Abstract: A multimedia communication arrangement communicating video and at least one other data type using a communication channel includes a first interface arrangement for communicating video and the at least one other data type using the communication channel. A second interface arrangement exchanges data with, and provides power to, at least one of a variety of peripheral devices. A video data signal processor circuit processes the video data and sends the video data along with the at least one other data type over the first interface arrangement and communicates with the peripheral devices over the second interface arrangement.

Abstract: A device for mounting a structure, such as a video-phone, includes a base and a platform. The base has a first surface for resting on top of a display device, for example, a television monitor or computer monitor. The base also has an opposite, platform-supporting surface which includes a first central recess and a second recess, or track, surrounding the first recess. The first and second recesses are separated by a ridged portion. The platform includes a top surface for engaging or being integral with the video-phone. The bottom surface engages the base and is contoured to slidably communicate with the first and second recesses. This allows the platform and the video-phone to move in a complete circle with respect to the base and to pivot to allow adjustment in the vertical direction. The mounting device prevents adjustment by tilting in a horizontal direction, and therefore prevents the transmission of strangely angled images.

Abstract: A video and audio compression and decompression system includes a reconfigurable compact camera communicating with a computer system to permit the camera to execute one of several types of compression modules. The camera includes first and second types of memory. The first type of memory is made of smaller ROM-type memory cells and is used for storing computer-executable video-data-compression subprograms. The second type of memory is made of larger RAM-type memory cells and stores the compression program. A download circuit on the camera is configured to receive transmitted data representing the data compression program and to store the transmitted data in the second memory. A selection is made of the stored subprograms corresponding to the data representing the compression program. An image reader including a data generation circuit captures the external image and generates data representing the image.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and interface for browsing the internet using a telephone circuit having keys for generating DTMF codes. The interface includes a memory and a processor and is coupled to the telephone circuit and display. The interface receives a first DTMF code requesting access to the internet and, in response to the first DTMF code, loads a Web browser in its memory. The interface then receives a second DTMF code from the telephone circuit and converts the second DTMF code into a Web browser command using an interpretation protocol. The Web browser command is then executed using the interface, thereby enabling a user to access the internet via manual operation of the keys of the telephone circuit.

Abstract: A token ring local area network includes workstations running both conventional data and multimedia applications. The latter, which generally requires a minimum throughput in order to be viable, can be split into two further categories; those which cannot tolerate excessive latency (end to end delay), typically interactive applications such as voice communications, and those which are less sensitive to latenoy, typically playback operations, the network recognises three priority levels: (1) for latency-sensitive multimedia applications, (2) for latency-insensitive multimedia applications, and (3) conventional applications. All multimedia applications prior to commencement of any communications over the LAN must request an allocation of throughput from a LAN segment resource manager (LSRM), which will only be awarded if there is currently sufficient available throughput on the LAN to support the attended communication.

Abstract: A computer workstation receives multiple audio input streams over a network in an audio conference. The audio input streams are kept separate by storing them in different queues. Digital samples from each of the queues are transferred to an audio adapter card 28 for output. A digital signal processor 46 on the audio adapter card multiplies each audio stream by its own weighting parameter, before summing the audio streams together for output. Thus the relative volume of each of the audio output streams can be controlled. For each block of audio data, the volume is calculated and displayed to the user, allowing the user to see the volume in each audio input stream independently. The user is also provided with volume control for each audio input stream, which effectively adjusts the weighting parameter, thereby allowing the user to alter the relative volumes of each speaker in the conference.