Patents by Inventor Alan J. MacDonald

Alan J. MacDonald has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9210373
    Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes receiving a first presentation material for a videoconference, wherein the first presentation material is to be displayed in a display area associated with the videoconference; determining a first complexity of the first presentation material; and displaying the first presentation material on a first display based on the determined first complexity. In more particular embodiments, the method can include determining a location of a participant that will view the first presentation material; and displaying the presentation material on a second display based on the location of the participant. The location of the participant can be determined using audio data or video data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Alan J. MacDonald
  • Publication number: 20150163452
    Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes receiving a first presentation material for a videoconference, wherein the first presentation material is to be displayed in a display area associated with the videoconference; determining a first complexity of the first presentation material; and displaying the first presentation material on a first display based on the determined first complexity. In more particular embodiments, the method can include determining a location of a participant that will view the first presentation material; and displaying the presentation material on a second display based on the location of the participant. The location of the participant can be determined using audio data or video data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Applicant: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Alan J. MacDonald
  • Patent number: 8963986
    Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes receiving a first presentation material for a videoconference, wherein the first presentation material is to be displayed in a display area associated with the videoconference; determining a first complexity of the first presentation material; and displaying the first presentation material on a first display based on the determined first complexity. In more particular embodiments, the method can include determining a location of a participant that will view the first presentation material; and displaying the presentation material on a second display based on the location of the participant. The location of the participant can be determined using audio data or video data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan J. MacDonald
  • Publication number: 20140028781
    Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes receiving a first presentation material for a videoconference, wherein the first presentation material is to be displayed in a display area associated with the videoconference; determining a first complexity of the first presentation material; and displaying the first presentation material on a first display based on the determined first complexity. In more particular embodiments, the method can include determining a location of a participant that will view the first presentation material; and displaying the presentation material on a second display based on the location of the participant. The location of the participant can be determined using audio data or video data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Inventor: Alan J. MacDonald
  • Patent number: 8629893
    Abstract: A system and method for reducing blurred video caused by intra-coded IDR-frames sent in response to when a destination endpoint in a multipoint videoconference switches to a new video source. An embodiment according to the invention comprises using inter-coded temporal predictive referencing a long term reference frame (LTRF) instead of IDR-frames in a multipoint videoconference system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph T. Friel, Maurice J. Buttimer, Alan J. MacDonald, Michael A. Arnao, Andrew P. Weir, David W. Sowa, J. William Mauchly
  • Patent number: 8553064
    Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes establishing a video session in which a plurality of displays are used for rendering video data, and evaluating a presentation element in order to identify a control element that includes control data. The control element is included in the presentation element. The method further includes communicating at least a portion of the control data such that it can be used to determine which video data is to be rendered on the plurality of displays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan J. MacDonald, Chris A. Dunn, Brian J. Baldino
  • Patent number: 8340180
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for managing long-term reference frames (LTRFs) for two or more video sources. A first video source is selected from a plurality of video sources. The first video source is encoded to produce an encoded video stream, where a reference frame message identifies a recent video frame as long-term reference frame (LTRF) associated with the first video stream. The process is repeated for other video streams. The LTRF associated with the first video stream is used as a reference for temporal predictive coding upon receiving a signal that the first video source has been re-selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan J. MacDonald, J. William Mauchly, David W. Sowa
  • Patent number: 8319819
    Abstract: A system and method for creating a virtual round table videoconference is described. An embodiment of the system comprises a plurality of displays arranged in an arc configuration with a table to create a virtual round table. Cameras are arranged around the plurality of displays such that when a participant looks at a display with an image of a remote participant, the camera associated with the display captures an image of the participant's gaze, making eye contact with the camera. The image is displayed at the remote participant's endpoint creating the effect of eye contact between the participants. In another embodiment, audio speakers are arranged to provide directional sound such that the video source for a display and the audio source for the associated speaker are from the same endpoint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan J. MacDonald, J. William Mauchly, David W. Sowa, Joseph T. Friel
  • Publication number: 20120147125
    Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes establishing a video session in which a plurality of displays are used for rendering video data, and evaluating a presentation element in order to identify a control element that includes control data. The control element is included in the presentation element. The method further includes communicating at least a portion of the control data such that it can be used to determine which video data is to be rendered on the plurality of displays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: Alan J. MacDonald, Chris A. Dunn, Brian J. Baldino
  • Publication number: 20100239000
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for managing long-term reference frames (LTRFs) for two or more video sources. A first video source is selected from a plurality of video sources. The first video source is encoded to produce an encoded video stream, where a reference frame message identifies a recent video frame as long-term reference frame (LTRF) associated with the first video stream. The process is repeated for other video streams. The LTRF associated with the first video stream is used as a reference for temporal predictive coding upon receiving a signal that the first video source has been re-selected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Alan J. MacDonald, J. William Mauchly, David W. Sowa
  • Publication number: 20090251528
    Abstract: A system and method for reducing blurred video caused by intra-coded IDR-frames sent in response to when a destination endpoint in a multipoint videoconference switches to a new video source. An embodiment according to the invention comprises using inter-coded temporal predictive referencing a long term reference frame (LTRF) instead of IDR-frames in a multipoint videoconference system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Inventors: Joseph T. Friel, Maurice J. Buttimer, Alan J. MacDonald, Michael A. Arnao, Andrew P. Weir, David W. Sowa, J. William Mauchly
  • Publication number: 20090244257
    Abstract: A system and method for creating a virtual round table videoconference is described. An embodiment of the system comprises a plurality of displays arranged in an arc configuration with a table to create a virtual round table. Cameras are arranged around the plurality of displays such that when a participant looks at a display with an image of a remote participant, the camera associated with the display captures an image of the participant's gaze, making eye contact with the camera. The image is displayed at the remote participant's endpoint creating the effect of eye contact between the participants. In another embodiment, audio speakers are arranged to provide directional sound such that the video source for a display and the audio source for the associated speaker are from the same endpoint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventors: Alan J. MacDonald, J. William Mauchly, David W. Sowa, Joseph T. Friel
  • Publication number: 20030158614
    Abstract: An audio system is mounted in a vehicle and provides playback of digital audio content stored in semiconductor DRAM. Power from the vehicle's battery is constantly applied to the DRAM to retain information even when the vehicle is not operating. The audio content may be acquired by the recording of broadcast radio programs, by streaming content from a wireless Internet connection, from a CD, and/or from a wireless link to a computer. An updated playlist may be provided to the DRAM on a periodic basis or manually under user control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2002
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventors: Joseph T. Friel, Andrew P. Weir, Joseph J. Cotellese, Alan J. MacDonald, J. William Mauchly, David W. Sowa, Michael A. Arnao