Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method for providing a recommendation to a recipient. The method comprises obtaining input data, and applying a first mapping to the input data to produce a first primary data representation. The first mapping is a non-bijective mapping. The method comprises providing the first primary data representation and obtaining a second data representation based on the first primary data representation. The method comprises determining recommendation data for the recipient based on the second data representation, and outputting the recommendation data to the recipient.

Abstract: Method, system, device, server and computer program product for analyzing a communication event occurring over a network, wherein a network service provider provides access to the network for a communication client executed at the device to engage in the communication event. The communication client detects a problem with the communication event. Communication metric data relating to the communication event is determined. It is determined, using the determined communication metric data, whether the detected problem is caused by a reason (i) of a poor network condition in the network, or a reason (ii) of the network service provider discriminating against transmission over the network of a type of data used in the communication event. In the event that it is determined that the detected problem is caused by reason (ii), a notification is provided to a user of the device.

Abstract: A method of performing a rate-distortion optimization process comprising, for each of a plurality of target image portions to be encoded in each of a plurality of frames, selecting a preferred one of a set of encoding modes by optimizing a function comprising an estimate of distortion for the target image portion and a measure of bit rate required to encode the target image portion, wherein the estimate of distortion is based on source coding distortion and an estimate of a distortion that would be experienced due to possible loss over the channel; encoding the target image portion into the encoded video stream using the selected encoding mode; and transmitting the encoded video stream over the channel. The rate-distortion optimization process for a current one of the frames is performed in dependence on feedback received from the receiving terminal based on an earlier one of the frames.

Abstract: Correction data units for data packets of a data stream are generated. A correction data unit is based on a set of the data packets of the stream. The stream is transmitted over a lossy communication channel. A performance measure to be optimized is selected, which relates to the recovery of lost data packets of the stream. A coding requirement is determined. For the generation of the correction data units, it is determined, within the constraints of the coding requirement and based on previously generated correction data units, which of the data packets in the stream to include in the set on which the generation of the correction data unit is to be based to thereby optimize the selected performance measure. A generated correction data unit is generated based on a respective set of the data packets of the stream. The generated correction data units are included in the stream.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of controlling transmission of data from a wireless device to a receiver connected via a communication channel includes an application executing on the wireless device providing an estimate of end-to-end bandwidth of the communication channel; supplying to the application from wireless access circuitry in the wireless device at least on communication-related parameter and modifying in the application the estimate of end-to-end bandwidth using the at least one communication-related parameter.

Abstract: Method, user terminal and computer program product for processing data relating to a communication event at a communication client, the communication event occurring over a communication system. An input of the communication event is received at the communication client from a user of the communication system. The input is analyzed to determine attributes of the input. At least one other user of the communication system who is likely to be a participant of the communication event is determined based on the occurrence of attributes, corresponding to the determined attributes of the input, in previous communication events over the communication system involving at least one of the at least one other user. The communication client indicates, to the user, the determined at least one other user as being a likely participant for the communication event.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of controlling transmission of data from a wireless device to a receiver connected via a communication channel includes an application executing on the wireless device providing an estimate of end-to-end bandwidth of the communication channel; supplying to the application from wireless access circuitry in the wireless device at least on communication-related parameter and modifying in the application the estimate of end-to-end bandwidth using the at least one communication-related parameter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for transmitting data from a source device to a destination device in a communications system, including at the device, executing an application which generates data according to an application layer protocol and supplies the data to a first network interface for transmission in a communications session over a first channel; and the device receiving data at the first network interface for supply to the application. The application determines to effect a handover and opens a second channel for the communication session; the application supplies data to a second network interface for transmission over the second channel and generates a message for transmission over the first or second channel to the destination device, said message including a destination address identifying the second network interface for receiving data over the second channel.

Abstract: The invention relates to method and apparatus for transmitting data from a device in a communications system, including at the device, executing an application which generates data according to an application layer protocol and supplies the data to an access layer for transmission in a communication session over a first channel using a first wireless network interface; and receiving at the application an indication from the access layer of an alternate, second channel for transmission of the data, the second channel using a second network interface. On receipt of the indication, the application determines whether or not to take action responsive to the indication and, if it determines to do so, opens a second channel for the communication session and supplies data to the access layer for transmission over the second channel.

Abstract: Method, system, device, server and computer program product for analyzing a communication event occurring over a network, wherein a network service provider provides access to the network for a communication client executed at the device to engage in the communication event. The communication client detects a problem with the communication event. Communication metric data relating to the communication event is determined. It is determined, using the determined communication metric data, whether the detected problem is caused by a reason (i) of a poor network condition in the network, or a reason (ii) of the network service provider discriminating against transmission over the network of a type of data used in the communication event. In the event that it is determined that the detected problem is caused by reason (ii), a notification is provided to a user of the device.

Abstract: A method of performing a rate-distortion optimization process comprising, for each of a plurality of target image portions to be encoded in each of a plurality of frames, selecting a preferred one of a set of encoding modes by optimizing a function comprising an estimate of distortion for the target image portion and a measure of bit rate required to encode the target image portion, wherein the estimate of distortion is based on source coding distortion and an estimate of a distortion that would be experienced due to possible loss over the channel; encoding the target image portion into the encoded video stream using the selected encoding mode; and transmitting the encoded video stream over the channel. The rate-distortion optimization process for a current one of the frames is performed in dependence on feedback received from the receiving terminal based on an earlier one of the frames.

Abstract: Correction data units for data packets of a data stream are generated. A correction data unit is based on a set of the data packets of the stream. The stream is transmitted over a lossy communication channel. A performance measure to be optimized is selected, which relates to the recovery of lost data packets of the stream. A coding requirement is determined. For the generation of the correction data units, it is determined, within the constraints of the coding requirement and based on previously generated correction data units, which of the data packets in the stream to include in the set on which the generation of the correction data unit is to be based to thereby optimize the selected performance measure. A generated correction data unit is generated based on a respective set of the data packets of the stream. The generated correction data units are included in the stream.