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: 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: A method of processing audio signals during a communication session between a user device and a remote node, includes receiving a plurality of audio signals at audio input means at the user device including at least one primary audio signal and unwanted signals and receiving direction of arrival information of the audio signals at a noise suppression means. Known direction of arrival information representative of at least some of said unwanted signals is provided to the noise suppression means and the audio signals are processed at the noise suppression means to treat as noise, portions of the signal identified as unwanted dependent on a comparison between the direction of arrival information of the audio signals and the known direction of arrival information.

Abstract: A method of placing an outgoing communication event to a destination phone number is disclosed. Accordingly, upon receiving a notification of the outgoing communication event, a determination is made if the destination phone number is associated with a user of a first network. The first network is a packet based communication network. A user identification of the user of the first network corresponding to the destination phone number is then retrieved. A presence information of a communication node in the first network associated with the user is also retrieved. The presence information is an indication of the user's availability. The communication node is configured to receive voice communication events. The outgoing communication event to the communication node associated with the user in the first network is placed based on the retrieved presence information.

Abstract: A method of associating a first device with a second device is disclosed. The first device through its 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 pairing a first device with a second device is disclosed. Accordingly, an image that include encoded data is generated by the first device. The encoded data includes a unique identifier for identifying the first device and an arbitrary security code. The first device displays the image on a display. The second device captures the image using an image sensing device. The encoded data is decoded to generate a decoded data. The second device sends the decoded data to a server that is communicatively connected to the first device and the second device. Upon receiving the decoded data and using the unique identifier, the server communicates with the first device to verify the arbitrary security code.

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: A computer implemented method for processing tasks is disclosed. The method includes invoking a timed iterator, during an event loop pass, without spawning a new thread, wherein the invoking includes passing a task list and a timeout constraint to the timed iterator. The method further includes executing one or more tasks in the task list for a period of time as specified in the timeout constraint, and relinquishing program control to a caller after the period of time.

Abstract: A method of processing audio signals during a communication session between a user device and a remote node, includes receiving a plurality of audio signals at audio input means at the user device including at least one primary audio signal and unwanted signals and receiving direction of arrival information of the audio signals at a noise suppression means. Known direction of arrival information representative of at least some of said unwanted signals is provided to the noise suppression means and the audio signals are processed at the noise suppression means to treat as noise, portions of the signal identified as unwanted dependent on a comparison between the direction of arrival information of the audio signals and the known direction of arrival information.

Abstract: A method, user device and computer program product for processing audio signals during a communication session between a user device and a remote node. The method comprising: receiving a plurality of audio signals at audio input means at the user device including at least one primary audio signal and unwanted signals; receiving direction of arrival information of the audio signals at a gain control means; providing to the gain control means known direction of arrival information representative of at least some of said unwanted signals; processing the audio signals at the gain control means by applying a level of gain to generate a gain controlled signal for transmission to the remote node, wherein the level of gain applied is dependent on a comparison between the direction of arrival information of the audio signals and the known direction of arrival information.

Abstract: A method of processing an audio signal transmitted from a remote transmitter and received at a local receiver of an acoustic system, includes at the receiver receiving with the audio signal an indication of remote transmitter gain, determining an overall system gain of the acoustic system from the remote transmitter gain and a local receiver gain and selectively applying a system gain reduction step to the audio signal if it is determined that the overall system gain exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: Method and communication system for permitting access to a network by sharing access credentials over the communication system between first and second communication clients executed at respective first and second user terminals of respective first and second users of the communication system. The access credentials are for accessing the network. The method comprises the first communication client causing the access credentials to be stored in a first store of the first user terminal or of the communication system, and the first user authorising the second user to access the access credentials stored in the first store. The second communication client accesses the first store and retrieves the access credentials on the basis of the second user's authorisation to access the access credentials stored in the first store.

Abstract: An echo component of a first signal received at an audio input device is removed. A second signal is output from an audio output device. The echo component in the first signal is the result of the second signal traversing an echo path. The characteristics of the first and second signals are compared, and if the first signal only comprises the echo, an estimate of the echo path is determined by comparing the first and second signals. The echo path estimate is applied to the first signal to determine an equalised first signal, which is is compared with the second signal to determine an estimate of the echo component. The echo component from the first signal is removed in dependence on the estimate of the echo component.

Abstract: A method for generating a sequence of concealment samples in connection with transmission of a digitized audio signal, wherein the method comprises generating the sequence of concealment samples from buffered samples of the digitized representation of audio signal in sample time order, wherein at least two consecutive subsequences of samples in the sequence of concealment samples are based on subsequences of buffered samples, wherein said subsequences of buffered samples are consecutive in reordered time.

Abstract: A method for reducing ringing in a signal output from a filter comprising inputting a signal into a filter; filtering a first portion of the input signal to generate a filtered portion of the output signal; analyzing the filtered portion of the output signal; detecting if ringing is present in the filtered portion of the output signal based on said analysis; and adjusting the filter characteristics to reduce ringing in a subsequent filtered portion of the output signal if it is determined that ringing is present.

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: A method of delivering an encoded data stream to a plurality of recipient end-user nodes of a network includes receiving an incoming encoded data stream at a first recipient node from a transmitting node over the network. During ongoing receipt of the incoming encoded data stream at the first recipient node from the transmitting node, the incoming encoded data stream is decoded at the first recipient node to produce a decoded data stream that is output for consumption at the first recipient node. The decoded data stream is used to generate a modified encoded data stream being a modified version of the incoming encoded data stream. Still during ongoing receipt of the incoming encoded data stream at the first recipient node from the transmitting node, the modified encoded data stream is relayed from the first recipient node to one or more second recipient nodes over the network.

Abstract: A method of transmitting messages from a network node in a communication network to a first user device can be provided. The network node transmits to a second user device a message-waiting notification. The first user device is identified, and a node holding the message is identified. In response to that notification, the second user device transmits a connection request to the first user device. The connection request is acted on by the first user device to establish a connection. With the identified node, the message can be optionally transmitted to the first user device.

Abstract: A method of authorising a user of a first packet-based communication network to access a second packet-based communication network. The method comprises: receiving an authorization request from a user terminal of the user at a first network element of the first packet-based communication network, the authorization request comprising a first user identity; responsive to the authorization request, transmitting a request to create a second user identity from the first network element to a second network element of the second packet-based communication network; the second network element creating the second user identity for use in the second packet-based communication network, the second user identity being derivable from the first user identity according to a predetermined rule; and storing the second user identity in the second packet-based communication network for use with subsequent communication events over the second packet-based communication network.

Abstract: A method of transmitting data from a node, such as a session node including any network node, located in a first network to one of a plurality of devices located in a second network, said method comprising; determining that another device connected to the node is located in the second network; transmitting from the node to the other device located in the second network a message addressed to the one of said plurality of devices via the connection between the node and the other device; and forwarding the message from the other device to the one of said plurality of devices via a connection established within the second network.