Patent ID: 7729267
Filing Date: 2010-06-01
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for analyzing a media path in a packet switched network, comprising: conducting an initial media call signaling session with logic circuitry for establishing a media call and setting up the media path over the packet switched network, the media path established by successful completion of the initial media call signaling setup session and used for receiving or transmitting media packets containing media payloads; sending and/or receiving one or more no-op media payload packets over the media path with the logic circuitry during and within the initial media call signaling session prior to establishing the media call and setting up the media path, the no-op media payload packets formatted as though the media packets contain media payloads but the no-op media payload packets formatted without media payloads and not containing media payloads; requesting or receiving media path quality information with the logic circuitry associated with the no-op media payload packets during the initial media call signaling session prior to establishment of the media call being established by the initial media call signaling session; selectively completing or terminating the initial media call signaling session with the logic circuitry according to the information obtained from the transmission of the no-op media payload packet during the initial media call signaling session, successful completion of the initial media call signaling session enabling subsequent transmission or playing out of media packets containing media payloads over the media path; and inserting a time stamp into the transmitted no-op media payload packets with the logic circuitry that identifies a non-zero amount of simulated media time for media content in the no-op media payload packets that is not actually encoded into the no-op media payload packets.