Abstract: An approach is provided for downloading data over a network that uses automatic bandwidth detection. According to the approach, a first version of data to be requested is selected from a plurality of available versions of the data. The first version may be selected based upon a default selection or based upon prior determined connection speeds. A client requests the first version of the data from a server and the client begins receiving the first version of the data. A determination of at least an approximate connection speed is made based upon at least a portion of the first version of the data received at the client. A determination is then made, based upon the determined connection speed, whether a different version of the data should be requested. If so, then the client requests a different version of the data from the server.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example and includes receiving audio data at a microphone array that includes a plurality of microphones. The microphone array is provisioned at a first endpoint, which includes a camera element configured to capture video data associated with a video session involving the first endpoint and a second endpoint. The method also includes formatting the audio data into a time division multiplex (TDM) stream, and communicating the stream to a port for a subsequent communication over a network and to the second endpoint.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example and includes receiving a video input from a video source coupled to a display configured for rendering a user interface thereon; generating a grayscale element associated with the user interface by evaluating alpha values related to pixels associated with the video input; generating an opacity mask; and setting red, green, blue (RGB) values equal to an alpha value of a source image for certain pixels in the source image.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example and includes receiving a video input from a video source coupled to a display configured for rendering a user interface thereon; evaluating a plurality of pixels within the video input; and determining if a particular pixel within the pixels is associated with a color that matches a designated value associated with a chroma-key. If a match is found for the particular pixel, then the particular pixel is rendered as a clear image on the display, and if the match is not found, the particular pixel is darkened by a certain percentage.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying participants in a videoconference between locations includes receiving a plurality of video signals from at least two cameras located at one or more remote sites. A display position is assigned for each video signal. The video signals are displayed on one or more displays. The display positions for the video signals maintain a fixed display position relative to each other video signal on the displays during the videoconference, and a number of displays is less than a number of cameras at the remote sites.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example and includes receiving image data at a camera element that is provisioned at a first endpoint, which is configured to conduct a video session involving a second endpoint. The method also includes identifying an incoming request for the video session; signaling to the camera element to open a lens included within the camera element; detecting that the video session has been terminated; and signaling to the camera element to close the lens.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example and includes receiving a video input from a camera element; using change detection statistics to identify background image data; using the background image data as a temporal reference to determine foreground image data of a particular video frame within the video input; using a selected foreground image for a background registration of a subsequent video frame; and providing at least a portion of the subsequent video frame to a next destination.

Abstract: An approach is provided for downloading data over a network that uses automatic bandwidth detection. According to the approach, a first version of data to be requested is selected from a plurality of available versions of the data. The first version may be selected based upon a default selection or based upon prior determined connection speeds. A client requests the first version of the data from a server and the client begins receiving the first version of the data. A determination of at least an approximate connection speed is made based upon at least a portion of the first version of the data received at the client. A determination is then made, based upon the determined connection speed, whether a different version of the data should be requested. If so, then the client requests a different version of the data from the server.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a plurality of audio signals, wherein the audio signals each include a plurality of packets containing voice data associated with conference participants. One or more of the audio signals is associated with a video signal and at least one of the audio signals is associated with a voice-only conference participant. The method further includes determining an activity metric for each of the plurality of audio signals, wherein the activity metric indicates a confidence value that the audio signal is associated with a conference participant that is currently speaking. The method also includes encoding, for each of the plurality of audio signals, one or more packets of the plurality of packets with the activity metric and sending the plurality of audio signals encoded with an activity metric to a conference bridge.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example and includes receiving a video input from a camera element; using change detection statistics to identify background image data; using the background image data as a temporal reference to determine foreground image data of a particular video frame within the video input; using a selected foreground image for a background registration of a subsequent video frame; and providing at least a portion of the subsequent video frame to a next destination.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example and includes receiving image data at a camera element that is provisioned at a first endpoint, which is configured to conduct a video session involving a second endpoint. The method also includes identifying an incoming request for the video session; signaling to the camera element to open a lens included within the camera element; detecting that the video session has been terminated; and signaling to the camera element to close the lens.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example and includes receiving audio data at a microphone array that includes a plurality of microphones. The microphone array is provisioned at a first endpoint, which includes a camera element configured to capture video data associated with a video session involving the first endpoint and a second endpoint. The method also includes formatting the audio data into a time division multiplex (TDM) stream, and communicating the stream to a port for a subsequent communication over a network and to the second endpoint.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example and includes receiving a video input from a video source coupled to a display configured for rendering a user interface thereon; evaluating a plurality of pixels within the video input; and determining if a particular pixel within the pixels is associated with a color that matches a designated value associated with a chroma-key. If a match is found for the particular pixel, then the particular pixel is rendered as a clear image on the display, and if the match is not found, the particular pixel is darkened by a certain percentage.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example and includes receiving a video input from a video source coupled to a display configured for rendering a user interface thereon; generating a grayscale element associated with the user interface by evaluating alpha values related to pixels associated with the video input; generating an opacity mask; and setting red, green, blue (RGB) values equal to an alpha value of a source image for certain pixels in the source image.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example and includes receiving a request for a video session and establishing the video session between a first user and a second user. The method further includes communicating a first stream of packets associated with signaling data that propagates to a first network, which provides a first network connection to the first user. The method also includes communicating a second stream of packets associated with media data that propagates to a second network, which provides a second network connection to the second user. The media data can include audio data and video data.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example and includes receiving a request to establish a video session between a first user and a second user. The request is sent by the second user by dialing an identifier string associated with the first user. The method also includes evaluating whether the first user has accepted the request. If the first user has not accepted the request over a designated interval, then the second user is directed to an element configured for recording a videomail message for access by the first user. The method also includes identifying the first user has accepted the request, and establishing the video session between the first user and the second user.

Abstract: Elements in a video conferencing system may respond to error message(s) by aggregating any related error messages and responding based on a severity of the error indicated by the related error messages. A multipoint control unit (MCU) may identify an active stream from a first endpoint and forward the active stream to a second endpoint. The active stream may include a plurality of packets and transmit a video image by sending a frame followed by sub-frame modifications. The MCU may receive an error message from the second endpoint and determine the error's severity, which is related to an impact on an displayed image. Based on the severity, the MCU may identify and send a set of correction packets to the second endpoint. Also, a third endpoint may receive the active stream and respond to one or more error messages received from the second endpoint.

Abstract: Converting a media stream includes communicating a call for a first system according to a first protocol. A media stream is retrieved from a second system, where the media stream communicated according to a second protocol distinguishable from the first protocol. The media stream is converted from the second protocol to the first protocol, and is associated with the call. The media stream is transmitted to the first system according to the first protocol.

Abstract: A method, an apparatus, and logic encoded in a computer-readable medium to carry out a method. The method includes receiving packets containing compressed video information, storing the received packets in a buffer memory, timestamping the received packets according to an adjustable clock; and removing packets from the buffer for decoding and playout of the video information, the removing according to playback order and at a time determined by the adjustable clock. The method includes adjusting the adjustable clock from time to time according to a measure the amount of time that the packets reside in the buffer memory, such that time latency caused by the buffer memory is limited. An overrun or an underrun of the buffer memory is unlikely.

Abstract: Elements in a video conferencing system may respond to error message(s) by aggregating any related error messages and responding based on a severity of the error indicated by the related error messages. A multipoint control unit (MCU) may identify an active stream from a first endpoint and forward the active stream to a second endpoint. The active stream may include a plurality of packets and transmit a video image by sending a frame followed by sub-frame modifications. The MCU may receive an error message from the second endpoint and determine the error's severity, which is related to an impact on an displayed image. Based on the severity, the MCU may identify and send a set of correction packets to the second endpoint. Also, a third endpoint may receive the active stream and respond to one or more error messages received from the second endpoint.