Abstract: A telephone conferencing method includes techniques for partitioning the multiple ports of a bridge into separate groups of ports which can each separately service a customer. Network management for the teleconferencing system includes displaying conference status and information to an operator or to a coordinator of a customer being services by the system. The information includes a conference name, the status of the conference, the name of a bridge for use to conduct the conference and the number of ports being used by the conference. Video conferencing is also possible with the designation of one voice leg and at least one and sometimes two data legs for each conferee to provide sufficient data handling capacity for transmitting and receiving video signals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enhancing the operation of a teleconferencing system, utilizes a programmed service computer to drive a bridge which has a plurality of ports for establishing communication with a plurality of conferees. The bridge includes a microprocessor which responds to a plurality of commands, each requiring information in the form of plural constant information responses and plural variable information responses. The constant information responses involve the status and identification for a conference and conferees of that conference. The variable response information is specific to each conferee. This may include first and last name for the conferee, as well as the conferee's telephone number. The programming of the service computer supplies the information responses to the microprocessor in the appropriate order for achieving functions, such as the addition, removal and changing of status for conferees.

Abstract: A nonhierarchial switching system employing a modified unified algorithm for developing link sizes for paths that connect switches in the system and routing sequences for the switches in the system, and further employing means for updating the routing sequences to minimize potential blocking in the network. In one embodiment, the modified unified algorithm develops improved link size determinations by taking advantage of traffic sensitive dynamic routing on the alternate paths available in the nonhierarchial switching system for connecting any switch to any other switch in the system. Updating of the routing sequences is achieved in that embodiment by evaluating the least loaded path for each potential connection of two switches in the system and, when appropriate, by installing the least loaded path as the second choice path in the routing sequence for that potential connection.