Abstract: A method and related apparatus for generating electronic meeting invitations in video communication and other services is described, including using an agent to automatically respond to electronic meeting invitations generated by users such that the response includes the generated connection information that will allow the intended participants to access the video communication or other service.

Abstract: Techniques for initiating and managing videoconferences in interactive service applications is described, including using contextual information to identify a group of users that are to participate in an ad-hoc videoconferencing session.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing videoconferencing using split endpoints are disclosed herein. These endpoints can include a Main Unit and a Satellite Unit that are associated with each other, and where the tasks of video and audio encoding and decoding are separated between the two. In some embodiments the Main Unit performs video and audio encoding, and the Satellite Unit performs video and audio decoding. In some embodiments the Satellite Unit obtains media data through its associated Main Unit, whereas in other embodiments the Satellite Unit obtains media data directly from the Server.

Abstract: As information to be processed at an object-based video or audio-visual (AV) terminal, an object-oriented bitstream includes objects, composition information, and scene demarcation information. Such bitstream structure allows on-line editing, e.g. cut and paste, insertion/deletion, grouping, and special effects. In the interest of ease of editing, AV objects and their composition information are transmitted or accessed on separate logical channels (LCs). Objects which have a lifetime in the decoder beyond their initial presentation time are cached for reuse until a selected expiration time. The system includes a de-multiplexer, a controller which controls the operation of the AV terminal, input buffers, AV objects decoders, buffers for decoded data, a composer, a display, and an object cache.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the integration of audio and video communication systems with gaming systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the audio and video communication server uses information from the game engine in order to decide which users are in virtual proximity to a particular user so that it only forwards their audio to the particular user. In another embodiment, additional audio composition streams are associated with the user's audio streams so that they are rendered at receiving endpoints with the spatial positioning intended by the game engine.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the pairing of room systems, and other systems that lack portability and a convenient user interface, to videoconferences are disclosed herein. In one embodiment of the disclosed subject matter, a user initiates room system pairing from his or her device. For example, the user can press a button on a remote control associated with the room system to set the system to pairing mode. The room system can register with a server that is controlling the videoconferencing system, which in turn can display the room system in a list of available room systems on the user's device. The user can have the option to select the particular room system, instructing the server to add the room system to the conference.

Abstract: Systems and methods for conducting a multi-endpoint video signal conference are provided. Conferencing endpoints are linked by pairs of a reliable and a less reliable communication channel. Conference video signals are scaleable coded in base layer and enhancement layers format. Video signal base layers, which correspond to a minimum picture quality, are communicated over reliable channels. The video signal enhancements layers may be communicated over the less reliable channels. A conference server mediates the switching of video layer information from transmitting endpoints to receiving endpoints without any intermediate coding or re-coding operations. The video conference can be integrated with an audio conference using either scalable coded audio signals or non-scaleable coded audio signals.

Abstract: As information to be processed at an object-based video or audio-visual (AV) terminal, an object-oriented bitstream includes objects, composition information, and scene demarcation information. Such bitstream structure allows on-line editing, e.g. cut and paste, insertion/deletion, grouping, and special effects. In the interest of ease of editing, AV objects and their composition information are transmitted or accessed on separate logical channels (LCs). Objects which have a lifetime in the decoder beyond their initial presentation time are cached for reuse until a selected expiration time. The system includes a de-multiplexer, a controller which controls the operation of the AV terminal, input buffers, AV objects decoders, buffers for decoded data, a composer, a display, and an object cache.

Abstract: As information to be processed at an object-based video or audio-visual (AV) terminal, an object-oriented bitstream includes objects, composition information, and scene demarcation information. Such bitstream structure allows on-line editing, e.g. cut and paste, insertion/deletion, grouping, and special effects. In the interest of ease of editing, AV objects and their composition information are transmitted or accessed on separate logical channels (LCs). Objects which have a lifetime in the decoder beyond their initial presentation time are cached for reuse until a selected expiration time. The system includes a de-multiplexer, a controller which controls the operation of the AV terminal, input buffers, AV objects decoders, buffers for decoded data, a composer, a display, and an object cache.

Abstract: As information to be processed at an object-based video or audio-visual (AV) terminal, an object-oriented bitstream includes objects, composition information, and scene demarcation information. Such bitstream structure allows on-line editing, e.g. cut and paste, insertion/deletion, grouping, and special effects. In the interest of ease of editing, AV objects and their composition information are transmitted or accessed on separate logical channels (LCs). Objects which have a lifetime in the decoder beyond their initial presentation time are cached for reuse until a selected expiration time.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing videoconferencing using split endpoints are disclosed herein. These endpoints can include a Main Unit and a Satellite Unit that are associated with each other, and where the tasks of video and audio encoding and decoding are separated between the two. In some embodiment the Main Unit performs video and audio encoding, and the Satellite Unit performs video and audio decoding. In some embodiments the Satellite Unit obtains media date through its associated Main Unit, whereas in other embodiments the Satellite Unit obtains media data directly from the Server.

Abstract: Systems and methods for conducting a multi-endpoint video signal conference are provided. Conferencing endpoints are linked by pairs of a reliable and a less reliable communication channel. Conference video signals are scaleable coded in base layer and enhancement layers format. Video signal base layers, which correspond to a minimum picture quality, are communicated over reliable channels. The video signal enhancements layers may be communicated over the less reliable channels. A conference server mediates the switching of video layer information from transmitting endpoints to receiving endpoints without any intermediate coding or re-coding operations. The video conference can be integrated with an audio conference using either scalable coded audio signals or non-scaleable coded audio signals.

Abstract: Media communication systems and methods for media encoded using scalable coding with temporal scalability are provided. Transmitting endpoints include switching information in their transmitted media to indicate if temporal level switching at a decoder can occur at any frame of the transmitted encoded media.

Abstract: As information to be processed at an object-based video or audio-visual (AV) terminal, an object-oriented bitstream includes objects, composition information, and scene demarcation information. Such bitstream structure allows on-line editing, e.g. cut and paste, insertion/deletion, grouping, and special effects. In the interest of ease of editing, AV objects and their composition information are transmitted or accessed on separate logical channels (LCs). Objects which have a lifetime in the decoder beyond their initial presentation time are cached for reuse until a selected expiration time.

Abstract: Systems and methods for error resilient transmission, rate control, and random access in video communication systems that use sealable video coding are provided. Error resilience is obtained by using information from low resolution layers to conceal or compensate loss of high resolution layer information. The same mechanism is used for rate control by selectively eliminating high resolution layer information from transmitted signals, which elimination can be compensated at the receiver using information from low resolution layers. Further, random access or switching between low and high resolutions is also achieved by using information from low resolution layers to compensate for high resolution spatial layer packets that may have not been received prior to the switching time.

Abstract: Systems and methods for error resilient transmission and for random access in video communication systems are provided. The video communication systems are based on single-layer, scalable video, or simulcast video coding with temporal scalability, which may be used in video communication systems. A set of video frames or pictures in a video signal transmission is designated for reliable or guaranteed delivery to receivers using secure or high reliability links, or by retransmission techniques. The reliably-delivered video frames are used as reference pictures for resynchronization of receivers with the transmitted video signal after error incidence and for random access.

Abstract: Systems and methods for error resilient transmission, rate control, and random access in video communication systems that use scalable video coding are provided. Error resilience is obtained by using information from low resolution layers to conceal or compensate loss of high resolution layer information. The same mechanism is used for rate control by selectively eliminating high resolution layer information from transmitted signals, which elimination can be compensated at the receiver using information from low resolution layers. Further, random access or switching between low and high resolutions is also achieved by using information from low resolution layers to compensate for high resolution spatial layer packets that may have not been received prior to the switching time.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for communicating timely information related to the scalability layer structure of signals received by decoders and other components in a video and/or audio communication system. For a communication system, which uses the Standard H.264 SVC coding format, standard SSEI messages are modified or supplemented to include the ability to signal scalability layer structure information and changes thereof. Recipients can use the signal scalability layer information to properly process or decode received signals.

Abstract: Media communication systems and methods for media encoded using scalable coding with temporal scalability are provided. Transmitting endpoints include switching information in their transmitted media to indicate if temporal level switching at a decoder can occur at any frame of the transmitted encoded media.

Abstract: Systems and methods for scalable video coding using special inter-layer prediction modes (called telescopic modes) are provided. These modes facilitate accelerated operation of encoders with improved coding efficiency.