Abstract: A conferencing peripheral for use with a mobile device or laptop or desktop computer can include one or more of projectors, cameras, microphones, and speakers. Such a device can work with the mobile device to provide a higher quality conferencing experience than has been provided to date by projecting a substantially full size, high resolution, image of conference participants onto a screen or wall and by providing microphones, speakers, and sufficient audio processing to provide high fidelity audio as part of the conferencing experience. The peripheral may be configured to use the voice and/or data network of the mobile device or may include its own internal network interface.

Abstract: A videoconferencing system has a plurality of displays arranged side-by-side. Top loudspeakers are arranged adjacent the tops of the displays, and bottom loudspeakers are arranged adjacent the bottoms of the displays. A control unit operatively coupled to the displays and the loudspeakers routes video to each of the displays and routes audio corresponding to each display to any of the top and bottom loudspeakers arranged adjacent the display. Thus, the top and bottom loudspeakers form a vertical pair of loudspeakers that output the corresponding audio for its respective display. In this way, the audio for the video of a given display is perceived by participants to originate from the center of the given display. If one of the loudspeakers is not provided, gain setting and mixing between adjacent sets of loudspeakers can produce a virtual loudspeaker for the one that is missing.

Abstract: A conferencing system and method involves conducting a conference between endpoints. The conference can be a videoconference in which audio data and video data are exchanged or can be an audio-only conference. Audio of the conference is obtained from one of the endpoints, and speech is detected in the obtained audio. The detected speech is analyzed to determine that the detected speech constitutes a speech fragment, and an indicia indicative of the determined speech fragment is generated. For a videoconference, the indicia can be a visual cue to be added to video for the given endpoint when displayed at other endpoints. For an audio-only conference, the indicia can be an audio cue to be added to the audio of the conference at the other end points.

Abstract: A home videoconferencing system interfaces with traditional set-top boxes and typical home A/V equipment. The system includes a camera, a microphone, and a codec module. The module can couple to a modem connected to a television network and can couple to a display and a set-top box. Alternatively, the module can connect to a network for exchanging videoconference data and can connect between the set-top box and the display. The set-top box can connect to the television network on its own.

Abstract: Use of a scalable audio codec to implement distributed mixing and/or sender bit rate regulation in a multipoint conference is disclosed. The scalable audio codec allows the audio signal from each endpoint to be split into one or more frequency bands and for the transform coefficients within such bands to be prioritized such that usable audio may be decoded from a subset of the entire signal. The subset may be created by omitting certain frequency bands and/or by omitting certain coefficients within the frequency bands. By providing various rules for each endpoint in a conference, the endpoint can determine the importance of its signal to the conference and can select an appropriate bit rate, thereby conserving bandwidth and/or processing power throughout the conference.

Abstract: A system and method for manipulating images in a videoconferencing session provides users with a 3-D-like view of one or more presented sites, without the need for 3-D equipment. A plurality of cameras may record a room at a transmitting endpoint, and the receiving endpoint may select one of the received video streams based upon a point of view of a conferee at the receiving endpoint. The conferee at the receiving endpoint will thus experience a 3-D-like view of the presented site.

Abstract: A technique allows delivering content in a videoconference among a plurality of conferees in multiple quality levels. Content distributed from a multipoint control unit that is connected to an endpoint that delivers the content to receiving endpoints may have two or more quality levels. The quality level can be adapted to the capabilities of the receiving endpoints and the current quality of the connection that is used to deliver the content toward the receiving endpoints. The quality level associated with an endpoint may change during a session dynamically, adapting the delivery mode to changes in the condition of the connection between the receiving endpoints and the multipoint control unit.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to automatically rescheduling and optionally transferring audio/video conferences when a conference runs longer than its previously allocated time. The disclosed relocation process incorporates one or more of a plurality of input sources such as electronic calendars, face/voice recognition systems, proximity systems, enterprise maps, and/or resource databases to assist in schedule adjustments. For example, if it is determined a meeting is running long then an organizer of a second impacted meeting can be notified of the over-run and prompted for information. If the second meeting organizer is amenable to delay or reschedule, options are presented to the second meeting organizer Once a plan change is determined, changes in schedule or location are automatically propagated to resources and attendees scheduled for the second meeting.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and a method for providing a control unit for a multipoint multimedia/audio conference that enables one or more participants to take part in more than one conference simultaneously. The control unit can operate in audio and/or video sections of an MCU and/or Management and Control System (MCS). The MCS, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, controls the participation of at least one participant in more than one conference simultaneously by using a Cross-Conference Database (CCDB). The MCU performs connection changes affecting which participants are associated with one or more conferences based on the information that is stored in the CCDB.

Abstract: Conferencing methods and systems are disclosed wherein tags are associated with conferencing endpoints. The tags provide information enabling a decision-making entity to determine the preferability of one or more processing aspects of the endpoints. In a multipoint conference a tag can allow a decision making entity such as an MCU to determine the most appropriate mode for rendering video or other signals sent from a tagged endpoint. The tag itself can indicate the most appropriate mode or can contain information from which the decision-making entity can determine the most appropriate mode using an algorithm. A tag can be associated with an endpoint manually, for example based on a user's or controller's inputs concerning the endpoint. Alternatively, the tag can be assigned automatically based on automatically sensing one or more conditions at an endpoint or analyzing one or more parameters of a data stream transmitted from the endpoint.

Abstract: A videoconferencing system for enhanced telepresence employs a single wide aspect ratio high resolution camera for capturing video images of near end conference participants. Captured video image can be divided into adjacent portions, where video images corresponding to each portion is separately encoded and sent to a far end videoconferencing system to be displayed on adjacently placed display devices. Misalignment in displayed images at the far end can be mitigated by selecting portions that are non-overlapping and horizontally aligned. Number and size of the portions can be determined based on configuration information of the far end videoconferencing system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for detecting macroblocks of a video frame that are located in one or more motion wake regions of the video frame. In one embodiment, a motion wake engine is configured to select a subset of macroblocks comprising non-peripherally located macroblocks selected to be inter-coded with motion vector magnitudes less than a predetermined motion vector threshold. Then, the motion wake engine identifies which macroblocks of the subset of macroblocks are located in first, second, third, or fourth motion wake regions of the video frame based upon a motion vector analysis of nearest neighbor macroblocks. In another embodiment of the invention, the motion wake engine applies error concealment/video improvement techniques to the identified macroblocks for video error concealment and for reducing visual artifacts associated with the motion wake regions.

Abstract: An integrated videoconferencing system has a credenza that houses three displays at predefined angles with respect to one another. A table positions in from the credenza for seating participants across from the credenza's displays. The table has three seating sections that are angled at another predefined angle with respect to one another. Three cameras are positioned in the top of the credenza, and each has a view angle directed perpendicularly at one of the seating sections. The table can also have a portion that interconnects with the credenza. In use, the integrated system allows the participants to conduct a telepresence videoconference in which the near-end participants can interact with the far-end participants as if they were all seated at the same conference table in the room together.

Abstract: An image processing system processes images such that a proportion of area of regions of interest within the image can be increased at the expense of regions of lesser interest. First, regions of interest, such as portions of the image including participants, are determined. Then compressible background regions are determined and compressed. This results in the proportion of the area of the regions of interest to increase. After the image is stored or transmitted, the regions of interest can be seen more clearly both because they are larger and because any loss of detail caused by down-sampling or lossy image compression needed to limit the amount of image information is reduced due to the smaller image size. The process also preserves more of the relative spatial relationship between various regions of interest than prior methods.

Abstract: Methods and devices for controlling room function devices from a single conference unit. A conference unit can be a video conference unit or a speakerphone. Controlled devices may include external loudspeakers, microphones, room function controllers, powered doors, powered windows, powered window shades or blinders, video screens etc. The connections between devices may be wired, wireless, or a combination of both.

Abstract: An MRC system includes an MRM and an MRE that handle needs for Intra frames in an efficient way, improves the conferees experience, and reduces the load on the resources associated with that MRC videoconference by reducing the number of Intra frames and lowering the impact of Intra frames when they are needed. In some embodiments, when a requiring MRE requests an Intra frame for a video stream received from a presenting MRE, an MRM may respond by requesting the presenting MRE to send a temporary video stream toward the requiring MRE while sending in parallel a normal stream toward the rest of the MREs.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to automatically rescheduling and optionally transferring audio/video conferences when a conference runs longer than its previously allocated time. The disclosed relocation process incorporates one or more of a plurality of input sources such as electronic calendars, face/voice recognition systems, proximity systems, enterprise maps, and/or resource databases to assist in schedule adjustments. For example, if it is determined a meeting is running long then an organizer of a second impacted meeting can be notified of the over-run and prompted for information. If the second meeting organizer is amenable to delay or reschedule, options are presented to the second meeting organizer Once a plan change is determined, changes in schedule or location are automatically propagated to resources and attendees scheduled for the second meeting.

Abstract: Noise suppression systems and methods suppress far field noise in a microphone signal. A telephony system includes a main microphone and a reference microphone. In one example, the main microphone and the reference microphone can be located in the same device. In another example, the main microphone and the reference microphone can be located in two separate devices. A DSP can use the reference microphone signal to carry out suppression of far field noise in the main microphone signal. In one approach the DSP can determine an estimate of far field noise in the main microphone signal based on a noise estimate of the reference microphone signal and a reference and main microphone coupling estimate, and then subtract the far field noise estimate from the main microphone signal. Alternatively, the DSP can suppress the main microphone signal if it determines that a local talker is inactive.

Abstract: A system and method for manipulating images in a videoconferencing session provides users with a 3-D-like view of one or more presented sites, without the need for 3-D equipment. A plurality of cameras may record a room at a transmitting endpoint, and the receiving endpoint may select one of the received video streams based upon a point of view of a conferee at the receiving endpoint. The conferee at the receiving endpoint will thus experience a 3-D-like view of the presented site.

Abstract: Audio transmitter circuitry is disclosed that is configurable into different modes by the user, and can output either a differential or single-ended audio signal on two signal wires. Depending on the mode, the transmitter deals with noise on the signal wires by adjusting the input resistance that such noise sees looking into the transmitter. If the transmitter is configured in a differential mode, the input resistance looking back into the transmitter from the perspective of the noise on both signal wires is relatively high. If the transmitter is configured in a single ended mode, the input resistance of noise looking back from the active signal wire into the transmitter is relatively low, to in effect ground such noise back into the transmitter, without significantly presenting such noise to the receiver.