Apparatus for multiple media digital communication

• US 7,050,425 B2
• Filed: 06/22/2004
• Issued: 05/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: RPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: BTG International Inc. (Boston Scientific Corporation), Micron Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: Richter, Andreas, Reed, Ogden Cartwright Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): MARCELO, MELVIN C
• Application Number:
  US10/874,782
• Publication Number:
  US 20040228351A1
• Time in Patent Office: 700 Days
• Field of Search: 370/263, 370/412, 370352-356, 345/753, 715/753
• US Class Current: 370/352
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/18 for broadcast or conference , e.g. multicast
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1813 for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms instant messaging H04L51/04; protocols for multimedia communication H04L65/1101; arrangements for multi-party communication H04L65/403; telephonic conference arrangements H04M3/56; television conference systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1827 Network arrangements for conference optimisation or adaptation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1881 with schedule organisation, e.g. priority, sequence management
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/6418 Hybrid transport
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/66 Arrangements for connecting between networks having differing types of switching systems, e.g. gateways
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/6464 Priority
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/6481 Speech, voice
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/6483 Video, e.g. MPEG
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/6489 Buffer Management, Threshold setting, Scheduling, Shaping
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/15 in relation to multipoint traffic arrangements for broadcast or multicast in data networks H04L12/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/22 Traffic shaping
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/2416 Real-time traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/2433 Allocation of priorities to traffic types
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/283 in response to processing delays, e.g. caused by jitter or round trip time [RTT]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/50 Queue scheduling
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/56 implementing delay-aware scheduling
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/6215 Individual queue per QOS, rate or priority
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/6225 Fixed service order, e.g. Round Robin
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/624 Altering the ordering of packets in an individual queue
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/6285 : Provisions for avoiding starvation of low priority queues
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/90 : Buffering arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 : Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/4038 : with floor control
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/611 : for multicast or broadcast systems for broadcast or conference H04L12/18; arrangements for broadcast or distribution combined with broadcast H04H20/00; arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time H04H60/00; selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS], H04W4/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/752 : adapting media to network capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/80 : Responding to QoS
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 : Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2011 : Service processing based on information specified by a party before or during a call, e.g. information, tone or routing selection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/436 : Arrangements for screening incoming calls , i.e. evaluating the characteristics of a call before deciding whether to answer it based on the calling party profile H04M3/42059; based on location H04M3/42348; based on presence H04M3/42365; diversion H04M3/54
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/563 : User guidance or feature selection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/567 : Multimedia conference systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/006 : Networks other than PSTN/ISDN providing telephone service, e.g. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) , including next generation networks with a packet-switched transport layer H04L65/00 takes precedence; aspects not specific to the type of network H04M3/00; special services in those networks H04M3/42
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23614 : Multiplexing of additional data and video streams arrangements for simultaneous broadcast of plural pieces of information H04H20/28
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2368 : Multiplexing of audio and video streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43072 : of multiple content streams on the same device
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4341 : Demultiplexing of audio and video streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4348 : Demultiplexing of additional data and video streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/439 : Processing of audio elementary streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44004 : involving video buffer management, e.g. video decoder buffer or video display buffer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4788 : communicating with other users, e.g. chatting arrangements for providing for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms, to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1813; distributed application using peer-to-peer [P2P] networks H04L67/104
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6375 : for requesting retransmission , e.g. of data packets lost or corrupted during transmission from serverARQ protocols H04L1/18; implementation or adaptation of Internet protocol [IP], of transmission control protocol [TCP] or of user datagram protocol [UDP] H04L69/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6583 : Acknowledgement
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/147 : Communication arrangements, e.g. identifying the communication as a video-communication, intermediate storage of the signals selecting H04Q
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/15 : Conference systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/52 : Systems for transmission of a pulse code modulated video signal with one or more other pulse code modulated signals, e.g. an audio signal or a synchronizing signal assembling of a multiplex stream by combining a video stream with other content or additional data, remultiplexing of multiplex streams, insertion of stuffing bits into the multiplex stream, assembling of a packetised elementary stream at server side H04N21/236; disassembling of a multiplex stream, remultiplexing of multiplex streams, extraction or processing of Service Information, disassembling of packetised elementary stream at client side H04N21/434

Abstract

Apparatus for media communication in a communication system. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises: a processor; and a routine running on the processor for negotiating with the remote processing machine a selection of at least one media type using a media type selection protocol that supports the description of a plurality of media types including audio, video and data, and to configure, according to the selection, the apparatus to process media data packets received from and to be transmitted to the remote processing machine over a packet switched network.

Claims

1. In a communications network adapted for communication between a first caller and a second caller, an apparatus comprising:

a first interface to a first communication medium, said first communication medium coupling said first caller to said apparatus via said first interface;

a second interface to a second communication medium, said second communication medium coupling said apparatus to said second caller via said second interface;

at least one connection routine adapted to cause control signals to be sent to at least one of said first and second callers to enable media type selections, at least one of said media type selections including a selection of at least two different media types; and

a packet handling routine adapted to transmit a plurality of digital media packets corresponding to each of said at least two different media types;

wherein, for at least one of said at least two different media types, at least a portion of said plurality of corresponding digital media packets are transmitted to at least one of said first and second callers in accordance with said media type selections via said first interface and packet handling routine, over one or more packet switched communication channels,

wherein for at least one of said at least two different media types, the apparatus causes media signals to be communicated between the first and second callers, and

wherein one of the first and second communication mediums comprises a packet switched network, and the other of the first and second communication mediums comprises a non-packet switched network.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said one or more packet switched communication channels provide indeterminate system delays and bandwidth limitations that give rise to indeterminate packet loss.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said media signals communicated between said first and second callers are communicated between the packet switched network and a telephonic network.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus is further adapted to assign a priority to each of said digital media packets, said digital media packets being transmitted from said apparatus in substantially the order of said assigned priorities.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said apparatus further comprises a queue for holding said digital media packets prior to transmission, and said transmission of said digital media packets in substantially the order of said assigned priorities further comprises:

placing successive ones of said digital media packets in said queue in order of said assigned priorities; and

transmitting a first digital media packet of said queue.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said digital media packets include video packets and audio packets.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said digital media packets include video packets, audio packets, and collaborative data packets.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said video packets are assigned a lower priority than said audio packets.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said collaborative data packets are assigned a lower priority than said video packets.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said media type selections are bidirectional media type selections.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said media type selection for said first caller is the same as said media type selection for said second caller.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said media type selection for said first caller is different than said media type selection for said second caller.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second communication medium comprises a telephone line, and said second caller is coupled to the telephone line via a first modem.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said second interface comprises at least a second modem, and communicating said media signals between said first and second callers comprises transmitting packets received from the first communication medium to the second caller by transmitting from the second modem to the first modem.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said control signals comprise one or more messages sent from one or more connection routines at said apparatus to respective connection routines of the first and second callers.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said media type selections involve user interaction.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first interface comprises a software routine, and said second interface comprises a circuit-switched signal interface.

18. An apparatus for use in a telecommunications network, said apparatus comprising a computer readable medium having at least one computer program stored at least partly thereon, said at least one program being adapted to:

place into teleconferencing communication one or more of a plurality of remote processing machines that are in signal communication with said apparatus via a packet switched network, and a telephony device coupled to the apparatus at least partially via a telephone line;

transmit each of a plurality of packets to at least one of said plurality of remote processing machines over said packet switched network via one or more packet switched communication channels, said one or more packet switched communication channels having indeterminate system delays and bandwidth limitations that give rise to indeterminate packet loss, wherein each of said packets has a plurality of data fields associated therewith, at least one of said data fields comprising at least one destination address associated with a respective one of said plurality of remote processing machines; and

send signals of at least one media type via a telephone network to couple said telephony device into communication with said one or more of said plurality of remote processing machines;

wherein in at least one supported mode of communication, a first number of said plurality of packets is transmitted for delivery to a first subset of said plurality of remote processing machines while a second number of said plurality of packets is transmitted for delivery to a second subset of said plurality of remote processing machines, said first and second subsets not being identical.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said computer readable medium comprises a storage device associated with a computerized device.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said computerized device comprises a gateway apparatus.

21. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said apparatus is further adapted to:

receive from at least one source of media data a plurality of media data; and

format the plurality of media data to produce the plurality of packets.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the formatting comprises processing the plurality of media data to produce the plurality of packets.

23. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said first subset comprises all of said one or more of the plurality of remote processing machines, and said second subset comprises a lesser number thereof.

24. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said first subset comprises all of said one or more of the plurality of remote processing machines, and said second subset comprises a lesser number thereof, said first number of said plurality of packets involves audio packets and said second number of said plurality of said packets involves video packets.

25. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the first subset involves remote processing machines which have negotiated the use of a first media type and the second subset involves remote processing machines which have negotiated the use of the first media type and a second media type.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the first media type corresponds to an audio media type, and the second media type corresponds to a video media type.

27. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the first media type corresponds to an audio media type, and the second media type corresponds to a collaborative data media type.

28. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said apparatus is further adapted to generate, for each of said plurality of packets, a count of the number of said plurality of remote processing machines to which said packet was delivered, but not received.

29. In a communications network adapted for communication with a first user machine and a second user machine, an apparatus comprising:

first and second interfaces to first and second communication mediums, respectively, said first and second communication mediums being in communication with said first and second user machines, respectively;

at least one connection routine adapted to cause control signals to be sent to at least one of said first and second user machines to enable media type selections, at least one of said media selections including a selection of at least two different media types; and

a packet routine cooperative with at least one of said first and second interfaces to transmit a plurality of digital media packets corresponding to each of said at least two different media types;

wherein, for at least one of said at least two different media types, at least a portion of said plurality of corresponding digital media packets are transmitted to at least one of said first and second user machines in accordance with said media type selections over one or more packet switched communication channels; and

wherein for at least one of said at least two different media types, the apparatus causes media information to be communicated between said first and second user machines,

wherein the first communication medium comprises a packet switched network, and the second communication medium comprises a non-packet switched network.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the first communication medium comprises a packet switched network protocol interface and the second communication medium comprises a switched telephony path.

31. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the first communication medium comprises a packet switched network protocol interface and the second communication medium comprises a telephone line.

32. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the first communication medium comprises a packet switched network protocol interface and the second communication medium comprises a modem transmission path.

33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the modem transmission path comprises a telephone line having at least one wireline path.

34. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the one or more packet switched communication channels provide indeterminate system delays and bandwidth limitations that give rise to indeterminate packet loss.

35. In a communications network where an apparatus is in communication with a first user machine over a packet switched network, and in communication with a second user machine via a non-packet switched network, said apparatus comprising:

a processor;

a first interface adapted for communication via the packet switched network; and

a second interface adapted for communication via the non-packet switched network;

wherein said apparatus is adapted to;

invoke at least one connection routine to cause control signals to be sent to said first and second user machines to enable a media type selection of at least two different media types for at least one of said user machines; and

generate a plurality of digital media packets corresponding to each of said at least two different media types;

wherein for at least one of said at least two different media types, said apparatus causes to be transmitted at least a portion of said plurality of corresponding digital media packets to at least said first user machine in accordance with said media type selection, said digital media packets being transmitted over said packet switched network via one or more packet switched communication channels having an indeterminate packet loss; and

wherein for each of said at least two different media types, the apparatus causes media signals to be communicated between said first and second user machines;

whereby said first and second user machines can engage in a teleconference bridged between the packet switched network and the non-packet switched network.

36. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein said at least one connection routine comprises at least one routine running substantially on said processor.

37. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein said control signals comprise control messages having a predetermined format.

38. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein said non-packet switched network comprises a telephone network having at least a telephone line.

39. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein said non-packet switched network comprises at least a telephone line.

40. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein said non-packet switched network comprises at least a communication medium that couples into signal communication an endpoint telephony device.

41. An apparatus adapted to communicate with a first caller over a packet switched network, communicate via a telephone network with a second caller, and to relay communication signals between the first and second callers to enable communication therebetween, said apparatus comprising:

at least one processor;

at least one connection routine running on said at least one processor, said at least one connection routine being operative to negotiate with a remote processing machine associated with said first caller, a selection of at least one media type from a plurality of media types including audio, video and data, and to configure according to said selection at least one media routine operative to process media data packets received from or to be transmitted to said remote processing machine over said packet switched network via one or more packet switched communication channels; and

a signal interface to enable connection to the telephone network;

wherein a number of media types that said apparatus is capable of processing and a number of media types that said remote processing machine selects may be the same or different, and wherein the apparatus communicates with said remote processing machine indicating an available set of media types, and receives from said remote processing machine an indication of the selection;

wherein the apparatus passes information between said first caller and said second caller to enable said first and second callers to communicate; and

wherein the telephone network is a non-packet switched network.

42. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein said communication between said apparatus and said remote processing machine comprises a first message issued from said apparatus, and said indication comprises a second selection message.

43. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the second caller is coupled to the telephone network via a first modem.

44. The apparatus of claim 43, further comprising:

a second modem; and

wherein said passing comprises transmitting packets received from the packet switched network to the second caller using the second modem.

45. The apparatus of claim 41, further comprising:

at least a second connection routine running on said at least one processor, said at least one second connection routine being operative to negotiate with a second remote processing machine associated with said second caller a selection of at least one media type from a plurality of media types including audio, video and data, and to configure according to said selection, at least one media routine running on said at least one processor to process media data packets received from or to be transmitted to said second remote processing machine over said telephone network using a modem connection.

46. Network apparatus adapted to couple into communication a remote processing machine and a telephonic device, the telephonic device being in at least signal communication with said apparatus, comprising:

a processor; and

a routine running on said processor for negotiating with the remote processing machine a selection of at least one media type using a media type selection protocol that supports the description of a plurality of media types including audio, video and data, and to configure, according to said selection, the apparatus to process media data packets received from and to be transmitted to said remote processing machine over a packet switched network;

wherein said selection is of only audio, and

wherein the telephonic device is in signal communication with said apparatus via a non-packet switched network.

47. Apparatus adapted to communicate with a first caller via a packet switched network, communicate with a second caller at least via a telephone line, and to communicate signals between the first and second callers, the apparatus comprising a processor and at least one routine running thereon, said at least one routine being adapted to:

negotiate with a remote processing machine a selection of at least one media type from a plurality of media types including audio, video and data, and to configure, according to said selection, said apparatus to process media data packets received from and to be transmitted to said remote processing machine over said packet switched network via one or more packet switched communication channels; and

place said second caller into signal communication with the apparatus at least via the telephone line;

wherein said selection is of only audio, and said negotiation comprises sending a first message and receiving a response message, said negotiation involving a message format that supports the description of the audio, video and data media types, wherein the first message indicates that only audio is being offered in the negotiation; and

wherein the apparatus communicates information between said remote processing machine and said telephone line, and

wherein the telephone line transmits and receives data in a non-packet switched manner.

48. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein said one or more packet switched communication channels has indeterminate packet loss, and wherein said indeterminate packet loss is at least in part a consequence of indeterminate system delays and bandwidth limitations of said packet switched communication channels.

49. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein said apparatus is further adapted to assign a priority to each of said media data packets and transmit them from said apparatus in substantially the order of said assigned priorities.

50. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein said apparatus further comprises a queue for holding said media data packets prior to transmission, and said transmission of said media data packets in substantially the order of said assigned priorities further comprises:

placing successive ones of said media data packets in said queue in order of said assigned priorities; and

transmitting a first media data packet of said queue.

51. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein said selection is a bidirectional media type selection.

52. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein said second caller is coupled to the telephone line via a first modem.

53. The apparatus of claim 52, further comprising a second modem, and said communication of information comprises transmitting media data packets received at the apparatus from the packet switched network by transmitting media data packets from the second modem to the first modem.

54. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein said negotiation comprises sending messages from one or more connection routines at the apparatus to a connection routine of the remote processing machine.

55. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein said remote processing machine is associated with the first caller.

56. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein said remote processing machine is coupled to said first caller via a second telephone line.

57. An apparatus adapted to pass communication signals between a first user device connected to a packet switched network and a second user device connected to a telephone network, said apparatus comprising:

at least one processor;

at least one connection routine running on said at least one processor, said at least one connection routine being operative to negotiate with said first user device a selection of at least one media type using a media type selection protocol that supports the description of a plurality of media types including audio, video and data, and to configure, according to said selection, at least one media routine running on said at least one processor to process media data packets received from and to be transmitted to said first user device over said packet switched network via one or more packet switched communication channels; and

an interface adapted to operatively connect to the telephone network used to communicate with the second user device;

wherein said selection is of only audio, and said negotiation comprises sending a first message and receiving a response message;

wherein the apparatus passes information directly or indirectly between said first and second user devices; and

wherein the telephone network is a non-packet switched network.

58. The apparatus according to claim 57, wherein the telephone network comprises at least a telephone line, and wherein the second caller is coupled to the telephone line via a first modem.

59. The apparatus according to claim 58, further comprising:

a second modem; and

wherein the passing comprises passing media data packets received from the packet switched network using said first and second modems.

60. The apparatus according to claim 57, further comprising:

at least a second connection routine running on said at least one processor, said at least second connection routine being operative to negotiate with said second user device a selection of at least one media type from a plurality of media types including audio, video and data, and to configure according to said selection, at least one media routine running on said at least one processor to process media data packets received from and to be transmitted to said second user device over a telephone line using a modem connection.

61. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein said one or more packet switched communication channels provide indeterminate delays and packet loss.

62. Network apparatus adapted to interface between a first user device connected to a first network and a second user device connected to a second network, said apparatus comprising:

at least one processor;

at least one connection routine running on said at least one processor, said at least one connection routine being operative to;

negotiate with said first user device via a plurality of messages a selection of only audio using a media type selection protocol that supports the description of a plurality of media types including audio, video and data; and

configure, according to said selection, at least one media routine running on said at least one processor to process media data packets received from and to be transmitted to said first user device over a packet switched network via one or more packet switched communication channels;

a first interface adapted to operatively connect to the first network; and

a second interface adapted to operatively connect to the second network;

wherein the apparatus passes information between said first and second user devices; and

wherein the first network comprises said packet switched network and the second network comprises a non-packet switched network.

63. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein said second network comprises a telephone network having at least a telephone line.

64. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein said one or more packet switched communication channels provide indeterminate packet loss.

65. Network apparatus adapted to interface between a first apparatus connected to a first transmission means and a second apparatus connected to a second transmission means, said network apparatus comprising:

means for negotiating with said first apparatus via a plurality of messages a selection of only audio using a media type selection protocol that supports the description of a plurality of media types including audio, video and data;

means for processing media data packets received from and to be transmitted to said first apparatus over said first transmission means via one or more packet switched communication channels;

means for configuring said means for processing in accordance with said selection; and

an interface adapted to operatively connect to the second transmission means;

wherein the network apparatus passes information between said first and second apparatus; and

wherein the first transmission means comprises a packet switched network and the second transmission means comprises a non-packet switched network.

66. Network apparatus adapted to couple into communication a remote processing machine and a telephonic device, the telephonic device being in at least signal communication with said apparatus, comprising:

processor means; and

means, running at least partly on said processor means, for negotiating with the remote processing machine a selection of at least one media type using a media type selection protocol that supports the description of a plurality of media types including audio, video and data, and to configure, according to said selection, the network apparatus to process media data packets received from and to be transmitted to said remote processing machine over a packet switched network;

wherein said selection is of only audio, and

wherein the telephonic device is in signal communication with said apparatus via a non-packet switched network.

67. Network apparatus adapted to couple into communication a remote processing machine and a telephonic device, the telephonic device being in at least signal communication with said apparatus, comprising:

a processor; and

a routine running on said processor for negotiating with the remote processing machine a selection of at least one media type from a plurality of media types including audio, video and data, and to configure, according to said selection, the apparatus to process media data packets received from and to be transmitted to said remote processing machine over a packet switched network;

wherein said selection is of only audio, and said negotiation comprises a message format that supports the description of the audio, video and data media types, and

wherein the telephonic device is in signal communication with said apparatus via a non-packet switched network.

68. In a communications network adapted for communication between a first caller and a second caller and a third caller, an apparatus comprising:

a first interface to a first communication medium, said first communication medium coupling said first caller to said apparatus via said first interface;

a second interface to a second communication medium, said second communication medium coupling said apparatus to said second caller via said second interface;

a third interface to a third communication medium, said third communication medium coupling said apparatus to said third caller via said third interface;

at least one connection routine adapted to cause control signals to be sent to at least one of said first and second and third callers to enable media type selections, at least one of said media type selections including a selection of at least two different media types; and

a packet handling routine adapted to transmit a plurality of digital media packets corresponding to each of said at least two different media types;

wherein, for at least one of said at least two different media types, at least a portion of said plurality of corresponding digital media packets are transmitted to at least one of said first and second and third callers in accordance with said media type selections via said first interface and said packet handling routine, over one or more packet switched communication channels;

wherein for at least one of said at least two different media types, the apparatus causes media signals to be communicated among the first and second and third callers, and

wherein in at least one supported mode of communication, a first number of said plurality of digital media packets is transmitted for delivery between said first and second callers while a second number of said plurality of digital media packets is transmitted for delivery between said first and third callers, said first and second numbers not being identical.

69. The apparatus as claimed in claim 68, wherein said digital media packets include video packets, audio packets, and collaborative data packets.

70. The apparatus as claimed in claim 68, wherein at least one of said media type selections is performed by either a user or by a routine running on a machine used by said user.

71. The apparatus as claimed in claim 68, wherein said one or more packet switched communication channels provide indeterminate system delays and bandwidth limitations that give rise to indeterminate packet loss.

72. In a communications network adapted for communication with n user machines, n being a positive integer greater than or equal to three, an apparatus comprising:

n interfaces to n communication mediums, respectively, said n communication mediums being in communication with said n user machines, respectively;

at least one connection routine adapted to cause control signals to be sent to at least one of said n user machines to enable media type selections, at least one of said selections including a selection of at least two different media types; and

a packet routine cooperative with at least one of said n interfaces to transmit a plurality of digital media packets corresponding to each of said at least two different media types;

wherein, for at least one of said at least two different media types, at least a portion of said plurality of corresponding digital media packets are transmitted to at least one of said n user machines in accordance with said media type selections over one or more packet switched communication channels; and

wherein in at least one supported mode of communication, a first number of said plurality of packets is transmitted for delivery to a first subset of said n user machines while a second number of said plurality of packets is transmitted for delivery to a second subset of said n user machines, said first and second subsets not being identical.

73. The apparatus as claimed in claim 72, wherein said digital media packets include video packets, audio packets, and collaborative data packets.

74. The apparatus as claimed in claim 72, wherein at least one of said media type selections is performed by either a user or by a routine running on at least one of said n user machines.

75. The apparatus as claimed in claim 72, wherein said one or more packet switched communication channels provide indeterminate system delays and bandwidth limitations that give rise to indeterminate packet loss.

76. An apparatus adapted to pass communication signals among a first user device connected to a packet switched network, a second user device connected to a second network, and a third user device connected to a third network, said apparatus comprising:

at least one processor;

at least one connection routine running on said at least one processor, said at least one connection routine being operative to negotiate with said first user device a selection of at least one media type using a media type selection protocol that supports the description of a plurality of media types including audio, video and data, and to configure, according to said selection, at least one media routine running on said at least one processor to process media data packets received from and to be transmitted to said first user device over said packet switched network via one or more packet switched communication channels, said one or more packet switched communication channels including a single connection stream that includes packets of at least one media stream set up for each of said at least one media type by said first and second callers; and

at least one interface adapted to operatively connect to the second and third networks used to communicate with the second and third user devices; and

wherein in at least one supported mode of communication, a first number of said media data packets is transmitted for delivery from said first user device to said second user device while a second number of said media data packets is transmitted for delivery, from said first user device to said third user device, wherein said first and second numbers may not be identical.

77. The apparatus as claimed in claim 76, wherein said media data packets include video packets, audio packets, and collaborative data packets.

78. The apparatus as claimed in claim 76, wherein said media type selection is performed by either a user or by a routine running on at least one of said first, second or third user devices.

79. The apparatus as claimed in claim 76, wherein said one or more packet switched communication channels provide indeterminate system delays and bandwidth limitations that give rise to indeterminate packet loss.

80. Network apparatus adapted to interface among a first apparatus connected to a first transmission means, a second apparatus connected to a second transmission means, and a third apparatus connected to a third transmission means, said network apparatus comprising:

means for negotiating with said first apparatus via a plurality of messages a selection of only audio using a media type selection protocol that supports the description of a plurality of media types including audio, video and data;

means for processing media data packets received from and to be transmitted to said first apparatus over said first transmission means via one or more packet switched communication channels;

means for configuring said means for processing in accordance with said selection; and

an interface adapted to operatively connect to the second transmission means;

wherein the network apparatus passes information among said first, second and third apparatuses; and

wherein in at least one supported mode of communication, a first number of said media data packets is transmitted for delivery from said first apparatus to said second apparatus while a second number of said media data packets is transmitted for delivery from said first apparatus to said third apparatus, wherein said first and second numbers may not be identical.

81. The network apparatus as claimed in claim 80, wherein said media data packets include video packets, audio packets, and collaborative data packets.

82. The network apparatus as claimed in claim 80, wherein said selection is performed by either a user or by a routine running on at least one of said first, second or third apparatus.

83. The network apparatus as claimed in claim 80, wherein said one or more packet switched communication channels provide indeterminate system delays and bandwidth limitations that give rise to indeterminate packet loss.

84. Network apparatus adapted to interface among a first apparatus connected to a first transmission means, a second apparatus connected to a second transmission means, and a third apparatus connected to a third transmission means, said network apparatus comprising:

means for negotiating via a plurality of messages a selection of only audio using a media type selection protocol that supports the description of a plurality of media types including audio, video and data;

means for processing media data packets received from and to be transmitted to said first apparatus over said first transmission means via one or more packet switched communication channels;

means for configuring said means for processing in accordance with said selection; and

an interface adapted to operatively connect to the second transmission means;

wherein the network apparatus passes information among said first, second and third apparatuses; and

wherein in at least one supported mode of communication, a first number of said plurality of media data packets is transmitted for delivery from said first apparatus to said second apparatus while a second number of said plurality of media data packets is transmitted for delivery from said first apparatus to said third apparatus, wherein said first and second numbers may not be identical.

85. The network apparatus as claimed in claim 84, wherein said media data packets include video packets, audio packets, and collaborative data packets.

86. The network apparatus as claimed in claim 84, wherein said selection is performed by either a user or by a routine running on at least one of said first, second and third apparatus.

87. The network apparatus as claimed in claim 84, wherein said one or more packet switched communication channels provide indeterminate system delays and bandwidth limitations that give rise to indeterminate packet loss.

88. In a communications network adapted for communication between a first caller and a second caller, an apparatus comprising:

a first interface to a first communication medium, said first communication medium coupling said first caller to said apparatus via said first interface;

a second interface to a second communication medium, said second communication medium coupling said apparatus to said second caller via said second interface;

at least one connection routine adapted to cause control signals to be sent to at least one of said first and second callers to enable media type selections, at least one of said media type selections including a selection of at least two different media types; and

a packet handling routine adapted to transmit a plurality of digital media packets corresponding to each of said at least two different media types;

wherein, for at least one of said at least two different media types, at least a portion of said plurality of corresponding digital media packets are transmitted to at least one of said first and second callers in accordance with said media type selections via said first interface and said packet handling routine, over one or more packet switched communication channels, said one or more packet switched communication channels including a single connection stream that includes packets of at least two media streams set up for each of said at least two different media types by said first and second callers; and

wherein for at least one of said at least two different media types, the apparatus causes media signals to be communicated between the first and second callers.

89. The apparatus as claimed in claim 88, wherein said digital media packets include video packets, audio packets, and collaborative data packets.

90. The apparatus as claimed in claim 88, wherein at least one of said media type selections is performed by either a user or by a routine running on a machine used by said user.

91. The apparatus as claimed in claim 88, wherein said one or more packet switched communication channels provide indeterminate system delays and bandwidth limitations that give rise to indeterminate packet loss.

92. An apparatus adapted to communicate with a first caller over a packet switched network, communicate via a telephone network with a second caller, and to relay communication signals between the first and second callers to enable communication therebetween, said apparatus comprising:

at least one processor;

at least one connection routine running on said at least one processor, said at least one connection routine being operative to negotiate with a remote processing machine associated with said first caller, a selection of at least one media type from a plurality of media types including audio, video and data, and to configure according to said selection at least one media routine operative to process media data packets received from or to be transmitted to said remote processing machine over said packet switched network via one or more packet switched communication channels, said one or more packet switched communication channels including a single connection stream that includes packets of at least one media stream set up for each of said at least one media type by said first and second callers; and

a signal interface to enable connection to the telephone network;

wherein a number of media types that said apparatus is capable of processing and a number of media types that said remote processing machine selects may be the same or different, and wherein the apparatus communicates with the remote processing machine indicating an available set of media types, and receives from the remote processing machine an indication of the selection; and

wherein the apparatus passes information between said first caller and said second caller to enable said first and second callers to communicate.

93. The apparatus as claimed in claim 92, wherein said media data packets include video packets, audio packets, and collaborative data packets.

94. The apparatus as claimed in claim 92, wherein said media type selection is performed by either a user or by a routine running on a machine used by said user.

95. The apparatus as claimed in claim 92, wherein said one or more packet switched communication channels provide indeterminate system delays and bandwidth limitations that give rise to indeterminate packet loss.

96. Network apparatus adapted to couple into communication a remote processing machine and a telephonic device, the telephonic device being in at least signal communication with said apparatus, comprising:

a processor; and

a routine running on said processor for negotiating with the remote processing machine a selection of at least one media type using a media type selection protocol that supports the description of a plurality of media types including audio, video and data, and to configure, according to said selection, the apparatus to process media data packets received from and to be transmitted to said remote processing machine over a packet switched network using one or more communication channels, said one or more communication channels including a single connection stream that includes packets of at least one media stream set up for each of said at least one media type by said remote processing machine and said telephonic device.

97. The network apparatus as claimed in claim 96, wherein said media data packets include video packets, audio packets, and collaborative data packets.

98. The apparatus as claimed in claim 96, wherein said media type selection is performed by either a user or by a routine running on at least one of said remote processing machine and said telephonic device.

99. The apparatus as claimed in claim 96, wherein said one or more communication channels provide indeterminate system delays and bandwidth limitations that give rise to indeterminate packet loss.

100. Apparatus adapted to communicate with a first caller via a packet switched network, communicate with a second caller at least via a telephone line, and to communicate signals between the first and second callers, the apparatus comprising a processor and at least one routine running thereon, said at least one routine being adapted to:

negotiate with a remote processing machine a selection of at least one media type from a plurality of media types including audio, video and data, and to configure, according to said selection, said apparatus to process media data packets received from and to be transmitted to said remote processing machine over said packet switched network via one or more packet switched communication channels, said one or more packet switched communication channels including a single connection stream that includes packets of at least one media stream set up for each of said at least one media type by said first and second callers; and

place said second caller into signal communication with the apparatus at least via the telephone line;

wherein said selection is of only audio, and said negotiation comprises sending a first message and receiving a response message, said negotiation involving a message format that supports the description of the audio, video and data media types, wherein the first message indicates that only audio is being offered in the negotiation; and

wherein the apparatus communicates information between said remote processing machine and said telephone line.

101. The apparatus as claimed in claim 100, wherein said media data packets include video packets, audio packets, and collaborative data packets.

102. The apparatus as claimed in claim 100, wherein said media type selection is performed by either a user or by a routine running on said remote processing machine.

103. The apparatus as claimed in claim 100, wherein said one or more packet switched communication channels provide indeterminate system delays and bandwidth limitations that give rise to indeterminate packet loss.

104. An apparatus adapted to pass communication signals between a first user device connected to a packet switched network and a second user device connected to a telephone network, said apparatus comprising:

at least one processor;

at least one connection routine running on said at least one processor, said at least one connection routine being operative to negotiate with said first user device a selection of at least one media type using a media type selection protocol that supports the description of a plurality of media types including audio, video and data, and to configure, according to said selection, at least one media routine running on said at least one processor to process media data packets received from and to be transmitted to said first user device over said packet switched network via one or more packet switched communication channels, said one or more packet switched communication channels including a single connection stream that includes packets of at least one media stream set up for each of said at least one media type by said first and second callers; and

an interface adapted to operatively connect to the telephone network used to communicate with the second user device;

wherein said selection is of only audio, and said negotiation comprises sending a first message and receiving a response message; and

wherein the apparatus passes information directly or indirectly between said first and second user devices.

105. The apparatus as claimed in claim 104, wherein said media data packets include video packets, audio packets, and collaborative data packets.

106. The apparatus as claimed in claim 104, wherein said media type selection is performed by either a user or by a routine running on said first or second user devices.

107. The apparatus as claimed in claim 104, wherein said one or more packet switched communication channels provide indeterminate system delays and bandwidth limitations that give rise to indeterminate packet loss.

108. Network apparatus adapted to interface among a first apparatus connected to a first transmission means and a second apparatus connected to a second transmission means, said network apparatus comprising:

means for negotiating with said first apparatus via a plurality of messages a selection of only audio using a media type selection protocol that supports the description of a plurality of media types including audio, video and data;

means for processing media data packets received from and to be transmitted to said first apparatus over said first transmission means via one or more packet switched communication channels, said one or more packet switched communication channels including a single connection stream that includes packets of at least two media streams set up by said first and second apparatuses;

means for configuring said means for processing in accordance with said selection; and

an interface adapted to operatively connect to the second transmission means;

wherein the network apparatus passes information between said first and second apparatuses.

109. The network apparatus as claimed in claim 108, wherein said media data packets include video packets, audio packets, and collaborative data packets.

110. The network apparatus as claimed in claim 108, wherein said selection of only audio is performed by either a user or by a routine running on at least one of said first or second apparatus.

111. The network apparatus as claimed in claim 108, wherein said one or more packet switched communication channels provide indeterminate system delays and bandwidth limitations that give rise to indeterminate packet loss.

112. Network apparatus adapted to interface between a first apparatus connected to a first transmission means and a second apparatus connected to a second transmission means, said network apparatus comprising:

means for negotiating via a plurality of messages a selection of only audio using a media type selection protocol that supports the description of a plurality of media types including audio, video and data;

means for processing media data packets received from and to be transmitted to said first apparatus over said first transmission means via one or more packet switched communication channels, said one or more packet switched communication channels including a single connection stream that includes packets of at least two media streams set up for said audio only by said first and second apparatuses;

means for configuring said means for processing in accordance with said selection; and

an interface adapted to operatively connect to the second transmission means;

wherein the network apparatus passes information between said first and second apparatus.

113. The network apparatus as claimed in claim 112, wherein said media data packets include video packets, audio packets, and collaborative data packets.

114. The network apparatus as claimed in claim 112, wherein said selection of only audio is performed by either a user or by a routine running on at least one of said first or second apparatus.

115. The network apparatus as claimed in claim 112, wherein said one or more packet switched communication channels provide indeterminate system delays and bandwidth limitations that give rise to indeterminate packet loss.

116. Network apparatus adapted to couple into communication a remote processing machine and a telephonic device, the telephonic device being in at least signal communication with said apparatus, comprising:

processor means; and

means, running at least partly on said processor means, for negotiating with the remote processing machine a selection of at least one media type using a media type selection protocol that supports the description of a plurality of media types including audio, video and data, and to configure, according to said selection, the network apparatus to process media data packets received from and to be transmitted to said remote processing machine over a packet switched network via one or more packet switched communication channels, said one or more packet switched communication channels including a single connection stream that includes packets of at least one media stream set up for each of said at least one media type selected by said remote processing machine and said telephonic device;

wherein said selection is of only audio.

117. The network apparatus as claimed in claim 116, wherein said media data packets include video packets, audio packets, and collaborative data packets.

118. The network apparatus as claimed in claim 116, wherein said at least one media type selection is performed by either a user or by a routine running on at least one of said remote processing machine or said telephonic device.

119. The network apparatus as claimed in claim 116, wherein said one or more packet switched communication channels provide indeterminate system delays and bandwidth limitations that give rise to indeterminate packet loss.

120. Network apparatus adapted to couple into communication a remote processing machine and a telephonic device, the telephonic device being in at least signal communication with said apparatus, comprising:

a processor; and

a routine running on said processor for negotiating with the remote processing machine a selection of at least one media type from a plurality of media types including audio, video and data, and to configure, according to said selection, the apparatus to process media data packets received from and to be transmitted to said remote processing machine over a packet switched network via one or more packet switched communication channels, said one or more packet switched communication channels including a single connection stream that includes packets of at least one media stream set up for each of said at least one media type selected by said remote processing machine and a telephonic device;

wherein said selection is of only audio, and said negotiation comprises a message format that supports the description of the audio, video and data media types.

121. The network apparatus as claimed in claim 120, wherein said media data packets include video packets, audio packets, and collaborative data packets.

122. The network apparatus as claimed in claim 120, wherein said at least one media type selection is performed by either a user or by a routine running on at least one of said remote processing machine or said telephonic device.

123. The network apparatus as claimed in claim 120, wherein said one or more packet switched communication channels provide indeterminate system delays and bandwidth limitations that give rise to indeterminate packet loss.

124. In a communications network adapted for communication between a first caller and a second caller, an apparatus comprising:

a first interface to a first communication medium, said first communication medium coupling said first caller to said apparatus via said first interface;

a second interface to a second communication medium, said second communication medium coupling said apparatus to said second caller via said second interface;

at least one connection routine adapted to cause control signals to be sent to at least one of said first and second callers to enable media type selections, at least one of said media type selections including a selection of at least two different media types; and

a packet handling routine adapted to transmit a plurality of digital media packets corresponding to each of said at least two different media types;

wherein, for at least one of said at least two media types, at least a portion of said plurality of corresponding digital media packets are transmitted to at least one of said first and second callers in accordance with said media type selections via said first interface and packet handling routine over one or more packet switched communication channels; and

wherein for at least one of said at least two different media types, the apparatus causes media signals to be communicated between the first and second callers,

said apparatus being adapted to assign a priority to each of said digital media packets, and said apparatus further comprising;

a queue for holding said plurality of digital media packets corresponding to each of said at least two different media types prior to transmission, said transmission of said plurality of digital media packets being made in substantially the order of said assigned priorities, and said transmission further comprises;

placing successive ones of said plurality of digital media packets in said queue in order of said assigned priorities; and

transmitting a first digital media packet in said queue.

125. The apparatus as claimed in claim 124, wherein said digital media packets include video packets, audio packets, and collaborative data packets.

126. The apparatus as claimed in claim 124, wherein at least one of said media type selections is performed by either a user or by a routine running on a machine used by said user.

127. The apparatus as claimed in claim 124, wherein said one or more packet switched communication channels provide indeterminate system delays and bandwidth limitations that give rise to indeterminate packet loss.

128. In a communications network adapted for communication with n user machines, n being a positive integer greater than or equal to three, an apparatus comprising:

n interfaces to n communication mediums, respectively, said n communication mediums being in communication with said n user machines, respectively;

at least one connection routine adapted to cause control signals to be sent to at least one of said n user machines to enable media type selections, at least one of said selections including a selection of at least two different media types; and

a packet routine cooperative with at least one of said n interfaces to transmit a plurality of digital media packets corresponding to each of said at least two different media types;

wherein, for at least one of said at least two different media types, at least a portion of said plurality of corresponding digital media packets are transmitted to at least one of said n user machines in accordance with said media type selections over one or more packet switched communication channels, and

wherein said apparatus is adapted to assign a priority to each of said digital media packets,

said apparatus further comprising;

a queue for holding said plurality of digital media packets corresponding to each of said at least two different media types prior to transmission, said transmission of said plurality of digital media packets being made in substantially the order of said assigned priorities, said transmission further comprising;

placing successive ones of said digital media packets in said queue in order of said assigned priorities; and

transmitting a first digital media packet in said queue.

129. The apparatus as claimed in claim 128, wherein said digital media packets include video packets, audio packets, and collaborative data packets.

130. The apparatus as claimed in claim 128, wherein at least one of said media type selections is performed by either a user or by a routine running on at least one of said n user machines.

131. The apparatus as claimed in claim 128, wherein said one or more packet switched communication channels provide indeterminate system delays and bandwidth limitations that give rise to indeterminate packet loss.

132. An apparatus adapted to pass communication signals among a first user device connected to a packet switched network, a second user device connected to a second network, and a third device connected to a third network, said apparatus comprising:

at least one processor;

at least one connection routine running on said at least one processor, said at least one connection routine being operative to negotiate with said first user device a selection of at least one media type using a media type selection protocol that supports the description of a plurality of media types including audio, video and data, and to configure, according to said selection, at least one media routine running on said at least one processor to process media data packets received from and to be transmitted to said first user device over said packet switched network via one or more packet switched communication channels, said one or more packet switched communication channels including a single connection stream that includes packets of at least one media stream set up for said at least one media type selected; and

an interface adapted to operatively connect to the second and third networks used to communicate with the second and third user devices; and

wherein said apparatus is adapted to assign a priority to each of said media data packets,

said apparatus further comprising;

a queue for holding said media data packets prior to transmission, said transmission of said media data packets being made in substantially the order of said assigned priorities, wherein said transmission further comprises;

placing successive ones of said media data packets in said queue in order of said assigned priorities; and

transmitting a first media data packet in said queue.

133. The apparatus as claimed in claim 132, wherein said media data packets include video packets, audio packets, and collaborative data packets.

134. The apparatus as claimed in claim 132, wherein said media type selection is performed by either a user or by a routine running on at least one of said first, second and third user devices.

135. The apparatus as claimed in claim 132, wherein said one or more packet switched communication channels provide indeterminate system delays and bandwidth limitations that give rise to indeterminate packet loss.

136. An apparatus disposed in a telecommunications network, said apparatus comprising a computer readable medium having at least one computer program stored at least partly thereon, said at least one computer program being adapted to:

place into teleconferencing communication one or more of a plurality of remote processing machines that are in signal communication with said apparatus via a packet switched network, and a telephony device coupled to the apparatus at least partially via a telephone line;

transmit each of a plurality of packets to at least one of said plurality of remote processing machines over said packet switched network via one or more packet switched communication channels, wherein each packet of said plurality of packets has a plurality of data fields associated therewith, at least one of said data fields comprising at least one destination address associated with a respective one of said plurality of remote processing machines; and

send signals of at least one media type via a telephone network to couple said telephony device into communication with said one or more of said plurality of remote processing machines;

wherein in at least one supported mode of communication, a first number of said plurality of packets is transmitted for delivery to a first subset of said plurality of remote processing machines while a second number of said plurality of packets is transmitted for delivery to a second subset of said plurality of remote processing machines, said first and second subsets not being identical.

137. In a communications network where an apparatus is in communication with a first user machine over a packet switched network, and in communication with a second user machine via a non-packet switched network, said apparatus comprising:

a processor;

a first interface adapted for communication via the packet switched network; and

a second interface adapted for communication via the non-packet switched network;

wherein said apparatus is adapted to;

invoke at least one connection routine to cause control signals to be sent to said first and second user machines to enable a media type selection of at least two different media types for at least one of said user machines; and

generate a plurality of digital media packets corresponding to each of said at least two different media types;

wherein for at least one of said at least two different media types, said apparatus causes to be transmitted at least a portion of said plurality of digital media packets to at least said first user machine in accordance with said media type selection; and

wherein for each of said at least two different media types, the apparatus causes media signals to be communicated between the first and second user machines;

whereby the first and second user machines can engage in a teleconference bridged between the packet switched network and the non-packet switched network.