810 results about "Packet switched" patented technology

The present invention is directed to a high speed packet switching network and, in particular to a method and system for minimizing the time to establish a connection between an origin and a destination node. Due to high dynamicity of the traffic on transmission links, it is important to select a routing path according to a fully up-to-date information on all network resources. The simpler approach is to calculate a new path for each new connection request. This solution may be very time consuming because there are as many path selection operations as connection set up operations. On another hand, the calculation of paths based on an exhaustive exploration of the network topology, is a complex operation which may also take an inordinate amount of resources in large networks. Many of connections originated from a network node flow to the same destination network node. It is therefore possible to take a serious benefit in reusing the same already calculated paths for several connections towards the same node. The path calculated at the time the connection is requested is recorded in a Routing Database and updated each time a modification occurs in the network. Furthermore, alternate paths for supporting non-disruptive path switch on failure or preemption, and new paths towards potential destination nodes can be calculated and stored when the connection set up process is idle. These last operations are executed in background with a low processing priority and in absence of connection request.

A communication system providing telephony communication across combined circuit switched and packet switched networks, such as a telephone network and the Internet, which are connectable to terminals, such as telephones and computers, for selective communication therebetween. The communication system includes an authorization and account control object in the packet switched network, multiple gateways between the circuit switched and packet switched networks providing controlled connectivity between those networks, and an information retrieval object in the packet switched network, wherein the authorization and account control object maintains a substantially real time record of user accounts and usage, and the information and retrieval object provides substantially real time retrieval of selected information from the authorization and account control object. The retrieval object provides on demand to terminals which provide authentication for access to an identified account information regarding that account. The information regarding the account is substantially real time information including information with respect to communications in progress which are chargeable to the account which has been authenticated. The authorization and account control object is preferably a unitary logical object having distributed instances thereof handling multitudinous accounts of widely separated terminals. The retrieval object provides isolation of the authorization and account control object permitting simultaneous multitasking by the authorization and account control object and the retrieval object respectively.

A packet-switched communications device in an enterprise network is provided. The packet-switched communications device has a corresponding unique identifier, such as an address or extension. The device includes a processor operable to (a) establish a secure communications session with a key generating agent in the enterprise network; (b) provide, to the key generating agent through the session, the unique identifier of the communications device; and (c) receive, from the key generating agent through the session, a secret key and a key identifier. An application server authenticates the packet switched device using the secret key. After authentication is successful, secure communications is established between the packet switched device and the application server.

A processor architecture for processing data packets representing voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) calls in a packet-switched network is disclosed. According to an embodiment, a VoIP processor executes a voice packet processing operating system that is configured to monitor or manipulate the packets at an IP layer, media layer and signaling layer of the call. The VoIP processor includes a plurality of independently callable primitive software functions that carry out low-level VoIP packet processing functions. The VoIP processor executes one or more application programs that selectively call one or more of the primitive software functions and are independent of any underlying protocols of the existing network, thereby isolating the application programs from low-level processing details. Further, techniques are described for modifying characteristics of VoIP traffic for the purpose of monitoring and directing the VoIP traffic through a network. The techniques include extracting information associated with the VoIP traffic and using the information for the purpose of controlling access, for fraud detection, for billing, for enforcing policy decisions, for protection against denial of service attacks, for lawful interception, for service selection, and other applications.

Embodiments of the invention enable the synchronization of clocks across packet switched networks, such as the Internet, sufficient to drive a jitter buffer and other quality-of-service related buffering. Packet time stamps referenced to a local clock create a phase offset signal. A shortest-delay offset generator uses a moving-window filter to select the samples of the phase offset signal having the shortest network propagation delay within the window. This shortest network propagation delay filter minimizes the effect of network jitter under the assumption that queuing delays account for most of the network jitter. The addition of this filtered phase offset signal to a free-running local clock creates a time reference that is synchronized to the remote clock at the source thus allowing for the transport of audio, video, and other time-sensitive real-time signals with minimal latency.

A method for effecting load balancing in a packet-switched network is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of:(a) providing a set of Internet Protocol (IP) addresses corresponding to a Universal Resource Locator (URL), wherein the ordering of the IP addresses in the set of IP addresses is indicative of a corresponding desirability of contacting each of the IP addresses and wherein the set of IP addresses are in a first order;(b) receiving activity-related information associated with at least one of the IP addresses; and(c) reordering the set of IP addresses to be in a second order different from the first order.

The present invention is directed to a contact center, comprising: (a) a plurality of media servers 112a-n, each of the media servers being associated with a plurality of corresponding agent communication devices 120a-i positioned in a respective agent domain 100a-n; (b) a plurality of gateways 128a-n, each of which is currently controlled by a corresponding one of the plurality of media servers 112a-n and positioned in a contactor domain 104; and (c) a packet-switched Wide Area Network (WAN) 108 connecting the plurality of media servers 128a-n and the plurality of gateways 112a-n. A first gateway 128a is operable to physically park an incoming customer contact in the customer domain 104 until the occurrence of a call transfer event and, upon the occurrence of a call transfer event, to transfer the parked customer contact from the first gateway 128a to at least one of (i) a second media gateway 128b for processing by the second media gateway's corresponding second controlling media server 112b and (ii) a first media server 112a controlling the first gateway 128a.

A method in accordance with the invention allocates bandwidth, fairly and dynamically, in a shared-media packet switched network to accommodate both elastic and inelastic applications. The method, executed by or in a head-end controller, allocates bandwidth transmission slots, converting requests for bandwidth into virtual scheduling times for granting access to the shared media. The method can use a weighted fair queuing algorithm or a virtual clock algorithm to generate a sequence of upstream slot / transmission assignment grants. The method supports multiple quality of service (QoS) classes via mechanisms which give highest priority to the service class with the most stringent QoS requirements.

Alarm panels are assigned to monitoring servers at a monitoring station by an allocation server. Each panel obtains the data network address of its assigned monitoring server by contacting the allocation server, upon installation / configuration. The provided data network address is stored at the panel for later use. This allows the allocation server to fairly and flexibly distribute monitoring responsibility for the many panels across multiple monitoring servers.

An Automatic Repeat reQuest (ARQ) error correction method optimized for protecting real-time audio-video streams for transmission over packet-switched networks. Embodiments of this invention provide bandwidth-efficient and low-latency ARQ for both variable and constant bit-rate audio and video streams. Embodiments of this invention use timing constraints to limit ARQ latency and thereby facilitate the use of ARQ packet recovery for the transport of both constant bit rate and variable bit rate media streams.

According to the invention, an apparatus for providing real-time notification of purchaser requirements in a heterogeneous network environment is provided. The heterogeneous network environment can include a public packet switched network, such as the Internet, and a wireless network, such as a plurality of pagers. Select embodiments include a plurality of wireless terminals in communication with the wireless network to receive real-time notification of a purchaser's requirements. At least one vendor computer is part of the apparatus. The vendor computer has one or more databases for storing information about products and services in a product database, and a customer database, for storing information about customers. A plurality of client computers is also included. The client computers enable users to interact with the system to learn about and express interest in products and services.

Remote frequency synchronization is achieved between two or more nodes in a packet-switched network using differential timestamps. A line is fit to multiple differential time values using a minimum delay principle. Frequency synchronization and / or absolute time synchronization between the two nodes may be achieved using one or both of uplink and downlink differential time values and fitting one or both of first and second lines to differential time values by different means of the minimum delay principle.

Methods, tools, and a multicast connectivity architecture are provided for provisioning bundled high bandwidth multi-channel multimedia broadcast services over a packet switched communications network. Multicast group membership join / prune requests generated by the destination network nodes are processed on edge. Multicast tree connectivity in the core of the communications network is static and centrally provisioned based on multicast group member edge network nodes associated with subscribers, while dynamic multicasting techniques are employed over the distribution portion of the service provider's communications network to deliver requested content to each destination network node. The methods and tools compute multicast trees, configure on-tree branching network nodes, and establish Virtual Private LAN network overlays for channel bundles to convey multi-channel content in the core of the managed communications network between edge network nodes. Centralized multicast tree provisioning enables the use of efficient multicast tree topologies, while VPLS packet transport provides interoperability between disparate Layer-2 packet transport technologies employed in different portions of the communications network.

The method provides for a first network controller, operating according to a first radio technology, to form and send a relay message to a second network controller, operating according to a different, second radio technology. The relay message includes an embedded message for the second network controller. The embedded message may be a transition message requesting transition of a packet switched call for a mobile station handled by the first network controller to a call for the mobile station handled by the second network controller. The method further provides selection of another wireless element for service at a wireless unit, using a current wireless element. A wireless unit receives a message identifying at least one other wireless element, available to the wireless unit and to which a wireless element currently in communication with the wireless unit is also in communication with and the wireless unit selects another wireless element for possible future service based on the message.

A system for and method of analyzing the performance of a packet-switched network, the network automatically generating a traffic log each time a packet enters or exits the network and each traffic log including at least the time the traffic log was created, the addresses of the packet sender and packet recipient, and the entry and exit network nodes. A server collects a plurality of traffic logs, parses the available information therein and generates a plurality of histograms, each histogram being based on information gleaned from the plurality of traffic logs. The histograms may be representative of packet traffic passing through a host connected to the network, packet traffic passing through a node in the network or the amount of data that travels over a link between two nodes of the network. To increase the delivery speed of the histogram data from the server to a client, the histograms are preferably stored as flat files to achieve direct and rapid access to stored data.

The present invention provides a system for capture and instantaneous on-demand delivery of multimedia content over a communication network to a plurality of users. Incorporated into the system is a variety of advantageous features including dynamically mapped resource locator server with central control mechanism for the administration of communication channels, users access and activity, cross-platform peer-to-peer delivery-on-demand client and user programmable content capturing component. In the preferred embodiment, the multimedia information being delivered is high quality video and audio with the purpose of multi-user multimedia broadcasting and remote video monitoring over a packet switched network, such as the Internet. However, the multimedia information can also include images, text, keystrokes, user commands, computer files, data, or any other type of information that can be transmitted over any communication network.

An emergency telephone call is supported and routed to a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) in an IP based packet switched wireless communications network. An activate PDP context request is sent from a user equipment to the network. A parameter in the activate PDP context request indicates that the PDP context will be used to transfer an emergency call. An activate PDP context accept message is returned from the support node to the user equipment. The activate PDP context accept message acknowledges the activate PDP context request message and provides the address of a call state control function. A call setup request transferred to the call state control function includes the Service Area Identity (SAI). The call state control function selects a PSAP based, at least in part, on the SAI included in the call setup request and forwards the emergency call to the selected PSAP.

Adaptive De-Jitter Buffer for Voice over IP (VoIP) for packet switch communications. The de-jitter buffer methods and apparatus presented avoid playback of underflows while balancing end-to-end delay. In one example, the de-jitter buffer is recalculated at the beginning of each talkspurt. In another example, talkspurt packets are compressed upon receipt of all remaining packets.

A method of setting up a call between first and second nodes of a communication system, said call extending across at least one circuit switched access network and a packet switched backbone network, the networks being interconnected by at least one Media Gateway. The method comprises, at a control node, obtaining ftoin a Home Subscriber Server the identity of a Media Gateway Control Function controlling that Media Gateway which will terminate the call within the circuit switched access network. The first node calls an access number notified to it by the Media Gateway Control Function, and as part of the call set-up procedure the identity of the Media Gateway selected to terminate the call is communicated to the Media Gateway Control Function.

Routing of packets to a mobile node in a packet switching network is controlled. Routing the packets comprises generating first routing protocol data for a network address used by a mobile node of the network, the first routing protocol data specifying a characteristic of a first route passing through a first access node of the network, the first access node serving the mobile node via a communications link, and in response to the mobile node receiving service from a second access node, generating second routing protocol data for the network address, by a routing defining process involving transmitting directed routing update messages to a limited number of the packet switching nodes. The second routing protocol data specifies a characteristic of a second route passing through the second access node such that the first and second routing protocol data are held in different sets of packet switching nodes.

A wireless network in a communication infrastructure has a packet switched backbone network and includes a plurality of access points and services a plurality of client devices. The plurality of access points communicatively coupled to the packet switched backbone network and each have access point processing circuitry and access point wireless transceiver circuitry. The plurality of client devices each have client processing circuitry and client wireless transceiver circuitry. A client device of the plurality of client devices, using respective client processing circuitry and respective client wireless transceiver circuitry, determines interference parameters regarding wirelessly communicating within the wireless network. The client device then transmits the interference parameters to an access point of the plurality of access points. The access point of the plurality of access points, using respective access point processing circuitry and respective access point wireless transceiver circuitry, receives the interference parameters and alters wireless interface operations within a service area of the wireless network based upon the received interference parameters.

A packet processing apparatus for processing data packets for use in a packet switched network includes means for receiving a packet, means for adding administrative information to a first data portion of the packet, the administrative information including at least an indication of at least one process to be applied to the first data portion, and a plurality of parallel pipelines, each pipeline comprising at least one processing unit, wherein the processing unit carries out the process on the first data portion indicated by the administrative information to provide a modified first data portion. According to a method, the tasks performed by each processing unit are organized into a plurality of functions such that there are substantially only function calls and no interfunction calls and that at the termination of each function called by the function call for one processing unit, the only context is a first data portion.

A system, method and access gateway for minimizing the number of transcodings of a speech signal during a Voice-over-IP (VoIP) conference call in a packet-switched network in which Tandem Free Operation (TFO) is utilized. The system includes a first gateway connecting the first mobile subscriber to the network, a second gateway connecting the second subscriber, and a third gateway connecting the third subscriber. The second gateway sends a message to the first gateway indicating a speech coding mode being utilized between the second gateway and the second subscriber. The third gateway sends a message to the first gateway indicating a speech coding mode being utilized between the third gateway and the third subscriber. When a three-way conference call is initiated, the first gateway encodes the call path to the second subscriber with the speech coding mode being utilized between the second gateway and the second subscriber. The first gateway also encodes the speech signal for the call leg to the third subscriber with the speech coding mode being utilized between the third gateway and the third subscriber.

In a packet-switched network having a plurality of nodes interconnected by links, pre-defined protection paths provide protection of a selected plurality of links. Adjacent nodes connected by a protected link are adapted to detect a failure of the protected link, to encapsulate packets within tunnel packets, to differentiate between tunnel packets and non-tunnel packets and to exchange the tunnel packets via a protection path rather than via the failed link. This results in faster automatic protection switching of packet-based traffic. The invention is particularly suited to an Internet Protocol network.

An Internet infrastructure with network devices and end point devices containing service module manager and service modules, that supports packet analysis, encapsulation and vectoring, and interleaving applications. The network device that supports packet content analysis on arriving packet, consists of a plurality of packet switched interface circuitries, user interface circuitry, local storage comprising the service module manager software and a plurality of local service modules, and processing circuitry communicatively coupled to each of the packet switched interfaces, local storage and user interface circuit. The processing circuitry executes service module manager and thus analyzes the packet content and applies one or more selected local service module processing using the packet. The processing circuitry thus takes one or more actions on the packet. A packet switching exchange that supports packet content analysis, encapsulation and vectoring on arriving packet, consisting a plurality of interconnecting switches, a plurality of line cards, general primary processing card. A client device that supports packet content analysis on arriving packet containing a plurality of network interfaces, user interface circuitry, local storage and processing circuitry communicatively coupled to each of the network interfaces, local storage and user interface circuitry.

A method, security system control module and policy server for providing security for Mobile Stations (MSs) in a Packet-Switched Telecommunications System. When an MS accesses the system, its identity is sent to a security system control module that retrieves a security profile associated with the MS. A policy server of the security system control module stores individual security profiles, default security profiles and group security profiles for registered subscribers. Security settings associated with the MS security profile are returned from the policy server to a mobile security manager of the control module, which then determines if they should be propagated in the system. When no previous network access was made in a given time period by an MS having similar security settings, i.e. belongs to the same group security profile, the settings are propagated in the system in order to be enforced, for providing security protection for the MS.

This invention relates to methods for correlating media streams and signaling sessions of services, for example, in a passive monitoring system of a packet-switched network. Furthermore, the invention also relates to an implementation of these methods in hardware and software, and provides a signaling plane probe, a media plane probe and a correlation unit. Moreover, a passive monitoring system comprising one or more of these hardware devices is provided. To correlate media streams and signaling sessions of services, the invention proposes to independently generate correlation keys in a media plane probe for monitored media streams and correlation keys for signaling sessions that are monitored by a signaling plane probe in a fashion that matching correlation keys are generated for a respective service. By identifying reports on the media streams and reports on the signaling session that contain matching correlation keys respectively, the media streams and the signaling streams are correlated in a correlation unit.