Abstract: The present invention relates to the play back of previously recorded audio and video data. More particularly, the present invention relates to a computer system, method, and computer readable medium storing instructions executable by computer system for varying the playback rate of audio data as corresponding motion video data is displayed. In accordance with the present invention, the playback rate can be increased above or decreased below normal playback rates while maintaining the quality or tone of audio speech.

Abstract: A method and associated apparatus for controlling an acoustic canceler (“AEC”) are disclosed. Prior to passing audio signals to the AEC, a distortion detector is used to determine if the signals are distorted. If so, the AEC does not adapt is filter coefficients to the distorted signals. This technique improves the AEC's ability to adapt its filter coefficients to subsequent undistorted signals. For example, near-end or far-end audio signals above a predetermined threshold value are detected by a distortion detector which disables adaptive filter control logic so that distorted signals do not result in generation of erroneous filter coefficients.

Abstract: A method for avoiding invalid camera positioning in a video conference establishes a boundary within the view of a camera, such that when a request is made to direct the camera to a point outside of the boundary, the camera positioning module transforms the request to one requesting the camera to be directed to a point just within the boundary. In one embodiment, the boundary includes a maximum extent and a minimum extent, corresponding respectively to the maximum and the minimum expected heights of a speaker.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system for managing streaming data. The system includes a management module and a processing module. The processing module includes a CODEC and a streaming appliance. The CODEC connects to a MCU, receives video conference data, and decompresses video conference data. The streaming appliance functions to receive video conference data, format video conference data for streaming, and send streaming video conference data to a selected network address. The management module functions to selectively manage the CODEC and the streaming appliance and their communication with associated systems. More particularly, the streaming appliance may be a web server that functions to transmit video conference data to a selected internet address.

Abstract: A program product for modeling video network reliability includes a computer-usable medium that encodes computer instructions. The computer instructions cause a data processing system to perform modeling operations. Those operations include obtaining historical data for multiple video conferences, and executing a modeling algorithm that produces a model representing the historical data. The model can be analyzed to identify opportunities for improving reliability of a video network. In an example embodiment, the computer instructions output results that a user can use reconfigure the video network for improved reliability. In another embodiment, the computer instructions analyze the model to identify opportunities for improving reliability of the video network, and the computer instructions automatically reconfigure the video network, based on the identified opportunities. The modeling algorithm may be a decision tree algorithm, such as the ID3-based algorithm known as C4.5.

Abstract: A system and method for diagnosis of video device performance in the transfer of audio visual data over a video network physically interfaces with the network to receive audio visual data associated with the video device of interest and uses diagnostic tools to access the audio visual data for determination of performance statistics with analysis of the accessed audio visual data, including video device jitter, latency, throughput, and packet loss.

Abstract: In a system for discovering devices in a video network, a network management system (NMS) determines whether a video device in the video network supports a first network protocol, such as SNMP. If the device supports the first protocol, the NMS automatically uses the first protocol to retrieve attributes of the device from the device. If the device does not support the first protocol, the NMS automatically determines whether the device supports a second protocol, such as HTTP. If the device supports the second protocol, the NMS automatically uses the second protocol to retrieve the attributes of the device. In an example embodiment, if the device does not support the second protocol, the NMS may test for support of additional protocols, such as Telnet or VT-100. If one of those protocols is supported, the NMS may automatically use that protocol to retrieve the attributes of the device.

Abstract: A method and system for visual configuration of a video call represents video devices as graphical icons presented through a user interface. A directed graph relates the graphical icons to represent the configuration of the video devices in the video call and ensures that compatible video devices establish a valid video configuration by prohibiting invalid video call configurations. The user interface interacts with a video network platform that schedules and initiates video calls according to video call configurations. Video device types, identification, and configuration parameters are depicted along with state information for a video call to allow monitoring and correction of failures that may occur.

Abstract: A method and system for routing video calls includes one or more video endpoints. An array of infrastructure routing elements transmits the video calls between the video endpoints along one or more principle routes and one or more back-up routes. The system and method further includes a video network platform in communication with the video endpoints and the infrastructure routing elements, and the video network platform prioritizing the principle routes and the back-up routes. A scheduling engine associated with the infrastructure routing elements is operable to monitor the performance of the infrastructure routing elements, determine a reliability model for each infrastructure routing element, and intelligently route the video calls based on the reliability models without losing communication between the video endpoints.

Abstract: A method is provided that issues custom traps for a network containing disparate network devices. In the method, a custom trap is stored in a network manager. The custom trap includes a triggering condition for a selected device among the network devices. The network manager monitors the selected device to detect whether the triggering condition has been met. In response to detecting that the triggering condition has been met, the network manager automatically issues the custom trap. In an example embodiment, the network manager stores the custom trap in a Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) agent, and the SNMP agent automatically issues the custom trap to an administrative workstation. The custom traps may be used to send uniform traps for network devices to an administrative workstation, despite differences in trap configurations, if any, in the network devices.

Abstract: Video calls between video devices are controlled by presenting video call options and receiving inputs of video call information through a telephone network. A video call application associated with a phone server receives video call information and provides the information to a video launch application that controls video devices accordingly. In one embodiment, IP telephones provide video call options such as initiating and terminating video calls through an IP telephone server to a video network platform using XML formatted data. The video network platform provides video call options based on user code information to simplify the IP telephone interface. The video network platform performs the functions represented by the video call information to establish and terminate video calls as appropriate.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying errors in a video conference conducted on a network are disclosed. A central device includes a central agent that detects an error during a video conference conducted on a network between two or more endpoints. The central agent distributes a capture agent via the network to a remote device associated with a collision domain that contains one of the two or more endpoints. The capture agent collects a plurality of media packets associated with the video conference in a capture file located in a storage medium associated with the remote device until a timer expires. When the timer expires, the capture agent communicates the capture file to the central agent at the central device.

Abstract: A video network platform manages video network devices with management applications, such as scheduling, monitoring and diagnostics applications, by representing the devices as interface objects that support a network interface module, and application objects used by the management applications and created by an adapter engine that creates an application object for each corresponding video network device interface object. A network interface module associated with the video network platform invokes the adapter engine to create an application object associated with a device. The application object uses its dynamic attribute query capabilities to build an interface object in the network interface module and thus obtain device attributes such as device address information. The application module populates itself with device information for supporting management applications, thus allowing conventional network interface modules to cooperate with application specific objects.

Abstract: A system and method for generating address book entires from a captured video frame simplifies user interaction with a video network. During an established video call, a user captures a frame of the video stream and stores the frame as an icon in an address book along with associated call configuration information. To initiate a video to call to the participant or location associated with the frame, the user selects the icon and the address book initiates the video call using the stored call configuration.

Abstract: A system and method for accessing and managing disparate video network devices supports a user interface with an interface protocol communicating through a management adapter. The management adapter communicates with a device access layer that represents video network devices as objects, such as Management Beans, with a class of objects associated with a type of device. The objects translate communications from the management adapter into a protocol and attributes native to the device to allow the management adapter access to device attributes, which are then available to the user interface via the interface protocol. The device access layer thus establishes a proxy relationship so that video network devices are more easily interacted with and managed by applications communicating through the management adapter by a uniform protocol.

Abstract: A method and system configures video calls and schedules the calls for a video call network based on a query from a user to establish a video call between end points of the video call network. A configuration engine accepts video call information from a query engine based on the video call request and applies device data and rules to determine one or more possible call configurations. The configuration engine or an associated optimization engine determines a preferred video call configuration and schedules devices of the video call network without requiring the user to have any in depth understanding of the device limitations and capabilities. Automatic configuration and scheduling of video calls simplifies the use of a video call network to reduce the expense and complexity of efficiently using network resources.

Abstract: A digital enhancement method enhances a subsection of video. Video is received by a receiver from a sender. The video includes information or displaying a video image. The subsection of the video for digital enhancement is selected. The selecting the subsection of the video for enhancement includes partitioning the video image into the selected subsection and a remainder unselected subsection. The selected subsection is digitally enhanced by the sender to provide the video including a digitally enhanced subsection. The video including the digitally enhanced subsection is received by the receiver from the sender.

Abstract: An apparatus and method in a video conference system provides accurate determination of the position of a speaking participant by measuring the difference in arrival times of a sound originating from the speaking participant, using as few as four microphones in a 3-dimensional configuration. In one embodiment, a set of simultaneous equations relating the position of the sound source and each microphone and relating to the distance of each microphone to each other are solved off-line and programmed into a host computer. In one embodiment, the set of simultaneous equations provide multiple solutions and the median of such solutions is picked as the final position. In another embodiment, an average of the multiple solutions are provided as the final position.

Abstract: A teleconferencing system with capability to store incoming multiple medium messages for later retrieval and playback is disclosed. The system includes a communications multiplexer which, in normal mode, receives the incoming message and routes the message to various output functions, including video, audio, and computer display. In store mode, the communications multiplexer receives the incoming message and communicates it to disk storage, for example by way of direct memory access. During playback, the communications multiplexer receives data from the disk storage, and controls its communication to the various output functions, in the same manner as during receipt of a normal incoming message during an interactive teleconference. As a result, multiple medium messages may be stored for later retrieval, with the playback appearing in the same manner as a conventional teleconference message.

Abstract: A system for dynamically determining and introducing time delay values for synchronizing different data signals. For transmitting the data signals, encoding time delay is measured in one encoder, a target encoder time delay value is determined, and the target encoder time delay value is utilized in another encoder to delay transmission of one data signal relative to the transmission of the other data signal. When encoded data signals are received and processed for presentation, the time required to decode a first data signal in a first decoder is measured, a target decoder time delay value is determined based on the time required to decode the first data signal, and the target decoder time delay value is utilized to delay presentation of a second data signal relative to the presentation of the first data signal.