Method and system for increasing quality of service at or below a threshold cost

A method of managing transmissions between remote sites during a real-time multimedia session comprising steps of:

• receiving requested quality of service requirements for said multimedia session;
• selecting among a plurality of available communications modes for conducting said multimedia session, including selecting among modes that are distinguishable with respect to protocols, one of said protocols being an Internet Protocol, selection of a first mode being at least partially based upon differences in quality of service parameters for said modes;
• continuously monitoring available present-time quality of service for each of said modes such that variations in quality of service for said modes are detected;
• and
• while said multimedia session is in progress, switching from said first mode to a second mode upon detection that said second mode has a present-time quality of service satisfying said requirements of said multimedia session and that utilizing said second mode is more cost-efficient than said first mode utilized in conducting said multimedia session.

A method of managing communications routing comprising steps of:

• accessing capability to exchange communication data between remotely located sites using any of a plurality of distinct communications modes having pre-established session tariffs;
• monitoring said modes to determine present-time quality of service parameter values for said modes;
• receiving a request to establish a communications session such that said request indicates a minimum quality of service and a maximum session tariff;
• if one of said modes satisfies said indicated minimum quality of service without exceeding said maximum session tariff, establishing connectivity for said session utilizing said one of said modes;
• and
• if none of said modes satisfies said indicated minimum quality of service without exceeding said maximum session tariff, then
• (a) queuing said request;
• (b) tracking said monitored present-time quality of service parameter values for said modes until a specific mode has a present-time quality of service that satisfies said indicated minimum quality of service without exceeding said maximum session tariff;
• and
• (c) selecting said specific mode for establishing connectivity for said session.

A system for managing real-time communications sessions comprising:

• a plurality of types of interfaces to provide connections for conducting a communications session, different interfaces being compatible with different communications modes, each mode having a pre-established session tariff and pre-established quality of service parameter values;
• means for comparing quality of service requirements of said session with said pre-established parameter values of said modes to select a subset of modes suitable for supporting said session;
• means, responsive to said comparing means, for designating a threshold session tariff for conducting said session, said threshold session tariff being a lowest pre-established session tariff of said subset of modes;
• means connected to said interfaces for continuously monitoring present-time quality of service available for each of said modes;
• and
• means for switching modes during support of said session in response to said monitoring means detecting a mode having increased present-time quality of service and a pre-established session tariff not exceeding said threshold session tariff.