Abstract: A video conference call control system is provided with an audio mixer to receive an audio speech signal at one or more network devices connected to the video conference call; to generate first and second talker identification values from the audio speech signal; to compare the first and second talker identification values during a timing comparison window to determine if the first and second talker identification values are identical and received simultaneously or substantially contemporaneously; and to selectively mute one or more audio devices at the network device(s) if the first and second talker identification values are identical and received simultaneously or substantially contemporaneously so that microphone input signals to the audio mixer are muted to prevent “playback” echo effects and so that microphone input and audio loudspeaker output signals to the audio mixer are muted to prevent “double join” echo effects.

Abstract: A video conference call control system is provided with an audio mixer to receive an audio speech signal at one or more network devices connected to the video conference call; to generate first and second talker identification values from the audio speech signal; to compare the first and second talker identification values during a timing comparison window to determine if the first and second talker identification values are identical and received simultaneously or substantially contemporaneously; and to selectively mute one or more audio devices at the network device(s) if the first and second talker identification values are identical and received simultaneously or substantially contemporaneously so that microphone input signals to the audio mixer are muted to prevent “playback” echo effects and so that microphone input and audio loudspeaker output signals to the audio mixer are muted to prevent “double join” echo effects.

Abstract: Determining the angle of sound relative to the centerline of a microphone array. The angle of the centerline of a camera field-of-view (FoV) and the angle of the camera FoV is determined. Knowing the angle from the centerline of the microphone array of the particular sound and then the angle of the centerline of the camera FoV and angles of the camera FoV allows a determination if the sound is inside the FoV of the camera. If so, the microphones are unmuted. If not, the microphones are muted. As the camera zooms or pans, the changes in camera FoV and centerline angle are computed and used with the sound angle, so that the muting and unmuting occurs automatically as the camera zoom and pan angle change.

Abstract: Determining the angle of sound relative to the centerline of a microphone array. The angle of the centerline of a camera field-of-view (FoV) and the angle of the camera FoV is determined. Knowing the angle from the centerline of the microphone array of the particular sound and then the angle of the centerline of the camera FoV and angles of the camera FoV allows a determination if the sound is inside the FoV of the camera. If so, the microphones are unmuted. If not, the microphones are muted. As the camera zooms or pans, the changes in camera FoV and centerline angle are computed and used with the sound angle, so that the muting and unmuting occurs automatically as the camera zoom and pan angle change.

Abstract: The development of a region of interest (ROI) video frame that includes only ROIs of interest and not other elements and providing the ROI video frames in a single video stream simplifies the development of gallery view continuous presence displays. ROI position and size information metadata can be provided or subpicture concepts of the particular codec can be used to separate the ROIs in the ROI video frame. Metadata can provide perspective/distortion correction values, speaker status and any other information desired about the participant or other ROI, such as name. Only a single encoder and a single decoder is needed, simplifying both transmitting and receiving endpoints. Only a single video stream is needed, reducing bandwidth requirements. As each participant can be individually isolated, the participants can be provided in similar sizes and laid out as desired in a continuous presence display that is pleasing to view.

Abstract: Utilizing two LTR frames for improved error recovery. By using two LTR frames, much better performance is achieved in terms of error recovery as the likelihood of the decoder having one of the two LTR frames is very high. When the decoder determines a frame is lost, the decoder provides a fast update request (FUR). The FUR includes a listing of the LTR frames present at the decoder. With this indication of the LTR frames present at the decoder, the encoder utilizes one of the LTR frames, preferably the most recent, to use as a reference to send the next frame as a P frame. The P frame is sent with an indication of the LTR frame used as reference. The use of two LTR frames and the feedback of LTR frames present at the decoder allows the minimization of the use of I frames for error recovery.

Abstract: Utilizing two LTR frames for improved error recovery. By using two LTR frames, much better performance is achieved in terms of error recovery as the likelihood of the decoder having one of the two LTR frames is very high. When the decoder determines a frame is lost, the decoder provides a fast update request (FUR). The FUR includes a listing of the LTR frames present at the decoder. With this indication of the LTR frames present at the decoder, the encoder utilizes one of the LTR frames, preferably the most recent, to use as a reference to send the next frame as a P frame. The P frame is sent with an indication of the LTR frame used as reference. The use of two LTR frames and the feedback of LTR frames present at the decoder allows the minimization of the use of I frames for error recovery.

Abstract: According to the principles of the invention, there is provided a system, apparatus, and method for managing media in a multimedia conferencing system according to media roles. Each media stream may be explicitly labeled with a role that describes the function or purpose of the stream, such as “people” or “content.” The labels may be hierarchical, and may include layers for media type, additional media source description, and the like, e.g., “people/presenter” or “people/presenter/video/” A policy manager is provided for managing roles, such that the multimedia conference may be more effectively presented to participants. A token management system may also be provided so that control of the multimedia conference roles can be transferred during the conference.

Abstract: According to the principles of the invention, there is provided a system, apparatus, and method for managing media in a multimedia conferencing system according to media roles. Each media stream may be explicitly labeled with a role that describes the function or purpose of the stream, such as “people” or “content.” The labels may be hierarchical, and may include layers for media type, additional media source description, and the like, e.g., “people/presenter” or “people/presenter/video.” A policy manager is provided for managing roles, such that the multimedia conference may be more effectively presented to participants. A token management system may also be provided so that control of the multimedia conference roles can be transferred during the conference.

Abstract: According to the principles of the invention, there is provided a system, apparatus, and method for managing media in a multimedia conferencing system according to media roles. Each media stream may be explicitly labeled with a role that describes the function or purpose of the stream, such as “people” or “content.” The labels may be hierarchical, and may include layers for media type, additional media source description, and the like, e.g., “people/presenter” or “people/presenter/video.” A policy manager is provided for managing roles, such that the multimedia conference may be more effectively presented to participants. A token management system may also be provided so that control of the multimedia conference roles can be transferred during the conference.

Abstract: According to the principles of the invention, there is provided a system, apparatus, and method for managing media in a multimedia conferencing system according to media roles. Each media stream may be explicitly labeled with a role that describes the function or purpose of the stream, such as “people” or “content.” The labels may be hierarchical, and may include layers for media type, additional media source description, and the like, e.g., “people/presenter” or “people/presenter/video/” A policy manager is provided for managing roles, such that the multimedia conference may be more effectively presented to participants. A token management system may also be provided so that control of the multimedia conference roles can be transferred during the conference.

Abstract: According to the principles of the invention, there is provided a system, apparatus, and method for managing media in a multimedia conferencing system according to media roles. Each media stream may be explicitly labeled with a role that describes the function or purpose of the stream, such as “people” or “content.” The labels may be hierarchical, and may include layers for media type, additional media source description, and the like, e.g., “people/presenter” or “people/presenter/video.” A policy manager is provided for managing roles, such that the multimedia conference may be more effectively presented to participants. A token management system may also be provided so that control of the multimedia conference roles can be transferred during the conference.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for distributing audio signals from one of a plurality of audio sources to an output connect compressed audio signals from each one of the plurality of audio sources to an audio processor. Uncompressed audio signals are derived from the compressed audio signals. The compressed audio signal from one of the plurality of audio sources is selectively coupled to the output based upon the uncompressed audio signals. In a preferred embodiment, the compressed audio signal from one of the plurality of audio sources is coupled to the output selectively in accordance with speech information detected in the uncompressed audio signals from the plurality of audio sources.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for distributing audio signals from one of a plurality of audio sources to an output connect compressed audio signals from each one of the plurality of audio sources to an audio processor. Uncompressed audio signals are derived from the compressed audio signals. The compressed audio signal from one of the plurality of audio sources is selectively coupled to the output based upon the uncompressed audio signals. In a preferred embodiment, the compressed audio signal from one of the plurality of audio sources is coupled to the output selectively in accordance with speech information detected in the uncompressed audio signals from the plurality of audio sources.