Abstract: A method and an apparatus are disclosed that enable the offloading of some of the signal processing that has often been centralized in a telecommunications network, to one or more telecommunications endpoints. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a packet-based telecommunications endpoint that comprises processing and memory resources determines the resource availability of one or more of its resources. The endpoint transmits the resource availability information to a data-processing system, which then transmits a signal-processing computer program back to the endpoint. The computer program is based on the resources that are available at the endpoint. The endpoint then proceeds to use the computer program to process the signals that are received—for example, during the course of a phone call that involves the endpoint. The signal processing that is performed can include noise reduction, echo cancellation, muting, automatic gain control, and so forth.

Abstract: A speakerphone system includes first and second speakerphones connected via a network and a first processor in the first speakerphone and a second processor in the second speakerphone, each of the speakerphones having a first, active, mode for participating in a call with a telephone and a second, idle, mode, wherein, when the first speakerphone is operating in the first mode and the second speakerphone is operating in the second mode, the first speakerphone is adapted to send voice data packets to the second speakerphone, the second speakerphone is adapted to receive voice data packets from the first speakerphone, perform echo cancellation processing on the voice data packets and send the processed voice data packets back to the first speakerphone, and the first speakerphone is adapted to receive the processed voice data packets from the second speakerphone and use the processed voice data packets in the call.

Abstract: The use of detected non-verbal communications cues, and summaries thereof, are used to provide audible, textual and/or graphical input to listeners who for any reason do not have the benefit of being able to see the non-verbal communications cues, or speakers about mannerisms or other non-verbal signals they are sending to other parties. This includes cues that are given while speaking or listening. The detection of one or more of an emotion and gesture could also trigger a dynamic behavior. For example, certain emotions and gestures could be characterized as “key emotions” or “key gestures” and a particular action associated with the detection of one of these “key emotions” or “key gestures.

Abstract: A speakerphone system includes first and second speakerphones connected via a network and a first processor in the first speakerphone and a second processor in the second speakerphone, each of the speakerphones having a first, active, mode for participating in a call with a telephone and a second, idle, mode, wherein, when the first speakerphone is operating in the first mode and the second speakerphone is operating in the second mode, the first speakerphone is adapted to send voice data packets to the second speakerphone, the second speakerphone is adapted to receive voice data packets from the first speakerphone, perform echo cancellation processing on the voice data packets and send the processed voice data packets back to the first speakerphone, and the first speakerphone is adapted to receive the processed voice data packets from the second speakerphone and use the processed voice data packets in the call.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for selecting a service provider on a per-call basis A service provider is selected for a given call by receiving the given call from a caller; obtaining user preferences of the caller for the given call; matching the obtained user preferences to one or more capabilities of a plurality of available service providers; selecting a service provider for the given call based on the matching; and providing signaling to connect the caller and selected service provider The user preferences comprise can be default user preferences obtained from a database, preferences indicated by the caller as a part of the given call or a combination thereof Logging and report features are also disclosed

Abstract: A temporary visible image, such as a first down reference line, corporate logo, or text is projected onto a target surface by an orientation-stabilized, fiber-fed laser projector. The projector may include at least one cylindrical lens or at least one pair of X-Y scanners. One or more remotely located lasers, supplying optical energy at a single wavelength to the projector, accommodate projection of a monochromatic line pattern. Multi-colored images are accommodated by supplying, to the projector, the output of a plurality of lasers operating at different wavelengths within the visible band. The projector is suspended and conveyed as a unitary assembly by a suspension system adapted to maintain the projectors angular orientation and dynamically stabilize the image. If desired, two or more independently-suspended projection modules or groups of modules adapted to move in unison or independently over the length of the field may be employed.

Abstract: At least one temporary visible reference line is projected onto a target surface, as for example, an athletic field, by several laser sources. A first laser source emits optical energy—at a wavelength of between 380 nm and 750 nm—along at least a first selectable path upon the target surface so as to form a temporary line thereon. A second laser source disposed at a second elevated, stationary location relative to the target surface different from the first stationary location emits optical energy along at least a second selectable path upon the target surface so as to form a temporary line thereon. In some instances, each laser light source may be capable of traversing the entire width of the target surface, in which case each laser source covers a discrete region.

Abstract: At least one temporary visible reference line is projected onto a target surface, as for example, an athletic field, by several laser sources. A first laser source emits optical energy—at a wavelength of between 380 nm and 750 nm—along at least a first selectable path upon the target surface so as to form a temporary line thereon. A second laser source disposed at a second elevated, stationary location relative to the target surface different from the first stationary location emits optical energy along at least a second selectable path upon the target surface so as to form a temporary line thereon. In some instances, each laser light source may be capable of traversing the entire width of the target surface, in which case each laser source covers a discrete region.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing at least one temporary visible line on a surface within the view of at least one video camera. The system comprises a first laser source disposed at a first elevated, stationary location relative to the surface, and a second laser source disposed at second elevated, stationary location relative to the surface. The output of each laser source is synchronously deflected so as to repetitively sweep each output beam across the same region of the surface and thereby project a visible composite line that is, for example, transverse to the lateral sidelines of an athletic field. A controller comprising a synchronization module synchronizes the sweep frequency rate, at which the beams sweep the surface, to a scan rate of at least one camera arranged to receive an image of the composite temporary line.

Abstract: The surface of an athletic field is divided into multiple regions or zones. A first of these zones is served by a first group of laser sources. A second of the zones is served by a second group of laser sources. Each group includes at least two lasers arranged to project visible light onto the field from opposite lateral sides of the field. The output from each group is focused onto the field so as to form a composite line across the field—anywhere within the associated zone. A controller is operative, in response to receipt of a command from either a keyboard terminal or a wireless, hand held user interface device, to select one of the first group of laser sources and the second group of laser sources to project a composite temporary visible line. The zones may be contiguous or may be separated by one or more intermediate zones, with each intermediate zone having its own associated group of laser sources.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing at least one temporary visible line on a surface within the view of at least one video camera. The system comprises a first laser source disposed at a first elevated, stationary location relative to the surface, and a second laser source disposed at second elevated, stationary location relative to the surface. The output of each laser source is synchronously deflected so as to repetitively sweep each output beam across the same region of the surface and thereby project a visible composite line that is, for example, transverse to the lateral sidelines of an athletic field. A controller comprising a synchronization module synchronizes the sweep frequency rate, at which the beams sweep the surface, to a scan rate of at least one camera arranged to receive an image of the composite temporary line.

Abstract: The surface of an athletic field is divided into multiple regions or zones. A first of these zones is served by a first group of laser sources. A second of the zones is served by a second group of laser sources. Each group includes at least two lasers arranged to project visible light onto the field from opposite lateral sides of the field. The output from each group is focused onto the field so as to form a composite line across the field—anywhere within the associated zone. A controller is operative, in response to receipt of a command from either a keyboard terminal or a wireless, hand held user interface device, to select one of the first group of laser sources and the second group of laser sources to project a composite temporary visible line. The zones may be contiguous or may be separated by one or more intermediate zones, with each intermediate zone having its own associated group of laser sources.