Abstract

This disclosure provides a method of operating a User Equipment (UE) in a wireless telecommunications network, the wireless telecommunications network including a first access point, a second access point and a third access point, wherein the UE is connected to the first access point and the second and third access points communicate based on periodic time frames

IPC Classes  ?

• H04W 36/00 - Handoff or reselecting arrangements
• H04W 24/10 - Scheduling measurement reports

Abstract

An authentication method is disclosed in which a knowledge graph is provided for a user, wherein nodes of the knowledge graph represent entities associated with the user and edges of the knowledge graph represent semantic relationships between the entities. The method involves selecting a first node of the knowledge graph, identifying a second node of the knowledge graph such that information associated with the second node has a higher expected obviousness to the user than to an attacker, and generating an authentication challenge for the user based on the information associated with the second node. Also disclosed are a corresponding data processing apparatus, computer program and computer-readable data carrier.

IPC Classes  ?

• G06F 21/46 - Structures or tools for the administration of authentication by designing passwords or checking the strength of passwords
• G06F 16/901 - Indexing; Data structures therefor; Storage structures
• G06F 40/30 - Semantic analysis
• G06N 5/022 - Knowledge engineering; Knowledge acquisition
• G06N 20/00 - Machine learning
• G06Q 50/00 - Systems or methods specially adapted for specific business sectors, e.g. utilities or tourism
• H04L 9/40 - Network security protocols
• G06Q 30/00 - Commerce

Abstract

This invention provides a method in a cellular telecommunications network, and a node for implementing said method, the cellular telecommunications network comprising a plurality of transceivers, the method comprising the steps of: obtaining data including a Physical Cell Identifier, PCI, of each transceiver of the plurality of transceivers; identifying, based on the obtained data, a first PCI conflict between a first pair of transceivers of the plurality of transceivers and a second PCI conflict between a second pair of transceivers of the plurality of transceivers; determining that a solution priority of the first PCI conflict is greater than a solution priority of the second PCI conflict, wherein the solution priorities of the first and second PCI conflicts are based on a respective energy saving status of the respective first and second pairs of transceivers, wherein the energy saving status is one of a normal mode, an energy saving mode and a compensation mode; identifying a solution to the first PCI conflict; and causing a reconfiguration in the cellular telecommunications network to implement the identified solution.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04W 24/02 - Arrangements for optimising operational condition
• H04W 52/02 - Power saving arrangements
• H04L 5/00 - Arrangements affording multiple use of the transmission path
• H04W 24/04 - Arrangements for maintaining operational condition

Abstract

This invention provides a method in a cellular telecommunications network, and a node for implementing said method, the cellular telecommunications network comprising a plurality of transceivers, the method comprising the steps of: obtaining data indicating respective Physical Cell Identifiers, PCIs, of a first transceiver and a second transceiver of the plurality of transceivers and further indicating a current neighbouring relationship between the first and second transceivers, the current neighbouring relationship between the first and second transceivers being of a particular order; identifying, from the obtained data, a first potential PCI conflict for the first and second transceiver in the event of a reduction in the order of the current neighbouring relationship between the first and second transceivers; identifying a solution to the first potential PCI conflict; and causing a reconfiguration in the cellular telecommunications network to implement the identified solution.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04W 24/02 - Arrangements for optimising operational condition
• H04W 52/02 - Power saving arrangements

Abstract

A method of managing a network for delivering content to a client device, where content segments are delivered over multicast to a proxy. The received segments are stored at the proxy, before delivery of those segments is made from the proxy to the client device over unicast. Whilst the proxy receives further segments over multicast, it probes the network by making unicast requests for data (dummy data or additional content segments), and receiving those segments over unicast from the content server. The multicast rate reception rate and the unicast (probe) rate are measured and a maximum network throughput is calculated as the sum of these two rates. Subsequent segments are then delivered from the proxy to the client device at the calculated maximum network throughput rate, or at some rate dependent thereon. Thus, the client device will receive segments at a rate that is more indicative of the actual maximum network throughput, so can better use its adaptive bit rate algorithms to determine whether a switch to higher bit rate segments is appropriate.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04L 65/611 - Network streaming of media packets for supporting one-way streaming services, e.g. Internet radio for multicast or broadcast
• H04L 43/0888 - Throughput
• H04L 65/1069 - Session establishment or de-establishment
• H04L 65/612 - Network streaming of media packets for supporting one-way streaming services, e.g. Internet radio for unicast

Abstract

Sedentary behaviours of a person may be monitored for wellbeing. Captured sensor data depicting at least one sedentary person, and values of configuration parameters of a capture device used to capture the sensor data are received. The captured sensor data is processed to compute skeletal data of the person. The skeletal data is input to a classifier to obtain classification data, for a plurality of classes related to behaviour of the person. The configuration parameters are stored in association with the classification data and patterns are detected in the stored classification data. Values of the configuration parameters are adjusted using the detected patterns.

IPC Classes  ?

• G06V 40/20 - Movements or behaviour, e.g. gesture recognition

Abstract

An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, UAV, configurable to: incidentally collect wireless network data at a first level of detail; send the wireless network data to a controller; in response to receiving an instruction from the controller, collect wireless network data from the wireless network device at a second level of detail higher than the first level of detail; and send the wireless network data at the second level of detail to the controller.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04L 9/40 - Network security protocols
• H04W 12/121 - Wireless intrusion detection systems [WIDS]; Wireless intrusion prevention systems [WIPS]
• G08G 5/00 - Traffic control systems for aircraft

Abstract

A computer-implemented method, computer system and computer program are provided for detecting malicious domain names from a set of candidate domain names based on a set of reference domain names. The method uses natural language processing to generate vector representations of the domain names, each vector representation representing a respective domain name in the set of candidate domain names and the set of reference domain names. The method clusters the vector representations to generate clusters of domain names, the domain names within each cluster being similar to each other. The method analyses the clusters of domain names to identify at least one cluster comprising at least one domain name belonging to the set of candidate domain names and at least one domain name belonging to the set of reference domain names. The method provides an indication of one or more of the domain names in the set of candidate domain names included in the identified clusters as being malicious domain names.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04L 9/40 - Network security protocols
• H04L 61/30 - Managing network names, e.g. use of aliases or nicknames

Abstract

A device identification method, a device identification system and a device prediction component. The method can include determining, based on first power consumption data indicative of a first power consumption associated with a premises within a first time period, a predicted identity of an active device at the premises within a second time period subsequent to the first time period. A detected identity of the active device at the premises within the second time period is determined, based on second power consumption data indicative of a second power consumption associated with the premises within the second time period. A determined identity of the active device at the premises within the second time period is determined, based on at least one of the predicted identity and the detected identity.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01D 4/00 - Tariff metering apparatus

Abstract

This disclosure provides an electromagnetic field detector, and a method of operating the electromagnetic field detector in a wireless telecommunications network, the electromagnetic field detector including a first optical transmitter, a second optical transmitter, and a transmission medium, wherein the first optical transmitter is configured to transmit a probe signal at a probe frequency and the second optical transmitter is configured to transmit a coupling signal at a coupling frequency, wherein the probe frequency is set to excite electrons of the transmission medium from a ground state to a first excited state and the coupling frequency is set to excite electrons of the transmission medium to a predetermined excited state so as to induce an Electromagnetic Induced Transparency (EIT) effect such that an incident electromagnetic field at the transmission medium causes a detectable change in the probe signal.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01R 29/08 - Measuring electromagnetic field characteristics

Abstract

Methods are described of managing content delivery to a client device by a proxy, relating to the proxy determining whether to leave the multicast channel it has previously joined. The aim is to decide to remain joined to the multicast channel if the client device is expected to continue to request content segments at the quality level being delivered on the multicast channel; and to decide to leave the multicast channel if the client device is likely to request a significant number of content segments at a different quality level to that being delivered on the multicast channel.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04L 65/611 - Network streaming of media packets for supporting one-way streaming services, e.g. Internet radio for multicast or broadcast
• H04L 65/612 - Network streaming of media packets for supporting one-way streaming services, e.g. Internet radio for unicast
• H04L 65/80 - Responding to QoS
• H04L 67/1014 - Server selection for load balancing based on the content of a request
• H04N 21/266 - Channel or content management, e.g. generation and management of keys and entitlement messages in a conditional access system or merging a VOD unicast channel into a multicast channel

Abstract

A method of operating a telecommunications network (100), said telecommunications network being accessible to a User Equipment (UE) (102) and comprising a cellular telecommunications network (104-2) and a fixed-access telecommunications network (104-1), the method comprising the steps of: providing a set of user plane functions for processing user traffic for the UE, said set comprising at least two user plane functions; providing a combined user plane function (210) for processing user traffic for the UE according to the set of user plane functions; following establishing a network connection between the UE and the cellular telecommunications network via the fixed-access telecommunications network (510), identifying inefficient routing of user traffic associated with the UE (520), said inefficient routing comprising routing user traffic to at least the set of user plane functions; in response to identifying inefficient routing, re-routing user traffic associated with the UE to the combined user plane function so as to process the user traffic at the combined user plane function instead of at the set of user plane functions (530).

IPC Classes  ?

• H04L 47/22 - Traffic shaping
• H04L 47/31 - Flow control; Congestion control by tagging of packets, e.g. using discard eligibility [DE] bits
• H04W 76/10 - Connection setup

Abstract

A user device determines a likelihood that a current user of the user device is an authorised user. It then selects a subset of a plurality of types of sensor data obtained by the user device, the subset's size being determined in dependence on the determined likelihood. The user device then transmits one or more reports, each report comprising one or more of the selected one or more types of sensor data.

IPC Classes  ?

• G06F 21/55 - Detecting local intrusion or implementing counter-measures
• G06F 21/88 - Detecting or preventing theft or loss

Abstract

Described are methods of managing content delivery to a client device by a proxy, where the content is made up of a sequence of content segments and each segment is encoded at a plurality of bit rates or quality levels. The proxy starts off by receiving content requests from the client device over unicast, and fulfilling those requests by forwarding them to a content server. In response, the proxy receives the content over unicast from the content server and forwards it onto the client device. Then, the proxy determines whether to join a multicast channel in order to satisfy the requests from the client device for content segments, where the decision is made taking into account the quality levels of the segments requested, as well as the impact that joining the multicast channel could have on bandwidth of the network connection from the content source to the proxy. The examples can be viewed as multicast join policies.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04L 65/611 - Network streaming of media packets for supporting one-way streaming services, e.g. Internet radio for multicast or broadcast
• H04L 65/612 - Network streaming of media packets for supporting one-way streaming services, e.g. Internet radio for unicast
• H04L 65/80 - Responding to QoS
• H04L 67/1014 - Server selection for load balancing based on the content of a request
• H04N 21/266 - Channel or content management, e.g. generation and management of keys and entitlement messages in a conditional access system or merging a VOD unicast channel into a multicast channel

Abstract

This disclosure provides a method of receiving a plurality of data streams at an electromagnetic field receiver in a wireless telecommunications network, including obtaining data indicating detection of a first electromagnetic field incident at a transmission medium during a timeslot of a first subset of a plurality of timeslots; associating the detected first electromagnetic field with a first data stream of a plurality of data streams; obtaining data indicating detection of a second electromagnetic field incident at the transmission medium during a timeslot of a second subset of the plurality of timeslots; and associating the detected second electromagnetic field with a second data stream of the plurality of data streams.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04B 10/60 - Receivers

Abstract

A computer implemented method of identifying anomalous behavior of a computer system in a set of intercommunicating computer systems can include monitoring communication between computer systems in the set to generate, for each of a first and second plurality of time periods, with a first and second duration respectively, a first and a second vector representation of each of the computer systems. First vector representations corresponding to different respective ones of the first plurality of time periods are compared to identify behavior of a target computer system at a first temporal resolution. Second vector representations corresponding to different respective ones of the second plurality of time periods are compared to identify behavior of the target computer system at a second temporal resolution. Based on the behavior at one or more of the first and second temporal resolutions, anomalous behavior of the target computer system is identified.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04L 9/40 - Network security protocols

Abstract

A method of selecting an algorithm from a plurality of candidate algorithms for use by a processor-controlled device to perform an application. A respective value for one or more resource characteristics of the device is obtained. Based on the one or more values, one or more analogous reference devices having similar resource characteristics to the device are identified. One or more reference performance values for execution of each of the plurality of candidate algorithms on each of the analogous reference devices are obtained. The algorithm is selected based on the one or more reference performance values.

IPC Classes  ?

• G06F 9/50 - Allocation of resources, e.g. of the central processing unit [CPU]
• G06F 11/30 - Monitoring
• G06F 11/34 - Recording or statistical evaluation of computer activity, e.g. of down time, of input/output operation
• H04L 9/14 - Arrangements for secret or secure communications; Network security protocols using a plurality of keys or algorithms

Abstract

A computer implemented method of a machine learning algorithm modelling a target function mapping inputs in an input domain to outputs in an output range, the machine learning algorithm including an array of processing nodes arranged in a network of layers of nodes including an input layer for receiving an input value, an output layer for providing an output value, and one or more intermediate layers between the input and output layers, each node in the processing set being outside the input layer receiving input from at least some adjacent nodes logically closer to the input layer via weighted connections between nodes, and each node being outside the output layer generating output to at least some adjacent nodes logically closer to the output layer via weighted connections between nodes, wherein each node includes: an adjustable weight for application to each input to the node, the adjustment weight being responsive to a threshold function applied to a value of the node input; a combination function for combining outputs of the threshold function; and a node bypass function for selectively mapping one or more of the inputs to the node to the output of the node, the method comprising iteratively training the machine learning algorithm to model the target function by adjustment, at each iteration, of at least weights of connections between at least a subset of the nodes, such that the nodes of the network are programmable during operation of the algorithm by adjustment of the threshold function and the bypass function so as to selectively emphasise subsets of nodes in the network.

IPC Classes  ?

• G06N 3/08 - Learning methods

Abstract

This disclosure provides a method of operating a first User Equipment (UE) in a cellular telecommunications network, the cellular telecommunications network including a first base station and a second base station, wherein the first base station serves the first UE, the method including sending a measurement report to the first base station, the measurement report including an identifier for each UE of a plurality of UE requiring handover; and sending a handover command message to each UE of the plurality of UE requiring handover, the handover command message identifying the second base station as a handover target, so as to initiate an access request from each UE of the plurality of UE to the second base station.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04W 36/00 - Handoff or reselecting arrangements

Abstract

A method (200) of operating a radio access point (115), providing a radio access network for a telecommunications network (100), comprising a plurality of antenna elements (122), the method comprising the steps of: determining a performance requirement for a network slice to which a User Equipment (110), UE, of the telecommunications network is allocated (230); selecting, in dependence upon said determined performance requirement, a spatial arrangement of a subset of the plurality of antenna elements (230); reserving the selected subset for use only by the network slice (250); and communicating a network communication between the radio access point and the UE using only the subset of antenna elements (540).

IPC Classes  ?

• H04W 24/02 - Arrangements for optimising operational condition

Abstract

An intrusion response system (IRS) can include a knowledge-based intrusion response (IR) component configured to use knowledge of prior responses to prior behavior of at least one computer system to determine a first response to behavior of a target computer system; a prediction-based IR component configured to use at least one trained machine learning (ML) model of behavior of the target computer system to predict a second response to the behavior of the target computer system; and a response component configured to determine an output response to the behavior of the target computer system based on at least one of the first response and the second response.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04L 9/40 - Network security protocols

Abstract

A computer implemented method for authenticating a user, the method including receiving an authentication request from a first computer system, the authentication request including an indication of an identity of the user to be authenticated; receiving one or more authentication factors for verifying the identity of the user, the one or more authentication factors including at least one authentication factor obtained from a second computer system associated with the user having the indicated identity; receiving an auxiliary authentication factor, the auxiliary authentication factor comprising data for verifying that the second computer system is currently in the possession of the user having the indicated identity; and verifying the identity of the user based on the one or more authentication factors and the auxiliary authentication factor.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04L 9/40 - Network security protocols

Abstract

A method of transmitting precoded signals can include precoding an optical signal to produce a precoded optical signal, transmitting a precoded optical signal over an optical portion of a first transmission channel, converting the precoded optical signal to a first MIMO signal, transmitting the first MIMO signal over a wireless portion of the first transmission channel, transmitting the precoded optical signal over an optical portion of a second transmission channel, converting the precoded optical signal to a second MIMO signal; transmitting the second MIMO signal over a wireless portion of the second transmission channel; wherein the precoding takes account of both first channel state information associated with the first transmission channel and second channel state information associated with the second transmission channel.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04B 7/0456 - Selection of precoding matrices or codebooks, e.g. using matrices for antenna weighting

Abstract

This invention provides a network node comprising: an optical fibre interface configured to receive, from one or more remote optical sources, a first optical signal, a second optical signal and a third optical signal, wherein the first, second and third optical signals each have a respective wavelength within an optical fibre transmission band being one of the O-band, E-band, S-band, C-band, L-band, and U/XL-band; one or more wavelength converters configured to convert the wavelength of one or more of the first optical signal, second optical signal and third optical signal; and a Rydberg-atom based transmission medium configured to be excited by the first optical signal, second optical signal and third optical signal, following wavelength conversion of one or more of the first optical signal, second optical signal and third optical signal, such that electrons of the Rydberg-atom based transmission medium are excited to a predetermined Rydberg state.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04B 10/67 - Optical arrangements in the receiver
• G01R 29/08 - Measuring electromagnetic field characteristics
• H04J 14/02 - Wavelength-division multiplex systems

Abstract

A computer-implemented method for 3D reconstruction of a target is provided, comprising obtaining an initial global reconstruction of the target in a 3D space, inferred by a global machine learning model; providing, to a user, an initial visualisation of the target based on the reconstruction; receiving, from the user, at least one indication of at least one point of interest in the visualisation; resampling at least one first subsection of the target based on the at least one point of interest to obtain local data, wherein the local data is associated with the subsection based on spatial information that associates the local data with a point in 3D space; inputting the resampled local data and spatial information into a local feature machine learning model to obtain at least one 3D reconstruction of the target, wherein the local feature machine learning model has been trained to output a target reconstruction from local data of resampled subsections, and wherein the 3D coordinate system of the local 3D reconstruction aligns with the global 3D reconstruction; and merging the global 3D reconstruction with the local 3D reconstruction. A corresponding computer system and computer readable medium may also be provided.

IPC Classes  ?

• G06T 17/00 - 3D modelling for computer graphics
• G06T 19/20 - Editing of 3D images, e.g. changing shapes or colours, aligning objects or positioning parts
• G06T 7/50 - Depth or shape recovery

Abstract

A method (300) of operating a radio access point (115) so as to provide network slicing functionality, said radio access point providing a radio access network for a telecommunications network (100) and said radio access point comprising a plurality of antenna elements (122), the method comprises the steps of: reserving a portion of the plurality of antenna elements for use only by a given network slice, the reserved antenna elements forming a set of antenna elements (200); receiving instructions to transmit a network communication to a User Equipment (UE) of the telecommunication network; identifying that the UE is allocated to the given network slice; transmitting the network communication to the UE by the radio access point using only of the set of antenna elements.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04W 16/10 - Dynamic resource partitioning
• H04B 7/06 - Diversity systems; Multi-antenna systems, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas using two or more spaced independent antennas at the transmitting station

Abstract

There is herein provided a provided a method of wireless sensing that can include, at a transmitter which is a component of a transceiver device, transmitting a wireless signal such that the transmitted wireless signal is scattered by an object so as to produce a scattered signal, at a receiver which is a component of the transceiver device, receiving the scattered signal, performing processing on the wireless signal before it is transmitted and/or on the received scattered signal, the processing including an indication of self-coupling occurring at the transceiver device, following the processing, using the received signal to determine information relating to the object, the information including one or more of: a location of the object; a direction of movement of the object; or a speed of the object.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01S 13/72 - Radar-tracking systems; Analogous systems for two-dimensional tracking, e.g. combination of angle and range tracking, track-while-scan radar
• G01S 7/292 - Extracting wanted echo-signals

Abstract

An intrusion prevention system, computer-implemented method, computer system and computer program for protecting a network are provided. The system comprises one or more intrusion detection systems. The system further comprises a packet analyser for routing packets within the network that are received from another network. The packet analyser is configured to: receive a packet destined for a computer system within the network; extract one or more features relating to the packet; use a classification model to determine whether the packet is malicious based on the extracted features; prevent delivery of the packet to the computer system in response to determining that the packet is malicious; and deliver the packet to at least one of the intrusion detection systems in the absence of a determination that the packet is malicious. The one or more intrusion detection systems are configured to provide a notification to the packet analyser of any packets that they determine to be malicious. The packet analyser is further configured to train the classification model based on the notification from the one or more intrusion detection systems.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04L 9/40 - Network security protocols
• H04W 12/08 - Access security

Abstract

A computer implemented method of controlling access by a requesting user to a restricted resource in an extended reality environment, the method comprising: permitting access, by the requesting user, to the restricted resource; monitoring characteristics of the requesting user during use of the restricted resource, the characteristics including one or more of biometric and behavioural information for the user accessing the resource; accessing a profile data store containing a plurality of profiles of users having accessed the restricted resource, each profile including at least one of biometric and behavioural information for a respective user accessing the resource; responsive to a determination that the characteristics of the requesting user corresponds to at least one profile, inhibiting access, by the requesting user, to the restricted resource.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04L 9/40 - Network security protocols

Abstract

This invention provides an electromagnetic field detector, a system comprising the electromagnetic field detector, and a method of operating an electromagnetic field detector, the electromagnetic field detector comprising a first optical signal interface configured to receive, from one or more remote optical sources, a first optical signal; an electromagnetic field transmitter configured to transmit a local oscillator electromagnetic field generated from the first optical signal, the electromagnetic field transmitter comprising: a photocurrent generator configured to generate a photocurrent from the first optical signal; and an antenna interface configured to supply the photocurrent to an antenna to transmit the local oscillator electromagnetic field; a second optical signal interface configured to receive, from the one or more remote optical sources, a probe optical signal and a coupling optical signal; and a transmission medium configured to be excited by the probe optical signal and further excited by the coupling optical signal, wherein the probe optical signal has a probe frequency set to excite electrons of the transmission medium to a first excited state and the coupling optical signal has a coupling frequency set to excite electrons of the transmission medium to a predetermined Rydberg state so as to induce an Electromagnetic Induced Transparency, EIT, effect, wherein the transmission medium is further configured to receive a phase-modulated electromagnetic field from a remote transmitter and the local oscillator electromagnetic field such that the combination of the phase-modulated electromagnetic field and the local oscillator electromagnetic field causes a change in the probe optical signal from which a phase state of the phase-modulated electromagnetic field can be detected.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01R 29/08 - Measuring electromagnetic field characteristics
• H04B 10/50 - Transmitters

Abstract

A method (300) of operating a radio access point (115) so as to provide network slicing functionality, said radio access point providing a radio access network for a telecommunications network (100) and said radio access point comprising a plurality of antenna elements (122), the method comprising the steps of: reserving a portion of the plurality of antenna elements for use only by a given network slice, the reserved portion of antenna element(s) forming a set of antenna elements (200); receiving, at each of the plurality of antenna elements, a wireless signal from a User Equipment (UE) of the telecommunication network identifying the UE from the received wireless signal; determining that the identified UE is allocated to the given network slice; in response to said determining, the radio access point processing only the wireless signal as received by the set of antenna elements.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04B 7/06 - Diversity systems; Multi-antenna systems, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas using two or more spaced independent antennas at the transmitting station
• H04W 16/10 - Dynamic resource partitioning

Abstract

Methods and systems for deciding whether, when, for how long, and/or where insertable image content will be displayed on top of a video presentation (i.e. existing image content) are disclosed. This can be for the imminent placement of insertable image content or a delayed placement of insertable image content. The decision making process depends upon the generation of a ‘cool map’. A cool map is a weighted map of the screen real estate that shows the areas that it would be practical to place insertable image content.

IPC Classes  ?

• G06T 5/50 - Image enhancement or restoration by the use of more than one image, e.g. averaging, subtraction
• G06T 3/40 - Scaling of a whole image or part thereof
• G06T 7/11 - Region-based segmentation
• G06V 10/44 - Local feature extraction by analysis of parts of the pattern, e.g. by detecting edges, contours, loops, corners, strokes or intersections; Connectivity analysis, e.g. of connected components

Abstract

A computer implemented method of pre-processing an input text for a natural language processing operation based on a training corpus of documents, can include accessing a set of stop words including predetermined words for de-emphasis in the text for the natural language processing operation, the set of stop words being separated into at least two subsets including a first subset and a second subset, the second subset containing stop words predetermined to be of potential semantic significance to documents in the training corpus; tokenizing documents in a training corpus to an ordered set of corpus tokens; removing, from the set of corpus tokens, tokens corresponding to stop words in the first subset of stop words; generating a set of n-grams by identifying n-grams from groups of tokens in the set of corpus tokens based on predetermined rules for n-gram identification; tokenizing the input text to an ordered set of input text tokens; identifying groups of tokens in the set of input text tokens corresponding to n-grams in the set of n-grams and replacing, in the set of input text tokens, each identified group of tokens by a singular n-gram token; removing, from the set of input text tokens, tokens corresponding to stop words in the second subset of stop words; and processing the input text by the natural language processing operation based on the set of input text tokens for the input text.

IPC Classes  ?

• G06F 40/284 - Lexical analysis, e.g. tokenisation or collocates

Abstract

A computer implemented method of clustering computer systems in a plurality of systems to identify computer systems being subject to a common security occurrence, each computer system generating data records corresponding to security events in respect the systems, the method comprising: receiving a set of one or more data records associated with each computer system, each record including a sequence of data fields; generate a vector embedding for each data field in each record; evaluate a distance of each vector embedding from a reference vector as an indicator of semantic distance; identifying similar data records based on a measure of a degree of similarity of the distances of vector embeddings for each record; defining a cluster of computer systems including computer systems associated with the similar data records for applying protective measures to the computer systems in the cluster.

IPC Classes  ?

• G06F 21/56 - Computer malware detection or handling, e.g. anti-virus arrangements
• G06F 40/279 - Recognition of textual entities

Abstract

A method of processing a plurality of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) signals for transmission over a plurality of communication channels can include precoding the plurality of signals prior to transmission, the precoding incorporating channel state information in relation to the plurality of communication channels, the precoding further incorporating: a priority ranking of a first channel of the plurality of communication channels relative to a second channel of the plurality of communication channels; and/or an error rate required by a channel of the plurality of communication channels; and/or an amount of noise experienced by a channel of the plurality of communication channels.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04B 7/0456 - Selection of precoding matrices or codebooks, e.g. using matrices for antenna weighting
• H04B 7/06 - Diversity systems; Multi-antenna systems, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas using two or more spaced independent antennas at the transmitting station

Abstract

This disclosure provides a method of controlling a transmission of a wireless signal in a wireless telecommunications network, the wireless telecommunications network including a transmitter, a multi-layer transmissive Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface (RIS) including a first transmissive RIS layer and a last transmissive RIS layer, and a receiver.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04B 7/06 - Diversity systems; Multi-antenna systems, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas using two or more spaced independent antennas at the transmitting station
• H04B 7/04 - Diversity systems; Multi-antenna systems, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas using two or more spaced independent antennas

Abstract

A method of configuring a network slice subnet instance on a radio access node in a wireless telecommunications network. Transceiver data identifying one or more properties of the radio access node is received. The transceiver data is processed to determine capabilities of the radio access node, wherein the capabilities indicate, for a plurality of different counts of network slice subnet instances implementable on the radio access node, a set of operating values for one or more operating parameters. Based on the determined capabilities, a count of network slice subnet instances to implement on the radio access node and the operating values for one or more operating parameters for each network slice subnet instance are selected. One or more network slice subnet instances on the radio access node are configured based on the selection. This application also relates to a computer program and a network node.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04W 48/18 - Selecting a network or a communication service
• H04W 48/16 - Discovering; Processing access restriction or access information
• H04L 41/5019 - Ensuring fulfilment of SLA

Abstract

This invention relates to methods and systems for determining whether a reference point in a location system has changed using the entropy of channel impulse responses. In one embodiment a method of determining whether the location of a first one of a plurality of reference points used in a location system has changed is provided. The reference points each have a known initial position and the method includes the steps of: estimating a channel impulse response of a wireless channel between the first reference point and a second of said plurality of reference points; determining the difference between the estimated channel impulse response and a previously-estimated channel impulse response of the wireless channel; estimating an entropy of the difference between the channel impulse responses; and determining, from said comparison, whether the location of the first reference point has changed. In another embodiment the method includes the steps of: estimating an entropy of the channel impulse response of a wireless channel between the first reference point and a second of said plurality of reference points; comparing the estimated entropy to a previously-estimated entropy for the channel impulse response of the wireless channel; determining, from said comparison, whether the location of the first reference point has changed.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04L 25/02 - Baseband systems - Details
• H04W 64/00 - Locating users or terminals for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management

Abstract

This invention relates to methods and devices for detection of motion. Embodiments of the invention provide a method of detecting motion of an object using a wireless transceiver device, the method including the steps of: transmitting wireless signals from a transmitter element in the transceiver device, the signals being reflected by the object; receiving the signals reflected by the object in a receiver element in the transceiver device; estimating at least one channel characteristic from the reflected signals; applying a time and/or frequency domain analysis to the estimated channel characteristic; detecting any variation in the estimated channel characteristic over time; and detecting motion of the object based on the detected variation. A wireless transceiver device arranged to detect motion is also provided.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01S 13/62 - Sense-of-movement determination
• G01S 7/00 - RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES - Details of systems according to groups , ,
• G01S 7/03 - RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES - Details of systems according to groups , , of systems according to group - Details of HF subsystems specially adapted therefor, e.g. common to transmitter and receiver

Abstract

There is herein disclosed an apparatus for performing quantum key distribution, the apparatus comprising a plurality of connected functional components which, in use, co-operate to perform quantum key distribution, wherein one or more of the plurality of functional components are functionally disconnectable from, and re-connectable to, the remainder of the plurality of functional components.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04L 9/08 - Key distribution

Abstract

There is herein disclosed an apparatus for performing quantum key distribution, the apparatus comprising a first quantum terminal, the first quantum terminal being one of a first quantum transmitter/receiver pair, and a second quantum terminal, the second quantum terminal being one of a second quantum transmitter/receiver pair, wherein the first quantum terminal comprises a plurality of connected functional components which, in use, co-operate to perform quantum key distribution with the other of the first quantum transmitter/receiver pair, wherein, in use, one or more of the plurality of connected functional components co-operates with the second quantum terminal to perform quantum key distribution with the other of the second quantum transmitter/receiver pair.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04L 9/08 - Key distribution

Abstract

A computer system comprising a plurality of computers. each computer comprising at least one processor, respectively, such that the computer system comprises a plurality of processors, and an orchestration system comprising an orchestrator. The orchestration system is configured to: forecast a traffic load of the plurality of processors to obtain a forecast traffic load: determine, in dependence on the forecast traffic load, a clock frequency for each of the plurality of processors so as to decrease a power consumption of the computer system; and using the orchestrator, instruct adjustment of the clock frequency for each respective processor of the plurality of processors to the clock frequency determined for the respective processor. This patent application further relates to a telecommunications network comprising a computer system, and an orchestration system.

IPC Classes  ?

• G06F 1/324 - Power saving characterised by the action undertaken by lowering clock frequency
• G06F 1/3206 - Monitoring of events, devices or parameters that trigger a change in power modality
• G06F 9/455 - Emulation; Interpretation; Software simulation, e.g. virtualisation or emulation of application or operating system execution engines
• H04L 41/40 - Arrangements for maintenance, administration or management of data switching networks, e.g. of packet switching networks using virtualisation of network functions or resources, e.g. SDN or NFV entities
• H04L 67/10 - Protocols in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network

Abstract

There is herein disclosed an apparatus for performing quantum key distribution, the apparatus comprising a plurality of connected functional components which, in use, co-operate to perform quantum key distribution, wherein one or more of the plurality of functional components is provisioned in a module, the module being relocatable relative to the remainder of the plurality of functional components.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04L 9/08 - Key distribution

Abstract

This invention provides a network node for configuring a Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface, RIS, in a wireless telecommunications network, the wireless telecommunications network comprising a transmitting node and a receiving node, the network node comprising a configuration module configured to: configure the RIS according to a beam training codebook so as to define a training beam pair; obtain data indicative of a direction between the RIS and the receiving node, the direction between the RIS and receiving node derivable from the powers of each beam of the training beam pair at the receiving node; and configure the RIS according to a data transmission codebook, the data transmission codebook defining a data transmission beam in the direction between the RIS and the receiving node. This invention also provides a receiving node in a wireless telecommunications network, the wireless telecommunications network comprising a transmitting node and a Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface, RIS, the receiving node comprising: a receiver configured to receive a training beam pair transmitted by the transmitting node and reflected by the RIS; a measurement module configured to determine the power of each training beam of the training beam pair at the receiving node; and a processor configured to determine a direction between the RIS and the receiving node based on the powers of each beam of the training beam pair at the receiving node.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04B 7/06 - Diversity systems; Multi-antenna systems, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas using two or more spaced independent antennas at the transmitting station

Abstract

This invention provides a network node for configuring a Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface, RIS, in a wireless telecommunications network, the wireless telecommunications network comprising a transmitting node and a receiving node, the network node comprising a configuration module configured to: configure the RIS according to a beam training codebook so as to define a training beam pair; obtain data indicative of a direction between the RIS and the receiving node, the direction between the RIS and receiving node derivable from the powers of each beam of the training beam pair at the receiving node; and configure the RIS according to a data transmission codebook, the data transmission codebook defining a data transmission beam in the direction between the RIS and the receiving node. This invention also provides a receiving node in a wireless telecommunications network, the wireless telecommunications network comprising a transmitting node and a Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface, RIS, the receiving node comprising: a receiver configured to receive a training beam pair transmitted by the transmitting node and reflected by the RIS; a measurement module configured to determine the power of each training beam of the training beam pair at the receiving node; and a processor configured to determine a direction between the RIS and the receiving node based on the powers of each beam of the training beam pair at the receiving node.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04B 7/04 - Diversity systems; Multi-antenna systems, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas using two or more spaced independent antennas

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for providing media content to client devices configured to render received media content for displaying as a video presentation. In one aspect, the method includes providing a primary stream to the client devices including data corresponding to a full area of the media content when displayed as a video presentation on a client device, receiving field-of-view reports from respective client devices indicating a portion of the full area selected for viewing by a viewer, determining a common area of interest within the media content, and providing a supplementary stream to one or more of the client devices configured to include a subset of the primary stream selected in dependence on the common area of interest. If the common area of interest corresponds to a variable spatial area of the media content, the supplementary stream comprises data corresponding to the variable spatial area.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04N 21/4728 - End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification or for manipulating displayed content for selecting a ROI [Region Of Interest], e.g. for requesting a higher resolution version of a selected region
• H04N 21/2187 - Live feed
• H04N 21/81 - Monomedia components thereof
• H04N 21/258 - Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics or processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data
• H04N 21/442 - Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. detecting the failure of a recording device, monitoring the downstream bandwidth, the number of times a movie has been viewed or the storage space available from the internal hard disk
• H04N 21/6405 - Multicasting

Abstract

A method (200) of operating a hybrid access telecommunications network (100), said telecommunications network comprising a client device (1 10) and a core network (130) connected therebetween via a plurality of network paths, each network path being established by a different access network (120), the method comprising the steps of: sending (210) and then receiving (220), over each of the plurality of network paths, a lightweight packet train between the client device and the core network; measuring dispersion of each received packet train; determining a relative network performance of the plurality of network paths using said measured dispersions (230); and configuring the telecommunications network so as to send subsequent network communications between the client device and the core network over the plurality of network paths in dependence on the determined relative network performance of the plurality of network paths (250).

IPC Classes  ?

• H04L 43/10 - Active monitoring, e.g. heartbeat, ping or trace-route
• H04L 43/50 - Testing arrangements
• H04W 28/08 - Load balancing or load distribution
• H04W 24/02 - Arrangements for optimising operational condition
• H04W 24/06 - Testing using simulated traffic

Abstract

Examples relate to a method of performing HTTP redirects. An intermediary node, such as a home gateway, receives an HTTP request from a client device for a resource located at a content server. The intermediary node, such as a gateway device, determines that the resource is one that could be provided instead by a different source from that of the content server, for example instead by a proxy that is be co-located with the intermediary node. The intermediary node then performs network address translation to modify the source port number associated with the HTTP request to one from a predetermined set of source port numbers, before forwarding the HTTP request with the modified source port number to the content server. The content server receives the request and determines that the source port of the HTTP request is one of the predetermined set of source port numbers, and thus sends an HTTP redirect message to the client device, wherein the HTTP redirect message is addressed to a domain associated with the proxy.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04L 67/562 - Brokering proxy services
• H04L 67/02 - Protocols based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• H04L 67/563 - Data redirection of data network streams
• H04L 61/2517 - Translation of Internet protocol [IP] addresses using port numbers
• H04L 61/2514 - Translation of Internet protocol [IP] addresses between local and global IP addresses

Abstract

There is herein provided a method of determining whether one or more pairs of qubits are quantum-entangled, the method comprising: performing a Bell State measurement on a first qubit, the first qubit being from a first multi-partite quantum-entangled state and a second qubit, the second qubit being from a second multi-partite quantum-entangled state, performing a Bell Inequality test on a third qubit, the third qubit being from the first multipartite quantum-entangled state and a fourth qubit, the fourth qubit being from the second quantum-entangled state, determining, using an outcome of the Bell Inequality test, whether a fifth qubit, the fifth qubit being from the first multipartite quantum-entangled state is quantum-entangled with a sixth qubit, the sixth qubit being from the second multi-partite quantum-entangled state.

IPC Classes  ?

• G06N 10/60 - Quantum algorithms, e.g. based on quantum optimisation, or quantum Fourier or Hadamard transforms

Abstract

An authentication method using a plurality of physical unclonable functions (PUFs). The plurality of PUFs includes a first PUF associated with a first device and a second PUF associated with a second device. A surface pattern of the first PUF corresponds to a surface pattern of the second PUF. The method includes obtaining a first response to a challenge using the first PUF, sending a request to the second device for a second response to the challenge obtained used the second PUF, receiving the second response, and determining whether the second device is authenticated based on a comparison between the first response and the second response.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04L 9/32 - Arrangements for secret or secure communications; Network security protocols including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system
• G01N 21/45 - Refractivity; Phase-affecting properties, e.g. optical path length using Schlieren methods
• G01N 21/95 - Investigating the presence of flaws, defects or contamination characterised by the material or shape of the object to be examined

Abstract

This invention provides a method of operating a wireless local area network, the wireless local area network including a user device, a wireless access point and a wireless repeater, wherein the wireless repeater is configured to virtualise a Media Access Control, MAC, address of the user device when the user device is connected to the wireless repeater by changing the Organisationally Unique Identifier, OUI, of the MAC address, the method comprising the steps of: obtaining data including a plurality of records, wherein each record of the plurality of records relates to the user device and includes a MAC address and a device label of the user device, wherein at least one record of the plurality of records includes a MAC address that has been virtualised by the wireless repeater; processing each record of the plurality of records by: determining that the MAC address of the processed record is a local MAC address, and, if so, identifying another record of the plurality of records that is uniquely associated with the user device based on the MAC address of the processed record by determining a Network Interface Controller, NIC, value of the MAC address of the processed record, determining that the determined NIC value is uniquely associated with a device label in the plurality of records, and identifying another record of the plurality of records having the associated device label, and assigning a unique identifier to the processed record based on the MAC address of the identified other record of the plurality of records; analysing the plurality of records having the unique device identifier; and causing a reconfiguration in the wireless local area network based on the analysis.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04L 61/2596 - Translation of addresses of the same type other than IP, e.g. translation from MAC to MAC addresses
• H04L 41/0893 - Assignment of logical groups to network elements
• H04L 41/12 - Discovery or management of network topologies
• H04L 101/604 - Address structures or formats
• H04L 101/622 - Layer-2 addresses, e.g. medium access control [MAC] addresses

Abstract

This invention provides a method of operating a wireless local area network, the wireless local area network including a user device, a wireless access point and a wireless repeater, wherein the wireless repeater is configured to virtualise a Media Access Control, MAC, address of the user device when the user device is connected to the wireless repeater, the method comprising the steps of: obtaining data including a first plurality of records, wherein each record of the first plurality of records relates to the user device and includes a MAC address and a signal strength value; obtaining data including a second plurality of records, wherein each record of the second plurality of records includes a Basic Service Set Identifier, BSSID, and a signal strength value; for each MAC address in the first plurality of records: identifying a record of the second plurality of records having a BSSID that sufficiently matches the MAC address by determining a similarity between an Organisationally Unique Identifier, OUI, of the BSSID and the OUI of the MAC address, determining that a difference between the signal strength value associated with the identified record of the second plurality of records and the signal strength value associated with the MAC address of the first plurality of records is within a threshold, assigning a first hop repeater identifier to each record of the first plurality of records having the MAC address based on the BSSID of the identified record of the second plurality of records; and causing a reconfiguration in the wireless local area network based on the first hop repeater identifier.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04L 45/74 - Address processing for routing
• H04W 40/02 - Communication route or path selection, e.g. power-based or shortest path routing

Abstract

Apportioning of Data Traffic Between Communication Channels Methods and apparatus are disclosed for apportioning data traffic between a plurality of different communication channels, the data traffic to be apportioned being data traffic travelling to and/or from at least one user-device (102a, 102b) in a local area network (100) in which a plurality of network-reliant applications are used, the data traffic in respect of the network-reliant applications travelling via a local area network gateway device (101) of the local area network configured to communicate via one or more networks (120, 130) outside the local area network using the plurality of different communication channels.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04L 43/0876 - Network utilisation, e.g. volume of load or congestion level
• H04L 41/5067 - Customer-centric QoS measurements
• H04L 41/5009 - Determining service level performance parameters or violations of service level contracts, e.g. violations of agreed response time or mean time between failures [MTBF]

Abstract

A computer implemented malware protection method to mitigate malware spread within a set of communicating computer systems from an infected computer system is disclosed.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04L 9/40 - Network security protocols

Abstract

An automated equipment installation verification system to automatically verify correctness of each of a sequence of installation steps for the installation of an item of equipment, the system comprising: a data store that stores a digital model of the equipment at each step of a stepwise installation process; a logic unit that executes a comparator to compare a representation of the equipment indicating a configuration of the equipment with the digital model of the equipment at a current step in the stepwise installation process to generate a degree of conformity of the equipment at the current step; and a communications interface that communicates the degree of conformity to an operative.

IPC Classes  ?

• G09B 25/02 - Models for purposes not provided for in group , e.g. full-sized devices for demonstration purposes of machinery
• G09B 9/00 - Simulators for teaching or training purposes
• G06F 3/01 - Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
• G06N 20/00 - Machine learning

Abstract

An automated equipment installation verification system to automatically verify correctness of an installation of an item of installed equipment, the system comprising: a logic unit that executes a rule engine to apply at least one rule to an output of each of a plurality of classifiers to generate an indication of a degree of correctness of the installation of the equipment, each of the classifiers being trained to determine a degree of correctness of a configuration of at least part of the equipment based on image data, the image data including a representation of the equipment and being segmented such that each segment of the image data corresponds to a part of the installed equipment.

IPC Classes  ?

• G06V 10/764 - Arrangements for image or video recognition or understanding using pattern recognition or machine learning using classification, e.g. of video objects
• G06V 30/19 - Recognition using electronic means

Abstract

An automated equipment installation verification system to automatically verify correctness of installation actions of an operative installing an item of equipment, the system comprising: a logic unit (804) that executes a rule engine to apply at least one rule to a measure of correctness of each of a plurality of physical acts performed by the operative according to a sequence of stepwise actions to be performed by the operative in the installation of the equipment to determine a degree of correctness of an installation of the equipment, each measure of correctness being determined by a classifier trained to determine a degree of correctness of a respective act based on sensor data corresponding to the act.

IPC Classes  ?

• G05B 23/02 - Electric testing or monitoring
• G06N 20/00 - Machine learning
• G06T 7/00 - Image analysis

Abstract

A computer-implemented method of obfuscating user sensor data is provided. The method comprises collecting sensor data from one or more sensors of one or more user devices, assessing the user's current behaviour from the sensor data, and determining that an obfuscation period is required. The method further comprises generating obfuscated sensor data for the one or more sensors, different to the collected sensor data, during the obfuscation period, and providing the obfuscated sensor data to the one or more programs on the one or more user devices. During the obfuscation period, the obfuscated sensor data is provided to the one or more programs on the one or more user devices includes one or both of a phased-in period at the beginning of the obfuscation period during which the obfuscated data initially matches the collected sensor data, and deviates from the collected sensor data, and a phased-return period at the end of the obfuscation period during which the obfuscated data returns to match the collected sensor data.

IPC Classes  ?

• G06F 21/62 - Protecting access to data via a platform, e.g. using keys or access control rules

Abstract

A method (400) of operating a wireless telecommunications network (100), said network comprising a plurality of User Equipment (110), UEs, a Wireless Access Point (120), WAP, and a Wireless Local Area Network (140), WLAN, provided by means of the WAP, the method comprising the steps of: associating, against each of the plurality of UEs, an item of information and a unique character slot for the item of information (410); compiling each item of information into a string, wherein said items of information are arranged according to each associated character slot (420); broadcasting, by means of the WAP, a network identifier for the WLAN, said network identifier comprising the compiled string (430); identifying, by means of each of the UEs, the broadcast network identifier (440); retrieving, by means of each UE, the character slot for the associated UE; and using, by means of each UE, the retrieved character slot so as to extract the associated item of information from the identified network identifier.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04W 48/10 - Access restriction or access information delivery, e.g. discovery data delivery using broadcasted information
• H04W 84/12 - WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]

Abstract

A computer implemented malware protection method to protect a target computer system in a set of computer systems from a malware, the method comprising: accessing a model of the set of computer systems, the model identifying interacting pairs of the computer systems in the set based on interactions corresponding to previous communication occurring between the computer systems in the pairs, and the model identifying the target computer system; simulating, over a plurality of time periods, a propagation of the malware originating from a predetermined source computer system in the model, the simulation being based on a number of interactions per time period between each interacting pair of computer systems in the set, and a rate of transmission of the malware per interaction; evaluating, for each of at least a subset of the time periods, a probability of infection of the target computer system in the time period; responsive to the simulating step, identifying an earliest time period during which the probability of infection of the target computer system meets a predetermined threshold probability; and triggering the deployment of malware protection measures in respect of the target computer system at a time period selected with reference to the identified time period so as to protect the target computer system from the malware.

IPC Classes  ?

• G06F 21/56 - Computer malware detection or handling, e.g. anti-virus arrangements
• G06F 21/55 - Detecting local intrusion or implementing counter-measures

Abstract

A computer implemented security method for a set of internet-of-things (IoT) devices, the set of devices comprising network-connected sensors and actuators, wherein a data repository stores data about the devices, actions performable by each of the devices and one or more network attacks to which at least a subset of the devices are susceptible, the method comprising: defining, for each network attack, one or more responsive actions for the attack, each responsive action identifying one or more performable actions for performance by one or more devices to mitigate the attack; detecting a device in a compromised state, the compromised state being determined based on a threshold number of occurrences of an attack perpetrated against the device; selecting responsive actions for the perpetrated attack; and triggering the responsive actions to mitigate the perpetrated attack.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04L 9/40 - Network security protocols

Abstract

This disclosure provides a method of operating a central node in a telecommunications network, the telecommunications network including an optical network and a plurality of distributed nodes each configured to use a first optical signal at a first wavelength, the method including producing a first optical signal at a second wavelength; directing the first optical signal into a first path for the first optical signal and a second path for the first optical signal, wherein the first path for the first optical signal is connected to a first optical stabilizer to stabilize the first optical signal produced by the central node, and the second path for the first optical signal provides the first optical signal to the optical network for distribution to each of the plurality of distributed nodes, wherein the second wavelength has a lower transmission loss than the first wavelength.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04B 10/27 - Arrangements for networking
• H04B 10/69 - Electrical arrangements in the receiver
• H04B 10/50 - Transmitters

Abstract

A method of operating User Equipment (110), UE, the UE being configured to connect to a wireless wide-area cellular telecommunications network (100), said telecommunications network comprising a plurality of radio access points (120, 130), and the method comprising the steps of: identifying, from the plurality of radio access points, a default radio access point for the UE; identifying, from the plurality of radio access points, an alternative default radio access point for the UE, wherein said identifying is performed based on the alternative default radio access point and the default radio access point having been simultaneously available to the UE for wireless connection and wherein the UE is instructed to connect to the default radio access point in preference to the alternative default radio access point; connecting the UE to the default radio access point (210); in response to the UE detecting a subsequent loss of connection with the default radio access point, the UE directly initiating only a connection with the identified alternative default radio access point (260).

IPC Classes  ?

• H04W 36/00 - Handoff or reselecting arrangements
• H04W 48/20 - Selecting an access point
• H04W 36/08 - Reselecting an access point
• H04W 36/30 - Reselection being triggered by specific parameters by measured or perceived connection quality data

Abstract

A method and a controller for controlling a transmitting node in a wireless telecommunications network, the wireless telecommunications network including a receiving node, wherein the transmitting node includes a plurality of antenna ports, the method including determining a count of antenna ports, being one or more of the transmitting node's plurality of antenna ports, to use in communications with the receiving node based on: a balance between a first performance metric related to a coherence interval and having a positive relationship with the count of antenna ports and a second performance metric related to the coherence interval and having a negative relationship with the count of antenna ports, and/or a measure of the coherence interval in communications with the receiving node; and causing the transmitting node to use the count of antenna ports in communications with the receiving node.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04B 17/20 - Monitoring; Testing of receivers
• H04L 43/0823 - Errors, e.g. transmission errors
• H04L 43/0876 - Network utilisation, e.g. volume of load or congestion level
• H04B 7/06 - Diversity systems; Multi-antenna systems, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas using two or more spaced independent antennas at the transmitting station

Abstract

A physically unclonable function (PUF) configured to receive a challenge signal and produce a response signal dependent on the challenge signal in response thereto; wherein: the PUF comprises a photonic crystal structure of plural dimensionality which is configured to: be illuminated by an optical input signal which is, or is derived from, the challenge signal; and responsive thereto, produce an optical output signal dependent on the optical input signal's interaction with the photonic crystal structure, wherein the response signal is, or is derived from, the optical output signal.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04L 9/32 - Arrangements for secret or secure communications; Network security protocols including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system
• G09C 1/00 - Apparatus or methods whereby a given sequence of signs, e.g. an intelligible text, is transformed into an unintelligible sequence of signs by transposing the signs or groups of signs or by replacing them by others according to a predetermined system

Abstract

This invention provides a method of detecting a photon in a first frequency range, the method comprising the steps of: exciting a first transmission medium by a first probe signal at a first probe frequency, wherein the first probe signal excites electrons of the first transmission medium from a ground state of the first transmission medium to a first excited state of the first transmission medium; exciting the first transmission medium by a first coupling signal at a first coupling frequency, wherein the first coupling signal overlaps with the first probe signal in the first transmission medium and excites electrons of the first transmission medium to a predetermined excited state of the first transmission medium such that a first photon in the first frequency range and having a first polarisation incident upon the first transmission medium excites an electron in the predetermined excited state of the first transmission medium to a further excited state of the first transmission medium, wherein a first photon in a second frequency range is emitted as part of a subsequent deexcitation of the electron from the further excited state of the first transmission medium; detecting the first photon in the first frequency range and having the first polarisation by detecting the first photon in the second frequency range; exciting a second transmission medium by a second probe signal at a second probe frequency, wherein the second probe signal excites electrons of the second transmission medium from a ground state of the second transmission medium to a first excited state of the second transmission medium; exciting the second transmission medium by a second coupling signal at a second coupling frequency, wherein the second coupling signal overlaps with the second probe signal in the second transmission medium and excites electrons of the second transmission medium to a predetermined excited state of the second transmission medium such that a second photon in the first frequency range incident upon the second transmission medium and having a second polarisation excites an electron in the predetermined excited state of the second transmission medium to a further excited state of the second transmission medium, wherein a second photon in the second frequency range is emitted as part of a subsequent deexcitation of the electron in the further excited state of the second transmission medium; and detecting the second photon in the first frequency range having the second polarisation by detecting the second photon in the second frequency range. This invention also provides a detector and system for implementing said method.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04B 10/70 - Photonic quantum communication
• G01R 29/08 - Measuring electromagnetic field characteristics
• H04B 10/60 - Receivers

Abstract

A method of obtaining a characteristic response from a communications network device in a communications network environment comprises accepting, at the communications network device, a challenge signal. Coupling all or part of the challenge signal or all or part of a transformation of the challenge signal in the form of radiation into one or more physical network channel media of the communication network. Allowing radiation to scatter between the physical communication channel media and a physically unclonable function PUF; and obtaining a response to the challenge by measuring scattered radiation from at least the PUF.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04L 9/32 - Arrangements for secret or secure communications; Network security protocols including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system
• G09C 1/00 - Apparatus or methods whereby a given sequence of signs, e.g. an intelligible text, is transformed into an unintelligible sequence of signs by transposing the signs or groups of signs or by replacing them by others according to a predetermined system

Abstract

An optical network comprising: an optical splitter configured to split an optical signal incident on the optical splitter into at least a control signal and a data signal; an optical switch; a first optical path configured to carry the control signal between the optical splitter and the optical switch; and a second optical path configured to carry the data signal between the optical splitter and the optical switch. The optical network is configured to transmit the control and data signals such that the data signal is incident on the optical switch after the control signal. The optical switch is configured to selectively switch the optical network between a first configuration and a second configuration in accordance with the control signal. The application also relates to a method of configuring an optical network.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04Q 11/00 - Selecting arrangements for multiplex systems
• H04B 10/25 - Arrangements specific to fibre transmission

Abstract

To construct a neural network for image processing or other tasks, a population of software hox genomes is generated, each software hox genome encoding a neural network and comprising, for each of a plurality of zones of a neural network, a hox gene and at least one norm gene, where the norm gene encodes the zone and the hox gene controls at least one of: a quantity of instances of the zone in the neural network, a position of the zone in the neural network, a gradient of weights in the zone, a depth of nested zones within the zone, an amount of bias to be applied to weights in the zone. An evolutionary algorithm is applied to the population of software hox genomes where a fitness function of the evolutionary algorithm comprises a performance of a neural network encoded by a software hox genome on the image processing or other task.

IPC Classes  ?

• G06N 3/04 - Architecture, e.g. interconnection topology
• G06N 3/12 - Computing arrangements based on biological models using genetic models
• G06N 3/045 - Combinations of networks
• G06N 3/126 - Evolutionary algorithms, e.g. genetic algorithms or genetic programming

Abstract

A digital twin system is provided for controlling a computing system including multiple hardware and software entities. The digital twin system comprises: a digital twin comprising a virtual model of the computing system including the multiple hardware and software entities and their environment. The virtual model incorporates three-dimensional physical dimensions of the hardware, the virtual model being configured to emulate the behaviour of the computing system. The digital twin system further comprises a communications interface for performing bi-directional communications with the computing system. The communications include receipt of real-time information regarding performance of the computing system and sensed conditions of the computing system and its environment. The digital twin system also comprises a machine learning system trained on (i) historical and real-time performance data; and (ii) historical and real-time sensed data of the computing system and its environment. The digital twin system further comprises an orchestrator configured to use the digital twin and the trained machine learning system in conjunction with the received real-time performance data and sensed data for the computing system and its environment to determine at least one action for the computing system and its environment that supports one or more selected system management objectives. The orchestrator is further configured to transmit a command over the bi-directional link to the computing system to perform the at least one action.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04L 41/0816 - Configuration setting characterised by the conditions triggering a change of settings the condition being an adaptation, e.g. in response to network events
• H04L 41/14 - Network analysis or design
• H04L 43/08 - Monitoring or testing based on specific metrics, e.g. QoS, energy consumption or environmental parameters
• H04L 41/0823 - Configuration setting characterised by the purposes of a change of settings, e.g. optimising configuration for enhancing reliability
• H04L 41/16 - Arrangements for maintenance, administration or management of data switching networks, e.g. of packet switching networks using machine learning or artificial intelligence

Abstract

A method of managing a network of connected network devices can include detecting that a device descriptor file for a first network device has been updated and stored to a data store managed by a peer-to-peer network of computing systems; analyzing the updated device descriptor file stored to the data store; analyzing historical information stored in the data store regarding other device descriptor file updates related to the first network device or related to other network devices; performing predictive analytics processing on the results of the analyzing and generating a result; and storing the result of the performing predictive analytics processing to the data store.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04L 41/082 - Configuration setting characterised by the conditions triggering a change of settings the condition being updates or upgrades of network functionality
• G06F 8/65 - Updates
• H04L 67/00 - Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications
• H04L 67/12 - Protocols specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks

Abstract

This disclosure relates to a method of operating an Access Point (AP) in a cellular telecommunications network, the cellular telecommunications network having a plurality of APs and a core network, wherein the AP is connected to a first subset of the plurality of APs via a wireless upstream connection towards the core network and is further connected to a second subset of the plurality of APs via a wireless downstream connection away from the core network, the method including receiving an inter-AP message in a first wireless communication from a first AP of the plurality of APs, the inter-AP message comprising a destination identifier; identifying a second AP of the plurality of APs based on the destination identifier of the inter-AP message; and sending the inter-AP message to the second AP in a second wireless communication via the wireless downstream connection.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04W 40/22 - Communication route or path selection, e.g. power-based or shortest path routing using selective relaying for reaching a BTS [Base Transceiver Station] or an access point

Abstract

A network node for a wireless telecommunications network, and a method of operating a network node, are disclosed. The wireless telecommunications network includes a first access point having a first transmitter configured to transmit in a first coverage area, and the method can include receiving, from a sensor, data indicative of an object within the first coverage area of the first access point's first transmitter; determining, from the data, that the object is an illegitimate user; and, in response, causing a modification of the first access point so that the object cannot successfully receive a transmission from the first transmitter.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04W 52/28 - TPC being performed according to specific parameters using user profile, e.g. mobile speed, priority or network state, e.g. standby, idle or non-transmission
• H04B 7/06 - Diversity systems; Multi-antenna systems, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas using two or more spaced independent antennas at the transmitting station
• H04W 52/14 - Separate analysis of uplink or downlink

Abstract

There is herein provided a method of quantum communication, the method comprising: indicating to a quantum receiving apparatus that a first sequence of mutually non-orthogonal bases will be used to prepare at least some of a plurality of bits in quantum states, at a quantum transmitting apparatus, preparing each of the plurality of bits in a respective one of a second sequence of mutually non-orthogonal bases, to give a plurality of qubits, wherein the second sequence of mutually non-orthogonal bases is different to the first sequence of mutually non-orthogonal bases.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04L 9/08 - Key distribution
• H04B 10/70 - Photonic quantum communication

Abstract

Described is a method of media content delivery, where measurements of network delivery rates are used to determine at which bit rate to request each content segment. The aim is to ensure continuous play-out of good quality segments, without relying on a large buffer, so that end-to-end delay is kept low. The historical network delivery rate is measured on two or more timescales, such as a short-term delivery rate and a long-term delivery rate, and these are used to decide when to request a higher bit rate segment than the previous segment, and when to request a lower bit rate segment than the previous segment.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04N 21/647 - Control signaling between network components and server or clients; Network processes for video distribution between server and clients, e.g. controlling the quality of the video stream, by dropping packets, protecting content from unauthorised alteration within the network, monitoring of network load or bridging bet
• H04N 21/24 - Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. monitoring of server load, available bandwidth or upstream requests
• H04N 21/262 - Content or additional data distribution scheduling, e.g. sending additional data at off-peak times, updating software modules, calculating the carousel transmission frequency, delaying a video stream transmission or generating play-lists
• H04N 21/845 - Structuring of content, e.g. decomposing content into time segments
• H04N 21/462 - Content or additional data management e.g. creating a master electronic program guide from data received from the Internet and a Head-end or controlling the complexity of a video stream by scaling the resolution or bit-rate based on the client capabi

Abstract

A telecommunications interconnection terminal can include a housing including a first set of ports for coupling to a connectorized multi-fiber cable a second set of ports for coupling to a connectorized single-fiber cable a third set of ports including an aperture and an engagement for receiving and engaging a non-connectorized fiber optic cable and a splice distributor for receiving and accommodating spliced optical from optic cables that are received from ports of at least any two of the first, second and third sets of ports.

IPC Classes  ?

• G02B 6/44 - Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables

Abstract

This invention provides a method, and a network node for implementing said method, of operating a network node to control a first Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, UAV, in a wireless telecommunications network, the method comprising: determining a collision risk for the first UAV; determining a reporting rate for the first UAV based on the collision risk; and sending a reporting rate update message to the first UAV so as to cause the first UAV to report its position at the determined reporting rate. This invention also provides a method, and an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle for implementing said method, of operating an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, UAV, in a wireless telecommunications network, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a reporting rate update message from a network node in the wireless telecommunications network, the reporting rate update message including a reporting rate; determining position of the UAV; and sending a position report message to the network node at the reporting rate, the position report message including the determined position.

IPC Classes  ?

• G05D 1/10 - Simultaneous control of position or course in three dimensions
• H04W 4/02 - Services making use of location information
• H04W 4/40 - Services specially adapted for particular environments, situations or purposes for vehicles, e.g. vehicle-to-pedestrians [V2P]
• H04W 64/00 - Locating users or terminals for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management

Abstract

A system, method and computer program for monitoring a subject are provided. The system comprises one or more sensors configured to collect data relating to the subject. The system further comprises a query pattern store configured to store one or more query patterns. Each query pattern is associated with a respective data processor for generating summary data based on the data, the summary data conveying less information about the subject than the data. The system further comprises a query processor configured to: receive a query regarding the subject from a user of the system; identify a query pattern that matches the query; determine whether the user is permitted to make queries matching that query pattern; and in response to determining that the user is permitted, provide a response to the query, the response comprising summary data generated using the respective data processor for that query pattern.

IPC Classes  ?

• G06F 16/2457 - Query processing with adaptation to user needs
• G06F 16/335 - Filtering based on additional data, e.g. user or group profiles
• G06F 16/338 - Presentation of query results

Abstract

Computer implemented methods, systems and programs of transmitting data from a source node to a destination node through a network via a plurality of intermediate nodes are provided. The method splits the data into a plurality of shares using a secret sharing algorithm. The method determines a respective route through the network to the destination node for each of the plurality of shares. Each route comprises a plurality of intermediate nodes via which that share is to be transmitted. At least two of the routes are different from each other. At least a first intermediate node of each route is common to the other routes. The method constructs a plurality of datagrams for conveying the plurality of shares through the network along their respective routes. Each datagram is intended for processing by a respective intermediate node and is encrypted with a key associated with that intermediate node. Each datagram comprises a payload and routing information for instructing the respective intermediate node to forward data contained in the payload for conveying one or more of the shares along their respective routes towards the destination node. The portion of the respective routes of the one or more shares prior to the respective intermediate node are common to each other. Each datagram other than an initial datagram intended for the first intermediate node is encapsulated within the payload of a preceding datagram intended for a preceding intermediate node on the respective routes of the one or more shares. The payload of at least one of the datagrams comprises a plurality of encapsulated datagrams. The routing information of the at least one of the datagrams instructs the respective intermediate node to transmit the plurality of encapsulated datagrams on to different respective intermediate nodes in the network. The method transmits the initial datagram to the first intermediate node.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04L 9/08 - Key distribution
• H04L 9/14 - Arrangements for secret or secure communications; Network security protocols using a plurality of keys or algorithms
• H04L 45/24 - Multipath

Abstract

The present invention provides a method of controlling the delivery rate of content to a client device to influence the quality level at which the client device requests subsequent content segments. The aim is to influence the client device so that it requests content segments at a consistent adaptive bit rate (ABR) level, where that level is one at which many client devices are requesting content segments. The result is that requests are more concentrated around a subset of the available ABR levels. This enables a more efficient and widespread use of any subsequent multicast.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04L 65/611 - Network streaming of media packets for supporting one-way streaming services, e.g. Internet radio for multicast or broadcast
• H04L 65/65 - Network streaming protocols, e.g. real-time transport protocol [RTP] or real-time control protocol [RTCP]
• H04L 65/1045 - Proxies, e.g. for session initiation protocol [SIP]
• H04L 67/02 - Protocols based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• H04N 21/6373 - Control signals issued by the client directed to the server or network components for rate control
• H04L 65/612 - Network streaming of media packets for supporting one-way streaming services, e.g. Internet radio for unicast
• H04L 65/80 - Responding to QoS

Abstract

A method of controlling transmission of a wireless signal in a wireless telecommunications network including a transmitting node, a receiving node, and an Intelligent Reflective Surface (IRS), the transmitting node including a processor operating a first neural network that inputs an input bit sequence and outputs the wireless signal and a transmitter to transmit the wireless signal output by the first neural network, the IRS includes a reflective surface for reflecting the wireless signal transmitted by the transmitter and further includes a processor for applying a phase change to the wireless signal according to a phase shift matrix, and the receiving node includes a receiver for receiving an accumulated wireless signal transmitted by the transmitter and reflected off the reflective surface and a processor operating a second neural network that inputs the received accumulated wireless signal and outputs an output bit sequence.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04B 17/391 - Modelling the propagation channel

Abstract

Examples exploit the processing capabilities of the available access points in a wireless telecommunications network operating in dual connectivity operation to enhance the data rate and fairness among the users. The wireless telecommunications network may include a first access point, or master node, connected to a plurality of further access points, or secondary nodes. The master node discovers which of the secondary access nodes has the processing capabilities and available processing capacity to handle NOMA transmissions. The master node can then coordinate the connection of a selected group of users to one of the secondary nodes that can support NOMA. The processing capabilities and available processing capacity to handle NOMA transmissions can be communicated by the secondary nodes to the master node actively, for example in a periodic manner, or reactively, for example as a result of a request for such information from the master node.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04W 76/15 - Setup of multiple wireless link connections
• H04L 5/00 - Arrangements affording multiple use of the transmission path
• H04W 48/20 - Selecting an access point

Abstract

A method, computer system and computer program are provided for achieving a secure authentication token for accessing an application. The method captures a user gesture provided by a user as an authentication token and analyses the gesture to evaluate a measure of complexity of the gesture. Responsive to a determination that the measure of complexity does not meet a minimum measure of complexity, an amendment is determined and proposed to the gesture to increase a complexity of the gesture. The capturing and analysing steps are repeated, and, responsive to a determination that the gesture meets the minimum measure of complexity, the gesture is approved as a secure authentication token.

IPC Classes  ?

• G06F 21/32 - User authentication using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints
• G06F 21/36 - User authentication by graphic or iconic representation

Abstract

A computer implemented method of detecting anomalous behaviour within an environment is provided. The environment is monitored by a plurality of sensors providing a plurality of data feeds. Each data feed provides a respective data series representing a respective physical property of the environment over time. The method of detects an occurrence of an event within the environment and identifies a type of that event. The method identifies a plurality of normally correlated data feeds from the plurality of data feeds for the type of the event. The method determines a respective degree of correlation between the respective data series provided by each of the normally correlated data feeds for the occurrence of the event. The method determines a classification of the behaviour within the environment based on the determined degree(s) of correlation, the classification indicating whether the behaviour is normal or anomalous for the environment. Also provided is a method of training an anomaly detector for detecting anomalous behaviour within such an environment, as well as associated computer systems, computer programs, computer-readable data carriers and data carrier signals for performing such methods.

IPC Classes  ?

• G08B 13/00 - Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
• G08B 21/04 - Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons responsive to non-activity, e.g. of elderly persons
• G08B 29/18 - Prevention or correction of operating errors

Abstract

A method of operating an access point in a wireless telecommunications network, the access point configured to cooperate with other access points in the wireless telecommunications network to form a user-centric cluster, is disclosed. The method can include determining a master node suitability value for the access point representing the suitability of the access point to be a master node in a user-centric cluster; and transmitting the determined master node suitability value in a physical layer signal to a User Equipment (UE). A method of operating a User Equipment (UE) in a wireless telecommunications network, the wireless telecommunications network including a first access point configured to cooperate with other access points in the wireless telecommunications network to form a user-centric cluster, also is disclosed.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04B 7/024 - Co-operative use of antennas at several sites, e.g. in co-ordinated multipoint or co-operative multiple-input multiple-output [MIMO] systems
• H04W 60/00 - Affiliation to network, e.g. registration; Terminating affiliation with the network, e.g. de-registration
• H04L 5/00 - Arrangements affording multiple use of the transmission path

Abstract

Presented is a method of detecting a loop length change in a digital subscriber line. An Uncalibrated Echo Response (UER) trace is obtained from the digital subscriber line by running a Single Ended Line Test (SELT). A historical (baseline) UER trace from the same line is retrieved. A line that has experienced a small change in loop length will have the same overall shape, but be compressed or stretched in the frequency domain. Thus, to detect such a change, a comparison between the two traces is made to determine if the difference between the two traces is less than a threshold but non-zero. Then a range of scale factors are applied in the frequency domain on either one of the traces, before determining which of the scale factors results in the lowest difference between the unscaled and scaled traces. The determined scale factor is above a certain threshold, then the line is determined to have had a loop length change. The value of the scale factor can be used to determine the amount the length has changed.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04M 3/08 - Indicating faults in circuits or apparatus
• H04M 3/30 - Automatic routine testing for subscribers' lines

Abstract

A method of timestamping an item at a timestamping device is provided. The timestamping devices comprising a classical computing device and a quantum computing device. The method comprises at the classical computing device obtaining the item to be timestamped and determining an input token based on the received item. The method further comprises at the quantum computing device receiving a randomly generated quantum state from a verifier via a quantum channel wherein the randomly generated quantum state is received at time, t and wherein the method comprises using the timestamping device to combine the randomly generated quantum state with the input token to produce a timestamp proof token associated with the time, t.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04L 9/08 - Key distribution
• H04L 9/32 - Arrangements for secret or secure communications; Network security protocols including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system

Abstract

A method, an unmanned mobile entity and a computer program are provided for evaluating a performance of a first sensor unit which is arranged to measure a physical property of its environment at a location. An unmanned mobile entity transports a reference sensor unit to the location and the reference sensor unit is arranged to measure the physical property at the location. The performance of the first sensor unit is evaluated based on a comparison of the measurements of the first and reference sensor units.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01D 18/00 - Testing or calibrating apparatus or arrangements provided for in groups
• G01D 21/00 - Measuring or testing not otherwise provided for

Abstract

A method of operating an optical network comprising a plurality of sets of ONUs and a commensurate plurality of exchange apparatuses, the optical network being reversibly switchable between: a first configuration in which each of the sets of ONUs is optically coupled to a respective first exchange apparatus; and a second configuration in which one or some of the sets of ONUs, hereafter 'the second configuration transfer ONU sets', are optically uncoupled from their respective first exchange apparatuses and optically coupled to a respective second exchange apparatus; the method comprising: obtaining an indication that a period of low traffic demand on the optical network has commenced; and responsive thereto: ceasing optical communication between each of the second configuration transfer ONU sets and their respective first exchange apparatuses; powering down those one or more first exchange apparatuses; and switching the optical network to the second configuration.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04Q 11/00 - Selecting arrangements for multiplex systems

Abstract

A method, computer system and computer program are provided for validating a secure authentication token for accessing an application. The method captures a user gesture provided by a user as an authentication token and analyses the gesture to evaluate a measure of complexity of the gesture. Responsive to a determination that the measure of complexity does not meet a minimum measure of complexity, repeating the capturing and analysing steps until the gesture meets the defined measure of complexity. Then the user is requested to repeat the approved gesture and the repeated gesture is captured, and it is determined if the repeated gesture meets defined requirements for repeatability. Responsive to a determination that the repeated gesture does not meet the requirements for repeatability, the method is repeated; and, responsive to a determination that the repeated gesture does meet the requirements for repeatability, the gesture is validated as a secure authentication token.

IPC Classes  ?

• G06F 21/36 - User authentication by graphic or iconic representation
• G06F 3/04883 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• G06F 3/01 - Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
• G06F 21/32 - User authentication using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints

Abstract

A computer-implemented method of automatically securing a computer system or network against a suspect binary file (SBF) by, in response to detection of the SBF, initiating an automatic defence strategy comprising an action known to mitigate a known threat posed by a closest known malicious binary file (KMBF). The method further includes identifying the closest KMBF from a plurality of KMBFs by comparing an SBF branch map generated in respect of the SBF with respective KMBF branch maps generated in respect of each of the plurality of KMBFs, the SBF and KMBF branch maps being generated by breaking each of the respective binary files down into a respective sequence of blocks and determining how each block of the sequence branches to one or more other blocks of the sequence. Further aspects of the present disclosure relate to corresponding data processing systems, computer programs, computer-readable data carriers and data carrier signals.

IPC Classes  ?

• G06F 21/55 - Detecting local intrusion or implementing counter-measures
• G06F 21/56 - Computer malware detection or handling, e.g. anti-virus arrangements

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for processing media content to be rendered as a presentation for a user at a set of one or more media devices (60, 600) in an arrangement at a point in time, the presentation being based on layout rules (66b) defining suitability and configuration of media objects (55) for rendering, the arrangement and one or more user-associated characteristics and/or attributes constituting a context for the presentation which is formed of selected media objects from a set, the context having one or more constraints (66c), each constraint defining a property of the context affecting the rendering of at least a subset of the selected media objects (55). The method comprises configuring, for each media object, a characteristic satisfying a utility condition based on a measure of utility of the media object (55) in the context at the point in time, the measure of utility being evaluated in respect of the constraints (66c) of the context; and identifying the selected media objects from the set based on the measures of utility and layout rules (66b).

IPC Classes  ?

• H04N 21/2343 - Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing of video streams or manipulating MPEG-4 scene graphs involving reformatting operations of video signals for distribution or compliance with end-user requests or end-user device requirements
• H04N 21/431 - Generation of visual interfaces; Content or additional data rendering

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for monitoring a network connection (13) at a first sampling rate to generate monitoring data for the network connection for determining a performance issue in the network. The method involves identifying a communication occurring via the network connection (13), wherein performance metrics are available for the communication; and responsive to a trigger in respect of the communication, adapting the sampling rate to a second sampling rate greater than the first sampling rate so as to determine whether a performance degradation in the communication is attributable to the network connection (13). The adapting of the sampling rate to a second sampling rate is triggered by comparison of one or more of the available performance metrics for the communication with an adjustable threshold.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04L 43/022 - Capturing of monitoring data by sampling
• H04L 43/16 - Threshold monitoring

Abstract

There is herein described a method of transmitting a data packet from a first node to a second node in accordance with a predetermined arrangement between a first party and a second party, the method including receiving information relating to a characteristic of the data packet at a smart contract using the received information relating to a characteristic of the data packet to determine a location at which a change to the data packet occurred.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04L 47/36 - Flow control; Congestion control by determining packet size, e.g. maximum transfer unit [MTU]
• G06Q 20/38 - Payment architectures, schemes or protocols - Details thereof

Abstract

A computer-implemented method for monitoring a computer network is provided, the method comprising: storing a first attack graph, the attack graph comprising a plurality of nodes each representing an event that may occur within the computer network; storing one or more predetermined variation properties of one or more of the events represented by the nodes, the variation properties being indicative of possible changes to the nodes within the first attack graph; determining a plurality of possible alternative sequences of the nodes in the first attack graph based on the variation properties; generating a plurality of additional attack graphs, each of the additional attack graphs comprising a plurality of the nodes of the first attack graph arranged in one of the possible sequences; and monitoring events within the network to detect a set of events occurring in a sequence that corresponds to one of the additional attack graphs to identify a potential security attack. A computer system including at least one processor and memory storing computer program code configured to perform the said method, and a computer program or computer readable medium comprising instructions that when executed by a computer system cause the computer system to perform the said method are also provided.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04L 9/40 - Network security protocols
• G06F 21/55 - Detecting local intrusion or implementing counter-measures

Abstract

A computer-implemented method of simulating the propagation of malware in a network is provided. The method comprises accessing a model of the network, where the model comprises a plurality of computer nodes and where each computer node of the plurality of computer nodes is connected to at least one edge of a plurality of edges. Each edge of the plurality of edges connects a pair of computer nodes of the plurality of computer nodes. The method further comprises initiating an outbreak of the malware in the model at a predetermined source computer node of the plurality of computer nodes, and propagating the malware through the model of the network from the source computer node. The propagation is determined based on a rate of transmission, where the rate of transmission is based upon a contact rate for each edge of the plurality of edges, and the contact rate for each edge of the plurality of edges is based upon the network traffic passing between the computer nodes connected by that edge over a predetermined time period.

IPC Classes  ?

• G06F 21/56 - Computer malware detection or handling, e.g. anti-virus arrangements
• G06F 30/20 - Design optimisation, verification or simulation
• H04L 9/40 - Network security protocols

Abstract

A computer-implemented method of simulating the propagation of malware in a network is provided. The method comprises accessing a model of the network, where the model comprising a plurality of computer nodes and where each computer node of the plurality of computer nodes is connected to at least one edge of a plurality of edges. Each edge of the plurality of edges connects a pair of computer nodes of the plurality of computer nodes. The method further comprises initiating an outbreak of the malware in the model at a predetermined source computer node of the plurality of computer nodes, and propagating the malware through the model of the network from the source computer node over a plurality of step-times. The propagation is determined based on a rate of transmission per step-time for each edge, and each step-time of the plurality of step-times corresponds to a temporal point that is universal across the network, such that at each step-time the malware propagation through the network occurs simultaneously for each edge of the plurality of edges according to the rate of transmission per step-time for each edge.

IPC Classes  ?

• G06F 21/56 - Computer malware detection or handling, e.g. anti-virus arrangements
• G06F 30/20 - Design optimisation, verification or simulation
• H04L 9/40 - Network security protocols

Abstract

00, based on the total number of second simulated computer systems and the number of first simulated computer systems.

IPC Classes  ?

• G06F 21/56 - Computer malware detection or handling, e.g. anti-virus arrangements
• G06F 30/20 - Design optimisation, verification or simulation
• H04L 9/40 - Network security protocols

Abstract

A computer-implemented method for determining a transmit precoding operation to apply to a signal to be transmitted through a wireless channel via beamforming wherein the signal u is represented by a vector, u, is described. The method comprises obtaining an inverse channel matrix, G wherein the inverse channel matrix, G, is an inverse of a channel matrix, H, wherein the channel matrix, H, is a matrix representation of the wireless channel. The method further comprises determining a vector, b, that approximately minimizes a square of a norm of a result of applying the inverse channel matrix G to the sum of the vector representing the signal, u, and the vector, b, wherein the entries of the vector, b, are integers and determining the vector b.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04B 7/06 - Diversity systems; Multi-antenna systems, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas using two or more spaced independent antennas at the transmitting station
• H04B 7/0426 - Power distribution

Abstract

One aspect of the present disclosure provides a computer-implemented method of automatically securing a computer system or network against a suspect binary file (SBF) by, in response to detection of the SBF, initiating an automatic defence strategy. The automatic defence strategy includes a first action known to mitigate a known threat posed by a known malicious binary file (KMBF); and a further action predicted to mitigate a predicted threat posed by a discrepant function present in the SBF but not the KMBF. Further aspects of the present disclosure relate to corresponding data processing systems, computer programs, computer-readable data carriers and data carrier signals.

IPC Classes  ?

• G06F 21/56 - Computer malware detection or handling, e.g. anti-virus arrangements
• G06F 21/53 - Monitoring users, programs or devices to maintain the integrity of platforms, e.g. of processors, firmware or operating systems during program execution, e.g. stack integrity, buffer overflow or preventing unwanted data erasure by executing in a restricted environment, e.g. sandbox or secure virtual machine