Abstract: A media relay conferencing system includes a media relay multipoint control unit and a media relay endpoint that handle needs for Intra frames in an efficient way, improves the conferees experience, and reduces the load on the resources associated with that media relay 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 media relay endpoint requests an Intra frame for a video stream received from a presenting media relay endpoint, a media relay multipoint control unit may respond by requesting the presenting media relay endpoint to synchronize a reference frame in an encoder of the presenting media relay endpoint, which encodes the relevant relay compressed video stream, with a reference frame in a decoder of the requiring media relay endpoint.

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 master device (e.g., a laptop) controls a videoconference connection with a far-end and acts as a controller for slave devices in a group. The master establishes the connection with the far-end using a wide area network and connects with the slaves using a Wi-Fi connection of a local area connection. To connect to the slaves, the master outputs an ultrasonic beacon encoding the master's address in the local network. The beacon also allows differences in the various clocks to be handled during audio processing. During the videoconference, the master outputs far-end audio to a loudspeaker and sends the far-end video to its display and to the slaves. Each device captures audio/video with its microphone and camera. The master determines which captured audio is a dominant talker's and may only send that audio to the far-end. The video associated with the dominant talker's device may also be sent to the far-end.

Abstract: A system and method for integrating a personal computer based presentation with a videoconferencing system. A coupling device includes a card, insertable into a PCMCIA slot of a laptop computer or like machine, which includes a cable coupled to the card at a first end and to a connector coupled at a second end. The card includes firmware for loading into RAM of the computer and software operable to execute code.

Abstract: A method of video conferencing among two or more video conference endpoints is provided, wherein the method comprises steps of: processing media data of the video conference into unified coding formats while switching media data of the video conference between the two or among more video conference endpoints; and saving the processed media data into recording files of continuous presence mode and lecture mode, wherein the recording file of continuous presence mode saves media data generated by the two or more video conference endpoints, the recording file of lecture mode saves media data generated by a video conference endpoint who is the lecturer in the video conference. Accordingly, a device of video conferencing is provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are example embodiments of a method and system to reduce re-transmission requirements of a compress media transferring system implemented in a network where packet loss could be possible. An extended header for each transmitted packet can indicate the priority of the packet and endpoints can determine if a re-transmission of a missing packet is desired. Buffering of packets at different hops in a multi-hop system could allow for the retransmission request to be satisfied by a more recent hop than the original system transmitting the video packet. In one embodiment three levels of priority are established to achieve a reliable frame rate of 30 frames per second by compressing the first and second levels at 7.5 frames per second and a third level at 15 frames per second.

Abstract: A system includes a network interface for sending and receiving at least video data between two or more endpoints, where each endpoint includes a display screen. A camera may be located at more than one endpoint capturing video data. The system also includes a control unit for controlling spatial arrangement of one or more video data streams displayed on a display screen of one or more endpoints. The control unit determines a state and configuration of a videoconference and accesses a route description corresponding to the state and configuration of the videoconference. The route description includes a video data stream destination, one or more video data stream sources, and layout information determining the spatial arrangement of one or more video data streams displayed on the video data stream destination.

Abstract: A videoconferencing unit comprises a display screen configured to display a video data stream comprising images of a far end participant. A processor is adapted to decode the video data stream and generate a modified region of the video data stream. The modified region of the video data stream is displayed on the display screen at a location where images of eyes of the far end participant are displayed on the display screen. A camera is configured with a lens to capture images of a near end participant through the modified region of the video data stream, with at least a portion of the lens positioned within the modified region of the video data stream.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus for videoconferencing that allows video images from two or more cameras at the same site to be displayed as a single panoramic image. Accordingly, a conferencing endpoint having a single monitor can display the panoramic image of the two or more video images from an endpoint having multiple cameras, such as a telepresence endpoint. A sliding display area can be used to define manually a zoomed portion of the panoramic image to be displayed. Alternatively, the zoomed portion may be determined automatically. The zoomed portion may be changed during the course of the conference.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for adapting a continuous presence videoconferencing layout according to interactions between conferees. Using regions of interest found in video images, the arrangement of images of conferees may be dynamically arranged as displayed by endpoints. Arrangements may be responsive to various metrics, including the position of conferees in a room and dominant conferees in the videoconference. Video images may be manipulated as part of the arrangement, including cropping and mirroring the video image. As interactions between conferees change, the layout may be automatically rearranged responsive to the changed interactions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for providing continuous presence video stream in a cascading video conference, i.e., a video conference that is conducted over more than one MCU. A cascading continuous presence composition controller (CCCC) selects which endpoints from among all of the endpoints participating in the conference should be displayed in the layout, regardless of which endpoints are associated with which MCU. The CCCC can be resident on one of the MCUs, resident on a cascading conference server, or can be distributed among all of the MCUs involved in a cascading conference.

Abstract: In videoconference camera selection, audio inputs associated with cameras for a videoconference are each processed into first and second audio energies respectively for first and second frequency ranges. The selection then determines which of the audio inputs has a greatest ratio of the first audio energy to the second audio energy and selects the associated camera view for outputting video for the videoconference. The selection can also process video inputs from the cameras either alone or in combination with the audio processing. Either way, the selection processes each of the video inputs for at least one facial characteristic and determines which of the video inputs has a greatest likelihood of framing a human face. In the end, the selection selects the associated camera view for outputting video for the videoconference based at least in part on this video-based determination.

Abstract: Audio from a near-end that has been acoustically coupled at the far-end and returned to the near-end unit is detected and suppressed at the near-end of a conference. First and second energy outputs for separate bands are determined for the near-end audio being sent from the near-end unit and for the far-end audio being received at the near-end unit. The near-end unit compares the first and second energy outputs to one another for each of the bands over a time delay range and detects the return of the sent near-end audio in the received far-end audio based on the comparison. The comparison can use a cross-correlation to find an estimated time delay used for further analysis of the near and far-end energies. The near-end unit suppresses any detected return by muting or reducing what far-end audio is output at its loudspeaker.

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.

Abstract: Various techniques are disclosed for reducing artifacts generated by time compression. by adapting the time compression based on the state of the received audio. The amount of time compression may be bounded based on audio characteristics. Another feature provides a way of determining the most correlated portions of segments of audio. Voiced speech may be distinguished from unvoiced speech. Another feature provides a way of distinguishing between silence, voiced speech, and unvoiced speech. Time compression may be adapted during periods of lengthy silence. Another feature allows for reducing time compression during sensitive portions of the received audio. One or more of these features may be present in different embodiments.

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: 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.

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.

Abstract: A videoconferencing unit for enhancing direct eye-contact between participants can include a curved fully reflective mirror to reflect the image of the near end to a camera. The curved mirror can be placed in front of the display screen near a location where images of faces/eyes of far end participants are to appear. In another example, the videoconferencing unit can include a disintegrated camera configuration that provides an air gap between a front lens element and a rear lens element. The front lens element can be located behind an aperture within the display screen. The air gap can provide an unobstructed path to light from projectors and therefore avoid any undesirable shadows from appearing on the display screen. In another example, the videoconferencing unit can include a combination of the disintegrated camera configuration and mirrors for providing direct eye contact videoconferencing.

Abstract: Upon receiving a continuous presence video image, an endpoint of a videoconference may identify its self image and replace the self image with other video data, including an alternate video image from another endpoint or a background color. Embedded markers may be placed in a continuous presence video image corresponding to the endpoint. The embedded markers identify the location of the self image of the endpoint in the continuous presence video image. The embedded markers may be inserted by the endpoint or a multipoint control unit serving the endpoint.