Abstract: Systems, apparatus and methods related to multiple-party communications conducted between client computers in a computer network. For example, a method and apparatus for supporting multiple-party communications in a computer network including a first server, at least a first client computer in communication with the first server, and a second server are disclosed. The method involves receiving a first input message at the first server, the first input message representing user input received at the first client computer. The method further involves producing a first output message representing the user input provided by the first input message, and transmitting the first output message to the first client computer and to the second server.

Abstract: A method for managing two-way alternate communication in half-duplex mode between at least two end equipments of a packet switching transport network in non-connected mode, provides that an indicating element serves, when it is present with a first given value in the packets transmitted from one of said end equipments to a central equipment managing the communication, to indicate to said central equipment that said end equipment acknowledges receipt of the right to send which is granted to it by said central equipment and that it requests the maintaining of said right to send.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for detecting feature interactions in multi-party calls (i.e., calls involving more than two endpoints), and in calls with bridged appearances. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, a set of rules is applied to the specifications of two features in order to detect interactions between the features. The rules specify conditions for, or relationships among, the original connections for the features, the resulting connections for the features, the triggering party for the features, and the originating and terminating parties of connections. A rule is considered matched for a multi-party call when any of the original and resulting connections for the call match the conditions of the rule. Similarly, a rule is considered matched for a call with one or more bridged appearances when any of the original and resulting connections for the call, including those of bridged appearances, match the conditions of the rule.

Abstract: A CPU in an IP telephone apparatus automatically controls to transmit, from a network I/F to an ENUM server, a request for deleting a NAPTR record when an absent key is pressed. The CPU regularly transmits, from the network I/F to the ENUM server, an inquiry for a NAPTR record of another IP telephone apparatus. When the CPU receives, from the ENUM server via the network I/F, a response indicating that the NAPTR record of another IP telephone apparatus has been deleted, in response to the inquiry, the CPU turns OFF a lamp indicating that the user is available.

Abstract: A system and method for permitting an initiator of a communication session request and a recipient of the communication session request to quickly negotiate the beginning of a communication session, such as a phone call, wherein the negotiation is performed based on the expressed current need and the current availability of the recipient.

Abstract: Among other disclosed subject matter, a computer-implemented method for handling a voice communication in an integrated system includes receiving information indicating that a voice communication between a first party and a second party is to be initiated. The method includes identifying one of a plurality of terminal assignment records as being associated with the second party, each of the terminal assignment records configured to specify, for a particular party, at least one of a plurality of terminal units for receiving an alert to the particular party regarding the voice communication. The method includes generating at least one alert to the second party according to the identified terminal assignment record, the alert based on the received information. The method includes forwarding communication data to an application program available to the second party, the communication data obtained from the received information.

Abstract: A conference call solution with one or more conference server, one or more conference bridge and one or more media mixer. A conference server is chosen as the conference bridge for the conference call using various optimization techniques. A media mixer for the conference call may also be chosen using various optimization techniques. The media mixer mixes media data from one or more conference bridge. If a conference bridge or the media mixer fails, the system recovers from the failure with minimal interruption to the users.

Abstract: A communication session between a wireless communication device and one or more recipient communication devices is initiated in response to user input received at a separate computing device. The intended parties of the call are identified at the computing device in response to the user input. Once the intended parties have been identified, the calling instructions are generated and transmitted to the wireless communication device or a server, which cause a call to be initiated between a wireless communication device and one or more recipient communication devices. This allows a caller to utilize the functionality and resources available on a computer to initiate a call, while enabling the caller to utilize the functionality and resources available on the caller's wireless communication device to engage in and complete the call, without requiring the caller to communicate through the telephony applications of a computer.

Abstract: A CD-ROM that records programs for setting up a general-purpose computer as an IP telephone terminal by using a CPU, a memory, an input, a network card, a sound card, and a CD-ROM drive except an HD drive, the program including parts for: making the computer start to deploy the programs in the CD-ROM over the memory by a CD-ROM boot method without booting from an HD; making the computer obtain user identification data respectively and correspondingly inputted by the users through the input; making the computer send the user identification data to a management server via a network based on a location data recorded onto the CD-ROM; making the computer receive an IP telephone terminal setup data sent from the management server via the network; and making the computer function as an IP telephone terminal by setting up the computer as such.

Abstract: For some mobile communication services, a media stream such as video, will be combined with another media stream such as voice. For example, a user of a first terminal (101) is involved in a voice call over e.g. a circuit switched network (103) with a friend. During the voice call, the user of the first terminal decides to start transmitting another media stream, such as live streamed video, which may be transmitted over a packet switched network (104), to the friend's terminal (102). In such a case there is problem in that the two media streams voice and video may have quite different end-to-end time delays, i.e. the time from a part of the media stream is transmitted from the first user's terminal (101) until that part of the media stream is presented at the friend's terminal (102). Since comments from the first user will be presented to the user's friend earlier than the commented part of the video this will be quite annoying to the friend.

Abstract: A basic idea for efficient media communication between two nodes in a group communication system is to set up a number, N, of parallel, separate media streams of the same media type in a given direction between the nodes, where N is equal to or greater than 2. Before setting up the media streams, the actual number of media streams is negotiated (S1). Once the negotiation is completed, the media streams are established (S2). Media data of the same type can then be transferred in parallel, media streams (S3), where each media stream may include media data from a separate source or from a mix of sources. In this way, a richer and/or more personalized rendering of the media data is enabled since media data may be transported as individual media streams and processed locally in a participant, rather than processed and mixed into a single stream by a central mixer.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a controller to retrieve from an address book a communication identifier for each of a plurality of participants, determine from the address book a conferencing type for each of the plurality of participants, and initiate according to the conference type and the communication identifier of each participant a Voice over Internet Protocol conference call directed to communication devices of the plurality of participants. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system enables web-based teleconferencing. The system uses a voice services router connected to phone devices associated with respective web browser clients. The system also uses an application server connected to the voice services router for receiving conference call events for a conference call from the voice services router and for transmitting the conference call events to a message server. The application server is furthermore connected to the web browser clients associated with the phone devices for receiving conference commands from the web browser clients and for transmitting the conference commands received from the web browser clients to the voice services router. The message server is connected to both the application server and the web browser clients to thereby act as a message broker for receiving messages from the application server for the conference call and for communicating the messages for the conference call to the web browser clients.

Abstract: A method for providing a session invitation protocol (SIP) session between a first and a second entity. An SIP session is established between the first and second entity. At least one media stream is transmitted from the first entity to the second entity. At least one of transmission, storage and play back of the at least one media stream, is controlled in the SIP session at the first and/or second entity.

Abstract: By utilizing IMPS technology and transient objects or object identifiers, a method and system can notify registered participants of changes in the status of those transient objects. One use of such technology is in the area of on-line auctions, but other uses include the general area of distributed queuing for an item of interest (or a subject of interest) and dispatching to similarly interested users, through transitive presence, information concerning corresponding transactions or actions.

Abstract: The call states of all devices in a call are monitored and reported even when the devices belong to networks that use different types of call identifiers. A first device and a second device are different types of devices selected from a group of types comprising: a legacy device type, a SIP basic device type, and a SIP advanced device type. In response to a request-from an application to monitor the first device and a request to establish a call between the first device and the second device, a Universal Call Identifier (UCID) is generated for the call and the call is established. A request to monitor the second device is sent using the UCID. When a change in the call state of the second device is detected, the change of the call state is reported to the application based on the UCID.

Abstract: An improved networked computer communications system handles arbitrary streams of data, and transports at varying speeds those streams where intermediate updates can be dropped if they are made obsolete by later arriving data updates, optimizing the utilization of network and node resources. Complex buffering by system server software allows distributed, parallel, or redundant processing, transmission, and storage for performance, reliability, and robustness. Various parameters of the system can be monitored, and the system can be reconfigured automatically based on the observations. Varied techniques reduce the perceived end-to-end latency and take advantage of software and hardware capabilities that assets connected to the system may possess. One conferencing system allows conference participants to share all or a portion of the display seen on their computer screens. The conferees may be at sites removed from each other, or may view a recorded presentation or archived conference at different times.

Abstract: An IP telephone system includes an IP telephone apparatus, a Web server and an ENUM server. The IP telephone apparatus is connected to an IP network. The Web server registers talk volume information corresponding to a telephone number assigned to the IP telephone apparatus. The ENUM server registers a NAPTR resource record in which a URI specifies link data related to the talk volume information registered in the Web server. In the IP telephone system, the IP telephone apparatus that has received a call transmits, to the ENUM server, a query for a NAPTR record corresponding to a targeted recipient phone number. The IP telephone apparatus then transmits, to the Web server, a request for the talk volume information corresponding to the targeted recipient phone number according to the returned NAPTR resource record, and adjusts the talk volume according to the returned talk volume information.

Abstract: A system and method for initiating calls via electronic calendar is disclosed. A call list is associated by a user to a particular time and day within the electronic calendar. When the particular day and time arrives, the call list is forwarded to a service which executes the call list, and subsequently contacts the members of the call list. The system may initially query the callees through a prerecorded voice messaging system to determine which callees are present, and then establish a telephone connection based on responses to the queries. Once a connection is established, the user and the members of the list are linked to a conference bridge.

Abstract: Telephones connected to a gateway can still make calls when connectivity to a central processing device is lost. The gateway determines when connectivity with the central processing device is lost. When a communication is received from a first telephone for second telephone, the communication is routed to the second entity by bypassing the central processing device. This is possible using identification information that is stored for the second entity when the second entity registered with the central processing device.

Abstract: Telephone number binding in a voice-over-Internet system is provided. One embodiment is a method for provisioning a customer voice-over-Internet device for voice-over-Internet service. One such method comprises: providing a customer voice-over-Internet device for communicating with an existing telephone line and a data network; providing a telephone number associated with the existing telephone line to a voice-over-Internet platform; and linking the existing telephone number to a unique identifier associated with the customer voice-over-Internet device.

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 system, method, and apparatus are disclosed whereby a wireless Personal Area Network such as a Bluetooth piconet may be extended to a remote location beyond the normal range by means of a conferencing connection. The conferencing connection may comprise, for example, one or more ISDN lines or an IP connection between two or more conference endpoints. The broadband connection may include a video channel, an audio channel, a control channel, and a Bluetooth channel.

Abstract: A gateway device in an IP communications system can be controlled by a gateway controller even when an IP address of the gateway device is not fixed. The IP communications system includes a gateway device having a subscriber terminal interconnected thereto, a gateway controller for controlling the gateway device, provided on a subscriber side in accordance with a protocol conforming to the master-slave architecture, a database for providing subscriber information to the gateway controller, and an IP address allocator for dynamically allocating IP addresses. The gateway device requests the IP address allocator to allocate an IP address to acquire an IP address, and notifies the gateway controller of that IP address to get the IP address stored in the database.

Abstract: A server-based architecture for instant messaging conferencing is presented. Session-based instant messaging conferencing is established by transmitting necessary server network address information through page-mode based messaging services to establish connections among the various mobile devices with the server.

Abstract: A system and method for providing program guide information to subscribers is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method is applied to a satellite broadcasting system having a first satellite broadcasting a first signal having a first set of program material and first program guide information describing at least a portion of said set of program material, and a second satellite broadcasting a second signal having a second set of program material and second program guide information describing at least a portion of said second set of program material, wherein the first broadcast signal and the second broadcast signal each include service channels uniquely described by a service channel identifier.

Abstract: A method and system for extending Camp-On Capabilities to invitees to an ongoing conference call. In one embodiment, a persistent invitation is extended to a first network station client to join a conference call in response to a determination that the first network station client is unavailable to accept a non-persistent invitation to join the conference call, and the first network station client is added to the conference call when the first network station client accepts the persistent invitation to join the conference call. In another embodiment, a persistent invitation to join an ongoing conference call is presented to an initially unavailable network station client, and the persistent invitation to join the ongoing conference call is accepted in response to user input to a network station client including but not limited to the initially unavailable network station client and another network station client where the user has been authenticated.

Abstract: A method of conferencing involves forming a main conference between a plurality of users, providing a user with an option to request a subconference with a subset of other users, forming a subconference between said user and the subset of other users, and at least partially removing those users in the subconference from the main conference during the subsistence of the subconference. The conference is preferably a multimedia conference and the subconference can be conducted in an arbitrary mix of one or more of the media used in the main conference. Subconference participants have the option of monitoring proceedings in the main conference by receiving some of the main conference media signals while the subconference is in progress. The invention also provides conference servers, terminals and software for use in the subconferencing method.

Abstract: Technologies are described herein for customizing media routing for a conference. In one method, a request to modify a routing table is received. The routing table specifies connections between a plurality of sources and a plurality of sinks. The method determines whether the request to modify the routing table is permitted. Upon determining that the request to modify the routing table is permitted, the routing table is modified according to the request.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing access to teleconference services using voice recognition technology to receive information on packet networks such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and Service over Internet Protocol (SoIP) networks are disclosed. In one embodiment, the service provider enables a caller to enter access information for accessing a conference service using at least one natural language response.

Abstract: A method for joining a virtual talk group includes facilitating communications of a virtual talk group. The virtual talk group includes a plurality of endpoints of different communication networks. The method also includes recording the communications of the plurality of endpoints of the virtual talk group. The method also includes adding a first endpoint to the virtual talk group and presenting the first endpoint with the recorded communications of the plurality of endpoints of the virtual talk group.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conducting a sidebar, subconference call from a multiparty conference call is provided. Once a party has joined a multiparty conference call, the party is able to initiate the subconference call by transmitting a session initiation protocol (SIP) command to a target party. Two SIP commands that may be employed to initiate the subconference call are the REFER command and the INVITE command. To allow the target party to distinguish between incoming communication requests related to the multiparty conference call from extraneous ones, the REFER or INVITE command includes at least one data field containing an identifier of the conference call referred the REFER or INVITE command. Once received and verified, the target party may respond accordingly to establish the subconference call. The target party's handset may reference data fields in the SIP command to those locally stored and known to be associated with the multiparty conference call.

Abstract: A connection apparatus is employed which is connected to a repeating apparatus for providing the PoC for first communication apparatuses having a PoC function. Call connection is established between the connection apparatus and second communication apparatus not having the PoC function. In the connection apparatus, recorded is apparatus information for identifying each second communication apparatus. The connection apparatus has the function of acting as a proxy of the second communication apparatus identified by the apparatus information. This function consists of the function of performing half duplex communication with the repeating apparatus; the function of transmitting output data received from the second communication apparatus, to the repeating apparatus when the second communication apparatus has acquired transmission right; and the function of transmitting received output data to the second communication apparatus when the output data is received from the repeating apparatus.

Abstract: Various systems, devices and methods for providing variable coder/decoder mechanisms are disclosed. As one example, a coder/decoder device including a plurality of coder/decoder mechanisms, a coder/decoder selection engine, and a computer readable medium is disclosed. The computer readable medium includes a network statistic. The coder/decoder selection engine is operable to select at least one of the plurality of coder/decoder mechanisms based at least in part on the network statistic. Further, the coder/decoder selection engine is operable to offer the at least one of the plurality of coder/decoder mechanisms.

Abstract: Phone systems for an integrated chat client service are provided. A representative phone system includes a call processing system operable to check a chat server for accessibility of a calling party chat client associated with a calling party and coupled to the internet, the call processing system being further operable to prompt a called party to select to talk or chat. Methods to connect telephone calls and answer telephone calls are also provided.

Abstract: A Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) device uses its location to narrow down known and unknown potential VoIP third parties meeting the user's criteria, based on their physical proximity to the initial caller and other pre-determined characteristics, to join in a phone conference. A VoIP soft switch includes conference bridges that eliminate the conventional requirement that they dial digits for a direct link with another specific VoIP communications device. Instead, location information relating to the initial VoIP user is passed to the VoIP conference bridge, either from the user's VoIP communication device or from their respective location server. The location information is then compared by the VoIP soft switch against other VoIP devices to find potential VoIP users within a defined geographic region surrounding the initial VoIP user. Those VoIP users matching the criteria are sent an Invite message to join the conference, which they may or may not accept.

Abstract: An improved system and method are disclosed for peer-to-peer communications. In one example, the method enables a conference session to be established by an endpoint and then controlled by the endpoint using direct signaling with other endpoints.

Abstract: A multiparty call processing method and mobile terminal implemented with the multiparty call processing method is provided. A multiparty call processing method for a mobile terminal detects a call request to a first network, determines whether the mobile terminal is in a full state of the first network, and sends a call request message to a second network when the mobile terminal is in the full state of the first network.

Abstract: Transcoders and mixers having reduced algorithmic delay and processing complexity. An improved mixer for signals having encoded speech parameters wherein the parameters obtained through decoding are used by a parameter estimator to improve the encoding by providing a parameter estimate for the mixed signal. In the case of pitch parameters, the mixer uses the principle of strong-pitch-domination. The mixing of wideband signals is simplified by performing mixing of individual lower and upper sub-bands. A transcoder and a mixer that converts a wideband signal into a narrowband signal relies upon high frequency suppression. A transcoder and a mixer that converts a narrowband signal into a wideband signal relies upon filter combination.

Abstract: Methods for entering hosts and participants into new or existing conference calls. The method can include receiving a call from a given caller at a VRU. The caller may be either a conference host or participant. The VRU obtains a conference code from the caller and forwards it to a proxy server, along with a request to the proxy server to enter the given caller into a conference call. The proxy server determines that the request from the VRU relates to conferencing services, and forwards the request from the VRU to a conference management system (CMS). The CMS determines whether the given caller is a conference host or a participant, and determines whether a participant has called in before the given caller and has provided a conference code that is related to the conference code entered by the given caller.

Abstract: A system and method for collaborative call management are disclosed. In one embodiment of a method incorporating teachings of the present disclosure, a graphical user interface (GUI) element may be presented in connection with a collaborative call. The GUI element may display a listing of call participants and a status of each participant. Example participant states may include an on-call state, an off-call state, a currently speaking state, a waiting to speak state, and a paused-call state. In operation, information presented in the GUI element may change in response to a status change of a call participant. The method may also involve recognizing that a caller has joined the collaborative call and updating the GUI element to add the joining caller to the list of participants.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a capability for placing a slight delay in processing call setup and termination signaling messages in conferencing applications so that the call processing rate requirement on a Call Control Element (CCE) is lowered. For example, allowing conferencing participants of a conference call to join a conference bridge over a 90 second period will significantly improve the processing load on the CCE than allowing them to join in over a 30 second period. In one embodiment, the present invention introduces a configurable delay in the processing of signaling messages for call setups and terminations for high volume calls onto conference bridges.

Abstract: An IP telephony apparatus provides simultaneous SIP communication for multiple IP phones and a method is proposed for the same. The IP telephony apparatus comprises a network connection port connected to a network; a plurality of telephone connection ports connected to a plurality of telephone sets; a voice codec unit connected to the telephone connection ports and used for converting a voice signal to a digital voice packet and for converting a digital voice packet to a voice signal; and an IP telephony allocation unit connected to the network connection port and the plurality of telephone connection ports. The IP telephony allocation unit creates an SIP control block containing an SIP call-leg for a local SIP number, and allocates the SIP control block to a destination telephone set according to the SIP call-leg, whereby the telephone sets have bi-directional digital voice packet transmission with a remote SIP number.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product are disclosed to manage multiple operating modes in a video conferencing network under which different sets of policies can operate. The system is a network management server, designated herein as the Elastic Gatekeeper, that includes a Conference Management System, which selectively implements one or more different sets of operating policies. The Conference Management System is integrated and linked with a gatekeeper, which is responsible for setting up calls that are using end point alias addresses. The gatekeeper works with the Conference Management System to control access to network resources. Upon receiving a request to access a call, the gatekeeper passes the request to the Conference Management System for its approval.

Abstract: The present invention enables a network to detect electrical interference caused by cellular phones and correct the problem by playing a network announcement to the network operator if the interference reaches a certain threshold level. In turn, the network operator will notify participants of the conference call of the interference and ask them to change the location of their cellular phones.

Abstract: Conference system includes a conference status recording unit recording an identifier of a conference using allocated resources and a usefulness value indicating the degree of usefulness of the conference. A request accepting unit accepts a conference start request from a user. A conference opening unit instructs a multipoint connection apparatus to secure resources for use in the requested conference and records an identifier of the conference to be started and an initial usefulness value of the conference in the conference status recording unit. A resource releasing unit, when there are no available resources necessary for the new conference accepted, selects another open conference, of which resources may be released, based on the usefulness value of the other open conference recorded in the conference status recording unit, and instructs the multipoint connection apparatus to release the resources allocated to the selected open conference.

Abstract: Pass code security is provided for a teleconference call in an AIN-based telecommunications network. Participants to the conference call dial in to a bridge at a Service Switching Point (SSP). If a trigger is detected on the line associated with the bridge, a Service Control Point (SCP) is queried, which in turn causes an Intelligent Peripheral (IP) to generate a voice message asking the caller for a pass code. If a valid pass code is entered by the caller and received at the IP, the SSP connects the caller to the bridge.

Abstract: A system, computer product and method for monitoring and disseminating data form a plurality of electronic devices via the Internet is provided. The plurality of electronic devices, or further electronic devices connected to the plurality of electronic devices, generate signal data. A computer product of the present invention is loaded on the electronic devices such that the signal data is collected via the Internet at a remote web server. The web server stores this data in a database such that a client can monitor its signal data by means of the web server, via the Internet. The present invention also permits the client to disseminate the signal data, including signal data meeting alarm parameters, based on business rules established by the client. A method for deploying the system of the present invention across a plurality of electronic devices, including electronic devices across a plurality of locations is also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for providing an improved interface to a caller during the initiation of a VoIP call. The present invention includes placing, by the caller, a request for information regarding a party to be called; returning a URL responsive to the request; and displaying to the caller one or more connection options corresponding to the URL. Additional aspects of the present invention include choosing, by the caller, at least one of the one or more connection options, and placing a call responsive to the one or more connection options chosen by the caller.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus may permit the manipulation of conferenced data. Primary sequenced audio-optical data structures may be populated with conferenced data, and secondary sequenced audio-optical data structures may be populated with derivative conferenced data. Electronic identity characteristics may be utilized to selectively deny access of conference participants to an exchange of conferenced electronic communications, verify the identity of prospective conference participants to an exchange of conferenced electronic communications, and verify the identity of known and unknown individuals in conjunction with electronic identity signatures. Conferenced data tags may be associated to conferenced data elements to create derivative conferenced data. Derivative conferenced data may be utilized in conjunction with primary conferenced data structures and secondary conferenced data structures to create augmented functionalities for conferenced data elements.