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 method of regenerating wideband speech from narrowband speech, the method comprising: receiving samples of a narrowband speech signal having a first range of frequencies; identifying, based on a characteristic of the narrowband speech signal, frequencies in the first range of frequencies to translate into a target band of a regenerated speech signal; modulating the identified frequencies in the first range of frequencies of the received samples of the narrowband speech signal with a modulation signal, the modulation signal having a modulating frequency adapted to upshift the identified frequencies in the first range of frequencies into the target band; filtering the modulated samples, using a target band filter, to form the regenerated speech signal in the target band; and combining the narrowband speech signal with the regenerated speech signal to produce a new wideband speech signal.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for transmitting high quality multimedia data from a device for live and on-demand viewing. The 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 device, and a change in the privacy settings of the user of the 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: Communicating location information for a first user of a first communication client from a first user terminal over a communications system to a second user terminal is described. A second communication client executed by the second user terminal displays a list of contacts associated with a second user of the second communication client that comprises a first contact representing the first user. The first user terminal determines a location of the first user and stores the determined location in a store of the first user terminal. The first communication client reads the stored location from the store. The first communication client further generates a message comprising a visual indication of the location read from the store and transmits the message to the second user terminal. The visual indication of the location is displayed on the second user terminal in the contact list in association with the first contact.

Abstract: This document describes techniques and apparatuses for limiting processing resources incurred due to refreshing a user interface. In various embodiments, an event is received, and it is determined whether a delay time period has elapsed. A length of the delay time period is based on a timing of receipt of one or more previous events. If the delay time period has not elapsed, refreshing of the user interface is postponed. When the delay time period elapses, the user interface is refreshed to display an indication of the event.

Abstract: A method for rendering a document is disclosed. The method includes identifying a phone number in the document. The sponsorship configuration of the phone number is then determined. A caller account configuration is also determined. The caller account configuration is associated with a user of a device and the device is configured to display the document. The document is amended to format the phone number according to the sponsorship configuration and the caller account configuration.

Abstract: Method, device and computer program product for stabilizing a video signal. A plurality of frames of the video signal are captured using a camera. A motion sensor associated with the camera is used to generate a plurality of samples representing motion of the camera. The samples are used to determine a displacement of the camera between a first time and a second time, wherein the first time corresponds to an exposure time midpoint of a first frame of the video signal and the second time corresponds to an exposure time midpoint of a second frame of the video signal. The determined displacement is used to compensate for motion in the video signal between the first and second frames caused by the motion of the camera, to thereby stabilize the video signal.

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: There is provided a packet-based communication system for conducting voice or video calls over a packet-based network. A client application on a first terminal is configured to determine an availability of one or more other, second user terminals installed with other instances of the client application, and to present a near-end user with an option to select one of said second user terminals for use by the near-end user in conjunction with the first user terminal when conducting a voice or video call with a far-end user via the client instances and packet-based communication system; thereby enabling the voice or video call to be conducted using the second terminal to consume or generate at least one stream of the call whilst the first user terminal concurrently generates or consumes at least another stream of the call or controls the call.

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: There is provided an instance of a client application enabling a first user terminal to access a packet-based communication system to conduct voice or video calls over a packet-based network. The client application is configured to receive an input from one or more audio and/or video input transducers of the first terminal, and to operate in conjunction with one or more other instances of the client application executed on one or more respective second terminals so as to participate in an analysis of the one or more inputs in relation to an input from one or more audio and/or video input transducers of the one or more second terminals; thereby enabling selection of one of the first and second terminals for use by a near-end user in conducting a call with a far-end user of a third user terminal via the respective client instance and packet-based communication system.

Abstract: A method of providing instant messaging communication between a first user and at least one other user via a communication network.

Abstract: A computer system for receiving user data comprising a user access component having a display and a processor arranged to execute a data receiving application, wherein the data receiving application provides on the display at least one address field; and a geographical location device in communication with a location network and arranged to identify a geographical location of the device using information from the location network, the geographical location device located at a user address, the geographical location device operable to provide location data from which address data of the user address is derived and supplied to the data receiving application to automatically populate the address field on the display.

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: In implementations of packet-switched telephony, a packet switched telephony service provider receives a call request from a user device. The call request includes a telephone number corresponding to a public-switched telephone network subscriber. The call request is transmitted from the packet switched telephony service provider to a gateway for forwarding to the public-switched telephone network subscriber. A call is caused to be established between the user device and the public-switched telephone network subscriber.

Abstract: In one embodiment, transferring payment between a first user and a second user of a communication system includes displaying a contact list in a user interface of a client executed at a user terminal of the first user, the contact list including the second user. The client retrieves and displays at least one page from a payment provider responsive to the first user selecting the second user from the contact list. The client transmits, to the payment provider, information related to the payment entered into the page by the first user, which causes the payment provider to transfer the payment from an account of the first user to an account of the second user.

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: Techniques are described for character identification for establishing communication. A document is received with an inserted object in place of a numeric or alphanumeric sequence of characters that satisfy a format usable to establish a communication. The received document is displayed on a screen of a computing device. A user input is received at an input device of the computing device that represents activation of the object, and the communication is initiated with a device remote to the computing device.

Abstract: Techniques are described for character identification for establishing communication. A numeric or alphanumeric sequence of characters in a document is identified that conforms to a specified format usable to establish a communication. The document is altered to insert an activatable object in place of the numeric or alphanumeric sequence. The activatable object is activated with a user input to initiate the communication.

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.