Patent ID: 8542669
Filing Date: 2013-09-24
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method comprising: evaluating, by a first endpoint, the waveform quality of a media signal that is transmitted by the first endpoint along a first communication path from a first node to a second node, wherein the first communication path traverses: (i) a first network that is packet-switched, (ii) a first gateway that is contiguous with the first network, and (iii) a second gateway that is non-contiguous with the first network; when the waveform quality is determined to be unsatisfactory regardless of a quality-of-service of the first communication path, transmitting, by the first endpoint a first packet along a second communication path from the first node to the second node, wherein the second communication path traverses the first network and at least one of: (i) a third gateway that is contiguous with the first network, and (ii) a fourth gateway that is non-contiguous with the first network; wherein the first communication path fails to provide a quality-of-service guarantee; wherein the evaluating comprises (i) receiving from the first gateway a measurement of the waveform quality of the media signal, and (ii) comparing the measurement to a predetermined requirement to determine whether the waveform quality is satisfactory or unsatisfactory; evaluating the waveform quality of media that is transmitted along a third communication path from the first node to the second node, wherein the third communication path traverses the first network and at least one of the third gateway and the fourth gateway; when the waveform quality of media transmitted along the third communication path is more advantageous than the waveform quality of media transmitted along the second communication path, transmitting a second packet along the third communication path from the first node to the second node; wherein the third communication path fails to provide a quality-of-service guarantee; re-evaluating the waveform quality of media that is transmitted along the first communication path from the first node to the second node; and when the waveform quality of media transmitted along the first communication path is satisfactory, transmitting a third packet along the first communication path from the first node to the second node.