Abstract: A client device comprises a plurality of audio input ports, at least one audio output port, a MIDI input port, a MIDI output port, a video input port, a video output port, a processor and a network interface. The processor generates outgoing IP messages that carry at least one audio input signal received from the audio input ports, a first MIDI signal received from the MIDI input port and a first video signal received from the video input port. From incoming IP messages, the processor extracts a second MIDI signal for the MIDI output port, a second video signal for the video output port, and at least one audio output signal for the at least one audio output port. A network interface sends the outgoing IP messages within a VoIP call via a network and receives the incoming IP messages within the VoIP call via the network.

Abstract: A method of providing Voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) communications to a device outside an intranet includes receiving authentication data from the device and comparing the data to a list of authentication data. If the comparison results in a match, a connection is established between the device outside the intranet and the intranet using one or more tunneling protocols. Thereafter, a VoIP pathway may be established between the outside device and another device. Calls or connections over this pathway are not subject to pubic switched telephone network charges.

Abstract: A secure communication session between devices is provided by the reception of public keys by respective devices and the encoding/decoding of messages by the devices using the public keys and another private key.

Abstract: A multi-mode cellular and voice over internet protocol mobile device and a supporting network is disclosed. The mobile device includes a housing, an antenna, a wide area cellular communications module to provide wide area cellular communications, and a short-range wireless local area network module to provide a wireless communications interface to a wireless local area network having voice over internet protocol capability. In a particular embodiment, an internet protocol address managed by a wireless LAN base station is forwarded to and stored by the mobile phone device. In another embodiment, a method of forwarding a call from a mobile phone to a wireless LAN base station is disclosed. In another illustrative embodiment, a method of communicating from a wireless LAN base station to a mobile phone is disclosed.