Abstract: A method relating to a video conference connecting a first terminal to a plurality of second terminals via a switching server is disclosed. The switching server receives a plurality of uplink video streams from the first terminal via a single transport path, and the switching server sends a downlink video stream based on the uplink video streams to each of the second terminals. The method involves the steps of collecting information relating to the use of each of the second terminals and determining an order between the uplink video streams based on the information. The method further involves the steps of generating instructions for the first terminal to adjust the plurality of uplink video streams based on the order, and informing the first terminal of the instructions. A switching server and a first terminal involved in the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A client and a method in a client in a communication network comprising a core network, for providing a communication service, is provided. The method comprises receiving a session setup request from an originating party, requesting a session with a destination party. The setup request comprises a capability indication associated with the originating party and a session type indication.

Abstract: There is provided a network information system for handling network characteristics. The network information system comprises a first functional module, a second functional module, and a third functional module. The third functional module is arranged to invoke handling of network characteristics by triggering operation of the first functional module and the second functional module. An available bitrate for a media flow is estimated. Information about a permitted share of physical resources to be used during the transmission of the media flow is acquired. The estimated available bitrate for the media flow is updated. The updated estimated available bitrate is provided to a network entity associated with transmission of the media flow.

Abstract: There is provided a network information system for determining transport conditions in a communications network. Monitoring data is acquired from a plurality of data transport nodes in a communications network. Transport conditions are determined from network information related to transport flows for network transmission of real time media flows. The network information is determined from a subset of the acquired monitoring data. The determined transport conditions are provided to at least one of a network connected device running an application involving the network transmission of real time media flows and a data transport node involved in the network transmission of real time media flows.

Abstract: There is provided mechanism for providing Web based applications with network information. A need for a Web based application to transmit a real time media flow is acquired. Transport characteristics relating to transmission of the real time media flow over a communications network is acquired. From the acquired transport characteristics and according to a policy criterion a resource allocation to the real time media flow is determined. The determined resource allocation is provided to at least one of the Web based application and a browser associated with the Web based application.

Abstract: Operating a receiver communication device during a real time communication session including a real time media content data stream provided by another communication device may include receiving the real time media content data stream of the communication session from the other communication device wherein packets of the real time media content data stream include an identification of the real time media content data stream. A pause request may be transmitted from the receiver communication device to the other communication device with the pause request including the identification of the real time media content data stream and a pause request sequence number. After transmitting the pause request, a pause acknowledge message may be received from the other communication device with the pause acknowledge message including the identification of the real time media content data stream and the pause request sequence number. Related devices and methods are also discussed.

Abstract: Operating a receiver communication device during a real time communication session including a real time media content data stream provided by another communication device may include receiving the real time media content data stream of the communication session from the other communication device wherein packets of the real time media content data stream include an identification of the real time media content data stream. A pause request may be transmitted from the receiver communication device to the other communication device with the pause request including the identification of the real time media content data stream and a pause request sequence number. After transmitting the pause request, a pause acknowledge message may be received from the other communication device with the pause acknowledge message including the identification of the real time media content data stream and the pause request sequence number. Related devices and methods are also discussed.

Abstract: A method to be performed by a receiving apparatus for decoding an encoded bitstream representing a sequence of pictures of a video stream is provided. In the method, capabilities relating to level of decoding parallelism for the decoder are identified, a parameter indicative of the decoder's capabilities relating to level of decoding parallelism is kept, and for a set of levels of decoding parallelism, information relating to HEVC profile and HEVC level that the decoder is capable of decoding is kept. A method for encoding a bitstream representing a sequence of pictures of a video stream is also provided. In the method, a parameter is received from a transmitting apparatus that should decode the encoded bitstream.

Abstract: Operating a receiver communication device during a real time communication session including a real time media content data stream provided by another communication device may include receiving the real time media content data stream of the communication session from the other communication device wherein packets of the real time media content data stream include an identification of the real time media content data stream. A pause request may be transmitted from the receiver communication device to the other communication device with the pause request including the identification of the real time media content data stream and a pause request sequence number. After transmitting the pause request, a pause acknowledge message may be received from the other communication device with the pause acknowledge message including the identification of the real time media content data stream and the pause request sequence number. Related devices and methods are also discussed.

Abstract: A communication device and method provide selective control of a level of buffering of at least one data stream. The communication device includes a jitter buffer (202), a jitter buffer control unit (204) and a user interface (206). An instruction received via an input to a user interface (206) indicates a jitter buffer strategy (510), such as enabling a jitter buffer or setting a size of a jitter buffer, based on the user input. The control unit (204) sets the buffer strategy based in the instruction, and a data stream transmitted via a packet-switched network is received (530) and buffered for play out based on the buffer strategy (540).

Abstract: A Mixer and a Method for providing media streams towards a plurality of endpoints, the media streams originating from one or more media source(s). Within the method at least a first request set of a first endpoint of said plurality of endpoints and a second request set of a second endpoint of said plurality of endpoints are received, whereby a request set comprises information relating to at least a subset of one or more codec parameters, and whereby a request set pertains to a media stream, whereby said first request set and said second request set pertain to a same media content. The received first request set and second request set are aggregated into an aggregated request set pertaining to a first media source. Thereafter one or more media stream(s) according to said aggregated request set are requested from said first media source.

Abstract: Operating a receiver communication device during a real time communication session including a real time media content data stream provided by another communication device may include receiving the real time media content data stream of the communication session from the other communication device wherein packets of the real time media content data stream include an identification of the real time media content data stream. A pause request may be transmitted from the receiver communication device to the other communication device with the pause request including the identification of the real time media content data stream and a pause request sequence number. After transmitting the pause request, a pause acknowledge message may be received from the other communication device with the pause acknowledge message including the identification of the real time media content data stream and the pause request sequence number. Related devices and methods are also discussed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a transmitting apparatus for encoding a bitstream representing a sequence of pictures of a video stream comprising a processor and memory, said memory containing instructions executable by said processor whereby said transmitting apparatus is operative to: send a syntax element, wherein a value of the syntax element is indicative of restrictions that are enforced on the bitstream in a way that guarantees a certain level of parallelism for decoding the bitstream.

Abstract: A client and a method in a client in a communication network comprising a core network, for providing a communication service, is provided. The method comprises receiving a session setup request from an originating party, requesting a session with a destination party. The setup request comprises a capability indication associated with the originating party and a session type indication. The method further comprises determining capabilities of devices in a first communication context associated with the destination party and comparing the capabilities of the devices in the first communication context to the capability indication and to the session type indication in the received request.

Abstract: A communication device and method provide selective control of a level of buffering of at least one data stream. The communication device includes a jitter buffer (202), a jitter buffer control unit (204) and a user interface (206). An instruction received via an input to a user interface (206) indicates a jitter buffer strategy (510), such as enabling a jitter buffer or setting a size of a jitter buffer, based on the user input. The control unit (204) sets the buffer strategy based in the instruction, and a data stream transmitted via a packet-switched network is received (530) and buffered for play out based on the buffer strategy (540).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for establishing a requested communication session between two terminals (A, B) over a given physical channel, wherein the session requires the determination of session parameters before the session can be executed. It is determined (402) by means of at least one session key, whether any session parameters for a previous session between the terminals have been stored in the terminals. If so, the stored session parameters are retrieved (408), such that the requested session can be executed (410) based on the retrieved session parameters. In this way, delays involved with the establishment of sessions requiring the determination of parameters, e.g. in multimedia calls, can be reduced.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for establishing a requested communication session between two terminals (A, B) over a given physical channel, wherein the session requires the determination of session parameters before the session can be executed. It is determined (402) by means of at least one session key, whether any session parameters for a previous session between the terminals have been stored in the terminals. If so, the stored session parameters are retrieved (408), such that the requested session can be executed (410) based on the retrieved session parameters. In this way, delays involved with the establishment of sessions requiring the determination of parameters, e.g. in multimedia calls, can be reduced.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining session parameters for a communication session between a first terminal (A) and a second terminal (B). At least the first terminal has stored at least one default set of session parameters. An identifier (404) corresponding to a proposed default set of session parameters is sent from the first terminal to the second terminal. Then, it is determined whether the second terminal accepts the proposed default set of session parameters or not. If accepted (406), the proposed default set of session parameters is retrieved in order to execute the session (408). Otherwise, the terminals fall back to a regular session setup procedure. In this way, delays and bandwidth consumption can be substantially reduced by using a minimum of messaging between the two terminals.

Abstract: The invention provides management of alternative services in a communications system (1). A user equipment (300) requests a primary service at the communications network (10) during the setup of a communications session. In addition, at least one possible alternative service to use if the primary service is unavailable is suggested. Radio performance and signaling quality of the bearers of the primary and alternative service(s) are monitored. If the quality deteriorates, the network (10) issues a service change to a less quality demanding alternative service. If the quality subsequently improves, the network (10) can issue a fallback reversion, thus, changing service to a more preferred service, typically the requested primary service.

Abstract: An improved imaging system and method for providing increased viewer control over the operating parameters of the imaging system is described. Viewer control is facilitated by including a backchannel within the imaging system, whereby a viewer may adjust spatial and temporal resolution, quantization and other operating parameters of the video transmission.