Abstract: A method for determining an initial bitrate for a communication includes receiving a communication request to establish a digital communication between a first user device and a second user device associated with a plurality of features including a geographical identifier identifying a geographical location associated with the first user device, a first network type connection associated with the first user device, a second network type connection associated with the second user device, and an average bitrate for a previous digital communication of the first user device. The method includes determining, using an initial bitrate predictor model configured to receive the plurality of features as feature inputs, an initial bitrate for the digital communication between the first user device and the second user device, and establishing the digital communication between the first user device and the second user device at the determined initial bitrate.

Abstract: A method for determining an initial bitrate for a communication includes receiving a communication request to establish a digital communication between a first user device and a second user device associated with a plurality of features including a geographical identifier identifying a geographical location associated with the first user device, a first network type connection associated with the first user device, a second network type connection associated with the second user device, and an average bitrate for a previous digital communication of the first user device. The method includes determining, using an initial bitrate predictor model configured to receive the plurality of features as feature inputs, an initial bitrate for the digital communication between the first user device and the second user device, and establishing the digital communication between the first user device and the second user device at the determined initial bitrate.

Abstract: A method for determining an initial bitrate for a communication includes receiving a communication request to establish a digital communication between a first user device and a second user device associated with a plurality of features including a geographical identifier identifying a geographical location associated with the first user device, a first network type connection associated with the first user device, a second network type connection associated with the second user device, and an average bitrate for a previous digital communication of the first user device. The method includes determining, using an initial bitrate predictor model configured to receive the plurality of features as feature inputs, an initial bitrate for the digital communication between the first user device and the second user device, and establishing the digital communication between the first user device and the second user device at the determined initial bitrate.

Abstract: A method for context-dependent in-call video codec switching includes receiving an indication that a far-side endpoint includes a capability to switch from an initial video codec to a secondary video codec during a call. During a call with the far-side endpoint, the method includes determining that a performance of an encoder satisfies a codec switching threshold. The codec switching threshold indicates that the performance of the encoder justifies switching from the initial video codec mid-stream of the call. During a call with the far-side endpoint, the method also includes switching from the initial video codec initially negotiated to govern the call to the secondary video codec.

Abstract: A method for context-dependent in-call video codec switching includes receiving an indication that a far-side endpoint includes a capability to switch from an initial video codec to a secondary video codec during a call. During a call with the far-side endpoint, the method includes determining that a performance of an encoder satisfies a codec switching threshold. The codec switching threshold indicates that the performance of the encoder justifies switching from the initial video codec mid-stream of the call. During a call with the far-side endpoint, the method also includes switching from the initial video codec initially negotiated to govern the call to the secondary video codec.

Abstract: A method for determining an initial bitrate for a communication includes receiving a communication request to establish a digital communication between a first user device and a second user device associated with a plurality of features including a geographical identifier identifying a geographical location associated with the first user device, a first network type connection associated with the first user device, a second network type connection associated with the second user device, and an average bitrate for a previous digital communication of the first user device. The method includes determining, using an initial bitrate predictor model configured to receive the plurality of features as feature inputs, an initial bitrate for the digital communication between the first user device and the second user device, and establishing the digital communication between the first user device and the second user device at the determined initial bitrate.

Abstract: A method for context-dependent in-call video codec switching includes receiving an indication that a far-side endpoint includes a capability to switch from an initial video codec to a secondary video codec during a call. During a call with the far-side endpoint, the method includes determining that a performance of an encoder satisfies a codec switching threshold. The codec switching threshold indicates that the performance of the encoder justifies switching from the initial video codec mid-stream of the call. During a call with the far-side endpoint, the method also includes switching from the initial video codec initially negotiated to govern the call to the secondary video codec.

Abstract: A method of controlling a call between first and second user terminals, the method comprising: during the call, detecting a failure of a connection between the first user terminal and a packet-switched network; and in response, causing the call to be conducted at least part way via a PSTN network, via a connection between the first user terminal and the PSTN network. The call may be initiated by the first user terminal (such that the first user terminal is the caller and the second is the callee). The call may be initially conducted, prior to the failure, via a packet-switched connection between the first user terminal and a packet-switched network. The method may be implemented by a client application run on the first user terminal. Alternatively, the method may be implemented by a server.

Abstract: A method of controlling a call between first and second user terminals, the method comprising: during the call, detecting a failure of a connection between the first user terminal and a packet-switched network; and in response, causing the call to be conducted at least part way via a PSTN network, via a connection between the first user terminal and the PSTN network. The call may be initiated by the first user terminal (such that the first user terminal is the caller and the second is the callee). The call may be initially conducted, prior to the failure, via a packet-switched connection between the first user terminal and a packet-switched network. The method may be implemented by a client application run on the first user terminal. Alternatively, the method may be implemented by a server.

Abstract: Method, device and computer program product for controlling data transmission over a network wherein a plurality of applications are capable of execution at a device of the network to thereby access the network, and wherein control means of the device are configured to set respective bandwidth limitations and to limit the bandwidth of the network access of the applications in accordance with their respective bandwidth limitations, the plurality of applications comprising at least one real-time application. The method comprises the control means determining a current transmission condition, the current transmission condition being one of a current network condition and a current bandwidth requirement of one of the at least one real-time application. The control means dynamically adapts the respective bandwidth limitations for the applications in dependence upon the determined current transmission condition.

Abstract: Processing of a signal received at a node in a network is described in which effects on the signal caused by applying an action to a first part of the signal are quantified based on characteristics of the first part of the signal and effects on the signal caused by not applying the action to the first part of the signal are quantified based on characteristics of a second, subsequent part of the signal. The action may then be selectively applied either to the first part of the signal or to the second part of the signal based upon the quantifications. In some embodiments, the action is applied to a portion of the signal for which the effects on at least one measure of the signal quality are less detrimental.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to controlling the operational mode of a radio in a wireless device, with an aim to reducing power consumption. A method of controlling the operational mode of a radio in a wireless device, includes executing at least one application, that provides access information for use by radio control logic to determine an operational mode of a radio, where the said access information defines usage of the radio by that application.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of controlling transmission of data from a wireless device to a receiver connected via a communication channel includes an application executing on the wireless device providing an estimate of end-to-end bandwidth of the communication channel; supplying to the application from wireless access circuitry in the wireless device at least on communication-related parameter and modifying in the application the estimate of end-to-end bandwidth using the at least one communication-related parameter.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of controlling transmission of data from a wireless device to a receiver connected via a communication channel includes an application executing on the wireless device providing an estimate of end-to-end bandwidth of the communication channel; supplying to the application from wireless access circuitry in the wireless device at least on communication-related parameter and modifying in the application the estimate of end-to-end bandwidth using the at least one communication-related parameter.

Abstract: Provided is a method of controlling traffic transmitted over a network path from a transmitter to a receiver via a router, the traffic comprising a plurality of packets, and the method comprising: at one of said transmitter and receiver, estimating a maximum queue length at a buffer of the router based on a maximum observed delay for traffic to travel from the transmitter to the receiver, and estimating a current queue length at the buffer of the router based on an observed delay for one or more specified packets to travel from the transmitter to the receiver; and based on said estimates of current queue length and maximum queue length, controlling traffic between the transmitter and receiver over said network path.

Abstract: A method and product for controlling a rate of transmission from a first, transmitting node to a second, recipient node. The method comprises: transmitting a stream from the first node to the second node over a first network route; transmitting further data from the first node to a third node over a second network route substantially overlapping with the first network route; receiving feedback at the first node from the third node regarding transmission of the further data to the third node over the second network route; and based on the feedback from the third node, controlling a rate of transmission of the stream to the second node over the first network route. The third node may not be a recipient of said stream. The rate of transmission may be controlled without feedback from the second node. The further data may be formed of dummy data.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for transmitting data from a source device to a destination device in a communications system, including at the device, executing an application which generates data according to an application layer protocol and supplies the data to a first network interface for transmission in a communications session over a first channel; and the device receiving data at the first network interface for supply to the application. The application determines to effect a handover and opens a second channel for the communication session; the application supplies data to a second network interface for transmission over the second channel and generates a message for transmission over the first or second channel to the destination device, said message including a destination address identifying the second network interface for receiving data over the second channel.

Abstract: The invention relates to method and apparatus for transmitting data from a device in a communications system, including at the device, executing an application which generates data according to an application layer protocol and supplies the data to an access layer for transmission in a communication session over a first channel using a first wireless network interface; and receiving at the application an indication from the access layer of an alternate, second channel for transmission of the data, the second channel using a second network interface. On receipt of the indication, the application determines whether or not to take action responsive to the indication and, if it determines to do so, opens a second channel for the communication session and supplies data to the access layer for transmission over the second channel.

Abstract: A method of transmitting over a network a signal comprising a plurality of data elements the method comprising; receiving the signal at a terminal; determining a transmission delay of at least one data element; estimating a first component of the transmission delay; determining a second component of the transmission delay by removing the first component of the transmission delay from the transmission delay; and determining a receiver delay to be applied between receiving at the terminal and outputting from the terminal one of said plurality of data elements, in dependence on the second component of the transmission delay.

Abstract: Processing of a signal received at a node in a network is described in which effects on the signal caused by applying an action to a first part of the signal are quantified based on characteristics of the first part of the signal and effects on the signal caused by not applying the action to the first part of the signal are quantified based on characteristics of a second, subsequent part of the signal. The action may then be selectively applied either to the first part of the signal or to the second part of the signal based upon the quantifications. In some embodiments, the action is applied to a portion of the signal for which the effects on at least one measure of the signal quality are less detrimental.