Abstract: A videoconference may be initiated between a plurality of endpoints. At least one of the endpoints may be coupled to a recording server, which may be configured to record the videoconference. A configuration may be selected (e.g., automatically or manually) for performing the recording. The endpoint (e.g., acting as an MCU) may transmit information to endpoints and may transmit recording information to the recording server. The recording information may be different from the videoconference information. For example, it may be in a “streaming friendly” format, at a different bit rate, encoded differently, have different inputs, etc. The manner in which the videoconference is stored and/or recorded may be based on the selected configuration. Clients may be configured to receive and display the videoconference from the recording server and may be configured to change the provided layout to different layouts, e.g., based on user input.

Abstract: Determining a buffer size in a videoconference. In some embodiments, one or more of various different error correction methods may be used in a videoconference. For example, forward error correction (FEC) may be used and/or retransmission of lost packets (ReTxLP) may be used, e.g., based on a packet loss threshold. Where FEC is used, a buffer size of a receiving videoconferencing device may be determined based on the FEC rate. Where ReTxLP is used, a buffer size of the receiving videoconferencing device may be determined based on a retransmission latency.

Abstract: Determining a buffer size in a videoconference. In some embodiments, one or more of various different error correction methods may be used in a videoconference. For example, forward error correction (FEC) may be used and/or retransmission of lost packets (ReTxLP) may be used, e.g., based on a packet loss threshold. Where FEC is used, a buffer size of a receiving videoconferencing device may be determined based on the FEC rate. Where ReTxLP is used, a buffer size of the receiving videoconferencing device may be determined based on a retransmission latency.

Abstract: A videoconference may be initiated between a plurality of endpoints. At least one of the endpoints may be coupled to a recording server, which may be configured to record the videoconference. A configuration may be selected (e.g., automatically or manually) for performing the recording. The endpoint (e.g., acting as an MCU) may transmit information to endpoints and may transmit recording information to the recording server. The recording information may be different from the videoconference information. For example, it may be in a “streaming friendly” format, at a different bit rate, encoded differently, have different inputs, etc. The manner in which the videoconference is stored and/or recorded may be based on the selected configuration. Clients may be configured to receive and display the videoconference from the recording server and may be configured to change the provided layout to different layouts, e.g., based on user input.

Abstract: A videoconference may be initiated between a plurality of endpoints. At least one of the endpoints may be coupled to a recording server, which may be configured to record the videoconference. A configuration may be selected (e.g., automatically or manually) for performing the recording. The endpoint (e.g., acting as an MCU) may transmit information to endpoints and may transmit recording information to the recording server. The recording information may be different from the videoconference information. For example, it may be in a “streaming friendly” format, at a different bit rate, encoded differently, have different inputs, etc. The manner in which the videoconference is stored and/or recorded may be based on the selected configuration. Clients may be configured to receive and display the videoconference from the recording server and may be configured to change the provided layout to different layouts, e.g., based on user input.

Abstract: Filtering auxiliary audio from vocal audio in a conference. Audio may be received during a conference. The audio may include vocal audio from a first participant as well as auxiliary audio that is not vocal audio from the first participant. The auxiliary audio may result from use of a computer input device at the location. The audio may be filtered to remove the auxiliary audio from the audio. The filtered audio may be provided, e.g., over a network to other participant locations of the conference.

Abstract: Supporting a plurality of videoconferencing streams in a videoconference. The method may include receiving the plurality of videoconferencing streams and may include decoding a first videoconferencing stream of the plurality of videoconferencing streams. The method may also include selecting, for decoding, a second videoconferencing stream of the plurality of videoconferencing streams. The second videoconferencing stream may not be the first videoconferencing stream. The method may further include decoding, in response to said selecting, the second videoconferencing stream of the plurality of videoconferencing streams.

Abstract: Sharing computer video in a videoconference. The method may include acquiring video on a computer. The method may also include coding the acquired video on the computer. Transmitting the coded video from the computer to a videoconferencing unit may also be included in the method. Also, the method may include packaging the transmitted video coded on the videoconferencing unit. Furthermore, the method may include transmitting the packaged video to a videoconferencing destination.

Abstract: Performing a videoconference based on network locality. The method may determine if a first endpoint and a second endpoint is within a same network, e.g., based on the address of the first and second endpoints. The videoconference may be established or performed based on the determination. For example, an external communication server may be used if the second endpoint is not within the same network as the first endpoint. However, the external communication server may be bypassed if the second endpoint is within the same network as the first endpoint.

Abstract: A virtual distributed multipoint control unit in a videoconference may be implemented using a master endpoint, one or more facilitator endpoints, and one or more leaf endpoints. The facilitator endpoint(s) may receive video and/or audio from the leaf endpoints (which may provide/receive videoconference audio and video to one or more local participants). The master endpoint may receive video and/or audio from one or more facilitator endpoints (which may include cumulative video stream from multiple leaf endpoints) and/or directly from one or more leaf endpoints. The master endpoint may arrange received video and/or audio and provide cumulative video and/or audio streams to the leaf endpoints (e.g., directly and/or through the facilitator endpoints). The virtual distributed multipoint control unit may support a conference with more leaf endpoints than the master endpoint has input ports and/or decoders.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a videoconferencing endpoint may be an MCU (Multipoint Control Unit) or may include embedded MCU functionality. In various embodiments, the endpoint may thus conduct a videoconference by receiving/compositing video and audio from multiple videoconference endpoints. The endpoint may select a subset of endpoints and form a composite video image from the subset of the videoconference endpoints to send to the other videoconference endpoints. In some embodiments, the subset of endpoints that are selected for compositing into the composite video image may be selected according to criteria such as the last N talking participants. In some embodiments, the master endpoint may request the non-talker endpoints to stop sending video to help conserve the resources on the master endpoint. In some embodiments, the master endpoint may ignore video from endpoints that are not being displayed.

Abstract: In some embodiments, two or more packets of a first protocol including data of a real time protocol (RTP) which is associated with audio and/or video conferencing information may be received at a first interface. Two or more data channels may couple the first interface to a second interface via various networks, and each of the two or more data channels may include network sockets of a second protocol. Any number of N data channels may be used based on various configurations. The two or more packets of the first protocol may be sent from the first interface to the second interface via the two or more data channels. In various embodiments, a first RTP may be received and transcoded into a second RTP, and data from a first codec associated with the first RTP to data of a second codec associated with the second RTP.