Abstract: Stereo to mono voice conferencing conversion is performed during a voice conference. Conferencing equipment receives audio for right and left channels and filters each of the channels into a plurality of bands. For each band of each channel, the equipment determines an energy level and compares each energy level for each band of the right channel to each energy level for each corresponding band of the left channel. Based on the comparison, the equipment determines which channel has more audio resulting from speech. Based on the determination, the equipment adjusts delivery of the audio from the right and left channels to a mono channel for transmission to endpoints only capable of mono audio in the voice conference.

Abstract: A group table top videoconferencing device for communication between local participants and one or more remote participants provides a camera assembly and display screens on the same housing—giving the remote participant the perception that the local participant is making direct eye-to-eye contact with him/her. The housing is placed such that the housing is within the field of view of every local participant viewing any other local participant. Because, the remote participant is always within the field of view of the local participant, the remote participant does not get the feeling of non-intimacy during the videoconference. A wall mounted display operates in conjunction with the videoconferencing device to display media content received from the remote participants. Keypad and a touch screen provide user interface for controlling the operation of the videoconferencing device. Speakers convert audio signals received from the remote participants into sound.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus are disclosed whereby a wireless Personal Area Network such as a Bluetooth piconet may be extended to a remote location beyond the normal range by means of a conferencing connection. The conferencing connection may comprise, for example, one or more ISDN lines or an IP connection between two or more conference endpoints. The broadband connection may include a video channel, an audio channel, a control channel, and a Bluetooth channel.

Abstract: A multipoint communication system uses Internet protocol trunking to facilitate communication between media control units (for sending and receiving multipoint communication signals between end-point devices), a media gateway (for translating between non-Internet protocol multipoint communication signals and Internet protocol communication signals), and a controller (for establishing and controlling a multipoint communication session between the end-point devices). In addition, a multimedia gateway (for use in a multipoint communication system) is described that incorporates an interactive voice response unit through which users of non-Internet protocol devices (connected to the multimedia gateway) interact to establish a communication session with a multipoint communication system.

Abstract: Dynamically adapting a continuous presence (CP) layout in a videoconference enhances a videoconferencing experience by providing optimum visibility to regions of interest within the CP layout and ignoring regions of no interest. Based on the CP layout, a CP video image can be built, in which a conferee at a receiving endpoint can observe, simultaneously, several other participants' sites in the conference. For example, more screen space within the CP layout is devoted to presenting the participants in the conference and little or no screen space is used to present an empty seat, an empty room, or an unused portion of a room. Aspect ratios of segments of the CP layout (e.g., landscape vs. portrait) can be adjusted to optimally present the regions of interest. The CP layout can be adjusted as regions of interest change depending on the dynamics of the video conference.

Abstract: A multipoint communication system uses Internet protocol trunking to facilitate communication between media control units (for sending and receiving multipoint communication signals between end-point devices), a media gateway (for translating between non-Internet protocol multipoint communication signals and Internet protocol communication signals), and a controller (for establishing and controlling a multipoint communication session between the end-point devices). In addition, a multimedia gateway (for use in a multipoint communication system) is described that incorporates an interactive voice response unit through which users of non-Internet protocol devices (connected to the multimedia gateway) interact to establish a communication session with a multipoint communication system.

Abstract: A method for efficiently determining and displaying pertinent information determined from multiple input and calculated parameters associated with a videoconference call. The method for efficiently determining and displaying this personal information is performed using input from the user at an endpoint and calculated information throughout the videoconference to present personal information, about the currently speaking person, to all participants. Videoconferencing systems are typically used by multiple people at multiple locations. The method of this disclosure allows for more user interaction and knowledge transfer amongst the participants. By sharing information between the different locations participants are more aware of who is speaking at any given time and the importance to be applied to what that particular person is saying.

Abstract: A videoconferencing system includes a first videoconferencing unit coupled to a network and associated with a first e-mail address. The first videoconferencing unit receives a second e-mail address and automatically sends a request e-mail requesting connection information to the second e-mail address. A second videoconferencing unit is coupled to the network and is associated with the second e-mail address. The second videoconferencing unit receives the request e-mail and automatically returns a response e-mail including connection information to the first e-mail address. The first videoconferencing unit receives the response e-mail and automatically obtains the connection information from the response e-mail. Using the connection information, the first videoconferencing unit initiates a videoconference call with the second videoconference unit.

Abstract: An association of videoconferencing services is disclosed that enables two or more videoconferences to be generated with each videoconference running independently from the others and having its own conferees. The association is achieved by having at least one conferee (a traveler) that can “move” or “travel” from one videoconference to another in the association. The one or more travelers belong to the association and not to any particular videoconference. In exemplary embodiments, the traveler can choose between the various associated videoconferences by making a selection to a multipoint control unit (MCU) that controls the associated videoconferences.

Abstract: New videoconferencing services and methods for handling the video and audio of one or more sub-conferences running in parallel to a main videoconference are disclosed. In exemplary embodiment, a multipoint control unit (MCU) that controls one or more videoconferences may be requested by a conferee of a videoconference (a main videoconference) to establish a sub-conference according to a requester mode of operation.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus are disclosed whereby a wireless Personal Area Network such as a Bluetooth piconet may be extended to a remote location beyond the normal range by means of a conferencing connection. The conferencing connection may comprise, for example, one or more ISDN lines or an IP connection between two or more conference endpoints. The broadband connection may include a video channel, an audio channel, a control channel, and a Bluetooth channel.

Abstract: A method for efficiently accessing pertinent information retrieved from a videoconferencing system call log. System call logs typically contain a chronological list of raw information pertaining to inbound and outbound videoconferencing calls. The method for efficiently accessing this chronological information is performed using input from the user at an endpoint to correlate and sort for display the information required at the current time. Videoconferencing systems typically are shared use or community type devices and the method of this disclosure allows for more user friendly access to pertinent information. Auto population of a speed dial list or associating a smart tag with the retrieved information is another possible feature to aid the end user. This method will allow a business to more efficiently use a limited number of videoconferencing systems amongst diverse groups of users with diverse calling needs.

Abstract: An overhead microphone assembly using multiple unidirectional microphone elements. The microphone assembly is installed overhead, generally above all the desired sound sources and below the undesired sound sources. The signals from these multiple microphone elements are fed into a microphone steering processor which can mix and gate the signals to ensure the best signal/noise ratio. The steering processor may also track the sound source dynamically when such tracking (source locating) is desired. The resulting audio signal from the steering processor may be further processed, such as echo canceling, noise reduction and automatic gain control.

Abstract: A microphone bar for obtaining audio input for a video conferencing system includes a master module and one or more slave modules. The master module houses a first pair of unidirectional microphones for obtaining audio from opposite sides of the bar, and each of the slave modules houses a second pair of unidirectional microphones for obtaining audio from opposite sides of the bar. Extensions connect the modules together, and at least one bus conducts audio signals through the extension from the microphones to the video conferencing system. The microphones are operable according to a broadside mode of stereo operation when a central axis of the bar is substantially orthogonal to a view angle of the conferencing system. Furthermore, the microphones are operable according to an end-fire mode of stereo operation when the central axis of the bar is substantially parallel to the view angle of the conferencing system.

Abstract: A new speakerphone wherein a loudspeaker is oriented to face the listeners of an audio conference. New speakerphones which have a bass loudspeaker and at least one tweeter loudspeaker wherein the tweeter loudspeaker is oriented towards listeners of an audio conference are also disclosed.

Abstract: A new speakerphone wherein a loudspeaker is oriented to face the listeners of an audio conference is disclosed. New speakerphones which have a bass loudspeaker and at least one tweeter loudspeaker wherein the tweeter loudspeaker is oriented towards listeners of an audio conference are also disclosed.

Abstract: The system disclosed herein seeks to solve the problem of unnatural, dizzy camera motion when moving a camera between two preset positions, e.g., head and shoulder shots of two videoconference participants. Particularly, the system described herein attempts to mimic the camera movement that a professional camera operator would use in a professional video production. A preferred method of moving the camera between two positions is to first zoom out, away from the first position, pan across to the next position, then zoom in. This gives viewers of the camera content an idea of the spatial relationship between the two camera positions and also avoids the aesthetically undesirable effect of panning through irrelevant visual background at high zoom ratios. Disclosed herein is a technique of producing this desired behavior in the context of an automatically or semi-automatically controlled video camera, such as those used in conjunction with videoconferencing equipment.

Abstract: A conferencing system for an enterprise is disclosed. The conferencing system determines the location of a portable communication device within a premises and sends a prompt to the portable communication device announcing an option to initiate a communication session using local conferencing devices. In response to a request from the portable communication device, the system determines connection information for a remote endpoint and initiates a communication session between the local conferencing device and the remote endpoint.

Abstract: A conferencing system for an enterprise is disclosed. The conferencing system allows a user conducting a communication session on a personal communication device to transfer the communication session to a local conferencing device. The conferencing system prompts the personal communication device with an option to transfer the communication session to the conferencing device. The system obtains contact information for a multimedia endpoint associated with the remote communication device and initiates a connection between the local conferencing device and the remote multimedia endpoint. The system can also transfer a communication session from a local conferencing device to a portable communication device.

Abstract: A conferencing system for an enterprise is disclosed. The conferencing system allows a conferencing session conducted on a conferencing device within a premises to be controlled from a portable communication device. The system provides a generic user interface to the portable communication device for controlling the conferencing session. Commands for controlling the conferencing session are entered on the portable communication device and signaled to the conferencing device.