Abstract: A method of delivering a video ringback media stream to a first terminal includes transmitting a session signaling message from the first terminal to a ringback server, transmitting a session signaling response message from the ringback server to the first terminal, and establishing one or more channels between the ringback server and the first terminal. The method also includes establishing one or more media streams between a content device and the ringback server and processing the one or more media streams in the ringback server to form a video ringback media stream. The method further includes transmitting the video ringback media stream from the ringback server to the first terminal, transmitting a second session signaling message from the ringback server to a second terminal, and transmitting a second session signaling response message associated with answering a call from the second terminal to the ringback server.

Abstract: The present invention relates to converting media bitstreams across different networks in a media gateway without any algorithmic delay, and reduces the computation load within the transmission in the situation where the bandwidth of the outgoing network varies dynamically. A first embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus and a method for a Reduced-Algorithmic-Delay Media Stream Unit Conversion module which is a light weight Simple Pass-Through operation. A second embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus and a method for a Reduced-Algorithmic-Delay Video Rate Conversion. An alternative embodiment provides an apparatus and a method for a Smart Pass-Through Operation which involves switching between the Simple Pass-Through and the Rate Converter. The methods and apparatuses provided by the first and second embodiment can be used as a stand alone system, or as part of the module of the alternative embodiment.

Abstract: A method of transmitting media to a client by an infrastructure device in a packet-switched network includes receiving a media stream at the infrastructure device. The method also includes determining an adaptation strategy according to at least one of one or more pieces of network information associated with the packet-switched network, one or more pieces of client information associated with the client, or one or more policies. The method further includes adapting the media stream according to the adaptation strategy to produce an output media stream.

Abstract: An apparatus for adapting media content in one or more networks includes a controller module, one or more network interface modules, and one or more protocol interface modules coupled to the controller module. The apparatus also includes a script interpretation module coupled to the controller module and one or more media adaptation modules coupled to the controller module. The one or more media adaptation modules may support audio, video, or meta data. The apparatus further includes a management interface module coupled to the controller module. Media may be received at the apparatus as streaming media and be provided from the apparatus as a download or a progressive download. Additionally, media may be received at the apparatus as a download or progressive download and be provided from the apparatus as streaming media.

Abstract: A method for optimizing a multiparty multimedia conferencing communication session over communications networks is provided. A host multimedia stream is received from a host multimedia client. A first element indicative of presence of a multimedia conferencing session is transmitted to participating multimedia clients by the host multimedia client. Subsequently, individual multimedia streams are received from participating multimedia clients. The host multimedia stream is processed and transmitted to the participating clients. A second element indicative of presence of the multimedia conferencing session is transmitted by the participating clients to the host multimedia client and to each other. The individual multimedia streams are processed separately and transmitted to the host multimedia client and to the participating multimedia clients.

Abstract: An apparatus for adapting media content in one or more networks includes a controller module, one or more network interface modules, and one or more protocol interface modules coupled to the controller module. The apparatus also includes a script interpretation module coupled to the controller module and one or more media adaptation modules coupled to the controller module. The one or more media adaptation modules may support audio, video, or meta data. The apparatus further includes a management interface module coupled to the controller module. Media may be received at the apparatus as streaming media and be provided from the apparatus as a download or a progressive download. Additionally, media may be received at the apparatus as a download or progressive download and be provided from the apparatus as streaming media.

Abstract: A method of transmitting a coded media frame comprises determining a plurality of media frame sizes including a media frame size, transmitting an element comprising the plurality of media frame sizes, and thereafter receiving an input media frame. The method also includes processing the input media frame according to the media frame size to provide a coded media frame, and transmitting the coded media frame.

Abstract: A method of transmitting a coded media frame comprises determining a plurality of media frame sizes including a media frame size, transmitting an element comprising the plurality of media frame sizes, and thereafter receiving an input media frame. The method also includes processing the input media frame according to the media frame size to provide a coded media frame, and transmitting the coded media frame.

Abstract: A multimedia device configured to support video in a session of a call includes one or more media providing devices and one or more computer codes directed to performing an initialization process for the one or more media providing devices. The initialization process may be performed at an initialization time prior to or substantially equal to a first time prior to or substantially equal to a reception time associated with receiving an indication of call acceptance from a called device, or second time prior to or substantially equal to an acceptance time associated with call acceptance by the multimedia device. The multimedia device also includes one or more computer codes directed to transmitting one or more preferences for the session according to a session setup procedure, one or more media processors coupled to the one or more media providing devices, and one or more computer codes directed to transmitting media on one or more media channels associated with the session.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing transcoding between bitstreams coded by hybrid video codecs which uses fewer resources than decoding/decompressing the original bitstream and recoding/recompressing it to the second format. According to a specific embodiment, the present method can exploits the similarity of the standard video compression algorithms to, where possible, convert encoded parameters in the incoming bitstreams directly into encoded parameters which constitute compliant data for the outgoing bitstream.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adapting media is provided. The method includes receiving a request for a first media stream and a second media stream at different media times. The method further includes processing a source media stream to produce a first portion media stream and a second portion media stream using a media processing element. A method for processing media comprises creating a first media processing element and a second media processing element. The method further includes processing a first media stream using the first media processing element to produce assistance information. Further, the method includes processing a second media stream using the second media processing element wherein the second media processing element utilizes the assistance information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a voice transcoder that converts a bitstream representing frames of data encoded according to a first voice compression standard to a bitstream representing frames of data according to a second voice compression standard using perceptual weighting that uses tuned weighting factors, such that the bitstream of a second voice compression standard to produce a higher quality decoded voice signal than a comparable tandem transcoding solution.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a voice transcoder that converts a bitstream representing frames of data encoded according to a first voice compression standard to a bitstream representing frames of data according to a second voice compression standard using perceptual weighting that uses tuned weighting factors, such that the bitstream of a second voice compression standard to produce a higher quality decoded voice signal than a comparable tandem transcoding solution.

Abstract: Methods of establishing multimedia telecommunication (a multimedia “call”) between equipment (“terminals”). More particularly, the invention provides methods for reducing the time required to establish calls between terminals implementing ITU-T Recommendation H.324 and derived or related standards or recommendations such as 3G-324M. More specifically, it relates to methods and apparatuses for (i) concatenating H.245 messages to pass between the terminals at the start of the call to establish the capabilities of both terminals and agree on the type and format of media and data to be exchanged (ii) using non-standard H.245 messages or standard H.245 messages with non-standard fields to accelerate establishment and (iii) informing each terminal of the capabilities of the other and proposing the type and format of media and data to be exchanged by means of fields inserted in the call signaling protocol used for bearer establishment prior to the H.324 stage of the call.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing adaptive codebook pitch lag from one CELP based standard to another CELP based standard. The apparatus has various modules that perform at least the functionality described herein. The apparatus includes a time-base subframe checker inspection module, which is adapted to associate one or more incoming subframes with an outgoing subframes of a destination codec. The apparatus also has a decision module coupled to the time-base subframe inspection module. The decision module is adapted to determine a desired pitch lag parameter from a plurality of pitch lag parameters among respective two or more incoming subframes. The apparatus has a pitch lag selection module coupled to the decision module. The pitch lag selection module is adapted to select the desired pitch lag parameter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a voice transcoder that converts a bitstream representing frames of data encoded according to a first voice compression standard to a bitstream representing frames of data according to a second voice compression standard using perceptual weighting that uses tuned weighting factors, such that the bitstream of a second voice compression standard to produce a higher quality decoded voice signal than a comparable tandem transcoding solution.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method of establishing a reduced setup time session through a gateway is provided which includes: receiving a first capability message transmitted from the first terminal to the gateway; receiving a second capability message transmitted from the second terminal to the gateway; transmitting first and second capability response messages from the terminal to the first and second terminals, respectively; receiving a media stream transmitted from the second terminal to the gateway; processing the media stream, including identifying a temporal feature in the media stream that enables a decoder to establish a decoder refresh point; receiving an acknowledgment message transmitted from the first terminal to the gateway; and, thereafter transmitting the processed media from the gateway to the first terminal.

Abstract: A method of initiating a set up process for a call between users with reduced set up times using one or more 3G telecommunication networks. The method is provided between at least a pair of H.324-like terminals coupled to the one or more 3G telecommunication networks. The method includes establishing a bearer channel between a first terminal and a second terminal after a call signaling process, transmitting a first FSS message from the first terminal to the second terminal. The first FSS message includes a first preference profile associated with a first mode of operation for the call and a second preference profile associated with a second mode of operation for the call. The method also includes selecting either the first mode of operation or the second mode of operation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for encoding and decoding a voice signal. The apparatus includes an encoder configured to generate an output bitstream signal from an input voice signal. The output bitstream signal is associated with at least a first standard of a first plurality of CELP voice compression standards. Additionally, the apparatus includes a decoder configured to generate an output voice signal from an input bitstream signal. The input bitstream signal is associated with at least a first standard of a second plurality of CELP voice compression standards. The CELP encoder includes a plurality of codec-specific encoder modules. Additionally, the CELP encoder includes a plurality of generic encoder modules. The CELP decoder includes a plurality of codec-specific decoder modules. Additionally, the CELP decoder includes a plurality of generic decoder modules.

Abstract: A multimedia device configured to support video in a session of a call includes one or more media providing devices and one or more computer codes directed to performing an initialization process for the one or more media providing devices. The initialization process may be performed at an initialization time prior to or substantially equal to a first time prior to or substantially equal to a reception time associated with receiving an indication of call acceptance from a called device, or second time prior to or substantially equal to an acceptance time associated with call acceptance by the multimedia device. The multimedia device also includes one or more computer codes directed to transmitting one or more preferences for the session according to a session setup procedure, one or more media processors coupled to the one or more media providing devices, and one or more computer codes directed to transmitting media on one or more media channels associated with the session.