System and Method For Managing Multimedia Communications Across Convergent Networks
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method for optimized routing of a multimedia communication between access devices across a plurality of communications networks having different communications protocols, comprising the steps of:
- determining, by a control node, a quality of each IP network of a plurality of IP networks connected to the control node;
creating, by the control node, a quality matrix including the determined quality for the each IP network;
setting up, by the control node, a media session between an originating access device and a receiving access device across a plurality of communications networks having different communications protocols including internet protocol;
upon successful setup of the media session, routing by the control node the multimedia communication between the originating and receiving access devices along a select path through at least a portion of one of the IP networks based on the quality matrix; and
converting by a gateway the multimedia communication from one communication protocol to another as required by the different communications protocols of the plurality of communications networks along the select path.
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Abstract
The present invention provides for bidirectional or duplex transmission of multimedia content such as live video and/or audio between access devices of a calling party and a called party in a convergent network. The quality of transmission is managed through a convergent communications platform, which periodically tests performance characteristics of network routes in operative communication with the platform, categorizes the network routes based on measured performance metrics, and selects network operators whose network characteristics meet the desired quality parameters of a particular multimedia content to be transmitted (e.g., real-time high definition video conference). The management of transmissions is transparent to the end users who will be able to communicate with others regardless of the type of devices or networks the called parties use or subscribe to.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method for optimized routing of a multimedia communication between access devices across a plurality of communications networks having different communications protocols, comprising the steps of:
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determining, by a control node, a quality of each IP network of a plurality of IP networks connected to the control node; creating, by the control node, a quality matrix including the determined quality for the each IP network; setting up, by the control node, a media session between an originating access device and a receiving access device across a plurality of communications networks having different communications protocols including internet protocol; upon successful setup of the media session, routing by the control node the multimedia communication between the originating and receiving access devices along a select path through at least a portion of one of the IP networks based on the quality matrix; and converting by a gateway the multimedia communication from one communication protocol to another as required by the different communications protocols of the plurality of communications networks along the select path. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A computer system for managing multimedia communications between access devices across a plurality of communications networks having different telecommunications protocols, comprising:
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a registrar server configured for collecting subscriber information and storing the subscriber information in a subscriber registry, the subscriber information including at least one of a subscriber identifier, a device type, a device identifier, subscription level and MAC address; a control node configured for determining quality of each of the plurality of IP networks in operative communication with the control node, and for managing a media session and routing of communication between originating and receiving access devices of subscribers; a route optimizer for selecting a path of communication through at least a portion of the plurality of IP networks based on the determined quality of the each IP network and access device capabilities inferred from device-related information in the subscriber registry; and a switch for routing communications between the originating and receiving access devices through the selected path through the IP network upon successful setup of the media session by the control node. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. An apparatus for communicating across communication networks having different telecommunications protocols, comprising:
an access device capable of establishing a media session through a cellular network, a circuit-switched network or an IP network, and configured to include contact information of a called party that comprises a telephone number and user identification for an IP based communication service provider, the access device being responsive to a user selection of the called party for communication and establishing the media session with the called party via the IP based communication service provider when the IP based communication service provider indicates the called party is available or via the cellular network or circuit-switched network when the IP based communication service provider indicates the called party is not available. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31, 33, 34)
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29. A method of communicating across a plurality of communications networks having different telecommunications protocols using a multi-modal access device configured to communicate via a PSTN and an IP network, comprising the steps of:
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storing, by the access device, contact information of a called party comprising a telephone number and a user identifier of an IP based communications service provider; determining, by the access device, availability of the called party by accessing presence information of the called party from the IP based communications service provider; establishing, by the access device, a media session with the called party via the IP based communications service provider when the presence information indicates the called party is available; and establishing, by the access device, a media session with the called party via the cellular network when the presence information indicates the called party is not available.
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32. An apparatus for communicating across communication networks having different telecommunications protocols, comprising:
a switch node capable of establishing a media session through a cellular network, a circuit-switched network or an IP network, and configured to include contact information of a called party that comprises a telephone number and user identification for an IP based communication service provider, the switch node being responsive to a user selection of the called party for communication and establishing a media session with the called party via the IP based communication service provider when the IP based communication service provider indicates the called party is available or via the cellular network or the circuit-switched network when the IP based communication service provider indicates the called party is not available.
Specification