Abstract: A conference management system that is capable of managing one or more panels within a teleconference. The conference manager is capable of receiving commands for the purposes of configuring one or more panels and, during a teleconference, activating various panels at various times. In particular, the conference manager is configured to add participants in a teleconference to a panel. The conference manager is also configured to activate a panel, which has the effect of unmuting the audio and video media of the participants previously identified as members of the panel. The conference manager can be further configured to restore the conference to its previous mode, such as a lecture mode in which a lecturer participant is identified as a permanent speaker such that activating and deactivating a panel does not result in the lecturer being muted. Muting treatments other than activating a panel can also be applied to the teleconference.

Abstract: Virtual video editing is disclosed. In some embodiments, a definition of a virtual clip of a source file is received from a user and saved for future playback of the virtual clip. The virtual clip is not encoded as a separate file. Rather, a portion of the source file specified in the definition of the virtual clip is played back when the virtual clip is played.

Abstract: Content-based redirection with respect to communication protocols whose standard configurations do not support such functionality is disclosed. In some embodiments, prior to requesting a content item, a client queries a server for the availability of the content item. In the event that the content item is available at the server, the server responds to the query indicating that the content item is available, and the client obtains the content item or a desired portion of the content item from the server. In the event that the content item is not available at the server, the server responds to the query indicating an alternative location at which the content item may be available, and the client redirects to the alternative location.

Abstract: Dynamically adjusting stream quality level is disclosed. In some embodiments, playing media content includes playing a first stream having a first quality level of the media content, determining that a different available quality level of the media content would result in improved playback performance, and switching to playing a second stream having a second quality level of the media content.

Abstract: A video session manager and method for enabling, optimizing and managing inter-domain video calling, telepresence and videoconferencing sessions, in exclusive video sessions, or within multi-modal communications sessions. The video session manager and method is operative for receiving and analyzing a communications session request from one or more endpoints (users); determining the viability of a communication session based on one or more attributes of the session; connecting the one or more requesting endpoints to start the session; continuously or periodically monitoring the session for problems with or changes in the session; and altering the parameters of the session in accordance with one or more predetermined policies, if a problem or change is detected, in order to maintain the viability of the session.

Abstract: Displaying media information includes receiving a first media stream that is encoded based at least in part on a plurality of recordings; displaying the first media stream, including simultaneously displaying a first main view and a first set of auxiliary views, the first main view corresponding to at least one of the plurality of recordings and at least some of the first set of auxiliary views corresponding to at least some of the plurality of recordings; receiving a user selection that corresponds to a selected one of the first set of auxiliary views; in response to the user selection, receiving a second media stream that is encoded based at least in part on at least some of the plurality of recordings; and displaying the second media stream, including simultaneously displaying a second main view and a second set of auxiliary views, the second main view corresponding to the selected one of the first set of auxiliary views and the second set of auxiliary views corresponding to at least some of the plurality

Abstract: Managing TCP anycast requests at content delivery network nodes is disclosed. In some embodiments, serving a request includes receiving a request at a node of a plurality of nodes comprising a content delivery network, wherein each of the plurality of nodes share a same anycast IP address to which the request is directed and servicing the request at the node.

Abstract: A service and system for providing sponsored data, wherein the data usage is not charged to a mobile subscriber but, rather, paid for by a sponsor. The system and service is mobile-operator neutral and exists separate and apart from any given mobile network. The system provides, to mobile network operators and sponsoring entities, a single domain name (TLD). The TLD is white-listed, in wild-card form, by the mobile network operator so that the operator will know to zero rate any data traffic associated with the TLD. Sponsoring entities are also provided with a unique identifier. The unique identifier is concatenated, as a pre-pend, to the TLD, thereby generating a FQDN that (1) identifies associated data traffic as being “sponsored” and (2) identifies the entity sponsoring the data. The system monitors data usage associated with each FQDN and prepares a bill that charges each sponsoring entity for the data usage associated with the particular FQDN.

Abstract: A video session manager and method for enabling, optimizing, and managing inter-domain video communication sessions, including telepresence and videoconferencing sessions. The video session manager is configured to receive and analyze a video communication session request from one or more endpoints; to determine the viability of a communication session based on one or more attributes of the session; and to connect the one or more requesting endpoints to start the session. The video session manager is further configured to connect the one or more requesting endpoints via a bridging resource, such as a multipoint control unit, based on one or more considerations such as geography and transmission channel utilization.

Abstract: Efficient video delivery is disclosed. In some embodiments, at least a part of a video stream received from a video source is converted to a dividable video format file. The dividable video format file is split into a sequence of small files, and one or more of the sequence of small files is published.

Abstract: A system and method that allocate call capacity based on the need to divide the call capacities of at least some call-termination devices across geographic regions. Accordingly, the allocation system uses various input parameters as constraints in a linear programming optimization, which has the objective of maximizing the capacity allocation of a device to fulfill the traffic demands of each region being processed. The input parameters that are used include i) the traffic demand forecast of each geographic region being evaluated, ii) the available call capacity of each call-termination device, iii) the call destinations associated with each region, and iv) service levels associated with each given call destination. Call-capacities are separately allocated for i) the predicted traffic that is expected in the next time period and ii) an additional margin of excess traffic above and beyond the expected traffic.

Abstract: A system and method blend particular quality considerations into the process of expanding the route choices in a route table, such that more calls can be successfully routed while maximizing certain objectives. The quality considerations drive how additional routes are chosen for the route table and how call volumes are allocated to the chosen routes so that overall profitability can be maximized within the governing constraints of quality targets, route quality, predicted traffic, and route capacity.

Abstract: A method of providing media content from a server to a client device, by providing a URL which allows access to media content by client the device, receiving a request from the client device for the media content corresponding to the single URL; determining an operating system of the client device requesting the media content; selecting a delivery protocol to stream to the client device based on the determined operating system; and providing said client device a streaming media file based on the selected delivery protocol, wherein the determination of the operating system of the client device includes parsing a user-agent string of the client device making the request.

Abstract: A video session manager and method for enabling, optimizing and managing inter-domain video calling, telepresence and videoconferencing sessions, in exclusive video sessions, or within multi-modal communications sessions. The video session manager and method is operative for receiving and analyzing a communications session request from one or more endpoints (users); determining the viability of a communication session based on one or more attributes of the session; connecting the one or more requesting endpoints to start the session; continuously or periodically monitoring the session for problems with or changes in the session; and altering the parameters of the session in accordance with one or more predetermined policies, if a problem or change is detected, in order to maintain the viability of the session.

Abstract: A video session manager and method for enabling, optimizing, and managing inter-domain video communication sessions, including telepresence and videoconferencing sessions. The video session manager is configured to receive and analyze a video communication session request from one or more endpoints; to determine the viability of a communication session based on one or more attributes of the session; and to connect the one or more requesting endpoints to start the session. The video session manager is further configured to connect the one or more requesting endpoints via a bridging resource, such as a multipoint control unit, based on one or more considerations such as geography and transmission channel utilization.

Abstract: Dynamically adjusting stream quality level is disclosed. In some embodiments, playing media content includes playing a first stream having a first quality level of the media content, determining that a different available quality level of the media content would result in improved playback performance, and switching to playing a second stream having a second quality level of the media content.

Abstract: When a roaming telephone user in a visited network dials a long-distance number, he is transferred to a substitute telephone number which is local to that network and belongs to a service center which can route his call efficiently and cost effectively. Typically, the visited network contacts the user's home network for permission to complete the long-distance call. When that happens, the home network obtains the substitute number from a database on a telephone number server, based upon the location of the visited network, and responds to the visited network, instructing it to forward the user's call to the substitute telephone number. When the service center receives the roaming user's telephone call, it contacts the telephone number server and obtains the original long-distance number, which is stored in the database in association with the substitute telephone number.

Abstract: A system and method that allocate call capacity based on the need to divide the call capacities of at least some call-termination devices across geographic regions. Accordingly, the allocation system uses various input parameters as constraints in a linear programming optimization, which has the objective of maximizing the capacity allocation of a device to fulfill the traffic demands of each region being processed. The input parameters that are used include i) the traffic demand forecast of each geographic region being evaluated, ii) the available call capacity of each call-termination device, iii) the call destinations associated with each region, and iv) service levels associated with each given call destination. Call-capacities are separately allocated for i) the predicted traffic that is expected in the next time period and ii) an additional margin of excess traffic above and beyond the expected traffic.

Abstract: Fraudulent VoIP calls are detected and blocked by automated procedures performed at a router server in the VoIP service provider's system which, usually, just analyzes call requests and sets up a route between the calling and called parties. The stringency of automated fraudulent call detection and blocking processes is based on calling customer credit worthiness and the destination of the call.

Abstract: A system and method blend particular quality considerations into the process of expanding the route choices in a route table, such that more calls can be successfully routed while maximizing certain objectives. The quality considerations drive how additional routes are chosen for the route table and how call volumes are allocated to the chosen routes so that overall profitability can be maximized within the governing constraints of quality targets, route quality, predicted traffic, and route capacity.