Patents by Inventor David Drell

David Drell has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7821918
    Abstract: A system and method for communication channel and device control via an existing audio channel. A combined communication signal is received from a communication device comprising an audio signal and a modulated carrier signal via an audio channel. The audio signal is separated from the carrier signal. Digital data is extracted from the carrier signal. Device control is performed utilizing the extracted digital data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Polycom, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Rodman, David Drell
  • Patent number: 7742588
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods, systems, and devices for improved audio, video, and data conferencing. The present invention provides a conferencing system comprising a plurality of endpoints communicating data including audio data and control data according to a communication protocol. A local conference endpoint may control or be controlled by a remote conference endpoint. Data comprising control signals may be exchanged between the local endpoint and remote endpoint via various communication protocols. In other embodiments, the present invention provides for improved bridge architecture for controlling functions of conference endpoints including controlling functions of the bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Polycom, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Rodman, David Drell
  • Patent number: 7526078
    Abstract: A method for communicating data during an audio conference is provided. Digital data is received from a data source. The digital data is then modulated onto a carrier signal. The modulated carrier signal is subsequently combined with an audio signal of the audio conference. The combined signal is communicated to at least one remote communication device. Upon receipt by the at least one remote communication device, the combined signal is separated into the audio signal and the modulated carrier signal. The modulated carrier signal is then demodulated to extract the digital data. Both the digital data and the audio signal are output by the at least one remote communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Polycom, Inc
    Inventors: Jeffrey Rodman, David Drell
  • Patent number: 7450149
    Abstract: A conferencing system with improved audio response, interface, and audio source tracking capabilities includes a low-profile base unit capable of capturing and processing audio and video information and of interfacing with other external devices, and a separate network interface device coupled to the low-profile base unit and capable of connecting to a network, producing audible sound, regulating power, and housing removable interface circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Polycom, Inc.
    Inventors: David Drell, Richard Washington
  • Publication number: 20080143819
    Abstract: A conference link between devices in teleconference system at one site is disclosed. The linked devices include video conference units, speakerphones or stand-alone loudspeakers. Audio data can be transmitted through the conference link between devices. Audio data processing can be performed in either a video conference unit or a speakerphone. The microphones and loudspeakers in the video conference unit may be eliminated. The microphones and loudspeakers in the speakerphone are used. Other data, for example directories of dialing information, may also be transmitted through the conference link and the data processing may be allocated among processors in devices connected by conference links. The conference link may be wired or wireless, analog or digital. The devices may be linked by conference link in parallel or series. A dialing program can adapt the dialing stream with the locations of the near end site and the dialed far end site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: POLYCOM, INC.
    Inventors: JEFFREY RODMAN, DAVID DRELL, RICK A. VANDER KAM, MARTIN G. SEXTON, DON BINFORD, ALAIN NIMRI, JEFF RATCLIFF, CAROLYN KILDAY, MICHAEL J. HESS
  • Patent number: 7339605
    Abstract: A conference link between devices in teleconference system at one site is disclosed. The linked devices include video conference units, speakerphones or stand-alone loudspeakers. Audio data can be transmitted through the conference link between devices. Audio data processing can be performed in either a video conference unit or a speakerphone. The microphones and loudspeakers in the video conference unit may be eliminated. The microphones and loudspeakers in the speakerphone are used. Other data, for example directories of dialing information, may also be transmitted through the conference link and the data processing may be allocated among processors in devices connected by conference links. The conference link may be wired or wireless, analog or digital. The devices may be linked by conference link in parallel or series. A dialing program can adapt the dialing stream with the locations of the near end site and the dialed far end site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Polycom, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Rodman, David Drell, Rick A. Vander Kam, Martin G. Sexton, Don Binford, Alain Nimri, Jeff Ratcliff, Carolyn Kilday, Michael J. Hess
  • Publication number: 20070230677
    Abstract: A system and method for dynamically establishing optimum audio quality in an audio conference is disclosed. A connection with one or more remote communication devices is initially established. An available data rate associated with the connection is then determined. Next, a bandwidth is assigned based on the available data rate. Finally, the assigned bandwidth is adjusted according to the available data rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Applicant: Polycom, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Rodman, David Drell
  • Publication number: 20070140456
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for wideband voice and optional data conferencing over a telecommunications network channel between at least two wideband communications devices. An exemplary method comprises establishing an audio link, verifying wideband capability between the at least two wideband communications devices, training modems of the at least two wideband communications device to line conditions, and adjusting the telecommunications connection line conditions between the communications devices. Once a wideband connection has been established, audio and data may be simultaneously exchanged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Publication date: June 21, 2007
    Applicant: Polycom, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Rodman, David Drell
  • Patent number: 7227938
    Abstract: A system and method for dynamically establishing optimum audio quality in an audio conference is disclosed. A connection with one or more remote communication devices is initially established. An available data rate associated with the connection is then determined. Next, a bandwidth is assigned based on the available data rate. Finally, the assigned bandwidth is adjusted according to the available data rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Polycom, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Rodman, David Drell
  • Patent number: 7221663
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for wideband voice and optional data conferencing over a telecommunications network channel between at least two wideband communications devices. An exemplary method comprises establishing an audio link, verifying wideband capability between the at least two wideband communications devices, training modems of the at least two wideband communications device to line conditions, and adjusting the telecommunications connection line conditions between the communications devices. Once a wideband connection has been established, audio and data may be simultaneously exchanged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Polycom, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Rodman, David Drell
  • Patent number: 7089285
    Abstract: A videoconferencing apparatus includes a multi-point (MP) conference application that enables the apparatus to combine and distribute audio and video signals received from a plurality of remote conference endpoints, thereby obviating the need to provide a separate multi-point control unit having hardware-based inverse multiplexers (IMUXs). The MP conference application is configured to generate, for each remote conference endpoint participating in a conference, discrete instances of a signal processing train by means of dynamically allocable IMUXs, each processing train including a communication process and audio/video/data codecs. The processed audio and video signals are subsequently conveyed to an audio mixer and video switching module for combination with locally-generated audio and video signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Polycom, Inc.
    Inventor: David Drell
  • Publication number: 20050231586
    Abstract: A conference link between devices in teleconference system at one site is disclosed. The linked devices include video conference units, speakerphones or stand-alone loudspeakers. Audio data can be transmitted through the conference link between devices. Audio data processing can be performed in either a video conference unit or a speakerphone. The microphones and loudspeakers in the video conference unit may be eliminated. The microphones and loudspeakers in the speakerphone are used. Other data, for example directories of dialing information, may also be transmitted through the conference link and the data processing may be allocated among processors in devices connected by conference links. The conference link may be wired or wireless, analog or digital. The devices may be linked by conference link in parallel or series. A dialing program can adapt the dialing stream with the locations of the near end site and the dialed far end site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2004
    Publication date: October 20, 2005
    Inventors: Jeffrey Rodman, David Drell, Rick Vander Kam, Martin Sexton, Don Binford, Alain Nimri, Jeff Ratcliff, Carolyn Kilday, Michael Hess
  • Publication number: 20050213517
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods, systems, and devices for improved audio, video, and data conferencing. The present invention provides a conferencing system comprising a plurality of endpoints communicating data including audio data and control data according to a communication protocol. A local conference endpoint may control or be controlled by a remote conference endpoint. Data comprising control signals may be exchanged between the local endpoint and remote endpoint via various communication protocols. In other embodiments, the present invention provides for improved bridge architecture for controlling functions of conference endpoints including controlling functions of the bridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Publication date: September 29, 2005
    Applicant: POLYCOM, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Rodman, David Drell
  • Publication number: 20050213736
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods, systems, and devices for improved audio, video, and data conferencing. The present invention provides a conferencing system comprising a plurality of endpoints communicating data including audio data and control data according to a communication protocol. A local conference endpoint may control or be controlled by a remote conference endpoint. Data comprising control signals may be exchanged between the local endpoint and remote endpoint via various communication protocols. In other embodiments, the present invention provides for improved bridge architecture for controlling functions of conference endpoints including controlling functions of the bridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Publication date: September 29, 2005
    Applicant: POLYCOM, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Rodman, David Drell
  • Publication number: 20050213739
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods, systems, and devices for improved audio, video, and data conferencing. The present invention provides a conferencing system comprising a plurality of endpoints communicating data including audio data and control data according to a communication protocol. A local conference endpoint may control or be controlled by a remote conference endpoint. Data comprising control signals may be exchanged between the local endpoint and remote endpoint via various communication protocols. In other embodiments, the present invention provides for improved bridge architecture for controlling functions of conference endpoints including controlling functions of the bridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Publication date: September 29, 2005
    Applicant: POLYCOM, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Rodman, David Drell
  • Publication number: 20050213729
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods, systems, and devices for improved audio, video, and data conferencing. The present invention provides a conferencing system comprising a plurality of endpoints communicating data including audio data and control data according to a communication protocol. A local conference endpoint may control or be controlled by a remote conference endpoint. Data comprising control signals may be exchanged between the local endpoint and remote endpoint via various communication protocols. In other embodiments, the present invention provides for improved bridge architecture for controlling functions of conference endpoints including controlling functions of the bridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Publication date: September 29, 2005
    Applicant: POLYCOM,INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Rodman, David Drell
  • Publication number: 20050213731
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods, systems, and devices for improved audio, video, and data conferencing. The present invention provides a conferencing system comprising a plurality of endpoints communicating data including audio data and control data according to a communication protocol. A local conference endpoint may control or be controlled by a remote conference endpoint. Data comprising control signals may be exchanged between the local endpoint and remote endpoint via various communication protocols. In other embodiments, the present invention provides for improved bridge architecture for controlling functions of conference endpoints including controlling functions of the bridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Publication date: September 29, 2005
    Applicant: POLYCOM, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Rodman, David Drell
  • Publication number: 20050213738
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods, systems, and devices for improved audio, video, and data conferencing. The present invention provides a conferencing system comprising a plurality of endpoints communicating data including audio data and control data according to a communication protocol. A local conference endpoint may control or be controlled by a remote conference endpoint. Data comprising control signals may be exchanged between the local endpoint and remote endpoint via various communication protocols. In other embodiments, the present invention provides for improved bridge architecture for controlling functions of conference endpoints including controlling functions of the bridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Publication date: September 29, 2005
    Applicant: POLYCOM, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Rodman, David Drell
  • Publication number: 20050213727
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods, systems, and devices for improved audio, video, and data conferencing. The present invention provides a conferencing system comprising a plurality of endpoints communicating data including audio data and control data according to a communication protocol. A local conference endpoint may control or be controlled by a remote conference endpoint. Data comprising control signals may be exchanged between the local endpoint and remote endpoint via various communication protocols. In other embodiments, the present invention provides for improved bridge architecture for controlling functions of conference endpoints including controlling functions of the bridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Publication date: September 29, 2005
    Applicant: POLYCOM, INC.
    Inventors: Eyal Nir, Jeffrey Rodman, David Drell
  • Publication number: 20050212908
    Abstract: A High Speed Serial Bus connecting teleconference devices, such as video conference unit, speakerphone, external loudspeakers or microphones is disclosed. The disclosed embodiments enable the distributing and sharing of controls among the linked devices. They enable incremental upgrades or capacity increases of the teleconference system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Publication date: September 29, 2005
    Applicant: Polycom, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Rodman, David Drell, Rick Vander Kam