Abstract: A system is presented for two-way digital multimedia broadcast services, enabling a variety of interactive and other applications. These applications include: navigation from one video program to another by selection of objects in the current video; creation and transmission of records of user viewing selection histories; iterative video-based data search and retrieval; dynamic customization of coordination between video content of the broadcast stream and data embedded therein; and the dynamic creation of “personalized” programs by the user without, through the broadcast and selection of overlapping program segments which are themselves customized for a particular user or group of users.

Abstract: The advantages of digital media have opened up many new possibilities to hide data (information) within audio, image and video files. In order to provide copyright protection digital watermarking has been proposed as a means of identifying the owner or distributor of digital data. Data hiding and watermarking research builds on ideas and concepts developed in cryptography, communications theory, algorithm design, and signal processing. The data hiding problem is inherently more difficult than any of the problems that have traditionally been addressed in these fields. All data hiding algorithms combine and extend, in a sense, many of the solutions developed in these areas.

Abstract: Users of publicly accessible information systems are generally heterogeneous and have different needs. The aim of the AVANTI project is to cater to these individual needs by adapting the user interface and the content and presentation of WWW pages to each individual user. The special needs of elderly and handicapped users are also partly considered. A model of the characteristics of user groups and individual users, a model of the usage characteristics of the system, and a domain model are exploited in the adaptation process. This paper describes the detected differing needs of AVANTI users, the kind of adaptations that are currently implemented to cater to these needs, and the system architecture that enables AVANTI to generate user-adapted web pages from distributed multimedia databases. Special attention is given to privacy and security issues which are crucial when personal information about users is at stake.

Abstract: One major challenge of mass customization is how to meet two seemingly conflicting goals, namely satisfying individual customers' needs while keeping mass production efficiency. In order to help customers to select the appropriate product family so that the closest variant can be quickly generated and delivered, this paper proposes a virtual design approach by developing virtual prototypes to represent the product platform. With virtual prototypes, assessments of constant delivery can be made to facilitate the selection and negotiation process between sales and customers, thus enabling better informed customization design. The primary goal of virtual design for mass customization is to provide a multidisciplinary design definition at the product family level, and the closest product variant can be rapidly generated. Furthermore, a scenario based simulation environment for design trade-off can be done in an integrated framework. Such a design environment facilitates capturing customer needs and appropriately informing them of the capability of the firm. Ultimately, through virtual design, customers can directly interact with the CAD systems to make trade-offs among factors that are important to them. These factors can be performance, aesthetics, value, cost, urgency, and others. This paper discusses the technical issues that need to be addressed in realizing virtual design and an example is presented to illustrate the proposed approach.

Abstract: The present invention aims to execute customization for each user in case portable media for computer published in large quantity are used in combination with a network. The information to control corresponding relation between portable media and users is substituted by media-identifying information 101 different for each medium among media-related information 100 set to the portable media in advance, and this is used for the control of the users. Thus, there is no need to register the users, and customization for each user can be improved.

Abstract: A high-speed personalization machine has a portable object transfer device for transporting objects that incorporate an integrated circuit which contains at least one memory. The machine has a turning plate whose axis of rotation is inclined or parallel with respect to a transfer line and the plate is equipped with a number of connecting devices and an electronic card that is associated with each connecting device. Each electronic card is connected to a computerized management system and is arranged radially with respect to the turning plate so that the computerized personalization management system makes it possible to manage personalization of all of the cards.

Abstract: This paper describes an information personalization system, called Internet Scrapbook, which enables users to create a personal page by clipping and merging their necessary data gathered from multiple Web pages. Even when the source Web pages are modified, the system updates the personal page, replacing with the latest data extracted from the source pages. Therefore, once a user creates their personal pages, she can browse her necessary information only.

Abstract: In this paper we present a new personalisation algorithm for hypermedia databases, called GRAS (Gaussian Rating Adaptation Scheme), which com bines content-based and social filtering. The goal is to filter documents retrieve d by a query according to the personal interest of the user and to sort them according t o their relevance. GRAS is based on ideas about human taste originating in cognitive sc ence and techniques used in marketing. The algorithm makes the benefits of social filte ring available to situations where social filtering could not be applied due to lack of a cri tical mass of users or improper content structure. The algorithm collects backgr ound information about the user and the content by implicit and explicit feedback techn iques. This information is then used to consecutively adapt userand object profiles us ing a user model based on cognitive psychology. The algorithm is applicable for the p ersonalisation of any kind of multimedia data and any application domain. GRAS is imple ented as a generic personalisation module in the multimedia database MultiMA P1.

Abstract: This project is a conceptual study for the design of a digital personal scale that allows for user personalization and weight data tracking. The study is a demonstration of an integrated hardware/software development process, of an approach to ubiquitous computing and of the inclusion of socio-cultural study into the product development process. It is designed for the home market and special emphasis is given to providing a rich user experience.

Abstract: We spend much time daily in meetings and informal conversation in collaborative work for research, business activities, and so on. The creativity of groups is often enhanced by the effects of collaborative concept formation and information sharing during conversations. This paper proposes a system-Augmented Informative Discussion Environment (AIDE)-that facilitates creative conversation. AIDE is an online chat system seamlessly integrated with techniques for visualizing information structure and information retrieval. Specifically, this paper explains the personalization of shared information when using AIDE and proposes a method of visualizing the relationships between multiple participants' viewpoints acquired from these personalized information spaces.

Abstract: THE BENTON REPORT (BENTON FOUNDATION, 1996) IS A THOUGHT PROVOKING study that must be widely read. It is impossible to envision any modern organizations, including libraries, succeeding by staying slightly behind the curve of service improvement as presented in the metaphor discussed by users and leaders in the report. Being behind the added-value service curve means: (1) the needs of the majority of the people are being met elsewhere; (2) the loss of a passionate new generation of users, and (3) a scenario set for failure. Staying slightly ahead of the curve means creating library services with Wow!-i.e., giving users expected services but also surprising them with added-value that they did not expect. A variety of ideas for adding value (Wow!) to library services are discussed. Specific examples are given including time shifting, time saving, site shifting, improving quality, reducing noise, customization, personalization, and so on. In the Benton Report, users thought libraries should take a reactive role, adapting to, rather than pioneering, new technologies. Since digital technologies can and already do offer previously impossible new services that can greatly improve consumer satisfaction and added value, a reactive role to technology is not a prescription for success. Providing sophisticated, value-added services, enabled by proven powerful new nonlocal technologies, supports and fosters the library's local higher purpose (public good)

Abstract: A method and apparatus for gathering and recording data and specifications, including license passwords and license information, relative to the manner in which an individual has set up and personalized a personal computer so that this personalization can be readily transported to, and established on, a different personal computer, facilitating casual "walk-up" use of computers available for public use, or any computer other than one's own.

Abstract: The present invention aims to execute customization for each user in case portable media for computer published in large quantity are used in combination with a network. The information to control corresponding relation between portable media and users is substituted by media-identifying information 101 different for each medium among media-related information 100 set to the portable media in advance, and this is used for the control of the users. Thus, there is no need to register the users, and customization for each user can be improved.

Abstract: The popularization of computers and the Internet has produced an explosion in the amount of information and makes it difficult to find them. In order to complement the works of Wet agents for autonomously browsing or filtering on behalf of the user, we focus on adaptive agents for providing support at query formulation and information filtering. These adaptive or learning agents make it possible to add a layer of personalization and collaboration between the users and the existing search engines. The personalization is realized by learning the user preference and using it at query formulation and filtering, while the social aspect is obtained by exchange of information between agents with similar interests.

Abstract: In this paper we describe how the translation methodology adopted for the Spoken Language Translator (SLT) addresses the characteristics of the speech translation task in a context where it is essential to achieve easy customization to new languages and new domains. We then discuss the issues that arise in any attempt to evaluate a speech translator, and present the results of such an evaluation carried out on SLT for several language pairs.

Abstract: This paper describes a multi-agent system, called MASMA, that manages the meeting schedule of a set of users. Masma is a mixed-initiative decision support system based on agent technologies that addresses various aspects of the agenda management problem: in particular it is the result of an investigation on several issues concerning the acceptability of the agent approach by human users. The paper is focused on how the initiative moves between the different actors involved in the system: human users, personal interface agents and service agents. Two classes of control mechanisms are introduced and explained that coordinate continuous interaction among the actors. The first group concerns negotiation protocols and personalization of agents that are used as standard tools to model strategies of communication. In the second class inspection windows and heuristics are applied to avoid continuous question-answering in order to increase the acceptability of the whole system.

Abstract: From the Publisher: This book will serve as both a tutorial and a reference. Each chapter builds on the previous chapters, thus expanding the reader s knowledge. Additionally, the material is organized in a way that the reader will be able to easily reference when they later have a question This book provides the reader with up-to-date coverage of what can be done with Active Server Pages. This includes coverage of Active Server Pages as they relate to Transaction Server, the Personalization System, the Personal Web Server (with Windows 95), ActiveX Data Objects (ADO), and much more Unlike most of the competition, this book will assume more basic knowledge of VBScript and standard web page creation. This will allow the book to go farther and deeper into technical topics surrounding Active Server Pages Most of the competitive books center on Windows NT and IIS. This book will expand the coverage to include using Active Server Pages on Windows 95 using the Personal Web Server The technologies being used to create Web pages continue to evolve. This book presents the reader with an up-to-date look at how to create dynamic, personalized web sites for both business and personal use This will be one of the first book to focus more on implementing Active Server Pages rather than on the theory behind working with Active Server Pages. This additional coverage will be seen in the 850+ pages (verses the closest competitor at less than 600 pages) Includes new functionality available with the release of Microsoft s Internet Information Server 4.0

Abstract: This paper describes a personalized newspaper on the World Wide Web (WWW), called ANATAGONOMY. The main feature of this system is that the newspaper is personalized without asking the users to specify their preferences explicitly. The system monitors user operations on the articles and reflects them in the user profiles. Differently from conventional newspapers on the WWW, our system sends an interaction agent implemented as a Java applet to the client side, and the agent monitors the user operations and creates each user's newspaper pages automatically. The server side manages user profiles and anticipates how interesting an article would be for each user. The interaction agent on the client side manages all the user interactions, including the automatic layout of pages. Our system has page multiple layout algorithms and the user can switch from one view to another anytime, according to the preference or machine environment. On one of the views, the user can even see all the articles sequentially without performing any operations. We evaluated a scheme in which the user scores each article explicitly, and a scheme in which all the personalization is done automatically. The results show that automatic personalization works well when some parameters are set properly.

Abstract: Distributed multi-user hypermedia environments provide not only information-sharing mechanisms but also user collaboration/communication facilities. The provision of integrated views of heterogeneous information resources is necessary to create a common understanding among the users, who are possibly distributed in terms of geography and time. However, the requirements of customization must also be considered, since such diverse users would want to personalize their views of shared information. In order to integrate these views while considering the requirements of flexible customization, we propose cooperative view mechanisms of Dexter-based hypermedia systems, introducing environmental objects and their participation relationships. The mechanisms instantiate hypermedia deputies on the screen using participation relationships of the users, hypermedia components and environments. The relationships are also used for the purpose of supporting awareness. Using a novel user collaboration facility, the relationships are visualized so that users can easily recognize other users and/or user groups having the same, slightly different or very different views. Attributes of environment objects are discussed so that the mechanisms can be effectively utilized in computer-supported cooperative work settings such as distance presentations, virtual offices and virtual classrooms.