Abstract: Techniques for managing task assignments to workers in a work environment are disclosed. A system identifies one or more workers with qualifications that match recommended qualifications to perform a task in a work environment. The system applies a trained machine learning model to task performance data associated with the worker, such as a past history of tasks performed and statistics associated with the performance of the task. The machine learning model generates a prediction of downstream effects associated with assigning the task to the user. The downstream effects include delays and performance improvements on subsequent tasks performed by the worker, as well as effects on tasks performed by other workers, at work centers in the work environment.

Abstract: Techniques for implementing a qualification-based task management system in a work environment are disclosed. When a user logs in to a work center terminal, a system identifies a set of pending tasks that need to be completed. The system filters the tasks available to the user based on the user's qualifications and the equipment present at the work center. When the system identifies a task for which there is not a set of users with matching qualifications, the system applies a machine learning model to the task parameters to identify candidate users or recommended qualifications for performing the task.

Abstract: Techniques for generating recommendations for re-ordering scheduled tasks to improve completion times of one or more tasks are disclosed. A system displays a representation of a schedule for performing tasks among work centers in a work environment. The system identifies performance metrics associated with a current configuration of tasks in the work environment. The system further analyzes performance metrics for alternative task schedules in the work environment. The system displays interface elements to allow a user to re-order tasks among the work centers in the work environment. The system also displays predicted performance metrics associated with the alternative task schedules. When a user selects a particular interface element to implement an alternative task schedule, the system generates instructions to work centers to reorder tasks in the work environment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for migrating and/or changing the allocation of network interface(s) or Internet Protocol address(es) of network interface(s) from one Pod, e.g., a failed Pod, to another Pod, e.g., a live Pod, in a Kubernetes system. An exemplary method of operating a Kubernetes system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention includes: establishing, by the Kubernetes system, a first service including a first Pod located on a first node and a second Pod located on a second node, allocating by the Kubernetes system an external network interface including an Internet Protocol address for use by the first Pod, the allocation of said external network interface for use by the first Pod being unknown to a first Kubelet managing the first node; and upon failure of the first Pod, changing allocation of the external network interface from the first Pod to the second Pod.

Abstract: The present invention relates to communications methods and apparatus for detecting and/or mitigating split brain occurrences in high availability systems. A split brain condition being a condition wherein both a standby processing node and another processing node of a cluster of processing nodes included in a high availability system are both operating at the same time in an active mode of operation. An exemplary method embodiment of operating a high availability system including a plurality of processing nodes includes the steps of determining at a standby processing node that a failure condition exists, said standby processing node being one of the cluster of processing nodes; switching the standby processing node from a standby mode of operation to an active mode of operation in response to determining that a failure condition exists; and determining whether the high availability system is experiencing a split brain condition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for migrating and/or changing the allocation of network interface(s) or Internet Protocol address(es) of network interface(s) from one Pod, e.g., a failed Pod, to another Pod, e.g., a live Pod, in a Kubernetes system. An exemplary method of operating a Kubernetes system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention includes: establishing, by the Kubernetes system, a first service including a first Pod located on a first node and a second Pod located on a second node, allocating by the Kubernetes system an external network interface including an Internet Protocol address for use by the first Pod, the allocation of said external network interface for use by the first Pod being unknown to a first Kubelet managing the first node; and upon failure of the first Pod, changing allocation of the external network interface from the first Pod to the second Pod.

Abstract: The present invention relates to communications methods and apparatus for detecting and/or mitigating split brain occurrences in high availability systems. A split brain condition being a condition wherein both a standby processing node and another processing node of a cluster of processing nodes included in a high availability system are both operating at the same time in an active mode of operation. An exemplary method embodiment of operating a high availability system including a plurality of processing nodes includes the steps of determining at a standby processing node that a failure condition exists, said standby processing node being one of the cluster of processing nodes; switching the standby processing node from a standby mode of operation to an active mode of operation in response to determining that a failure condition exists; and determining whether the high availability system is experiencing a split brain condition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to communications methods and apparatus for detecting and/or mitigating split brain occurrences in high availability systems. A split brain condition being a condition wherein both a standby processing node and another processing node of a cluster of processing nodes included in a high availability system are both operating at the same time in an active mode of operation. An exemplary method embodiment of operating a high availability system including a plurality of processing nodes includes the steps of determining at a standby processing node that a failure condition exists, said standby processing node being one of the cluster of processing nodes; switching the standby processing node from a standby mode of operation to an active mode of operation in response to determining that a failure condition exists; and determining whether the high availability system is experiencing a split brain condition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to communications methods and apparatus for detecting and/or mitigating split brain occurrences in high availability systems. A split brain condition being a condition wherein both a standby processing node and another processing node of a cluster of processing nodes included in a high availability system are both operating at the same time in an active mode of operation. An exemplary method embodiment of operating a high availability system including a plurality of processing nodes includes the steps of determining at a standby processing node that a failure condition exists, said standby processing node being one of the cluster of processing nodes; switching the standby processing node from a standby mode of operation to an active mode of operation in response to determining that a failure condition exists; and determining whether the high availability system is experiencing a split brain condition.

Abstract: Methods, media gateways, and computer program products are described associated with call redundancy for a packet-based network. The described call redundancy involves a receiver module in communication with the packet-based network adapted to receive or transmit data associated with a plurality of calls from one or more signaling links. The data includes signaling information based on a publicly-switched telephone network (“PSTN”) standard. A first processor module is in communication with the receiver module and is adapted to process the data associated with the plurality of calls. A second processor module is in communication with the receiver module and the first processor module. The second processor module is adapted to receive at least a portion of the data associated with the plurality of calls. At least a portion of data maintained on the second processor module is synchronized with the corresponding data processed by the first processor module.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products are described associated with publicly-switched telephone network (“PSTN”) signaling at a media gateway for a packet-based network. The described signaling involves receiving, at a media gateway in communication with a packet-based network, signaling information and content information associated with one or more calls. The signaling information is based on a PSTN standard. At least a portion of both the signaling information and the content information is processed at the media gateway using a common processor. At least a portion of the content information is transmitted to a destination based on at least a portion of the signaling information.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products are described associated with call redundancy for a packet-based network. The described call redundancy involves a receiver module in communication with the packet-based network adapted to receive or transmit data associated with a plurality of calls from one or more signaling links. The data includes signaling information based on a publicly-switched telephone network (“PSTN”) standard. A first processor module is in communication with the receiver module and is adapted to process the data associated with the plurality of calls. A second processor module is in communication with the receiver module and the first processor module. The second processor module is adapted to receive at least a portion of the data associated with the plurality of calls. At least a portion of data maintained on the second processor module is synchronized with the corresponding data processed by the first processor module.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products are described associated with publicly-switched telephone network (“PSTN”) signaling at a media gateway for a packet-based network. The described signaling involves receiving, at a media gateway in communication with a packet-based network, signaling information and content information associated with one or more calls. The signaling information is based on a PSTN standard. At least a portion of both the signaling information and the content information is processed at the media gateway using a common processor. At least a portion of the content information is transmitted to a destination based on at least a portion of the signaling information.