Abstract: A system and method for emotion-enhanced natural speech using dilated convolutional neural networks, wherein an audio processing server receives a raw audio waveform from a dilated convolutional artificial neural network, associates text-based emotion content markers with portions of the raw audio waveform to produce an emotion-enhanced audio waveform, and provides the emotion-enhanced audio waveform to the dilated convolutional artificial neural network for use as a new input data set.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for filtering data packets in a shared-medium or point-to-multipoint communications network. A filter unit is sent a data packet carrying a filter tag value in a packet addressed to the filter unit. The value is stored in the filter unit and subsequently received packets not addressed to the filter unit itself are forwarded only if they carry the stored filter tag. An embodiment of particular interest applies the method to Ethemet frames over a telecommunications access network (including optical or wireless networks), and uses the VLAN tag field to carry the filter tag information.

Abstract: A passive optical network suitable for use as a telecommunications access network, having a head-end transmitting in a first optical frequency and one or more subscriber stations transmitting on a second common optical frequency. A carrier sense, multiple access protocol, with collision detection, is used, the collision detection being performed in the subscriber and head-end stations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for allocating time slots in a communications network, comprising a headend, a plurality of outstations, and a shared medium connecting each outstation to the headend. The method involves scheduling timeslots for each outstation responsive to the measures of distance of each outstation from the headend. The method reduces the requirement for guard bands between timeslots, since it obviates allocation of a guard band between consecutive first and second timeslots where the outstation allocated the second timeslot is located no closer to the headend than the outstation allocated the first time slot. Ideally, the timeslots are allocated to outstations cyclically in ascending order of distance of the outstations from the headend, with the closest outstation following the farthest to complete the cycle, so that guard bands are rendered unnecessary between the majority of timeslots.

Abstract: A point-to-multipoint network arrangement, method of operation and related signals for a network comprising a head-end station and at least one subscriber station connected to the head-end by means of a shared medium high-speed point-to-multipoint network (preferably a passive optical network). The method involves transmitting data upstream using a packet-switched transport protocol (e.g. Ethernet) over TDMA. By using high-speed upstream transmission with relatively long time slots and relatively short guard bands, the need for complex ranging schemes is obviated.

Abstract: A method of providing secure multicast over a local access network by means of a network access unit having a channel request vetting function and a permitted channel list. Channel requests from a subscriber are vetted with respect to the permitted channel list and forwarded only if permitted. The permitted list may be dynamically updated under headend control to allow users to subscribe to, and unsubscribe from, services upon request.

Abstract: A communications network (e.g. fibre to the home (FTTH) or wireless) comprises a head end, to which outstations are coupled via a shared point-to-multipoint medium. The head end is arranged to transmit downstream to the outstations a sequence of frames comprising data frames and command frames. The command frames marshal control of upstream transmissions from the outstations. A first downstream command frame directed to a specific outstation indicates the beginning of a timeslot, and also indicates the timeslot duration (including an indefinite duration). Where the duration is indefinite, a second command frame directed to at least the same outstation indicates the end of the allotted time slot. Further methods are provided to optimise timeslot allocation, and to support addition and removal of outstations on the network.

Abstract: A passive optical star coupler, and associated method of operation arranged to transmit signals received at any input port to all output ports other than an output port associated with the input port. In this way all received signals are broadcast to all connected network equipment with the exception of the transmitting equipment.

Abstract: A method of providing secure multicast over a local access network by means of a network access unit having a channel request vetting function and a permitted channel list. Channel requests from a subscriber are vetted with respect to the permitted channel list and forwarded only if permitted. The permitted list may be dynamically updated under headend control to allow users to subscribe to, and unsubscribe from, services upon request.

Abstract: A communications network (e.g. fibre to the home (FTTH) or wireless) comprises a head end, to which outstations are couples via a shared point-to-multipoint medium. The head end is arranged to transmit downstream to the outstations a sequence of frames comprising data frames and command frames. The command frames marshal control of upstream transmissions from the outstations. A first downstream command frame directed to a specific outstation indicates the beginning of a timeslot, and also indicates the time slot duration (including an indefinite duration). Where the duration is indefinite, a second command frame directed to at least the same outstation indicates the end of the allotted time slot. Further methods are provided to optimise timeslot allocation, and to support addition and removal of outstations on the network.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for providing controlled Quality of Service over Ethernet-like links. Prioritised frames are allocated to transmission queues responsive to their priorities. Each queue has an associated subsidiary Ethernet MAC which transmits frames from its queue subject to a scheduler which selects from the set of MAC's according to a pre-determined algorithm. The multiple logical paths between corresponding pairs of transmitter and receiver subsidiary MAC's are preferably multiplexed over a single physical channel. If congestion occurs at the receiver, then Ethernet PAUSE frames may be sent back to the transmitter, directed to specific subsidiary MAC's—typically those with lower priority—to suspend transmission from the corresponding queue for a time period indicated in the PAUSE frame. In this way back pressure flow control may be applied selectively to so that large amounts of low priority traffic do not cause unnecessary delays to higher priority traffic.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for allocating time slots in a communications network, comprising a headend, a plurality of outstations, and a shared medium connecting each outstation to the headend. The method involves scheduling timeslots for each outstation responsive to the measures of distance of each outstation from the headend. The method reduces the requirement for guard bands between timeslots, since it obviates allocation of a guard band between consecutive first and second timeslots where the outstation allocated the second timeslot is located no closer to the headend than the outstation allocated the first time slot. Ideally, the timeslots are allocated to outstations cyclically in ascending order of distance of the outstations from the headend, with the closest outstation following the farthest to complete the cycle, so that guard bands are rendered unnecessary between the majority of timeslots.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for filtering data packets in a shared-medium or point-to-multipoint communications network. A filter unit is sent a data packet carrying a filter tag value in a packet addressed to the filter unit. The value is stored in the filter unit and subsequently received packets not addressed to the filter unit itself are forwarded only if they carry the stored filter tag. An embodiment of particular interest applies the method to Ethernet frames over a telecommunications access network (including optical or wireless networks), and uses the VLAN tag field to carry the filter tag information.

Abstract: Known communications systems for providing Near Video On-Demand services require a large quantity of bandwidth in order to transfer a number of time-staggered versions of an original data stream to a set-top decoders. In order to reduce bandwidth requirements, the present invention provides a communications system (100) for providing data streaming services to a plurality of client terminator units (122) by providing a multicast server (108) capable of delivering a number of time-staggered versions of an original data stream to the plurality of client terminator units (122). (Consequently, the present invention advantageously obviates a need for a relatively large bandwidth to be provided for communications between a content providing server (102) and the multicast server (108).

Abstract: A shared-medium communications access network (e.g. fiber to the home (FTTH) or wireless) comprises a head end, to which outstations are coupled via an optical fiber medium incorporating a star coupler or splitter. The head end is arranged to transmit downstream to the outstations a sequence of frames comprising data frames and command frames. The command frames comprise first and second frames and provide marshalling control of upstream transmissions from the outstations. The first command frame incorporates a global command to all outstations to pause upstream transmission for a pre-set time period. The second command frame is transmitted within the pre-set period and incorporates a further pause command having an associated zero time period and addressed to a selected outstation overriding said global command thus allowing that one selected outstation to transmit to the head end.

Abstract: A wheelchair back system provides height adjustability of the back, adjustment of the tilt and a lumbar support for a user. The back system is removably-affixed to vertical wheelchair posts by pairs of upper and lower channels at the lateral edges of the back. One of the channels on each side is open to the rear and the other of said channels is open to the front, whereby the channels engage the wheelchair posts. A clip, affixed to the rear side of the wheelchair posts, releasably engages the front opening channels to secure the back in engagement with the wheelchair post.