Abstract: Video receiving capabilities of participants and source capabilities are compared and conference capabilities for providing different resolutions, frame rates, bit rate, and number of streams are determined by maintaining a conference receiving capability list updated as number and capability of participants' changes. Preferred receiving capabilities of participants are also taken into account in determining conference characteristics based on comparison with allowed capabilities.

Abstract: A system and method for carrying out network and interface selections across multiple media is disclosed. The disclosed system facilitates automated network interface configuration decision-making that spans a set of networks supporting communications via differing media. A set of media specific modules associated with differing communications media acquire network interface status/capabilities information. A rules engine thereafter applies a designated network selection rule(s) to the acquired network interface status/capabilities information, and any other appropriate parameters attributable to either an interface or network, to select one or more networks and interfaces with which to establish/maintain a connection.

Abstract: Methods and systems for routing video in conferencing are disclosed. A device receives one or more data streams from a media source, where each data stream associated with a data stream identifier. A media source identifier is assigned to each data stream from the media source. The data stream identifiers are mapped to the media source identifiers. At least one of the data streams may be modified by replacing an associated data stream identifier with the media source identifier. The modified data streams are provided to a destination device. A request is received from a destination device for data streams associated with a media source identifier. One or more data stream identifiers are associated with the requested media source identifier. The one or more data streams may be associated with Application sharing/Desktop Sharing, a video quality, a video resolution, a video frame rate, or an audio quality.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and systems for dominant speaker identification in video conferencing are described. In one embodiment, the computer-implemented method includes identifying one or more dominant speakers in a video conference. The method may also include generating a list of the one or more dominant speakers. Additionally, the method may include communicating the list of one or more dominant speakers to clients in a video conferencing system. In a further embodiment, the method includes communicating the list of the one or more dominant speakers to a client in response to the client joining the video conference.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides systems and/or methods that facilitate describing, communicating, utilizing, etc. a frame dependency structure in connection with real time video communication. For example, a protocol can be employed to communicate the dependency structure from a sender to a receiver. Moreover, a mechanism on a receiver side can detect frame(s) that will be rendered with artifacts if displayed due to previous frame loss; this mechanism can leverage receiver side knowledge concerning the dependency structure of the of the frames.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides systems and/or methods that facilitate describing, communicating, utilizing, etc. a frame dependency structure in connection with real time video communication. For example, a protocol can be employed to communicate the dependency structure from a sender to a receiver. Moreover, a mechanism on a receiver side can detect frame(s) that will be rendered with artifacts if displayed due to previous frame loss; this mechanism can leverage receiver side knowledge concerning the dependency structure of the frames.

Abstract: Video send and receive capabilities of participants are determined by the respective machines determining available combinations, as well as preferences for the receivers. Receiver capabilities are forwarded to the source for computation of negotiated video capabilities through a logic intersection of the determined capabilities based on desired number of streams and resolutions. If a resolution of a send capability exists within the receive capability, the highest frame and/or bit rate may be selected for transmission.

Abstract: Techniques for facilitating automatic detection of a type of wireless network are described. In accordance with one or more embodiments, wireless network client(s) can automatically detect the “type” of a network (e.g., method of authentication and encryption) without requiring input from the user. In accordance with one or more embodiments, a wireless network detection system having a connection component and a detection component is provided. The connection component facilitates connection of a client system to at least one of a plurality of wireless networks. The detection component identifies a type of an available wireless network. Identification can be based, for example, upon information received in an information element and/or iterative probing of the wireless network beacon.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention are directed at obtaining contextual information with a voicemail message. In accordance with one embodiment, a method is provided that obtains additional contextual information that is not obtained automatically when a voicemail message is received. More specifically, the method includes automatically obtaining a first set of contextual information from a client associated with the caller when the caller is transferred to a voicemail system. Then a determination is made regarding whether the callee requests that additional contextual information be obtained. If the callee requests that additional contextual information be obtained, the requested information is obtained from a third-party service or by prompting the caller.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for enabling a computing device to process VoIP phone calls while conserving the computing device's resources is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a computing device configured to use a minimum resource device and an internally integrated or externally connected minimum resource device. Components of the minimum resource device may or may not be powered by the computing device. A method for processing VoIP phone calls while conserving the computing device's resources uses a minimum resource device.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating automatic detection of a type of wireless network is provided. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, wireless network client(s) can automatically detect the “type” of a network (e.g., method of authentication and encryption) without requiring input from the user. For example, unencrypted network, WEP encrypted network requiring a WEP key, WPA encrypted network requiring a pre-shared key, an IEEE 802.1x enabled network supporting WPA and/or an IEEE 802.1x enabled network not supporting WPA. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a wireless network detection system having a connection component and a detection component is provided. The connection component facilitates connection of a client system to at least one of a plurality of wireless networks. The detection component identities a type of an available wireless network.

Abstract: It can be determined whether relative one way delay for data packets in a data stream exceeds a delay threshold. If so, then a delay congestion signal indicating that the relative one way delay exceeds the delay threshold can be generated. The delay congestion signal can be used in calculating an adaptive bandwidth estimate for the data stream. A packet loss rate congestion signal may also be used in calculating the bandwidth estimate. It can be determined whether a data stream of data packets is in a contention state. If the data stream is in the contention state, then an adaptive bandwidth estimate can be calculated for the data stream using a first bandwidth estimation technique. If the data stream is not in the contention state, then the bandwidth estimate for the data stream can be calculated using a second bandwidth estimation technique.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention are directed at obtaining contextual information with a voicemail message. In accordance with one embodiment, a method is provided that obtains additional contextual information that is not obtained automatically when a voicemail message is received. More specifically, the method includes automatically obtaining a first set of contextual information from a client associated with the caller when the caller is transferred to a voicemail system. Then a determination is made regarding whether the callee requests that additional contextual information be obtained. If the callee requests that additional contextual information be obtained, the requested information is obtained from a third-party service or by prompting the caller.

Abstract: A multiple screen telepresence style video conferencing experience is provided employing generic hardware and intelligent software, which may be based on existing enhanced communication systems such as unified communication systems. Through a component based approach, the system can be deployed in any conference room, assembled on the spot by an untrained user, flexible to accommodate any number of screens.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention are directed at obtaining contextual information with a voicemail message. In accordance with one embodiment, a method is provided that obtains additional contextual information that is not obtained automatically when a voicemail message is received. More specifically, the method includes automatically obtaining a first set of contextual information from a client associated with the caller when the caller is transferred to a voicemail system. Then a determination is made regarding whether the callee requests that additional contextual information be obtained. If the callee requests that additional contextual information be obtained, the requested information is obtained from a third-party service or by prompting the caller.

Abstract: A method and system for processing contextual information relating to an exchange of a conversation over a communication channel is provided. Several users, and/or service providers are allowed to specify a set of rules relating to a conversation channel. Contextual information, including information relating to the specified set of rules and conditions of the users, is exchanged among the users and/or several service providers when one user requests to initiate a communication channel. The received contextual information is processed to extract a set of rules and the current conditions of users. If the current conditions of the users satisfy the set of rules, a corresponding communication channel is established among the users. However, additional contextual information may be received and processed whenever there is a change in the contextual information during the conversation. Appropriate actions to the existing communication channel may be determined based on the changes.

Abstract: Video send and receive capabilities of participants are determined by the respective machines determining available combinations, as well as preferences for the receivers. Receiver capabilities are forwarded to the source for computation of negotiated video capabilities through a logic intersection of the determined capabilities based on desired number of streams and resolutions. If a resolution of a send capability exists within the receive capability, the highest frame and/or bit rate may be selected for transmission.

Abstract: Video receiving capabilities of participants and source capabilities are compared and conference capabilities for providing different resolutions, frame rates, bit rate, and number of streams are determined by maintaining a conference receiving capability list updated as number and capability of participants' changes. Preferred receiving capabilities of participants are also taken into account in determining conference characteristics based on comparison with allowed capabilities.

Abstract: Video send and receive capabilities of participants are determined by the respective machines determining available combinations, as well as preferences for the receivers. Receiver capabilities are forwarded to the source for computation of negotiated video capabilities through a logic intersection of the determined capabilities based on desired number of streams and resolutions. If a resolution of a send capability exists within the receive capability, the highest frame and/or bit rate may be selected for transmission.

Abstract: Video receiving capabilities of participants and source capabilities are compared and conference capabilities for providing different resolutions, frame rates, bit rate, and number of streams are determined by maintaining a conference receiving capability list updated as number and capability of participants' changes. Preferred receiving capabilities of participants are also taken into account in determining conference characteristics based on comparison with allowed capabilities.