Abstract: A communication system comprising a server and a plurality of clients constrained so that in order to communicate with each other by means of the system they must communicate via the server, the server having access to a set of stored communication rules defining permitted and/or non-permitted communications between the clients and the server being configured to, on receiving a message from a first client designating as recipients a second client and a third client, the first client matching a first set of characteristics stored in the communication rules and the second client and the third client being clients who are not permitted to directly communicate according to the communication rules, alter the communication rules to permit the second and third clients to directly communicate.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method for generating predictions. The predictions are generated using a model configured to associate text with at least one action associated with at least one of a plurality of applications.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method for generating predictions. The predictions are generated using a model configured to associate text with at least one action associated with at least one of a plurality of applications.

Abstract: A communication system comprising a server and a plurality of clients constrained so that in order to communicate with each other by means of the system they must communicate via the server, the server having access to a set of stored communication rules defining permitted and/or non-permitted communications between the clients and the server being configured to, on receiving a message from a first client designating as recipients a second client and a third client, the first client matching a first set of characteristics stored in the communication rules and the second client and the third client being clients who are not permitted to directly communicate according to the communication rules, alter the communication rules to permit the second and third clients to directly communicate.

Abstract: A communication system comprising a server and a plurality of clients constrained so that in order to communicate with each other by means of the system they must communicate via the server, the server having access to a set of stored communication rules defining permitted and/or non-permitted communications between the clients and the server being configured to, on receiving a message from a first client designating as recipients a second client and a third client, the first client matching a first set of characteristics stored in the communication rules and the second client and the third client being clients who are not permitted to directly communicate according to the communication rules, alter the communication rules to permit the second and third clients to directly communicate.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for integrating text prediction from a text prediction engine into a mechanism for searching/filtering/ordering a plurality of items. In one embodiment, the system comprises a text prediction engine configured to receive user text input relating to a sequence of two or more terms, generate a plurality of word predictions for a first term of the sequence of two or more terms and generate at least one word prediction for a second term of the sequence of two or more terms. The text prediction engine is configured to generate a distribution of candidate word predictions for the sequence of two or more terms using the plurality of word predictions for the first term and the at least one word prediction for the second term. The system further comprises a mechanism for filtering/searching/ordering a plurality of items.

Abstract: A communication system comprising a server and a plurality of clients constrained so that in order to communicate with each other by means of the system they must communicate via the server, the server having access to a set of stored communication rules defining permitted and/or non-permitted communications between the clients and the server being configured to, on receiving a message from a first client designating as recipients a second client and a third client, the first client matching a first set of characteristics stored in the communication rules and the second client and the third client being clients who are not permitted to directly communicate according to the communication rules, alter the communication rules to permit the second and third clients to directly communicate.

Abstract: A communication system for communicating instant messages between a plurality of user accounts, each instant message forming part of a logical conversation stream comprising one or more such messages, the system comprising: a plurality of communication terminals, each communication terminal being configured to service a respective user account by simultaneously supporting multiple instant messaging clients, each client being (i) associated with a respective user interface different from that of the other instant messaging clients supported on the terminal, (ii) capable of transmitting and receiving instant messages to and from user accounts serviced on others of the communication terminals and (iii) configured to attribute to each instant message generated through that client an identifier corresponding to the client; a database storing a user profile for each of the user accounts, each user profile indicating which clients are supported by the communication terminal for the respective user account; and a ser

Abstract: A communication system comprising a server and a plurality of clients constrained so that in order to communicate with each other by means of the system they must communicate via the server, the server having access to a set of stored communication rules defining permitted and/or non-permitted communications between the clients and the server being configured to, on receiving a message from a first client designating as recipients a second client and a third client, the first client matching a first set of characteristics stored in the communication rules and the second client and the third client being clients who are not permitted to directly communicate according to the communication rules, alter the communication rules to permit the second and third clients to directly communicate.

Abstract: A communication system for communicating instant messages between a plurality of user accounts, each instant message forming part of a logical conversation stream comprising one or more such messages, the system comprising: a plurality of communication terminals, each communication terminal being configured to service a respective user account by simultaneously supporting multiple instant messaging clients, each client being (i) associated with a respective user interface different from that of the other instant messaging clients supported on the terminal, (ii) capable of transmitting and receiving instant messages to and from user accounts serviced on others of the communication terminals and (iii) configured to attribute to each instant message generated through that client an identifier corresponding to the client; a database storing a user profile for each of the user accounts, each user profile indicating which clients are supported by the communication terminal for the respective user account; and a ser

Abstract: A communication system for communicating instant messages between a plurality of user accounts, each instant message forming part of a logical conversation stream comprising one or more such messages, the system comprising: a plurality of communication terminals, each communication terminal being configured to service a respective user account by simultaneously supporting multiple instant messaging clients, each client being (i) associated with a respective user interface different from that of the other instant messaging clients supported on the terminal, (ii) capable of transmitting and receiving instant messages to and from user accounts serviced on others of the communication terminals and (iii) configured to attribute to each instant message generated through that client an identifier corresponding to the client; a database storing a user profile for each of the user accounts, each user profile indicating which clients are supported by the communication terminal for the respective user account; and a ser

Abstract: A communication system comprising a server and a plurality of clients constrained so that in order to communicate with each other by means of the system they must communicate via the server, the server having access to a set of stored communication rules defining permitted and/or non-permitted communications between the clients and the server being configured to, on receiving a message from a first client designating as recipients a second client and a third client, the first client matching a first set of characteristics stored in the communication rules and the second client and the third client being clients who are not permitted to directly communicate according to the communication rules, alter the communication rules to permit the second and third clients to directly communicate.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for integrating text prediction from a text prediction engine into a mechanism for searching/filtering/ordering a plurality of items. In one embodiment, the system comprises a text prediction engine configured to receive user text input relating to a sequence of two or more terms, generate a plurality of word predictions for a first term of the sequence of two or more terms and generate at least one word prediction for a second term of the sequence of two or more terms. The text prediction engine is configured to generate a distribution of candidate word predictions for the sequence of two or more terms using the plurality of word predictions for the first term and the at least one word prediction for the second term. The system further comprises a mechanism for filtering/searching/ordering a plurality of items.

Abstract: A communication system for communicating instant messages between a plurality of user accounts, each instant message forming part of a logical conversation stream comprising one or more such messages, the system comprising: a plurality of communication terminals, each communication terminal being configured to service a respective user account by simultaneously supporting multiple instant messaging clients, each client being (i) associated with a respective user interface different from that of the other instant messaging clients supported on the terminal, (ii) capable of transmitting and receiving instant messages to and from user accounts serviced on others of the communication terminals and (iii) configured to attribute to each instant message generated through that client an identifier corresponding to the client; a database storing a user profile for each of the user accounts, each user profile indicating which clients are supported by the communication terminal for the respective user account; and a ser

Abstract: A user device comprising a processor configured to execute a client capable of transmitting and receiving instant messages to and from a plurality of remote user accounts instantiated on a plurality of remote devices, wherein the client is configured to: attribute to each instant message a thread identifier independently of the remote user account; and group the instant messages for presentation to a user according to the thread identifier and independently of the remote user account.

Abstract: A method of communicating information relating to product or service offerings between a server system and client devices is disclosed. The method comprises storing in a database at the server system a plurality of data objects, each data object comprising information relating to a product or service offering. The data objects are associated with corresponding data objects stored at client devices. Information specifying an action relating to a selected data object is received. Based on information in the database, one or more descendant data objects associated with the selected data object are identified, the descendant data object having been derived from the selected data object, and information specifying the action is transmitted to a client device associated with each identified descendant data object, to enable the action to be implemented at the client device.

Abstract: In a gaming method, player symbol data indicative of a plurality of sets of player symbols associated with a player may be received. A value payout based on respective numbers of winning symbols in respective sets of player symbols may be determined. For at least some value payouts the value payout is different than a sum of a plurality of individual value payouts. The player may select one of: a first set of symbols for a first price, both a first and second set of symbols for a second price greater than the first price, or a cross match game for a third price greater than the second price. The player is allowed to select only the first set of symbols, and a computer will select the second and a third set of symbols.

Abstract: Technique for protecting a communications network, such a computer network, from attack such as self-propagating code violations of security policies, in which the network is divided into “compartments” that are separated by access control devices such as firewalls. The access control devices are then used to stop the spread of self-propagating attack code, the “zero-day” worms, for example. However, the access control devices are configured such that upon activation legitimate in-use network services will not be jeopardized.

Abstract: A ball valve consisting of a housing having a spherical flow control ball located therein and a pair of tubular sealing members, one on each side of the flow control valve. The tubular sealing members having spherical seats seated in the through flow passage of the housing and sealingly engaging the flow control ball. The tubular sealing members have through passages which have axes inclined towards each other at an obtuse angle. The flow control ball is urged towards the tubular sealing members in a direction tending to increase the obtuse angle between the axes of the through passages of the sealing members whereby to maintain a sealing pressure between the flow control ball and the tubular sealing members.