Abstract: Various example implementations are directed to methods and apparatuses for facilitating conferenced communications. In one of various examples involving audio signals received from a plurality of participants of a digital audio conference, a logic circuit is to process the audio signals via respective audio input circuits respectively associated with each of the endpoint devices, and, in response to a subset of the different audio signals deemed or qualified as having a loudest audio input, encodes audio from only the subset for broadcasting to participants of the digital audio conference.

Abstract: A variety of methods, systems, devices and arrangements are implemented for assessing and/or controlling call routing for Internet-based (e.g., VoIP/VioIP) calls. According to one such method, endpoint devices are used to monitor and/or assess the call-quality. The assessment is sent to a centralized server arrangement and call-routing is controlled therefrom. Endpoint devices employ a decentralized testing mechanism to further monitor and assess call quality. Aspects of call quality are analyzed and attributed to endpoint devices and/or local connections or networks to distinguish intermediate routing issues from local/endpoint issues.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods concerning call routing are disclosed. In an example embodiment, a call alert message, indicative of the call answer options, is communicated from a data-communications server to the communication device, determined in response to receiving an incoming call for a communication device at the server. A selected option is received from the communication device. In response to the selected option indicating the first call answer option, the call is routed to the communication device as a call via a data network or in response to the selected option indicating the second call answer option, the call is routed to the communication device via a PSTN.

Abstract: An apparatus including a server is disclosed for providing data-communications services to and configuring contact lists for a plurality of Internet-enabled devices. The apparatus includes a data server communicatively connected to the plurality of user-communications devices. In response to receiving a first data message, from a first device not included in the plurality of devices, that includes contact information and identifies one of the plurality of devices, the device management circuit adds a new contact having the contact information to the respective contact list of the identified one of the plurality of devices.

Abstract: Various example implementations are directed to methods and apparatuses for facilitating conferenced communications. In one of various examples involving audio signals received from a plurality of participants of a digital audio conference, a logic circuit is to process the audio signals via respective audio input circuits respectively associated with each of the endpoint devices, and, in response to a subset of the different audio signals deemed or qualified as having a loudest audio input as compared to other ones of the different audio signals, each of the other ones of the different audio signals are assigned to an encoder pool based on a codec associated with the digital audio conference.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods concerning call routing are disclosed. As an example, one apparatus includes an interface circuit configured to route calls, as data communications, between a cellular network or PSTN and a plurality of communication devices on an IP network. In response to receiving a first call notification from one of a plurality of mobile devices, a processing circuit of the apparatus caches the call notification for a period of time in a first database. A first call notification indicates a source number and a destination number. In response to a first incoming call via the cellular or PSTN network from the source number included in the cached call notification, the processing circuit redirects the call to the destination number indicated in the call notification via the cellular or PSTN network.

Abstract: A variety of methods, systems, devices and arrangements are implemented for emergency call centers. According to one such method, a location database is populated from a plurality of endpoint devices. The location database determines locations for nodes in a data transmission route from information received from the endpoint devices. Emergency calls using these nodes are located using the populated database.

Abstract: Various example implementations are directed to circuits, apparatuses and methods for providing Voice-over-IP (VoIP) services. According to an example embodiment, an apparatus includes a first network node configured to communicate VoIP-packets between upstream and downstream network nodes in a network and to communicate metadata with at least one of the VoIP packets downstream in the network. The apparatus also includes a second network node configured to receive the set of metadata and at least one VoIP packet, and communicate the at least one of the VoIP packet further downstream in the network. The second network node is also configured to send a response packet upstream in response to receiving the metadata. A network pathway assessment module is configured to derive, from the response packet a latency corresponding to the VoIP-packets communicated along a pathway between the first network node and the second network node.

Abstract: A variety of methods, systems, devices and arrangements are implemented for assessing and/or controlling call routing for Internet-based (e.g., VoIP/VioIP) calls. According to one such method, endpoint devices are used to monitor and/or assess the call-quality. The assessment is sent to a centralized server arrangement and call-routing is controlled therefrom. Endpoint devices employ a decentralized testing mechanism to further monitor and assess call quality including the use of test connections. Aspects of call quality are analyzed and attributed to endpoint devices and/or local connections or networks to distinguish intermediate routing issues from local/endpoint issues.

Abstract: In one or more embodiments, an apparatus includes a set of VoIP servers configured to route VoIP calls to and from a plurality of VoIP-enabled devices. Each of the VoIP-enabled devices is respectively associated with one of a plurality of client accounts. A control circuit is communicatively connected to the one or more VoIP servers and directs the VoIP servers to route VoIP calls for a client account according to a respective routing policy for the client account. The routing policy indicates one or more routing algorithms for selecting paths of a network for routing each of the VoIP calls. The routing policy also indicates a selection algorithm configured to, for each VoIP call, one of the set of routing algorithms based on a set of criteria such as date or time of the call.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods concerning call routing are disclosed. In an example embodiment, a call alert message, indicative of the call answer options, is communicated from the VoIP server to the communication device, determined in response to receiving an incoming VoIP call for a communication device at a VoIP server. A selected option is received from the communication device. In response to the selected option indicating the first call answer option, the call is routed to the communication device as a VoIP call via a data network. In response to the selected option indicating the second call answer option, the call is routed to the communication device via a PSTN.

Abstract: Various example implementations are directed to methods and apparatuses for facilitating conferenced communications. In one of various examples involving audio signals received from a plurality of participants of a digital audio conference, a logic circuit is to process the audio signals via respective audio input circuits respectively associated with each of the endpoint devices, and, in response to a subset of the different audio signals deemed or qualified as having a loudest audio input as compared to other ones of the different audio signals, each of the other ones of the different audio signals are assigned to an encoder pool based on a codec associated with the digital audio conference. Digital audio packets for the digital audio conference associated with the subset of the different audio signals deemed or qualified as having a loudest audio input are then encoded for broadcast.

Abstract: An apparatus including a server is disclosed for providing data-communications services to and configuring contact lists for a plurality of VoIP-enabled devices. The apparatus includes a data server communicatively connected to the plurality of user-communications devices. In response to receiving a first data message, from a first device not included in the plurality of devices, that includes contact information and identifies one of the plurality of devices, the device management circuit adds a new contact having the contact information to the respective contact list of the identified one of the plurality of devices.

Abstract: Various example implementations are directed to methods and apparatuses for facilitating conferenced communications. An example method can include receiving from a plurality of participants of a digital audio conference, audio signals from respective audio input circuits for each respective participant. A subset of the plurality of participants may be identified, as corresponding to loudest audio input compared to a remainder of the participants. At least one encoder pool may be generated by assigning each of the remainder of the participants to an encoder pool associated with a codec used by the respective audio input circuits. For each participant in the subset, digital audio packets of the loudest audio input may be separately encoded to remove feedback. Digital audio packets of the loudest audio input may be separately encoded using the at least one encoder pool, and the encoded data packets may be broadcast to the plurality of participants.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods concerning call routing are disclosed. As an example, one apparatus includes an interface circuit configured to route calls between a cellular network or PSTN and a plurality of communication devices on an IP network, each of the plurality of communication devices corresponding to a respective telephone extension. In response to receiving a first call notification from one of a plurality of mobile devices, a processing circuit of the apparatus caches the call notification for a period of time in a first database. A first call notification indicates a source number and a destination number. In response to a first incoming call via the cellular or PSTN network from the source number included in the cached call notification, the processing circuit redirects the call to the destination number indicated in the call notification via the cellular or PSTN network.

Abstract: A variety of methods, systems, devices and arrangements are implemented for assessing and/or controlling call routing for Internet-based (e.g., VoIP/VioIP) calls. According to one such method, endpoint devices are used to monitor and/or assess the call-quality. The assessment is sent to a centralized server arrangement and call-routing is controlled therefrom. Endpoint devices employ a decentralized testing mechanism to further monitor and assess call quality including the use of test connections. Aspects of call quality are analyzed and attributed to endpoint devices and/or local connections or networks to distinguish intermediate routing issues from local/endpoint issues.

Abstract: Various example implementations are directed to methods and apparatuses for facilitating conferenced communications. An example method can include receiving from a plurality of participants of a digital audio conference, audio signals from respective audio input circuits for each respective participant. A subset of the plurality of participants may be identified, as corresponding to loudest audio input compared to a remainder of the participants. At least one encoder pool may be generated by assigning each of the remainder of the participants to an encoder pool associated with a codec used by the respective audio input circuits. For each participant in the subset, digital audio packets of the loudest audio input may be separately encoded to remove feedback. Digital audio packets of the loudest audio input may be separately encoded using the at least one encoder pool, and the encoded data packets may be broadcast to the plurality of participants.

Abstract: In one or more embodiments, an apparatus includes a set of VoIP servers configured to route VoIP calls to and from a plurality of VoIP-enabled devices. Each of the VoIP-enabled devices is respectively associated with one of a plurality of client accounts. A control circuit is communicatively connected to the one or more VoIP servers and directs the VoIP servers to route VoIP calls for a client account according to a respective routing policy for the client account. The routing policy indicates one or more routing algorithms for selecting paths of a network for routing each of the VoIP calls. The routing policy also indicates a selection algorithm configured to, for each VoIP call, one of the set of routing algorithms based on a set of criteria such as date or time of the call.

Abstract: Various example implementations are directed to circuits, apparatuses and methods for providing Voice-over-IP (VoIP) services. According to an example embodiment, an apparatus includes a first network node configured to communicate VoIP-packets between upstream and downstream network nodes in a network and to communicate metadata with at least one of the VoIP packets downstream in the network. The apparatus also includes a second network node configured to receive the set of metadata and at least one VoIP packet, and communicate the at least one of the VoIP packet further downstream in the network. The second network node is also configured to send a response packet upstream in response to receiving the metadata. A network pathway assessment module is configured to derive, from the response packet a latency corresponding to the VoIP-packets communicated along a pathway between the first network node and the second network node.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for providing voice-over-IP (VoIP) services to and configuring contact lists for a plurality of VoIP-enabled devices. The apparatus includes a VoIP server communicatively connected to the plurality of VoIP-enabled devices. The VoIP server can includes a device management circuit configured to maintain a list of IP addresses for each of the plurality of VoIP-enabled devices. In response to receiving a first data message, from a first device not included in the plurality of VoIP-enabled devices, that includes contact information and identifies one of the plurality of VoIP-enabled devices, the device management circuit adds a new contact having the contact information to the respective contact list of the identified one of the plurality of VoIP-enabled devices.