Cisco Technology, Inc.

Steven G Fry

Shantanu Sarkar

Parameswaran Kumarasamy

Duanpei Wu

Manjunath Sreedhara Bangalore

Kavithadevi Parameswaran

Walter Friedrich

Kan Wu

Randall Bernard Baird

Nermin M Ismail

Thiyagesan Ramalingam

Senthil Kumar Kanniappan

Johnny Chan

Tiong-Hu Lian

A method can include analyzing endpoint preference data from each of a plurality of endpoints of a multimedia conference. The endpoint preference data for each respective endpoint represents a desired distribution of bandwidth for different types of data in the multimedia conference for each respective endpoint. The method can also include allocating bandwidth between the different types of data for each of the plurality of endpoints in the multimedia conference based on the analysis of the endpoint preference data.

Bandwidth allocation for multimedia conferencing

In one embodiment, a method includes receiving at a protocol translator a first message from a first endpoint to a second endpoint. The first message includes a list of media capabilities of the first endpoint. The method also includes transmitting from the protocol translator a second message to the second endpoint including a media capabilities request header and receiving at the protocol translator a response message from the second endpoint. The response message includes a response header including a list of the media capabilities of the second endpoint.

Terminal capabilities set exchange between heterogeneous endpoints

Disclosed are video conferencing systems, devices, architectures, and methods for using media notifications to coordinate switching between video in a distributed arrangement. An exemplary media switch in accordance with embodiments can include: a first interface configured for a first type communication with an endpoint; a second interface configured for the first type communication with another media switch, the second interface being configured to receive a first video stream having a first characteristic and a second video stream having a second characteristic; a third interface configured for a second type communication with a stream controller, the stream controller being configured to provide a notification; and a fourth interface configured for the second type communication with a controlling server, whereby the media switch is configured to re-target an active stream in response to the notification or a difference between the first and second characteristics.

Method and architecture for distributed video switching using media notifications

Marking a keyframe of a media stream in a communication system involves one or more entry media switches in communication with one or more endpoints. An entry media switch receives a media stream from an endpoint, where the media stream comprises a sequence of packets with a keyframe. The keyframe is detected and marked with a keyframe indicator. The keyframe indicator is operable to notify a downstream device of the keyframe. An output media stream is outputted.

Marking keyframes for a communication session

A system and method for consolidating media signaling to facilitate IP telephony includes receiving a first message exchange in a first protocol from a first endpoint to negotiate a media path with a second endpoint. It is determined to consolidate the first message exchange with additional message exchanges received from the first endpoint in the first protocol. A second message exchange is received in the first protocol from the first endpoint, and information derived from the first message exchange and the second message exchange is consolidated. A first message exchange in a second protocol is initiated to the second endpoint according to the information consolidated from the first and second message exchanges in the first protocol. One or more media flows is facilitated over the media path between the first and second endpoints according to the first and second message exchanges in the first protocol and the first message exchange in the second protocol.

System and method for consolidating media signaling to facilitate internet protocol (IP) telephony

A method of communicating information between a first program and a second program over a network is described. The method includes relaying the information between the first program and a first communications program over a first network connection, relaying the information between the first communications program and a second communications program over a second network connection and relaying the information between the second communications program and the second program over a third network connection. Further, the first communications program creates the second network connection to the second communications program through a first firewall program, which prevents access to the first program initiated by the second program. Thus, the second network connection is initiated by the first communications program. The first communications program can be, for example, a protocol daemon and the second communications program can be, for example, a relay program. The first firewall program can also be configured to prevent access to the first program initiated by the second communications program.

Method and apparatus supporting network communications through a firewall

A method and system for determining a relative location of a device on a network is provided. In this system and method, a list of landmark nodes provided on the network is received. Then, a value which is a time, a latency and/or a distance from the device to each of the landmark nodes is determined. Each of the determined values corresponding to the respective node of the landmark nodes is transmitted to a central arrangement to provide the relative location of the device with respect to the landmark nodes.

Growing community of inventors

Oakland, CA, United States of America

Steven G Fry