Abstract: Traditional audio feedback elimination systems may attempt to reduce the effect of the audio feedback by simply scaling down the audio volume of the signal frequencies that are prone to howling. Other traditional feedback elimination systems may also employ adaptive notch filtering to detect and “notch” the so-called “singing” or “howling” frequencies as they occur in real-time. Such devices may typically have several knobs and buttons needing tuning, for example: the number of adaptive parametric equalizers (PEQs) versus fixed PEQs; attack and decay timers; and/or PEQ bandwidth. Rather than removing the singing frequencies with PEQs, the devices described herein attempt to holistically model the feedback audio and then remove the entire feedback signal. Two advantages of the devices described herein are: 1.) the system can operate at a much larger loop-gain (and hence with a much higher loudspeaker volume); and 2) setup is greatly simplified (i.e., no tuning knobs or buttons).

Abstract: A videoconference apparatus and method coordinates a stationary view obtained with a stationary camera to an adjustable view obtained with an adjustable camera. The stationary camera can be a web camera, while the adjustable camera can be a pan-tilt-zoom camera. As the stationary camera obtains video, participants are detected and localized by establishing a static perimeter around a participant in which no motion is detected. Thereafter, if no motion is detected in the perimeter, any personage objects such as head, face, or shoulders which are detected in the region bounded by the perimeter are determined to correspond to the participant.

Abstract: A videoconferencing endpoint can provides a caller with the ability to make unscheduled video calls to a callee without having knowledge of dialing information of a videoconferencing endpoint where the callee is currently located. The videoconferencing endpoint searches a location database using an identity of the callee provided by the caller, where the location database can store dialing information of a videoconferencing endpoint where the callee is known to be located. The videoconferencing endpoint can collect biometric data from a user and determine the identity of the user by matching the collected biometric data to biometric data stored in a biometric database. If a match is found, the videoconferencing endpoint updates the location database such that the location database indicates the videoconferencing endpoint as the current location of the user.

Abstract: Various embodiments for implementing a multimedia conference session utilizing a software defined networking (SDN) architecture are described. Various embodiments include an SDN media controller (SDNMC) that initially receives a request to establish a multimedia conferencing session between a plurality of endpoints. Based on the request, the SDNMC allocates at least one virtual media address for the multimedia conferencing session and creates a stream table based on the at least one virtual media address. After processing the request, the SDNMC transmits one or more SDN commands that includes the stream table to the SDN controller. The SDN controller receives the SDN commands at a northbound interface and sends one or more SDN instructions to one or more SDN devices at a southbound interface. The SDN devices update their routing information in order to relay media traffic corresponding to the virtual media address directly between the endpoints.

Abstract: A telepresence system which includes at least one display device and a beacon coupled to the display device. The beacon emits a signal so as to be discoverable by electronic devices nearby such as in a meeting location. The system also includes a receiver-controller coupled to the beacon, the receiver-controller configured to enable such electronic devices to be recognized and to join a collaborative session in which content from one electronic device can be shared with other electronic devices. The receiver-controller can and will share some or all of its functions with one or more of the joined devices simultaneously, if security and identity protocols are satisfied.

Abstract: The amount of far-field noise transmitted by a primary communication device in an open-plan office environment is reduced by defining an acoustic perimeter of reference microphones around the primary device. Reference microphones generate a reference audio input including far-field noise in the proximity of the primary device. The primary device generates a main audio input including the voice of the primary speaker as well as background noise. Reference audio input is compared to main audio input to identify the background noise portion of the main audio signal. A noise reduction algorithm suppresses the identified background noise in the main audio signal. The one or more reference microphones defining the acoustic perimeter may be included in separate microphone devices placed in proximity to the main desktop phone, microphones within other nearby desktop telephone devices, or a combination of both types of devices.

Abstract: MEMS microphone assembly which is formed by the combination of front and rear single piece boots, which are configured to mate, and a MEMS microphone. The front boot includes two ports for receiving sound waves which are provided to ports of the MEMS microphone. The front boot includes two collars to form the ports and which are used to align the MEMS microphone assembly in a housing containing the MEMS microphone assembly. Acoustic tubes transfer the sound waves from the ports to the MEMS microphone. There can be air channels provided with the acoustic tubes to reduce microphonics. The front and rear boots contain recesses to capture the MEMS microphone to simplify alignment and assembly.

Abstract: An endpoint receives audio from a remote endpoint. A first signal corresponding to the audio is received at an adaptive filter, and a filtered signal is generated. First audio is emitted at a loudspeaker based on the first signal. A microphone collects second audio which is based on the first audio. The microphone signal emits a signal based on the second audio. The filtered signal is subtracted from microphone signal to generate an adapted signal, the adapted signal having an energy level. The adapted signal is then transmitted to a double-talk detector, the double-talk detector configured to allow transmission of the adapted signal to the remote endpoint when the energy level of the adapted signal exceeds an energy threshold. The degree of cross-correlation between the first signal and the adapted signal is determined (iteratively). If the cross-correlation exceeds a cross-correlation threshold, the energy threshold of the double-talk detector is raised.

Abstract: A video encoding method eliminates the need for back channel feedback by using long-term reference frames for recovering data transmission errors. A videoconferencing endpoint captures image data and designates a first frame as a long term reference (LTR) frame. Subsequent intra frames us the LTR frame for reference. When a new LTR frame is designated, subsequent frames use the newly designated LTR frame for reference only after it is determined that the newly designated LTR frame is fully operational to serve in that role.

Abstract: Systems and methods for collaboratively controlling the display of information across multiple displays is disclosed. A plurality of electronic devices linked to a plurality of co-located display devices are accessed. At least one of the plurality of electronic devices is a master electronic device. Different users can select and transfer content elements from the set displayed on the master display device to the remainder of display devices, such that the selected and transferred content elements advance in order across the remainder of display devices. Users can select individual content elements from a device under their control for display by one or more display devices without the need to transfer an entire document or file from which the content element is taken. Once a content element is so displayed, other currently displayed content elements are advanced in a logical manner, or removed from display.

Abstract: A technique of motion estimation in video compression is described, the technique including: determining, in one or more reference frames of a video picture, the best full-pixel motion vector F for a block in a current frame of the video picture, wherein m and n are signed numbers and integer multiples of the distance between two adjacent full-pixels; selecting the best half-pixel motion vector candidates from a set of half-pixel motion vectors based on the best full-pixel motion vector; determining the best half-pixel motion vector H; selecting the best quarter-pixel motion vector candidates from a set of quarter-pixel motion vectors based on the best full-pixel motion vector and the best half-pixel motion vector; determining the best quarter-pixel motion vector Q; and determining the best motion vector for the block as BMV.

Abstract: A videoconferencing system has a videoconferencing unit that use portable devices as peripherals for the system. The portable devices obtain near-end audio and send the audio to the videoconferencing unit via a wireless connection. In turn, the videoconferencing unit sends the near-end audio from the loudest portable device along with near-end video to the far-end. The portable devices can control the videoconferencing unit and can initially establish the videoconference by connecting with the far-end and then transferring operations to the videoconferencing unit. To deal with acoustic coupling between the unit's loudspeaker and the portable device's microphone, the unit uses an echo canceller that is compensated for differences in the clocks used in the A/D and D/A converters of the loudspeaker and microphone.

Abstract: A system and method for manipulating images in a videoconferencing session provides users with a 3-D-like view of one or more presented sites, without the need for 3-D equipment. A plurality of cameras may record a room at a transmitting endpoint, and the receiving endpoint may select one of the received video streams based upon a point of view of a conferee at the receiving endpoint. The conferee at the receiving endpoint will thus experience a 3-D-like view of the presented site.

Abstract: The amount of far-field noise transmitted by a primary communication device in an open-plan office environment is reduced by defining an acoustic perimeter of reference microphones around the primary device. Reference microphones generate a reference audio input including far-field noise in the proximity of the primary device. The primary device generates a main audio input including the voice of the primary speaker as well as background noise. Reference audio input is compared to main audio input to identify the background noise portion of the main audio signal. A noise reduction algorithm suppresses the identified background noise in the main audio signal. The one or more reference microphones defining the acoustic perimeter may be included in separate microphone devices placed in proximity to the main desktop phone, microphones within other nearby desktop telephone devices, or a combination of both types of devices.