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: 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: 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: 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.

Abstract: A Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) apparatus or system includes a call control agent that is configured and arranged to perform a number of functions. The call control agent is configured to receive a connection request for a VoIP call and then accesses a list of media-relay servers (MRSs) that are located at geographically disparate locations relative to one another. The call control agent can execute a selection algorithm that processes variables for the MRSs in the list. In response to the selection algorithm, the call control agent is configured to select a particular MRS from the list. In response to the selection, the call control agent can then direct an endpoint to route audio media for the VoIP call through the particular MRS. The call control agent also is configured to maintain a call state for the VoIP call while the voice media is routed through the particular MRS.

Abstract: A variety of methods, systems, devices and arrangements are implemented for assessing and/or controlling call routing for 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: 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: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are provided for VoIP communication with endpoint devices via a network address translator (NAT). A plurality of proxy servers is configured to relay communications through mapped paths of the NAT during operations including VoIP sessions through or with the plurality of endpoint devices and during other operations not involving VoIP sessions through or with the plurality of endpoint devices. The mapped paths are susceptible to being unmapped by the NAT if the mapped path is unused for a threshold duration of time. The proxy servers maintain the mapped paths through the NAT by prompting the endpoint devices to communicate data to the plurality of proxy servers. A call control server uses a selection algorithm to select a particular one of the proxy servers to be used for routing communication of a VoIP session between endpoint devices.

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 geographic location and/or time of the call.

Abstract: A variety of methods, systems, devices and arrangements are implemented for assessing and/or controlling call routing for 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: 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: 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 includes a call routing circuit configured to route VoIP calls to and from the plurality of VoIP-enabled devices communicatively-coupled to the VoIP server. The VoIP server also 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.

Abstract: A Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) apparatus or system includes a call control agent that is configured and arranged to perform a number of functions. The call control agent is configured to receive a connection request for a VoIP call and then accesses a list of media-relay servers (MRSs) that are located at geographically disparate locations relative to one another. The call control agent can execute a selection algorithm that processes variables for the MRSs in the list. In response to the selection algorithm, the call control agent is configured to select a particular MRS from the list. In response to the selection, the call control agent can then direct an endpoint to route audio media for the VoIP call through the particular MRS. The call control agent also is configured to maintain a call state for the VoIP call while the voice media is routed through the particular MRS.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are provided for VoIP communication with endpoint devices via a network address translator (NAT). A plurality of proxy servers is configured to relay communications through mapped paths of the NAT during operations including VoIP sessions through or with the plurality of endpoint devices and during other operations not involving VoIP sessions through or with the plurality of endpoint devices. The mapped paths are susceptible to being unmapped by the NAT if the mapped path is unused for a threshold duration of time. The proxy servers maintain the mapped paths through the NAT by prompting the endpoint devices to communicate data to the plurality of proxy servers. A call control server uses a selection algorithm to select a particular one of the proxy servers to be used for routing communication of a VoIP session between endpoint devices.

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: A variety of methods, systems, devices and arrangements are implemented for assessing and/or controlling call routing for 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: A Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) system includes a call control agent that is configured and arranged to perform a number of functions. The call control agent is configured to receive a connection request for a VoIP call and then accesses a list of media-relay servers (MRSs) that are located at geographically disparate locations relative to one another. The call control agent can execute a selection algorithm that processes variables for the MRSs in the list. In response to the selection algorithm, the call control agent is configured to select a particular MRS from the list. In response to the selection, the call control agent can then direct an endpoint to route audio media for the VoIP call through the particular MRS. The call control agent also is configured to maintain a call state for the VoIP call while the voice media is routed through the particular MRS.

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: 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 includes a call routing circuit configured to route VoIP calls to and from the plurality of VoIP-enabled devices communicatively-coupled to the VoIP server. The VoIP server also 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.