Patent ID: 8462634

Claim:
A method of adapting audio packet marking in a packet network, the method performed by a data processor executing computer instructions stored on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium to perform operations comprising: (a) receiving, at a plurality of transmitting devices, a triggering event signal indicating that audio marked packet traffic in the packet network has exceeded a capacity limit; (b) upon receiving the triggering event signal in step (a), transmitting, via each transmitting device of the plurality of transmitting devices, audio packets marked as non-audio packets through the packet network for a period of time after receiving the triggering event signal; and (c) after the period of time, discontinuing the transmission of the audio packets marked as non-audio packets through the packet network and instead transmitting audio packets marked as audio packets through the packet network, wherein the period of time is selected to vary among the plurality of transmitting devices to prevent the plurality of transmitting devices from simultaneously discontinuing transmission of the audio packets marked as non-audio packets through the network.