Abstract: A method including: obtaining a sequence of pictures from a camera associated with a video conferencing endpoint; determining a presence of a target point coinciding with an optical source within a field of view of the camera, wherein the optical source emits pulses of electromagnetic radiation at a rate that causes the camera to capture some frames with a pulse of electromagnetic radiation from the optical source and some frames without the pulse of electromagnetic radiation from the optical source; determining a location of the target point within one or more of the pictures by comparing a first frame from the camera that includes the pulse of electromagnetic radiation from the optical source and a second frame from the camera that does not include the pulse of electromagnetic radiation from the optical source; moving the camera so that a center of one or more subsequent pictures obtained by the camera coincides with the target point; and zooming the camera until receipt of an instruction to stop zooming is

Abstract: The present invention relates to video conferencing and multimedia messaging, and takes advantage of the capabilities of the communication system to which the audio participants are connected, in order to increase the performance of all the participants in a mixed conference. In a preferred embodiment, the audio participants are provided with a MMS device, and a MMS Engine captures periodically, or at certain events, video conference data attached to MMS messages and addressed to the MMS device. In the opposite direction, the MMS device provides multimedia data to the conventional video conference participants by attaching the multimedia data to MMS messages, which are sent to the IP-addressable MMS Engine. The MMS Engine separates the multimedia data and converts it to a format compatible with the video conference. The converted multimedia data is then provided to video conference participants, and treated like any other multimedia stream included in the video conference.

Abstract: The invention is related to decoding of block wise coded video pictures. The determination of using de-blocking filtering between coded blocks is based on alternative characteristics compared to the characteristics used in H.264/AVC.

Abstract: A method for scanning MacroBlocks in video compression and selecting alternative sized Large Macroblocks accordingly. The scanning pattern is divided into scanning fragments with a size corresponding to different possible Large Macroblocks. This allows for varying the size of the selected Macroblocks, based on minimizing distortion and/or bit rate consumption.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conferencing dynamically determines conference parameters such as image layout, image resolution and bandwidth. The conference parameters are dynamically determined based on the number of participants or video sources or both that currently connect to the conference. Video signals received from connected sites are processed to provide a composite video signal according to defined conference parameters and the composite video signal is transmitted to the connected sites. Upon one or more other sites connecting to the conference or one or more of the connected sites disconnecting from the conference or both, such that the number of sites or sources currently connected in the conference changes, one or more conference parameters is redefined. The received video signals are processed according to the redefined conference parameters to provide a second composite video signal that is transmitted to the connected sites.

Abstract: A device, computer program product, and method control the operation of one or more cameras associated with a video conference endpoint in a video conference call. A camera control unit (remote control) includes a touch enabled end user component that presents to the user graphical objects representing video conference endpoints currently connected in a conference call, and/or one or more live video feeds currently captured by the video conference endpoint's cameras, and allows the user to manipulate a camera's pan, tilt and zoom using a touch screen display embedded in said camera control unit.

Abstract: The invention is related to decoding of block wise coded video pictures. The determination of using de-blocking filtering between coded blocks is based on alternative characteristics compared to the characteristics used in H.264/AVC.

Abstract: A collapsible multimedia terminal comprising three main sections—a base section, a mid section and a top section, including a screen, a camera, a microphone and a speaker system, wherein the three main sections are joined by revolving joints and that rods are arranged to the top section and the base section to guide the motion of the three sections with respect to each other from a fully collapsed position to a fully extended position.

Abstract: A method, device, and computer-readable medium for video coding or decoding wherein a number of blocks of residual picture data respectively stored in a number of first data arrays in a memory of a computer device represent at least a part of a video picture to be coded or decoded. The method includes calculating DC coefficients respectively associated with the blocks and inserting the DC coefficients in a second data array in a block associative order, classifying each of the blocks as skipped in response to an associated DC coefficient being lower than a predefined threshold, and non-skipped in response to the associated DC coefficient being higher than a predefined threshold, generating a bit mask containing 1-bits in positions corresponding to positions in the second data array having DC coefficients higher than the predefined threshold, and 0-bits in positions corresponding to positions in the second data array having DC coefficients lower than the predefined threshold.

Abstract: A method, system, and device for establishing a call using a single identifier, which includes receiving contact information relating to the single identifier from an uploading device, the contact information identifying at least one protocol, storing the contact information received from the uploading device, retrieving the stored contact information and transmitting a message including the contact information, in response to a request from a call server for the contact information relating to the single identifier, receiving a request from a first communication device to establish a call to a second communication device associated with the single identifier, requesting the contact information relating to the single identifier, receiving the contact information relating to the single identifier, and establishing a call between the first communication device and the second communication device associated with the single identifier using the at least one protocol.

Abstract: A method for modifying a composite video signal generated by a video composing server, the composite video signal including a plurality of spatially mixed video conference streams. The method includes displaying, on a touch screen, a graphical representation of the composite video signal, and modifying the graphical representation based on an input received at the touch screen. In turn, the composite video signal is modified to conform with the modified graphical representation.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an inventive microphone assembly for desktop communication systems. It utilises the advantages of placing the microphone in a desktop conferencing system as close as possible to the tabletop surface, without exposing the microphone for unfavourable mechanical or acoustic influence. This is achieved by building it into the footing in front of system, in a mechanically controlled and robust way. In this way, the high frequency response can be controlled to optimise sound quality, and at the same time the microphone assembly can be configured as a flexible unit that easily can be re-used in other systems.

Abstract: The invention is related to entropy coding/decoding of transform coefficient data in video compression systems. For entropy coding coefficients representing a block in a video image, a preferred embodiment of the present invention introduces events combining the position of the last non-zero coefficient in the block with whether the absolute value is greater than 1. Further, no information from outside the macroblock is used to decide what VLC to use. Coefficients are typically coded by starting in a Run-mode and continuing in Level-mode when the first coefficient with absolute value >1 is found.

Abstract: A method, device, and computer-readable medium for establishing simultaneous incoming connections from at least two remote video conferencing endpoints using a video conferencing device in a circuit switched network, the video conference device receiving calls on a first protocol layer from the at least two remote video conferencing endpoints.

Abstract: The invention is related to decoding of block wise coded video pictures. The determination of using de-blocking filtering between coded chroma blocks is based on alternative characteristics compared to the characteristics used in H.264/AVC.