Abstract: In an example embodiment, an example method is provided for echo mitigation in a conference call. In this method, a test audio signal is transmitted to a conference endpoint and as a result, an echo associated with the transmittal of the test audio signal is received. One or more parameters of the echo are then identified and an echo mitigation process is selected from multiple echo mitigation processes based on the identified parameters. The selected echo mitigation process is then applied.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to identify channels in a communications network are described. The method may comprise receiving communications on a plurality of communication channels including at least a first communication channel and a second communication channel. The method identifies when a channel change occurs from the first communication channel to the second communication channel. An audio identifier associated with the second communication channel is then included in an audio stream communicated via the second communication channel.

Abstract: A method for providing an indication of a communication includes facilitating communications between a plurality of endpoints within each of a plurality of virtual talk groups. The method also includes monitoring the communications between the plurality of endpoints within each of the plurality of virtual talk groups. The method further includes, upon detecting a first communication within a first virtual talk group of the plurality of virtual talk groups, activating a first indicator. The first indicator indicates the detection of the first communication. The method also includes, upon the occurrence of a first deactivating event, deactivating the first indicator.

Abstract: A method is provided that accesses a priority and a multimedia stream to be transmitted. The priority then is embedded within the multimedia stream. The multimedia stream thereafter is transmitted. Another method is provided that receives the multimedia stream that includes the priority. Here, another priority is accessed and both priorities are compared. The control of multimedia stream transmissions to other communication devices is based on this comparison.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, an example method is provided for echo mitigation in a conference call. In this method, a test audio signal is transmitted to a conference endpoint and as a result, an echo associated with the transmittal of the test audio signal is received. One or more parameters of the echo are then identified and an echo mitigation process is selected from multiple echo mitigation processes based on the identified parameters. The selected echo mitigation process is then applied.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, an example method is provided for echo mitigation in a conference call. In this method, a test audio signal is transmitted to a conference endpoint and as a result, an echo associated with the transmittal of the test audio signal is received. One or more parameters of the echo are then identified and an echo mitigation process is selected from multiple echo mitigation processes based on the identified parameters. The selected echo mitigation process is then applied.

Abstract: A method of allocating, revoking and transferring resources from a pool of conference resources provided by a conference system comprises assigning a guaranteed status to at least some participants to a conference to be hosted by the system. At least some of the resources may be reserved for the guaranteed status participants, to enable the guaranteed status participants to participate in the conference. When another participant to the conference is received, the other participant may be assigned a provisional status. Unused resources in the pool of resources may be allocated as provisional resources to the provisional status participant and the participant is admitted to participate in the conference utilizing the provisional resources. The provisional resources may be reserved for, but are at the time not used by a guaranteed status participant. Borrowed resources may be reclaimed and transferred to the guaranteed status participant.

Abstract: A method for managing conference resources includes hosting a conference between a plurality of participants using a first amount of resources. The plurality of participants use a plurality of endpoints to communicate on the conference. The method includes reserving a sufficient amount of the first amount of resources to allow a first participant of the plurality of participants to rejoin the conference when the first participant disconnects from the conference. The method also includes reclaiming the sufficient amount of resources upon one of the following: receiving an indication that the first participant will not rejoin the conference or expiration of a predetermined amount of time after the first participant disconnects from the conference.

Abstract: A method, system and reporting arrangement for providing an accurate address of a device which receives media are described. In particular, these method, system and reporting arrangement enable a request to be received for establishing communication with the device. In addition, the accurate address (which is an actual address) of the device is determined using the method, system and reporting arrangement. Thereafter, the request is responded to using a response, which includes the accurate address of the device that can be transmitted to the device.

Abstract: Techniques for regulating streams in a Peer-to-Peer (P2P) network are provided. By establishing a priority of a stream, certain users may have some level of assurance that their stream will be received by other peers. The priority may be established based on a variety of parameters including, for example, an identification of the user, a communications channel used for a multicast session, and/or a role of the user.

Abstract: A method for reserving conference resources includes communicating a conference notification to each of a plurality of conference invitees. The conference notification is associated with a multipoint conference. The method includes receiving, from each of a first number of the plurality of conference invitees, a response to the conference notification indicating that the invitee will participate on the multipoint conference. The first number of the plurality of invitees comprises participating invitees. The method includes automatically determining, based on the responses to the conference notifications, a sufficient amount of resources to allow the participating invitees to communicate on the multipoint conference. The method also includes automatically reserving the determined sufficient amount of resources and hosting the multipoint conference between the participating invitees using the reserved resources.

Abstract: A method for managing conference resources includes receiving from an endpoint of a user a call to join a multipoint conference between a plurality of participants. Each participant communicates on the multipoint conference through a respective endpoint. The method includes determining that an insufficient amount of resources exist to allow the user to communicate on the multipoint conference and determining participation instructions to enable the user to communicate on the multipoint conference. The method also includes communicating the participation instructions. Location information associated with the user and location information associated with at least one of the plurality of participants may be used to determine the participation instructions to enable the user to communicate on the multipoint conference.

Abstract: A method of and system to determine which channels are accessible by a communication device in a push-to-talk communication network are disclosed. The method may comprise sending an identifying network connectivity message to the communication device across a particular network channel, the identifying network connectivity message including an identification code. The method further comprises querying the communication device for the identification code to determine if the communication device successfully received the identifying network connectivity message, thereby to establish if the particular network channel is accessible by the communication device.

Abstract: Providing virtual talk groups to an endpoint includes managing the virtual talk groups, where a virtual talk group comprises one or more members operable to participate in the virtual talk group. One or more overlapping members are identified, where an overlapping member is a member of more than one virtual talk group. Internal virtual talk groups are generated from the original virtual talk groups, where the internal virtual talk groups comprise at least a reduced number of overlapping members. One or more original virtual talk groups are provided to the endpoint using the internal virtual talk groups.

Abstract: In one embodiment a method is provided which comprises recording a push-to-talk communication session comprising media segments, each media segment being associated with an endpoint device from which the media segment originated. A playback request for playback of at least one recorded media segment at an adjusted playback speed may be received and, in response to the playback request, a playback speed of the at least one recorded media segment may be adjusted relative to another recorded media segment. The recorded media including the segment with the adjusted playback speed may then be provided at a requesting endpoint device.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, an example method is provided for echo mitigation in a conference call. In this method, a test audio signal is transmitted to a conference endpoint and as a result, an echo associated with the transmittal of the test audio signal is received. One or more parameters of the echo are then identified and an echo mitigation process is selected from multiple echo mitigation processes based on the identified parameters. The selected echo mitigation process is then applied.

Abstract: A method for scheduling conference resources is provided, that includes receiving a request for a conference reservation. The request may include the identities of a plurality of proposed participants, a proposed start time, and at least one fixed resource criterion. In accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention, a projected location of at least one of the proposed participants is automatically calculated. The projected location may be a location at which the at least one of the proposed participants is expected to be at approximately the proposed start time. The method may also include automatically calculating a projected location of at least one invitee of the conference. In accordance with this embodiment, the projected location of the at least one invitee may be used to select an optimal one of a plurality of fixed resources, that match the at least one fixed resource criterion.

Abstract: A method for providing information to a client device includes receiving a first status request from the client device and communicating status information to the client device in response. The status information specifies a first refresh interval. The method also includes detecting an input of the client device and determining a second refresh interval in response to detecting the input. The method further includes receiving a second status request from the client device after the expiration of the first refresh interval and communicating updated status information to the client device in response to the second status request. The updated status information specifies the second refresh interval.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to identify channels in a communications network are described. The method may comprise receiving communications on a plurality of communication channels including at least a first communication channel and a second communication channel. The method identifies when a channel change occurs from the first communication channel to the second communication channel. An audio identifier associated with the second communication channel is then included in an audio stream communicated via the second communication channel.

Abstract: Techniques for regulating streams in a Peer-to-Peer (P2P) network are provided. By establishing a priority of a stream, certain users may have some level of assurance that their stream will be received by other peers. The priority may be established based on a variety of parameters including, for example, an identification of the user, a communications channel used for a multicast session, and/or a role of the user.