Abstract: A first control node for use in a multimedia network includes a call control module to perform a call control task to enable establishment of a call session on behalf of a terminal in the multimedia network. The call control module further cooperates with a second control node to perform the call control task. A security element performs a security task with respect to messaging communicated for enabling establishment of the call session.

Abstract: The present invention provides a technique for handling damaged named signal event (NSE) packets that are received in association with a voice over packet based telephony call. The received packets for a telephony call may include voice packets as well as NSE packets. Upon receipt of the packets at a physical layer, the packets are processed at a link layer to detect damaged packets having link layer errors. The incoming packets are sent to an audio application at an application layer for further processing. For damaged packets, link layer error indicia is generated at the link layer and sent to the audio processing application. The audio application will use the link layer error indicia to identify damaged packets or payloads associated with damaged packets, and determine whether the payloads corresponding to the damaged packets include NSE information defining an NSE. Damaged NSE packets are processed accordingly.

Abstract: A first network element receives a message from a second network element. The message is modified by the first network element by inserting a certificate into the message, wherein the certificate includes an identity of the first network element and a digital signature produced by the first network element. The modified message is sent to a third network element.

Abstract: The present invention provides a technique for handling damaged named signal event (NSE) packets that are received in association with a voice over packet based telephony call. The received packets for a telephony call may include voice packets as well as NSE packets. Upon receipt of the packets at a physical layer, the packets are processed at a link layer to detect damaged packets having link layer errors. The incoming packets are sent to an audio application at an application layer for further processing. For damaged packets, link layer error indicia is generated at the link layer and sent to the audio processing application. The audio application will use the link layer error indicia to identify damaged packets or payloads associated with damaged packets, and determine whether the payloads corresponding to the damaged packets include NSE information defining an NSE. Damaged NSE packets are processed accordingly.

Abstract: A first network element receives a message from a second network element. The message is modified by the first network element by inserting a certificate into the message, wherein the certificate includes an identity of the first network element and a digital signature produced by the first network element. The modified message is sent to a third network element.

Abstract: An improved architecture in a circuit switched communications network is provided in which a plurality of network service provider devices, eg intelligent peripherals are arranged to provide network service data to a plurality of time division multiplex circuits and trunks by converting these circuits and trunks to streams of packets, and providing network service data packetized in a set of network service data packet streams to the circuit packet streams without incurring delays to the circuit packet streams. The circuit packet streams may be duplicated and forwarded to the network service provider devices without incurring delay to the ongoing through put packetized circuits, and similarly packet streams containing network service data may be superimposed into the circuit packet streams, without the requirement for the circuit packet streams to be switched to the network service provider devices.

Abstract: An Internet Protocol (IP) voice telephony system constructed according to the present invention manages Gatekeeper load by redirecting calls from an assigned Gatekeeper to a servicing Gatekeeper during call setup. A Load Management Unit (LMU) processes all setup messages. In processing the setup messages, the LMU receives the message from the assigned Gatekeeper to which a requesting endpoint is registered. Upon receipt, the LMU determines which Gatekeeper of a plurality of Gatekeepers should setup and service the call. Based upon its selection, the LMU either directs the assigned Gatekeeper to setup and service the call or redirects the endpoint to a servicing Gatekeeper. Upon receipt of a redirection message, the endpoint sends a confirmation message to the assigned Gateway and then sends a setup message to the servicing Gateway. Upon receipt of the setup message, the servicing Gateway sets up and services the call.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for handling persistence measurement of channel associated signaling for a plurality of line circuits, eg, T1, E1, OC3, STM 1 circuits, which extracts channel associated signaling data from a plurality of line circuits; assembles the channel associated signaling data into a data frame; contains the data frame in a suitable carrier, eg, an AAL 0 cell; monitors a continuous stream of the data frames, to check for changes in line status; and generates an event message data frame when a persistent change of line state has been detected. The extracting of associated signaling data may be provided on a separate card to a call control processor, and using separate processor functionality.

Abstract: An improved architecture in a circuit switched communications network is provided in which a plurality of network service provider devices, eg intelligent peripherals are arranged to provide network service data to a plurality of time division multiplex circuits and trunks by converting these circuits and trunks to streams of packets, and providing network service data packetized in a set of network service data packet streams to the circuit packet streams without incurring delays to the circuit packet streams. The circuit packet streams may be duplicated and forwarded to the network service provider devices without incurring delay to the ongoing through put packetized circuits, and similarly packet streams containing network service data may be superimposed into the circuit packet streams, without the requirement for the circuit packet streams to be switched to the network service provider devices.

Abstract: An improved architecture in a circuit switched communications network is provided in which a plurality of network service provider devices, eg intelligent peripherals are arranged to provide network service data to a plurality of time division multiplex circuits and trunks by converting these circuits and trunks to streams of packets, and providing network service data packetized in a set of network service data packet streams to the circuit packet streams without incurring delays to the circuit packet streams. The circuit packet streams may be duplicated and forwarded to the network service provider devices without incurring delay to the ongoing through put packetized circuits, and similarly packet streams containing network service data may be superimposed into the circuit packet streams, without the requirement for the circuit packet streams to be switched to the network service provider devices.

Abstract: An Internet Protocol (IP) telephony system manages Gatekeeper subscriber load by assigning subscriber load among a plurality of Gatekeepers during the Gatekeeper discovery and registration process. A Registration Load Management Unit (RLMU) is primarily responsible for assigning subscriber load to the plurality of Gatekeepers. In one embodiment, the plurality of Gatekeepers are organized without a hierarchy structure and are made up of a plurality of Gatekeeper service nodes and a plurality of Gatekeeper Database nodes. The Gatekeeper service nodes provide the Registration, Admission, Status, Location, Call Set Up and other operating functions of the Gatekeeper while the plurality of Gatekeeper Database nodes store subscriber information. In a second embodiment, the plurality of Gatekeepers are organized in a hierarchy with a Root Gatekeeper at the top of the hierarchy and a plurality of Gatekeepers residing below the Root Gatekeeper in the hierarchy.

Abstract: Disclosed is an method and apparatus for configuring an H.323 compliant data packet network with a registering function whereby home based users are identified separate from visiting users having other networks as home bases. Thus user location data may be retrieved and/or modified as those users roam to other H.323 compliant networks and register with a gatekeeper at that visited network. The registration of a visiting user with a visited gatekeeper includes the process of assigning a transient identity to the roaming user, obtaining confirmation from the home gatekeeper that roaming is authorized and registering the roaming users present address and transient identity at the home site so that calls received at the home network can be directed to the user at the visited site.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for providing an absent addressing service (i.e. call forwarding, voice messaging, and the like) for subscribers normally connected to a H.323 compliant network. Some network entity, such as a subscriber's gatekeeper, intercepts all set-up calls to subscribers requiring such a service. If the subscriber is properly registered, the set-up call is forwarded to the subscriber. Otherwise messages are delivered, in accordance with the configuration of the network gatekeeper, whereby the calling party becomes connected to an absent addressing service rather than the originally called terminal of the subscriber.