Nortel Networks Corporation

Avaya Inc.

William Janning

Gregory Thomas Osterhout

Trip Ingle

Steve John McKinnon

Patrick Ma

Adel Mostafa

Trung Tran

Douglas S Weisenberg

Described are embodiments for allowing the negotiation of a continuous presence layout. Specifically, in embodiments, an offer is generated by a client that includes attributes for displaying continuous presence video information. The attributes include, in some embodiments, one or more window identifiers, one or more bandwidth limit identifiers, one or more group numbers, and/or one or more ranks. The offer is sent to a server which transmits an answer to the offer. Once the attributes for the continuous presence layout has been negotiated, the server uses the attributes to format video content sent to the client.

Negotiate multi-stream continuous presence

A method and apparatus for handling subscriber services from different sources without requiring interaction with different devices. The present invention also provides a method and apparatus for receiving multimedia services using session initiation protocol (SIP) messages received from a source, such as a server on a network. In one embodiment, a set-top device is provided in which a SIP control is provided to register a subscriber with a server using SIP messages. A connection to a network, such as the Internet, is provided to communicate with the server. The set-top device is placed in line with the audio and video source to control audio and video streams presented to the subscriber. The set-top device is also configured to receive voice calls from a public switched telephone network (PSTN). Further, the set-top device includes a remote control mechanism, such as an infrared (IR) transmitter and receiver to receive input from the subscriber and to control other devices using IR signals. Also, subscriber services customized for a particular subscriber may be directed to the subscriber at a location when the subscriber registers with the server through a set-top device at that location using SIP. Services, such as, for example, call screening, channel guides, video on demand, and Web browsing are provided through the set-top device and messaging with a server using SIP messages.

Session initiation protocol enabled set-top device

The present invention provides distributed communication services based on a presence technology platform. Presence messaging and communication techniques allow a variety of communication agents to cooperate with one another to provide distributed services. Essentially, the messaging between the agents is used to facilitate media sessions and update participating devices of state changes bearing on providing the services. In one embodiment, each of the participating devices is associated with a logic entity, referred to as a presentity, which subscribes to notification services for the other participating devices. When a state change occurs on any one of the participating devices, the corresponding presentity notifies the other devices of the state change. As such, each participating device knows the status of the other participating devices via the presentities and can systematically determine when and how to provide services based on its current state and the current state of the other participating devices.

Distributed services based on presence technology

Growing community of inventors

Allen, TX, United States of America

William Janning