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.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for a collaborative entertainment platform are herein described. A plurality of viewing devices configured to display images to respective screens may be identified. An application control command may be received from a viewing device in the plurality of viewing devices. An environmental indication may be received from at least one viewing device in the plurality of viewing devices. Display of a video stream may be synchronized at the plurality of viewing devices, where the video stream may include results of the application control command. The environmental indication may be presented to each viewing device in the plurality of viewing devices that is not the at least one viewing device.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for assigning a plurality of endpoints of a video conference system to a plurality of encoders located on a server of the video conference system. At least a first group of the endpoints is assigned to first one of the encoders, and at least a second group of the endpoints, the second group disjoint from the first group, is assigned to a second one of the encoders.

Abstract: A communication system managing a communication conference which uses a plurality of communication terminals includes an acquisition unit acquiring electronic information related to the communication conference from a registration terminal which registers the electronic information; and a management unit registering communication identification information in association with the electronic information, the communication identification information identifying the communication that the communication terminals attend during communications between one communication terminal, which is related to terminal identification information acquired from the registration terminal, and another communication terminal of the communication terminals.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and software for facilitating wireless conference environments are disclosed. In an implementation, a media system obtains environment information comprising a physical characteristic of a conference environment in which to host a least a portion of a video conference. The media system also obtains schedule information comprising a schedule for a portion of a surrounding environment associated with the conference environment. The media system identifies a configuration in accordance with which to wirelessly exchange video with another media system or system s engaged in the video conference. The configuration is based at least in part on the physical characteristic of the conference environment and the schedule for the portion of the surrounding environment.

Abstract: A communication server includes a checking unit that checks a terminal management table, a determination unit that determines whether group identification information of a first terminal of a plurality of terminals participating in a videoconference is a same as group identification of a second terminal of the plurality of terminals based on group identification data from the terminal management table, an updating unit that updates a shared location table including shared location information indicating a location of a shared memory area shared by the same group when the group identification information of each of the first and second terminals is determined as being the same, a memory access information creation unit that creates memory access information for accessing the shared memory area, and a notification unit that sends a notification of the shared location information and the memory access information to the same group.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for allowing trials and court proceedings to occur in a virtual manner using a one way video session and a two way voice session are disclosed. During the trials or court proceedings, the defendants and their testimony can be viewed by judges and jurors who remain in isolated rooms with their identities masked. Judges and attorneys can verbally intercede during the proceedings via a two way voice session but the video session for the duration of the trial is one way.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method for processing cascade conference sites in a cascade conference, which may be used to implement one-to-one correspondence between an image orientation and a voice orientation of each conference site in the cascade conference, and improve the user experience of a participant. Certain embodiments of the present invention include: receiving an audio code stream sent by a cascade conference site, where the audio code stream sent by the cascade conference site is sent to different conference sites through different audio sound channels or audio cascade channels; receiving an audio code stream sent by a non-cascade conference site; and selecting audio data satisfying a preconfigured condition from audio data to be selected.

Abstract: Operating a receiver communication device during a real time communication session including a real time media content data stream provided by another communication device may include receiving the real time media content data stream of the communication session from the other communication device wherein packets of the real time media content data stream include an identification of the real time media content data stream. A pause request may be transmitted from the receiver communication device to the other communication device with the pause request including the identification of the real time media content data stream and a pause request sequence number. After transmitting the pause request, a pause acknowledge message may be received from the other communication device with the pause acknowledge message including the identification of the real time media content data stream and the pause request sequence number. Related devices and methods are also discussed.

Abstract: A conferencing system includes an authentication module for establishing a communication session. The communication session includes a communication interface to a plurality of participants. The conferencing system further includes a selection module for letting a participant select a leader among the plurality of participants. The conferencing system further includes a duplication module configured to provide audio and visual views of the communication session to the participant based upon audio and visual views of the communication session associated with the leader. The conferencing system further includes a recording module for storing a history of actions made by the leader in the conferencing system and letting the participant view the history of actions made by the leader and reach a present state of audio and visual views of the communication session associated with the leader.

Abstract: Arrangements described herein relate to guiding a desired outcome for an electronically hosted conference. During the electronically hosted conference, participant activity related to the electronically hosted conference can be monitored for each of a plurality of participants participating in the electronically hosted conference. Based on the participant activity, a sentiment of each of the plurality of participants with regard to a subject of the electronically hosted conference can be determined. A list of the participants can be presented to a user. The list of the participants can be sequentially ordered, based on the sentiment of each of the plurality of participants, indicating an order in which to poll the participants to achieve the desired outcome for a decision requested of the participants in the electronically hosted conference.

Abstract: A device for converting a video signal from one DVI format to another is provided, the device having an input module configured to convert a first DVI video signal to an HDMI video signal, a converter configured to convert the HDMI video signal to a VGA video signal, and an output module configured to convert the VGA video signal to a second DVI video signal. A medical teleconferencing system is also provided, the system having a video imaging device that outputs a video signal in a first DVI format, a video conferencing system configured to receive a video signal in a second DVI format, and a conversion device configured to receive the video signal in the first DVI format, convert the video signal in the first DVI format to a HDMI video signal, convert the HDMI video signal to a VGA video signal, and convert the VGA video signal to a video signal in the second DVI format for output to the video conferencing system.

Abstract: A system for providing a trusted peer-based information verification system may include one or more processors and a memory. The one or more processors may provide a multimedia conference to participant devices, and may receive a request to transfer a session of the multimedia conference of a participant device that is characterized by a first multimedia conference capability. The one or more processors may provide a list of target devices associated with the participant device to the participant device, and may receive an indication of a target device from the participant device. The one or more processors may transfer the session of the multimedia conference from the participant device to the target device, wherein the target device is characterized by a second multimedia conference capability that is different than the first multimedia conference capability of the participant device.

Abstract: A method includes receiving at a local conference coordinator a first indication of a scheduled conference that includes a plurality of conference details. The method also includes transmitting at least one of the plurality of conference details to a remote conference coordinator and receiving at least one additional conference detail regarding the scheduled conference from the remote conference coordinator. The method additionally includes determining conference scheduling information comprising at least one resource to be used for the scheduled conference based on the plurality of conference details and the at least one additional conference detail. The method also includes identifying a conference room supporting the at least one resource to be used for the scheduled conference.

Abstract: An audio-video synchronization method is executable in a video conference device. The method includes determining a first presence time of a predetermined visual effect in a captured video sample stream and a second presence time of a predetermined sound effect in a captured audio sample stream, calculating a time difference between the first and second presence time, and adjusting timestamps of each real-time transport protocol packet in an audio stream sent out by the video conference apparatus based on the time difference. The method further includes receiving an adjustment value from an user input, and adjusting timestamps of each real-time transport protocol packet in an audio stream received by the video conference apparatus based on the adjustment value.

Abstract: In the field of communications, a method and a system for video conference control, videoconferencing network equipment, and a videoconferencing site are provided. The method for video conference control includes: assigning a site identifier to a videoconferencing site, and constructing a site list to be delivered to the videoconferencing site; receiving a conference control request sent by the videoconferencing site, the conference control request carrying a site identifier and an operation type of a controlled site; and performing a conference control operation on the controlled site according to the conference control request.

Abstract: A technique manages an electronic conference. The technique involves receiving a set of audio signals from a set of participants of the electronic conference, each audio signal being received from a respective participant. The technique further involves categorizing the set of audio signals received from the set of participants, each audio signal being individually categorized as currently representing (i) intentional participant sound or (ii) unintentional participant sound. The technique further involves controlling operation of the electronic conference based on the categorized set of audio signals.

Abstract: A method and a device providing one virtual endpoint dedicated to serve one particular real endpoint, and the virtual endpoint is typically installed on a server in the same local network as the associated real endpoint, where an MCU or a fraction of a distributed MCCJ also is installed. In the upstream direction, the virtual endpoint includes at least an upstream decoder, a scaling unit and an upstream encoder. In the downstream direction, the virtual endpoint includes at least a number of decoders, a composing unit and a downstream encoder.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that provide both a network-based, e.g., cloud-based, and apparatus based in-call command control for dynamically performing user commands such as voice commands or gesture commands. The result allows for hands free operation of a calling system including one where the user is located separate from a base station. The systems and methods provide for recognizing both voice and gestural commands. The systems and methods further provide for dynamically filtering commands so that commands are not perceived by those participating in the call. Further, the systems and methods provide for notifying the user, who has given the command, regarding the performance of the requested command.

Abstract: A system and method for manipulating images in a videoconferencing session provides users with a 3-D-like view of one or more presented sites, without the need for 3-D equipment. A plurality of cameras may record a room at a transmitting endpoint, and the receiving endpoint may select one of the received video streams based upon a point of view of a conferee at the receiving endpoint. The conferee at the receiving endpoint will thus experience a 3-D-like view of the presented site.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, system and a computer program product provide improved delivery of short messages. The method includes the steps of receiving a message to be delivered to user equipment, negotiating a timer value with a short message service routing element, forwarding the short message to the short message service routing element together with the negotiated timer value and starting a timer according to the negotiated timer value.

Abstract: A conference system includes a first conference device and a second conference device installed at a first site, and is connected with an external conference device installed at a site different from the first site. The second conference device selects one from a group consisting of a video image taken by and received from the first conference device and a video image taken by the second conference device to transmit the selected video image to the external conference device. The second conference device selects a video image taken by the second conference device when the second conference device detects an event occurred at the second conference device.

Abstract: A multi-functional display device and a method of controlling the same are disclosed herein. The multi-functional display device and method provides access to human channel services, such as social network services (SNS), on a designated channel on the display device. The method may include assigning channels for a multi-functional display device including assigning a first channel number to at least one broadcast channel, and assigning a second channel number to at least one social network service (SNS) account of one of a first individual and at least one second individual associated with the first individual. The method may include displaying a list of individuals with channel numbers on a display of the multi-functional display device in a social network service (SNS) channel mode, selecting one of the individuals on the list, and displaying information related to the individual or communicating with the selected individual using a SNS account.

Abstract: An improved solution for telephonic voice authentication and display is provided. A method of identifying conference call participants includes detecting a sound made by one of conference call participants; identifying this conference call participant based on the sound; and then displaying an attribute of the conference call participant to one of the other conference call participants. The attribute may include a picture, a name, and/or other information related to the identified conference call participant.

Abstract: A television and camcorder combination include an acoustic echo canceller and a videoconference protocol stack in order to provide videoconferencing capabilities using only a television in combination with an attached camcorder. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: In some implementations, a method includes receiving a selection of one or more users of a social networking service, the selection received via a social networking interface. A live visual data feed derived from a camera is received, where the received live visual data feed has a multiple frames and has a time interval between successive frames of the live visual data feed. A modified live visual data feed is sent over a network to be distributed using the social networking service to the selected users of the social networking service. The modified live feed includes frames derived from the frames of the received live visual data feed, and the modified feed provides a different time interval between its successive frames than the time interval between the frames of the received live feed.

Abstract: A method for creating an intelligent routing and criteria-based matching system, so that people may be matched for conferencing to each other by pre-determined matching of their characteristics and their requirements. The invention makes it possible to connect individuals who may or may not have been known to each other previously, and who may be routed to each other based on being good fits to collaborate in the stated business or social setting or other reason for dealing with another person in a video conference meeting. The invention makes it possible for suppliers of services over the video conference medium to be connected to individuals who want these services. The system takes into account the business rules and preferences of all individuals involved, so that intelligent business service collaboration may take place between parties based on pre-set criteria.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes electronically detecting a gesture of a user listening to a speaker via a communication device, and generating an audible and/or visual response that corresponds to the gesture. The audible and/or visual response is then communicated to the speaker. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.

Abstract: Various embodiments of systems, methods, and computer programs are disclosed for joining an online conference already in progress. One such method comprises: a conferencing system establishing an audio conference between a plurality of participants accessing the conferencing system via a communication network; the conferencing system presenting to the participants via a graphical user interface the audio conference and a conference interface displaying a participant object identifying each of the participants; synchronously recording the audio conference with content presented in the conference interface; storing the synchronized audio conference and the content; during the audio conference, receiving from a new participant a request to join the audio conference already in progress; and in response to the request to join the audio conference, playing back the synchronized audio conference and the content presented in the conference interface to the new participant beginning from a recording start location.

Abstract: A tele-immersive environment is described that provides interaction among participants of a tele-immersive session. The environment includes two or more set-ups, each associated with a participant. Each set-up, in turn, includes mirror functionality for presenting a three-dimensional virtual space for viewing by a local participant. The virtual space shows at least some of the participants as if the participants were physically present at a same location and looking into a mirror. The mirror functionality can be implemented as a combination of a semi-transparent mirror and a display device, or just a display device acting alone. According to another feature, the environment may present a virtual object in a manner that allows any of the participants of the tele-immersive session to interact with the virtual object.

Abstract: An instruction execution engine on a user device may be configured to receive an executable instruction assigned to one or more contacts or groups of contacts. A communication from the one or more contacts or groups may be detected. Upon detecting the communication, the engine may execute the executable instruction. This executing step may trigger a user reminder or data transfer to one or more third parties.

Abstract: A device to capture an image includes a camera oriented to capture a first image of a subject and a display oriented to display a second image that is viewable by the subject. A backlight is coupled to the display to provide light that passes through the display toward the subject. An image processor is coupled to the camera and the backlight to adjust an amount of light provided by the backlight responsive to a quality of the first image. The light provided by the backlight may illuminate the subject and thereby improve the quality of the first image. The image processor may further adjust the amount of light provided by the backlight responsive to an ambient light level sensed by an ambient light sensor. The image processor may further adjust the second image to adjust an amount of light that passes through the display.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for life-size video conferencing provided in studio having a local conferee space (100). The video conferencing system comprises an optical input unit (30), an optical output unit (40), a screen (60), a network unit (34) and a transparent barrier (38). The transparent barrier (38) is arranged to seal and protect the video conferencing system from the local conference space (100) and the screen (60) is provided skewed, with an angle a in relation to the optical output unit (40), between the transparent barrier (38) and the optical output unit (40) in such a way that it totally reflects the image (31) of the local conference space into the optical input unit (30) and is transparent for a conferee sitting in the local conference space (100) and viewing the optical output unit (40). The optical input unit (30) is a camera provided with a lens system in form of an inverted telescope.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for realizing videophone are provided in the present invention. The method includes setting different videophone modes; and selecting the videophone mode for a user to perform a video conversation by using the selected videophone mode. The apparatus includes a setting module and a control module which is connected with the setting module. With the method and apparatus for realizing videophone according to the present invention, the user can select a normal conversation or a preset audio/video mode according to requirements in the process of the videophone conversation so as to achieve different video effects.

Abstract: The disclosure discloses a session processing method, which includes: a wireless Access Terminal (AT) supporting wireless video sends a cluster user participation command to a conference control center, wherein the command includes an identifier of a cluster user which is invited to participate in a video conference; the conference control center sends an invitation to a cluster terminal corresponding to the identifier of the cluster user through a Push To Talk Dispatch Server (PDS); the cluster terminal which receives the invitation returns an Acknowledgement (ACK) response to the PDS when the cluster terminal agrees to participate in the video conference and establishes a link with the PDS; and session interaction between the AT and the cluster terminal is performed based on the link. The disclosure also discloses a session processing system.

Abstract: A conference call system with a plurality of endpoints, a switch and a media mixer is disclosed. One or more entities in the conference call system comprise part or whole of a feature module. The feature module executes various telephony features like adjusting the volume of a selected participant in a conference call, initiating a sidebar with a participant wherein other participants cannot hear the conversation of the participants in the sidebar, putting a selected call participant on hold from an endpoint other than the selected participant's endpoint, disconnecting a selected participant from an endpoint other than the selected participant's endpoint and transferring a call with two or more participants to a new participant's endpoint.

Abstract: A device may detect an event, determine a display layout in accordance with the event, receive input video streams, merge two or more of the input video streams into a high definition output stream in accordance with the display layout, and send the high definition output stream to a content presentation device.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a method for intuitively controlling a far-end camera via physical movements. The method includes the steps of receiving an image captured by a first camera and including a digital representation of at least a portion of a user of the first camera, analyzing the digital representation to identify a position of the user relative to the first camera, computing a value associated with a first property of a second camera based on the position of the user, and transmitting the value to the second camera, wherein, in response to receiving the value, a perspective of the second camera is modified based on the value.

Abstract: A screen time control device includes a source interface for receiving a video signal, a processor connected to the video source interface for overlaying the video signal with a translucent signal to produce an overlaid video signal, and a device interface connected to the processor for receiving the overlaid video signal and providing the overlaid video signal to the display device. The processor substitutes the translucent signal in the overlaid video signal with a parental signal, where the parental signal can be a substantially opaque overlay signal that masks an image on the screen of the display device to prohibit viewing of the screen, a textual message, or a combination of both.

Abstract: In one method for communicating, a server can receive a first encoded media stream from a first sending device and a second encoded media stream from a second sending device from a plurality of co-located sending devices. The server can determine spatial relationships between the plurality of co-located sending devices and a plurality of co-located receiving devices. The server can select a first receiving device as a destination for the first encoded media stream and a second receiving device as a destination for the second encoded media stream based on the sending and receiving spatial relationships. The server can send the first encoded media stream to the first receiving device and the second encoded media stream to the second receiving device to be decoded and rendered. The spatial relationships can be based on physical locations for the plurality of co-located sending and receiving devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing camera configuration for points in a multi-point videoconference system are provided. First configuration information is determined for a first point of a multi-point videoconferencing system. Second configuration information is determined for a second point of the multi-point videoconferencing system. One or more first cameras at the first point or one or more second cameras at the second point of the multi-point videoconferencing system are reconfigured based on the first configuration information or the second configuration information.

Abstract: A terminal device associated with a participant of the multipoint session can be identified. The multipoint session can be associated with a video and an audio stream. The terminal device can be a computing device comprising of an audio and video input, and a video output. The multipoint session can be a conference associated with a telephony session. The location of the terminal device and a conferencing device can be determined. The conferencing device can be associated with an audio input and output. If the terminal device is proximate to the conferencing device, a terminal device audio stream can be terminated and a conference device audio stream can be received. A video stream and an audio stream can be simultaneously presented upon the audio and video output of the conferencing device and terminal device. The video and the audio stream can be a synchronized stream of the session.

Abstract: A videoconferencing system for enhanced telepresence employs a single wide aspect ratio high resolution camera for capturing video images of near end conference participants. Captured video image can be divided into adjacent portions, where video images corresponding to each portion is separately encoded and sent to a far end videoconferencing system to be displayed on adjacently placed display devices. Misalignment in displayed images at the far end can be mitigated by selecting portions that are non-overlapping and horizontally aligned. Number and size of the portions can be determined based on configuration information of the far end videoconferencing system.

Abstract: A bit rate control apparatus applied in a video conference system is provided. The apparatus has a bit rate recording unit, configured to update a current bit rate; a bit rate reducing unit, configured to receive at least one event parameter and the current bit rate, and determine whether an event flag corresponding to the event parameters occurs; and a bit rate increasing unit, configured to increase the current bit rate periodically, wherein when the event flag occurs, the bit rate reducing unit reduces the current bit rate.

Abstract: The present invention employs scalable video coding (SVC) in a multi-view camera system, which is particularly suited for video conferencing. Multiple cameras are oriented to capture video content of different image areas and generate corresponding original video streams that provide video content of the image areas. An active one of the image areas may be identified at any time by analyzing the audio content originating from the different image areas and selecting the image area that is associated with the most dominant speech activity.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer readable media for persistent conversations are described. In some implementations, a method can include receiving a communication message sent from a first user to at least one other user, and generating a persistent conversation object having a conversation content section and conversation state information. The method can also include storing the communication message in the conversation content section of the persistent conversation object, and forwarding the communication message to the at least one other user. The method can further include updating the conversation state information to reflect the receiving, storing and forwarding of the communication message.

Abstract: A method for initiating continuous succession of multiple real time interactive video sessions of a predetermined duration between two users among multiple users logged on to a server through a network. The method includes matching of a set of predetermined characteristics of a first user with a set of predetermined characteristics of other users, and identifying an appropriate second user for the first user to interact with. On identifying the second user, a real time interactive session of predetermined duration is initiated between the two users and the user accounts of the two users are debited by a predetermined amount of virtual currency. On identifying a swiping operation on the display screen in a predetermined manner, by any of the first and the second users, the method automatically terminates the current video session, and initiates a next video session for that user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for realizing concurrency of voice and data are disclosed, wherein the method includes: step A, a network side receiving a voice call request, and when detecting that a called mobile terminal of the voice call request is carrying out a data service connection, executing step B; step B, the network side notifying a calling mobile terminal of the voice call request of a situation that the called mobile terminal is carrying out the data service connection, and prompting the calling mobile terminal to re-initiate a call in a manner of a video call simultaneously. The present invention achieves that the called mobile terminal can notifying the calling mobile terminal of the situation that the called mobile terminal is in the data connection and does not want the data connection to be interrupted when the called mobile terminal is carrying out the data service connection.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques that may optimize a virtual collaboration session for mobile computing devices. In one example, a method includes receiving, using one or more computing devices, a first video stream sent from a first client device using a communication session, and receiving a second video stream sent from a second client device using the communication session. The method may also include receiving a request sent from the first client device using the communication session to select the first video stream as a primary video, and providing a third video stream based at least on the primary video stream and the secondary video stream to the first client device using the communication session, wherein the third video stream includes the primary video stream.