Abstract: A system and method for transmitting a plurality of video signals scalably coded into layers including a base layer and one or more enhancement layers and associated audio signals, if any, over a communication network for presentation to one or more end users. A layout to display the plurality of video signals is determined based on a set of criteria and only the data of the video signal layers that are necessary for displaying the video signals in the determined layout, and any associated audio signals, is selectively transmitted over the communication network.

Abstract: A multi-media equipment controlling system, a device and method for controlling data transmission and processing are disclosed. Controlling data corresponding to multiple media type streams is sent to a controlled terminal equipment, the controlled terminal equipment controls multi-media equipments generating corresponding media type stream respectively, according to the controlling data corresponding to the media type streams. Thus the invention can perform corresponding controlling to the multi-media equipments corresponding to the multiple media type streams.

Abstract: Processing images in conference between a plurality of video conferencing terminal. The method includes providing properties of terminals, defining a number of groups based on the properties of the terminals, then determining an ordered list of the a number of groups, and determining a pane layout for displaying images from the terminals. The pane layout is determined based on the provided properties of the terminal the pane layout is displayed on and the properties of the other terminals in the conference. Then, mapping the ordered list of the number of groups to the respective determined pane layout, and providing at least one composite image stream to each of the terminals according to the selected pane layout and mapping of the a number of groups. Different types of telepresence endpoints, (e.g. different manufacturers, numbers of screens/cameras, etc.) can thus interoperate well in the same video conference.

Abstract: A conference control device includes: a communication processing unit which performs transmission/reception processing of conference information containing voice information and image information between the conference control device and a plurality of video conference terminal devices through a network; an information collecting unit which collects information on connection paths between the conference control device and the respective video conference terminal devices; a grouping unit which sorts the plurality of video conference terminal devices into a plurality of groups based on information on the connection paths collected by the information collecting unit; a band monitoring unit which monitors a use band of the communication processing unit in accordance with every group; and a bandwidth control unit which is, when the group having the use band of less than a predetermined value is detected by the band monitoring unit, controls the bandwidth of the video conference terminal devices belonging to the gr

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 system and method for a tele-education service system based on video conferencing are provided. The tele-education service system includes a host terminal to manage a tele-education service system; at least one participating terminal to receive the tele-education service; and a media relay to acquire video images from the host terminal and the at least one participating terminal, to combine the acquired video images differently according to user information of the host terminal and the at least one participating terminal and the progress stages of video conferencing and to provide the differently combined video images to the host terminal and the at least one participating terminal, respectively.

Abstract: Presented herein are systems, methods, and apparatus for displaying pictures. In one embodiment, there is presented a decoder system for decoding video data. The decoder system comprises a port and a transport processor. The port receives packets carrying encoded video data from a plurality of video streams. The transport processor adds a header to encoded video data from at least one of the packets. The header identifies a particular one of the plurality of video streams, wherein the at least one packet is from the particular one of the plurality of video stream.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes receiving registration messages at a call control agent device via first unicast transmissions from at least three video conference terminals. The registration messages request set up of a video conference between the at least three video conference terminals. The computer-implemented method includes sending a set up message from the call control agent device to each of the at least three conference terminals via second unicast transmissions. The set up message includes at least an identification of a multicast control group, a send multicast group of each of the at least three conference terminals, and a default receive multicast group. In response to the set up message, one or more of the at least three video conference terminals join the default receive multicast group.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving through a telephony user interface from a user at the telephony user interface an indication of a first direction of a sound source along a first axis with respect to the user and a second direction of the sound source along a second axis with respect to the user. The first axis is substantially perpendicular to the second axis. The method further involves communicating the indication of the first direction and the second direction to enable audio communication of sound originating at the sound source to the user as if coming from the first direction and the second direction with respect to the user.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a system and method for handling customer service requests in a virtual computing environment supporting multimedia interactions. In some embodiments, the system includes an automated management tool for receiving a customer service request from a client device, a server for establishing an individualized communication session, and a plurality of available resources capable of being connected to the individualized communication session. In some embodiments, the method includes receiving and establishing a connection between an automated management tool and a client device, receiving a customer service request from the client device, establishing an individualized communication session, and providing resources to the individualized communication session.

Abstract: A television conference apparatus that transmits display data to a plurality of terminals includes a first receiving device that receives terminal-specific data, a first display data creation device that creates first display data, a second receiving device that receives position information, a second display data creation device that creates second display data, a display data transmission device that transmits the second display data to the plurality of terminals, an edit authority storage device that stores edit authority information, a first determination device that determines whether each of the plurality of terminal-specific areas includes the position specified by the position information transmitted from a terminal that has the authority to edit the edit data displayed therein, and a command transmission device that transmits a first request information to a terminal corresponding to a first area and that transmits a second request information to a terminal corresponding to a second area.

Abstract: A conference adapter. In an illustrative embodiment, the conference adapter implements a method for interfacing one or more conference endpoints with one or more conference servers. The method includes registering an endpoint and a conference server to determine endpoint registration information associated with the endpoint and to determine conference-server registration information associated with the conference server. Next, the method includes receiving a connection from the endpoint and a connection from the conference server. Subsequently, the conference adapter establishes communications between the endpoint and the conference server as initiated by the endpoint and based on the endpoint registration information and the conference-server registration information.

Abstract: A TV conference apparatus includes a main body, a plurality of monitors, arms for connecting the monitors to the main body such that they are free to turn about a vertical axis, and a camera disposed to an upper portion of the main body to pick up an image of an entire circumference. The plurality of monitors and the camera are disposed integrally with the main body. The TV conference apparatus can switch a first state, in which the plurality of monitors are disposed forward of the main body in line with each other, with a second state, in which the plurality of monitors are disposed sideward of the main body.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of controlling a video conference with two or more participants (1, 2, 3, 4), and a video conference server and a computer program product to execute this method. A topic of the video conference is dynamically determined (303, 313). A participant data base comprising associations of one or more of the participants (1, 2, 3, 4) with one or more respective attributes is accessed (304, 314). The determined topic is mapped to one or more of the one or more respective attributes. From the one or more participants (1, 2, 3, 4) associated with the one or more respective attributes one or more participants (1, 2, 3, 4) who are associated with the determined topic according to said mapping are selected (305, 315). One or more of the selected participants (1, 2, 3, 4) are displayed (307, 317) on a screen.

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: A videoconferencing endpoint can provides a caller with the ability to make unscheduled video calls to a callee without having knowledge of dialing information of a videoconferencing endpoint where the callee is currently located. The videoconferencing endpoint searches a location database using an identity of the callee provided by the caller, where the location database can store dialing information of a videoconferencing endpoint where the callee is known to be located. The videoconferencing endpoint can collect biometric data from a user and determine the identity of the user by matching the collected biometric data to biometric data stored in a biometric database. If a match is found, the videoconferencing endpoint updates the location database such that the location database indicates the videoconferencing endpoint as the current location of the user.

Abstract: An apparatus in one example, the apparatus comprising a server configured to host a videoconference call comprising a plurality of voice and video streams, the server being communicatively associable with a plurality of clients in the videoconference call. The server being configured to determine a computing capacity of each of the plurality of clients and to hand over hosting the videoconference call to a selected one of the plurality of clients based on a computing capacity, wherein hosting the videoconference call comprises mixing the plurality of the voice and video streams into a consolidated stream, where the consolidated stream is communicated to all of the clients other than the selected client.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a method for identifying individuals in a multimedia stream originating from a video conferencing terminal or a Multipoint Control Unit, including executing a face detection process on the multimedia stream; defining subsets including facial images of one or more individuals, where the subsets are ranked according to a probability that their respective one or more individuals will appear in a video stream; comparing a detected face to the subsets in consecutive order starting with a most probable subset, until a match is found; and storing an identity of the detected face as searchable metadata in a content database in response to the detected face matching a facial image in one of the subsets.

Abstract: An advanced video teleconferencing system facilitates an engaging and realistic video conferencing experience. Key design elements and video, audio, and control capabilities are provided for a video conferencing experience that cannot be attained with conventional methods, which elements and capabilities include careful design of the table and room at each site, supplementary displays showing imagery in a mirrored manner, networked environmental control, an AutoDirector with keyword and gesture recognition, and audio reflection from a display or beam splitter.

Abstract: A method including creating a local view for a local endpoint, where the local view is created from a local topology for the local endpoint, where the local topology is created from a central topology, scanning for a request to change the local view for the local endpoint, and updating the local view for the local endpoint when the request to change the local view will not violate the local topology for the local endpoint and will not violate the central topology.

Abstract: A method of displaying images among a plurality of spaced apart locations is provided, which method, in one exemplary embodiment, includes displaying an image associated with a first location on a first surface at a central location, displaying an image associated with a second location on a second surface at the central location, and displaying an image associated with the central location and the image associated with the first location at a common surface at the second location.

Abstract: A method of setting up communication sessions in a telepresence call including a multiple point-to-point connections between at least two telepresence systems, wherein the information required for setting up the communication sessions is embedded in a control protocol message flow establishing a first communication session between the two telepresence systems.

Abstract: A videoconference system has videoconference terminals which communicate with a centralized station over satellite. Video signals from each videoconference terminal are unicast to the centralized station via satellite. The centralized station forms a composite signal of all the video signals multicasts the composite signal to the local videoconference terminals over satellite that can be received by hundreds, thousands or more recipients. The system dynamically allocates satellite bandwidth and other network resources to establish a high definition videoconference call on demand. A frequency allocation manager manages the resources available on the satellite network according with the capacity of each transponder and network resources available. It administrates the resources available and dynamically assigns a satellite capacity and network resources.

Abstract: A method for displaying a multipoint videoconference includes receiving a plurality of video signals generated at a plurality of remote conference sites. The method includes assigning a plurality of video signals generated at a first remote conference site to a first monitor of a plurality of monitors at a local site and assigning a plurality of video signals generated at a second remote conference site to a second monitor of the plurality of monitors at the local site. In addition, the method includes selecting, for each of the first and second monitor, a video signal of the plurality of video signals assigned to the monitor, and displaying each selected video signal on its respective monitor.

Abstract: A method, device, and computer-readable-medium are disclosed for processing images during a conference between a plurality of video conferencing terminals. The method uses a processor to input a first image from a first camera at a first video conferencing terminal, a second image from a second camera at a second video conferencing terminal, and a third image from a third camera at a third video conferencing terminal. The processor then generates a first composite image that has the third image inserted at a first position into the second image, and a second composite image that has the third image inserted at a second position into the first image. The first position and the second position are located in horizontally opposite portions of the first composite image and the second composite image, respectively. Further, the first and second composite images are sent to the first and second video conferencing terminals, respectively.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for managing display layouts for a continuous presence video conference. Each display layout has a fixed number of positions, and one of the display layouts has a maximum number of positions for display to participants in the video conference. The display layouts comprise video display positions for participants in a video conference. When the number of participants is greater than a threshold, one of the positions in that layout is used as a shared position assigned to a video stream of participants not assigned to fixed positions in that layout. The shared position is used in a scanning manner such that video streams of participants not assigned to fixed positions in the layouts are classified as scanning streams and are displayed in the non-fixed (shared) position over a predetermined time interval.

Abstract: A videoconference system has videoconference terminals which communicate with a centralized station over satellite. Video signals from each videoconference terminal are unicast to the centralized station via satellite. The centralized station forms a composite signal of all the video signals multicasts the composite signal to the local videoconference terminals over satellite that can be received by hundreds, thousands or more recipients. The system dynamically allocates satellite bandwidth and other network resources to establish a high definition videoconference call on demand. A frequency allocation manager manages the resources available on the satellite network according with the capacity of each transponder and network resources available. It administrates the resources available and dynamically assigns a satellite capacity and network resources.

Abstract: A videoconference system has videoconference terminals which communicate with a centralized station over satellite. Video signals from each videoconference terminal are unicast to the centralized station via satellite. The centralized station forms a composite signal of all the video signals multicasts the composite signal to the local videoconference terminals over satellite that can be received by hundreds, thousands or more recipients. The system dynamically allocates satellite bandwidth and other network resources to establish a high definition videoconference call on demand. A frequency allocation manager manages the resources available on the satellite network according with the capacity of each transponder and network resources available. It administrates the resources available and dynamically assigns a satellite capacity and network resources.

Abstract: A teleconferencing system receives at least two streams that are parts of a live conference and individually records at least one of the streams. During the conference, a conferencing system receives a request from a communication device that is participating in the conference for at least a portion of at least one but not all of the recorded streams and in response sends the requested portion(s) of the stream to the communication device. The communication device can then play back the requested portion(s) of the recorded stream(s) to a participant in the conference. The streams may be audio and/or video streams.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enhancing a video image sent from a first terminal of a video-telephony system to a second terminal of the video-telephony system during a video telephony call. An image style is selected at the first terminal and a description of the image style is transmitted from the first terminal to the second terminal. A sequence of video images transmitted from the first terminal to the second terminal is modified by a style generator at the second terminal in accordance with description of the image style before being displayed at the second terminal. The first terminal includes a user interface that controls a style selector to produce the style description that defines the properties or the style such as a cropping region, a border style, an image filter, a background and an animation.

Abstract: In order to prevent leakage of confidential data, a meeting system includes a MFP and a projector. The MFP includes a data obtaining portion to obtain data, a participant information obtaining portion to obtain user identification information as participant information, an access permission determination portion and an output permission determination portion to determine whether or not a user identified by the participant information can access the obtained data, to determine that the obtained data can be output if the determination result shows that all the meeting participants can access the obtained data, and to determine that the obtained data cannot be output if any one of the meeting participants cannot access the obtained data, and an output portion to output data on condition that it is determined by the output permission determination portion that data can be output. The display device displays an image based on the data output from the data processing apparatus.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus are disclosed whereby a wireless Personal Area Network such as a Bluetooth piconet may be extended to a remote location beyond the normal range by means of a conferencing connection. The conferencing connection may comprise, for example, one or more ISDN lines or an IP connection between two or more conference endpoints. The broadband connection may include a video channel, an audio channel, a control channel, and a Bluetooth channel.

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 teleconference terminal apparatus including: an input unit which receives a speech signal; an analyzing unit which calculates a target size on a predetermined segment basis of a speech signal; a coding unit which codes the speech signal to generate a data stream, so that the coded data size on a predetermined segment basis becomes the target size corresponding to each predetermined segment; a stream transmitting unit which transmits to a network the data stream; a receiving unit which receives the data stream transmitted from another terminal apparatus; a filtering unit which determines whether segment data is to be decoded based on data size for each predetermined segment in the received data stream, the segment data being included in the data stream; a decoding unit which decodes segment data determined to be decoded to generate a speech signal; and an output unit which outputs the generated speech signal.

Abstract: A plurality of multipoint conference units (MCUs) may optimize bandwidth by selecting particular video streams to transmit to endpoints and/or other MCUs participating in a video conference. An endpoint may generate video streams and audio streams and transmit these streams to its managing MCU. During the video conference, an endpoint may also receive and display different video streams and different audio streams. In a particular embodiment, a controlled MCU receives video streams from its managed endpoints, selects potential video streams based upon the maximum number of video streams that any endpoint can display concurrently, and transmits those potential video streams to a master MCU. The master MCU may also receive video streams from its managed endpoints and may select active video streams for transmission to its managed endpoints and to the controlled MCU, which transmits selected streams to its managed endpoints.

Abstract: A CODEC-driven touch screen video conferencing control system provides a touch screen entry and display device that interfaces with the CODEC of the existing video conferencing system so that remote operation is compatible with the pre-programming of the video conferencing system. A computer with video capture device captures the output video of the video conferencing CODEC and transmits it to the touch screen so that what is displayed on the touch screen is all of the controls for the video conferencing system as pre-programmed by the video conferencing system manufacturer. There is no requirement to employ a cursor on the video conferencing monitor screen. In fact, through use of the present invention, none of the control functions of the video conferencing system appear on its monitor screens. Rather, those functions are solely displayed on the touch screen of the remote control device.

Abstract: A method of conducting an audio-visual conference among a number of conference rooms comprising storing predetermined conference configuration data in a computer system for a plurality of room types and a plurality of combinations of configuration factors, receiving conference variable data, generating a room list of included conference rooms, generating interconnection data for each included conference room according selected by said a computer system performing a recursive process until a feasible set of configuration data is found which permits interconnection to every other included conference room, and if no applicable set of configuration data is feasible, the distribution process returns to a next higher room in said room list.

Abstract: An improved videoconferencing system and method are provided for connecting a host to a plurality of participants. Unlike other videoconferencing methods and systems, the videoconferencing system and method of these preferred embodiments allow each of the parties of a videoconference to benefit from the interaction between the host and the selected participant without limiting the number of participants that can join the videoconference. The host and participants can interact with the videoconferencing system by issuing voice commands or DTMF signals to a voice response unit or by using a computer to access the videoconferencing system directly or indirectly though a network such as the World Wide Web.

Abstract: A video conferencing system with more than three endpoints and a multipoint control unit displays a merged image of the video conference participants at an endpoint monitor. The participant images are separated from their corresponding background and merged to make all participants appear the same size on the monitor. The system also identifies an active endpoint based on the level of sound received from the endpoints and highlights a corresponding participant as a speaker.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method dynamically configures a BL bandwidth in a conference based on bandwidth capabilities in the video conferencing network. In one embodiment, the conference may include any combination of endpoints characterized as BL endpoints and SVCL endpoints. The method includes determining one or more bandwidth capabilities for a plurality of endpoints participating in a conference. The bandwidth capabilities for each respective endpoint may be based on its video decoding capability, the maximum bit-rate it can accept, the video encoding capability of the other endpoints, or a bandwidth constraint manifestation in a portion of the network, etc.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a Multipoint Control Unit (MCU) or another video conferencing device (e.g., an endpoint) may generate a video frame that includes video images of two or more video conferencing endpoints. The video frame may then be sent to another video conferencing device that may receive the video frame and separate the two or more video images into separate video images. In some embodiments, the video frame may be separated into its separate images using, for example, metadata sent along with the video frame. The metadata may include video image identifiers and location information (e.g., coordinates in the video frame) of the video images. In some embodiments, the separated video images may be provided to a compositor that may composite the separated video images, for example, into a new layout.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for controlling a multipoint conference are disclosed. The method includes: determining resolution-layered coding parameters of each terminal, and sending them to their corresponding terminals; receiving the code streams sent by each terminal, selecting code streams to be displayed by each terminal among the received code streams according to the display requirements of each terminal, and transcoding or mapping the selected code streams to the code streams decodable by the terminal; and sending the code streams decodable by each terminal to their corresponding terminals. The embodiments of the present invention use an MCU to control the resolution-layered coding, and therefore, the system can include both the terminal supporting the layering protocol and the terminal supporting no layering protocol. In addition, the calculation is reduced, and the system efficiency is improved.

Abstract: Systems and methods for conducting a multi-endpoint video signal conference are provided. Conferencing endpoints are linked by pairs of a reliable and a less reliable communication channel. Conference video signals are scaleable coded in base layer and enhancement layers format. Video signal base layers, which correspond to a minimum picture quality, are communicated over reliable channels. The video signal enhancements layers may be communicated over the less reliable channels. A conference server mediates the switching of video layer information from transmitting endpoints to receiving endpoints without any intermediate coding or re-coding operations. The video conference can be integrated with an audio conference using either scalable coded audio signals or non-scaleable coded audio signals.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a plurality of audio signals, wherein the audio signals each include a plurality of packets containing voice data associated with conference participants. One or more of the audio signals is associated with a video signal and at least one of the audio signals is associated with a voice-only conference participant. The method further includes determining an activity metric for each of the plurality of audio signals, wherein the activity metric indicates a confidence value that the audio signal is associated with a conference participant that is currently speaking. The method also includes encoding, for each of the plurality of audio signals, one or more packets of the plurality of packets with the activity metric and sending the plurality of audio signals encoded with an activity metric to a conference bridge.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for capturing, sharing, annotating, archiving, and reviewing phone calls and related computer video output in a computer document format. The system creates a portable, transferable computer file recording of a phone call & computer video (“phone voice recording,” or “PVD”) that contains attached data to help identify, sort, and archive the file while maintaining the integrity of the file. Another aspect of the invention includes a method of using the system comprising initiating a phone call between two parties; beginning a recording of the call and initiating a PVD for the recording; and terminating the call and creating the PVD for the call. Another aspect of the invention includes a method of accessing a PVD by a user, reviewing and/or modifying the PVD, capturing the modified PVD, and sharing the PVD with another user.

Abstract: A display control apparatus that receives information from remote controls and that controls a display device. The display control apparatus includes a remote control information obtaining device that obtains remote control information, a display data creation device that creates display data for displaying pointers corresponding to the remote controls based on the remote control information, a display data output device that outputs the display data, a distance determination device that calculates a relative distance between display positions of the pointers and determines whether the relative distance is larger than a predetermined distance, and a driving signal transmission device that transmits, to at least one of the remote controls corresponding to the pointers for which the relative distance is equal to or less than the predetermined distance, a driving signal to cause a notification device provided in the remote control to be driven.

Abstract: There is provided a interactive IPTV broadcasting service system of user participation, the system including: a broadcast controller reserving time of IPTV broadcast channels to perform an IPTV broadcast according to the reserved time, notifying user participation to accept the user participation during the broadcasting service, and controlling so that video of the user making a request for participation in broadcasting is included in video of the broadcast in progress, and then broadcast, a plurality of clients each notifying the broadcast controller of the request of the corresponding user when the participation in broadcasting is requested according to a selection of the IPTV broadcasting user and generating video and audio traffic of the corresponding user, and a media server relaying the users' participation in broadcasting between the broadcast controller and the clients, and receiving and mixing video and audio traffic of a broadcaster and the video and audio traffic of each of the users making the req

Abstract: In a video conference system capable of providing multiple video streams, displayed streams for participants are configured based on automatic selection by the system (such as active speaker) and manual override by the participants. The displayed views are further enhanced by implementing duplicate detection to avoid display of duplicate streams between the automatic selections and manual selections.

Abstract: Systems and methods of providing extended presence information for multi-user devices are described. Communication devices used in conference rooms represent a different nature than single user devices such as a personal computer. Conference rooms also have attributes that may be added to existing presence information and provide an enhanced experience for scheduling and dissemination of conference room capabilities. Information such as actual people in attendance may be added to the presence information maintained by a presence server to provide an overall enhancement to the meeting room whether it is physically a single conference room or a multitude of endpoints remotely connected to a conference.

Abstract: A conferencing application executing on a computerized appliance from a machine-readable medium, the computerized appliance coupled to one or more networks is provided, the application including functionality for responding to requests to join a conference, and for enabling requesters as participants, functionality for receiving and rendering text, voice or video data from each registered participant as text, voice or video data to be transmitted to individual ones of other participants, functionality for controlling which received text, voice or video data is transmitted to which participants, and functionality for receiving and executing instructions from a trust authority.