Abstract: Techniques for scheduling a conference among multiple persons include receiving quorum data and location data. Quorum data indicates a quorum for a particular conference. Location data indicates locations of a plurality of persons who satisfy the quorum. A proposed location for the particular conference is determined based on the location data and the quorum data. These techniques allow location data to include presence data that describes a current location of a person or a state of communication of that person; and therefore allow presence data to be used in determining where to conduct a conference and when. For example, an organizer of a meeting and meeting invitees are notified when the people constituting a quorum cross paths at the same location, or are situated at sites that support remote conferencing.

Abstract: Techniques for scheduling a conference among multiple persons include receiving quorum data, availability data and cost data. Quorum data indicates a quorum for a particular conference. Availability data indicates availability of a plurality of persons who satisfy the quorum. Cost data indicates a cost to be incurred while conducting a conference. A proposed cost for the particular conference that satisfies the quorum is determined based on the quorum data, the availability data and the cost data. These techniques allow costs of products and services that support a scheduled conference to be estimated, and allow those products and services to be reserved and paid for without additional manual input.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for scheduling a conference among multiple persons includes receiving group data that indicates persons in a first group. Availability data is received from a shared database that includes information about availability for a conference of a population of persons that includes the persons from the first group. Quorum data is received that indicates that a quorum for a particular conference includes any one or more persons in the first group and less than all persons in the first group; thus the first group is a called a “representative group.” A proposed time interval that satisfies the quorum based on the group data, the availability data, and the quorum data is determined for the particular conference.

Abstract: A method for alert throttling in media quality monitoring, includes monitoring a plurality of active communication sessions. Each active communication session is between at least two endpoints. The method also includes detecting at least one quality-impacted communication session out of the plurality of active communication sessions. The method also includes generating a first alert for each detected quality-impacted communication session out of the plurality of active communication sessions until a first throttling number of quality-impacted communication sessions is detected out of the plurality of active communication sessions. Upon detecting the first throttling number of quality-impacted communication sessions, the method includes generating a second alert for each group of additional second number of quality-impacted communication sessions detected out of the plurality of active communication sessions.

Abstract: A method for tracing communications includes receiving trace criteria from a first remote element and determining whether a call signaling message matches the trace criteria. The method includes attaching a trace tag to the call signaling message, if the call signaling message matches the trace criteria. The method further includes transmitting the call signaling message to a second remote element.

Abstract: A method for tracing communications includes receiving trace criteria from a first remote element and determining whether a call signaling message matches the trace criteria. The method includes attaching a trace tag to the call signaling message, if the call signaling message matches the trace criteria. The method further includes transmitting the call signaling message to a second remote element.

Abstract: Collecting debug information includes facilitating a communication session for an endpoint operated by a user. One or more user-driven conditions are monitored, where a user-driven condition results from an action by the user. Data is gathered during the monitoring. Whether the communication session is satisfactory or unsatisfactory is determined from the one or more user-driven conditions. Monitoring is discontinued if the communication session is satisfactory, and debug information is generated from the gathered data if the communication session is unsatisfactory.

Abstract: Techniques for reducing session set up for real-time communications over a network include determining whether conditions are satisfied for storing session data for a first actual or prospective session and receiving the session data to be stored. The session data indicates multiple properties for real-time communications between a local node and a remote end node connected to a network. If these conditions are satisfied, then the session data is stored. If it is determined that a second session is to be established between the local node and the remote end node, then multiple properties of the second session are determined based on the stored session data. The second session is established using the stored session data instead of at least some negotiations. These techniques reduce the perceived delay from start of setup to commencement of real-time communications, or reduce the resources consumed by the end nodes and network, or both.

Abstract: Techniques for scheduling a conference among multiple persons includes receiving a conference request to schedule a particular conference. The conference request includes quorum data and limit data. The quorum data indicates a quorum of persons to conduct the particular conference. The limit data indicates a limit on a property of the particular conference, such as a limit on the date, time, location, language, or travel cost. The method also includes receiving availability data from a shared database that includes information about a recorded commitment of time for each person of a population. Also received is priority data that indicates an importance to an organization that a particular recorded commitment of a particular person is honored. A proposed time interval for the particular conference is determined based on the conference request and the availability data and the priority data.

Abstract: Techniques for scheduling a conference among multiple persons include receiving quorum data, availability data and cost data. Quorum data indicates a quorum for a particular conference. Availability data indicates availability of a plurality of persons who satisfy the quorum. Cost data indicates a cost to be incurred while conducting a conference. A proposed cost for the particular conference that satisfies the quorum is determined based on the quorum data, the availability data and the cost data. These techniques allow costs of products and services that support a scheduled conference to be estimated, and allow those products and services to be reserved and paid for without additional manual input.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for scheduling a conference among multiple persons includes receiving group data that indicates persons in a first group. Availability data is received from a shared database that includes information about availability for a conference of a population of persons that includes the persons from the first group. Quorum data is received that indicates that a quorum for a particular conference includes any one or more persons in the first group and less than all persons in the first group; thus the first group is a called a “representative group.” A proposed time interval that satisfies the quorum based on the group data, the availability data, and the quorum data is determined for the particular conference.

Abstract: A method for tracing communications includes receiving trace criteria from a first remote element and determining whether a call signaling message matches the trace criteria. The method includes attaching a trace tag to the call signaling message, if the call signaling message matches the trace criteria. The method further includes transmitting the call signaling message to a second remote element.

Abstract: A method for tracing communications includes receiving trace criteria from a first remote element and determining whether a call signaling message matches the trace criteria. The method includes attaching a trace tag to the call signaling message, if the call signaling message matches the trace criteria. The method further includes transmitting the call signaling message to a second remote element.

Abstract: A method for tracing communications includes receiving trace criteria from a first remote element and determining whether a call signaling message matches the trace criteria. The method includes attaching a trace tag to the call signaling message, if the call signaling message matches the trace criteria. The method further includes transmitting the call signaling message to a second remote element.

Abstract: A system and method for the switches of a telecommunications network to create and transport a network call identifier (NCID) which uniquely identifies a telephone call as it traverses through a telecommunications network. Upon receipt of a telephone call in a switch, the switch first determines whether it has received an NCID with the telephone call. If the switch received an NCID, the switch determines whether it is a valid NCID and should be transported with the telephone call. If the received NCID should not be transported, the switch discards the received NCID and creates a new NCID for the telephone call. Alternatively, upon the receipt of a telephone call, if the switch determines that a NCID was not received, the switch determines if an NCID should be created. The switch creates an NCID if it determines that an NCID should be created for the telephone call. If the NCID is created or kept, the switch stores the NCID in an appropriate call record that contains information about the telephone call.