Abstract: According to the present invention there are provided a system, method and program storage device for establishing a connection for an endpoint to a scheduled audiovisual conference between a plurality of participants, the plurality of participants connecting to the audiovisual conference from a plurality of endpoints, connections for the plurality of endpoints to the audiovisual conference being maintained by a multipoint control unit, comprising: receiving a request at a conference control server from a participant to connect an endpoint associated with the participant to the scheduled audiovisual conference; obtaining an IP address or a telephone number for the endpoint; writing the IP address or the telephone number for the endpoint to the multipoint control unit; and communicating audiovisual conference data from the multipoint control unit to the endpoint via the IP address or the telephone number, thereby enabling the endpoint to be connected to the audiovisual conference.

Abstract: In addition to a conference server 100, a record server 200 is provided. The conference data of a real-time conference is stored in a storage section 214 of the record server 200 (S2). A conference terminal 300a performs connection processing to the conference (S1) and then transmits a catch-up playback request to the record server 200 (S3). The record server 200 determines whether or not catch-up playback is enabled (S4) and then distributes the past conference data (S6), and notifies the conference terminal 300a that the catch-up playback end point has come (S7-1). Accordingly, the connection of the conference terminal 300a is switched to the conference server 100 (S9) and the conference terminal 300a is connected to the real-time conference (S10).

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 obsoleted 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: A connection control module of a switching node in a telecommunications network, and adapted to communicate to a service control module of the switching node is further adapted to communicate to at least one other connection control module of the switching node. This approach enables the establishment of connections at the physical level by linking half-call connections at this level.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention provides a method comprising loading a set of transport components into a memory; initializing each transport component of the set of transport components to listen on a particular conferencing interface using a listen string to associate with a network interface, each transport component of the set of transport components listening to a different conferencing interface, the listen string encapsulating parameters to one or more calls to listen; receiving an incoming call signal on the network interface having an incoming conferencing interface; processing the incoming call signal to detect the incoming conferencing interface; and launching an application based on the incoming conferencing interface. Other embodiments of the invention are also described.

Abstract: A switching platform comprises a first, second, and third circuit. The first circuit is adapted for recognizing a first set of tones generated by art originating telephone line. The originating telephone line is associated with a call origin telephone number. The first set of tones represents a request for a telephone conference over a conference line. The second circuit is adapted for determining whether the call origin telephone number is included in a set of defined telephone numbers permitted to connect to the conference line without further authentication. The third circuit is adapted for establishing a telephone connection between the originating telephone line and the conference line if the set of defined telephone numbers includes the call origin telephone number.

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 system for providing network access translation device traversal to facilitate communications is provided. The system includes a network access translation (NAT) device, a first Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) client located on the interior of the NAT device, a second SIP client located on the exterior of the NAT device, and a proxy server configured to maintain registration information relating to the first SIP client and the NAT device. The proxy server is further configured to allow the second SIP client to initiate contact with the first SIP client and establish a communication session using the registration information. The communication session is established by traversing the NAT device.

Abstract: A method and system for implicitly controlling the floor during a packet-based real-time media conference. A participating station implicitly requests the floor by simply beginning to send media to the conference server. If no other participant currently holds the floor, the server grants the floor to the first station from which the server receives an incoming media stream. Further, in a half-duplex conference, if a participating station receives an incoming media stream when it is sending an outgoing media stream, the station treats the incoming media stream as an implicit floor denial and responsively alerts a user that the floor is denied.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to monitor conference call activity with Internet protocol (IP) networks are disclosed. An example method comprises monitoring a network for a first conference call participant connection request, prompting the first conference call participant for authentication credentials, and when the first conference call participant is authorized based on the credentials, associating an Internet protocol (IP) address with the first conference call participant for use in place of the authentication credentials.

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 text 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: An application server component of an apparatus in one example receives an indication of one or more communication devices that are to receive one or more invitations to join a communication session. The application server component notifies the one or more communication devices of the one or more invitations to join the communication session. Upon acceptance of one or more of the one or more invitations by one or more of the one or more communication devices, the application server component connects the one or more of the one or more communication devices to the communication session.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a conference bridge receives a call initiated by a first caller endpoint. The conference bridge identifies a conference to which the call requests entry and determines whether the conference bridge has available resources to process the call. The conference bridge enables the call to join the conference via a second conference bridge associated with a second caller endpoint participating in the conference according to whether the conference bridge has available resources to process the call.

Abstract: A method for transport of high-priority, loss-sensitive data and other less loss-sensitive data between parties in a conference or communication session on an electronic communications network includes establishing a high-reliability connection between two points in the network using a connection technology or transport method that is different than that used for otherwise transmitting conference or communication session data between the two points and transmitting the high-priority, loss-sensitive data over the established high-reliability connection.

Abstract: Devices are able to identify other devices in a shared audio space (e.g., a room) by emitting a signal and receiving messages from other devices over a data connection indicating which of the other devices received the emitted signal. Devices that are determined to be in the same audio space can selectively mix audio in a teleconference to inhibit mixing of audio signals for devices that are determined to be in the same audio space.

Abstract: An embodiment of a conference bridge adapted for voice-over-IP applications has a modular, scalable architecture and establishes and internally relocates conference calls using SIP protocol commands for efficient processing. Further embodiments of the conference bridge support a plurality of conference access numbers. Dialed Number Identification Service groups may be programmed to selectively vary functions of the conference bridge depending on the DNIS identification of the called number.

Abstract: A server based method for optimizing call setup latency including updating client location information using at least one application server; identifying and updating parameters including location update information uniquely identifying a sector from which the at least one client is receiving communication service; determining at least one geographically dense call group; choosing at least one designated responder to respond to the at least one call group; selecting a plurality of designated responders as targets for m largest clusters; computing hash outputs of the targets; and performing a logical OR operation on lower order n bits of the hash outputs corresponding to the targets.

Abstract: System, method, data structures and software are disclosed wherein at least one end-user computer executes a calendaring application, wherein the calendaring application includes data representing an appointment for a teleconference, and wherein the appointment specifies one or more participants scheduled to join the teleconference. The end-user computer may include a VoIP software application adapted to establish a VoIP connection. The VoIP software application at least in part executes on the end-user computer to initiate a VoIP connection to the teleconference. Further the calendaring application executes on the end-user computer to at least in part communicate with the VoIP software application in order to initiate the VoIP connection.

Abstract: Management information for plural video calls is presented through a user interface that displays a list of calls prioritized based on one or more parameters, such as alarms, so that the most important calls are prominently displayed as they need attention. An alarm tracker tracks alarms associated with video device parameters, such as jitter, latency and linearity, and an alarm priority module determines the priority of video calls for display by comparing the alarms associated with the video calls. In one embodiment, the user interface has a locking option to lock a call's display position, for instance when a particularly important call with a lesser number of alarms nonetheless has a need for closer monitoring.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for establishing multi-party VoIP conference audio calls in a distributed, peer-to-peer network where any number of nodes are able to arbitrarily and asynchronously start or stop producing audio output to be mixed into a single composite audio stream that is distributed to all nodes. A single distribution tree is used that has optimal communications characteristics to distribute the composite audio signal to all nodes. An audio mixing tree is established and maintained by adaptively and dynamically adding and merging intermediate mixing nodes operating between user nodes and the root of the single distribution tree. The intermediate mixing nodes and the root of the single distribution tree are all hosted, in an exemplary embodiment, on user nodes that are endpoints of the distribution tree.

Abstract: A method and system for enabling and managing multimedia group communications, particularly for mobile devices attached to a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)-enabled network. The method and system provide a plug-and-play architecture for managing policy-based group communications. The method and system provide standardized set up and delivery of services, and can integrate different media types. Groups can be created on an ad hoc basis, and group services can be extended to mobile communication devices, such as cellular telephones. A single server architecture permits policies, such as group presence policies, to be implemented.

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 obsoleted 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: In a communications system having a plurality of endpoints (240,242,246) each including a logical entity and its physical counterpart, a system for controlling and managing session between at least two endpoints. The system including a registration manager (202), an application layer router (204), a session controller (206), a group database manager (208), and at least one group entity (210).

Abstract: This invention is to enable transfer of a right to speak in an audio teleconference in view of usability. In this invention, a PoC server is introduced to achieve new functions, such as transfer of the right to speak, reservation to acquire the right to speak, and deprivation of the right to speak. The PoC server has a teleconference presence manager, a teleconference manager, and a teleconference audio communication manager. The right to speak is managed in a presence data storage of the teleconference presence manager. The teleconference presence manager directly manages the presence data storage, but the teleconference manager manages transfer of the right to speak. In addition, the teleconference manager manages reservation of the right to speak by a storage for a reservation list of the right to speak. The teleconference audio communication manager carries out routing of audio data. At that time, only audio data received from a user holding the right to speak is transferred.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for handling larger number of people per conference in voice conferencing over packetized networks. A method for providing a conferencing session may include receiving inputs from a number of participants in a conferencing session. The received inputs are combined into an output packet including at least two sub-packets. The sub-packets having payloads including mixed received inputs from the number of participants. The payloads of at least two of the sub-packets contain different mixed received inputs.

Abstract: Techniques to perform rate matching for multimedia conference calls are described. An apparatus may comprise a conferencing server and a rate matching module. The rate matching module may be arranged to adjust bit rates between media communications channels for client terminals in a conference call, with the rate matching module to remove video frames from a set of video information received on a first media communications channel to reduce a bit rate for the video information. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for determining, for each candidate communication medium, the availability of one or more telecommunications endpoint users for participating in a communication session of interest (i.e., either new or existing) via the evaluated medium. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, an availability manager determines the availability based on (i) one or more discrete rules, or (ii) one or more continuous functions, or both. The continuous functions are specified with respect to the time that has elapsed since a previous session, the time remaining in an active session, and the expected duration of a new session. Once it has determined the availability of one or more participants in the communication session, the availability manager of the illustrative embodiment transmits one or more signals to a call-processing server, which then sets up the participants on the session via the appropriate communication medium such as voice, instant messaging, and so forth.

Abstract: A communication terminal into which communication data can be input and which can receive a message signalling that at least one further communication terminal is ready to receive the communication data. Following receipt of the message, a transmission device configured to operate in a first mode, in which it sends data at a first data rate, and in a second mode, in which it sends data at a second data rate, which is higher than the first data rate, is used to send the communication data in the second mode.

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 computing device generates and transmits calling instructions to the wireless communication device to instruct the wireless communication device to call the 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: An apparatus and method initiates a conference call in a telecommunication system. A call set up message is sent by a user's equipment, a message header indicating the equipment's own public identity as the call recipient and a tag indicating that the user equipment only accepts a conference call server as the recipient of the message. A network element configured to process messages from the user equipment receives the message and redirects the message to a conference call server on the basis of the header fields of the message. The conference call server detects that the message is a conference call set up message on the basis of the header fields of the message, and establishes a conference call.

Abstract: A video teleconferencing method for providing reservationless conferencing. The method involves creating a conference profile identifying selected connection parameters; allocating a dial-in number; notifying participants of the dial-in number; detecting a call from a requesting participant; determining if sufficient resources for the participant are available; and connecting the requesting participant into the reservationless conference. Additionally, the video teleconferencing method allows the conference time to be automatically extended. This is done using timers and reallocating available resources when the original end of conference time arrives. The method also enables the conference to automatically terminate after all conference participants leave the conference.

Abstract: A conference call is established in response to receiving a request 4 from a first communication terminal 3a. The request 4 preferably is an SMS or MMS and comprises one or more identifiers 5, 6, 7, e.g. telephone numbers, relating to a plurality of other communication terminals 3b-3d. A conference call server I allocates a conference call channel and an associated identifier, such as a telephone number. Messages 10a-10c alerting the conference participants are then sent to the other communication terminals 3a-3c, each message including the identifier associated with the conference call channel. Access to the conference call may be restricted to authorised users by compating identifiers, such as CLIs, of incoming callers to the identifiers provided in the request 4 and allowing access only if there is a correspondence or match.

Abstract: A method and system for independent participant control of audio during a multiparty communication session includes receiving an audio stream from each of a plurality of participants to a multiparty communication connection. An audio control signal is received from a participant for an audio stream of another participant. A conference output stream is generated for the participant by applying an audio parameter based on the audio control signal to the audio stream.

Abstract: This invention relates to a SIP and SDP protocols. The idea of the invention is to modify SDP descriptions included in SIP messages to facilitate transcoding. After receiving an INVITE message from a calling party, the SIP proxy negotiates with a transcoder for getting a list of codecs of the transcoder and their address information. The SIP proxy adds the codec list of the transcoder to the received SDP description in the invite message, and sends this way modified SDP description in an INVITE message to a called party. After receiving the modified SDP, the called party selects codecs or a list of suitable codecs according to preferences in the modified SDP and its own preferences.

Abstract: A system and method for teleconferencing using multiple media mixers is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a conferencing system may include a conference control server in communication with a central media mixer (CMM) and one or more edge media mixers (EMM). The conference control server may create a media path that connects the CMM and the EMM(s) via a call-control protocol. Additionally, conference participants may communicate with one another by connecting to the CMM and/or the EMM.

Abstract: A time-setting method for a portable device is provided by the presented invention. The time-setting method includes creating a time list based on the time of an incoming-call displayed, and selecting a time item on the time list by an input device. A time interval between two time items is set in the portable device.

Abstract: According to the present invention there are provided a system, method and program storage device for establishing a connection for an endpoint to a scheduled audiovisual conference between a plurality of participants, the plurality of participants connecting to the audiovisual conference from a plurality of endpoints, connections for the plurality of endpoints to the audiovisual conference being maintained by a multipoint control unit, comprising: receiving a request at a conference control server from a participant to connect an endpoint associated with the participant to the scheduled audiovisual conference; obtaining an IP address or a telephone number for the endpoint; writing the IP address or the telephone number for the endpoint to the multipoint control unit; and communicating audiovisual conference data from the multipoint control unit to the endpoint via the IP address or the telephone number, thereby enabling the endpoint to be connected to the audiovisual conference.

Abstract: A signaling router which receives messages coming from terminals or from other signaling routers, correlates a new message with a previously received message, and forwards the new message to a signaling router associated with the previously received message is presented.

Abstract: A multicasting conferencing system is described wherein permanently or temporarily assigned addressing may be used. When permanently assigned multicast addressing is used, several channel parameters are assigned to a multicast session, and any terminals desiring to “tune in” to the multicast session simply invoke those parameters from a storage location at which they have been previously stored.

Abstract: A teleconference system and method in which an initiator of a teleconference sends a request or instructions to the teleconference server. The teleconference server communicates with the intended participants using basic communication tools that are generally compatible regardless of the network that the participant is subscribed to. The teleconference server stores the information, creates and sends a teleconference notification message to the intended participant that she has been invited to a teleconference. The notification message includes a unique access address associated with the teleconference, at which the participant can access to join the teleconference at the prescribed time. Different unique access addresses are associated with different teleconferences.

Abstract: A teleconferencing system (1) comprises multiple teleconferencing bridges (5, 6, 7) each having an associated database (8, 9, 10). A server (20) hosts a local engine (22) associated with each bridge, and a multi-site engine (21). For a “global” conference utilising the resources of at least one other system (2), the multi-site engine (21) communicates over TCP/IP (36) with an equivalent multi-site engine of the other system to set up a link line via PSTN (31) between the bridges (5, 6, 7, 41). During the conference, the multi-site engine (21) automatically transmits event-driven updates to the remote system, and likewise receives such updates from the other system.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of scheduling and conducting video visits, as well as computer architecture for providing such scheduling and conducting, where the participants in the visit are not required or able to interact with the audio/video equipment for the initial connection to start the video visit. In some embodiments, participants are also not able to interact with the equipment during the actual visit, and thus the equipment employed during the video visit may be isolated from physical contact by the participants. To initiate or terminate a video visit, a data center establishes a data connection with each participant, and thus the flow of data between the participants moves across a computer network and via the data center. The visit may be monitored in virtually real-time by splitting the data transmitted between the participants and sending it to a monitoring terminal, rather than establishing a separate connection for the monitoring.

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 through a telephone network. Once a connection is established, the user and the members of the list are linked to a conference bridge.

Abstract: Geographically distributed conference sites each have a telephone receiver and a dataconferencing appliance connected to a shared voice call network. Each site also has a display device for displaying images comprised of image data produced by an image source. The dataconferencing appliance is connected to a data network that links the sites independently of the voice call network. To initiate a dataconference session between the sites, a voice call session is first established between the telephone receivers via the voice call network. An address negotiation procedure implemented in software or hardware of the dataconferencing appliance is then manually initiated to identify a network access code and communicate it to at least a second one of the sites within the voice call session. The network access code is used to establish a data communication session via the data network for convenient transmission of image data between the sites.

Abstract: A communication session support infrastructure comprises a networked packet based connection unit or gateway. The gateway includes a packet data interfacing unit for converting between protocols used by a plurality of current connecting devices in a session and a packet-based protocol so that different kinds of communication devices can connect to the session although internal session management is carried out using IP type protocols. The connection unit includes a one-to-many packet routing unit which receives packets through the interfacing unit from one of the current connecting devices in a session and routes the packets back to the interfacing unit for forwarding to each of the other current connecting devices in the session.

Abstract: In one embodiment according to the invention, a cordless telephone comprises a base unit and a handset. An RF link between the base unit and the handset is adapted for use during a telephone conversation and for use as an intercom. When in an intercom mode, an incoming call is handled in a manner that does not automatically terminate the intercom mode in response to the incoming call. For example, call related information associated with the incoming call may be analyzed, and a decision to terminate the intercom mode may be based on the call related information. In an alternative example, call related information may be transmitted by the base unit to the handset, and the handset may be adapted to display at least a portion of the call related information, so that a user may elect whether to respond to the incoming call or to maintain the intercom.

Abstract: A telephone conferencing system includes a voice services equipment (VSE) allowing a number of telephone calls to be connected together to form a conferencing function. Parties wishing to set up a conference agree on one of their telephone numbers being designated as a “link number”. The conference participants dial into the system and then each enters the link number. The system stores the link number in a link number store when the first caller calls in. The system also checks the caller's calling line identity (CLI) with the entered link number, and the conference will not be enabled unless there is a match; thus, the conference cannot be initiated until the link number participant has called in. Any other participant calling earlier can be put on “hold”. A number of different conferences may be taking place simultaneously, and participants will be grouped together correctly in their conference in accordance with the entered link number.

Abstract: A system and method for reserving conference resources for a multipoint conference includes receiving a request for a multipoint conference reservation and a list of participants. Communication paths for a plurality of the participants may be predicted. A multipoint control unit resource requirement may be estimated. A first multipoint control unit may be selected to host the multipoint conference. The availability of the multipoint control unit resource requirement at approximately a scheduled start time of the multipoint conference may be determined. A second multipoint control unit may be selected to host the multipoint conference, if the first multipoint control unit does not have the multipoint control unit resource requirement available at the scheduled start time and for the duration of the conference.

Abstract: A system and method for providing data network-assisted conference service to a wireless terminal. Conference-related information is received from a conference originator and stored. Prior to conference establishment time, a conference notification message is sent to the wireless terminal. A conference connection request is sent by the wireless terminal in response to the conference notification message, and a conference connection is established between the wireless terminal and a conference bridge that connects all conference participants.

Abstract: A distributed intelligence conferencing system is disclosed, having a plurality of conferencing nodes to connect groups of participants to a conference. Each of the conferencing nodes provides for the connection of one or more participants to the conference. Each node includes a DSP for distributed signal processing, eliminating the need for a central processor.