Patent ID: 7751362

Claim:
A communication device, comprising: a receiver configured to receive voice media generated while using the communication device, the communication device configured to be connected to a network; an encoder configured to encode the voice media to generate a full bit rate representation of the media generated while using the communication device; a storage device configured to store the full bit rate representation of the voice media generated while using the communication device and to store voice media received over the network connection; a transmitter configured to ascertain if the usable bit rate on the network falls below a bit rate threshold, the bit rate threshold defining a minimum bit rate throughput sufficient for maintaining near real-time communication, the transmitter further configured to transmit the voice media generated using the communication device from the storage device when the ascertained usable bit rate is below the bit rate threshold, the voice media being transmitted by the transmitter at a bit rate below the bit rate threshold, thereby effectively extending the usable range and/or capacity of the network for voice communication when the ascertained usable bit rate falls below the bit rate threshold; and a rendering device configured to render the voice media stored in the storage device, the rendering device configured to provide the ability to render the voice media received over the network when the voice media received over the network is of sufficient completeness that it will be decipherable when rendered.