Abstract: A method and system for using spatial audio in a virtual environment, which is capable of running on portable devices with limited processing power, and utilizing low bandwidth communication connections. The system identifies a first avatar in the virtual environment; and determines if the avatar satisfies a reuse criterion, which will enable the system to reuse the audio information which has been generated for a second avatar in the virtual environment for the first avatar.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the representation of at least one data stream in a multi-participant application, comprising a server and a client, comprising: transmitter for transmitting a plurality of data streams from a server to a client across a communications network, each data stream being associated with a participant in a multi-participant video application; processor for determining a data stream ranking associated with at least one of the plurality of data streams; and, processor for selectively controlling the representation of at least one of the plurality of the data streams at the client in dependence on the data stream ranking.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the representation of at least one data stream in a multi-participant application, comprising a server and a client, comprising: transmitter for transmitting a plurality of data streams from a server to a client across a communications network, each data stream being associated with a participant in a multi-participant video application; processor for determining a data stream ranking associated with at least one of the plurality of data streams; and, processor for selectively controlling the representation of at least one of the plurality of the data streams at the client in dependence on the data stream ranking.

Abstract: A method for controlling the quality of a displayed video image to meet the perceptual requirements of a viewer, comprising the steps of determining the location and orientation of a viewer with respect to a video image and varying the quality of the video image in dependence on the location and orientation of the viewer.

Abstract: A method for transferring data between computing systems, comprising the steps of for a plurality of computing systems, dividing the plurality of computing systems into at least two virtual zones, and, for each of the plurality of computers within each virtual zone, utilizing an algorithm to determine the manner in which the computers should be linked.

Abstract: A networking system and method is disclosed in this specification. The system hosts a virtual environment that is populated with avatars. Each avatar displays a video stream of a corresponding user and defines a virtual view point that represents the user's perspective of the virtual environment. The system implements a method that comprises monitoring movement of the avatars within the virtual environment and capturing a media stream from the virtual view point of each avatar as a corresponding user navigates the virtual environment. The captured video stream is relayed to a user's local client and displayed to the user.

Abstract: A method for controlling the quality of a displayed video image to meet the perceptual requirements of a viewer, comprising the steps of determining the location and orientation of a viewer with respect to a video image and varying the quality of the video image in dependence on the location and orientation of the viewer.

Abstract: An apparatus for creating an audio scene for an avatar in a virtual environment, the apparatus comprising: an audio processor operable to create a weighted audio stream that comprises audio from an object located in a portion of a hearing range of the avatar; and associating means operable to associate the weighted audio stream with a datum that represents a location of the portion of the hearing range in the virtual environment, wherein the weighted audio stream and the datum represent the audio scene. The weighted Audio stream also includes an unweighted audio stream that comprises audio from another object located in the hearing range of the avatar.

Abstract: A networking system and method is disclosed in this specification. The system hosts a virtual environment that is populated with avatars. Each avatar displays a video stream of a corresponding user and defines a virtual view point that represents the user's perspective of the virtual environment. The system implements a method that comprises monitoring movement of the avatars within the virtual environment and capturing a media stream from the virtual view point of each avatar as a corresponding user navigates the virtual environment. The captured video stream is relayed to a user's local client and displayed to the user.

Abstract: A device for routing a unit of data in a network, the device comprising a processing means that is operable to: determine an identity of a first path in the network that was used to transfer the unit of data; identify a second path in the network based on the identity of the first path; and forward the unit of data over the second path to thereby route the unit of data in the network.

Abstract: A method for transferring data between computing systems, comprising the steps of for a plurality of computing systems, dividing the plurality of computing systems into at least two virtual zones, and, for each of the plurality of computers within each virtual zone, utilising an algorithm to determine the manner in which the computers should be linked.

Abstract: An audio scene is created for an avatar in a virtual environment of multiple avatars. A link structure is created between the avatars. An audio scene is created for each avatar, based on an avatar's associations with other linked avatars.

Abstract: An active node of a communications network includes a forwarding component for forwarding a packet of an active application, a processor for processing the packet, and a forwarding control component for modifying path data associated with the packet, based on the processing. The forwarding component can forward said packet directly to the network or via the processor. The processing can include executing code contained within the packet, and/or executing code to process application data in the packet. The path data can include the MPLS label stack of the packet and/or MPLS tables of the forwarding component. To allow processing based on multiple labels of a packet, the forwarding component can include a loopback connection between its input and output ports.

Abstract: A method and system for using spatial audio in a virtual environment, which is capable of running on portable devices with limited processing power, and utilising low bandwidth communication connections. The system identifies a first avatar in the virtual environment; and determines if the avatar satisfies a reuse criterion, which will enable the system to reuse the audio information which has been generated for a second avatar in the virtual environment for the first avatar.

Abstract: An audio scene is created for an avatar in a virtual environment of multiple avatars. A link structure is created between the avatars. An audio scene is created for each avatar, based on an avatar's associations with other linked avatars.

Abstract: An apparatus for creating an audio scene for an avatar in a virtual environment, the apparatus comprising: an audio processor operable to create a weighted audio stream that comprises audio from an object located in a portion of a hearing range of the avatar; and associating means operable to associate the weighted audio stream with a datum that represents a location of the portion of the hearing range in the virtual environment, wherein the weighted audio stream and the datum represent the audio scene.

Abstract: A device for routing a unit of data in a network, the device comprising a processing means that is operable to: determine an identity of a first path in the network that was used to transfer the unit of data; identify a second path in the network based on the identity of the first path; and forward the unit of data over the second path to thereby route the unit of data in the network.

Abstract: An active node of a communications network includes a forwarding component for forwarding a packet of an active application, a processor for processing the packet, and a forwarding control component for modifying path data associated with the packet, based on the processing. The forwarding component can forward said packet directly to the network or via the processor. The processing can include executing code contained within the packet, and/or executing code to process application data in the packet. The path data can include the MPLS label stack of the packet and/or MPLS tables of the forwarding component. To allow processing based on multiple labels of a packet, the forwarding component can include a loopback connection between its input and output ports.