License plate recognition (LPR) algorithms in images or videos are generally composed of the following three processing steps: 1) extraction of a license plate region; 2) segmentation of the plate characters; and 3) recognition of each character. This task is quite challenging due to the diversity of plate formats and the nonuniform outdoor illumination conditions during image acquisition. Therefore, most approaches work only under restricted conditions such as fixed illumination, limited vehicle speed, designated routes, and stationary backgrounds. Numerous techniques have been developed for LPR in still images or video sequences, and the purpose of this paper is to categorize and assess them. Issues such as processing time, computational power, and recognition rate are also addressed, when available. Finally, this paper offers to researchers a link to a public image database to define a common reference point for LPR algorithmic assessment.

Nowadays it is commonly accepted that the web is structured in a chaotic way. Due to the fact that it grows exponentially, it is a diflcult task to eflciently locate specific information. This paper presents a User-deJined Meta-Search Engine (UMSE), adaptable to user preferences. UMSE utilises up to 9 known search engines according to a user-defined ranking, submits its queries in parallel and Jinally presents the merging results back to the user. The anticipated outcome of using UMSE is that the user gets enhanced amount of information, recording in parallel his search preferences. UMSE also supports history features in order to personalise user queries and facilitate information retrieval.

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This paper introduces a novel approach for authoring a diversity of multimedia resources (audio, video, text, images, etc). An authoring tool (Developer21) supporting a metadata model according MPEG-21 XML schema files is described. The main scope of Developer21 is to increase interactivity resulting from the use of metadata in several broadcast scenarios in interactive or IP television. In addition to basic functionalities (editing and enrichment of audiovisual contents), innovative content management fiinctionalities of the Developer21 are briefly presented. As the focus of this paper was to provide a brief description of a novel authoring tool for metadata and descriptor management, only core functionalities are presented.Please use the following format when citing this chapter:

This paper introduces a novel approach for intelligent content personalisation in internet TV using the new MPEG-21 standard in the framework of an ongoing project, which aims at the delivery of interactive TV (iTV) services to disabled children. The approach includes the development of an authoring tool for a diversity of multimedia resources supporting a metadata model according to MPEG-21. The authoring tool works in conjunction with a simulation platform, acting as an interaction interface between our internet TV architecture and the prospective viewer. Based on that, interactivity in IP Television accessibility services is faced through metadata and adaptation.