Abstract: A hybrid multimedia conference service, including a remote service for conferencing, running in the cloud and connecting remote clients, and distributing multimedia to and from the remote clients during a conference, and a local service for conferencing, distributing multimedia to and from local devices during the conference, wherein a local device that hosts the local service may change over time as local devices in a room join and exit the conference, by a current local device host transferring its state to another local device, the local service including a multimedia distributor transmitting and receiving multimedia between the remote service and the local service, and a playback synchronizer switching between captured multimedia streams and synchronizing captured multimedia for transmission to the remote service via said multimedia transmitter.

Abstract: This specification describes an apparatus, method and computer program for communicating with a plurality of remote devices in a conference session, outputting, on a display, a user interface comprising a plurality of display portions respectively associated with the plurality of remote devices, and receiving user selection of one or more of the remote devices. Based on the received user selection, the apparatus may cause display of a display portion associated with the one or more selected remote devices on a linked user device which is linked to the apparatus, and enable one or more communications actions for use with the one or more selected remote devices.

Abstract: Providing a video conference for multiple participants includes choosing between at least one physical conference space and at least one virtual conference space, a first one of the participants inviting a second one of the participants to the video conference, the second one of the participants joining the video conference, and conducting the video conference by showing the participants in a same conference space in real time. The conference space may be a physical location of one of the participants or may be a virtual conference space. The participants may switch between the at least one physical conference space and the at least one virtual conference space during the video conference. The first one of the participants may invite the second one of the participants by sending a link. At least one of the participants may see the first participant and the second participant interacting in the conference space.

Abstract: A teleconferencing device comprising: a propulsion system; a projection unit; at least one sensor capable of obtaining information enabling mapping an environment surrounding the teleconferencing device; and a processing unit, configured to: obtain information from the at least one sensor; map the environment surrounding the teleconferencing device, using the obtained information; track a position and an orientation of at least one user of the teleconferencing device with respect to the teleconferencing device; determine a desired position and orientation of a given part of a surface of the teleconferencing device with respect to the at least one user; activate the propulsion system to fly the teleconferencing device to the determined desired position and orientation; receive a stream of images captured by a remote device; and instruct the projection unit to project the received stream of images on the given part of the surface.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a device receives a first video stream of a video conference. The device receives a second video stream of the video conference. The second video stream includes an indicated location for video of the second video stream relative to video of the first video stream. The device merges the first video stream and the second video stream into an overlapped video having the video of the second video stream located at the indicated location relative to the video of the first video stream. The device provides the overlapped video for display.

Abstract: In various embodiments, an encoding optimization application positions key frames within encoded video sequences based on shot changes. The encoding optimization application determines key frame location(s) based on shot change(s) included in a source video sequence associated with a media title. Each key frame location is associated with a different frame included in the source video sequence. For each of the key frame location(s), the encoding optimization application configures an encoding application to encode a frame of video content located at the key frame location as a key frame when performing encoding operations. Subsequently, the encoding optimization application causes the encoding application to perform encoding operation(s) on the source video sequence to generate a first encoded video sequence. During playback, the media title is switchable between a decoded version of the first encoded video sequence and a decoded version of a second encoded video sequence at the key frame location(s).

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media for evaluating and improving live translation captioning systems. An exemplary method includes: displaying a word in a first language; receiving a first audio sequence, the first audio sequence comprising a verbal description of the word; generating a first translated text in a second language; displaying the first translated text; receiving a second audio sequence, the second audio sequence comprising a guessed word based on the first translated text; generating a second translated text in the first language; determining a matching score between the word and the second translated text; determining a performance score of the live translation captioning system based on the matching score.

Abstract: Sharing a perspective view with users in a web conference by identifying each user participating in a web conference, determining a role of at least two users participating in the web conference, determining a first user provides screen content to the web conference, wherein the provided screen content of the first user corresponds to a first view of the first user, generating a second perspective view of the provided screen content of the first user for a second user, and providing the second view of the provided screen content to the second user.

Abstract: Among other things, a first video is captured of at least the eyes of a first person who is looking along a video capture axis. A second video of at least the eyes of a second person is presented, along a display axis. The video capture axis and the display axis are aligned along a common axis so that the first person can view the second video of at least the eyes of the second person along the common axis when the first video of the eyes of the first person is being captured along the common axis. Instructions are executed to maintain an eye contact video interaction session between the first person and the second person using the captured video and the presented video.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are aspects for resituating avatars in a virtual environment. An aspect begins by rendering the virtual environment, including a first avatar and a second avatar. The virtual environment is rendered on a first device, belonging to a first user, and from a perspective of a first virtual camera controlled by the first user. The first avatar represents the first user at a location of the first virtual camera. The second user views the virtual environment from a perspective of a second virtual camera at a location of the second avatar. The aspect then provides several operations from the perspective of the first virtual camera. First, the aspect continues by determining a new location for a perceived avatar relative to the first avatar. The perceived avatar corresponds to the second avatar. Then, the aspect concludes by resituating the perceived avatar to the new location.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for managing calls in a collaboration environment is provided. The method includes receiving, by a processor, a call into a collaboration session of the collaboration environment. The method also includes identifying, by the processor, a user from a plurality of users associated with the collaboration session, based on at least one of contextual information regarding the call and information regarding the plurality of users. The method further includes providing, by the processor, an interface on a device associated with the identified user, wherein the interface enables the identified user to instruct the device to handle the call within the collaboration session.

Abstract: A Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) system is configured for direct communications between remote computing devices in a peer-to-peer configuration. Voice data from the communication is marked such that the voice data from the different endpoints can be combined into a unified audio stream. An authentication may be accomplished automatically prior to text or audio communication between a customer and a service agent. In some embodiments, authentication is accomplished automatically by authentication of the remote access device or accomplished by asking the customer questions. A single authentication of the remote access device may be used to authenticate a service request transferred between service agents. The authentication of the remote device may include, for example, use of a personal identification number, a fingerprint, a photograph, and/or a hardware identifier.

Abstract: The present invention may include a computer that intercepts a video stream. The computer determines user preferences associated with the user based on identifying the user using an optical instrument. The computer identifies one or more faces from the video stream of the video conference and obfuscates the video stream based on the user preferences associated with the one or more faces.

Abstract: Techniques for outbound/inbound lateral traffic punting based upon process risk are disclosed. In some embodiments, a system/process/computer program product for outbound/inbound lateral traffic punting based upon process risk includes receiving, at a network device on an enterprise network, process identification (ID) information from an endpoint (EP) agent executed on an EP device, in which the process ID information identifies a process that is associated with an outbound or inbound network session on the EP device on the enterprise network, and the EP agent selected the network session for punting to the network device for inspection; monitoring network communications associated with the network session at the network device to identify an application identification (APP ID) for the network session; and performing an action based on a security policy using the process ID information and the APP ID.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for automatically controlling a participant indication request based on a context of a meeting. The controlling of the participant indication request includes automatic lowering of a raised hand. A context determiner determines the context of the meeting based on meeting data including video, audio, background acoustic data, and chat messaging. The context determiner uses a global participant indication model for determining a context that is in commonly used among participants of the meeting. An individual participant indication model captures participant-specific rules of determining a context. A meeting state manager determines a meeting state based on the context. The meeting state includes a host presentation, a participant presentation, a conversation, and a polling. A participant indication controller automatically lowers the raised hand based on a combination of the determined context and the meeting state.

Abstract: Example methods are provided to deploy an Internet of Things (IoT) solution in a hybrid environment. The methods include deploying a first agent application on a first edge gateway of a first vendor by the first edge gateway. The first agent application is configured to collect a first set of information associated with the first edge gateway. The methods include deploying a second agent application on a second edge gateway of a second vendor by the second edge gateway. The second agent application is configured to collect a second set of information associated with the second edge gateway. In response to a determination of a first virtualized computing environment on the first edge gateway or a second virtualized computing environment on the second edge gateway fulfils a first requirement of a template to deploy the IoT solution, the methods include deploying the IoT solution in the first virtualized computing environment, the second virtualized computing environment, or both.

Abstract: A method at a network element for configuration for Internet of Things (IoT) devices using manufacturer usage description (MUD) files, the method including receiving at least one MUD Uniform Resource Locator (URL) from an IoT Device; sending, from the network element to at least one MUD Server based on the MUD URL, a Uniform Resource Indicator; responsive to the sending, receiving a plurality of MUD files from the MUD server; creating a plurality of policies from the plurality of MUD files, the plurality of policies corresponding to a normal mode of operation and a secondary mode of operation; and forwarding the plurality of policies to a gateway from the network element.

Abstract: A method for content moderation in real-time communication includes receiving a first portion of a media stream from a sending user; scaling the first portion of the media stream to obtain a scaled first portion of the media stream; transmitting, to a centralized content moderation device, the scaled first portion of the media stream; receiving, from the centralized content moderation device, a centralized determination of whether the first portion is appropriate; and, in response to the centralized determination indicating that the first portion of the media stream is inappropriate: blurring the first portion to obtain a blurred first portion; and transmitting, to a receiving user, the blurred first portion.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method comprises establishing, by media servers, a video conference for client computing devices, each media server receiving audio data and video data from a local subset of the client computing devices, selecting, by each media server, a portion of the local subset for which to send audio data to other media servers, sending, by each media server, audio data associated with the portion to other media servers, after receiving audio data from other media servers, generating, by each media server, ordered global list data that identifies each client computing device for which the media server has received audio data, based on the global list data and by each media server to other media servers, sending video data for each client computing device of the local subset that satisfies a threshold value.

Abstract: A method of capturing data for use in a video conference includes capturing data of a first party at a first location using an array of one or more video cameras and/or one or more sensors. The three-dimensional position(s) of one or more features represented in the data captured by the video camera(s) and/or sensor(s) are determined. A virtual camera positioned at a three-dimensional virtual camera position is defined. The three-dimensional position(s) determined for the feature(s) are transformed into a common coordinate system to form a single view of the feature(s) as appearing to have been captured from the virtual camera. The video image and/or sensor data of the feature(s) viewed from the perspective of the virtual camera and/or data representative of the transformed three-dimensional position(s) of the feature(s) are then transmitted or stored.

Abstract: A method is provided. The method includes one or more of receiving, by an image processing device, one or more images from an image capture device. The one or more images are each associated with metadata that includes a common direction. For each of the one or more images, the method further includes adding one or more pairs of parallel lines, converting each of the one or more pairs of parallel lines into intersection coordinates with 2D drawing elements, and calculating construction progress from the intersection coordinates. The 2D drawing includes a 2D floor plan or a 2D elevation plan, and each pair of parallel lines designates one of the start or end of construction during a current period of time.

Abstract: In some aspects, the disclosure is directed to methods and systems for providing a three-dimensional virtual environment with teleconferencing audio and video feeds placed within the environment via three-dimensional virtual avatars, including indications of directional orientation or facing, and with mixing of spatial audio providing directionality and distance cues. By utilizing a three dimensional environment for display of video streams, video streams corresponding to or displayed on avatars that are farther from the viewer appear smaller within the three dimensional view, and thus can be easily downscaled or reduced in resolution or bit rate without adversely affecting the user experience.

Abstract: A novel universal bridge (UB) can handle and conduct multimedia multipoint conferences between a plurality of MREs and LEPs without using an MRM, an MCU and a gateway. Further, a UB can be configured to allocate and release resources dynamically according to the current needs of each conferee and the session.

Abstract: A system and method for creating a virtual world conferencing experience wherein a first set of real world emissive surfaces and content thereon is replicated on virtual world emissive surfaces where the virtual world emissive surfaces are juxtaposed in a virtual world instance at locations and in orientations that replicate the juxtapositions in the real world arrangement and where the virtual world instance is presented on a second set of real world emissive surfaces at a virtual world workstation where the second set of emissive surfaces are arranged differently than the first set of real world surfaces.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the disclosure are directed to communication bridging among disparate platforms in a remote communications environment involving first and second chat rooms. According to a specific example, a communications system is configured to provide remote communications services including a communication bridging service and another type of data communications services, in the remote communications environment. In certain embodiments the system may provide or generate connectivity data, such as a uniform resource locator (URL), to facilitate formation of the communication bridge, and may identify chat room protocols associated with the first and second chat rooms. The system is further configured to translate chat messages using the specifications for the first and second chat room protocols, and transmit chat messages between the first chat room and the second chat room.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for licensing service providers to process video, audio and/or multimedia content using a video processing device. A license key indicative of a license for an amount of bandwidth is generated. The license key is used at the video processing device to enforce the license based on whether there is sufficient licensed bandwidth available to accommodate a newly created output transport stream. If there is sufficient licensed bandwidth available, processing of the newly created output transport stream is allowed. If there is insufficient licensed bandwidth available, processing of the newly created output transport stream is denied. The service providers are charged a license fee to use the video processing equipment based on the licensed bandwidth.

Abstract: A video conference apparatus includes a relay unit that is configured to transmit video image data acquired at a site of a first conference system to a second terminal provided in a second conference system and transmit video image data of the second conference system to a first terminal provided in the first conference system. The relay unit is configured to transmit only a combined video image of video images at respective sites of the first conference system to the second terminal as first video image data, and transmit a video image sent from the second terminal to the first terminal as second video image data.

Abstract: The media production element (12) combines media content from a plurality of streaming electronic devices when they are registered to be within the same streaming event. The media production element (12) can produce a combined live video stream or a combined media production using selections and combinations of the streamed content provided by the multiple electronic devices. A network assistance device (42) can determine event-coordinated uplink network assistance data with the goal of prioritizing resource allocation to clients/electronic devices that currently are used for the combined media production, and assign less resources to those that are not currently used. Rather than optimizing individual links, the event-coordinated uplink network assistance data is determined by taking the aggregated capacity and the production needs of the media production element (12) into account.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a multi-user instant messaging method performed by a server. The method includes: obtaining a first quantity of first multimedia data streams; merging the first quantity of first multimedia data streams into a second quantity of second multimedia data streams, the second quantity being less than the first quantity; and transmitting the second quantity of second multimedia data streams to a recipient terminal, wherein the recipient terminal presents the corresponding second multimedia data streams. Embodiments of the present disclosure can improve the compatibility with recipient terminals in a multi-user instant messaging process.

Abstract: Provided is a method and a system for updating an area allocated for display of video feed based on a determined trigger event. The method is implemented by a central server including one or more processors. The method includes initiating a video conference meeting comprising a plurality of participants. The method includes receiving network information and meeting data associated with each of the plurality of participants. The method includes selectively controlling display of video feed associated with the plurality of participants during the video conference meeting based on network information and meeting data to create an adaptive video layout for the plurality of participants. The method includes determining a trigger event to update the area allocated for display of video feed associated with the plurality of participants represented within the grid format. The method includes updating the area allocated for display of video feed based on the determined trigger event.

Abstract: One example system for sharing content across videoconferencing sub-meetings includes a processor and at least one memory device. The memory device includes instructions that are executable by the processor to cause the processor to establish a videoconferencing session including a main meeting and a first sub-meeting, receive, from a presenter, a content to be displayed in the main meeting, and cause the content to be displayed in the main meeting. The memory device further includes instructions that are executable by the processor to cause the processor to receive, from a first participant in the videoconferencing session, an indication that the content is to be displayed in the first sub-meeting, and cause the content to be displayed in the first sub-meeting simultaneously with the content in the main meeting.

Abstract: A device may include a processor configured to monitor a user of a video conferencing application. The processor may be further configured to determine that the user corresponds to a passive user based on the monitoring; switch a setting for the video conferencing application for the user from real-time video to video streaming, in response to determining that the user corresponds to a passive user; generate a delay between receiving content via the video conferencing application and playing the content by the video conferencing application, wherein the delay progressively increases from no delay to a particular delay value over a time period, in response to switching the setting for the video conferencing application for the user from real-time video to video streaming; and play the received content using the video conferencing application based on the generated delay.

Abstract: A method includes recording a first video stream characterized by a first value of a first quality characteristic. The method includes determining that the first video stream satisfies a trigger criterion. The trigger criterion characterizes a threshold amount of video content change information. The method includes, in response to determining that the first video stream satisfies the trigger criterion, obtaining a second video stream characterized by a second value of a second quality characteristic. The second video stream includes scene information also included in the first video stream. The second value of the second quality characteristic is indicative of a higher quality video stream than the first value of the first quality characteristic. The method includes generating a third video stream by adding information from the second video stream to the first video stream. The third video stream corresponds to a higher quality version of the first video stream.

Abstract: One example system for sharing content across videoconferencing sub-meetings includes a processor and at least one memory device. The memory device includes instructions that are executable by the processor to cause the processor to establish a videoconferencing session including a main meeting and a first sub-meeting, receive, from a presenter, a content to be displayed in the main meeting, and cause the content to be displayed in the main meeting. The memory device further includes instructions that are executable by the processor to cause the processor to receive, from a first participant in the videoconferencing session, an indication that the content is to be displayed in the first sub-meeting, and cause the content to be displayed in the first sub-meeting simultaneously with the content in the main meeting.

Abstract: Provided is a method, computer program product, and virtual conferencing system for automatically positioning a video thumbnail within an area on a display during a virtual conferencing session. A processor may receive a data stream of a virtual conferencing session. The data stream includes visual data associated with a presentation. The processor may analyze the visual data to identify a blank space area in the visual data. The processor may display the visual data to one or more users of the virtual conferencing session. The processor may display a video thumbnail of a presenter in the blank space area.

Abstract: A system and method for with an inmate in a privileged communication are disclosed. a communication system includes a portal subsystem that determines whether a communication should be monitored, or not, based on received information, including access information, from a first communication device. Based on the determination, the communication system bypasses a monitoring subsystem and stores and/or transmits the communication to a second communication device by way of a non-monitoring subsystem.

Abstract: Techniques for prioritization of data streams include transmitting a plurality of data streams to a first device over a network where each data stream is configured to cause the first device to perform a specific function, dynamically detecting a bandwidth limitation limiting an amount of available bandwidth for transmitting the plurality of data streams, dynamically determining bandwidth reduction criteria by identifying a first subset of the plurality of data streams to stop transmitting based on the specific function that each respective data stream causes the first device to perform, temporarily stopping transmitting of the first subset of data streams configured to cause the first device to perform a first set of functions, and continuing to transmit a second subset of data streams not included in the first subset of the data streams to the first device to cause the first device to continue to perform a second set of functions.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a method for inspecting a data stream. The method may include conveying the data stream through a multi-level data channel and inspection architecture. The architecture includes a multi-level data pipeline. The pipeline is formed from pipes arranged serially such that each output of one pipe provides an input to a successive one of the plurality of pipes. The pipeline receives the data stream at an upstream portion of the pipeline, and inspects the data in the data stream. Thereafter, the pipeline outputs inspected data at a downstream portion of the pipeline. The outputted inspected data becomes inputted date for a successive one of the pipes. A data manager may be configured to coordinate passage of the data into and out of the pipeline, and between one or more of the group of mechanisms.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and computer system for providing, by a computing device, a session of an application, wherein the session may include a sub-session configured to exchange data with a plurality of endpoint devices. The computing device may receive a stream of data from an endpoint device outside the plurality of endpoint devices and that controls the session. The computing device may provide data to at least one of the plurality of endpoint devices, wherein the data may include the stream of data from the endpoint device that controls the session and another stream of data from a different endpoint device of the plurality of endpoint devices.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, provided is a communication device that performs communications of an image and audio. The communication device includes: a storage unit that stores therein arrangement information for specifying a display scheme for the image; an arrangement-information setting unit that sets arrangement information in the storage unit; and a display control unit that refers to the arrangement information and causes a plurality of display devices to display the image. The display control unit causes a first display device to display captured images of a local point and a remote point and causes a second display device to display an image supplied from an image supply device of the local point or the remote point.

Abstract: The disclosed computer-implemented method may include accessing environment information identifying an undesired sound source within an environment. The method may further include determining, based on the accessed environment information, a spatial location of the undesired sound source in the environment that is to be attenuated using an active noise cancelling (ANC) signal. The method may also include forming a microphone beam, using two or more microphones, directed at the determined spatial location, where the microphone beam is configured to capture audio information from the determined spatial location. Still further, the method may include generating an ANC signal using the audio information captured using the microphone beam, and playing back the generated ANC signal to attenuate the undesired sound source at the determined spatial location. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: Videos may be characterized by objective metrics that quantify video quality. Embodiments are directed to target bitrate prediction methods in which one or more objective metrics may serve as inputs into a model that predicts a mean opinion score (MOS), a measure of perceptual quality, as a function of metric values. The model may be derived by generating training data through conducting subjective tests on a set of video encodings, obtaining MOS data from the subjective tests, and correlating the MOS data with metric measurements on the training data. The MOS predictions may be extended to predict the target (encoding) bitrate that achieves a desired MOS value. The target bitrate prediction methods may be applied to segments of a video. The methods may be made computationally faster by applying temporal subsampling.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a video room system that can efficiently and flexibly generate and facilitate video rooms for video chatting between participant devices by prioritizing video streams to provide to participant devices based on performance parameters. For example, the video room system can provide different video room streams to different participant devices based on the performance parameters of the participant devices. In addition, the video room system can customize or tailor video room streams based on identifying dominant speaker devices, determining connections between participant devices as indicated by a social graph of a social networking system, and/or based on join methods utilized by participant devices to join a video room.

Abstract: A technique is described herein for allocating tasks within a distributed system. The distributed system includes plural computing devices. Each computing device, in turn, provides a bucket manager and at least one application instance. The bucket managers allocate work to the computing devices in units of buckets, in a manner governed by a set of application-specific initialization parameters. The bucket managers also perform their assignment function in cooperation with a separate storage and notification (S&N) system. The S&N system stores data nodes in a hierarchical data structure that reflect the assignment-related state of the distributed system. The S&N system also notifies the bucket managers upon changes in the data nodes. According to one provision, the bucket managers include logic that reduces expensive context changes when computing devices join and leave the distributed system.

Abstract: Apparatus comprising an interface for receiving a respective uplink data stream from each of three or more further apparatuses, and for transmitting a respective downlink data stream to each of the further apparatuses; and a logic system in communication with the interface. The logic system is configured: to receive first data in the uplink data stream received from a first one of the further apparatuses; and in a first mode, to include at least some of the first data in the respective downlink data streams transmitted to every other one of the further apparatuses, or, in a second mode, to include at least some of the first data in the downlink data stream transmitted to a second one of the further apparatuses and to omit or attenuate substantially all of the first data in the downlink data stream transmitted to at least a third one of the further apparatuses. Corresponding methods and computer readable media are disclosed.

Abstract: Teleconference audio data including a plurality of individual uplink data packet streams, may be received during a teleconference. Each uplink data packet stream may corresponding to a telephone endpoint used by one or more teleconference participants. The teleconference audio data may be analyzed to determine a plurality of suppressive gain coefficients, which may be applied to first instances of the teleconference audio data during the teleconference, to produce first gain-suppressed audio data provided to the telephone endpoints during the teleconference. Second instances of the teleconference audio data, as well as gain coefficient data corresponding to the plurality of suppressive gain coefficients, may be sent to a memory system as individual uplink data packet streams. The second instances of the teleconference audio data may be less gain-suppressed than the first gain-suppressed audio data.

Abstract: A method of controlling intra prediction for decoding or encoding of a video sequence, is by at least one processor and includes obtaining an index of an intra prediction mode of a current block of the video sequence, obtaining a coefficient scanning direction based on the obtained index, using a first look up table indicating a mapping between a plurality of indices of a plurality of intra prediction modes and respective coefficient scanning directions, and performing a coefficient scanning of the current block, based on the obtained coefficient scanning direction.

Abstract: A videoconferencing server for providing a multi-screen video conference by using multiple videoconferencing terminals and a method thereof. The video conferencing server can logically group a plurality of the existing videoconferencing terminals (physical terminals) each having one or two displays to operate like a logical terminal operating as one videoconferencing point. The video conferencing server may process as if the logical terminal supports multiple screens by transmitting videos to the plurality of physical terminals constituting the logical terminal.

Abstract: An audiovisual conferencing system provides a centrally controlled system for managing and broadcasting the audiovisual data sent from a group of members using their own personal devices. In an exemplar embodiment, a moderator controls requests from various participant members to broadcast audio or video from their personal mobile device to the other group members. In various embodiments, the moderator has the capability to manage the member requests to broadcast social media or registered user profile information about the member or other textual or graphic information originating from or about the group member. In various embodiments, the audio and video broadcasts from group members, the member requests to broadcast and the set or queue of member requests to broadcast, which may be prioritized or otherwise organized by the moderator, are hosted in the cloud or Internet.

Abstract: A video conference apparatus includes a relay unit that is configured to transmit video image data acquired at a site of a first conference system to a second terminal provided in a second conference system and transmit video image data of the second conference system to a first terminal provided in the first conference system. The relay unit is configured to transmit only a combined video image of video images at respective sites of the first conference system to the second terminal as first video image data, and transmit a video image sent from the second terminal to the first terminal as second video image data.