Abstract: A method is provided in one example and includes receiving a request for a service from a requestor, an determining at least a first network element and at least a second network element required to satisfy the request from among a plurality of network elements. The method further includes triggering a coordinating of a work flow between the first network element and the second network element responsive to the request. The method still further includes translating communication messages exchanged between the first network element and the second network element from a first communication protocol format and a second communication protocol format.

Abstract: A method for effecting handoff of a communication session between a cellular telephone and a desktop telephone includes anchoring a communication session involving a remote device and a cellular telephone in an enterprise network such that signaling for the communication session passes through an element of the enterprise network; receiving an indication to handoff the communication session from the cellular telephone to a desktop telephone coupled to the enterprise network; placing the remote device in a holding state in response to the indication; and coupling the desktop telephone to the remote device to resume the communication session.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system comprises a first mobile media player and a second mobile media player. The first mobile media player stores first media files, and the second mobile media player stores second media files. The first mobile media player and second mobile media player communicate with one another in a peer-to-peer network to generate a playlist and to play media files from the playlist.

Abstract: In one embodiment, providing an endpoint access to a locked target includes receiving a virtual key at a grantee endpoint through a wireless link. The virtual key results from a permission from a grantor endpoint, and is operable to unlock a physical lock of the target. The virtual key is wirelessly transmitted to a management system of the target to unlock the lock.

Abstract: A system for multicast streaming of programs over a packet network includes a node having a processor that conditions a video bitstream such that packets containing an I-frame are located near program specific information (PSI) packets, the processor marking a random join point (RJP) in the video bitstream immediately preceding the I-frame and PSI packets, the node outputting the conditioned and marked video bitstream across the packet network. An edge device of the network includes a buffer that caches packets of the conditioned and marked video bitstream video starting at the RJP, and sends the cached packets to a client receiver.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a request message from a requesting endpoint, where the request message requests a communication session corresponding to an area. An area-based group comprising one or more endpoints associated with the area is identified. The area-based group allows the endpoints to communicate with each other in the communication session. The requesting endpoint is added to the area-based group to allow the requesting endpoint to communicate with the one or more endpoints in the communication session.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a request to determine a route between a starting location and a destination location. The method also includes determining a first route between the starting location and the destination location using predictive traffic data for at least one location between the starting location and the destination location. The method further includes providing the first route.

Abstract: A method for communicating in a wireless communication network includes establishing a first direct communication link with a base transceiver station and communicating data associated with a communication session over the first direct communication link. The method also includes establishing a mesh connection to the base transceiver station. The mesh connection includes at least one mesh communication link with at least one intermediate communication device of a plurality of communication devices in the wireless network, the at least one intermediate communication device communicating with the base transceiver station over a second direct communication link with the base transceiver station. The method further includes switching between communicating data associated with the communication session over the first direct communication link and communicating data associated with the communication session over the mesh connection.

Abstract: A method includes determining a coverage area for each of a plurality of base stations. The method also includes receiving a first location parameter indicative of a mobile unit's location. The method further includes transitioning a first connection between the mobile unit and a first base station of the plurality of base stations to a second connection between the mobile unit and a second base station of the plurality of base stations. The transition is based on the coverage areas of the first base station and the second base station and the first location parameter.

Abstract: A method for providing signaling in a network environment is provided that includes receiving, at a mobile station, a new call from a mobility application, the new call including a caller ID segment associated with an existing call for the mobile station. The method further includes evaluating data included in the caller ID segment in order to perform an activity related to the data provided in the caller ID segment.

Abstract: A method includes determining a first flow characteristic of a flow, the flow comprising at least one targeted user. The method also includes generating for display a first message based on the first flow characteristic of the flow.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes identifying a first component device of a plurality of component devices in a communication network and determining that the first component device is operable to perform a first function of a plurality of functions associated with a mobile endpoint. The method also includes distributing the first function from the mobile endpoint to the first component device in response to determining that the first component device is operable to perform a first function of the plurality of functions associated with the mobile endpoint.

Abstract: Anchoring a communication session for a target mobile phone includes identifying a current access node operable to provide the target mobile phone access to a first network of a first network type. Potential access nodes operable to provide a mobile phone access to a second network of a second network type are identified. Whether the communication session can be handed off to a potential access node of the one or more potential access nodes is established. Anchoring of the communication session is initiated in the second network only if the communication session can be handed off to a potential access node of the one or more potential access nodes.

Abstract: A method for providing telecommunication service includes transmitting a node identifier to a mobile station over a first network that supports a first communication protocol and receiving a handoff call, based on the node identifier, from the mobile station over a second network that supports a second communication protocol. The handoff call includes a mobile station identifier. The method further includes identifying a first communication link over the first network based on the mobile station identifier and initiating a second communication link with the mobile station over the second network. The method also includes terminating the first communication link.

Abstract: A method for facilitating communications between wireless networks is provided that includes communicating with a mobile station and transferring a communication session from a first wireless link to a second wireless link. The mobile station is operable to negotiate a first wireless link with a first wireless network, to establish a communication session with a device using the first wireless link, and to facilitate a session handoff with a second wireless link with the second wireless network using the second wireless interface. The handoff is enabled by associating the first wireless link to the second wireless link.

Abstract: A system for multicast streaming of programs over a packet network includes a node having a processor that conditions a video bitstream such that packets containing an I-frame are located near program specific information (PSI) packets, the processor marking a random join point (RJP) in the video bitstream immediately preceding the I-frame and PSI packets, the node outputting the conditioned and marked video bitstream across the packet network. An edge device of the network includes a buffer that caches packets of the conditioned and marked video bitstream video starting at the RJP, and sends the cached packets to a client receiver.

Abstract: Gathering location information from a first wireless network to determine whether to anchor a communication session in a second wireless network, a mobile node capable of communicating with both the first wireless network and the second wireless network, includes receiving location information from the first wireless network as the mobile node moves through one or more service areas of the first wireless network. It is determined whether a triggering event occurs. If the triggering event occurs, the location information is stored to determine whether to anchor a session in the second wireless network.

Abstract: A system for multicast streaming of programs over a packet network includes a node having a processor that conditions a video bitstream such that packets containing an I-frame are located near program specific information (PSI) packets, the processor marking a random join point (RJP) in the video bitstream immediately preceding the I-frame and PSI packets, the node outputting the conditioned and marked video bitstream across the packet network. An edge device of the network includes a buffer that caches packets of the conditioned and marked video bitstream video starting at the RJP, and sends the cached packets to a client receiver.

Abstract: Devices, software, and methods quantify a burstiness quality of the packet loss in the node of a path. The quantified burstiness becomes a metric for determining the Quality of Service (QoS) offered by a node in retransmitting data through a network. Network routing and rerouting decisions are made according to the improved QoS. The burstiness statistic is determined by counting lengths of episodes of sequentially discarded packets at the node. The burstiness statistic is incorporated as a metric with the other metrics of the QoS of the node.

Abstract: A method for handing off a call between networks includes monitoring a quality of a first link between a mobile station and a wireless local area network (WLAN) when the mobile station is actively connected with the WLAN on a call and monitoring a quality of a second link between the mobile station and a cellular network when the mobile station is actively connected with the WLAN on the call. The method also includes handing off the call from the WLAN to the cellular network when the quality of the first link is less than a handoff trigger threshold for a drop count duration and when the quality of the second link is greater than a minimum cellular link quality threshold.