Abstract: Techniques for managing output bandwidth for a conferencing server are described. An apparatus may include a receiver to receive input video streams at first bit rates from multiple client terminals. The apparatus may include a rate allocation module to allocate an output bit rate for an output video stream corresponding to each input video stream based on distortion rate information where a total output bit rate for all output video streams is equal to or less than a total output bit rate budget for a conference server. The apparatus may include a video transrating module to reduce the first bit rate to a second bit rate for one or more input video streams in accordance with the allocations to create the output video streams. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Techniques for virtual conferencing servers are described. An apparatus may comprise a conferencing server to manage a conference call with multiple client terminals. The conferencing server may have a virtual conference manager to select a first client terminal to operate as a first virtual conferencing server, and transfer conference call operations for a second client terminal from the conferencing server to the first virtual conferencing server. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Techniques for managing visual compositions for a multimedia conference call are described. An apparatus may comprise a processor to allocate a display object bit rate for multiple display objects where a total display object bit rate for all display objects is equal to or less than a total input bit rate, and decode video information from multiple video streams each having different video layers with different levels of spatial resolution, temporal resolution and quality for two or more display objects. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Techniques to perform rate matching for multimedia conference calls are described. An apparatus may comprise a conferencing server and a rate matching module. The rate matching module may be arranged to adjust bit rates between media communications channels for client terminals in a conference call, with the rate matching module to remove video frames from a set of video information received on a first media communications channel to reduce a bit rate for the video information. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Techniques for variable resolution encoding and decoding of digital video are described. An apparatus may comprise a video encoder to encode video information into a video stream with a base layer and an enhancement layer. The base layer may have a first level of spatial resolution and a first level of temporal resolution. The enhancement layer may increase the first level of spatial resolution or the first level of temporal resolution. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Techniques are described for providing media services. A media processor receives one or more input media streams and provides an output media stream to one or more endpoints. A media controller issues commands to the media processor for controlling the media streams. The media controller and the media processor communicate in accordance with a defined protocol allowing for independent control of each of the media streams.

Abstract: A cockpit display system has a display, such as a multi-function display (MFD) for displaying a graphical representation of an input device when a sensor senses that an aviator's finger is proximate to the input device. The display graphically depicts in real-time the position of the aviator's finger relative to the buttons of the input device. The aviator's finger can be depicted by an icon, shading or highlighting. When the aviator lightly touches a button, the graphical representation of that button can for example be highlighted, shaded or colored. Furthermore, when the button is firmly depressed, the graphical representation of that button can change color or shading. The aviator can thus operate any awkwardly located input device by simply reaching toward the input device and then guiding his finger to the correct button by looking at the graphical representation of the input device.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and/or techniques (“tools”) are described that sort speakers in a network-enabled conference. In some cases, this sorted list of speakers indicates which speaker is dominant. With this sorted list, a participant's communication device may provide context about the speakers. In some cases a participant's communication device has a display that presents real-time video of the speakers or other visual indicia, such as each or the most dominant speaker's name, picture, title, or location. These and other context about speakers may help participants better understand discussions in network-enabled conferences.

Abstract: Feedback and frame synchronization between media encoders and decoders is described. More particularly, the encoder can encode frames that are based on source content to be sent to the decoder. The encoder can determine whether the frame should be cached by the encoder and the decoder. If the frame is to be cached, the encoder can so indicate by encoding the frame with one or more cache control bits. The decoder can receive the frame from the decoder, and can examine the cache control bits to determine whether to cache the frame. The decoder can also decode the frame.

Abstract: Generating symmetric keys among distributed appliances, includes generating public and private values one at least one appliance, importing a public value from another appliance via an out-of-band entity, and generating a secret value as a function of the private value corresponding to the local appliance and the public value received from the other appliance.

Abstract: Medical implant delivery devices and systems are disclosed. In general, an exemplary delivery device comprises a shaft and a handle. An exemplary system includes any number of the following: a delivery device, a sling assembly, guide members, and connectors that interconnect the above. Embodiments of all the above components and their combinations are disclosed. Methods of using the above system in trans-obturator approaches are disclosed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for accomplishing an agent log-on to an automatic call distribution system, which requires a telephone identifier corresponding with an agent, without making a circuit switched telephone connection or using a circuit switched voice port. A pseudo-port is used to emulate the circuit switched voice port, permitting completion of the log-on, and permitting execution of “call” handling functions with respect to the agent for “calls” not requiring a circuit switched telephone connection.

Abstract: A microlicensing system comprising: (a) a searchable database of licensable data elements; (b) search and select means which allows a user to select an individual one of said data elements according to criteria set by said user, (c) means for setting terms and conditions for use of said individual one of said data elements so as to define an identifiable transaction; (d) means for transmission of said individual one of said data elements to a user device; said user device enabling usage of said individual one of said data elements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for allocating resources within an automatic call distributor. The method includes the steps of receiving an incoming call from a supervisor on a voice channel of the automatic call distributor and routing the incoming call to an autoattendant of the automatic call distributor. The method further includes the steps of presenting the supervisor with a set of options regarding the allocation of resources within the automatic call distributor, receiving a change request from the supervisor and executing the change request.