Introduction
    Dr Takebumi ITAGAKI*  (SAVANT), Brunel University, Uxbridge, U.K.                
    e-mail: T.Itagaki@brunel.ac.uk                * also contributing to CISMUNDUS/CONFLUENT       


Title: I-mode, you-mode, they-mode
Presenters: Inge KOOPMAN, Ronald MIES (SAVANT),  TNO Telecom, The Netherlands
    e-mail: R.J.M.Mies@telecom.tno.nl
Abstract:
In this presentation the rollout of I-mode as mobile Internet technology by KPN Mobile in the Netherlands has a central part. It will be discussed how I-mode bridges between the mobile world and the Internet world. Some of the most popular I-mode services will be presented. As a look into the future new technological developments for I-mode (including terminals), the relation to UMTS and expected new Multimedia services will be addressed.


Title: CISMUNDUS: Service Components and Production Tools
Presenter:  Prof. John COSMAS* (CISMUNDUS), Brunel University, Uxbridge, U.K.
                            <presented by Dr Takebumi ITAGAKI>
    e-mail:  John.Cosmas@brunel.ac.uk                       * also contributing to SAVANT/CONFLUENT
Abstract:
This presentation describes the service components of the two main service scenarios that were chosen for the project and the tools that were necessarily required to be developed and used in the Application Production Subsystem for the development of the services.


Title:  SAVANT Content Access System : Technical Aspects of Presentation Issues
Presenter:  Wolfgang PUTZ (SAVANT), Fraunhofer-Institut Integrierte Publikations-und Informationssysteme, Darmstadt, Germany
    e-mail:  wolfgang.putz@ipsi.fraunhofer.de
Abstract:
In SAVANT the terminal (content access system) is not a single SetTopBox but can be understood as an Home Media Network consisting of different connected devices. After introducing  the software architecture of the content access system a solution for flexible and dynamic content presentation on client devices of the Home Media Network is proposed. 


Title:  CONFLUENT Project
Presenter:  Dr Tom OWENS (CONFLUENT), Brunel University, Uxbridge, U.K.
    e-mail:  Thomas.Owens@brunel.ac.uk

Title:  Scalable Multimedia Services and Synchronisation of Broadcast and IP Networks
Presenter:  Dr Klaus ILLGNER (SAVANT), Siemens AG, München, Germany
    e-mail:  klaus.illgner@siemens.com
Abstract:
Future broadcast services must provide sufficient flexibility enabling recipients to use a broad range of receiving devices with different capabilities. The IST project SAVANT aims for developing "scalable services", meaning that a service, which is a composition of a large set of related and cross-referenced material around e.g. a traditional linear program (video), can be received on almost any device in a semantically meaningful way. Moreover, broadcast services will no longer be restricted to traditional DVB broadcast links but will include IP links. The consequences are manifold in that a service must be accessible by bandwidth limited IP links (scalable service), IP links provide the necessary return channel for interactivity, and IP links can be used jointly with DVB links for personalized content and content not relevant for a large audience. The last issue requires a synchronous transmission of streams over IP in parallel to DVB, e.g. for a signer are additional audio tracks.

Title:  Synchronisation Aspects for Interaction with Moving Objects in iTV Systems: The GMF4iTV Approach
Presenter:  Gerhard STOLL* (GMT4iTV), Institut für Rundfunktechnik (IRT), München, Germany
    e-mail:  stoll@irt.de                    * also the technical co-ordinator of SAVANT Project
Abstract:
The EU IST-Project GMF4iTV (General Media Framework for interactive TV) is focusing on interactivity with moving objects in the normal TV program on MHP set top boxes. GMF4iTV develops special content analysis algorithms and synchronisation schemes to enable object-based interactivity with the video content for the consumer. The platform will enable the content and service provider to create, manage and distribute linearly composed, pre-recorded video streams in conjunction with non-linear data and allows for interactivity at the receiving terminal on object or key-frame level of the content. A synchronisation mechanism, implemented at the DVB multiplexer site maintains the necessary timing among the actual content, the additional media for interactivity and its Meta data. The latter is used as linkage information between the content and the interactive overlay and also contains data to be used by the personalisation process. The DVB-MHP API is modified in such a way that it allows object based interactivity at MHP receiver terminal.

Title:  ICE-CREAM Project
Presenter:  Pierre PLEVEN (ICE-CREAM), EPSIS by Symah Vision, Vanves, France
    e-mail:  ppleven@epsis.com

Title:  Networking Technologies of the Future Home
Presenter:  Heikki Pentikäinen (Future Home), VTT Information Technology, Finland
    e-mail:  Heikki.Pentikainen@vtt.fi
Abstract:
The IST-project Future Home is focusing on introducing IPv6 and wireless networking infrastructure for home networks. The project’s goal is to adapt the latest advances in computing and networking technologies for home usage and to develop infrastructure for ubiquitous connectivity and ambient intelligence of the Future home.  The project will develop new home-related applications and services to demonstrate the feasibility of specified and developed home networking platform. The presentation “Networking technologies of the Future Home” will present the selected network architecture and will give motivation for the usage of the networking and communication standards.

Title:  The Rule Service as Enabling Technology for Personalization of the Future Home
Presenter:  Rene Stolp, (FutureHome), Fraunhofer Institute FOKUS, Berlin, Germany
    e-mail:  rene.stolp@fokus.fraunhofer.de
Abstract:
The more technologically advanced the home automation in the homes of the future will become; the more complicated things are going to be. One mechanism to deal with these increasing complexities is to increase the automation level. More and more operations need to occur without direct user intervention. However, these automatic operations have to be flexible, transparent and convenient. The Rule Service, developed within the FutureHome project, provides this functionality with the desired features. It is a service that operates within the FutureHome home network infrastructure and is fed with external rules that control its operation. These rules can be automatically generated, added by a skilled operator and added or manipulated by the end user, using an appropriate tool.