Background call validation

• US 8,149,739 B2
• Filed: 04/14/2006
• Issued: 04/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lifesize, Inc. (Enghouse Systems Limited)
• Original Assignee: Lifesize, Inc. (Enghouse Systems Limited)
• Inventors: Kenoyer, Michael L., Tracey, Jonathan W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Edouard, Patrick
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ho, Huy C
• Application Number:
  US11/404,582
• Publication Number:
  US 20060256738A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,181 Days
• Field of Search: 370237-238, 370/248, 370260-262, 348 1408- 141
• US Class Current: 370/260
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1818 Conference organisation arrangements, e.g. handling schedules, setting up parameters needed by nodes to attend a conference, booking network resources, notifying involved parties
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0811 by checking connectivity

Abstract

A management system may test network paths prior to scheduled calls. Testing network paths may include one endpoint placing a test call to an endpoint on the other end of the path. Various characteristics of the network path may be tested. If the network path fails and/or in some way does not meet the predefined characteristics for the call, an administrator may be notified and/or alternate network path may be detected and tested. The call may be rescheduled if a satisfactory network path is not found in time.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

determining a network path between at least two videoconference devices, including a first videoconference device and a second videoconference device;

at a first time, automatically testing the network path between the at least two videoconference devices using a protocol to be used in conducting a future videoconference between the at least two videoconference devices, wherein the protocol is determined according to deducible capability numbering (DCN) assigned to at least one of the at least two videoconference devices, wherein said automatically testing the network path comprises the first videoconference device automatically calling the second videoconference device without receiving user input to perform said testing, wherein during said testing the network path at the first time, a first connection is established between the at least two videoconference devices;

at a later time, performing the videoconference based on said testing the network path, wherein during said performing the videoconference at the later time, a second connection is established between the at least two videoconference devices, wherein the second connection is different than the first connection.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the protocol is associated with audio and video communication.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said testing is performed without notifying an end user.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said testing is performed at predetermined time intervals.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein shorter predetermined time intervals are used prior to scheduled calls with a higher importance level.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising testing at least one alternate network path between the at least two devices.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising notifying an administrator if a problem is detected during the testing of the network path.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising suggesting an alternate network path to the administrator if a problem is detected while testing the network path between the at least two videoconference devices.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

testing at least one alternate network path between the at least two videoconference devices;

wherein a preferred network path of the tested network paths may be determined and used for the future videoconference.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said testing the network path using at least one protocol includes testing at least one of an audio path characteristic, video path characteristic, bandwidth, packet loss, or jitter.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

scheduling the future videoconference prior to said testing the network path between the at least two devices; and

rescheduling the future videoconference if a problem is detected during testing of the network path.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein said testing the network path comprises the first videoconference device transmitting audio or video information to the second videoconference device, wherein, in response, the second videoconference device then transmits the audio or video information back to the first videoconference device.

13. A non-transitory, computer accessible memory medium storing program instructions, wherein the program instructions are executable by a processor to:

at a first time, automatically test a network path between at least two videoconference devices using a protocol to be used in conducting a future videoconference between the at least two videoconference devices, wherein the protocol is determined according to deducible capability numbering (DCN) assigned to at least one of the at least two videoconference devices, wherein testing the network path between the at least two devices comprises a first videoconference device automatically calling a second videoconference device without receiving user input to perform said testing, wherein during testing the network path at the first time, a first connection is established between the at least two videoconference devices;

wherein at a later time after said automatically testing, the first and second videoconference devices are configured to participate in the videoconference over the network path using a second connection.

14. The non-transitory, computer accessible memory medium of claim 13, wherein the protocol is associated with audio and video communication.

15. The non-transitory, computer accessible memory medium of claim 13, wherein said testing is performed at predetermined time intervals.

16. The non-transitory, computer accessible memory medium of claim 13, wherein the program instructions are further executable to:

test at least one alternate network path between the at least two devices.

17. The non-transitory, computer accessible memory medium of claim 13, wherein the program instructions are further executable to:

notify an administrator if a problem is detected during the testing of the network path.

18. The non-transitory, computer accessible memory medium of claim 13, wherein said testing the network path using at least one protocol includes testing at least one of an audio path characteristic, video path characteristic, bandwidth, packet loss, or jitter.

19. The non-transitory, computer accessible memory medium of claim 13, wherein the program instructions are further executable to:

schedule the future videoconference prior to said testing the network path between the at least two devices; and

reschedule the future videoconference if a problem is detected during testing of the network path.

20. The non-transitory, computer accessible memory medium of claim 13, wherein said testing the network path comprises the first videoconference device transmitting audio or video information to the second videoconference device, wherein, in response, the second videoconference device then transmits the audio or video information back to the first videoconference device.