We present a system for automatic monitoring and timely dissemination of multimedia information to a range or mobile information appliances based on each user's interest profile. Multimedia processing algorithms detect and isolate relevant video segments from over twenty television broadcast programs based on a collection or words and phrases specified by the user. Content repurposing techniques are then used to convert the information into a form that is suitable for delivery to the user's mobile devices. Alerts are sent using a number of application messaging and network access protocols including email, short message service (SMS), multimedia messaging service (MMS), voice, session initiation protocol (SIP), fax, and pager protocols. The system is evaluated with respect to performance and user experiences. The MediaAlert system provides an effective and low-cost solution for the timely generation of alerts containing personal, business, and security information.

In this paper we address the research issues in providing personalized multimedia services, which enable a mobile user to remotely record video programs, control cameras, and request the delivery of pre-recorded or live video content to his or her own mobile device. We describe a mobile service platform that authenticates users who send service requests from various mobile devices, transcodes video content based on user and device profiles, and authorizes the delivery of content from a media server to the proper client device. The media server adapts automatically to the fluctuations of the wireless channel conditions for reasonable viewing on the client device. The mobile service platform essentially manages the control path, while the media server handles the actual content delivery. We discuss various aspects of the integration and report our successful experiments conducted on wireless LAN and CDPD networks.