Fusion TV GUI

Joule uses its understanding of iTV services requirements to create
navigation GUI’s (Graphical User Interface). This one features a ¼ screen
video component for programming or advertisements. The screen greets
viewers and enables other functionality including game selection,
registration and help.

Rich Media (MP3's)

Joule continues development to extend the capabilities of its home networking functionality. Currently limited only by the processing capabilities of the target set-top box, Joule's commitment to home networking includes support for other rich media content like the ability for the set-top box to play MP3s stored on a computer (particularly suited to set-top boxes connected to a stereo) and MPEG video streaming.

Technical Features

• Socket Layer Support:
  Any platform (PC, PDA...) using an API or OS that supports sockets (OpenTV, PowerTV, Windows…) can connect to the Lobby Server and interact with another device.
• String-based Interface:
  A string-based interface allows game developers to define whatever protocol they want.
• Small Packet Support:
  The size of the packets required to support a network game can be kept exceptionally small. (e.g. 20 bytes of data or less).
• Limitless Simultaneous Connections:
  Limits on simultaneous connections are not imposed. Connection limitations are defined by operating systems running the network.

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Wired Home

In response to the evolving market for the "wired" home, Joule Media Inc. also offers home-networking applications that enable the set-top box to communicate with a home computer. The PC's extra processing power is utilized to deliver rich media to the television set, extending the TV entertainment experience and maintaining the television's role as the central entertainment device within the

home. Joule offers a number of applications that support and exploit a home networking environment.

Slideshows

Using Joule's Slideshow service, subscribers can treat family and friends to an impressive slideshow without the purchase or set-up of additional equipment. Digital photos stored on personal computers can be accessed by the set-top box and displayed on the television set.

Joule's Slideshow technology can also be provided as server based service. Subscribers load photos to an external server from where the photos can be downloaded onto any set-top box for display on TV. Family members throughout the world have instaneous access to photos of their loved ones that can be displayed on their TV using their set-top box and remote control.

The server-based implementation of the Joule's slideshow service includes:

• A bespoke, branded, and user-friendly FTP application (along with a proper install) that enables a user to post the photos to a server,
• Server software to administer quotas, security and garbage collection,
• Set-top box software to connect, select and retrieve the photos from the server and display them on TV.

Rich Media (MP3's)

Joule continues development to extend the capabilities of its home networking functionality. Currently limited only by the processing capabilities of the target set-top box, Joule's commitment to home networking includes support for other rich media content like the ability for the set-top box to play MP3s stored on a computer (particularly suited to set-top boxes connected to a stereo) and MPEG video streaming.

Joule Media Inc Consulting

Joule Media Inc provides Digital Interactive Television consulting services to broadcasters, producers and distributors. Joule's core competencies include the research and development of digital interactive television (DiTV) content and services designed for distribution through the broadcast stream and received by a digital set-top box in the following categories:

• Stand-alone Products
  Joule consults on the design, development and production of non-linear interactive content for television and other media.
• Technology
  Joule understands and designs the technology necessary to support interactive broadcasts and return paths including set-top box networking and back-end support.
• Enhanced Television
  Joule consults on the development of services that enhance the viewing experience for programming where video is the core component

Consulting expertise includes the development of products and services in the following areas:

• iGames
  Interactive games delivered through the broadcast stream to a digital set top box and played using the remote control.
• iMedia
  Interactive versions of traditional print media such as books or magazines.
• iTechnology
  Interactive services that enhance the viewing pleasure or provide value to a given subscriber (i.e. registration services, electronic program guides and viewer networking).
• Multi-media
  Interactive product and services consulting for traditional mediums including the
  World Wide Web and CD Rom.

API, Platforms and Programming Experience

There is currently a wide variety of different set-top boxes and middleware used in digital interactive television production. The capabilities of set-top boxes (or decoders) vary widely as does the richness of the middleware APIs.

Joule has a unique development architecture that facilitates the porting of iTV products and services to the relevant platforms and APIs. The technique reduces the amount of programming required to support individual technologies resulting in product development and management efficiencies. The table below identifies some of Joule Media Inc's relevant experience.

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