Abstract: Systems and methods performed by an IP telephony device or an element of an IP telephony system mask the data contained in data packets bearing the media of an IP telephony communication to prevent an Internet service provider from identifying the data packets as carrying the media of an IP telephony communication. The systems and methods can also modify the size of data packets and/or modify the data transfer rate of a stream of data packets bearing the media of an IP telephony communication to prevent an Internet service provider from identifying the stream of data packets as bearing the media of an IP telephony communication.

Abstract: Systems and methods performed by an IP telephony device or an element of an IP telephony system mask the data contained in data packets bearing the media of an IP telephony communication to prevent an Internet service provider from identifying the data packets as carrying the media of an IP telephony communication. The systems and methods can also modify the size of data packets and/or modify the data transfer rate of a stream of data packets bearing the media of an IP telephony communication to prevent an Internet service provider from identifying the stream of data packets as bearing the media of an IP telephony communication.

Abstract: Systems and methods performed by an IP telephony device or an element of an IP telephony system mask the data contained in data packets bearing the media of an IP telephony communication to prevent an Internet service provider from identifying the data packets as carrying the media of an IP telephony communication. The systems and methods can also modify the size of data packets and/or modify the data transfer rate of a stream of data packets bearing the media of an IP telephony communication to prevent an Internet service provider from identifying the stream of data packets as bearing the media of an IP telephony communication.

Abstract: Systems and methods for forwarding data packets to facilitate an IP telephony communication make use of a media relay to accomplish the forwarding actions. The media relay is configured receive setup signaling indicating a first acceptable originating IP address for received data packets. The media relay also allows the acceptable originating IP address to change once after the initial call setup has occurred. Also, if a REINVITE action occurs during a call, the media relay will allow the acceptable originating IP address to change once after the REINVITE signaling has been completed.

Abstract: A first telephony device sets up a first communication channel through an Internet protocol (IP) network for conducting an IP based telephony communication with a second telephony device. The first communication channel includes one or more media relays. The first telephony device then begins to conduct the telephony communication with the second telephony device over the first communication channel. While the initial stages of the telephony communication are ongoing, the first telephony device sets up a second communication channel with the second telephony device that does not utilize media relays. The telephony communication is then switched to the second communication channel. Proceeding in this fashion ensures that a communication channel can be rapidly established between the first and second telephony devices so that the telephony communication can quickly commence.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for verifying authenticity of device information of an end-user device are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method for verifying authenticity of device information of an end-user device may include sending a request to verify device information of an end-user device receiving, responsive to the request, verification information regarding the device information sent, and performing a verification analysis on the verification information received.

Abstract: Methods and system for routing first communication session data between a first device and at least one participant device via a first communication session are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method for routing first communication session data between a first device and at least one participant device includes receiving a request to establish a second communication session with at least one discovered extension device proximate to the first device, routing at least a portion of the communication session data to the discovered extension device via the second communication session and synchronizing the communication session data routed via the first communication session, and the at least a portion of the communication session data routed via the second communication session.

Abstract: A method of dynamic server assignment in a VoIP network includes detecting a telecommunication device on the VoIP network and querying a geo-location server for geographic information related to the telecommunication device's location and receiving the geographic information. Based on the geographic information a server assignment is determined. A configuration file for the telecommunication device including the server assignment and location is created and the configuration is provided to the telecommunication device over the network. The configuration file may also include features related to local customs or practice.

Abstract: A method of operating an internet-based telephony system (20) comprises determining that a telephony device (30) associated with a customer has access to service to the internet-based telephony system (20); and sending a location update signal to a public land mobile network (32) associated with the customer. The location update signal is configured to include an identification of the internet-based telephony system (20) as a network visited by the telephony device (30) associated with the customer.

Abstract: Telephonic equipment comprises a pre-selection processor which is configured, upon receipt of an indication of actual or anticipated movement of a wireless telephony device, to pre-select a wireless network for wireless communication with the wireless telephony device for a predicted potential destination location of the movement. The pre-selection processor may be further configured to dynamically predict the potential destination location of the movement. The pre-selection processor may comprise telephonic equipment at an Internet telephony system or a wireless telephony device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for managing dropped call operations are provided here. In some embodiments a method for managing dropped call operations may include receiving a first notification of a change in network connectivity during a communication session between a first user device and a second user device; receiving a second notification of a change in network connectivity; generating communication data for the communication session based on a time that the first notification of a change in network connectivity was received; and transmitting the communication data to a service provider.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining an interval for the transmission of keep alive messages that will prevent a pinhole of a data network interface device from closing are driven by a software client on a computing device. The software client informs a network server of a first time interval, and the server uses the first time interval to send communications to the computing device that trigger the computing device to send keep alive messages to the server. If the first time interval does not result in the pinhole closing, the software client instructs the network server to send messages to the computing device that trigger the computing device to send keep alive messages to the server according to a second, longer time interval. This process repeats until the pinhole ultimately closes, and then the last interval that did not cause the pinhole to close is selected for use.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining an interval for the transmission of keep alive messages that will prevent a pinhole of a data network interface device from closing are driven by a software client on a computing device. The software client informs a network server of a first time interval, and the server uses the first time interval to send communications to the computing device that trigger the computing device to send keep alive messages to the server. If the first time interval does not result in the pinhole closing, the software client instructs the network server to send messages to the computing device that trigger the computing device to send keep alive messages to the server according to a second, longer time interval. This process repeats until the pinhole ultimately closes, and then the last interval that did not cause the pinhole to close is selected for use.

Abstract: Systems and methods of recommending that two people form a link on a social networking system use information drawn from contact lists or address books that are maintained by a social networking system for the two people. The information drawn from the contact lists is compared to information in a cross-reference database maintained by a telephony system to obtain alternate identifiers for the individuals and businesses listed in the contact lists and address books maintained by the social networking system. If some of these alternate identifiers match between the two people, there is a chance that the two people are acquainted, or at least are acquainted with the same people. In that instance, a recommendation that they form a link on the social networking system is issued to one or both parties.

Abstract: Methods and systems for synchronizing contact information from multiple sources across multiple devices associated with a user are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method for synchronizing contact information from multiple sources across multiple devices associated with a user may include receiving a contact modification message from a first device to modify a contact in a cloud contact address book, where the cloud contact address book includes contact information for a plurality of contacts from one or more devices associated with a user; modifying the contact in the cloud contact address book based on modification information included in the contact modification message; identifying at least one device of the plurality of devices in which the contact is a native contact; and pushing the modified contact to the identified at least one device.

Abstract: When an incoming communication is directed to a telephony device that is capable of conducting an IP based communication via an IP telephony system and a cellular-based communication via a mobile telephony service provider, the communication is initially setup as a cellular-based communication via the mobile telephony service provider. At the same time, an IP-based communication channel is setup between the telephony device and an IP telephony system. Once the IB-based communication channel is available, the communication is transitioned from the cellular-based communication channel to the IP based communication channel.

Abstract: A system and method for charging a prepaid account for telephony services reserves portions of a balance of the prepaid account to pay for telephony services that have been requested by a user. Once the final charges for providing the telephony services are known, the balance is reduced by the amount of the actual charges, and any portion of the reserved amount is released.

Abstract: Methods and systems for dynamic selection of an originating identifier for billing optimization are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method for dynamic selection of an originating identifier for billing optimization may include receiving from a device associated with a user a first communication request containing a first identifier; determining a second identifier from a plurality of identifiers associated with the user, wherein determination of the second identifier is based on a billing rate associated with the first identifier and the second identifier; and transmitting a second communication request to establish a communication using the first identifier as a destination number and the second identifier as an originating number.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for anchoring and controlling objects in messages across multiple devices are provided herein. The method includes displaying one or more messaging objects in a scrollable portion of a first messaging conversation display screen on a first participant device, the one or more messaging objects comprising at least one message conveyed between the first participant device and at least a second participant device; receiving an instruction to perform a first action on a first messaging object of the one or more messaging objects; performing the first action on the first messaging object; and sending a first object instruction message to at least the second participant device to perform a second action on a second messaging object in a second messaging conversation display screen on the second participant device, the second action associated with the first action and the first messaging object associated with the second messaging object.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling how images are displayed on a display screen of a portable computing device changes the orientation of the images on the display screen when the orientation of the portable computing device changes. If the orientation of the portable computing device is changing only infrequently, the orientation of the images on the display screen may be rapidly changed when the orientation of the portable computing device changes. If the orientation of the portable computing device is changing relatively frequently, the orientation of the images may not switch until after a delay period has expired after each change in orientation of the portable computing device occurs.