Apparatus and method for optimal conference call renegotiation in telephony over LAN systems
First Claim
1. A telecommunications network, comprising:
- one or more multi-point controllers configured to perform call signaling between a multi-point control unit and a plurality of client endpoints;
a multi-point control unit coordinator integrated with one of said multi-point controllers, said multi-point control unit coordinator configured to identify an optimal other one of said one or more multi-point controllers and direct said optimal one to perform multi-point control functions, wherein said multi-point control unit coordinator is configured to make an identification of a new optimal multi-point controller while a conference is ongoing and cause said conference to be redirected to said new optimal multi-point controller.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A multipoint control unit coordinator (MCUC). The MCUC tracks all conferences in a telecommunications system and determines how they can be best configured and modified over time. The MCUC instructs multipoint control units (MCUs) to break down and reconfigure calls, if necessary. A MCUC according to an embodiment of the invention maintains a database of all the MCUs in the system, a measure of processing coding resources, and a geographical location. When two parties seek to add a third in a conference call, the MCUC determines coding resources, geographical locations, and determines the most appropriate media stream mixing location based on preferences, such as network cost or endpoint coding resources or quality. The MCUC then instructs the MCUs to handle the conference accordingly.
59 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A telecommunications network, comprising:
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one or more multi-point controllers configured to perform call signaling between a multi-point control unit and a plurality of client endpoints;
a multi-point control unit coordinator integrated with one of said multi-point controllers, said multi-point control unit coordinator configured to identify an optimal other one of said one or more multi-point controllers and direct said optimal one to perform multi-point control functions, wherein said multi-point control unit coordinator is configured to make an identification of a new optimal multi-point controller while a conference is ongoing and cause said conference to be redirected to said new optimal multi-point controller. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method for operating a telecommunications network, comprising:
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receiving a multi-point conference set up request at a multi-point control unit coordinator, said multi-point control unit coordinator being integrated with a multi-point control unit;
identifying one or more multi-point controls units whose use will be optimal according to one or more criteria during said multi-point conference; and
relaying said multi-point conference set up request to said one or more multi-point control units after said optimal determination is made;
wherein said identifying and said relaying occur while said conference is ongoing to select a new optimal multi-point control unit. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A telecommunications device, comprising:
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means integrated with a multi-point control unit for identifying one or more multipoint controls units whose use will be optimal according to one or more criteria during a multi-point conference; and
means for relaying said multi-point conference set up request to said one or more multi-point control units after said optimal determination is made;
wherein said identifying and said relaying occur while said conference is ongoing to select a new optimal multi-point control unit. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification