Abstract: Packets of real-time media streams are processed at a network node such within a desired maximum latency less than the frame interval of the streams. The media streams have respective packet rates all substantially equal to a nominal packet rate and respective packet arrival times that are generally non-deterministic. The streams are assigned to digital signal processors (DSPs), each capable of processing up to a predetermined maximum number of the streams within real-time constraints. The number of streams assigned to each DSP is less than the predetermined maximum number and no greater than the quotient of a desired maximum processing latency less than the frame interval and the DSP processing latency for a single packet. For example, if the desired maximum processing latency is 5 ms. and the processing latency for one packet is 1.6 ms., then only three streams are assigned to a DSP (5/1.6˜3), even if the DSP can process many more than 3 streams in real time.

Abstract: The system and method allow Customer Premises Equipment Network Access Devices using ATM as a datalink layer transport, to automatically determine what VC addresses are supported by the remote Network Access Concentrator end of the physical connection. A “divide and conquer” approach is used to ping as quickly as possible the most likely VPI/VCI values. The VC discovery mechanism attempts to discover active VP's and pings only VC's on these VP's. If there are no VP replies, it pings VC's to a limited VCI depth covering the entire VP range. The maximum predetermined range of VC's to ping (MAX-PING) and the physical upstream line speed determines the overall amount of time required by this procedure. Direct benefits of the proposed approach include: time and money saved by not having to customize the firmware in each NAD destined for particular Network Service Providers, and improved end-user experience by providing plug-and-play convenience out of the box.

Abstract: A method where a datastream is received via one bus, and then is temporarily stored in a buffer memory. The datastream includes overhead data and payload data. The payload data is transmitted via a second bus. The overhead information includes information about the amount of subsequent payload data and may additionally include other information. The method extracts the information about the amount of payload data and other optional information, if any, from the received data stream and according to a reception of a complete message or a certain type of overhead information, the controlling logic of the second bus transmits or raises a request to optimally transmit the received message or parts thereof via the second bus to reduce latency for the transaction.

Abstract: A method of processing a call in which two or moreindependent application may simultaneously process a call. Upon detection of an event indicating that one or more of the applications are inapplicable, the inapplicable applications are simply discontinued.

Abstract: A videoconference system in which a first encoder is provided for encoding the original video signal into a first format suitable for streaming transmission, and a second encoder is provided for encoding the original video signal into a second format having a higher quality or less storage as compared to the first format. The first and second encoder works independently to each other and therefore the parameters may be optimized independently.

Abstract: A telephone system including improved automated routing of telephone calls based upon caller ID data. If caller ID data is received, it is used as a search key to search a routing table listing extensions normally called by one or more persons identified by their caller IDs. If a match is found, the call is automatically transferred to the extension or voice mail box listed in the routing table. In some embodiments, the caller is given options to block the automatic routing or block recording of a voice mail message in favor of transfer to a caller specified extension or to an attendant. Also disclosed is improved voice mail wherein a digital signal processor scans data to be recorded in a voice mail message to find DTMF tones or DTMF mimics in the voice data and removes them from the recording so that no false DTMF commands will be recognized during playback by any DTMF detector which is active during the playback.

Abstract: A technique for verifying a user's voice prior to permitting the user to conduct a business transaction over a data network. An order is received via the data network, and a voice verification unit is contacted to (i) access a prestored voice print, (ii) obtain a present voice sample from the consumer desiring the transaction and compare said present voice sample to the prestored voice sample, and (iii) issue a signal indicating whether the voice correctly verifies.

Abstract: An improved board ID number display mechanism whereby an LCD or LED or similar display is utilized on the backplane of a circuit card. The display is viewable for outside the computer case, making it possible to ascertain the board's ID number without having to open up the computer case and examine jumper or switch patterns.

Abstract: A voice processing architecture is disclosed wherein a plurality of voice processing cards are resident on a network but which are not deployed within a resident host computer. The host computers are located throughout the network, and any voice processing card may be controlled by any host computer.

Abstract: A telephone communication system utilizing a virtual phone wherein a telephone switch or similar digital switching device, a digital telephone and an external device such as a personal computer (PC) or other processor are generically interfaced. The virtual phone generic interface is configurable and comprises a set of virtual phone data structures, internal and external virtual phone application program interfaces, and an external transfer protocol. Software designated an abstraction layer provides communication between the internal virtual phone application program interface, the telephone switch and the telephone set. The generic interface converts proprietary telephone switch or external application protocols into a common format and functions as a protocol interpreter between proprietary switching system protocols and protocols of various applications.

Abstract: The technique is described whereby an external application computer can exercise call monitoring and control over calls in a packet network telephony environment, wherein a separate application computer is utilized to communicate with the gatekeeper computer already known in the art of packet network telephone communications, and wherein that gatekeeper computer is enhanced beyond the current art to implement the required communication protocol with the external application computer.

Abstract: An improved technique for transmitting facsimile images over a data network is described wherein a remote server is sent information indicative of the average effective information transmission rate. The average information transmission rate is maintained the same at the sending and receiving sides of the network in order to eliminate problems caused by the bursty nature of packetized communications through the data network.

Abstract: An improved routing technique is disclosed whereby when a node becomes congested with data traffic, alternative nodes are utilized in order to maintain delays through the network to within acceptable limits. An originating node repetitively measures delays through numerous paths and causes packets to be routed through alternative paths as congestion occurs.

Abstract: A video conferencing system which allows the various conferees to control the signals received by one or more particular other conferees in the conference. Voice activation or motion detection or other techniques may be utilized to implement such control.

Abstract: An improved telephone switching arrangement in which all of the telephones (i.e.; audio terminals) are in a normally off hook state. The user desiring to place a call need not take the telephone off hook or change the electrical state of the connection between the telephone switching equipment and the audio terminal. In a preferred embodiment, the called party's telephone number to be dialed is transmitted from a personal computer to the telephone switching equipment.

Abstract: A technique for minimizing the number of users which must dial training digits in a voice processing system. The system uses the first digit normally dialed as part of the user responses to the voice processing application, and measures such digit to determine whether it and future digits can be detected accurately without the use of a training digit. If they can, no training digit is required. If they can't, then a training digit is required, and the user is prompted for the same.

Abstract: An improved system for minimizing toll charges is disclosed wherein line quality is measured and a call is terminated if the line quality is not at an acceptable level to allow for the highest possible bit rates during data transfer or to guarantee a certain minimum degree of quality.

Abstract: A plurality of service centers, disbursed throughout a telecommunications network such as the public switched telephone system (PSTN), competitively bid for the rights to service a particular call to be serviced from one of the service centers. After comparing the cost (or other parameter to be optimized) of servicing a call from the numerous different service centers, the cost (or other parameter) of the call is minimized (optimized) by assigning it to the service center which can service the call at the lowest possible cost (best value of any other parameter).

Abstract: A technique for utilization of call processing resources in a call processing system is disclosed wherein echo characteristics of a telephone line ascertained and utilized by a echo canceler, and are also stored for subsequent use by a different echo canceler which processes a call on that same telephone line. The technique may also be used with call processing resources other than echo cancelers.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for assigning memory space addresses of a computer, for example, a personal computer (PC), to memory contained on computer interface boards interfaced to the computer wherein the computer controls the memory space addresses assigned and wherein multiple computer interface boards can be assigned to the same memory space addresses.