Abstract: A video conference system for an enterprise facilitates conferences among participants governed by the policies of the enterprise and other participants. The system includes conference participant stations for use by governed participants and a gateway that facilitates linking through a remote network to conference participant stations used by those external to the enterprise. Further, the system may also include an enterprise network having a gateway to facilitate linking through a remote network to conference participant stations and to other enterprise networks. The system includes barriers to access to data and processes proprietary to the enterprise and external participant. A related method may invoke one of a paid, a prepaid or and unpaid video conferencing on a remote network.

Abstract: A video conference system includes at each of several sites multiple participant stations and a control station. A conference coordinator (e.g., a guard or receptionist) operating the control station receives notice from the control station that a scheduled conference is about to begin and directs a person identified to be a participant of the conference to a station designated by the notice. Signals from participant stations are monitored and if a participant station is determined to be unavailable, the conference may be rescheduled to replace the unavailable station with an alternate available station. Notice sufficient to direct a participant to the alternate station is provided via the control station to the coordinator. The subject of detecting availability and rescheduling alternatives may be an item of equipment or an equipment capability (e.g., a recorder channel to be used for recording the conference). Higher ranking requests may force rescheduling of already scheduled lower ranking conferences.

Abstract: An enclosure for a video conference system is disclosed. The enclosure includes a substructure that includes a pair of side structure beams. The side structure beams comprising a top section, a bottom section and a vertical support section connected together. The substructure further includes front structural panel connected to each of the pair of side structures and at least one back brace coupling the pair of side panels. A covering comprising a first side portion, a second side portion, a top portion, a bottom portion, and a front portion is attached over the substructure.

Abstract: An enclosure for a video conference system is disclosed. The enclosure includes a substructure that includes a pair of side structure beams. The side structure beams comprising a top section, a bottom section and a vertical support section connected together. The substructure further includes front structural panel connected to each of the pair of side structures and at least one back brace coupling the pair of side panels. A covering comprising a first side portion, a second side portion, a top portion, a bottom portion, and a front portion is attached over the substructure.

Abstract: A video visitation station according to various aspects of the present invention includes a first wall and a second wall set at an angle to each other and connected at one end by a connector, forming an essentially trapezoidal enclosure. A video cabinet is secured to the first wall and second wall. The video cabinet contains the video conferencing equipment. The video visitation station can accommodate multiple users.

Abstract: A video conference system includes at each of several sites multiple participant stations and a control station. A conference coordinator (e.g., a guard or receptionist) operating the control station receives notice from the control station that a scheduled conference is about to begin and directs a person identified to be a participant of the conference to a station designated by the notice. Signals from participant stations are monitored and if a participant station is determined to be unavailable, the conference may be rescheduled to replace the unavailable station with an alternate available station. Notice sufficient to direct a participant to the alternate station is provided via the control station to the coordinator. The subject of detecting availability and rescheduling alternatives may be an item of equipment or an equipment capability (e.g., a recorder channel to be used for recording the conference). Higher ranking requests may force rescheduling of already scheduled lower ranking conferences.