Abstract: A system, method, and device for use in videoconferencing. The method typically includes installing a videoconferencing services switch at an access point to an IP network, and registering a plurality of subscribers for videoconferencing services. Each subscriber typically has a plurality of endpoints. The method further includes receiving subscriber-specific settings to be applied to multiple videoconferencing calls from the plurality of endpoints associated with each subscriber. The method further includes storing the subscriber-specific settings at a location accessible to the switch, and configuring the switch to connect calls from the plurality of endpoints at each subscriber based on the corresponding subscriber-specific settings.

Abstract: The video processing capabilities of multiple cameras are aggregated into a first graphics processing unit resource pool, wherein at least a first camera of the first graphics processing unit processes, into a first camera output, a raw video feed output by a second camera of the first graphics processing unit. The first camera output is processed raw video of the second camera and video from the first camera. The first camera output and output video feeds of other cameras of the plurality of cameras are transformed into a virtual video feed, which is analyzed by a master video processor that controls the first graphics processing unit resource pool to improve quality or content of the virtual video feed.

Abstract: A system and method provide a rule-based technique for adapting a videoconferencing system to current conditions of a conference session, automatically converting the session from one conferencing technique to another, based on those current conditions. Rules may involve criteria including number of participants, ability to use a common codex, among others. An escalation module can be used to manage the transition between one type of conference session and another. If a condition occurs that causes transitioning the conference from one type to another, when that condition no longer applies, the conference may automatically transition back to the original conferencing type.

Abstract: Techniques for host facility assignment for a conferencing session are described. Generally, a conferencing session refers to an exchange of communication media between communication endpoints. Accordingly to various embodiments, multiple different host facilities are available for hosting a conferencing session. Further to techniques described herein, a host facility from the different available host facilities is selected to perform hosting duties for the conferencing session. In at least some implementations, a host facility that is estimated to provide a highest session quality for the conferencing session is selected to host the conferencing session.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for communication in a conference using a single source multi-unicast architecture. In one aspect, a method for communication between participants in a conference is provided. The method includes receiving, from a first device, a first message for establishing a conference, the first message including a list of codec types for use in the conference. The method further includes transmitting, at a second device, a second message to a third device, the second message offering one or more codec types from the list of codec types. The method further includes processing, at the second device, a first data stream having a first codec type from the one or more codec types.

Abstract: An electronic meeting tool and method for communicating arbitrary media content from users at a meeting comprises a node configuration means adapted to operate a display node of a communications network, the display node being coupled to a first display. The node configuration means is adapted to receive user selected arbitrary media content and to control display of the user selected arbitrary media content on the first display. A peripheral device adapted to communicate the user selected arbitrary media content via the communications network is a connection unit comprising a connector adapted to couple to a port of a processing device having a second display, a memory and an operating system, and a transmitter. A program is adapted to obtain user selected arbitrary media content, said program leaving a zero footprint on termination. The user may trigger transfer of said user selected arbitrary media content to said transmitter.

Abstract: A data transmission method is performed at a data transmission system, including: receiving, by a transit device, audio/video data sent by a target client terminal that is in a target communication channel and has an audio/video upstream authority; forwarding, by the transit device, the audio/video data to a broadcast proxy device in the target communication channel, the broadcast proxy device being connected to at least one second client terminal that is in the target communication channel and does not have an audio/video upstream authority; and forwarding, by the broadcast proxy device, the audio/video data to each second client terminal in a corresponding downstream transmission mode according to network quality information of the second client terminal, the network quality information of each second client terminal being collected by the broadcast proxy device in advance.

Abstract: Examples disclosed herein provide the ability for remote participants in a collaborative workspace to hear and view specified participants in a conference room. In on example, a computing device may receive streams of content from devices located in a room, and receive requests from users. As an example, each user request is for accessing a subset of the streams of content. For each user request, the computing device may join the requested subset of the streams of content into a single multimedia stream, and transmit each single multimedia stream to respective users.

Abstract: A method of allocating access to alternative access networks may include: inputting, by one or more parties, needs for alternative network access and representative values for satisfying the needs; and allocating, by providers of alternative network access, alternative network access to the one or more parties based on the stated needs and values.

Abstract: In an example, a method for recording media content using a mobile device includes establishing a communication session between a control system and the mobile device over a communication network and receiving, by a mobile device, a trigger signal transmitted by a control system over a communication network. The method also includes, responsive to the trigger signal, recording media content using a camera of the mobile device. The method further includes storing the recorded media content in a memory of the mobile device, terminating the recording, and, after terminating the recording, uploading the stored multimedia from the mobile device to a server. After uploading the media content to the server, the method includes receiving a signal indicating that the multimedia was successfully uploaded. The method still further includes, responsive to the signal, deleting the media content from the memory.

Abstract: A control apparatus includes: a displacement detection unit adapted to detect, based on a result of acquiring audio outputted from an output apparatus, the result of acquiring being acquired in a display apparatus that displays an image in accordance with motion, and the image that the display apparatus displays, displacement between coordinate axes of an image space according to the image that the display apparatus displays and coordinate axes of an acoustic space according to audio outputted by the output apparatus; and a correction unit adapted to correct the displacement of the coordinate axes detected by the displacement detection unit.

Abstract: A video conference control method operable to be executed in a video conference control apparatus. A request to speak from a mobile terminal on or near to a person or other source of speech is received. The mobile terminal is controlled to make a preset sound according to the request to speak. The preset sound is received and recognized. The position of the mobile terminal is determined according to the preset sound using a preset sound positioning method. A monitoring lens is controlled to align with the mobile terminal, and the sound source is displayed for the benefit of other conference attendees.

Abstract: A multimedia conference broadcast system may include one or more processors and a memory. The one or more processors may receive video streams and audio streams from participant devices. The one or more processors may transmit, to each of the participant devices, the video streams and the audio streams corresponding to the other devices. The one or more processors may receive a request to broadcast the video streams and the audio streams from one of the participant devices. The one or more processors may generate a composite multimedia stream based on the video streams and the audio streams received from the participant devices. The one or more processors may broadcast the composite multimedia stream to viewer devices that are separate from the participant devices.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and computer readable medium is disclosed for receiving in a client node a timing command indicating a time at which to display a presentation portion comprising a first stream content and a second stream content and synchronizing display of the first stream content with the second stream content to the client node using a stream delay parameter, wherein the delay parameter accounts for the propagation time difference between the first stream content and the second stream content, wherein the first stream content and the second stream content are synchronously rendered at the client node at a time derived from the time indicated by the timing command and the stream delay parameter.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward systems and methods for optimizing video conferences. For instance, systems and methods described herein optimize both the transmission and display of one or more video conference data streams. Systems and methods described herein optimize the transmission and display of one or more video conference data streams by identifying a context associated with the one or more video conference data streams and optimizing the one or more video conference data streams based on the identified context.

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

Abstract: Provided is a method for detecting an audio input interface, comprising: acquiring input signals of every one of audio input interfaces; acquiring energy values of said input signals of every one of said audio input interfaces, and acquiring an interface identification of the audio input interface of which the energy value is the maximum among the energy values; adding said interface identification acquired herein into an identification sequence in an order by acquiring time; and identifying the audio input interface, of which the interface identification is saved most often in said identification sequence, as a valid audio input interface. Also provided is a system for detecting an audio input interface. The present disclosure is capable of effectively identifying the audio input interface connected to the microphone that the user is using, so that the user does not need to switch manually.

Abstract: A video conference endpoint includes a camera to capture video and a microphone array to sense audio. One or more preset views are defined. Images in the captured video are processed with a face detection algorithm to detect faces. Active talkers are detected from the sensed audio. The camera is controlled to capture video from the preset views, and from dynamic views created without user input and which include a dynamic overview and a dynamic close-up view. The camera is controlled to dynamically adjust each of the dynamic views to track changing positions of detected faces over time, and dynamically switch the camera between the preset views, the dynamic overview, and the dynamic close-up view over time based on positions of the detected faces and the detected active talkers relative to the preset views and the dynamic views.

Abstract: A striped composed video image is disclosed, in which a main segment image is displayed with a strip of small strip segments. The strip of small strip segments is composed from a plurality of video images from a plurality of video streams. A user may pull video from the strip into the main segment. The strip of small strip segments may scrolled without affecting the main segment.

Abstract: An e-learning system has a local classroom comprising a local student station and an instructor station, such that local students at the local student station and an instructor at the instructor station face each other directly along a first viewing line, a plurality of remote classrooms each having a student station, video cameras in each of the remote classrooms positioned and oriented to capture video images of subjects, video displays in the local classroom arranged along a line orthogonal to the first viewing line and all facing the local student station, in sets of at least two displays, arranged vertically one above another, each first set of at least two displays dedicated to one of the remote classrooms, a second plurality of video displays like the first, but facing the instructor, connection apparatus between classrooms, a server coordinating video feeds with displays.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a live avatar include features for directing the live avatar gaze to be consistent with a remote operator's view of the live avatar's surroundings. Indication of gaze direction may be continuously provided to the live avatar using movable optics, for example a heads-up display, or a movable optical prism or lens. Gaze direction or operator commands may be communicated using a haptic device. Video and control streams from multiple live avatars may be aggregated through a host server and allocated via an online interface to multiple prospective remote operators.

Abstract: Techniques are described herein for facilitating a connection between a cloud networking platform and a unified communication system, where the cloud networking platform hosts communication services including real-time communications for client devices, and the unified communication system hosts communication services including real-time communications for on-prem devices that are associated with the unified communication system. Events associated with the cloud networking platform are monitored at the unified communication system, via a cloud connector device of the unified communication system, where events are associated with users who are registered with client devices and on-prem devices, and the events include real-time communications. A notification is provided to one or more client devices registered to a first user in response to an on-prem device also registered to the first user receiving a real-time communication request from a device of another user.

Abstract: Multiple cameras may be controlled over a wide area network in a routine that includes aggregating video processing capabilities of the cameras into a first graphics processing unit resource pool. The first graphics processing unit resource pool is operated on raw video feeds of the cameras to combine and transform the raw video feeds into a virtual video feed, wherein at least one camera of the cameras processes a raw video feed output by a different camera of the cameras. The virtual video feed is communicated over the wide area network to a master video processor, which is operated in a feedback loop to analyze the virtual video feed and control the first graphics processing unit resource pool to improve one of a quality or a content of the virtual video feed.

Abstract: An e-learning system has a local classroom with an instructor station and a microphone and a local student station with a microphone, a plurality of remote classrooms with an instructor display and a student station with a microphone, and planar displays and video cameras in each of the classrooms, the remote and local classrooms connected over a network, with a server monitoring feeds and enforcing exclusive states, with sets of video displays, each set dedicated to a remote classroom, arrayed along a line orthogonal to a line between the instructor station and the local student station, with one display in each set facing toward the instructor station, and one display in each set facing toward the local student station.

Abstract: A system for managing virtual meetings includes a processor operative to initiate participation with a first user interface in a first meeting, initiate participation with the first user interface in a second meeting, determining whether attention of a user is directed towards the first meeting or the second meeting, and configure the user interface such that the user interacts with meeting resources associated with the first meeting responsive to determining that the attention of the user is directed towards the first meeting.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing capabilities to participants in a multiparty interaction are described, wherein the multiparty interaction is divided into a plurality of areas, and each area is provided with a different set of interaction capabilities. The interaction capabilities for a given area may be defined with respect to other participants within the given area, with respect to other participants outside of the given area, with respect to other participants in a specified area outside of the given area, and/or with respect to all other participants.

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

Abstract: A flexible display apparatus is provided. The flexible display apparatus includes a display unit, a sensor configured to sense a bending of the flexible display apparatus, and a controller configured to display first contents on a first screen of the display unit, and to reconfigure and display the first contents on a second screen generated on an area of the display unit based on the bending.

Abstract: In an output destination decoder, a desired area receiver receives a desired area, and a cutting-out unit cuts out a desired area from an image input from an output source, and displays the image in the desired area which is cut out.

Abstract: A technique allows delivering content in a videoconference among a plurality of conferees in multiple quality levels. Content distributed from a multipoint control unit that is connected to an endpoint that delivers the content to receiving endpoints may have two or more quality levels. The quality level can be adapted to the capabilities of the receiving endpoints and the current quality of the connection that is used to deliver the content toward the receiving endpoints. The quality level associated with an endpoint may change during a session dynamically, adapting the delivery mode to changes in the condition of the connection between the receiving endpoints and the multipoint control unit.

Abstract: A communication management system manages group information regarding one or more groups of a plurality of communication terminals, while the plurality of communication terminals are communicating in the same communication session. In response to a request from one communication terminal, the communication management system updates the group information to reflect the currently-established groups, and transmits updated group information to all of the plurality of communication terminals communicating in the same communication session.

Abstract: Techniques for video conferencing including receiving bandwidth and/or codec characteristics of a plurality of video conference participants, determining whether or not any of the bandwidth and/or codec characteristics are sufficiently different from others of the bandwidth and/or codec characteristics to warrant different treatment, when one or more of the bandwidth and/or codec characteristics are sufficiently different, grouping video conference participants into at least a first group and a second group according to video conference participants having same or similar bandwidth and/or codec characteristics, and establishing a video conference with at least first and second subconferences to service the first and second groups, respectively, wherein each of the video conference participants receives frames of video in which a first portion of the frames is encoded by a shared encoder, and wherein a second portion of the frames is encoded by different encoders respectively designated for each of the video c

Abstract: A collaborative communication system comprises a highly flexible architecture that facilitates connecting communication devices and networks to establish multimedia collaboration sessions in a manner that allows distribution of various services and features throughout the collaborative communication system to provide scalability and selectable combination of cost, resource usage, and performance.

Abstract: A method of controlling a conversation in an ambient telephone environment having a plurality of spaces includes providing a plurality of devices distributed in the plurality of spaces used by one or more users, at least one of the plurality of devices is connected to a telecommunications network for enabling communication between the environment and one or more remote terminals; and obtaining signals communicating a conversation between at least one remote terminal and at least one of the plurality of devices and audio from the one or more users. The method further includes identifying a user of the at least one device used in the obtained conversation by detecting interaction of a type corresponding to conversational turn-taking; and tracking movements of the user in the environment to determine its presence in a first of the plurality of spaces.

Abstract: Improved methods, systems, and devices for managing communications are provided. A user device may display all ongoing communications so that a user can visualize the communications network or some subset thereof (e.g., a subgroup or group of users). A system may maintain the user device in an instant ready-on mode of communication with the other user devices. A user may then initiate communications with a subgroup (e.g., a pair) or group without initiating a new connection. Accordingly, a user can simultaneously and fluidly communicate at the subgroup level, at the group level, or at the inter-group level. Moreover, users can function as independent actors that can freely form and leave subgroups as well as groups.

Abstract: Methods and systems for maximizing the quality perceived by the user in a software-based, multi-point video conference or collaboration session between devices that are potentially different (e.g., devices from different vendors, devices with different operating systems, devices on different networks, devices that function as servers, clients or both) and maintaining the quality over time.

Abstract: A video conference endpoint includes one or more cameras to capture video of different views and a microphone array to sense audio. One or more closeup views are defined. The endpoint detects faces in the captured video and active audio sources from the sensed audio. The endpoint detects any active talker having detected face positions that coincide with detected active audio sources, and also uses speaker clustering to detect whether any active talker is associated with a previously stored closeup views. Based on whether an active talker is detected in any of the stored closeup views, the endpoint switches between capturing video of one of the closeup views and a best overview of the participants in the conference room.

Abstract: A device comprising: a display; an interface configured to exchange video data between the device and a network during a video call between a user of the device and at least one further user; a memory storing information identifying at least one display element each associated with one of the at least one further user; and a processor configured to run a client application operable during the call to: display received video in a first UI window on the display; detect the user navigating to a second UI window comprising one of the at least one display element; query the memory to determine a location for the display of the received video, and in response, display the second UI window and control the video received from the further user associated with the display element of the second user interface window to be displayed at a location of the display element.

Abstract: A communication management system manages session information regarding a contents data session being established to communicate contents data among a plurality of participating communication terminals, and receives a request for registering a group of the plurality of participating communication terminals that are currently participating in the session, from a first participating communication terminal of the plurality of participating communication terminals, during when the session is being established. In response to the request for registering, the communication management system stores first candidate information of the first participating communication terminal in a first memory, the first candidate information associating the group of the plurality of participating communication terminals with the first participating communication terminal.

Abstract: A videoconferencing system includes a hybrid MCU configured to act as a hybrid mesh participant in a videoconference. The hybrid MCU may include a processing module to mix videoconference media data received by the hybrid MCU in data streams transmitted from mesh and non-mesh endpoints. The hybrid MCU may further include a forking module to fork combined video/audio data streams received by the hybrid MCU to provide separate video and audio data streams to each mesh endpoint. The hybrid MCU may be configured to provide a mixed video/audio data steam to each non-mesh endpoint of the videoconference.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring a location via a called telephony communication device is disclosed. The method at the called telephony communication device includes receiving a request from a calling telephony communication device. Further, the method includes determining whether the received request is for monitoring the location. The method further includes automatically transmitting audio/video data captured via the called telephony communication device to the calling telephony communication device when the received request is determined to be one for monitoring the location.

Abstract: Examples hybrid topologies of a conferencing system are disclosed. An example of a hybrid topology may comprise a plurality of endpoints and a central entity. Each of said plurality of endpoints may provide its primary video stream and audio stream to said centralized entity. The centralized entity provides the primary speaker stream and the mixed audio stream to each of said plurality of endpoint participants. In addition, some of plurality of endpoint establishes low bandwidth/low resolution media streams with other of said plurality of endpoint participants for non-speaker video.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, are described for monitoring conference session resources in a media-based conferencing system. A server computing device establishes a connection to media engines hosting in-process conference sessions. The server periodically captures system level information, application level information, and meeting size associated with each of the conference sessions. The server determines a session state associated with each of the conference sessions, and determines a pool of available computing devices to provide resources to the conference sessions. The server allocates available computing devices to the in-process conference sessions based upon the session state and periodically reports the session state and the pool of available computing devices to a network API module, which determines a routing for subsequent communication session requests based upon the reported session state and pool of available computing resources.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes a voice acquirer which receives a first voice, a voice processor which processes a voice signal, a communication unit which communicates with at least one external electronic apparatus and receives information on at least one second voice, and a controller which determines whether the first voice is a user's command based on the information on at least one second voice transmitted by the communication unit, and if the first voice is not the user's command, does not perform an operation according to the first voice.

Abstract: A system and a method for semi-automatic video editing is provided herein. The method may include in one embodiment the following steps: processing a media stream comprising at least one of: a plurality of images and a video stream, to extract metadata relating to at least one characteristic of the media stream; displaying to a user the extracted metadata; receiving from the user an instruction to generate a modified media stream wherein said instruction is responsive to the at least one characteristic represented by the extracted metadata; and generating a modified media stream, in response to said instruction. The system may implement the aforementioned method using a computer processor, a display, and a user interface.

Abstract: A method of facilitating a multi-participant communication session with an efficient use of network bandwidth and processing resources is described. The processing resources are made available to the session participants via a switching fabric and composites of less active session participants can be used to minimize the bandwidth utilization between a media server and endpoints.

Abstract: Techniques for audio synchronization are described. In one embodiment, for example, an apparatus may comprise a processor circuit and an audio synchronization module, and the audio synchronization module may be operable by the processor circuit to receive audio information comprising a first network time index defined with respect to a network clock for a network, determine a second network time index for the audio information, the second network time index defined with respect to the network clock, determine a transmission delay value for the audio information based on a difference between the first network time index and the second network time index, and determine a total delay value for the audio information based on the transmission delay value and on a remote processing delay value for the audio information. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and computer readable medium is disclosed for receiving in a client node a timing command indicating a time at which to display a presentation portion comprising a first stream content and a second stream content and synchronizing display of the first stream content with the second stream content to the client node using a stream delay parameter, wherein the delay parameter accounts for the propagation time difference between the first stream content and the second stream content, wherein the first stream content and the second stream content are synchronously rendered at the client node at a time derived from the time indicated by the timing command and the stream delay parameter.

Abstract: An electronic device with one or more processors, memory, and a display displays a first video stream on the display and plays first audio content that corresponds to the first video stream. While displaying the first video stream and playing the first audio content, the electronic device receives a request to display a second video stream on the display. In response, the electronic device displays a visual transition from display of the first video stream to display of the second video stream; plays second audio content that corresponds to the second video stream; and increases an amplitude of the second audio content while decreasing an amplitude of the first audio content, in accordance with progress of the visual transition.

Abstract: A system offering simplified bi-directional video communication between a user and a device of a pre-configured one or more persons of interest includes a touch display with a pictorial representation of each of the one or more persons of interest. The touch display is configured to establish the bi-directional video communication with a selected one of said persons of interest in response to a single touch of the pictorial representation of the selected one of the persons of interest. In one implementation, the system includes a monitoring device positioned to monitor one or more biometric parameters of the user, and saving the biometric data on a server for processing.