Abstract: A real time communication device is provided for operation with a packet switched network interconnecting the real time communication device with a control unit and a plurality of remote real time communication devices. The device comprises a network interface for communicating over the packet switched network. The device further comprises means for establishing a logical channel to support a media session over the packet switched network with an endpoint. The endpoint is an endpoint selected from the group of endpoints consisting of the control unit and a one of the plurality of remote real time communication devices. The device further comprises means for sending a multicast status message on the packet switched network addressed to a multicast group. The multicast group comprises any of the remote real time communication devices that have joined the multicast group. The multicast status message announces a state of the real time communication device.

Abstract: A communication management system operates with a packet switched local area network and includes a PSTN interface for communicating over a telephone line with a service provider central office. The system comprises means for establishing a logical channel over the packet switched local area network to support a real time communication session with a real time communication device in response to receiving session signaling from the real time communication device; means for controlling the PSTN interface to transition the telephone line to an off hook state in response to receiving session signaling; and translation means for providing digital audio over the logical channel, the digital audio representing a dial tone received on the telephone line from the central office and providing one of a plurality of dual tone multi frequency signals on the telephone line in response to receipt of data from the real time communication device corresponding to the one of a plurality of dual tone multi frequency signals.

Abstract: A communication management system operates with a packet switched local area network and includes a PSTN interface for communicating over a telephone line with a service provider central office. The system comprises means for establishing a logical channel over the packet switched local area network to support a real time communication session with a real time communication device in response to receiving session signaling from the real time communication device; means for controlling the PSTN interface to transition the telephone line to an off hook state in response to receiving session signaling; and translation means for providing digital audio over the logical channel, the digital audio representing a dial tone received on the telephone line from the central office and providing one of a plurality of dual tone multi frequency signals on the telephone line in response to receipt of data from the real time communication device corresponding to the one of a plurality of dual tone multi frequency signals.

Abstract: A real time communication device is provided for operation with a packet switched network interconnecting the real time communication device with a control unit and at least one other real time communication devices. The device may comprise a network interface for communicating over the packet switched local area network and means for establishing a logical channel over the packet switched network with an endpoint to support the exchange of real time streaming media with the endpoint during a media session. The endpoint may be an endpoint selected from the group of endpoints consisting of the control unit and the other real time communication devices. The device may further comprise means for providing a notice message to at least one subscription device. The subscription device may be selected from the group of subscription devices consisting of the control unit and a other real time communication devices.

Abstract: A real time communication device is provided for operation with a packet switched network interconnecting the real time communication device with a control unit and a plurality of remote real time communication devices. The device comprises a network interface for communicating over the packet switched network. The device further comprises means for establishing a logical channel to support a media session over the packet switched network with an endpoint. The endpoint is an endpoint selected from the group of endpoints consisting of the control unit and a one of the plurality of remote real time communication devices. The device further comprises means for sending a multicast status message on the packet switched network addressed to a multicast group. The multicast group comprises any of the remote real time communication devices that have joined the multicast group. The multicast status message announces a state of the real time communication device.

Abstract: A real time communication device operates on with a packet switched network. The packet switched network interconnects the real time communication device with a control unit and at least one other real time communication device. The real time communication device includes a plurality of indicators with each indicator being uniquely associated with one of the other real time communication devices or with an outside line between the control unit and a central office of a local telephone service provider. A selection means is associated with each indicator. The real time communication device may establish a logical channel over the packet switched local area network with an endpoint. The endpoint is selected from the group of endpoints consisting of the control unit and the other real time communication devices and is the endpoint that is uniquely associated with an indicator selected from the plurality of indicators.