Abstract: Techniques for dynamically loading protocol stacks under signaling control (e.g., a message) are provided. A method of dynamically loading protocol stacks includes the sending of a message to load a protocol stack. If the protocol stack cannot be loaded, the method includes unloading a different protocol stack (such as an unused protocol stack) so that the desired protocol stack can be loaded.

Abstract: Techniques for enhancing the sound quality of computer telephony systems are provided. In general, digital signals including telephony sounds are converted from the time domain to the frequency domain. If noise is detected in the frequency domain conversion of the digital signals, the noise is removed utilizing a filter. The noise detection and filtering can be performed in software so that enhanced audio quality can be achieved at a relatively low cost and with flexibility for very diverse environments.

Abstract: Techniques for configuring multiple audio transducers, including telephony devices, are provided. Audio configurations for the multiple audio input and output transducers can be selected by the user. When it is determined that a telephony device has gone off hook, the audio configuration is changed to utilize the off hook telephony device. When the telephony device goes on hook, the audio configuration can be returned to its original state. The present invention allows multiple audio input and output transducers to be used, for example, in a computer telephony client by efficiently switching between these transducers via configuration changes. According to specific embodiments, the present invention may be provided in an audio transducer switch between the multiple audio transducers and a sound card of a computer, or within a sound card itself.

Abstract: Disclosed is a computer-readable medium containing program instructions for configuring a first computer so that a first telephony client on the first computer may securely communicate with a second telephony client on a second computer via a communication path. The computer-readable medium includes computer code for inserting a security algorithm within the communication path. The security algorithm facilitates secure communication between the first and second telephony clients such that more than a single type of telephony client may be implemented. In a specific embodiment, the security algorithm is inserted within the first computer's operating system kernel.

Abstract: Techniques for improving the audio of computer telephony calls are provided. The execution of background computer processes can be deferred during computer telephony calls so that the background processes will not take up processing resources and thereby reduce the audio quality. Additionally, background processes can be resumed if there have not been any computer telephony calls made or received for a specific amount of time.

Abstract: Techniques for software configurable sidetone are provided. A user can select one or more characteristics of the sidetone and the sidetone signal will be generated according to an input signal and the user selected characteristic or characteristics. A bipartite calculation can be utilized to generate the sidetone such that the sidetone increases by a decreased percentage of the input signal above a threshold. Additionally, characteristics of multiple configurations can be stored in a configuration database for use with each configuration.

Abstract: Techniques for validating an audio configuration of a computer are provided. Validation tests are performed on the audio configuration and results from the tests are displayed to a user as a report. The report can include an indication of the audio configuration settings that will adversely affect the audio quality for such uses as computer telephony. Additionally, the report can indicate a recommendation on changing the audio configuration to improve audio quality and can assist the user in making the audio configuration change.

Abstract: To improve the quality of audio signals transmitted over a computer network, a source computer (12) and a destination computer (30) that participate in the call exchange information concerning the gain and the frequency characteristics response of the audio components of each participating computer. The parameters of the audio components of the source and/or destination computer are then adjusted to produce an audio signal having one or more desired characteristics.

Abstract: Disclosed is a computer-readable medium containing program instructions for configuring a first computer so that a first telephony client on the first computer may securely communicate with a second telephony client on a second computer via a communication path. The computer-readable medium includes computer code for inserting a security algorithm within the communication path. The security algorithm facilitates secure communication between the first and second telephony clients such that more than a single type of telephony client may be implemented. In a specific embodiment, the security algorithm is inserted within the first computer's operating system kernel.

Abstract: Techniques for enhancing the sound quality of computer telephony systems are provided. In general, digital signals including telephony sounds are converted from the time domain to the frequency domain. If noise is detected in the frequency domain conversion of the digital signals, the noise is removed utilizing a filter. The noise detection and filtering can be performed in software so that enhanced audio quality can be achieved at a relatively low cost and with flexibility for very diverse environments.

Abstract: Techniques for dynamically loading protocol stacks under signaling control (e.g., a message) are provided. A message can be sent to load a protocol stack. If the protocol stack cannot be loaded, a different protocol stack (such as an unused protocol stack) is unloaded so that the desired protocol stack can be loaded. Memory can be more efficiently utilized and non-sharable protocol stacks can be easily shared.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for correcting protocol errors in computer networking software. More particularly, an apparatus and methods are provided for correcting a class of protocol errors that is compatible with the protocol suite being used in computer networking software. The present invention performs inband protocol correction in a single phase or in multiple phases, according to some specific embodiments.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for correcting protocol errors in computer networking software. More particularly, an apparatus and methods are provided for correcting a class of protocol errors that is compatible with the protocol suite being used in computer networking software. The present invention performs inband protocol correction in a single phase or in multiple phases, according to some specific embodiments.

Abstract: An integrated reliability enhancement device for providing high reliability operation of a personal computer is preferably embodied in an add-in card for insertion into a bus slot of the personal computer. The add-in card includes monitoring circuitry for detecting an array of events associated with operational failure of the computer including failure of a cooling fan, out-of-range temperature fluctuations within the computer housing, out-of-range deviations in power supply input voltage, out-of-range deviations in power supply output voltage, and out-of-range deviations in line current consumption by the computer. Upon detection of one of the events, data associated with the failure is written into an add-in card memory which is accessed periodically by application software of the host computer.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for correcting protocol errors in computer networking software. More particularly, an apparatus and methods are provided for correcting a class of protocol errors that is compatible with the protocol suite being used in computer networking software. The present invention performs inband protocol correction in a single phase or in multiple phases, according to some specific embodiments.