Abstract: A method of video conferencing among two or more video conference endpoints is provided, wherein the method comprises steps of: processing media data of the video conference into unified coding formats while switching media data of the video conference between the two or among more video conference endpoints; and saving the processed media data into recording files of continuous presence mode and lecture mode, wherein the recording file of continuous presence mode saves media data generated by the two or more video conference endpoints, the recording file of lecture mode saves media data generated by a video conference endpoint who is the lecturer in the video conference. Accordingly, a device of video conferencing is provided.

Abstract: A novel technique allows synchronizing a plurality of audio and video streams received at a receiving media relay endpoint via an intermediate node, such as a media relay multipoint control unit. The received streams were generated by a plurality of transmitting media relay endpoints and been relayed to the plurality of receiving media relay endpoints via the intermediate node, but are seen as being using a single time domain, in terms of wall clock and manipulated timestamps, while preserving the correct capture time.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving requests to join a conference from a plurality of user devices proximate a first endpoint. The requests include a username. The method also includes receiving an audio signal for the conference from the first endpoint. The first endpoint is operable to capture audio proximate the first endpoint. The method also includes transmitting the audio signal to a second endpoint, remote from the first endpoint. The method also includes identifying, by a processor, an active speaker proximate the first endpoint based on information received from the plurality of user devices.

Abstract: Providing high availability in videoconferences system. A first plurality of videoconferencing devices of a first type may be monitored. Additionally, a second plurality of videoconferencing devices of a second type may be monitored. During this monitoring, at least one device of the first plurality of videoconferencing devices performs activities corresponding to a respective videoconference and at least one device of the second plurality of videoconferencing devices performs activities corresponding to the respective videoconference. In response to failure of a one of the devices associated with the respective videoconference, failover to a second device of the same type may be performed. After performing failover, the second device performs the activities corresponding to the respective videoconference that the original device was performing.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a set-top-box (STB) having a controller to operate the STB coupled to an interactive television network as an audio visual answering machine using a digital video recorder forming a part of the STB, use at least one camera coupled to the STB to capture video, use at least one microphone coupled to the STB to capture audio, present video from at least a calling party on a television set coupled to the STB, and present audio from at least the calling party on speakers coupled to the STB. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: System and method for performing a videoconference. The videoconference may be established between at least three videoconferencing locations. Each videoconferencing location may include respective pluralities of displays, video inputs, and videoconferencing units. A first videoconferencing unit at a first videoconferencing location may receive an indication that there is an active talker at the first videoconferencing location. An indication that there is an active talker at the first videoconferencing location may also be provided to a second videoconferencing unit at the first videoconferencing location. The first and second videoconferencing units may provide signals to corresponding videoconferencing units at second and third videoconferencing locations indicating that videoconferencing signals from the first videoconferencing location should be displayed.

Abstract: A method and device for switching video pictures are disclosed in the invention, which belong to video conference field. Said method includes: obtaining correspondence relations between participants and venues; finding, when a participant is called, a venue corresponding to the called participant according to the correspondence relations; and switching the video pictures to the venue corresponding to the called participant. According to the invention, it is possible to find the venue corresponding to the called participant according to the correspondence relations, and automatically switch the video to the venue or request to an MCU for switching the video to the venue, without a manual intervention of the participant or waiting for a response from the participant, so that continuity of the video conference is ensured, the video pictures can be switched in time, and “face to face” communion experience of the participants in the video conference is improved.

Abstract: A method, a device and a system for mixing processing of an audio signal are provided in the embodiments of the present invention. The method includes: judging a channel type of a receiving terminal; for a single-channel receiving terminal, sending a mixed audio signal and meanwhile sending location information of a sending terminal that has maximum audio signal energy on each sub-band of the mixed audio signal to the single-channel receiving terminal; for a double-channel receiving terminal or a multi-channel receiving terminal, performing up-mixing to obtain double-channel or multi-channel audio data according to location information that is allocated to a single-channel sending terminal, performing mixing processing on audio data that participates in mixing to obtain double-channel or multi-channel mixed audio data, and sending the double-channel or multi-channel mixed audio data.

Abstract: An example method may include receiving a media stream from a first endpoint, where the media stream is intended for a second endpoint; processing the media stream according to at least one processing option; compressing the media stream; and communicating the media stream to the second endpoint. In more specific instances, the processing may include converting a speech in the media stream to text in a first language; converting the text in the first language to text in a second language; rendering the text in the second language; and adding the rendered text in the media stream.

Abstract: One or more horizontal stripes are defined in a continuous presence video conferencing image, comprising one or more segments of the video image. The horizontal stripes may have different heights. A horizontal stripe builder associated with a continuous presence videoconferencing port composes and compresses the horizontal stripe from two or more video images received from a plurality of endpoints of the video conferencing system. A continuous presence image stream generator organizes compressed horizontal strips into a plurality of compressed continuous presence video streams for sending toward sites of the video conferencing system.

Abstract: The invention discloses a system for re-access of a wireless video conference terminal, including: a protection module configured to record relevant information of a conference in the event of terminal disconnection, log in to the video conference network according to the relevant information of the conference upon recovery of the network signal, and send a terminal reentering module the information for reentering the conference, wherein the relevant information of the conference contains a username and a password; and the terminal reentering module configured to determine that the terminal passes authentication according to the username as well as the information for reentering the conference and admit the terminal into the conference. The invention further discloses a method for re-access of a wireless video conference terminal. Adoption of the system and the method improves the user experience and facilitates the promotion of the wireless video conference.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a state transition control method, a multipoint control server, and a videoconferencing system. The method includes: receiving, by a multipoint control server, a conference reservation message, where the conference reservation message carries start time and end time of a reserved conference and an identity of a site centralized control device at a site participating in the reserved conference; and sending a state transition command to the site centralized control device according to the start time and the identity or according to the end time and the identity. In the embodiments of the present invention, through centralized control, in a non-conference state, external devices in a videoconferencing system enter a power-off state, and in a conference state, devices in the videoconferencing system are recovered to a normal working state, thereby improving user experience and reducing power consumption of the videoconferencing system.

Abstract: A computer implemented method is disclosed, the method including but not limited to detecting an event of interest in video conference data for a plurality of video conference participants and notifying an end user of the event of interest. A computer readable medium is also disclosed for containing a computer program for performing the method. A computer implemented method is also disclosed for receiving at an end user device, a notification of an event of interest in a video teleconference, the method including but not limited to receiving at an end user device from a notification indicating a detection of the event of interest in video conference data from the video teleconference for a plurality of video conference participants; and sending data from the end user device to the server requesting a transcription of comments from the speaker in video teleconference.

Abstract: A new approach is proposed that contemplates systems and methods to support the operation of a Virtual Media Room or Virtual Meeting Room (VMR), wherein each VMR can accept from a plurality of participants at different geographic locations a variety of video conferencing feeds of audio and video streams from video conference endpoints. A globally distributed infrastructure that supports operations of the VMR through a plurality of MCUs (Multipoint Control Unit) built from off-the-shelf components instead of custom hardware as media processing nodes, each configured to process the plurality of audio and video streams from the plurality of video conference endpoints in real time.

Abstract: A method, an apparatus and a system for establishing a multi-cascade channel. The method includes: receiving the site code stream obtaining request, where the request includes at least one identifier of the site; receiving an address and a port that correspond to the identifier of the site according to encoding information of a stream of the site code identified by the identifier of the site, and the address and the port that correspond to the identifier of the site; establishing a multi-cascade channel used for transmitting the code stream of the site identified by the identifier of the site; and sending the code stream of the site identified by the identifier of the site through the multi-cascade channel.

Abstract: A system for a multi-point videoconference consisting of three or more simultaneously connected end-points in a one-to-many or a many-to-many conference via a dynamic-virtual-multi-point-control-unit. The system comprising of a dynamic control unit is created when the Audio and Video parameters with conference participants are input by the initiator. After the establishment of the conference the dynamic-control-unit may shift from end-point to end-point in the course of a conference without terminating the conference. The movement of the Composite table of parameters creates a virtual multipoint conference control unit first by selecting the best endpoint to host the dynamic control unit using the client device resources. The dynamic-control-unit uses a protocol to establish the connections between multipliable endpoints, including a requesting or initiating endpoint and two or more participating endpoints.

Abstract: A system and method for adjusting resolution for a video conference through a streaming device. An invitation to accept a video conference is accepted through a streaming device. A determination is made whether available bandwidth supports a line resolution. The line resolution is adjusted in response to determining the available bandwidth does not support the line resolution. The video conference is implemented utilizing the adjusted line resolution.

Abstract: A new approach is proposed that contemplates systems and methods to support the operation of a Virtual Media Room or Virtual Meeting Room (VMR), wherein each VMR can accept from a plurality of participants at different geographic locations a variety of video conferencing feeds from video conference endpoints that can be either proprietary or standards-based and enable a multi-party video conferencing session among the plurality of participants by composing one composite audio and video stream for each of the participants. Each single VMR can be implemented across an infrastructure of globally distributed set of servers/media processing nodes co-located in Points of Presence (POPs) for Internet access. Each VMR also gives its users a rich set of conferencing and collaboration interaction hitherto not experienced by video conferencing users.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing a composite conference environment are disclosed. More particularly, a virtual reality environment (VRE) that can accommodate the inclusion of a conventional multipoint conference as a registered user or individual participants in a conventional multipoint conference as registered users within a composite conference environment hosted by the VRE is provided. Accordingly, a conference that is spread across multiple servers, namely a virtual reality server and a conventional multipoint conference server, can be created and moderated. Moreover, audio/video streams, features, and control can be provided to all users participating in the composite conference environment.

Abstract: A method for preventing movement in a telepresence system, includes a plurality of cameras. Each camera has a respective field of vision for viewing one or more users. The fields of vision each have lateral boundaries. The system also includes a plurality of restrictive elements. Each restrictive element is positioned along a respective lateral boundary of a field of vision of the fields of vision of the plurality of cameras such that viewed users each positioned within a field of vision of the plurality of cameras are restricted by the plurality of restrictive elements from moving outside of the field of vision in which each viewed user is positioned.

Abstract: A video conferencing system (100) includes a switch (125), a server (140), a telephony device (152), and a node (102) in a packet-switched network (135). The switch (125) establishes a circuit-switched connection between a calling party number and a called party number. The server (140) associates first and second network addresses in a packet-switched network (135) with each of the called party and calling party numbers. The telephony device (152) transmits audio data via the circuit-switched connection. The node (102) in the packet-switched network (135) transmits packetized video between the first and second network addresses responsive to establishment of the circuit-switched connection.

Abstract: In one example, a device executes one or more video communication processes that receive audio streams and video streams from a plurality of computing devices participating in a video communication session associated with the one or more video communication processes. The device evaluates one or more properties of the audio streams, including the volume of an audio signal among the audio streams. The device selects a first group of the audio streams to mute in the video communication session, based at least in part on the one or more properties of the audio streams. The device distributes a second group of the audio streams in the video communication session, while muting the first group of audio streams in the video communication session.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is a method and apparatus for dynamically allocating resources for large-scale multimedia conferences. In one embodiment, a method for allocating resources to a multimedia conference includes receiving a request from a potential participant to join the multimedia conference and dynamically assigning the request to one of a plurality of media servers serving the multimedia conference.

Abstract: Reaction information of participants to an interaction may be sensed and analyzed to determine one or more reactions or dispositions of the participants. Feedback may be provided based on the determined reactions. The participants may be given an opportunity to opt in to having their reaction information collected, and may be provided complete control over how their reaction information is shared or used.

Abstract: A tele-presence system that includes a cart. The cart includes a robot face that has a robot monitor, a robot camera, a robot speaker, a robot microphone, and an overhead camera. The system also includes a remote station that is coupled to the robot face and the overhead camera. The remote station includes a station monitor, a station camera, a station speaker and a station microphone. The remote station can display video images captured by the robot camera and/or overhead camera. By way of example, the cart can be used in an operating room, wherein the overhead camera can be placed in a sterile field and the robot face can be used in a non-sterile field. The user at the remote station can conduct a teleconference through the robot face and also obtain a view of a medical procedure through the overhead camera.

Abstract: Techniques to provide active lighting control for video teleconferencing systems are described. In an embodiment, a video teleconferencing (TVC) device receives lighting data from cameras in a room where a VTC is taking place. The VTC device may access lighting profiles for the lights in the room from a lighting control system. The VTC device may compare the current lighting conditions to a target model. The VTC device may use the lighting profiles to select lights to turn on or off via the lighting control system to improve the lighting. The VTC device may monitor the lighting conditions during the conference and may re-adjust the lights if a large change occurs. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A device configured for participation in a video conference. The device includes a display disposed on the device for displaying video captured at a second device. The device also includes a virtual object receiver for receiving a virtual object, wherein the virtual object is configured to augment the video conference. A virtual object incorporator for incorporating the virtual object into the video captured at the second device, and a transmitter for transmitting said video comprising the virtual object. The video comprising the virtual object is configured to be displayed at the second device.

Abstract: A media gateway (MG) that services a plurality of client devices, may be handled at least a portion of video conferencing (VC) processing during a VC call between at least one of said plurality of client devices and at least one other VC client. The portion of the VC processing handled by the media gateway may be offloaded from a centralized VC multipoint control unit (MCU). The MG may handle one or more VC MCU functions, which may comprise video conferencing call control and/or management and/or audio/video (AV) transcoding. The MG may perform localized quality of service (QoS) management, to select, and adaptively control and/or configure resources and/or local links used in the MG and/or in VC clients or neighboring MGs connected to the MG, during VC operations, such as in generating, handling, and/or communicating data or content exchanged during VC calls.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a mobile streaming adaptor includes a processor configured to receive media content from a remote camera, process the received media content by capturing, encoding and encapsulating the media content at a mobile electronic device, connect to a remote streaming server through function of a mobile networked device; and stream the encapsulated media content to the mobile networked device for communication of the encapsulated content to the remote streaming server through an Internet Protocol (IP) network for real-time distribution to a communication device. A corresponding computer program product and method are also provided.

Abstract: When a refrained state is detected at a first transmission terminal, a transmission management system sends operation state information of the first transmission terminal, which is determined based on the refrained state of the first transmission terminal, to a second transmission terminal that may initiate communication with the first transmission terminal before the second transmission terminal starts communication with the first transmission terminal.

Abstract: A transmission management apparatus includes a receiving unit that receives, from a first transmission terminal 10, a communication request for a communication with a second transmission terminal 10; a fists storage unit that stores therein terminal identification information for identifying the transmission terminals 10 and relay device identification information for identifying a relay device 30 that relays data to be transmitted and received by the first transmission terminal 10, in an associated manner; a relay device selecting unit that selects the relay device 30 associated with the terminal identification information of the first transmission terminal 10 in the first storage unit; a second storage unit that stores therein the relay device identification information and encryption necessity information in an associated manner; and an encryption necessity determining unit that determines whether encryption is needed based on the encryption necessity information associated, in the second storage unit, wit

Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes receiving data associated with a local endpoint that is configured to participate in a video conference. The local endpoint can be configured to detect a signal generated by a local end user device and to relay the signal to a local manager element. The method also includes transmitting the signal over a network to a remote manager element at a remote location. In more specific embodiments, the method includes receiving an additional signal from the remote manager element, and determining a selected local endpoint to receive the additional signal from the remote manager element.

Abstract: HMDs and compact cameras generate image data of display media of users, and transmit the data to a conference management server. HMDs and compact cameras further generate presentation information of the users for a conference, and transmit the information to the conference management server. The conference management server verifies the display medium by comparing an association between each user and the image data of the display medium used by the user with an association between the received image data of the display medium for the user and the user. If the verification is successful, the server transmits presentation information of the users for the conference received from the HMDs and the compact cameras to the HMDs.

Abstract: A method for executing a video conference is provided that includes receiving one or more audio streams associated with a video conference from one or more end points and determining an active speaker associated with one of the end points. Audio information associated with the active speaker may be received at one or more media switches. One or more video streams may be suppressed except for a selected video stream associated with the active speaker, the selected video stream propagating to one or more of the media switches during the video conference. The selected video stream may be replicated such that it may be communicated to one or more of the end points associated with a selected one of the media switches.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes receiving data indicative of a personal position of an end user. A media stream is selected from a plurality of media streams to be transmitted to the end user based on the personal position. The selected media stream includes image data of an object captured by a camera and the image data is used to construct a three-dimensional rendering of the object. In more specific embodiments, the media stream selection is executed by a server configured to be coupled to a network. The camera can be part of a plurality of cameras that capture image data associated with the object and that transmit respective media streams over a network. Once a camera begins transmitting image data over the network and to the end user, other cameras from the plurality of cameras stop transmitting their respective media streams over the network.

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 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 user can design their own custom composed view for a videoconference depending on the users' individualized needs. The view can include segments (windows) in which participating conferees' video images are presented and accessory elements such as window borders, text, icons, and the like. The content of the accessory elements can be linked to events within the conference or the content of other objects within the view. A custom composed view for a video conference can be designed off-line by a user, loaded into a videoconferencing device, and executed to generate the custom composed view. The videoconferencing device can synchronize the content of accessory elements with the content of other objects presented in the view.

Abstract: A multi end-point (EP) conferencing system, including a decentralized scalable network of End-Points that includes a source EP being configured to connect to a non-virtual target EP. The source EP being configured to transmit to the non-virtual target EP a conference list thereof, for distributing to non-virtual EPs and virtual EPs associated with the target EP. It is further configured to receive a conference list of the non-virtual target EP, integrate the received conference list with its conference list to obtain an integrated conference list and distribute the integrated conference list or parts thereof to virtual EPs and non-virtual EPs associated with the source EP. The source EP being further configured to receive a positive selection notification being indicative of a requesting EP from EPs associated with the source EP that would like to get data from the source EP.

Abstract: A system includes a network interface for sending and receiving one or more of video data and audio data between two or more endpoints. One or more of a video data source and an audio data source located at more than one endpoint and a control unit for controlling one or more of the video data and the audio data between endpoints. The control unit is operable to execute instructions to specify more than one participant in a conference, wherein at least one participant is remotely located and invoke the conference upon receiving one or more requests to connect to the conference by one or more participants. The control unit is further operable to allocate resources upon the conference being invoked and connect participants to the conference.

Abstract: Determining a buffer size in a videoconference. In some embodiments, one or more of various different error correction methods may be used in a videoconference. For example, forward error correction (FEC) may be used and/or retransmission of lost packets (ReTxLP) may be used, e.g., based on a packet loss threshold. Where FEC is used, a buffer size of a receiving videoconferencing device may be determined based on the FEC rate. Where ReTxLP is used, a buffer size of the receiving videoconferencing device may be determined based on a retransmission latency.

Abstract: A camera can be associated with each conference participant endpoint. The camera, either frame or video-based, can monitor and detect one or more of gestures, facial recognition, emotions, and movements of the conference participant. Based on the detection of one or more of these triggering events, a correlation to an action corresponding the triggering event can be evoked. For example, if a participant raises their hand, e.g., a triggering event, the system can recognize that this is a request to speak. The participant can then be queued in the system based, for example, relative to other participants' requests. When the other participants have finished speaking, and it is the time for the user who raised their hand to speak, the system can optionally queue the user by modifying the endpoint with which they are associated.

Abstract: A method for presenting a virtual conference site of a video conference is disclosed in the present invention. The method include: receiving preset virtual conference site attributes and determining one virtual conference site attribute therefrom, where the virtual conference site includes at least two conference terminals; determining a virtual conference site control mode; acquiring, according to the determined virtual conference site attribute and the virtual conference site control mode, one virtual conference site presentation mode in preset virtual conference site presentation modes, and presenting a virtual conference site in the acquired virtual conference site presentation mode. A virtual conference site preset apparatus, a media processing device, a video conference terminal and a video conference system are also disclosed in the present invention. By utilizing the present invention, a conference control mode may be simplified, and the experience of video conference participators may be improved.

Abstract: A video conferencing system (100) includes a switch (125), a server (140), a telephony device (152), and a node (102) in a packet-switched network (135). The switch (125) establishes a circuit-switched connection between a calling party number and a called party number. The server (140) associates first and second network addresses in a packet-switched network (135) with each of the called party and calling party numbers. The telephony device (152) transmits audio data via the circuit-switched connection. The node (102) in the packet-switched network (135) transmits packetized video between the first and second network addresses responsive to establishment of the circuit-switched connection.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are for selectively establishing radio access bearers configured to support simultaneous voice and data communications in a mobile telecommunications network. An exemplary method includes receiving a request to initiate a data session at a mobile device that is currently engaged in a voice session and, in response to receiving the request, determining if the mobile device is capable of supporting a radio access bearer configured to simultaneously support the data session and the voice session. The method further includes allowing or denying establishment of the radio access bearer based upon the determination.

Abstract: An image rendition and capture method includes rendering a first image on a surface using a first set of wavelength ranges of light. While the first image is being rendered, a second image is captured using a second set of wavelength ranges of light but not the first set. The second image is of the surface on which the first image is being rendered.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a first module that causes the first endpoint to receive a current speaker's video stream if the first endpoint is not the current speaker and to receive a last speaker's video stream if the first endpoint is the current speaker. The apparatus includes a second module that causes the second endpoint to receive a continuous presence, current speaker video stream if the second endpoint is not the current speaker and to receive a continuous presence, last speaker video stream if the second endpoint is the current speaker. The continuous presence, current speaker video stream comprises two or more video streams, one of which includes at least a portion of the current speaker's video stream. The continuous presence, last speaker video stream comprises two or more video streams, one of which includes at least a portion of a last speaker's video stream.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for performing video conferencing is provided that includes an I-frame injector element operable to intercept I-frame requests from one or more end points and to attempt to service the I-frame requests such that at least a portion of the requests are prevented from propagating back to an originating sender. In more specific embodiments, when a receiver endpoint sends a fast video update (FVU) request upstream, it is intercepted by the I-frame injector element and rather than passing the FVU request to the sender the I-frame injector element replaces a next P-frame from the sender with an I-frame, whereby the I-frame is constructed so that when decoded, it matches the P-frame that it replaced. In still more detailed embodiments, the I-frame injector element operates in one of three modes that are associated with bandwidth parameters.

Abstract: A video conferencing system is provided, in which at least two cameras are used to capture images of people at a first location participating in a video conference. One or more active speakers are identified among the people at the location, and one of the at least two cameras is automatically selected based on a position or positions of the one or more active speakers. Images from the selected camera are provided to a person at a second location participating the video conference.

Abstract: Providing high availability multi-way conferencing. Separate signaling and media components may be provided within an MCU or among a cluster of MCUs. A signaling server may control signaling aspects of a conference while a media server may provide media support for the conference. In the event of media server failure, the signaling server may assign a new media server to provide media support for the conference. A backup signaling server may also monitor the signaling server and may provide signaling support for the conference in the event of signaling server failure.