Abstract: A network adapter detection is used to establish a videoconference between a videoconferencing unit and a remote endpoint. Information about a plurality of network adapters available for the videoconferencing application is obtained, and one or more test messages are sent to at least one open source server using each of one or more of the obtained network adapters. The videoconferencing unit than awaits a response to each of the one or more sent test messages from the at least one open source server. If a response is received, the videoconferencing application uses the network adapter that received the response to establish a videoconference connection with the remote endpoint.

Abstract: A plurality of client communication devices, such as robotic devices, are in communication over a network with a software update service that periodically provides update software files to the client devices. The client devices register with the update service and are assigned a database queue in which an update software file is stored for the client device. Periodically, and according to a selected set of rules, the update service notifies the client devices that they can retrieve update software from a database maintained by the update service. In response to notification of the availability of a software update by the service, the client devices can send a request to the database to download the latest version of a software file.

Abstract: One or more presence capable shared or non-shared client communication devices that are members of a communications group are connected to a communications network server that is capable of receiving presence information from any of the shared or non-shared client communication devices and publishing this presence information to other member of the group. The network server maintains publication instructions that are based upon a listing of the member in the group and only publishes presence information to shared and non-shared client communication devices that are members of the group. The network server also maintains permissions rules, created a primary user of a shared client communication device, that limits access by non-primary users to the shared client communication device who are member of the communications group and that controls how the presence information is displayed in a multi-level contact directory located at either a shared or non-shared client communication device.

Abstract: A network adapter detection is used to establish a videoconference between a videoconferencing unit and a remote endpoint. Information about a plurality of network adapters available for the videoconferencing application is obtained, and one or more test messages are sent to at least one open source server using each of one or more of the obtained network adapters. The videoconferencing unit than awaits a response to each of the one or more sent test messages from the at least one open source server. If a response is received, the videoconferencing application uses the network adapter that received the response to establish a videoconference connection with the remote endpoint.