Abstract: A social network may be established between mobile nodes using a wireless connection. Establishing the social network may be based on an estimated time duration of the wireless connection. In one or more embodiments, establishing the social network may also be based on a similarity of interests among of users of the nodes.

Abstract: A virtual conferencing system is described which evaluates and selects participants for active participation based on one or more criteria.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a system and related method for organizing transactional data from an application environment is disclosed. In some embodiments, a system includes a file system and one or more daemon indexers in electrical communication with the file system. The file system is arranged as a non-relational and serverless file system to allow for cost-effectiveness with ready scalability. The file system is to receive, in substantially real-time, unsorted transactional data from a publishing module. The one or more daemon indexers are arranged to receive the unsorted transactional data from the file system, organize the unsorted transactional data by operational characteristics, and store the organized transactional data on the file system. Other systems and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein provide systems, methods, and computer readable media for managing bandwidth based on audio power level. In a particular embodiment, a method provides, from a conference system, transferring at least one audio level criterion to a first user system in a communication session. At the conference system, when a level of first audio for the communication session satisfies the at least one audio level criterion at the first user system, the method provides receiving the first audio encoded using first audio codec parameters by the first user system. At the conference system, when the level of the first audio does not satisfy the at least one audio level criterion at the first user system, the method provides receiving the first audio encoded using second audio codec parameters by the first user system.

Abstract: A spherical content capture system captures spherical video and audio content. In one embodiment, captured metadata or video/audio processing is used to identify content relevant to a particular user based on time and location information. The platform can then generate an output video from one or more shared spherical content files relevant to the user. The output video may include a non-spherical reduced field of view such as those commonly associated with conventional camera systems. Particularly, relevant sub-frames having a reduced field of view may be extracted from each frame of spherical video to generate an output video that tracks a particular individual or object of interest. For each sub-frame, a corresponding portion of an audio track is generated that includes a directional audio signal having a directionality based on the selected sub-frame.

Abstract: A method for interfacing a plurality of videoconferencing client devices the method comprising, in a computer server (5) connected to a client devices:—receiving a first client video stream (7) from the video routing client (4);—tagging a video image of the first client video stream received from the video routing client;—sending, through a bidirectional communication channel (14), the first client video stream (21) to a mixing client (2);—receiving, through the bidirectional communication channel with the mixing client, a mixed video stream (15) from said mixing client;—detecting in the mixed video stream received from the mixing client a video image portion which is different from the tagged video image of the first client video stream;—extracting the detected video image portion from the mixed video stream;—generating a second client video stream (23) from the extracted video image portion;—sending the second client video stream to the video routing client.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for dynamically adapting the view from a conference endpoint that includes a presentation apparatus, such as a whiteboard. A first signal is received that includes a video signal derived from a video camera that is viewing a room during a conference session in which a person is presenting information on a presentation apparatus. During the video conference, switching is performed between the first signal and a second signal representing content being displayed on the presentation apparatus during the conference session for output and transmission to other conference endpoints of the conference session. The determination as to whether to supply the first signal (for a normal view of the conference room) or the second signal may be based on a position determination of the presenter or may be instead be based on an external view selection command received from another conference endpoint participating in the conference session.

Abstract: A video image processing apparatus including, a generation unit configured to generate a video image frame from an image area to be used included in a video image captured by a camera, a spatial area in the video image being defined by the image area to be used, an encoding unit configured to encode the video image frame into any one of a first video image frame and a second video image frame, and a detection unit configured to detect a trigger for changing the image area to be used to report the detection of the trigger to the generation unit, wherein the encoding unit reports a encoded video image frame type to the generation unit in advance, and in response to receiving the detection of the trigger, the generation unit changes the image area to be used in a video image frame based on the reported type.

Abstract: Local media rendering of a multi-party call, performed by a Client User Equipment. The media is encoded by each party in the call, and sent as a media stream to a Media server, and the media server receives a request for media streams from each Client User Equipment, each media stream in the request associated with a client priority. The Media server selects the media streams to send to each Client User Equipment, based on the request, and further such that the number of streams does not exceed a determined maximum number, which is based, e.g., on the available bandwidth.

Abstract: A system for resizing image files includes an FPGA including an interface controller operable to receive a plurality of image files through an interface, a computing kernel controller, and a memory controller. The FPGA also includes an interconnect coupled to the computing kernel controller and the memory controller and a plurality of computing kernels coupled to the interconnect. The system also includes a memory coupled to the FPGA.

Abstract: A method, non-transitory computer readable medium, and account manager device comprises obtaining a plurality of inputs associated with the contact center in response to a request to calculate the return on investment associated with the contact center, wherein the plurality of inputs includes one or more contact center historical data and one or more contact center projected data. At least a part of the obtained one or more contact center historical data is compared against the one or more contact center projected data to identify one or more improvement areas in the contact center. One or more costs to implement the identified one or more improvement areas in the contact center are determined. The return of investment associated to the contact center is determined based on the one or more determined costs. The determined return on investment associated to the contact center is provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for providing notifications based on user activity data. In some embodiments, a method is presented. The method may include accessing first sensor data associated with a first activity of a user. The method may also include determining that the user is engaged in the first activity based at least in part on the first sensor data, receiving a notification while the user is engaged in the first activity, and determining to not present or in other words, hold the notification while the user is engaged in the first activity. In some embodiments, the method may also include accessing second sensor data associated with the user, determining that the user is no longer engaged in the first activity based at least in part on the second sensor data, and presenting the notification while the user is no longer engaged in the first activity.

Abstract: A method for determining a preferred image format in a User Equipment (UE) supporting a mobile video call between UEs, each having a camera and a display includes receiving, from an opposing UE, video transmission control information including therein a preferred image format, and if the preferred image format requested by the opposing UE is acceptable, then the opposing UE sends video transmission control information including therein at least one of an acceptable response message and an acceptable new preferred image format according to acceptability of the preferred image format requested by the opposing UE.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a menu is semi-transparently overlaid upon a portion of a video being shown on a television coupled to a programmable multimedia controller. The menu has a plurality of selectable options and a selection cursor disposed on one of the plurality of selectable options. Input is received from a user on the remote control unit indicating a direction. In response to the input indicating the direction, the selection cursor is moved in a corresponding direction within the semi-transparently overlaid menu to bring the selection cursor to be disposed on a designated selectable option to permit selection of the designated selectable option. In response to selection of the designated selectable option, the programmable multimedia controller issues one or more control commands to a lighting system, a heating ventilation and air/conditioning (HVAC) system, and/or to an automatic shade system, to control operation of lighting, HVAC or window shades.

Abstract: Methods and systems for resource load balancing of teleconference and video conference sessions are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method for resource load balancing of a teleconference session including a plurality of participant devices may include assigning each of the plurality of participant devices into one of a plurality of groups of participant devices based on at least one first heuristic, designating a leader device for each group of participant devices, based on at least one second heuristic to coordinate the teleconference session communications, and coordinating the teleconference session communications of each leader device to facilitate the teleconference session among the plurality of participant devices.

Abstract: Systems and techniques to dynamically correct a gaze of participants in a video conference are described. A computing device participating in a video conference may determine that a frame of a video stream includes features of a face, extract a portion of the frame that includes a first pair of eyes, and determine that the first pair of eyes are looking in a non-forward direction. The computing device may retrieve, from a database, a stored portion that includes a second pair of eyes that are looking in a forward direction, and modify the frame by substituting the stored portion for the portion in the frame to create a modified frame. The computing device may send the modified frame to a videoconferencing server for distribution to other computing devices participating in the video conference.

Abstract: A communications method for broadcasting an event is provided. This includes generating a plurality of media streams at an event and providing a service to receive the media streams. From the service, an interface can be generated to select a subset of the media streams. Media streams can include audio, video, or other formats that are selected from alternative broadcasting channels provided at the event.

Abstract: Some examples include transitioning between an individual mode and a collaborative mode in response to an orientation change of a device. Further, some implementations include identifying data to be shared with one or more other devices (e.g., co-located devices) in the collaborative mode. In some examples, the individual mode may be associated with an individual search, the collaborative mode may be associated with a collaborative search, and the devices may transition between the individual mode and the collaborative mode in response to orientation changes.

Abstract: A method of creating a multi participant session among a plurality of viewers of media content. The method comprises automatically identifying which media content is currently presented on a plurality of client terminals of a plurality of subscribers, receiving, from a first subscriber, a first selection indicative of a template of a multi participant session object and a second selection indicative of a group from the plurality of subscribers, creating a multi participant session object adapted for simultaneous presentation with the media content according to first and second selections and establishing a multi participant session among at least one member of the group and the first subscriber using the multi participant session object.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a memory that stores a log of use of the information processing apparatus by a user, and a display that displays the log of the information processing apparatus stored on the memory together with a face image of a face of the user.

Abstract: When user information to be registered for SNMP authentication is input, an information processing apparatus confirms whether or not user information for MFP authentication is already managed for a user to be registered who is indicated by the input user information. In the case where the user information for MFP authentication is not managed for the user to be registered, the information processing apparatus registers the input user information as user information for SNMP authentication. In the case where the user information for MFP authentication is managed for the user, the information processing apparatus registers information specific to SNMP authentication, i.e. information other than an authentication password, out of the input user information.

Abstract: A transmission terminal includes: a memory to store, for each one of a plurality of candidate counterpart terminals that the transmission terminal is capable of communicating, address information indicating at least a location of the candidate counterpart terminal on a network; a user interface to receive a user input of address information of a counterpart terminal, and a communication start request that requests to start communication with the counterpart terminal; a processing circuitry to store the address information of the counterpart terminal received at the user interface in the memory, to register the counterpart terminal as a candidate counterpart terminal for the terminal; and a transmitter to send a request to start communication with the counterpart terminal using the address information of the counterpart terminal that is received at the user interface.

Abstract: A video conferencing system is provided. The video conferencing system includes a first video conferencing apparatus and a second video conferencing apparatus. A video/audio connection of a video conference between the first and second video conferencing apparatuses is established via an SIP channel. When the video/audio connection of the video conference has been established, a transparent layer is activated on the first and second conferencing apparatuses. When the first and second video conferencing apparatuses are switched to an external output projection mode, first and second touch events are input on the first and second video conferencing apparatus, and the first and second touch events are respectively transmitted to the second and first video conferencing apparatuses via the SIP channel. The first and second video conferencing apparatuses draw the second and first touch events on a first user interface and a second user interface.

Abstract: Technology for a local user equipment (UE) operable to perform video conferencing with a remote UE is disclosed. The local UE can define a region of interest (ROI) within a field of view of a camera of the remote UE. The local UE can map the ROI to one or more pan, tilt, zoom and focus (PTZF) commands. The local UE can send the one or more PTZF commands to the remote UE, wherein the remote UE is configured to identify the ROI based on the one or more PTZF commands. The local UE can receive encoded video within the ROI from the remote UE. The encoded video can include the regions within the ROI at an increased zoom level while substantially maintaining a defined quality level to enable the encoded video within the ROI to be rendered and displayed at the local UE.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for adapting a continuous presence videoconferencing layout according to interactions between conferees. Using regions of interest found in video images, the arrangement of images of conferees may be dynamically arranged as displayed by endpoints. Arrangements may be responsive to various metrics, including the position of conferees in a room and dominant conferees in the videoconference. Video images may be manipulated as part of the arrangement, including cropping and mirroring the video image. As interactions between conferees change, the layout may be automatically rearranged responsive to the changed interactions.

Abstract: Described are systems and methods for helping a participant, who is represented in a remote space by a remote device, to understand the physical state of the remote device in the remote space. This is done through physical and virtual changes in their local space that reflect their own remote physical representation. For example, if their action in the local space causes the remote telepresence robot to rotate 90 degrees, their local display through which the control the robot might rotate 9 degrees. The described methods will help participants have a greater sense of presence in a remote space.

Abstract: Provided is a conference apparatus, which includes a capturing unit to capture an image, a use environment detection unit to detect a use environment in which the conference apparatus is used, and a sound collecting unit whose directivity are changed according to the use environment detected by the use environment detection unit.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure disclose system, apparatus and methods for providing an integrated web conferencing. In various aspects, the disclosure is directed to integrating a VoIP client for audio conferencing with a web client. In particular, the system provides for integrating a web portion of a web conference with an audio portion of the web conference. More specifically, the system, apparatus and methods provide for connecting a VoIP client to an audio conferencing portion of the system to facilitate communications between client and server.

Abstract: Systems and methods of managing a videoconference viewed by a first camera coupled to a first display are provided, including, for a face not detected by the first camera and a second camera coupled to a second display in a user environment, performing an action based on off-display analysis; for a face direction less head-on in the first camera than in the second camera, switching the videoconference to the second camera; and for the face direction not detectable in the first camera, and on-display user activity at the second display, switching the videoconference to the second camera.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for displaying a conference material in a video conference. The method includes determining a position coordinate of a first specified user at a conference site; collecting a video image signal of the conference site, segmenting the video image signal of the conference site according to the position coordinate to acquire a video image signal of the first specified user, and acquiring a video data signal of a displayed conference material; and synthesizing the video image signal of the first specified user and the video data signal of the conference material into one channel of encoded video signal, and sending the channel of encoded video signal to another conference site for signal decoding and for displaying on a same display screen at the other conference site.

Abstract: Real-time interactions made by a client on a whiteboard are shown on remote client(s) currently viewing the whiteboard. The real-time interactions that are shown on the remote clients can include a variety of different interactions. For example, the location(s) of where a remote client is touching the whiteboard or interacting with the whiteboard using a stylus may be viewed. A current inking stroke of a remote user may also be viewed as it is occurring. Interactions on the whiteboard may be shown differently depending on the remote user performing the interaction. The whiteboard may also show a location on the whiteboard where each of the remote users are currently viewing. A user may also track the actions of another user. When a change is committed to the whiteboard, the remote clients update the display to reflect the committed state.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of providing a digitally represented visual instruction from a specialist (2) operating a visual instruction device (4) to a user (6) in need of the visual instruction in relation to an object of interest (8) and a system therefore. In the method a first video stream comprising images of the object of interest is recorded by a first mobile device (12) associated with the user. The first video stream is sent (22) to a second mobile device (18) associated with the specialist. A second video stream comprising the visual instruction device is recorded by the second mobile device and a foreground/background segmentation operation and a background replacement operation is performed on the second and first video stream to provide a third video stream comprising images of the visual instruction device with the first video stream as background.

Abstract: A device and system can physically position a camera lens between the eyes of the image of the person onscreen in a video conference. To position the lens, a mechanical device may position or move the camera lens. The mechanical device can include a movable armature that can move a small camera head (i.e., a lens with or without supporting electronics) from a first position of the computer monitor (e.g., the frame of the monitor) to a second position onscreen. The second position can place the lens near or over the image of the other party, for example, between the eyes of the onscreen image of the other party.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for iterative adjustment of video-capture settings based on identified persona. In an embodiment, a method includes receiving video frames being captured by a video camera of an ongoing scene. The method also includes identifying a persona in one or more of the received frames at least in part by identifying, in each such frame, a set of pixels that is representative of the persona in the frame and that does not include any pixels representative of a background of the frame. The method also includes selecting, based collectively on the brightness values of the pixels in the identified set of pixels of one or more frames, an adjustment command for one or more adjustable video-capture settings of the camera, as well as outputting the selected commands to the camera for use in continuing to capture video data representative of the ongoing scene.

Abstract: A teleconference terminal includes a positional relationship determining unit, a video switching unit, a first video output unit, and a second video output unit. The positional relationship determining unit sets relationship information indicating a displaying position relationship between a location video received from another teleconference terminal and shared information shared among a plurality of locations on the local teleconference terminal based on relationship information indicating a displaying position relationship between the location video and the shared information set on the other teleconference terminal. The video switching unit displays the location video received from the other teleconference terminal and shared information on a first display unit and a second display unit in the displaying position relationship specified in the relationship information set by the positional relationship determining unit.

Abstract: In a method for determining a field of view of a camera device, a location device sends position information to establish anchor points. The camera device captures images of the anchor points, and obtains vertical angles of the anchor points, horizontal angles of the anchor points, and distances between the camera device and the anchor points. Each anchor point corresponds to one or more speakers. The method calculates rotation angles of speakers according to the vertical angles, the horizontal angles, the distances and anthropometric values of the speakers. The method further determines the field of view of the camera device according to the rotation angles.

Abstract: A video endpoint and related methods are disclosed. A video endpoint includes a control circuit configured to provide a user interface configured to enable a user to communicate with another user of another video endpoint with text during video communications with the other user. The user interface is also configured to enable the user to select from text strings stored in a database. A method of operating the video endpoint includes transmitting data corresponding to a selected one of the text strings stored in the database to the other video endpoint during the video communications responsive to the user selecting the selected one of the text strings. A method of transforming a computing device into a video endpoint includes storing computer-readable instructions directed to performing the functions of the control circuit on one or more servers, and transmitting the computer-readable instructions to the computing device.

Abstract: A display system comprising a display screen for displaying a stream of images, a viewer positioning module and an image generator module. The viewer positioning module is for determining a viewer's sightline by defining a first factor of the sightline as a lateral position of a viewer's body part located between the viewer's chin and the viewer's waistline, defining a second factor of the sightline as a depth position of the body part and computing the sightline based at least on the first factor and the second factor. The image generator module is for generating the stream of images considering the determined sightline. A method comprising defining the first factor, defining the second factor, computing the sightline based at least on the first factor and the second factor, generating the stream of images considering the determined sightline and displaying the stream of images on a first display screen.

Abstract: Dynamically adapting a continuous presence (CP) layout in a videoconference enhances a videoconferencing experience by providing optimum visibility to regions of interest within the CP layout and ignoring regions of no interest. Based on the CP layout, a CP video image can be built, in which a conferee at a receiving endpoint can observe, simultaneously, several other participants' sites in the conference. For example, more screen space within the CP layout is devoted to presenting the participants in the conference and little or no screen space is used to present an empty seat, an empty room, or an unused portion of a room. Aspect ratios of segments of the CP layout (e.g., landscape vs. portrait) can be adjusted to optimally present the regions of interest. The CP layout can be adjusted as regions of interest change depending on the dynamics of the video conference.

Abstract: A system and method for producing a video-based group conversation for viewing over a network. A template is configured to generate a display at a first user computer which includes a plurality of sections in a single screen display, including at least a preview section configured for displaying an indicator for each of one or more viewers who are viewing the video-based conversation, and a media player section configured for displaying a video signal including at least some of the video feeds. The creator of the video-based group conversation controls which users can participate in the video-based group conversation by enabling video streams provided by those users to be displayed on the screen and viewable to other users who access the group conversation.

Abstract: A system and method for producing a publically viewable video-based group conversation for viewing over a network. The system is configured to generate a display at a first user computer which includes a plurality of sections in a single screen display, including at least a preview section configured for displaying an indicator for each of one or more viewers who are viewing the video-based conversation, and a media player section configured for displaying a video signal including at least some of the video feeds. The creator of the publically viewable video-based group conversation controls which users can participate in the publically viewable video-based group conversation by enabling video streams provided by those users to be displayed on the screen and viewable to other users who access the group conversation.

Abstract: A transmission management system receives, when a terminal and a relay device is connected, domain information that indicates a management system capable of executing control associated with start of communication using the relay device. The management system can allow another management system to execute control based on the domain information even if the management system cannot execute the control.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may capture images using a camera system at a location associated with a user, transmit video content representative of the images over a network for presentation by another media processor at another location, receive at a media processor media content and second video content representative of second images that are associated with the second user, and present at a display device of the location the media content and the second video content in a telepresence configuration that simulates a presence of the other user at the location, where at least one of the media content and the video content is presented as three dimensional content. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A virtual presence system includes a display having a structural matrix configured to arrange a plurality of spaced pixel elements. A plurality of spaced pixel elements collectively form an active visual area wherein an image is displayable. At least one image capture device is disposed within the active visual area for capturing an image.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are an imaging apparatus and a control method thereof. The apparatus enables a user to simultaneously conduct a video call while watching a broadcasting program. When transmitting an acoustic signal to an opposite user, the apparatus cancels the speech of the opposite user and the background sound from the broadcasting program, and thus, superior communication quality may be maintained.

Abstract: A transmission management system, when content data is communicated among plural transmission terminals via a communication network, selects a relay apparatus which relays the content data. The system determines whether first attributes of the respective plural transmission terminals are the same; determines whether second attributes of the respective plural transmission terminals are the same; and selects a first relay apparatus in a case where the first attributes are determined to be the same, selects a second relay apparatus in a case where the first attributes are not determined to be the same but the second attributes are determined to be the same, and selects a third relay apparatus in a case where the first attributes are not determined to be the same and the second attributes are not determined to be the same.

Abstract: A video conferencing system is provided. The video conferencing system includes: a first video conferencing terminal; a second video conferencing terminal, for establishing a video conference with the first video conferencing terminal via a peer-to-peer connection; and a management server. When a user needs to add a third video conferencing terminal to the video conference to establish a multi-way video conference, the first video conferencing terminal and the second video conferencing terminal automatically terminate the peer-to-peer connection, and connect to the third video conferencing terminal through the management server to perform the multi-way video conference.

Abstract: A transmission/reception unit of a management system receives a relay device ID transmitted by a selection device. Also, the transmission/reception unit transmits communication control request information to another management system based on the relay device ID. Consequently, a relay device to be used to relay content data to be transmitted/received among terminals can be selected from relay devices that the another management system can control.

Abstract: An immersive videoconference method wherein multiple participants (21, 22, 23, 24) in different locations (11, 12, 13) remotely interact with each other through a telecommunication network architecture (8, 31, 38), wherein the method comprises at the location (11, 12, 13) of a given participant (21, 22, 23, 24); —capturing video images of the participant by a pair of video cameras (4A, 4B); —detecting, tracking and determining size and position related parameters of the participant in the video images; —generating a single elementary video stream related to the participant; —associating a room identifier to the elementary video stream, the room identifier being uniquely associated to the given participant; —sending the elementary video stream, the size and position related parameters and the room identifier (41A, 42A, 43A) to a centralized entity (30); —repeating the above steps for each participant (21, 22, 23, 24) at the different location (11, 12, 13); wherein the method further comprises at the centralize

Abstract: Techniques for controlling the volumes of multiple audio output devices using a collective (master) volume control and an individual volume control for each audio output device. In one set of embodiments, each individual volume control can be configured to indicate the current absolute volume level of its corresponding audio output device. When the master volume control is manually adjusted, the individual volume controls can be automatically adjusted in a manner proportional to the manual adjustment of the master volume control. In addition, when an individual volume control is manually adjusted to a setting or value that exceeds the master volume control, the master volume control can be automatically adjusted to be equal to, or greater than, the manually adjusted setting for the individual volume control. In this scenario, the other individual volume controls can remain unchanged.