Patent Document ID: 6125105
Application ID: 08869900
Patent Flag: 1

Claim One:
1. A method of predicting at least one future data value of a time series of data using a neural network so as to manage resources in a communications network, the method comprising the steps of: (i) inputting a plurality of data values of the time series into the neural network; (ii) inputting, with said data values, time information relating to those values; (iii) obtaining outputs from the neural network said outputs comprising predicted future values of the time series based on said data values and on said time information; and (iv) allocating network resources corresponding to said predicted future values; wherein said step (i) of inputting a plurality of values of the time series into the neural network comprises the step of determining a number of values of the time series that are required to be input to the neural network, said step of determining a number of values comprising the steps of: (v) forming a set of first vectors wherein each first vector is the same size and each first vector comprises a number of sequential values of the time series; (vi) forming a set of second vectors, wherein each second vector is the same size, and each second vector comprises a number of sequential values of the time series, and wherein the first and second vectors are different sizes; (vii) for each first vector selecting another of the first vectors as a first neighbour where a first measure of similarity between each first vector and its first neighbour is less than a threshold value; (viii) for each second vector selecting another of the second vectors as a second neighbour where a second measure of similarity between each first vector and its second neighbour is less than a threshold value, and wherein each second neighbour corresponds to a first neighbour; (ix) determining the number of false neighbours by comparing each first neighbour with its corresponding second neighbour; and (x) determining the number of values that are required to be input to the neural network according to a first vector size for which a threshold number of false neighbours are obtained.