Two-way Video And Voice Communication (e.g., Videophone) Patents (Class 348/14.01)
  • Patent number: 9143539
    Abstract: Techniques for inter-user equipment (UE) transfer (IUT) are disclosed. An application server receives an IUT request for transfer of a media session toward at least one UE such that a media stream is played by at least two UEs that are geographically separated after the transfer. The application server triggers inter-destination media synchronization (IDMS) for group synchronization of the media session among the UEs. The media stream may be anchored at a media server, and a media synchronization application server for the IDMS may be running at the media server. Alternatively, the media stream may be anchored at a media resource function (MRF), and a media synchronization application server for the IDMS may be running at the MRF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: InterDigital Patent Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Hang Liu, Kamel M. Shaheen, Milan Patel, Xavier De Foy, Osama Lotfallah, Debashish Purkayastha
  • Patent number: 9135926
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of improving the quality of a speech codec are provided. In the method, a first energy of a signal decoded by a low-band codec is calculated, and a second energy of a signal decoded by a low-band enhancement mode is calculated. Then, when the first energy is less than a first threshold value or less than a product of the second energy and a second threshold value, a size of the decoded signal is scaled. Accordingly, generation of a quantization error with respect to a silence segment is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Mi-Suk Lee, Do-Young Kim, Byung-Sun Lee
  • Patent number: 9135925
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of improving the quality of a speech codec are provided. In the method, a first energy of a signal decoded by a core codec is calculated, and a second energy of a signal decoded by a low-band enhancement mode is calculated. Then, when the first energy is less than a first threshold value or less than a product of the second energy and a second threshold value, a size of the decoded signal is scaled. Accordingly, generation of a quantization error with respect to a silence segment is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Mi-Suk Lee, Do-Young Kim, Byung-Sun Lee
  • Patent number: 9137434
    Abstract: A sound source monitoring system includes a sound receiving module, a sound detection module, a sound source localization module, and a camera module. The sound receiving module is configured to receive a plurality of sound signals. The sound detection module is for dividing an integrated signal formed by adding the sound signals received by the sound receiving module and normalizing the sum of the sound signals or dividing each of the sound signals into a plurality of sub-bands, calculating a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of each sub-band and a background noise, and accordingly determining whether to output the sound signals received by the sound receiving module to the sound source localization module. The sound source localization module is for outputting a sound source location by using the sound signals received by the sound receiving module. The camera module is for shooting an image corresponding to the sound source location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: VATICS INC.
    Inventors: An-Chi Hu, Yan-Chen Lu
  • Patent number: 9131105
    Abstract: A telepresence participating room configured for audio visual communication with a plurality of other participating rooms is disclosed. The telepresence participating room comprises of a plurality of participant sections, a display system including a center stage and a participant stage, a plurality of codecs for powering the display system, a plurality of cameras for sharing audio-visuals with the other participating rooms and a network switch for enabling communication with the other participating rooms, such that when a control signal originates in a participant section of a participating room, that participant section is considered an active participant section. Herein, the display system is configured to display the active participant section in lifelike mode on the center stage as well as continuously display all the participating rooms on the participant stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Inventor: Sanjay Bansal
  • Patent number: 9124572
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are described for secure video conferencing. A server computing device receives a request to establish a video conference for a sensitive transaction from a first device associated with a user. The server authenticates the first device. The server establishes a conference between the first device and a second device of a second party to the sensitive transaction. The server transmits video images associated with cameras coupled to the first device to the second device, the images comprising a view of the user and an area surrounding the user. The server determines whether persons other than the user are present in the area surrounding the user. The server transmits an alert to the second device if persons other than the user are present, where the alert includes a prompt on the second device for the second party to confirm with the user whether the other persons are authorized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: FMR LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan Hromi, John C. McDonough, Dmitry Bisikalo, Hadley Rupert Stern
  • Patent number: 9124764
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method, a device, and a system for adjusting image display and belongs to the field of videoconferencing technologies. The method includes: receiving an image of a second conference site and an environmental parameter of the second conference site that are sent by a presence terminal of the second conference site; converting the image of the second conference site according to a pre-stored environmental parameter of a first conference site and the environmental parameter of the second conference site to obtain an image for display, wherein a conference site environmental parameter of the image for display is consistent with the environmental parameter of the first conference site; and displaying the image for display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Guangyao Zhao, Jing Wang, Yuan Liu, Baohua Deng
  • Patent number: 9111258
    Abstract: Methods and Systems for connecting to online meetings are provided. In order to connect to an online meeting, coordinates for the meeting can be discoverable by an image or audio watermark overlaid onto content being shared by the online meeting. A person attending a physical meeting in which at least one attendee device or meeting facilitation device is connected to an online meeting can discover the coordinates for the online meeting by capturing and decoding an image or audio watermark overlaid on the content of the online meeting. The image or audio watermark may include a barcode superimposed on a content screen that can be captured and decoded by the person's computing device. A meetings application client on the computing device can be used to navigate to the coordinates discovered by the person's computing device to enable the person to join the meeting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey Robert Charles Bell
  • Patent number: 9100522
    Abstract: An image reading device includes a casing, an image reading unit, a mounting board, and an antenna. The casing has a side wall positioned at one end thereof in a first direction. The image reading unit is accommodated in the casing and configured to read an image of an original document by scanning in the first direction. The mounting board is accommodated in the casing and mounts an electronic component that is used when the image reading unit reads the image, the mounting board extending in the first direction. The antenna is accommodated in the casing and configured to receive or transmit a radio signal. The antenna is disposed along and adjacent the side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuji Hori, Yasuhiro Asai, Masatsugu Mizuno
  • Patent number: 9100559
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus that blurs a picked-up image based on distance information on a subject, comprises a restoration kernel acquisition section that acquires a restoration kernel as a kernel for eliminating degradation of an image; a blur kernel acquisition section that acquires a blur kernel as a kernel for blurring the image; a compound kernel acquisition section that acquires a compound kernel obtained by merging the restoration kernel with the blur kernel; and an image processing section that eliminates the degradation of the picked-up image and blurs the picked-up image by using the compound kernel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shin Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9094704
    Abstract: A system for presenting media programming guides is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media processor can have a controller to transmit to a media source a request to access media content of a personal television (TV) channel composed by a subscriber of a media communication system according to one or more graphical user interface (GUI) templates that define a plurality of segments of a presentation area of the personal TV channel and one or more modules that arrange media content of the subscriber in the plurality of segments of a select one of the plurality of GUI templates. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, LP
    Inventors: Ankur Mukerji, Charles V. Scott, Scott White
  • Patent number: 9086790
    Abstract: An image displaying method of displaying an image selected from images stored in an image storing apparatus onto a display has the step of displaying the image selected from the images stored in the image storing apparatus into a partial area on the display based on a relative positional relation between the image storing apparatus and the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Yamamoto, Tomoyuki Ohno
  • Patent number: 9083849
    Abstract: A transmission terminal includes a communication unit that communicates with an information providing device; a display control unit that displays first image data created by a photographing unit, second image transmitted from an other transmission terminal, and/or display data received from the information providing device on a display screen; a network communication unit that communicates the first image data, the second image data, and the display data with the other transmission terminal; a screen information capture unit that saves screen information on the display screen; a query unit that queries the other transmission terminal whether capturing of the screen information is allowed, and determines that capture of the screen is disallowed when no response is received within a predetermined time period; a screen editor unit that edits the screen information; and a screen information storage unit that stores the screen information edited by the screen editor unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kumiko Yoshida
  • Patent number: 9075516
    Abstract: There is provided a graphical user interface that displays information on a plurality of different types of content on a single screen. The graphical user interface includes an overview display area and a detail display area. The overview display area displays an overview of the information on the content in chronological order, based on time information for the plurality of the different types of content. The detail display area displays, in greater detail, the information on the content that corresponds to the time information that is selected in the overview display area. Scrolling the information that is displayed in the overview display area causes the information on the content that is displayed in the detail display area to be scrolled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ayuko Ishihara, Takuo Ikeda, Hidenori Karasawa
  • Patent number: 9065967
    Abstract: An approach for providing device angle image correction. An image (e.g., still or moving) of a subject is captured via a camera of a mobile device. One or more geometrics parameters associated with the subject are determined in relation to the mobile device. One or more camera parameters for the mobile device are also determined. An image correction scheme is applied to the image based on the camera parameters and the geometrics parameters to output a modified image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Hubner, Robert A. Clavenna, Kristopher Pate, Steven T. Archer
  • Patent number: 9065787
    Abstract: A method for supervising a chat connection between at least two terminals is provided. The method includes verification of first conditions, including a camera at each terminal is operated, video streams of each camera are live streams, and/or each video stream contains images of a live person. The connection is allowed if all of the first conditions are met and if one second condition is met. A second condition can include one first subset of the persons is identified as belonging to one defined restricted group and an identity of a second subset of the persons is determined at least on the basis of facial and/or body features and the identified second person is classified as an allowed exception. The method also includes a pre-defined reaction if any of the first conditions and/or all of the second conditions are not met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: ATG Advanced Swiss Technology Group AG
    Inventors: Rudolf Hauke, Roger Kueffer, Markus Holzer
  • Patent number: 9065993
    Abstract: A lens includes a depth of field (“DOF”) range and a macro range. The macro range is distinct and separate from the DOF range. The macro range is a near field relative to the DOF range. The DOF range provides a first field of view (“FOV”) while the macro range provides a second FOV that is smaller than the first FOV within the DOF range. The lens transfers sharpness from a peripheral viewing region within the macro range into a central viewing region within the macro range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaoyu Miao, Hayes S. Raffle
  • Patent number: 9055185
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method for conducting a video conference between a first mobile device and a second device. The first mobile device includes first and second cameras. The method selects the first camera for capturing images. The method transmits images captured by the first camera to the second device. The method receives selections of the second camera for capturing images during the video conference. The method terminates the transmission of images captured by the first camera and transmits images captured by the second camera of the first mobile device to the second device during the video conference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Joe S. Abuan, David A. Eldred, Hyeonkuk Jeong, Roberto Garcia, Jr., Hsi-Jung Wu, Xiaosong Zhou, Elizabeth C. Cranfill, James O. Normile
  • Patent number: 9055187
    Abstract: A method, device and/or medium for sensing, by an image sensor in an imaging device, light corresponding to an image, in which the image sensor is one of a plurality image sensors interleaved with a plurality of picture elements in the imaging device and displaying, by a picture element in the imaging device, a representation of the image, in which the picture element is one of the plurality of picture elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Intellectual Ventures Fund 79 LLC
    Inventor: Joon Maeng
  • Publication number: 20150146095
    Abstract: A conference device receives and transmits at least one of images and voice via a communication network. The conference device includes a housing having an upper wall; and an operating unit installed on the upper wall. The operating unit includes a first operating member group made up of a plurality of operating members, and at least one different operating member that has a lower frequency of usage as compared to each of the plurality of operating members of the first operating member group. The plurality of operating members of the first operating member group are arranged in a first direction along a top face of the upper wall. The at least one different operating member is disposed, along with one of the plurality of operating members of the first operating member group, in a second direction that runs along the top face and that intersects with the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventor: Ryota YANO
  • Publication number: 20150149330
    Abstract: Systems and methods for medical device inventory tracking are described. One embodiment is a medical device inventory tracking system, including a shipping container configured to contain a medical device, a sensor coupled to the shipping container and configured to detect the presence of the medical device, and a processing circuit integrated into the shipping container and configured to receive a signal from the sensor and perform an action based upon the signal. Another embodiment is a system for monitoring a surgical procedure using a medical device in an operating room, including a camera and display mounted in the operating room and a telecommunications interface configured to permit a videoconference between personnel in the operating room and a product specialist associated with the medical device using the display and the camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventor: Patrick J. Sweeney
  • Patent number: 9041763
    Abstract: A method for establishing a video conference is provided. The method is applied in a video conferencing system. The system has a first electronic device, a second electronic device, a third electronic device, a fourth electronic device, and a server. The first and second electronic devices are associated with a first user. The third and fourth electronic devices are associated with a second user. The method is capable of building an audio communication between the first electronic device and the third electronic device over a telecommunications network; and building a video communication between the second electronic device and the fourth electronic device over an IP network simultaneously, wherein the video communication is parallel to the audio communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: QUANTA COMPUTER INC.
    Inventors: Hsueh-Cheng Hsu, Tsai-Mu Chen
  • Publication number: 20150138300
    Abstract: A mobile device, and a method and computer program product for displaying a streaming video image at the mobile device during a packet based video call via a channel established over a wireless communication network, the method comprising: receiving a speed indication of the mobile device and sending said indication to a communication client application; and responsive to receiving said indication, the communication client application configured to limit the amount of information in the streaming video image that is supplied for display on a display means of the mobile device during the video call when the speed of the mobile device is greater than, or equal to, a first predetermined speed threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventor: Sten Tamkivi
  • Patent number: 9035993
    Abstract: An approach for splitting a communication data stream into an audio data stream and a video data stream, anchoring the audio data stream at an anchor point within a network, and bypassing anchoring of the video data stream at the anchor point within the network to reduce a processing load at the anchor point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Lee N. Goodman, Elliot G. Eichen, James Flynn
  • Patent number: 9035995
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for widening a viewing angle in a video conferencing system are provided. The apparatus for widening a viewing angle in a video conferencing system includes: generating reference data from images of a video conference participant captured by a camera included in the video conferencing system; generating movement data based on the video conference participant's movements sensed by the camera; extracting a first control parameter by comparing the reference data with the movement data; transmitting the first control parameter to the other end of the conference; receiving a second control parameter generated at the other end of the conference; and controlling the camera by the second control parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventor: Mi Suk Lee
  • Patent number: 9035990
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for providing continuous presence video stream in a cascading video conference, i.e., a video conference that is conducted over more than one MCU. A cascading continuous presence composition controller (CCCC) selects which endpoints from among all of the endpoints participating in the conference should be displayed in the layout, regardless of which endpoints are associated with which MCU. The CCCC can be resident on one of the MCUs, resident on a cascading conference server, or can be distributed among all of the MCUs involved in a cascading conference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Polycom, Inc.
    Inventors: Noam Eshkoli, Oded Gants
  • Patent number: 9030520
    Abstract: In videoconference camera selection, audio inputs associated with cameras for a videoconference are each processed into first and second audio energies respectively for first and second frequency ranges. The selection then determines which of the audio inputs has a greatest ratio of the first audio energy to the second audio energy and selects the associated camera view for outputting video for the videoconference. The selection can also process video inputs from the cameras either alone or in combination with the audio processing. Either way, the selection processes each of the video inputs for at least one facial characteristic and determines which of the video inputs has a greatest likelihood of framing a human face. In the end, the selection selects the associated camera view for outputting video for the videoconference based at least in part on this video-based determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Polycom, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter L. Chu, Jinwei Feng, Krishna Sai
  • Patent number: 9030521
    Abstract: Methods and systems for managing messaging are described. An illustrative messaging system includes a processor and a content database storing video content and/or other content, and a user database that stores an identifier corresponding to a telecommunications carrier associated with a user mobile phone, and an indicator indicating the messaging capability of the mobile phone of the user. Code is stored in memory that is configured to provide for display on a terminal a form via which a user can view a plurality of videos from the content database, select a video to be sent as a message, and specify a recipient for the video message. The system is optionally configured to initiate the transmission of an approval request message to a terminal, such as a mobile phone associated with the user, wherein the user can approve the sending of the video message to the recipient by taking an action in response to the approval request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Mobile Messenger Global, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Rossano, James Citron, Norman Schifman
  • Publication number: 20150124042
    Abstract: A method, client application and user terminal, the method including providing a packet-based communication system for conducting voice or video calls over a packet-based network and providing an instance of a client application enabling a first user terminal to access the packet-based communication system. The client application is configured so as when executed on the first terminal to receive an input from multiple different audio and/or video input transducers of the first terminal, to analyze those inputs in relation to one another, and based on that analysis to select at least one audio and/or video input transducer and/or output transducer of the first terminal for use in conducting a voice or video call with a remote user terminal via the packet-based communication system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventor: Derek MacDonald
  • Patent number: 9024993
    Abstract: A participant managing system which identifies potential invitees to a conference. A storage means maintains storing records of associations of persons at least one or more key words. During the preparation of the conference the system responds to the user's input of key words by identifying persons. The user is not obliged to make any selection of persons, only a selection of subjects by key words.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: RPX Clearinghouse LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Hession, Tony McCormack, John Costello, Frank McGuire
  • Patent number: 9024994
    Abstract: Voice or video communication is incorporated into a television or compatible audio capable visual display by routing a television signal through a communication interface apparatus connected to a voice or video communication network and switching between a call and at least the audio portion of the television signal when a call is detected and the user chooses to answer the call in response to an on-screen menu superimposed on the video portion of the television signal. The communication interface apparatus includes a controller that is configured to allow speed dialing using a wireless remote, as well as making calls from a user-defined contact list or a regional phone directory that is updatable from a remote source via the Internet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventor: Michael Book
  • Patent number: 9026175
    Abstract: An electronic device that is accessible to a first storage medium that has no communication function and a second storage medium that has a communication function and is detachable to the device, comprising: an input unit configured to input image data; a designation unit configured to designate at least one of the first storage medium and the second storage medium as a storage medium serving as a storage destination of the image data input by the input unit; and a control unit configured to, if the first storage medium is designated as the storage destination of the image data and the second storage medium is not designated, store the image data in the first storage medium and store the image data in the second storage medium as well so as to transmit the image data to an external apparatus by the communication function of the second storage medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Nobuhisa Kojima
  • Patent number: 9024996
    Abstract: A pan-tilt mechanism for a video conferencing camera may be provided. The pan-tilt mechanism may comprise a base, a bracket, a tilt motor, and a pan motor. The tilt motor may be fixed to the base and may be configured to cause the bracket to tilt along a horizontal axis. The pan motor may be fixed to the base and may be configured to cause the bracket to pan about a vertical axis without affecting the tilt of the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Håvard Hoelsæter
  • Patent number: 9024995
    Abstract: A remote camera device is enabled to be used as a source of a video stream in a video call where the local endpoint host in the call, such as a TV, functions as a local endpoint proxy. The TV receives the video stream and transmits it to a remote endpoint host (the other end of the video call) using a conventional video call application. A TV without a camera is able to function as a local endpoint proxy in a video call with a remote device. In another scenario, the TV discovers and connects to a remote camera device. The remote camera, such as a cell phone, streams video to the TV which functions as a local endpoint proxy in the video call. The TV transmits the video to the device at the other end of the call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fabio Gava, Praveen Kashyap, Shiang-Feng Lee, Fei Xie
  • Patent number: 9025001
    Abstract: An apparatus and method to control transmission of a sequence of a video call or communication. An individual participating in a video call or communication can shade a video input port of a camera to switch from a video call or communication to an audio only call or communication. A control element can be provided to reinstate transmission of the video component of the call or communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Adamas An, ZhongWei Ding, Guoying Wang
  • Patent number: 9019335
    Abstract: Controlling a bridge in a videoconferencing system through a remote endpoint. The endpoint may receive a generic menu-navigation user input command, such as a navigation command from a simple remote control device. The endpoint may then convert the user input into a bridge control command comprising at least one of a dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF) signal or a far-end camera control (FECC) signal. The use of DTMF and FECC signals is transparent to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Logitech Europe S.A.
    Inventor: Wayne E. Mock
  • Patent number: 9019336
    Abstract: A first terminal is coupled to a wide-area packet-based network and installed with first client application. One or more second terminals are coupled to the first terminal via a local wireless link, and each installed with an instance of a lightweight sub-client having reduced functionality relative to the first client. The first client establishes a call with a remote, third terminal over the network, based on a user credential identifying the first client. Each second terminal generates an audio or video stream, and each sub-client transmits the respective stream to the first client over the local wireless link for use in the call. The first client switches between a second state in which the call uses the streams from the sub-clients and a first state in which the call uses a stream generated by the first terminal without the streams from the sub-clients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Skype
    Inventors: Jonas Lindblom, Teemu Suutari
  • Patent number: 9014424
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for tracking image sections which represent indicator body parts of a body in a process sequence of images, wherein changes in the position of the indicator body parts are used as an indicator for changes in the position of a treatment body part of the body which is to be treated using a treatment beam, said method comprising the following steps: providing advance image data which describe an advance sequence of images representing a result of an advance analysis of the body; providing process image data which describe the process sequence of images, wherein the process sequence of images represents a result of a process analysis of the body which is performed after the advance analysis; determining, on the basis of the advance image data, sub-images which undergo similar changes in position in the advance sequence; extracting, on the basis of the process image data and the determined sub-images, image sections from the images of the process sequence which have an ima
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Brainlab AG
    Inventors: Kajetan Berlinger, Stephan Brumme
  • Patent number: 9013533
    Abstract: Systems and methods for model-based video fixing are disclosed. A video can be retrieved and analyzed to determine if any portion of the video can be represented by a model. If a portion that can be modeled is identified, a model that approximates the portion can be specified, the portion can be removed from the video, and instructions for modeling the video can be formatted. The video and the instructions can be transmitted to a receiving device, which can synthesize the model and the received video to generate a model-based video. Systems for providing the model-based video fixing are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: James Pratt, Sarah Everett, Marc Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20150103134
    Abstract: Described are a video conversation method, a video conversation terminal, and a video conversation system. The video conversation method includes: the first conversation terminal sending an effect change request to a second conversation terminal; the second conversation terminal changing effect to current local video data of the second conversation terminal according to the effect change request; and the second conversation terminal sending video data which effect is changed to the first conversation terminal. During the video conversation, the video conversation method adds effect to both sides of the video conversation, and improves an interactivity of the video conversation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventor: Jie Cheng
  • Patent number: 9007416
    Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for communicating between mobile devices. Such methods involve establishing a communication session between the mobile devices using a local network, such as a Wi-Fi network. The methods also involve transmitting data streams from one mobile device in the group to all other mobile devices using this local network. The data streams may include audio and/or video data generated by the mobile devices. For example, mobile device users may conduct a teleconference through the local network and/or share media. The mobile devices may be interconnected using a star or ring topology, which may depend on distances between participants and/or alarm features that reflect connection losses between the mobile devices. Each mobile device may be equipped with one or more microphones for collecting audio signals from its user. A mobile device may also include an audio processing system for noise suppression and/or echo cancellation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Audience, Inc.
    Inventors: Carlo Murgia, Eric Skup
  • Patent number: 9007417
    Abstract: A depth image of a scene may be received, observed, or captured by a device. The depth image may then be analyzed to determine whether the depth image includes a human target. For example, the depth image may include one or more targets including a human target and non-human targets. Each of the targets may be flood filled and compared to a pattern to determine whether the target may be a human target. If one or more of the targets in the depth image includes a human target, the human target may be scanned. A skeletal model of the human target may then be generated based on the scan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Zsolt Mathe, Charles Claudius Marais, Ryan Michael Geiss
  • Patent number: 9007418
    Abstract: An image is displayed from a transparent display according to a first signal. Light passing through the display is received, and a second signal is generated from the received light. A third signal is generated from the first signal and the second signal by eliminating data in the second signal corresponding to the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Hao He, Nick Pafundi, Ian K. Kono, Mithilesh Kumar
  • Patent number: 9007419
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an audiovisual apparatus, which includes an audiovisual capturing unit, an audiovisual broadcast unit, and a transmission cable module. The two ends of the transmission cable module are respectively connected to the audiovisual capturing unit and the audiovisual broadcast unit. The transmission cable module has a video cable group for transmitting video signals and an audio cable group for transmitting audio signals suitable for reducing echo. The audio cable group includes a cable for providing a digital clock for the audio signal, a cable for providing a clock for the left right channel switching audio signal, a cable for inputting serial audio signal, and a cable for outputting serial audio signal. With this arrangement, the audio signals captured by the audiovisual capturing unit and transmitted by the transmission cable module to the audiovisual broadcast unit can be effectively removed of echo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Azurewave Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Chi-Hsing Hsu, Ming-Shun Chen
  • Patent number: 9007426
    Abstract: A method that includes determining input-resolution parameters for an input resolution, receiving first and second output resolutions from an electronic device, wherein the first output resolution includes first output-resolution parameters and the second output resolution includes second output-resolution parameters, calculating a first value by using the input-resolution parameters and the first output-resolution parameters, calculating a second value by using the input-resolution parameters and the second output-resolution parameters, selecting one of the first and second output resolutions based on a comparison between the first and second values, providing the selected output resolution to the electronic device, and receiving a video stream from the electronic device, wherein the video stream has a resolution corresponding to the selected output resolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Valentina Iqorevna Kramarenko, Boris Rozinov, Matthew David Douglas Williams
  • Patent number: 9007420
    Abstract: An embodiment of an apparatus may include an image capture device configured to capture an image of a user in response to a request to initiate an electronic visitation session. The apparatus may also include a processing device coupled to the image capture device and configured to perform a feature detection process on the image to verify that an actual face was present in the image, and connect the electronic visitation session in response to a determination that the actual face was present in the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Securus Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Passe
  • Patent number: 9007421
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a conference call user interface and methods thereof. In one illustrative embodiment, the user interface provides a simple teleconferencing solution that allows a user to establish a conference as well as an individual conversation. Graphical representations, in the form of avatars, can be provided. A table surrounded by the avatars can be used to mimic a meeting room as though the parties were actually there. When phone icons on the chests of the avatars are actuated, a directory application to search for parties can be provided. A consult line, separate from the avatars, can also be provided. After connecting and associating the parties with an avatar, call handling actions can be displayed on or around each of the avatars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Mitel Networks Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Francis Couse, Vincent Somoza
  • Patent number: 9007415
    Abstract: There is provided a system and method of audio-video communications including a plurality of end-user terminals coupled via a communications link. Each end-user terminal includes a video processor component, a user interface, a display, a speaker and a microphone, a video camera device and a storage device, all coupled to the processor. The user interface includes a video muting function. The video processor component includes a module responsive to the video muting function for switching from a video source of the video camera to a predetermined video signal. The video muting function includes a selection for muting video sent from one of the plurality of end-user terminals, muting video received by one of the plurality of end-user terminals, muting video, both video sent from and video received by one of the plurality of end-user terminals, or muting audio and video sent from one of the plurality of end-user terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Mitel Networks Corporation
    Inventor: Paul Andrew Erb
  • Publication number: 20150097917
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for providing two-way audio and video communications in a remote customer assistance environment. Upon initiation of an audio communications session using an audio server, separate video communications are established between the devices in a customer terminal and a remote attendant workstation. The dial plan of the audio server may used to add additional information to the incoming audio call request for use by the attendant workstation in initiating the video communications sessions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventor: Kurt A. Gish
  • Patent number: 9001180
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, methods and computer program products for receiving input to initiate a video conference with a first participant from a user; initiating the video conference between the user and the first participant; receiving a request to add at least a second participant to the video conference from at least one of the user and the first participant, the request comprising credentials associated with the second participant; determining that the second participant is authorized to join the video conference based on the credentials; and connecting the second participant to the video conference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Bank of America Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew A. Calman, Elizabeth S. Votaw, Alicia C. Jones, Su Liu, Lynn Streja, Nir Rachmel, Wanwen Han, Rajat Agrawal, Cameron Jungeun Park-Hur, James Robert Grimsley