Abstract: A method and system for providing real-time, web-based updates is disclosed. For instance, a user requests over the user's web browser a web browser-based application from a web server to receive a web page and display the same on a user interface. A client-object of the web browser connects using a TCP or UDP connection to a middleware layer and said middleware layer is further connected to a content source. Updates from the content source are directed to the middleware layer and sent or pushed to said client-object over the TCP or UDP connection. Polling on the client side, specifically constant and consistent polling between the client-object and a scripting language recognizes updates and updates the user interface with said updates.

Abstract: A high volume voice conferencing system serving a plurality of users. The system determines whether incoming packets from the plurality of users contains voice information or noise. Packets containing noise are dropped from the system and only voice packets are processed as part of the voice conferencing arrangement. Dropping the unnecessary noise packets increases the capacity of the voice conferencing system.