Abstract: An adaptor that includes a male connector, a control circuit, and a wireless transceiver coupleable to a corresponding female connector on a portable electronic device provides push-to-talk functionality on the portable electronic device. In conjunction with the device operating system, the adaptor converts a first incoming signal to a first number of low impedance/high impedance pulses detectable by the portable electronic device to initiate a push-to-talk session. During the push-to-talk session, the adaptor transceiver wirelessly transmits and receives communication signals (e.g., audio signals) to and from an accessory device communicably coupled to the adapter. In conjunction with the device operating system, the adaptor converts a second incoming signal to a second number of low impedance/high impedance pulses detectable by the portable electronic device to terminate the push-to-talk session.

Abstract: An adaptor that includes a male connector, a control circuit, and a wireless transceiver coupleable to a corresponding female connector on a portable electronic device provides push-to-talk functionality on the portable electronic device. In conjunction with the device operating system, the adaptor converts a first incoming signal to a first number of low impedance/high impedance pulses detectable by the portable electronic device to initiate a push-to-talk session. During the push-to-talk session, the adaptor transceiver wirelessly transmits and receives communication signals (e.g., audio signals) to and from an accessory device communicably coupled to the adapter. In conjunction with the device operating system, the adaptor converts a second incoming signal to a second number of low impedance/high impedance pulses detectable by the portable electronic device to terminate the push-to-talk session.

Abstract: A system and method are provided wherein information is disseminated using a reliable IP multicast network implementation coupled with dynamically assigned proxy nodes serving as zonal aggregation points. These nodes share information with each other over the reliable IP multicast network, augmenting this function with a reliable point-to-point communication infrastructure between proxy nodes in those instances where IP multicast is not available or prone to error.

Abstract: Distributed convergence nodes referred to as “Supernodes”, embodied as a functional technology component within an end user application, automatically determine whether said component should become “active” and assume the responsibility of forwarding IP multicast data present on a LAN (which supports IP multicast communication) to a “Routing Supernode” via a WAN (which does not support IP multicast communication). The Routing Supernode, in turn, is responsible for forwarding that traffic to other Supernodes present on other LANs. The traffic sent to and from the Routing Supernode is sent via unicast communication. All Supernodes are responsible for forwarding traffic on their respective LAN across the WAN to a Routing Supernode, and for forwarding traffic received over the WAN from the Routing Supernode onto their own respective LANs. An election process determines which device in a LAN is to operate as a SuperNode.

Abstract: A push-to-talk headset can include one or more user-actuatable switches, user-actuatable adjustment devices or the like that are electrically coupled to a pulse generator circuit. Responsive to detected state transitions of the one or more user-actuatable switches, user-actuatable adjustment devices or the like, a number of signals comprising a number of pulses may be communicated to a portable electronic device communicably coupled to the push-to-talk headset. At least a first of these signals having a first number of pulses may be used to place the portable electronic device in a push-to-talk mode. At least a second of these signals having a second number of pulses may be used by the operating system to remove the portable electronic device from the push-to-talk mode.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, article of manufacture, and method provides one or more distributed convergence nodes referred to as “Supernodes”, each of which is embodied as a functional technology component within an application that automatically determines whether said component should become “active” and assume the responsibility of forwarding IP multicast data present on a LAN (which supports IP multicast communication) to a “Routing Supernode” via a WAN (which does not support IP multicast communication). The Routing Supernode, in turn, is responsible for forwarding that traffic to other Supernodes present on other LANs. The traffic sent to and from the Routing Supernode is sent via unicast communication. All Supernodes are responsible not only for forwarding traffic present on their respective LAN across the WAN to a Routing Supernode, but they are also responsible for forwarding traffic received over the WAN from the Routing Supernode onto their own respective LANs.

Abstract: Push-to-talk audio devices and methods are provided. The audio device can include a tip-ring-ring-sleeve connector having a sleeve, tip, first ring, and second ring that are electrically isolated from each other. A microphone and a push-to-talk switch selectively operable to provide an electrical short across the microphone in a first state and to remove the electrical short from across the microphone in a second state are electrically coupled between the sleeve and the second ring.

Abstract: Distributed convergence nodes referred to as “Supernodes”, embodied as a functional technology component within an end user application, automatically determine whether said component should become “active” and assume the responsibility of forwarding IP multicast data present on a LAN (which supports IP multicast communication) to a “Routing Supernode” via a WAN (which does not support IP multicast communication). The Routing Supernode, in turn, is responsible for forwarding that traffic to other Supernodes present on other LANs. The traffic sent to and from the Routing Supernode is sent via unicast communication. All Supernodes are responsible for forwarding traffic on their respective LAN across the WAN to a Routing Supernode, and for forwarding traffic received over the WAN from the Routing Supernode onto their own respective LANs. An election process determines which device in a LAN is to operate as a SuperNode.

Abstract: A system and method are provided wherein information is disseminated using a reliable IP multicast network implementation coupled with dynamically assigned proxy nodes serving as zonal aggregation points. These nodes share information with each other over the reliable IP multicast network, augmenting this function with a reliable point-to-point communication infrastructure between proxy nodes in those instances where IP multicast is not available or prone to error.

Abstract: A system and method are provided wherein information is disseminated using a reliable IP multicast network implementation coupled with dynamically assigned proxy nodes serving as zonal aggregation points. These nodes share information with each other over the reliable IP multicast network, augmenting this function with a reliable point-to-point communication infrastructure between proxy nodes in those instances where IP multicast is not available or prone to error.

Abstract: A system and method is described for establishing a homogenized communications infrastructure that enables a variety of disparate communication devices to communicate transparently with each other over a computer data network. The system and method allow for such communications to take place by converting all communications from all participants in the form of audio, video, textual, and binary data messages into discrete data units that are carried over a computer data network. These communications are propagated to other participants by relay to their particular devices in such a way that individual participants are insulated from the type and implementation of all other participants' devices.

Abstract: A system and method is described for establishing a homogenized communications infrastructure that enables a variety of disparate communication devices to communicate transparently with each other over a computer data network. The system and method allow for such communications to take place by converting all communications from all participants in the form of audio, video, textual, and binary data messages into discrete data units that are carried over a computer data network. These communications are propagated to other participants by relay to their particular devices in such a way that individual participants are insulated from the type and implementation of all other participants' devices.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, article of manufacture, and method provides one or more distributed convergence nodes referred to as “Supernodes”, each of which is embodied as a functional technology component within an application that automatically determines whether said component should become “active” and assume the responsibility of forwarding IP multicast data present on a LAN (which supports IP multicast communication) to a “Routing Supernode” via a WAN (which does not support IP multicast communication). The Routing Supernode, in turn, is responsible for forwarding that traffic to other Supernodes present on other LANs. The traffic sent to and from the Routing Supernode is sent via unicast communication. All Supernodes are responsible not only for forwarding traffic present on their respective LAN across the WAN to a Routing Supernode, but they are also responsible for forwarding traffic received over the WAN from the Routing Supernode onto their own respective LANs.

Abstract: A system and method are provided wherein information is disseminated using a reliable IP multicast network implementation coupled with dynamically assigned proxy nodes serving as zonal aggregation points. These nodes share information with each other over the reliable IP multicast network, augmenting this function with a reliable point-to-point communication infrastructure between proxy nodes in those instances where IP multicast is not available or prone to error.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, article of manufacture, and method provides one or more distributed convergence nodes referred to as “Supernodes”, each of which is embodied as a functional technology component within an application that automatically determines whether said component should become “active” and assume the responsibility of forwarding IP multicast data present on a LAN (which supports IP multicast communication) to a “Routing Supernode” via a WAN (which does not support IP multicast communication). The Routing Supernode, in turn, is responsible for forwarding that traffic to other Supernodes present on other LANs. The traffic sent to and from the Routing Supernode is sent via unicast communication. All Supernodes are responsible not only for forwarding traffic present on their respective LAN across the WAN to a Routing Supernode, but they are also responsible for forwarding traffic received over the WAN from the Routing Supernode onto their own respective LANs.