Abstract: An interconnected deferred equity indexed annuity policy and a fixed, variable or equity indexed universal life insurance policy, or variable life insurance policy, method and system where a computer periodically transfers annuity investment gains, if any, and the gains are transformed into premiums for the life insurance policy. Further growth of the transformed annuity policy gains as well as life insurance gains in the life insurance policy is tax-free as long as the involved insurance company observes the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code. Having the annuity policy gains loaned from the annuity policy owner to the life insurance owner, and disproportionately allocating fees from the life insurance policy to the annuity policy derive additional benefits.

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 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.