Patents by Inventor Rick Flott

Rick Flott 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: 8447023
    Abstract: During a conference, a multipoint control unit (MCU) designates priority and non-priority endpoints. The MCU forms priority audio from the priority endpoint and sends that audio to the other endpoints at a normal level. However, the MCU forms non-priority audio from the non-priority endpoint and handles that audio based on whether the input audio from the priority endpoint is from speaking or not. If the priority endpoint's audio indicates a participant at that endpoint is speaking, then the MCU sends the non-priority audio to the other endpoints at a reduced level. Designation of which endpoint has priority can be based on which endpoint has a current duration of audio indicative of speech that is longer than other endpoints. Alternatively, the designation can be based on which endpoint is currently presenting content during the conference or based on a mix of speech audio and content presentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Polycom, Inc.
    Inventors: Alain Nimri, Rick Flott
  • Publication number: 20110187814
    Abstract: During a conference, a multipoint control unit (MCU) designates priority and non-priority endpoints. The MCU forms priority audio from the priority endpoint and sends that audio to the other endpoints at a normal level. However, the MCU forms non-priority audio from the non-priority endpoint and handles that audio based on whether the input audio from the priority endpoint is from speaking or not. If the priority endpoint's audio indicates a participant at that endpoint is speaking, then the MCU sends the non-priority audio to the other endpoints at a reduced level. Designation of which endpoint has priority can be based on which endpoint has a current duration of audio indicative of speech that is longer than other endpoints. Alternatively, the designation can be based on which endpoint is currently presenting content during the conference or based on a mix of speech audio and content presentation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: POLYCOM, INC.
    Inventors: Alain Nimri, Rick Flott
  • Patent number: 7969461
    Abstract: A videoconferencing system includes a first videoconferencing unit coupled to a network and associated with a first instant messaging identity. The first videoconferencing unit obtains a second instant messaging identity and automatically sends a request instant message requesting videoconferencing connection information to the second instant messaging identity. A second videoconferencing unit is coupled to the network and is associated with the second instant messaging identity. The second videoconferencing unit receives the request instant message and automatically returns a response instant message including videoconferencing connection information to the first instant messaging identity. The first videoconferencing unit receives the response instant message and automatically obtains the videoconferencing connection information from the response instant message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Polycom, Inc.
    Inventors: Alain Nimri, Stephen Schaefer, Rick Flott
  • Publication number: 20070263075
    Abstract: A videoconferencing system includes a first videoconferencing unit coupled to a network and associated with a first instant messaging identity. The first videoconferencing unit obtains a second instant messaging identity and automatically sends a request instant message requesting videoconferencing connection information to the second instant messaging identity. A second videoconferencing unit is coupled to the network and is associated with the second instant messaging identity. The second videoconferencing unit receives the request instant message and automatically returns a response instant message including videoconferencing connection information to the first instant messaging identity. The first videoconferencing unit receives the response instant message and automatically obtains the videoconferencing connection information from the response instant message.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Publication date: November 15, 2007
    Applicant: Polycom. Inc.
    Inventors: Alain Nimri, Stephen Schaefer, Rick Flott
  • Publication number: 20070230583
    Abstract: The present invention provides, in one embodiment, a system and method for concealing video errors. The system encodes, reorders, and packetizes video information into video data packets for transmission over a communication network such that the system conceals errors caused by lost video data packets when the system receives, depacketizes, orders, and decodes the data packets. In one embodiment, the system and method encodes and packetizes video information, such that adjacent macroblocks are not placed in the same video data packets. Additionally, the system and method may provide information accompanying the video data packets to facilitate the decoding process. An advantage to such a scheme is that errors due to video data packet loss are spatially distributed over a video frame. Thus, if regions of data surrounding a lost macroblock are successfully decoded, the decoder may predict motion vectors and spatial content with a higher degree of accuracy, which leads to higher video quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Applicant: POLYCOM, INC.
    Inventors: MICHAEL HOROWITZ, Rick Flott
  • Patent number: 7239662
    Abstract: The present invention provides, in one embodiment, a system and method for concealing video errors. The system encodes, reorders, and packetizes video information into video data packets for transmission over a communication network such that the system conceals errors caused by lost video data packets when the system receives, depacketizes, orders, and decodes the data packets. In one embodiment, the system and method encodes and packetizes video information, such that adjacent macroblocks are not placed in the same video data packets. Additionally, the system and method may provide information accompanying the video data packets to facilitate the decoding process. An advantage to such a scheme is that errors due to video data packet loss are spatially distributed over a video frame. Thus, if regions of data surrounding a lost macroblock are successfully decoded, the decoder may predict motion vectors and spatial content with a higher degree of accuracy, which leads to higher video quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Polycom, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Horowitz, Rick Flott
  • Publication number: 20060262790
    Abstract: A method for encoding digital video with low delay for transport on a multi-channel QoS packet-switched network using multiple reference pictures with specially designated “key frames” to minimize the undesired effects of packet loss on video quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Publication date: November 23, 2006
    Applicant: POLYCOM, INC.
    Inventors: MICHAEL HOROWITZ, RICK FLOTT, ATHAR SHAH, KEVIN RAPER
  • Patent number: 7136394
    Abstract: A method for encoding digital video with low delay for transport on a multi-channel QoS packet-switched network using multiple reference pictures with specially designated “key frames” to minimize the undesired effects of packet loss on video quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Polycom, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Horowitz, Rick Flott, Athar Shah, Kevin Raper
  • Patent number: 7020203
    Abstract: The present invention provides, in one embodiment, a system and method for concealing video errors. The system includes a coding engine for processing each frame of a video signal to generate macroblocks, selecting a refresh interval based upon network communication parameters, and encoding one or more of the macroblocks as refresh intra-coded macroblocks based upon the selected refresh interval. The refresh intra-coded macroblocks are placed into discrete data packets for transmission across a network to one or more remote devices. Upon receiving other refresh intra-coded macroblocks from a remote device via the network, the coding engine decodes the received intra-coded macroblocks, and places the decoded macroblocks in a newly decoded video frame to be used as reference frame macroblocks for reducing video errors associated with prediction drift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Polycom, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Horowitz, Rick Flott
  • Publication number: 20060056519
    Abstract: The present invention provides, in one embodiment, a system and method for concealing video errors. The system includes a coding engine for processing each frame of a video signal to generate macroblocks, selecting a refresh interval based upon network communication parameters, and encoding one or more of the macroblocks as refresh intra-coded macroblocks based upon the selected refresh interval. The refresh intra-coded macroblocks are placed into discrete data packets for transmission across a network to one or more remote devices. Upon receiving other refresh intra-coded macroblocks from a remote device via the network, the coding engine decodes the received intra-coded macroblocks, and places the decoded macroblocks in a newly decoded video frame to be used as reference frame macroblocks for reducing video errors associated with prediction drift.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Publication date: March 16, 2006
    Inventors: Michael Horowitz, Rick Flott
  • Publication number: 20040003045
    Abstract: A personal videoconferencing system includes a videoconferencing appliance connected to a personal computer through a Universal Serial Bus (USB) or similar connection. The appliance is provided with a video camera and microphone for generating local video and audio streams. The local video and audio streams are compressed by a video and audio encoder residing at the appliance, and the compressed video and audio streams are conveyed to the personal computer over the USB connection. The appliance may be further provided with an audio decoder for decompressing a remote audio stream received by the personal computer through a network interface and conveyed to the appliance via the USB connection. A video decoder, located on the personal computer, is configured to decompress the local video stream (received through the USB connection) as well as a remote video stream received through the network interface. The decompressed video streams are then sent to a monitor for display to a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Inventors: Mike Tucker, Don Binford, Rick Flott, Patrick Vanderwilt, Michael Kenoyer, Jason C. Weaver, Earl Manning
  • Patent number: 6590604
    Abstract: A personal videoconferencing system includes a videoconferencing appliance connected to a personal computer through a Universal Serial Bus (USB) or similar connection. The appliance is provided with a video camera and microphone for generating local video and audio streams. The local video and audio streams are compressed by a video and audio encoder residing at the appliance, and the compressed video and audio streams are conveyed to the personal computer over the USB connection. The appliance may be further provided with an audio decoder for decompressing a remote audio stream received by the personal computer through a network interface and conveyed to the appliance via the USB connection. A video decoder, located on the personal computer, is configured to decompress the local video stream (received through the USB connection) as well as a remote video stream received through the network interface. The decompressed video streams are then sent to a monitor for display to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Polycom, Inc.
    Inventors: Mike Tucker, Don Binford, Rick Flott, Patrick Vanderwilt, Michael Kenoyer, Jason C. Weaver, Earl Manning
  • Publication number: 20030039312
    Abstract: The present invention provides, in one embodiment, a system and method for concealing video errors. The system encodes, reorders, and packetizes video information into video data packets for transmission over a communication network such that the system conceals errors caused by lost video data packets when the system receives, depacketizes, orders, and decodes the data packets. In one embodiment, the system and method encodes and packetizes video information, such that adjacent macroblocks are not placed in the same video data packets. Additionally, the system and method may provide information accompanying the video data packets to facilitate the decoding process. An advantage to such a scheme is that errors due to video data packet loss are spatially distributed over a video frame. Thus, if regions of data surrounding a lost macroblock are successfully decoded, the decoder may predict motion vectors and spatial content with a higher degree of accuracy, which leads to higher video quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Inventors: Michael Horowitz, Rick Flott
  • Publication number: 20020126668
    Abstract: A method for encoding digital video with low delay for transport on a multi-channel QoS packet-switched network using multiple reference pictures with specially designated “key frames” to minimize the undesired effects of packet loss on video quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventors: Michael Horowitz, Rick Flott, Athar Shah, Kevin Raper