Abstract: Techniques are provided for transmitting high quality multimedia data from a mobile device for live and on-demand viewing. The mobile device adjusts the quality of a single multimedia data stream based on one or more factors, such as the available bandwidth of a wireless link with a server, whether there are any “live” subscribers of the multimedia data stream, whether any “live” subscribers are interacting with the mobile device, and a change in the privacy settings of the user of the mobile device. Any data that was removed from the multimedia data stream before it was transmitted to a server is subsequently sent to the server. The server generates multiple versions of the multimedia data stream that vary in terms of quality. The server selects which version of the multimedia data stream to transmit to a subscriber of the multimedia data stream based on one or more criteria.

Abstract: Some embodiments describe methods, programs, and systems for speech encoding. Among other things, a received input signal representing a property of speech is quantized to generate a quantized output signal. Prior to the quantization, a version of the input signal is supplied to a first noise shaping filter having a first set of filter coefficients effective to generate a first filtered signal. Following the quantization, the quantized output signal is supplied to a second noise shaping filter having a second set of filter coefficients, thus generating a second filtered signal. A noise shaping operation is performed to control a frequency spectrum of a noise effect in the quantized output signal caused by the quantization, wherein the noise shaping operation is based on both the first and second filtered signals. Finally, the quantized output signal is transmitted in an encoded signal.

Abstract: Method and system for recognising a numeric or alphanumeric sequence of characters in a document, the sequence conforming to predetermined rules and representing user identifiers for identifying users in a communication system include identifying a country of origin of the document, recalling rules relating to the format of the sequence associated with the determined country of origin, searching the document to identify any sequence in the document satisfying the format and returning any such sequence.

Abstract: A method of regenerating wideband speech from narrowband speech, the method comprising: receiving samples of a narrowband speech signal in a first range of frequencies; modulating received samples of the narrowband speech signal with a modulation signal having a modulating frequency adapted to upshift each frequency in the first range of frequencies by an amount determined by the modulating frequency wherein the modulating frequency is selected to translate into a target band a selected frequency band within the first range of signals; filtering the modulated samples using a target band filter to form a regenerated speech signal in the target band; and combining the narrow band speech signal with the regenerated speech signal in the target band to regenerate a wideband speech signal, the method comprising the step of controlling the modulated samples to lie in a second range of frequencies identified by determining a signal characteristic of frequencies in the first range of frequencies.

Abstract: In one or more implementations, a request is received at a client device to initiate a communication session with a selected contact using a communication service. One of a first communication network or a second communication network for the communication session with the selected contact is selected at the client device. The selection is based on the selected contact and user preferences. Next, the communication session is established with the selected contact using the selected first communication network or second communication network.

Abstract: A method of associating a first device with a second device is disclosed. The first device through a connected speaker broadcasts a request for association using an audio signal. The broadcasted audio signal is received by the second device through its microphone. The first and second devices then cooperatively verifies a security code and upon a successful verification of the security code, the first and the second devices are enabled to communicate with each other.

Abstract: A method of performing a rate-distortion optimization process comprising selecting a preferred encoding mode by optimizing a function comprising an estimate of distortion for a target image portion and a measure of bit rate required to encode that portion. The estimate of distortion is based on source coding distortion and an estimate of error propagation distortion due to loss. The method further comprises transmitting the same encoded version of the video stream from the transmitting terminal to each of a plurality of receiving terminals over respective lossy channels, using the same rate-distortion optimization process in relation to each of the plurality of receiving terminals, making the same encoding mode selection per target image portion based on the same optimization of said function. The estimate of error propagation distortion comprises an aggregate estimate of error propagation distortion that would be experienced due to possible loss over the plurality of channels.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of delivering messages to a user of a user terminal executing a communication client and connected to a packet-based communication network, includes receiving a message at the communication client from the communication network, the message comprising a content portion and a control portion, wherein the content portion comprises information intended for display to the user of the user terminal, and storing the message in a data store at the user terminal. The communication client reads the control portion and extracts data defining a trigger event and a condition. The communication client is monitored to determine whether the communication client state corresponds to the trigger event. Responsive to the communication client state corresponding to the trigger event, the communication client determines whether the condition is met. In the case that the condition is met, the content portion of the message is displayed in the communication client.

Abstract: An encoder stage, and corresponding encoded bitstream and decoder. The encoder stage comprises: a variable length encoder for encoding an input signal; and a counter configured to dynamically detect an observed frequency at which different symbols are found to occur within each of a plurality of predetermined portions of the input signal, prior to the symbols of each respective portion being encoded by the variable length encoder. The variable length encoder is configured to encode the symbols of each portion using variable length coding performed in dependence on the observed frequencies detected within the respective portion of the input signal, to generate an encoded bitstream comprising the encoded symbols along with an additional element indicating information regarding the observed frequencies detected for each portion, and to output the encoded bitstream to at least one of a storage medium and a transmission medium for supply to a decoder.

Abstract: A terminal for use in a voice communications system includes a base station and at least one handset arranged to communicate wirelessly with the base station. The base station includes a first interface to a packet data network and a second interface to a public switched telephone network, the base station being arranged to selectively establish a packet data call from the first interface and a public switched telephone call from the second interface.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for effecting a voice communication between user terminals connected via a communication network include displaying a menu of country options to a user and receiving a number in local form. Formatting rules are recalled for a destination country selected by the user from the country options. A country prefix for the destination country is prepended to the number in accordance with the formatting rules to generate a formatted number. The formatted number is supplied to a client installed at the user terminal for effecting the voice communication using the formatted number.

Abstract: A system and method for providing packet-switched telephony service. The system provides call control, signaling, and/or delivery of voice, video, and other media in substantially real time. One embodiment of the system includes a call client application on a user device, and a call server located at a packet-switched telephony service provider. The call server is preferably operable to communicate with the call client in a non-native protocol and with the gateway in a native protocol.

Abstract: Method and communication system for distributing information relating to a set of networks from a first node to a second node of the communication system, wherein a set of identifiers of respective networks which belong to the set of networks is stored at the first node. Hash values are generated at the first node for the identifiers in the set of identifiers using a hash function. The generated hash values are transmitted from the first node to the second node. The second node determines an identifier of a particular network which is available for communicating with the second node. The second node generates a hash value for the identifier of the particular network using the hash function. The second node then compares the hash value of the identifier of the particular network generated at the second node with the hash values received at the second node from the first node to thereby determine whether the particular network belongs to said set of networks.

Abstract: Method, device and computer program product for stabilizing a received video signal. A plurality of frames of the video signal is captured using a camera. The video signal is transmitted as an encoded bit stream. Displacement of the camera between successive frames is determined from a motion indication in the bit stream. The determined displacement is used to compensate for motion in the video signal between successive frames caused by the motion of the camera, to thereby stabilize the video signal.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of delivering messages to a user of a user terminal executing a communication client and connected to a packet-based communication network, includes receiving a message at the communication client from the communication network, the message comprising a content portion and a control portion, wherein the content portion comprises information intended for display to the user of the user terminal, and storing the message in a data store at the user terminal. The communication client reads the control portion of the message and extracts data defining a trigger event and a condition. The communication client is monitored to determine whether the communication client state corresponds to the trigger event. Responsive to the communication client state corresponding to the trigger event, the communication client determines whether the condition is met. In the case that the condition is met, the content portion of the message is displayed in the communication client.

Abstract: User activity is communicated in a messaging system. Communication is performed by monitoring an input region displayed to a first user of the messaging system in a client executed at a user terminal of the first user; responsive to receiving a user activated input at the input region, analyzing the input and using the analysis to match the input to a type of user activity from a predetermined set of user activities; and transmitting a message comprising data representing the type of user activity from the user terminal of the first user to a user terminal of at least one other user of the messaging system over a communications network.

Abstract: A mobile device, and a method and computer program product for displaying a streaming video image at the mobile device during a packet based video call via a channel established over a wireless communication network, the method includes receiving a speed indication of the mobile device and sending said indication to a communication client application; and responsive to receiving said indication, the communication client application is configured to limit the amount of information in the streaming video image that is supplied for display on a display of the mobile device during the video.

Abstract: A method of transmitting image data from a first node to a second node during a communication event, wherein the second node comprises a display for displaying image data at the second node, includes receiving at the first node, information indicating at least one display characteristic with which image data received at the second node will be displayed on the display; inputting image data at the first node; determining a processing step to be applied to the inputted image data to generate adapted image data, such that at least one characteristic of the adapted image data is optimized for the at least one display characteristic; applying the processing step to generate the adapted image data; and transmitting the adapted image data to the second terminal.

Abstract: One or more embodiments describe controlling audio signals at a user device during a communication session between the user device and a remote node, in which a primary audio signal is received at audio input means of the user device for transmission to the remote node in the communication session. It is determined whether the user device is operating in a first or a second mode. In dependence upon determining that the user device is operating in the first mode, the secondary audio signals are selectively suppressed from being output from the user device during the communication session.

Abstract: A method of associating a first device with a second device is disclosed. The first device through a connected speaker broadcasts a request for association using an audio signal. The broadcasted audio signal is received by the second device through its microphone. The first and second devices then cooperatively verifies a security code and upon a successful verification of the security code, the first and the second devices are enabled to communicate with each other.