Abstract: A method and system for reducing the number of ports allocated by a relay server is provided. A connection system uses a bidirectional technique to establish a connection via the relay server between two endpoints (e.g., client computers) that can be used bidirectionally to send a stream from a first endpoint to a second endpoint and a stream from the second endpoint to the first endpoint. The connection system may also use a stream multiplexing technique to further reduce the number of ports allocated by a relay server by multiplexing multiple streams onto a single connection. The connection system may also use an endpoint multiplexing technique to reduce the number of ports allocated by a relay server by multiplexing streams from different endpoints through a single connection via the relay server.

Abstract: A presentation system receives streams of videos of a video conference and presents the videos on the faces of a three-dimensional object. The presentation system selects which video should be presented more prominently than the other videos. The presentation system generates an image of the three-dimensional object that represents a view location from which the selected video is prominently visible and videos of other conference participants are less prominently visible. The presentation system then displays the image to the conference participant.

Abstract: Multiple computing devices are connected together using a high-speed wireless link. The wireless link enables expansion of available resources to the host device, such as one or more of volatile memory resources, non-volatile memory resources, and additional processor resources.

Abstract: A method and system for managing power consumption in a portable computing device having a network interface module is presented. A power management module receives inputs from other modules and determines when the network interface module is to be put in a doze state for a predetermined number of beacon intervals to conserve power consumption in the network interface module. The network interface module in a device that is associated with a network is put in the doze state after an event has occurred including when a scan has been performed, after a delayed sleep timer has expired, and after a beacon transmission has been completed and no traffic is buffered for the device. The delayed sleep time is set based on the estimated round trip time of a packet.

Abstract: A method and system for managing power consumption in a portable computing device having a network interface module is presented. A power management module receives inputs from other modules and determines when the network interface module is to be put in a doze state for a predetermined number of beacon intervals to conserve power consumption in the network interface module. The network interface module in a device that is associated with a network is put in the doze state after an event has occurred including when a scan has been performed, after a delayed sleep timer has expired, and after a beacon transmission has been completed and no traffic is buffered for the device. The delayed sleep time is set based on the estimated round trip time of a packet.

Abstract: A presence information system allows access to presence information of a publisher to be controlled and enforced by the publisher on a peer-to-peer basis, rather than by a presence server. A subscriber sends to the publisher on a peer-to-peer basis a request to subscribe to the presence information of the publisher. When the publisher receives the request to subscribe to its presence information, the presence information system of the publisher can allow or deny the request based on access rights associated with the subscriber. If the request is allowed, then the publisher notifies the subscriber of its current presence state and its new presence state when it changes. The presence states may be defined at various levels of detail in a presence model.

Abstract: A method and system for managing power consumption in a portable computing device having a network interface module is presented. A power management module receives inputs from other modules and determines when the network interface module is to be put in a doze state for a predetermined number of beacon intervals to conserve power consumption in the network interface module. The network interface module in a device that is associated with a network is put in the doze state after an event has occurred including when a scan has been performed, after a delayed sleep timer has expired, and after a beacon transmission has been completed and no traffic is buffered for the device. The delayed sleep time is set based on the estimated round trip time of a packet.

Abstract: A method, schema and computer system for a location service provides data structures that are extensible by allowing different types of location awareness applications to retrieve and deposit location data. The method includes providing an abstract location object arranged in a schema to enable servicing a received request for a logical location of an electronic endpoint; and arranging one or more location elements within the context of the abstract location object. The location elements are configured to act as peers relative to the logical location and each location element is configured to act as a proxy relative to any other location element within the abstract location object.

Abstract: A wireless device and method provides for adding nodes to a wireless mesh network by adjusting an antenna sensitivity pattern of one or more nodes in the wireless mesh network to exhibit spatial selectivity. The method transmits a query, and if a response is received within a predetermined time period, the wireless device receives the response and adds the responding wireless device to the mesh network. The wireless device can adjust the transmission pattern to enable the antenna sensitivity pattern to cover a predetermined spatial area, and the predetermined time period can be fixed. The wireless devices can adjust the antenna sensitivity pattern in a coordinated manner. A method for supporting data connections between three or more wireless devices includes adjusting the sensitivity pattern of an antenna on a first wireless device, communicating with a second wireless device, and further adjusting the sensitivity pattern of the antenna for more wireless devices.

Abstract: An architecture for an extensible real-time collaboration system providing a unified interface is provided. The architecture presents a unified application program interface for writing application programs that use communications protocols. The architecture has presence and activity objects, multiple endpoint objects, and a collaboration service object. These objects may use various communications protocols, such as Session Initiation Protocol or Real-Time Transport Protocol, to send and receive messages. The presence and activities objects, multiple endpoint objects, and collaboration service object may each have one or more APIs that an application developer can use to access or provide various functionalities. These objects map the API to the underlying implementation provided by other objects.

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: Methods and systems are provided for an event-based configuration interface between a service supporting mobile connectivity and device drivers exposing WWAN data services. Object identifiers (OIDs) are passed between the service and the device drivers. Asynchronous communication is enabled. Methods and systems for using OIDs to negotiate configuration, including PINs, SIMs and signal strength, of WWAN devices such as GSM and CDMA-based devices are provided.

Abstract: A network fingerprinting component for a computerized system issues network identifiers (NID) for computer networks. Identity confidences may be determined for each issued network identifier with respect to current computer networks. Computer network attributes may include passive network attributes and active network attributes. Retrieving values for active network attributes involves generating network traffic. As a result passive network attributes may be available to the network fingerprinting component before active network attributes. Learned identity confidence modifiers may be applied to identity confidences determined independent of active network attributes to achieve more accurate identity confidence sooner.

Abstract: A mobile computer establishes a wireless communication session with a wireless access point of a computer network. The location of each wireless access point is known and obtainable either from a database on the network or from the access points themselves. The strengths of wireless signals passing between the mobile computer and multiple wireless access points of the network, including the access point with which the mobile computer has established the session are measured at multiple time intervals. The measurements may be taken at the mobile computer itself or at the wireless access points. The measured strength values are then weighted according to such factors as whether the mobile computer has already established a communication session with the access point from which the sample was taken, and how old the sample is. For each location, the weighted strength values obtained for access points in that location are summed.

Abstract: A mobile computer establishes a wireless communication session with a wireless access point of a computer network. The location of each wireless access point is known and obtainable either from a database on the network or from the access points themselves. The strengths of wireless signals passing between the mobile computer and multiple wireless access points of the network, including the access point with which the mobile computer has established the session are measured at multiple time intervals. The measurements may be taken at the mobile computer itself or at the wireless access points. The measured strength values are then weighted according to such factors as whether the mobile computer has already established a communication session with the access point from which the sample was taken, and how old the sample is. For each location, the weighted strength values obtained for access points in that location are summed.