Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090262727 | Communication system - A method of initiating a call from a device executing a client program via an access network is provided. The method comprises providing a network node with information associated with the device, receiving from the network node an indication of whether at least one access number for accessing the access network is available, wherein the availability of the access number is based on the information associated with the device, and selectively enabling an input means to receive a selection signal from a user of said device to initiate the call using the access number, wherein the input means is only enabled if it is indicated that the access number is available. | 10-22-2009 |
20100060477 | Communication system and method - 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. | 03-11-2010 |
20100060715 | Communication system and method - 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 arranged to generate a selection signal to control the selection means to output the video call data to the video buffer responsive to receiving a command to establish a video call from the user. | 03-11-2010 |
20100060788 | Communication system and method - 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 of a plurality of the entries comprises a graphical representation of a respective one of the plurality of contacts, and wherein the graphical representations are resized so as to fit in the entries of the second contact grid; receiving a selection of one of the graphical representations in the second contact grid from the user of the communication client; and initiating a communication event with the contact represented by the selected graphical representation via the packet-based communication network. | 03-11-2010 |
20100064328 | Communication system and method - 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 deactivated state, establish a wireless connection with the processor, and transmit data comprising audio signals from the microphone using the wireless communication means to the processor for transmission in a call over the packet-based communication network. | 03-11-2010 |
20100064329 | Communication system and method - 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. The client application is further programmed to control the notifications of incoming communication events in dependence on the selection of viewing activity. | 03-11-2010 |
20100098055 | Communication system and method - A method of controlling a connection between a user terminal and an access node connected to a communication network is provided. The user terminal establishes a data connection with the access node, periodically generates a message at predetermined intervals and transmits the periodic message to at least one network node via the access node over the communication network. Responses to the periodic messages are received from the at least one network node. The responses are analysed to determine whether to terminate the connection to the access node, and in the case that the connection to the access node should be terminated, a disconnect message is transmitted to the access node from the user terminal. | 04-22-2010 |
20100100951 | Communication system and method - A method of authenticating a user terminal with an access node providing restricted access to a communication network is provided. The method comprises the user terminal transmitting a request for an authentication token to a trusted network node via an unrestricted channel on the access node, the request comprising a network identity for a user of the user terminal. The network node verifies the identity of the user using the network identity, generates an authentication token and transmits the authentication token to the user terminal via the unrestricted channel. The user terminal derives login information from the authentication token and provides the login information to the access node. The access node authenticates the login information and removes the restricted access such that the communication network can be accessed by the user terminal. | 04-22-2010 |
20100290337 | Network access nodes - A communication system, method and program, the system comprising: one or more wireless access nodes of a first communication service provider and at least one server associated with a second communication service provider, interconnected via a packet-based network; and a wireless user terminal operable to establish a session with one of the wireless access nodes of the first communication service provider, the wireless user terminal is installed with an application of the second communication service provider. The application is configured so as to: in event of failure to establish a session via one of the wireless access nodes of the first communication service provider, store information regarding the failed session at the wireless user terminal; and in event of subsequent access to the packet-based network, transmit the information regarding the failed session to the server associated with the second communication service provider over the packet-based network. | 11-18-2010 |
20110110504 | Controlling Communications - A first network comprising: one or more first end-user computer terminals; a gateway to a second, packet-based network comprising one or more second end-user computer terminals installed with a communication client of the second network; one or more telephone units for performing calls with one of the second end-user computer terminals over the second network; wherein each of the one or more first end-user terminals is installed with a communication client for performing calls with the second end-user computer terminals over the second network; and wherein the gateway comprises switching apparatus configured to detect a user selection between a first state in which one of said calls is to be performed using one of said first end-user computer terminals and a second state in which the call is to be performed using one of said telephone units; and on condition of detecting the first state, to route both call set-up signalling and call media to the first end-user computer terminal; and on condition of detecting the second state, to route call set-up signalling to the first end-user terminal but route the call media to the telephone unit. | 05-12-2011 |
20110113029 | Matching Information Items - In one embodiment, a method of identifying the presence of matching information items in a network includes using a hashing scheme to generate a set of first hash values from a respective set of first information items stored at a first node and transmitting the set of first hash values over the network to a second node. The set of first hash values is compared at the second node with a set of second hash values generated, using the hashing scheme, from a respective set of second information items stored in the network, to thereby determine at least one matching hash value between the set of first hash values and the set of second hash values. The determined matching hash value is used to identify the presence of at least one matching information item between the set of first information items and the set of second information items. The hashing scheme is chosen so that a unique hash value in the hashing scheme indicates a sufficient number of information items to prevent the unique hash value being used as an identifier of a unique information item, such that the transmission of the set of first hash values to the second node does not disclose the set of first information items to the second node. | 05-12-2011 |
20110113149 | Contact Information In A Peer To Peer Communications Network - In one embodiment, a method of transmitting contact data in a peer to peer communications network includes transmitting a list of contacts from a first contact store to a first compare means. At the first compare means, the list of contacts from the first contact store is compared with a list of contacts from a second contact store to identify common contacts between the lists of contacts from the first and second contact stores, the first compare means outputting a contacts result based on the identification of the common contacts. At a second compare means, the contacts result output from the first compare means is compared with a list of contacts from a third contact store. An output of the second compare means is used to identify at least one contact to recommend as a new contact to a recommendee user in the network. The first contact store is at a node of the network and the first compare means is at another node of the network, and the list of contacts transmitted from the first contact store is transmitted over the network to the first compare means. | 05-12-2011 |
20110119490 | Controlling Communications - A gateway, program and method for use in a packet-based communication system. The gateway comprises: a connection to a public packet-based network comprising a public-network server and a plurality of public-network user terminals; a connection to a private packet-based network comprising a private-network server and a plurality of private-network user terminals each installed with a public-network communication client; a processing device arranged to receive a login request from a public-network client of a private-network user terminal, and in response to initiate both a private-network authentication procedure involving the private-network server and a public-network authentication procedure involving the public-network server, so as subject to both authentication procedures to enable establishment of a communication channel between one of the public-network user terminals and the public-network client of the private-network user terminal; wherein the processing device is further configured to apply a control policy to communications occurring over said channel. | 05-19-2011 |
20110243125 | COMMUNICATION USING A USER TERMINAL - Provided is a method of communicating using a user terminal that comprises: a first interface for exchanging call data with a first interface of a mobile communication device, wherein the mobile communication device comprises a second interface for interfacing with a node of a mobile telecommunications network, and wherein the first interface of the mobile communication device is unsuitable for interfacing with a node of a mobile telecommunications network; a second interface for exchanging call data with a second user terminal over a packet-based communication network; and a processor for executing a communications client, which processor is coupled to the first interface of the user terminal and to the second interface of the user terminal and is configured to participate in a call with the second user terminal via the second interface of the user terminal and the packet-based communication network; wherein the method comprises: sending call data via one of the first interface of the user terminal and the second interface of the user terminal during the call, on the basis of call data received via the other of the first interface of the user terminal and the second interface of the user terminal. | 10-06-2011 |
20120219009 | Transmission of Data in a Communication System - A node, such as a session node including any network node, located in a first network transmits data to one of a plurality of devices located in a second network. A determination is made that another device connected to the node is located in the second network. The node transmits to the other device located in the second network a message addressed to the one of said plurality of devices via the connection between the node and the other device effective to cause the message to be forwarded from the other device to the one of said plurality of devices via a connection established within the second network. | 08-30-2012 |
20120265996 | Permitting Access To A Network - Method and communication system for permitting access to a network via an access point, wherein the method comprises determining, at a first node of the communication system, at least one identifier of the access point. Using a predetermined encrypting function and the determined at least one identifier of the access point, access credentials are encrypted in such a way that the at least one identifier of the access point is required in order to decrypt the encrypted access credentials. The access credentials are for accessing the network via the access point. The encrypted access credentials are provided over the communication system to a second node of the communication system, and the second node determines the at least one identifier of the access point by communicating with the access point. The second node uses the determined at least one identifier of the access point to decrypt the encrypted access credentials using a predetermined decrypting function which corresponds to the predetermined encrypting function, and the second node uses the decrypted access credentials to access the network via the access point. | 10-18-2012 |
20120266217 | Permitting Access To A Network - Method and communication system for permitting access to a network by sharing access credentials over the communication system between first and second communication clients executed at respective first and second user terminals of respective first and second users of the communication system. The access credentials are for accessing the network. The method comprises the first communication client causing the access credentials to be stored in a first store of the first user terminal or of the communication system, and the first user authorising the second user to access the access credentials stored in the first store. The second communication client accesses the first store and retrieves the access credentials on the basis of the second user's authorisation to access the access credentials stored in the first store. The second communication client stores the retrieved access credentials in a second store at the second user terminal, and the second communication client uses the access credentials stored in the second store to access the network, without conveying the retrieved access credentials to the second user in a form which is comprehensible to the second user. | 10-18-2012 |
20130021949 | Distributing Information - Information related to a set of networks from a first node to a second node of a communication system can be distributed. A set of identifiers which belong to the set of networks can be stored at the first node. Hash values are generated at the first node for the identifiers in the set of identifiers using a hash function. The generated hash values are transmitted from the first node to the second node. The second node determines an identifier of a particular network available for communicating with the second node. The second node generates a hash value for the identifier using the hash function. The second node compares the hash value of the identifier with the hash values received at the second node from the first node to determine whether the particular network belongs to said set of networks. | 01-24-2013 |
20130159711 | Communication System and Method - Data can be transmitted from a user terminal to a decryption component over a network in a limited connectivity environment At the user terminal, the data can be received from a user. If it is determined that the data is sensitive data, the data is encrypted using a secure encryption key. A packet is generated based on a tunneling protocol. The packet includes command data and encrypted sensitive data. The command data includes an address of a network component, command and command identifier. The command identifies that the secure encryption key has been used to encrypt the sensitive data. At the network component identified in the address, the packet is received at a first port; the command is read; the packet is forwarded via a second port to the decryption component for decryption; and a response packet is forwarded, including a response and the command identifier, to the user terminal. | 06-20-2013 |
20140146802 | Communication System and Method - A method of controlling a connection between a user terminal and an access node connected to a communication network is provided. The user terminal establishes a data connection with the access node, periodically generates a message at predetermined intervals and transmits the periodic message to at least one network node via the access node over the communication network. Responses to the periodic messages are received from the at least one network node. The responses are analysed to determine whether to terminate the connection to the access node, and in the case that the connection to the access node should be terminated, a disconnect message is transmitted to the access node from the user terminal. | 05-29-2014 |
20150023216 | Distributing Information - Method and communication system for distributing information relating to a set of networks from a first node to a second node of the communication system, wherein a set of identifiers of respective networks which belong to the set of networks is stored at the first node. Hash values are generated at the first node for the identifiers in the set of identifiers using a hash function. The generated hash values are transmitted from the first node to the second node. The second node determines an identifier of a particular network which is available for communicating with the second node. The second node generates a hash value for the identifier of the particular network using the hash function. The second node then compares the hash value of the identifier of the particular network generated at the second node with the hash values received at the second node from the first node to thereby determine whether the particular network belongs to said set of networks. | 01-22-2015 |
20150046466 | Matching Information Items - In one embodiment, a method of identifying the presence of matching information items in a network includes using a hashing scheme to generate a set of first hash values from a respective set of first information items stored at a first node and transmitting the set of first hash values over the network to a second node. The set of first hash values is compared at the second node with a set of second hash values generated, using the hashing scheme, from a respective set of second information items stored in the network, to thereby determine at least one matching hash value between the set of first hash values and the set of second hash values. The determined matching hash value is used to identify the presence of at least one matching information item between the set of first information items and the set of second information items. The hashing scheme is chosen so that a unique hash value in the hashing scheme indicates a sufficient number of information items to prevent the unique hash value being used as an identifier of a unique information item, such that the transmission of the set of first hash values to the second node does not disclose the set of first information items to the second node. | 02-12-2015 |