Abstract: A rate adaptive video conference bridge and related techniques are provided. At a video conference bridge, a source video stream is received from a source endpoint device in a network. The source video stream is encoded using a first encoder unit and second encoder unit to generate respective first and second encoded video streams. A determination is made whether to decrease or increase a bit rate of the source video stream based on network condition information. If the bit rate is to be decreased, the first encoder unit is instructed to send the first encoded video stream to a destination endpoint device. If the bit rate is to be increased, the second encoder unit is instructed to send the second encoded video stream to the destination endpoint device.

Abstract: A telepresence unit control and communication methods are disclosed. The telepresence unit enables a virtual presence of a controller, a human being, located away from the telepresence unit. The telepresence unit control and communication methods enable a mechanical motion control of the telepresence unit by utilizing a visual communication between the telepresence unit and a computer administered by the controller. The telepresence unit utilizes a mobile computing device to establish the visual communication channel to the computer via the internet. Once the visual communication channel is established, the present invention provides a video modification as means of controlling and communicating with the telepresence unit.

Abstract: Methods and systems for communicating with rate control. A communication is sent and received from a first device to a second device over a network, wherein the communication comprises at least one audio stream and a second communication stream. A capacity of the network is probed at the first device for the sending and receiving the communication. A presence of a voice in the at least one audio stream is detected at the first device via a voice activity detection of the at least one audio stream. A rate limit is set for the sending and receiving the communication at the first device based on the capacity of the network and the detection of the presence of the at least one audio stream.

Abstract: A videotelephony image modulation apparatus and method detects an event having a possibility of information leakage by analyzing an image and provides a secured calling mode of masking all or a part of the image and transmitting a masked image obtained through the masking.

Abstract: Video conferencing with reduced bandwidth usage is disclosed. One method comprises receiving an audio stream at a server station connected to a plurality of participants in the video conference, at least one participant being a client station connected to the server station by a network and supplying the audio stream, the server station including a first memory and processor, and the client station including a second memory and processor. A mixing algorithm is performed that determines which video streams of the participants to mix to form a conference video stream for display by at least one of the participants. A video stream from the client station is selectively transmitted to the server station responsive to the mixing algorithm, and the server station transmits the conference video stream and/or the streams to be mixed to the participant(s).

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method and an apparatus for obtaining a video quality parameter and an electronic device. The method includes dividing a target video segment into at least one video subsegment, where duration of every video subsegment is at least time perceivable by human eyes; obtaining a video quality parameter of the video subsegment; and processing the video quality parameter of the video subsegment, and obtaining a video quality parameter of the target video segment.

Abstract: A system allocates channel bandwidth based on the data received from a plurality of remote sources. A de-multiplexer/priority circuit separates two or more different data streams into their components parts. A stream modification driver modifies one or more characteristics of the data received from the de-multiplexer/priority circuit based on a priority assigned to the data by the de-multiplexer/priority circuit. The de-multiplexer/priority circuit determines the data transfer rates for each of the different data streams based on the assigned priority.

Abstract: A method and device for communicating a video with a simulation image is provided. The method includes: acquiring, by a sender, video data, transforming the acquired video data into vector data in image recognition algorithm, and sending the vector data to a receiver; and calling, by the receiver, a cartoon rendering model and rendering the received vector data in the video with a corresponding cartoon simulation image according to the cartoon rendering model. By using the present invention, the amount of data transmitted in a network may be reduced, and network bandwidth resources are saved.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example and includes receiving image data at a camera element that is provisioned at a first endpoint, which is configured to conduct a video session involving a second endpoint. The method also includes identifying an incoming request for the video session; signaling to the camera element to open a lens included within the camera element; detecting that the video session has been terminated; and signaling to the camera element to close the lens.

Abstract: A method for switching video resolution includes: confirming that a video sender and a video receiver have established a video communication connection, and obtaining an initial resolution of the video sender; confirming that bandwidth of the video communication connection and hardware of the video sender meet preset conditions, and switching the initial resolution of the video sender to a target resolution, in which the target resolution is higher than the initial resolution. After establishing video communication connections between terminals, when there are available bandwidth and hardware of the terminal using video communication, the resolution of terminal may be switched to provide a more clear video communication for terminal user, and guarantee smooth switching of resolution.

Abstract: The generation and delivery of key frames to clients of a video conference are performed in response to a need for a synchronization point. Instead of automatically sending a key frame periodically to each of the clients in the video conference, a key frame is sent to one or more clients upon the occurrence of an event in the video conference. For example, a key frame may be sent to a client when the client joins the video conference. A key frame may also be sent to a client that has packet loss, upon the request of a client, a speaker change within the video conference, when a new stream is added by the client, and the like. The clients in the video conference that are not affected by the event continue to receive predicted frames.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method, apparatus and system for interworking between H.320 or H.324 and SIP. The method comprises receiving a SIP message indicative of capabilities supported by a first endpoint device and deferring responding to the SIP message. The method further comprises receiving from a second endpoint device an H.320 or H.324 message indicative of the capabilities supported by the second endpoint device in response thereto responding to the SIP message thereby to establish a media communication channel between the first and second endpoint devices based on their respective capabilities.

Abstract: Telecommunication devices are described herein that are configured to establish a video call and adapt frame rates at which video and audio frames of the video call are transmitted. The telecommunication devices adapt frame rates based at least on uplink and downlink link qualities of each telecommunication device. By adapting the frame rates, the telecommunication devices engage in a real-time exchange of the video and audio frames of the video call. A server is also described herein that is configured to conditionally establish a video call between telecommunication devices, to determine link qualities of the telecommunication devices, and to adapt frame rates based at least on the link qualities.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example and includes receiving a video input from a camera element; using change detection statistics to identify background image data; using the background image data as a temporal reference to determine foreground image data of a particular video frame within the video input; using a selected foreground image for a background registration of a subsequent video frame; and providing at least a portion of the subsequent video frame to a next destination.

Abstract: Provided is a method which reduces the power consumption of a camera for detecting a user's gesture, in a device that detects the user's gesture and performs a command corresponding to the detected gesture. Moreover, provided is a method which turns off a camera or drives the camera in an ultra low power mode when there is no user input, and detects presence of a user to activate the camera.

Abstract: To avoid unnecessary release and re-establishment of a connection the connection is maintained but two or more media streams relating to a communication over the connection are blocked from the apparatus and/or to the apparatus in response to receiving information indicating that the two or more media streams relating to the communication are to be blocked.

Abstract: Disclosed is a communication terminal transmitting and receiving audio data and at least one of image data obtained by imaging a subject and display data of a shared screen between the communication terminal and one or more other communication terminals via a relay device. The communication terminal includes a detector configured to detect a predetermined event in which transmission of the image data is not required while imaging the subject is continuously executed, and a stopper configured to stop imaging the subject and stop transmitting the image data in response to the detection of the predetermined event.

Abstract: Providing high availability in videoconferences system. A first plurality of videoconferencing devices of a first type may be monitored. Additionally, a second plurality of videoconferencing devices of a second type may be monitored. During this monitoring, at least one device of the first plurality of videoconferencing devices performs activities corresponding to a respective videoconference and at least one device of the second plurality of videoconferencing devices performs activities corresponding to the respective videoconference. In response to failure of a one of the devices associated with the respective videoconference, failover to a second device of the same type may be performed. After performing failover, the second device performs the activities corresponding to the respective videoconference that the original device was performing.

Abstract: Described are the architecture of such a system, algorithms for time synchronization during a multiway conferencing session, methods to fight with network imperfections such as jitter to improve synchronization, methods of introducing buffering delays to create handicaps for players with faster connections, methods which help players with synchronization (such as a synchronized metronome during a music conferencing session), methods for synchronized recording and live delivery of synchronized data to the audience watching the distributed interaction live over the Internet.

Abstract: A videoconferencing system which encodes different streams of information. The information may include video, audio, speech recognized versions of the audio, and language translated versions of the audio. Text may be sent as part of the videoconference.

Abstract: The invention discloses a system for re-access of a wireless video conference terminal, including: a protection module configured to record relevant information of a conference in the event of terminal disconnection, log in to the video conference network according to the relevant information of the conference upon recovery of the network signal, and send a terminal reentering module the information for reentering the conference, wherein the relevant information of the conference contains a username and a password; and the terminal reentering module configured to determine that the terminal passes authentication according to the username as well as the information for reentering the conference and admit the terminal into the conference. The invention further discloses a method for re-access of a wireless video conference terminal. Adoption of the system and the method improves the user experience and facilitates the promotion of the wireless video conference.

Abstract: A communication method and apparatus for a user terminal provided in the present invention can detect the user terminal, obtain first capability information on a video communication of a wireless network, and second capability information on the video communication of said user terminal, process the first capability information and the second capability information to generate video communication capability indication information, and select one of operations to perform according to said video communication capability indication information, said operations including enabling a video session or enabling the video session after closing at least a part of applications being used by said user terminal or enabling an audio session. Such a processing scheme of the communication for a user terminal is of high efficiency, with a clear process and can be easily optimized, with an improved success rate for establishing a video session at a time.

Abstract: A method for requesting intra-refreshing in a video telephone communication system is provided. The method includes checking, by a reception apparatus, a sequence number and a Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) for received video packet data to detect presence of a packet loss: decoding the received video packet data to check frame type information: generating a control signal for requesting intra-refreshing in accordance with the checked frame type information and the sequence number: and transmitting the generated control signal for requesting intra-refreshing to a transmission apparatus.

Abstract: A method that includes determining input-resolution parameters for an input resolution, receiving first and second output resolutions from an electronic device, wherein the first output resolution includes first output-resolution parameters and the second output resolution includes second output-resolution parameters, calculating a first value by using the input-resolution parameters and the first output-resolution parameters, calculating a second value by using the input-resolution parameters and the second output-resolution parameters, selecting one of the first and second output resolutions based on a comparison between the first and second values, providing the selected output resolution to the electronic device, and receiving a video stream from the electronic device, wherein the video stream has a resolution corresponding to the selected output resolution.

Abstract: An example method includes receiving, by a host system including at least one processor, a first video stream from a first client device and a second video stream from a second client device, where the host system, the first client device, and the second client device are communicatively coupled to a real-time communication session. The method further includes detecting, by the host system and in the second video stream, a disconnection condition including at least one of a visual disconnection condition and an auditory disconnection condition. The method further includes responsive to detecting the disconnection condition, disconnecting, by the host system, the second client device from the real-time communication session.

Abstract: A self-adaptive adjustment method of video call service and a video mobile terminal are disclosed in the present invention, wherein the method includes: the video mobile terminal receiving parameter information representing the channel capacity of a cell to which the video mobile terminal belongs; and the video mobile terminal adjusting quality of a video call that is being performed or will be initiated by the video mobile terminal according to the parameter information received by the video mobile terminal. By the present invention, the video mobile terminal is enabled to accomplish utilization of the video call service to a maximum extent in a limited channel capacity of the cell, and the user experience is improved.

Abstract: A visual-collaborative system including a display screen configured to display images and a camera configured to capture images. The system also includes a video cross-talk reducer configured to estimate video cross-talk that is to be displayed on the display screen and captured by the camera, and reducing the estimated video cross-talk from captured images by the camera. The estimation of the video cross-talk and reduction of the video cross-talk is signal based.

Abstract: A system and method for adjusting resolution for a video conference through a streaming device. An invitation to accept a video conference is accepted through a streaming device. A determination is made whether available bandwidth supports a line resolution. The line resolution is adjusted in response to determining the available bandwidth does not support the line resolution. The video conference is implemented utilizing the adjusted line resolution.

Abstract: Techniques for diminishing an appearance of a participant's double chin during video conferencing. A participant's image is captured with an input device and processed so as to diminish the appearance of a double chin between the participant's chin and neck. The processed image with a diminished double chin appearance is outputted to both the participant's video conferencing graphical user interface and to the graphical user interface of a remote participant that the participant is communicating with in the video conferencing session. The diminished double chin appearance may be dynamically modified in real time during the video conference.

Abstract: A bandwidth management system for multiple-service mobile networks for use with a plurality of instances of mobile communications devices. A plurality of communications silo each provide at least one communications service using a mobile network wherein at least one communications service from at least one communications silo involving the transport of real-time two-way video. Call/session state information from the communications silos and packet-level network transport measurement information responsive to packet-level network transport processes in the mobile network are used by a control system to create control messages transmitted to the communications silos for controlling call/session admission application QoS parameters responsive to traffic and network operation.

Abstract: A video conferencing system (100) includes a switch (125), a server (140), a telephony device (152), and a node (102) in a packet-switched network (135). The switch (125) establishes a circuit-switched connection between a calling party number and a called party number. The server (140) associates first and second network addresses in a packet-switched network (135) with each of the called party and calling party numbers. The telephony device (152) transmits audio data via the circuit-switched connection. The node (102) in the packet-switched network (135) transmits packetized video between the first and second network addresses responsive to establishment of the circuit-switched connection.

Abstract: In one example, a device executes one or more video communication processes that receive audio streams and video streams from a plurality of computing devices participating in a video communication session associated with the one or more video communication processes. The device evaluates one or more properties of the audio streams, including the volume of an audio signal among the audio streams. The device selects a first group of the audio streams to mute in the video communication session, based at least in part on the one or more properties of the audio streams. The device distributes a second group of the audio streams in the video communication session, while muting the first group of audio streams in the video communication session.

Abstract: Communication systems and methods for providing premium multiparty communication sessions between a plurality of callers. The plurality of callers may comprise an initiating caller who initiates the premium multiparty communication session but who does not have a status in the communication system which is recognized by an operator of the communication system for allowing the premium multiparty communication session to proceed; and a premium multiparty caller who has a status in the communication system which is recognized by the operator of the communication system such that the operator allows the premium multiparty communication session to proceed, wherein the premium multiparty caller is a different caller to the initiating caller. The premium multiparty caller funding the premium multiparty communication session may be transferred and assigned during communication sessions.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for sending and receiving key frames and key frame request messages. At a video conference bridge, a key frame request message is received from a first endpoint device. The key frame request message comprises a request for a key frame from a second endpoint device. When a prior key frame request message is received before the key frame request message, a key frame request time value is determined that corresponds to an amount of time between receiving the key frame request message and receiving the prior key frame request message. This value is compared to a threshold time value. When the key frame request time is greater than the threshold time, a key frame request forwarding message is generated, and the key frame request forwarding message is sent to the second endpoint device to request the key frame from the second endpoint device.

Abstract: A media gateway (MG) that services a plurality of client devices, may be handled at least a portion of video conferencing (VC) processing during a VC call between at least one of said plurality of client devices and at least one other VC client. The portion of the VC processing handled by the media gateway may be offloaded from a centralized VC multipoint control unit (MCU). The MG may handle one or more VC MCU functions, which may comprise video conferencing call control and/or management and/or audio/video (AV) transcoding. The MG may perform localized quality of service (QoS) management, to select, and adaptively control and/or configure resources and/or local links used in the MG and/or in VC clients or neighboring MGs connected to the MG, during VC operations, such as in generating, handling, and/or communicating data or content exchanged during VC calls.

Abstract: When a refrained state is detected at a first transmission terminal, a transmission management system sends operation state information of the first transmission terminal, which is determined based on the refrained state of the first transmission terminal, to a second transmission terminal that may initiate communication with the first transmission terminal before the second transmission terminal starts communication with the first transmission terminal.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a mobile streaming adaptor includes a processor configured to receive media content from a remote camera, process the received media content by capturing, encoding and encapsulating the media content at a mobile electronic device, connect to a remote streaming server through function of a mobile networked device; and stream the encapsulated media content to the mobile networked device for communication of the encapsulated content to the remote streaming server through an Internet Protocol (IP) network for real-time distribution to a communication device. A corresponding computer program product and method are also provided.

Abstract: Method applied to endpoint of video conference system and associated endpoint; in a receiving endpoint which receives video conference packets, while obtaining pictures from contents of video and data within the video conference packets, capturing the pictures as images on a user capture command or a result of automatic scene change detection.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes receiving data indicative of a personal position of an end user. A media stream is selected from a plurality of media streams to be transmitted to the end user based on the personal position. The selected media stream includes image data of an object captured by a camera and the image data is used to construct a three-dimensional rendering of the object. In more specific embodiments, the media stream selection is executed by a server configured to be coupled to a network. The camera can be part of a plurality of cameras that capture image data associated with the object and that transmit respective media streams over a network. Once a camera begins transmitting image data over the network and to the end user, other cameras from the plurality of cameras stop transmitting their respective media streams over the network.

Abstract: A Headend system including a video codec to encode a video sequence yielding an encoded video sequence having video packets, a multiplexer, a signal generator to receive a notification of a splice point, analyze at least some of the encoded video packets based on the notification in order to find a random-access-point-packet, the random-access-point being a point from which to start decoding the encoded video sequence by the rendering device so that the video sequence may be rendered for output from the splice point, create a timing signal estimating a location of the random-access-point-packet in the encoded video sequence, and output the timing signal to the multiplexer or transmission equipment. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: The present invention allows Internet Protocol television (IPTV) services to be provided to different types of subscriber devices over different types of networks via a multimedia subsystem, such as an IP multimedia subsystem. A given subscriber may have one subscription supporting IPTV services to different types of subscriber devices. Each of the subscriber devices may register with a given IPTV application server, which will interact with the various subscriber devices using a common session control protocol, such as the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP). The IPTV sessions may support delivery of various types of streaming content, such as audio or video content, for broadcast or on-demand services. Different IPTV sessions are used to support broadcast and on-demand services. However, within a given broadcast or on-demand IPTV session, channels may be changed or the streaming media may be controlled within the respective IPTV sessions.

Abstract: A transmission terminal is connected to a display apparatus for outputting image data for displaying on the display apparatus, including: a resolution obtaining unit; a resolution determining unit; a resolution selecting unit; an image processing unit which performs a process of adding a segment area to the image data output by the display apparatus after a first resolution is selected by the resolution selecting unit; and a resolution changing unit which changes the resolution of the display apparatus to the resolution selected by the resolution selecting unit. Image data and auxiliary information may be appropriately displayed depending on capabilities of a display connected to a transmission terminal to increase viewability of information necessary for conferencing to ensure displaying of the information.

Abstract: A transmission apparatus includes: setting means for setting a transmission target period during which transmission data is transmitted to a destination apparatus; control means for resizing the transmission data in such a way that the size thereof becomes smaller than or equal to a total transfer data size of the transmission data, the total transfer data size determined based on the transmission target period; and transmission means for transmitting the transmission data having been resized by the control means to the destination apparatus.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a primary endpoint may receive a request from an endpoint to begin a videoconference and/or may be managing a videoconference with an endpoint. The primary endpoint may determine whether to switch or direct conference communications from one or more endpoints in the videoconference or attempting to connect to the videoconference to a secondary endpoint and may communicate the instructions to the endpoint and/or secondary endpoint. In some embodiments, the primary endpoint may seamlessly pass one or more of the endpoints to the secondary endpoint such that participants in the videoconference may not be aware that a switch has been performed. In some embodiments, the primary endpoint may contact the secondary endpoint and may then pass endpoints to the secondary endpoint. The primary endpoint may also pass configuration information for the endpoints to the secondary endpoint.

Abstract: Techniques are described herein that synchronize media streams using time signal(s) from an independent time source. An independent time source is a time source that is independent from (i.e., that is not connected to) an asynchronous data network via which the media streams are transferred. In accordance with the techniques described herein, media server(s) transfer the media streams to client(s) via an asynchronous data network. The independent time source provides the time signal(s) to the media server(s) and/or the client(s). If the time signal(s) are provided to the media server(s), the media server(s) may provide timing information that is based on the timing signal(s) to the client(s). The client(s) use the timing information from the media server(s) and/or the timing signal(s) from the timing source to synchronize the media streams.

Abstract: In a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) video communication method and apparatus, first and second VoIP-based terminals store video event indexes and images mapped thereto with respect to state information of a user and terminal, and establish a session using session establishment information defining the video event. The first terminal then transmits a data packet including the video event index, and the second terminal receives the data packet and outputs an image mapped to the video event index of the images stored in advance. Thus, by transmitting and receiving a predefined index alone without transmitting user and terminal states as a real time data-type image, the VoIP video communication method and apparatus prevent unnecessary waste of bandwidth in video communication.

Abstract: A transmission apparatus includes: selection means for selecting transmission data to be transmitted to a destination apparatus; setting means for setting a transmission target period during which the selected transmission data is transmitted; control means for resizing the transmission data in such a way that the size thereof becomes smaller than or equal to a total transfer data size of the transmission data, the total transfer data size determined based on the transmission target period; display control means for controlling display of transmission information on the transmission data resized by the control means on a screen; and transmission means for transmitting the transmission data resized by the control means to the destination apparatus.

Abstract: System and method to provide an immersive virtual world conference environment, the method including: establishing a live virtual world conference, by use of a virtual world server; recording, in a memory coupled to the virtual world server, events related to live participants in the live virtual world conference, wherein the live participants are communicatively coupled to the virtual world server; receiving a request from a first virtual user to experience the virtual world conference at a predetermined virtual time that is different than a present real time; retrieving from the memory events related to live participants that occurred no later than the predetermined virtual time; restoring a conference state based upon the retrieved events; and providing an interaction responsive to the conference state and the first virtual user, in order to produce the immersive virtual world conference state.

Abstract: A transmitting device includes a partial-image-generator that identifies a certain region from image data, the partial-image-generator generating a certain partial image including the certain region identified from the image data, associating region information indicating the certain region with the certain partial image, and causing the region information and the certain partial image to be stored in a data-storage-unit, an image-processing-unit that executes, on the certain partial image associated with the region information and stored in the data-storage-unit, predetermined image processing associated with the region information, a difference-determining-unit that determines whether or not there is a difference between the certain partial image after the image processing and another partial image generated before a generation of the certain partial image and subjected to the image processing, and a transmitter that transmits the certain partial image subjected to the image processing by the image-processi

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method are described for improving the QoE of real-time video sessions between mobile users. For example, a method according to one embodiment of the invention comprises: configuring one or more servers on the perimeter of a service provider network; receiving a request from a first mobile device to establish a real-time communication session with a second mobile device; providing the first and second mobile devices with networking information for connecting to the servers; and establishing the real-time communication session through the server.