Abstract: A system and method for facilitating automatic detection of a type of wireless network is provided. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, wireless network client(s) can automatically detect the “type” of a network (e.g., method of authentication and encryption) without requiring input from the user. For example, unencrypted network, WEP encrypted network requiring a WEP key, WPA encrypted network requiring a pre-shared key, an IEEE 802.1x enabled network supporting WPA and/or an IEEE 802.1x enabled network not supporting WPA. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a wireless network detection system having a connection component and a detection component is provided. The connection component facilitates connection of a client system to at least one of a plurality of wireless networks. The detection component identities a type of an available wireless network.

Abstract: Callers of an enhanced communication system are enabled to improve their communication experience by receiving context specific call controls on their peripheral device before, during, and/or after a call. A communication application determines context specific commands and configures/reconfigures call controls on the peripheral device. The peripheral device displays the call context specific controls in different stages of operation and forwards user selection(s) to the communication application without a need to understand the commands of perform actions associated with the commands.

Abstract: An event computer receives video in which one or more local participants of a conferencing event are viewable. The event computer receives head detection information of the local participants and assigns contextual data to the head detection information for each of the local participants for which head detection information is received. The event computer then sends the video, the head detection information, and the contextual data to one or more remote participant computer systems by which one or more remote participants can view the local participants and their corresponding contextual data within the video.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a user paired controller communication device may pair with a user paired server communication device. The user paired controller communication device may direct the user paired server communication device to execute a first mode communication session of a multimodal conversation, such as a voice session. The user paired controller communication may execute a second mode communication session of the multimodal conversation, such as an instant messaging session.

Abstract: Multiple peripheral devices are used for various modes of communication in a unified communication application. Employing standard or custom protocols, connected peripheral devices can be configured automatically and different modes of communication such as audio, video, data, and text, are routed to available or selected peripheral devices. Incoming communication requests can be extended to multiple peripheral devices synchronously and users enabled to switch between peripheral devices seamlessly during a communication session.

Abstract: Application user interfaces can be displayed on different sizes and types of displays without having to modify the application for each different display by scaling a layout of the user interface automatically for specific displays, especially smaller size displays such as mobile device displays, reducing a need to create customized versions of the application.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention are directed at allowing users to establish a multimedia network session in which each user is allowed to employ multiple computing devices to exchange data. In this regard, a method is provided for collecting control information from at least two local computing devices associated with the first user that will participate in the network session. Then, an invitation message with the collected control information is sent to a computing device associated with a second user. In response, control information collected from one or more computing devices associated with the second user are obtained. The obtained control information is distributed to the appropriate local computing devices associated with the first user. As a result of exchanging control information in this way, a multimedia network session that allows users to employ a plurality of computing devices may be established.

Abstract: A system and method for carrying out network and interface selections across multiple media is disclosed. The disclosed system facilitates automated network interface configuration decision-making that spans a set of networks supporting communications via differing media. A set of media specific modules associated with differing communications media acquire network interface status/capabilities information. A rules engine thereafter applies a designated network selection rule(s) to the acquired network interface status/capabilities information, and any other appropriate parameters attributable to either an interface or network, to select one or more networks and interfaces with which to establish/maintain a connection.

Abstract: A system and method for carrying out network and interface selections across multiple media is disclosed. The disclosed system facilitates automated network interface configuration decision-making that spans a set of networks supporting communications via differing media. A set of media specific modules associated with differing communications media acquire network interface status/capabilities information. A rules engine thereafter applies a designated network selection rule(s) to the acquired network interface status/capabilities information, and any other appropriate parameters attributable to either an interface or network, to select one or more networks and interfaces with which to establish/maintain a connection.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention are directed at establishing a multimedia network session in which the transmission of media streams is synchronized. In one embodiment, a method is provided for synchronizing incoming audio and video streams. The method includes establishing a communication channel between a first computing device that is receiving an incoming audio stream with the second computing device that is receiving an incoming video stream. Once the communication channel is established, the current network conditions that describe attributes of the incoming audio stream are obtained by the first computing device. Then, the delay in the incoming audio stream is calculated. When the delay is known, the method causes the incoming video stream to be delayed to match the delay in the incoming audio stream.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating automatic detection of a type of wireless network is provided. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, wireless network client(s) can automatically detect the “type” of a network (e.g., method of authentication and encryption) without requiring input from the user. For example, unencrypted network, WEP encrypted net work requiring a WEP key, WPA encrypted network requiring a pre-shared key, an IEEE 802.1x enabled net work supporting WPA anchor an IEEE 802.1x enabled network not supporting WPA. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a wireless network detection system having a connection component and a detection component is provided. The connection component facilitates connection of a client system to at least one of a plurality of wireless networks The detection component identities a type of an available wireless network.

Abstract: Callers of an enhanced communication system are enabled to improve their communication experience by receiving context specific call controls on their peripheral device before, during, and/or after a call. A communication application determines context specific commands and configures/reconfigures call controls on the peripheral device. The peripheral device displays the call context specific controls in different stages of operation and forwards user selection(s) to the communication application without a need to understand the commands of perform actions associated with the commands.

Abstract: Multiple peripheral devices are used for various modes of communication in a unified communication application. Employing standard or custom protocols, connected peripheral devices can be configured automatically and different modes of communication such as audio, video, data, and text, are routed to available or selected peripheral devices. Incoming communication requests can be extended to multiple peripheral devices synchronously and users enabled to switch between peripheral devices seamlessly during a communication session.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a user paired controller communication device may pair with a user paired server communication device. The user paired controller communication device may direct the user paired server communication device to execute a first mode communication session of a multimodal conversation, such as a voice session. The user paired controller communication may execute a second mode communication session of the multimodal conversation, such as an instant messaging session.

Abstract: Techniques to manage digital telephones are described. An apparatus may comprise a digital telephone management component having a telephone interface module operative to receive security information in the form of a personal identification number (PIN) for an operator or device. The digital telephone management component may also comprise a telephone security module communicatively coupled to the telephone interface module, the telephone security module operative to receive encrypted security credentials from a computing device, and decrypt the encrypted security credentials with the PIN. The digital telephone management component may further comprise a telephone authentication module communicatively coupled to the telephone security module, the telephone authentication module operative to authenticate the digital telephone using the security credentials. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating automatic detection of a type of wireless network is provided. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, wireless network client(s) can automatically detect the “type” of a network (e.g., method of authentication and encryption) without requiring input from the user. For example, unencrypted network, WEP encrypted network requiring a WEP key, WPA encrypted network requiring a pre-shared key, an IEEE 802.1x enabled network supporting WPA and/or an IEEE 802.1x enabled network not supporting WPA. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a wireless network detection system having a connection component and a detection component is provided. The connection component facilitates connection of a client system to at least one of a plurality of wireless networks. The detection component identities a type of an available wireless network.

Abstract: An extensible wireless framework for connecting to a wireless network is provided. The extensible wireless framework includes a network roaming service with a registration component and a network service component. The registration component registers extensible service modules and extensible drivers for providing non-standard (i.e., extensible) capabilities to the wireless network. The extensible service module provides a service not provided by a native component of the extensible wireless framework, and the extensible driver may implement a media access control sub-layer of a wireless network protocol and provide a media access control interface. The network service component identifies available wireless networks, selects to join the wireless network when available, requests the extensible driver for the wireless network via its media access control interface to connect to the selected network, and notifies the extensible service module to provide services to the extensible driver.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention are generally directed to providing convenient access to contextual information related to one or more voicemail messages. In this regard, a user interface that presents contextual information related to a user's voicemail messages is implemented on an IP phone. The user interface is configured to receive contextual information from a remote device that manages the user's voicemail box. Based on contextual information displayed, input to navigate between the one or more voicemail messages may be received. For example, a user may selectively identify voicemail messages represented on the user interface that will be played. Moreover, a user may generate commands from the user interface for navigating between the voicemail messages.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention are directed at establishing a multimedia network session in which the transmission of media streams is synchronized. In one embodiment, a method is provided for synchronizing incoming audio and video streams. The method includes establishing a communication channel between a first computing device that is receiving an incoming audio stream with the second computing device that is receiving an incoming video stream. Once the communication channel is established, the current network conditions that describe attributes of the incoming audio stream are obtained by the first computing device. Then, the delay in the incoming audio stream is calculated. When the delay is known, the method causes the incoming video stream to be delayed to match the delay in the incoming audio stream.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention are directed at integrating the functions of a computer and an IP phone without requiring an intermediary computing device to manage the exchange of control information. In accordance with one embodiment, a method is provided for initiating a call from a computer that remotely accesses functions on an IP phone. More specifically, the method includes causing one or more functions executed on the IP phone to be exposed to the computer. In response to receiving a request from a computer to initiate the call, the method causes a first control message to be transmitted from the computer to the IP phone. In this regard, the first control message is configured to access a function exposed on the IP phone for generating the call to the remote user. Then, the first control message is converted into a second control message that is transmitted over an IP data network to the remote user.