Abstract: A conference link between devices in teleconference system at one site is disclosed. The linked devices include video conference units, speakerphones or stand-alone loudspeakers. Audio data can be transmitted through the conference link between devices. Audio data processing can be performed in either a video conference unit or a speakerphone. The microphones and loudspeakers in the video conference unit may be eliminated. The microphones and loudspeakers in the speakerphone are used. Other data, for example directories of dialing information, may also be transmitted through the conference link and the data processing may be allocated among processors in devices connected by conference links. The conference link may be wired or wireless, analog or digital. The devices may be linked by conference link in parallel or series. A dialing program can adapt the dialing stream with the locations of the near end site and the dialed far end site.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for controlling presentations and videoconference using hand motions. A camera captures video of an area relative to content displayed on a display device from a content source. A control unit is communicatively coupled to the content source, the display device, and the camera. The control unit receives captured video from the camera. The control unit detects a hand motion by a presenter that occurs within the captured video and determines the location within the captured video of at least one control for controlling the presentation or videoconference. The control unit determines if the detected hand motion occurs within the determined location of the at least one control, and the control unit controls the content source based on the determined control.

Abstract: A camera tracking system includes a controllable camera, an array of microphones, and a controller. The microphones are positioned adjacent the controllable camera and are at least responsive to ultrasound emitted from a source. The microphones may additionally be capable of responding to sound in the audible spectrum. The controller receives ultrasound signals communicated from the microphones in response to ultrasound emitted from the source and processes the ultrasound signals to determine an at least approximate location of the source. Then, the controller sends one or more command signals to the controllable camera to direct at least approximately at the determined location of the source. The camera tracking system tracks the source as it moves and continues to emit ultrasound. The source can be an emitter pack having one or more ultrasonic transducers that produce tones that sweep form about 24-kHz to about 40-kHz.

Abstract: A conference link between devices in teleconference system at one site is disclosed. The linked devices include video conference units, speakerphones or stand-alone loudspeakers. Audio data can be transmitted through the conference link between devices. Audio data processing can be performed in either a video conference unit or a speakerphone. The microphones and loudspeakers in the video conference unit may be eliminated. The microphones and loudspeakers in the speakerphone are used. Other data, for example directories of dialing information, may also be transmitted through the conference link and the data processing may be allocated among processors in devices connected by conference links. The conference link may be wired or wireless, analog or digital. The devices may be linked by conference link in parallel or series. A dialing program can adapt the dialing stream with the locations of the near end site and the dialed far end site.

Abstract: A videoconferencing system includes a first videoconferencing unit coupled to a network and associated with a first instant messaging identity. The first videoconferencing unit obtains a second instant messaging identity and automatically sends a request instant message requesting videoconferencing connection information to the second instant messaging identity. A second videoconferencing unit is coupled to the network and is associated with the second instant messaging identity. The second videoconferencing unit receives the request instant message and automatically returns a response instant message including videoconferencing connection information to the first instant messaging identity. The first videoconferencing unit receives the response instant message and automatically obtains the videoconferencing connection information from the response instant message.

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: A videoconferencing system includes a first videoconferencing unit and one or more second videoconferencing units, each of which is coupled to one or more networks. The first videoconferencing unit includes a computer network tool for pinging the one or more second videoconferencing units to determine whether the one or more second videoconferencing units are reachable on the network. The one or more second videoconferencing units include a computer network tool for automatically responding to the ping by sending a response to the first videoconferencing unit.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system and method for storing and transmitting a videoconference system name (identifier) in the languages of double byte character sets. Although described in terms of a videoconferencing system, the techniques described herein have applicability to various other systems that rely upon inter-language compatibility, including telephonic communication such as cell phones or IP phones, as well as various computer network applications in which computers having different default languages are in communication. In a preferred embodiment, the system identifier is stored in a text or ASCII format rather than native (binary) format. Additionally, a system employing a preferred embodiment of the teachings described herein allows a particular system to have multiple site names in multiple different languages. This allows such a system to interface and exchange identifier data with other systems having different language settings during a caller ID exchange.

Abstract: A central directory system for a network of dial-up communication devices is described. In a preferred embodiment, the communication devices are videoconferencing devices. The system includes a directory management module coupled to the network and configured for importing and exporting directory information to and from a communication device. The directory information received by the management module can be grouped into address books by an access control module coupled to a database in which the address books can be stored. The access control module is further functional to manage access to the address books. Embodiments of the directory system provide systems and methods for providing intelligent dialing service to the dial-up communication device. A dialing algorithm determines a dialing sequence to connect communication devices through a network based on geographic dialing rules and information related to the requesting device.

Abstract: The Graphical User Interface (GUI) of a videoconference terminal is provided with user-selectable icons which are associated by the user with various video signals. Textual labels for the various video signals may also be provided. This information may be exchanged with the “far end” participant in the video conference. During the videoconference participants may then simply select an icon to dynamically switch video feeds without having to remember by number the particular camera or other video signal associated with a desired video feed.

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 central directory system for a network of dial-up communication devices is described. In a preferred embodiment, the communication devices are videoconferencing devices. The system includes a directory management module coupled to the network and configured for importing and exporting directory information to and from a communication device. The directory information received by the management module can be grouped into address books by an access control module coupled to a database in which the address books can be stored. The access control module is further functional to manage access to the address books. Embodiments of the directory system provide systems and methods for providing intelligent dialing service to the dial-up communication device. A dialing algorithm determines a dialing sequence to connect communication devices through a network based on geographic dialing rules and information related to the requesting device.

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 central directory system for a network of dial-up communication devices is described. In a preferred embodiment, the communication devices are videoconferencing devices. The system includes a directory management module coupled to the network and configured for importing and exporting directory information to and from a communication device. The directory information received by the management module can be grouped into address books by an access control module coupled to a database in which the address books can be stored. The access control module is further functional to manage access to the address books. Embodiments of the directory system provide systems and methods for providing intelligent dialing service to the dial-up communication device. A dialing algorithm determines a dialing sequence to connect communication devices through a network based on geographic dialing rules and information related to the requesting device.

Abstract: A conference link between devices in teleconference system at one site is disclosed. The linked devices include video conference units, speakerphones or stand-alone loudspeakers. Audio data can be transmitted through the conference link between devices. Audio data processing can be performed in either a video conference unit or a speakerphone. The microphones and loudspeakers in the video conference unit may be eliminated. The microphones and loudspeakers in the speakerphone are used. Other data, for example directories of dialing information, may also be transmitted through the conference link and the data processing may be allocated among processors in devices connected by conference links. The conference link may be wired or wireless, analog or digital. The devices may be linked by conference link in parallel or series. A dialing program can adapt the dialing stream with the locations of the near end site and the dialed far end site.

Abstract: An “Alert” tab or button is displayed on the Graphical User Interface (GUI) of a videoconference terminal when a problem is detected in the embedded system. Selecting the tab or button—e.g., with a pointing device—causes the display to switch to a diagnostic page which provides a specific indication of the problem which has occurred. In some embodiments, the diagnostic page may provide a graphical indication of the status of various sub-systems.

Abstract: The Graphical User Interface (GUI) of a videoconference terminal is provided with user-selectable icons which are associated by the user with various video signals. Textual labels for the various video signals may also be provided. This information may be exchanged with the “far end” participant in the video conference. During the videoconference participants may then simply select an icon to dynamically switch video feeds without having to remember by number the particular camera or other video signal associated with a desired video feed.

Abstract: A system and method for closed caption in a videoconference environment. In a method according to one embodiment of the present invention, a connection is established with a videoconference device. Subsequently, a closed caption page associated with the videoconference device is selected. Text is then entered on the closed caption page. The text is displayed to at least one device associated with a videoconference in which the videoconference device is participating.

Abstract: An audio confirmation system and method are provided. A signal including data input by a user is received. The data is extracted from the signal and an audio file corresponding to the data is identified. An audio signal associated with the audio file is output to the user.

Abstract: An automatic switching system and method for determining and effecting an optimal video display mode based on the interaction among participants in a conference or discussion is disclosed. The system includes a timer which continuously monitors the duration of signals received from each of a number of endpoints. The system further includes a signal switching processor which compares the signal durations to predefined parameters which define various display mode switching thresholds. The system reacts to the conversational interaction of endpoint participants by automatically switching the display mode of all endpoints between single-window, single speaker presentation mode, and multiple-window, multiple speaker discussion mode.