (IM) having selection buttons associated to sensors (SNS) for allowing a user not only to select multimedia outputs from the multimedia distribution system (MDS), but also for transmitting zapping intentions corresponding to the behavior of the user to a user behavior analyzing device build into the terminal device. The zapping intentions are derived from biometric parameters such as pressure, movement, temperature, heartbeat and/or sweat and are translated by the user behavior analyzing device into behavior parameters that are transmitted to and interpreted by the multimedia distribution system. As feedback, the multimedia distribution system replies with second multimedia outputs with the purpose of orienting or influencing the user in his/her selection choice.

Abstract: A multimedia distribution system or interactive digital television broadcast system (iDTV) comprising several content providers (CP: CP1, CP2) broadcasting channels of video signals to a user (TV, STB) via a content selector (CS). The broadcast system comprises a user behavior analyzer (UBA) with quantitative behavior classifier (E(w)) able to analyze and to classify the quantitative consumption behavior of the user, and with a qualitative behavior classifier (F(x)) having as output classified user behaviors and prediction on future behaviors of the user. The classifiers are coupled to an opportunities selector (G(y)) that also receives information from additional content providers (ACP: ACP1, ACP2, ACP3). Under control of the opportunities selector G(y), additional content, e.g. advertisements, meta-information, iTV applications, trailers, . . . is send to a multimedia data combiner (H(z)) whereby the additional content is published, e.g. by mixing or by an overlay operation on/ over the selected channel.

Abstract: A multimedia telecommunication system with a telecommunication service provider (TSP) to broadcast a multimedia composition signal (CS) from a multimedia content provider (MCP) to a user station (US). The multimedia signal comprises several multimedia signal components such as for instance audio signals (AU), video signals (VD), subtitles data (ST) and/or logo data (LG). The multimedia content provider (MCP) comprises a first signal composer (CP) for combining the multimedia signal components into the multimedia composition signal. The user station is provided with a multimedia recorder (VCR) and a user interface set (TV), generally a television set associated to a Set-Top-Box.

Abstract: An interactive digital television system (iDTV) with a personalization module (PM) for injecting signals towards a small user-groups. The iDTV system comprises a broadcast operator (BO) for sending to subscriber units (SB: SB1-SB3) a downstream digital broadcast stream (BS) received from an interactive digital television provider (ITVP), and also comprising an interaction return channel operator (RCO) for providing interactivity between the subscriber units and the interactive digital television provider by means of a bi-directional interaction return channel (IC). The personalization module (PM) is coupled to the bi-directional interaction return channel (IC) and allows intercommunication between the subscriber units. As a result, a user can escape the limitations of the current linear TV programs and is transformed from a pure spectator into a producer and director of a collective or individual iDTV experience.