Abstract: A method, system and program for encoding and/or decoding a speech signal. The method comprises: generating a first signal representing a property of an input speech signal; transforming the first signal using a simulated random-noise signal, thus producing a second signal; quantizing the second signal based on a plurality of discrete representation levels, thus generating quantization values for transmission in an encoded speech signal, and also generating a third signal being a quantized version of the second signal; and performing an inverse of the transformation on the third signal, thus generating a quantized output signal, wherein the generation of the first signal is based on feedback of the quantized output signal. The method further comprises controlling the transformation in dependence on a property of the first signal so as to vary the magnitude of a noise effect created by the transformation relative to the representation levels.

Abstract: A method of encoding one or more parent blocks of values, the number of values being the length of each block, the method comprising for each parent block: (a) determining a first sum of values in the parent block; (b) splitting the parent block into smaller subblocks; (c) for at least one of the subblocks, determining a second sum of the values in the subblock, selecting a likelihood table from the plurality of likelihood tables based on said first sum of values in the parent block and encoding the second sum using the likelihood table; (d) designating each subblock a parent block; (e) carrying out steps (a), (b), (c) and (d) until at least one parent block reaches a predetermined condition.

Abstract: A method of synchronizing the contact information of a group of users of a telephony system between the group of users over a communications network is provided. Each user of the group of users has a user terminal connected to the communications network and executes a client, the client comprising a contact information list. A first user belonging to the group of users selects the contact information of other users in the group from the contact information list and chooses to synchronize the contact information. An invitation message is transmitted from the client executed on the user terminal of the first user to the client executed on the user terminal of each of the other users in the group, the invitation message including an invitee list of users belonging to the group. The invitation message is received at the client of each of the other users in the group.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of controlling transmission of packets from a transmitter to a receiver via a channel, and a corresponding transmitter and receiver. The method comprises: transmitting packets from a queue, each packet having a packet size based on data in the packet; determining a transmission time for each packet, based on a transmission clock; determining a reception time of each packet, based on a reception clock; supplying to an estimation function successive sets of observations including in each set transmission time, reception time and packet size, the estimate function being arranged to provide an estimate of bandwidth for the channel using the relationship between the bandwidth, the amount of data in the queue, packet size and the delay between transmitting successive packets from the queue; and using the estimated bandwidth to control transmission of packets.

Abstract: A method and system for regenerating wideband speech from narrowband speech. The method comprises: 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 high pass filter to form a regenerated speech signal in the target band, wherein the lower limit of the high pass filter defines the lowermost frequency 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.

Abstract: A remote control unit for controlling a media device, comprising: a first wireless transmitter arranged to be powered from a first power source; a second wireless transmitter arranged to be powered from a second power source; a processor coupled to the first and second wireless transmitters, wherein the processor is configured to control the first and second wireless transmitters and is arranged to be powered from the first power; and monitoring means arranged to monitor power levels of the second power source and provide power level information to the processor.

Abstract: A method of transmitting video data comprising: establishing a bidirectional video channel between a first terminal and a second terminal in a packet-based communication network; beginning a live, face-to-face video call over the established channel by generating first video data from a video camera of the first terminal, transmitting the first video data to the second terminal for display on a screen of the second terminal, receiving second video data generated from a video camera of the second terminal, and displaying the second video data on a screen of the first terminal; generating third video data at the first terminal from a source other than the video camera of the first terminal; receiving a user selection at the first terminal; and in response to the user selection, transmitting the third video data to the second user over the established channel of the packet-based communication network.

Abstract: A method of establishing a communication event between a first user and a second user of a communication system; wherein the first user operates a user terminal executing an electronic game application; the method comprising the steps of: storing contact information for at least the second user of the communication system; associating the contact information of the second contact with one or more game objects in the electronic game application; receiving an input signal from the first user to interact with a game object displayed during execution of the electronic game application; and responsive to receiving the signal to interact with the game object, establishing a communication event between the first user of the game application and the second user of the communication system using the contact information associated with the game object.

Abstract: A television receiver system and corresponding method, the television receiver system comprising: a television receiver for receiving broadcast television signals, signal processing apparatus operable to process the received television signals for output to a television screen, and a control device allowing a user to select a viewing activity by controlling the output to the television screen. The television receiver further comprises a memory storing a communication client application; and communications processing apparatus operable to execute the communication client application. The client application is programmed so as when executed to allow the user to establish bidirectional communications with one or more other users via a packet-based communication network, and to provide notifications to the user of incoming communication events from other users.

Abstract: A games system and method, the system comprising: a storage reader for reading a game application from a storage medium; a memory storing a communications client application; a network interface for receiving data from a remote user via a packet-based communication network; and processing apparatus arranged to execute the game application and the client application. The communication client is programmed to establish bidirectional video communications via the network interface and packet-based communication network, including receiving video data from a remote user. The game application comprises image recognition software programmed to receive the video data from the client application, recognise a predetermined image element in the received video data, and track the motion of that element to generate motion tracking data. The game application further comprises game logic programmed to control aspects of the game based on the motion tracking data.

Abstract: A media device comprising: a memory storing a communication client application; a processor, coupled to the memory and operable to execute the communication client application, wherein the client application is programmed so as when executed to allow a user to establish a call with one or more other users via a packet-based communication network; and a remote control unit comprising wireless communication means arranged to transmit data to the processor, a control means coupled to the wireless communication means and configured to control the wireless communication means, user input means coupled to the control means and arranged to receive input commands from the user and provide the input commands to the control means, and a microphone coupled to the control means and arranged to receive audio signals from a user, wherein, responsive to the control means receiving a command to establish a call from the user input means, the control means is arranged to activate the wireless communication means from a deacti

Abstract: A method of distributing availability information from a first user terminal to at least one further user terminal connected via a communication network, comprising: executing a communication client at the first user terminal; the communication client accessing schedule data stored on a storage means relating to a user of the first user terminal; the communication client analysing the schedule data to determine a current status of the user; mapping the current status of the user to a selected one of a group of predefined availability settings at the communication client; and transmitting a message comprising the selected availability setting over the communication network to the at least one further user terminal.

Abstract: A media appliance and corresponding method, the media appliance comprising a video signal source such as a TV receiver, and signal processing apparatus for generating a corresponding sequence of frames for output to a screen. The appliance comprises a client application programmed to capture one of the frames and use the captured frame to generate an image to represent a user in relation to bidirectional communications over a packet-based network.

Abstract: A method for outputting data streams in a communication system, the method comprising the steps of: executing an electronic game application at a user terminal, the game application being programmed to allow two or more users of the communication system to participate in the game; receiving two or more data streams at the user terminal, each data stream being generated by a user of the communications system participating in the game; applying game logic to determine the current state of the game application; and selecting one or more of the received data streams to be output from an output device of the user terminal, wherein the selection depends on the current state of the game application.

Abstract: A television receiver system, comprising: a television receiver operable to receive broadcast video signals; a memory storing a communication client application; a processor, coupled to the memory and operable to execute the communication client application, wherein the communication client application is programmed so as when executed to allow a user to establish a video call with one or more other users via a packet-based communication network; a video buffer operable to buffer video data for display on a television screen; and selection means having a first input arranged to receive broadcast video data from the television receiver, a second input arranged to receive video call data from the communication client, an output connected to the video buffer, and a control input connected to the communication client, wherein the selection means is arranged to output the broadcast video data to the video buffer in the absence of a selection signal at the control input, and wherein the communication client is arra

Abstract: A games system, method and program. The system comprises: a user control device arranged to be operable by a user; a network interface for receiving data via a packet-based communication network; and a processing apparatus arranged to execute a game application and a communication client; wherein the communication client is programmed to establish video communication via the network interface and packet-based communication network, receive video data from a remote user and decode the video data to produce a live video image; wherein the game application is arranged to divide the live video image into segments, re-order the segments to produce a shuffled live video image and output the shuffled live video image for display on a display unit; and wherein the game application is further arranged to receive control information from the control device and cause a further-reordering of the segments responsive thereto during the video communication.

Abstract: A method of initiating a communication event via a packet-based communication network in a media appliance having a processor executing a communication client, comprising: retrieving a stored list comprising a plurality of contacts associated with a user of the communication client; generating a first two-dimensional contact grid comprising a first arrangement of entries; displaying the first contact grid on a display means such that each of a plurality of the entries comprises a graphical representation of a respective one of the plurality of contacts, wherein the graphical representations are sized so as to fit in the entries of the first contact grid; receiving a selection of a subset of the graphical representations in the first contact grid from a user of the communication client; generating a second contact grid comprising a second arrangement of entries corresponding to the selected subset; displaying the second contact grid on the display means in replacement of the first contact grid, such that each

Abstract: A method of establishing communication between a first and second terminal, the first terminal being arranged to communicate with a first communication system and the second terminal being arranged to communicate with a second communication system.

Abstract: A wireless handset for use in a peer-to-peer voice communications system comprising: a display; a keyboard comprising multifunctional keys capable of entering numeric or alphabetic characters depending on a number of key presses, said keyboard being arranged to enter contact information into a user interface displayed on said display, select contacts on the user interface, and initiate a packet data voice call with a contact; a microprocessor arranged to execute embedded client software, wherein the client software is arranged to establish a packet data voice call over the network and encode speech information as individually addressed packets; and a radio communication device arranged to transmit said individually addressed packets as radio signals from said wireless handset to a network.