Abstract: A conference device and an application for enabling geographically dispersed individuals to collaborate with one another are disclosed herein. Communication protocols can be used to invoke actions within the conference device and the application. Files can be transferred between the application and conference device. The application can remotely control connected conference devices. The application along with the conference device can offer a range of capabilities from multi-party audio conferencing to three hundred and sixty degree microphone pick-up for in-room participants. Multi-party video conferencing capabilities and in-room presentation displays via a built-in video interface to the in-room projector or monitor are provided. The conference device can include features such as Bluetooth™ or other connection that enables detection of wireless devices when meeting participants are present by virtue of their mobile device being within range.

Abstract: A method comprising rendering a video display signal comprising combining local illumination video objects from different sources into each frame of a plurality of frames, wherein the local illumination video objects are video objects on which chromatic adaptation was performed using an illumination reference common to all video objects. An apparatus comprising a processor configured to render a video display signal comprising combining local illumination video objects from different sources into each frame of a plurality of frames, wherein the local illumination video objects are video objects on which chromatic adaptation was performed using an illumination reference common to all video objects.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system for distributing video conference resources among connected parties and methods thereof. In an illustrative embodiment, an ad-hoc network providing conferencing resources is presented. The network can include a master device and a number of slave devices. Each of the slave devices can present their bandwidth capabilities to the master device. End devices can be connected to the master device. When no additional connections can be made to the master device, slave devices can be used to add the end devices into the conference. The slave device can thus share its resources to the conference. In one embodiment, individual slave devices can handle different types of codecs.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, methods and computer program products for assisting a user to select a customer service representative of a financial institution in preparation for a customer service conference. Embodiments determine that an operative connection is being established between a user device of the user and a system associated with the financial institution, such that the user and the representative of the financial institution may conduct the conference; recognize the user as a customer enrolled in a representative pre-selection program; determine at least one representative from a pool of potential representatives, the at least one representative determined for presentation to the user for user selection and determined based at least in part on the user having previously conferenced with the at least one representative; and receive user input selecting one of the at least one representatives for conference connection.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that facilitate the generation of calling lists for use in planning or setting up conference calls. The system may include a communications module and a contact database comprising a plurality of contact records, each contact record corresponding to a different contact. Each contact record may include at least one contact address and at least one descriptor. For example, the descriptor may include a job title and/or expertise for the contact. The system may also include a selection module configured to select at least one of the contacts and also configured to compare the at least one descriptor to at least one qualifier criteria.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, methods and computer program products for split-screen functionality to be provided to a user device during a hold period prior to a customer-service video conference. Specifically, according to defined embodiments, the present invention provides for a first portion of split-screen includes a visual depiction of a queue of users currently awaiting a video conference with the customer-service associate. The queue allows for the user/customer to gauge how long the hold period will last. In addition to the visual depiction of the hold queue, the split screen may provide for other portions of the screen to include other information and/or functionality such as, such as information related or unrelated to the impending video conference.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method and an apparatus for controlling a conference place environment in video communication, in which, the method for controlling a video communication conference place environment includes: generating illumination feedback information indicating an illumination effect of a video communication conference place, in which the illumination feedback information comprises: a parameter indicating an illumination flaw or a parameter indicating correction of the illumination flaw; and outputting the illumination feedback information, so that a lighting controlling device in the video communication conference place controls lighting in the video communication conference place according to the illumination feedback information. By use of technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present invention, a conference place environment in video communication is able to be remotely controlled.

Abstract: A telecommunication network 9 for video conference calls comprises: devices including: a plurality of telecommunication end-point devices 35,36,38,39; and a plurality of data streaming devices 33,40 each for streaming encoded data from at least one of the telecommunication end-point devices 35,36,38,39 to at least one other of the data streaming devices 33,40 and/or to at least one other of the telecommunication end-point devices 35,36,38,39. The telecommunication network further comprises a controller 34 for controlling: forming of telecommunication connections between at least some devices on the network; and data streams along the formed telecommunication connections.

Abstract: A conference terminal, a conference server, a conference system, and a data processing method are provided. The conference terminal includes: a mark obtaining module, configured to obtain a mark data signal; an image obtaining module, configured to obtain an image data signal; a superimposing module, configured to superimpose the mark data signal onto the image data signal to generate a hybrid image data signal; and an outputting module, configured to output the hybrid image data signal. The present invention improves the interactivity between videoconference users and the discussion efficiency.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide an architecture for establishing a multi-participant conference. This architecture has one participant's computer in the conference act as a central content distributor for the conference. The central distributor receives data (e.g., video and/or audio streams) from the computer of each other participant, and distributes the received data to the computers of all participants. In some embodiments, the central distributor receives A/V data from the computers of the other participants. From such received data, the central distributor of some embodiments generates composite data (e.g., composite image data and/or composite audio data) that the central distributor distributes back to the participants.

Abstract: A video conferencing/presentation system includes a PC docking station and a room media unit. The dock includes speakerphone and tactile user interface. The wall-mounted RMU, including a wide field camera and speaker(s), is coupled to a monitor. The dock communicates with the RMU. A speakerphone mic captures room audio. During conferencing, room audio and camera video are sent to a docked PC; the PC communicates with remote nodes using video chat software, sending room A/V; remote A/V is received from the PC by the dock, and transmitted for RMU output. During presentation, room audio, and/or PC media software presentation, may be output through the RMU, or to the PC for remote transmission. The dock provides the PC network access. Dock/RMU may each be equipped with a bidirectional transceiver, which uses prioritized opportunistic sequencing to assemble/disassemble a combined media/control packet stream over a cable, and transfer power from dock to RMU.

Abstract: A remote presenting system, includes: a plurality of displays, configured to display a remote image; an audio output apparatus, configured to output remote audio information; a multimedia communication terminal, configured to process and control audio/video information obtained by a local end and audio/video information sent by a remote end; a plurality of video cameras, configured to shoot a local video image and send the shot video image to the multimedia communication terminal to be processed; an audio collection apparatus, configured to collect local audio information, and send the collected audio information to the multimedia communication terminal; and a plurality of user locations, corresponding to the plurality of video cameras respectively, and respectively being in an approximately perpendicular relationship with optic axes of camera lenses of the plurality of video cameras.

Abstract: Various embodiments of systems, methods, and computer programs are disclosed for transitioning from a phone-only mode to a web conference mode. One embodiment is a method for participating in an audio conference comprising: a conferencing system establishing an audio conference between a plurality of participants via a communication network, at least one of the participants participating in the audio conference in a phone-only mode; and a server in communication with the conferencing system presenting to the phone-only participant, via a user interface on a computing device, a phone-only control menu for enabling the phone-only participant to selectively transition from the phone-only mode to a web conferencing mode.

Abstract: A telepresence system enhances the perception of presence of a remote person involved in a video conference. The system preferably has a two-way mirror, which is between the observer and the display device, positioned at an angle to reflect a backdrop surface. The backdrop surface, which is further away from the two-way mirror than the image plane of the image display device, appears superimposed in a position behind the image of a person from the remote location. The system preferably minimizes image distortion via an optical path for the camera line of sight that is substantially longer than the physical distance between the user and the camera. The system may be asymmetrical, in that one camera is on axis with the user's line of sight while the other camera is off axis with the user's line of sight.

Abstract: A participation device in a multiparty conference call may act as a server device and/or a client device for two-way audio and video (AV) streaming. A server device may encode a requested AV stream into a set of different encoding profiles that may be dynamically determined based on the varying channel conditions and device capacities of the client devices. At least a portion of differently encoded AV streams is selected and dynamically communicated to the client devices for display. Session parameters are determined according to the varying channel conditions and the device capacities of the client devices to create intended sessions. The selected encoded AV streams are communicated utilizing segment-based adaptive streaming techniques such as HTTP. A client device may access to a HTTP session to download an expected AV stream from the server device. The downloaded AV stream may be decoded into different decoding profiles for display as needed.

Abstract: A portable electronic device comprises an electromechanical module having an actuator for positioning a mechanical element between first and second positions, and a controller coupled to the electromechanical module. The controller is configured to detect a mechanical event coupling to the electromechanical module, select an actuation signal to position the mechanical element in a safe position between the first and second positions, and transmit the selected signal, such that the mechanical element is positioned in the safe position during the event.

Abstract: A system is configured to receive a request to set up a first video conference and another request to set up a second video conference, where the request is received from a client device and where the other request is received from another client device; obtain first information associated with an enterprise with which the client device is associated and second information associated with another, different enterprise with which the other client device is associated; determine whether the first information permits the client device to set up the first video conference and whether the second information permits the other client device to set up the second video conference; establish the first video conference when the first information permits the client device to set up the first video conference; and establish the second video conference when the second information permits the other client device to set up the second video conference.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer-readable storage mediums encoded with computer programs executed by one or more processors for providing a telepresence with gestural interface for remote collaboration are disclosed. An electronic presentation including a background object and a foreground object is received. A real-time video of a presenter is received over a network for display within the electronic presentation. A layered presentation is composited. The layered presentation including the background object composited behind the opaque representation of the presenter composited behind the foreground object composited behind the translucent representation of the presenter. The layered presentation is provided for rendering in real-time.

Abstract: A multimedia collaboration system that facilitates more efficient, free-flowing collaboration sessions. In order to make addition of new participants, media components, and or network access device to a collaboration session more efficient, client devices associated with each participant can store endpoint address information that can be automatically obtained by the multimedia collaboration system. The endpoint address information can then be used to add the new participants, media components, and or network access device.

Abstract: A method for communication includes establishing communication links over a packet network between a server and plurality of client computers that are to participate in a video teleconference. The server receives from the client computers uplink audio packets and uplink video packets, which respectively contain audio and video data captured by each of the client computers. The server mixes the audio data from the uplink audio packets so as to create respective streams of mixed audio data for transmission to the client computers and transmits to the client computers downlink audio packets containing the respective streams of mixed audio data. The server relays the video data to the client computers in downlink video packets. The client computers receive and synchronize the video data with the mixed audio data.

Abstract: A videoconference may be initiated between a plurality of endpoints. At least one of the endpoints may be coupled to a recording server, which may be configured to record the videoconference. A configuration may be selected (e.g., automatically or manually) for performing the recording. The endpoint (e.g., acting as an MCU) may transmit information to endpoints and may transmit recording information to the recording server. The recording information may be different from the videoconference information. For example, it may be in a “streaming friendly” format, at a different bit rate, encoded differently, have different inputs, etc. The manner in which the videoconference is stored and/or recorded may be based on the selected configuration. Clients may be configured to receive and display the videoconference from the recording server and may be configured to change the provided layout to different layouts, e.g., based on user input.

Abstract: A videoconference may be initiated between a plurality of endpoints. At least one of the endpoints may be coupled to a recording server, which may be configured to record the videoconference. A configuration may be selected (e.g., automatically or manually) for performing the recording. The endpoint (e.g., acting as an MCU) may transmit information to endpoints and may transmit recording information to the recording server. The recording information may be different from the videoconference information. For example, it may be in a “streaming friendly” format, at a different bit rate, encoded differently, have different inputs, etc. The manner in which the videoconference is stored and/or recorded may be based on the selected configuration. Clients may be configured to receive and display the videoconference from the recording server and may be configured to change the provided layout to different layouts, e.g., based on user input.

Abstract: A mechanism for efficiently and dynamically adjusting lighting conditions in a space through the use of existing video capture devices in the space or video capture devices on computing devices brought into the space is provided. Incident lighting levels, light composition, and similar aspects on the participants, displays, projectors, white boards, walls, and comparable objects may be calibrated and/or optimized based on captured image quality.

Abstract: A video conferencing system presents video conference feeds of remote participants in different video conferencing units that are located throughout a conference room. Each of the available units is located at a different position within the conference room. At any point in time, a remote participant is associated with one of the units. The remote participant may move and/or be moved to a different unit during the video conference. For example, a presenter may ask the remote participant to “sit” at a particular unit and/or the remote participant may decide to move to a different unit within the room. Each of the units is configured to determine when a local participant is addressing a remote participant that is associated with the unit. When more than one remote participant is associated with a particular unit, the remote participant who is being communicated with may be shown prominently on the display.

Abstract: A method of controlling a user interface to display participants of a call in dependence upon the participants' speech activity in the call, the method including monitoring the speech activity of the participants in the call and determining whether a participant is an active participant or an inactive participant in dependence on the participants' speech activity over a minimum time period of the call. In response to determining whether a participant is an active or inactive participant, an active participant is displayed in a first area of the user interface and an inactive participant is displayed in a second area of the user interface. The first area of the user interface is larger than the second area of the user interface.

Abstract: A social networking system enables cable television viewers to watch television programs as a virtual group, each watching within his/her own home, while simultaneously communicating with one another, for example, via voice and/or video chat. The system enables a viewer to find friends, or other like-minded viewers not acquainted with the viewer, for virtual communal viewing parties. The system can enable participants in a viewing party to synchronize viewing sessions enabling each participant to share in a common viewing experience. The system can also enable a system operator to recognize communal viewing groups and enable more effective advertisement targeting.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method, an apparatus, and a system for controlling a conference including a telepresence conference site, and relate to the field of network communications technologies. An embodiment of the present invention provides a method for controlling a conference site in a telepresence conference, including: receiving attribute information of a telepresence conference site sent by the telepresence conference site, where the telepresence conference site includes at least two video areas; and performing conference control according to the received attribute information of the telepresence conference site. Through application of the present invention, the conference control process of the telepresence conference site may be simplified.

Abstract: Real-time interactive broadcast sessions for client devices include: for each client device in the interactive broadcast session, configuring downstream video and audio ports for the interactive broadcast session between a central controller and the client device; receiving from each client device a selected broadcaster corresponding to a broadcaster flow control signal; in response to receiving the selected broadcaster from each client device, sending video and audio streams of the selected broadcaster to each client device over the interactive broadcast session; receiving a request from a given client device on the interactive broadcast session to interact with the selected broadcaster; configuring upstream and downstream video ports for one-to-one video chat session between the central controller and the given client device; and sending the video and audio streams of the given client device, and the video and audio streams of the selected broadcaster, to each client device over the interactive broadcast se

Abstract: An aspect of the present disclosure provides for connection to a video conference apparatus at a remote site. A method includes initiating transmission of an image of shared content to the video conference apparatus at the remote site, the image of the shared content representing data shared with the video conference apparatus; determining, when the transmission of the image is initiated, a first region and a second region in an output image; monitoring the shared content which is being transmitted; determining whether an instruction for full-screen display is issued regarding the monitored shared content; and causing the full-screen display of the image of the shared content to fit in the first region when the instruction for full-screen display is issued.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein to a method for presenting topics of conversation during a call comprising: connecting, by a computer, a first device and a second device over a network; opening, by a computer, an audio channel that facilitates audio communication between a first user of the first device and a second user of the second device; receiving, by a computer, an audio stream over the audio channel; analyzing, by a computer, the audio stream to determine spoken words said by either the first or second users; correlating, by a computer, the determined spoken words to determine a topic of conversation; and displaying, by a computer, the topic of conversation in an information post to a remote terminal connected to the network.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein to a method for presenting topics of conversation during a call comprising: connecting, by a computer, a first device and a second device over a network; opening, by a computer, an audio channel that facilitates audio communication between a first user of the first device and a second user of the second device; receiving, by a computer, an audio stream over the audio channel; analyzing, by a computer, the audio stream to determine spoken words said by either the first or second users; correlating, by a computer, the determined spoken words to determine a topic of conversation; and displaying, by a computer, the topic of conversation in an information post to a remote terminal connected to the network.

Abstract: Systems and methods for error resilient transmission, rate control, and random access in video communication systems that use sealable video coding are provided. Error resilience is obtained by using information from low resolution layers to conceal or compensate loss of high resolution layer information. The same mechanism is used for rate control by selectively eliminating high resolution layer information from transmitted signals, which elimination can be compensated at the receiver using information from low resolution layers. Further, random access or switching between low and high resolutions is also achieved by using information from low resolution layers to compensate for high resolution spatial layer packets that may have not been received prior to the switching time.

Abstract: A videoconferencing system includes a codec configured to generate one or more acknowledgement signals, a remote control for controlling the codec, a system controller in communication with the codec, and at least one other videoconferencing component. The system controller is configured to send one or more commands to the other videoconferencing component in response to the one or more acknowledgement signals generated by the codec. Other videoconferencing systems and presentation systems and related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, an apparatus, and a system for implementing a videoconferencing application and relates to the field of communications technologies. The videoconferencing system can provide an application related to the geographic location of each participant, including: obtaining an address of at least one conference site by performing resolving; acquiring information related to the address of the conference site according to the address of the conference site; and sending the related information to one or more of the conference sites, where the related information is used to provide a reference for a user to attend a conference. When a conference is held by using the videoconferencing system, the videoconferencing system can provide an application related to the geographic location of each participant, enriching service functions that the videoconferencing system can provide and improving the user satisfaction.

Abstract: Using switching technologies to duplicate packets of a digital stream (e.g., digital video stream) sent from one workstation to multiple recipient workstations, where the switching technologies enable the multiple streams sent from the switch to the recipient workstations to be generated from a single digital stream sent from the sending workstation to the switch. Data units, such as video data units, may be transmitted by using a switch to enable receipt of a stream of data units including a payload portion and an attribute portion from at least two conferencing participants. The switch is used to duplicate at least a subportion of the payload portion of a data unit within the stream of data units, and to enable access to the duplicated subportion of the data unit by two or more conferencing participants.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a first message for a video call is received from a first end point. The first end point may be communicating using a first protocol, such as H.323. The first message is for a second end point that communicates using a second protocol, such as SIP. The first message may be an early offer in SIP to start a video call. The first message includes media information that is needed to initiate the video call. The media information is stored and may be later used to initiate the video call with the second end point. The stored media information is mapped to one or more messages that are sent to the second end point to initiate the video call using a slow start initiation procedure in H.323.

Abstract: Optimization of conference call encoding processes is provided. A first client of a multi-party conference call may receive client capability data, including video scalability support, from each of the other clients to the conference call. Based on the client capability data and the transmission capabilities of the first client, including video scalability support, the first client may determine a total number of data streams and properties for each data stream, such that the total number of data streams and the plurality of properties for each data stream are optimized and supported by the respective client capability data and the transmission capabilities. Subsequently, the first client generates one or more data streams according to the total number of data streams and the properties that were determined for each data stream and transmits the one or more data streams to the other clients of the conference call.

Abstract: A videoconference apparatus and method coordinates a stationary view obtained with a stationary camera to an adjustable view obtained with an adjustable camera. The stationary camera can be a web camera, while the adjustable camera can be a pan-tilt-zoom camera. As the stationary camera obtains video, faces of participants are detected, and a boundary in the view is determined to contain the detected faces. Absence and presences of motion associated with the detected face is used to verify whether a face is reliable. To then capture and output video of the participants for the videoconference, the view of the adjustable camera is adjusted to a framed view based on the determined boundary. In the end, active video captured in the framed view with the adjustable camera can be sent to a far-end for the videoconference.

Abstract: A system and method of managing video conferencing over a network, among a plurality of clients using a server as an intermediary is disclosed. At the server a real-time video stream is received from each client. This real-time video stream may be a high frequency stream representative of video from a camera associated with the end user. The server serves to any given client, a real-time video stream selected by the given client from among the video streams received at the server.

Abstract: More specifically, the invention describes a public standalone information access tool, such as bidirectional video terminal/kiosk for receiving a variety of services and for information exchange. The kiosk is connected to a plurality of remotely located representatives/operators specializing in different services. The customer receives help and share documents with at least one operator. The kiosk provides people from small remote villages an opportunity to receive all services available in a large city.

Abstract: Embodiments are described for provision of video conferencing media processing services within enterprise networks.

Abstract: Pairing and configuring a computing device for use in a meeting space is provided. An appliance may communicate a broadcast to a computing device which announces the availability of a meeting space for a meeting. The computing device may establish a connection with the appliance. The computing device may then join the meeting in the meeting space.

Abstract: An external capability for measuring roundtrip latency in a conferencing system is provided. The external capability for measuring roundtrip latency in a communication system may include functions of generating a content event, detecting the content event in a received content stream including the content event, determine a first time associated with generation of the content event and a second time associated with detection of the content event, and computing a roundtrip latency based on a difference between the second time and the first time. The content event may be a visual event or an aural event. These functions may be implemented using one or more modules or elements. A computing device may be used to generate and detect the content event and to compute the roundtrip latency. Various other arrangements of modules or elements may be used to provide the functions.

Abstract: A management device includes a status management part managing connection statuses of terminals; a group management part managing a group associated with the terminals, and which manages a group status of the group depending on the connection statuses of the terminals associated with the group, the group management part setting the group status so that the group status represents that the group is ready to connect; a transmission part transmitting to a first terminal which is not in the group the group status representing that the group is ready to connect; and responding to a request to connect to the group from the first terminal, an establishment part, establishing a session to connect the first terminal to a second terminal which is in the group, wherein the connection status of the second terminal represents that the second terminal is ready to connect to other terminals.

Abstract: An assembly of videoconferencing equipment includes a flat panel display, a structure mounting the flat panel display to a support surface, and videoconferencing equipment mounted to the structure. The structure and the videoconferencing equipment mounted to the structure are substantially concealed from view by the flat panel display from a front side of the flat panel display.

Abstract: A method performed by a videoconferencing device, the method comprising: maintaining a database (129) comprising multiple records, each record including bit rate information and relating to a particular endpoint identifier; initiating a videoconference call with a target endpoint (101, 103); identifying (S2) one or more records in the database (129) that relate to the endpoint identifier of the target to endpoint (101, 103); identifying (S5) one or more records in the database (129) that relate to the endpoint identifier of one or more endpoints located in a common zone with the target endpoint (101, 103); using bit rate information from the identified records to calculate (S4, S7, S8) an initial video bit rate for the videoconference call; and initially transmitting video to the target endpoint (101, 103) at the calculated initial video bit rate. Apparatus configured to implement the foregoing method.

Abstract: Presented herein are techniques for creating video for participants in a video conference. A designated primary video stream is decoded and the resulting video composed in accordance with a primary sub-picture portion of a frame. Other video streams are designated as secondary video streams output by secondary entities, and are decoded and composed in accordance with a secondary sub-picture portion of the frame structured for the secondary entities. The composed primary video stream is encoded for display at each secondary entity, to obtain encoded slices of a primary video stream. The composed secondary video stream is encoded for display at one of the secondary entities, to obtain encoded slices of a secondary video stream. The encoded primary and secondary video streams are combined at the encoded slice level into a single video stream for transmission to, and decode and display at, the one of the secondary entities.

Abstract: Embodiments are described for provision of video conferencing with load balancing. In some embodiments, a protocol connector module receives a media processing request from a client application for the video conference endpoint device and a client application identifier, a profile for the client application is retrieved using the client application identifier, at least one load balancing capability is determined for the client application using the identifier, a load balancing technique is selectively performed based on the at least one load balancing capability, and performance of the client application is logged with the load balancing technique in the profile.

Abstract: A networking system and method is disclosed in this specification. The system hosts a virtual environment that is populated with avatars. Each avatar displays a video stream of a corresponding user and defines a virtual view point that represents the user's perspective of the virtual environment. The system implements a method that comprises monitoring movement of the avatars within the virtual environment and capturing a media stream from the virtual view point of each avatar as a corresponding user navigates the virtual environment. The captured video stream is relayed to a user's local client and displayed to the user.

Abstract: Methods and systems to provide an emotional experience for people connected via devices in a large gathering of an event through an experience engine system are disclosed. An example the method includes: aggregating contributions from individuals or small groups into an aggregate to participate in an expression of a whole of the large gathering; generating the expression of the whole for broadcast when the aggregate of the contributions satisfy a threshold; facilitating formation of a small group of participants within the large gathering; providing a service to facilitate synchronized intimate interaction within the small group; and generating a version of a gathering presentation configured to selectively focus attention of a large subset of participants of the large gathering on contents related to or from a specific individual contributor or a specific small group of the large gathering.