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.

Abstract: Techniques allow seamless transitioning of a mesh-based videoconference to a bridged videoconference. Criteria are defined for use in a triggering point function that may be evaluated to determine whether to make the transition. Escalation logic in an escalation manager may be used to manage the transition, allowing some participants to connect via a multipoint control unit, which is in turn a participant in the mesh-based videoconference, with the escalation manager relaying media streams from the mesh-connected participants. The mesh-connected participants may then drop their mesh connections without disruption to the videoconference. Escalation logic in the endpoints may be used as an alternate to an escalation manager unit.

Abstract: A video conferencing technique is described. A video conference client device implementing the technique comprises a communication unit configured to receive a first media stream representing a recorded video conference and further configured to receive meta data related to the first media stream, the meta data representing events in the video conference, a processing unit connected to the communication unit and configured to carry out a concatenation process during which at least a part of the first media stream and at least a part of the meta data are concatenated into a video signal, and a man machine interface unit connected to the processing unit. The man machine interface unit comprises a display unit configured to display the video conference on the basis of the video signal and an input unit configured to generate, based on an input, a video conference navigation signal. The processing unit is configured to control play out of the video signal in dependence on the video conference navigation signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing location based conference calling services on communications networks. Location information relating to a device is passed to a location sensitive conference calling system. The location sensitive conference calling system uses the location information to identify a conference calling system, or a conference bridge associated with a conference calling system, to which to connect the device. The device is connected with the conference calling system, or a conference bridge associated with the conference calling system.

Abstract: A videoconference multipoint control unit (MCU) automatically generates display layouts for videoconference endpoints. Display layouts are generated based on attributes associated with video streams received from the endpoints and display configuration information of the endpoints. An endpoint can include one or more attributes in each outgoing stream. Attributes can be assigned based on video streams' role, content, camera source, etc. Display layouts can be regenerated if one or more attributes change. A mixer can generate video streams to be displayed at the endpoints based on the display layout.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes an instruction accepting unit, an obtaining unit, an extraction unit, a determination unit, and a permission unit. The instruction accepting unit is configured to accept an instruction from a user. The obtaining unit is configured to obtain an image. The extraction unit is configured to extract first biometric information and second biometric information from the image obtained by the obtaining unit. The determination unit is configured to determine whether the first biometric information and the second biometric information are different. The permission unit is configured to permit execution of the instruction accepted by the instruction accepting unit in a case where the determination unit determines that the first biometric information and the second biometric information are different.

Abstract: A first user terminal, host terminal, method and program. The first terminal comprises: a transceiver for communicating with a plurality of other user terminals over a communication network; and communications processing apparatus, coupled to the transceiver, and arranged to participate in a call with a selected number of the other user terminals via the transceiver and communication network, the call including transmission of a voice signal from the first user terminal. The communications processing apparatus is operable in a mode whereby it temporarily discontinues transmission of the voice signal in response to detecting less than a predetermined level of activity on said voice signal, and the communications processing apparatus is further configured to selectively enable that mode in dependence on the selected number of other user terminals in the call.

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: A videoconferencing system in which multiple browsers are utilized to present content and control functions for a server based videoconference. The content of the videoconference (e.g., video and audio streams) is presented on a display device driven by a local computer running a browser. The local computer also runs a separate browser that presents control functions on a different display device (e.g., a touch screen). The system can be scaled to include additional monitors and browsers running on the local computer. A local server is provided on the local computer for facilitating communications among the locally running browsers. In this manner, the browsers can communicate with each other via the local server executing on the local computer. The need to send traffic to a remote server to effectuate the browser-to-browser communication is eliminated. This provides for reduced latency and lowers the demands on the remote server.

Abstract: A system and method for remote monitoring through a voice over Internet Protocol phone. An indicator configured to activate a video interface of the VoIP phone is received. A determination is made whether the indicator authorizes the video interface. The video interface of the VoIP phone is activated in response to determining the indicator authorizes the video interface. Video communications are sent and received between the VoIP phone utilized by a receiving party and a communications device utilized by a calling party. An action is performed in response to recognizing a response from the receiving party.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for synchronizing audio-video captures first audio data, and sends the first audio data to a communication device. The first audio data includes first audio timestamps. The apparatus captures first video data, and sends the first video data to the communication device. The apparatus adjusts the first audio timestamps to adjust the first audio timestamps after receiving a DTMF message.

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: In one embodiment, a method is provided in a video conference session which has a video stream, an audio stream and an information stream between at least one first participant and at least one second participant, comprising: detecting, based on an analysis of at least one of the video stream, the audio stream or the information stream of the video conference session, an indication from a first participant of a wish to obtain additional information about at least one second participant selected by the first participant; and selectively providing additional information relating to the selected second participant to a screen of at least one selected target device viewable by the first participant.

Abstract: A videoconferencing system for determining alignment information for images captured by two or more cameras is disclosed. The videoconferencing system can include a plurality of endpoints and at least one control unit (CU) such as a multipoint control unit (MCU), for example. An endpoint can include a plurality of cameras and at least one projector. The projector is used to project a pattern at the near end site, which pattern is captured by the plurality of cameras. The image frames produced by the cameras are processed to determine the identity and location coordinates of the images of the projected patterns. The location coordinates can be used as reference points to be used by applications such as telepresence, 3D videoconferencing, and morphing.

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 method for generating an output video stream in a video conference comprising receiving a plurality of input video streams of the video conference, receiving a series of observation events (52, 53, 54), the observation corresponding to actions made by participants of the video conference, Providing a plurality of orchestration models, Determining, for each of the orchestration models a probability of the series of observation events received, Selecting an orchestration model corresponding to the highest probability, Using the selected orchestration model to perform the steps of: • selecting the display state (51, 40, 41, 42) as a candidate display state, • Determining a conditional probability of the candidate display state for the received series of observation events • Determining the candidate display state providing the highest conditional probability as an updated display state, • Generating a video stream comprising the current display state and the updated display state.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods, systems, and techniques for creating media conferencing layouts that are intelligent (i.e., based on some underlying principle to enhance user-perceived conference quality) and persistent (i.e., consistent within a call and from one call to the next).

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

Abstract: A method and a system for providing a video service for distributing a plurality of multipoint control units (MCU) in an MCU cluster to forward the video service via a controller are provided. The method includes, through a first MCU among the MCUs, receiving the video service published by the publisher terminal. The method also includes forwarding the video service from the first MCU to at least one second MCU among the MCUs, and establishing at least one nice connection corresponding to the video service in the second MCU. In addition, at least one subscriber terminal receives the video service through the at least one nice connection. Accordingly, the method can provide sufficient resources of the video service to the subscriber terminals by dynamically distributing system resources of a plurality of the MCUs.

Abstract: A media transmission method based on telepresence is disclosed, comprising: during connection establishment, a master telepresence terminal of a local media transmission system and a remote endpoint perform signaling exchange, to establish a media logical channel between the local media transmission system and the remote endpoint; and transmits the same type of media streams between the local media transmission system and the remote endpoint through a media logical channel or respectively through multiple media logical channels, and receives the same type of media streams through a media logical channel or respectively through multiple media logical channels. A media transmission system based on telepresence is further disclosed correspondingly.

Abstract: According to an example, after a terminal X joins in a multi-party video communication, a number of important video encoders in use and a number of common video encoders in use of the terminal are respectively determined; according to a processing capability of the terminal and a newest determining result, an encoding parameter is respectively determined for an important video and a common video, and each important video encoder in use and each common video encoder in use are informed to perform video encoding according to the newly determined encoding parameters.

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: There are provided methods and apparatus for the use of slice groups in encoding and decoding multi-view video coding (MVC) information. An apparatus and method are described which encodes at least two views corresponding to multi-view video content using multiple slice groups. Furthermore, an apparatus and method are described for decoding at least two views corresponding to multi-view video content using multiple slice groups.

Abstract: There are provided methods and apparatus for the use of slice groups in encoding and decoding multi-view video coding (MVC) information. An apparatus and method are described which encodes at least two views corresponding to multi-view video content using multiple slice groups. Furthermore, an apparatus and method are described for decoding at least two views corresponding to multi-view video content using multiple slice groups.

Abstract: A federated media server system. The federated media server system may include a plurality of media servers. A first media server may be coupled to a second media server over a network. The first media server may also be coupled to a third media server over the network. Additionally, the second and third media servers may be coupled to a plurality of respective clients. The first media server may be configured to record video, e.g., videoconferences, and stream recordings to clients and/or the second and third media servers. The second and third media servers may assist in performing video recording, transcoding, storage of recordings, multicasting, etc.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for transferring control of an existing multi-participant conversation (5, 15, 25), in which at least two communication terminals (D1, D2, D3) are connected to each other through a data connection (C1, C2, C5), to a conference control application (KS). The method comprises the following steps: Establishment of a virtual conference room (CR) that serves as an anchor point for the application (KS) and can be a virtual participant in the conference, switching (9, 19, 29, 39, 49, 59) of the conference room (CR) into the existing data connection (C1, C2, C5), and assignment (8, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60) of the master role to the conference room (CR), wherein a signal generated by the application (KS) causes the switching (9, 19, 29, 39, 49, 59) of the conference room (CR) into the existing data connection (C1, C2, C5), and the assignment (8, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60) of the master role to the conference room (CR).

Abstract: Systems and methods for interactively sharing and annotating visual information over a communication network between at least a first and a second endpoint are disclosed. The system includes a display coupled to the first endpoint and a user interaction device coupled to the first endpoint and associated with the display, wherein the first endpoint is configured to: receive visual information from, and transmit visual information to, at least the second endpoint over the communication network; show visual information received from at least the second endpoint on the display; obtain a copy of the visual information shown on the display when instructed by the user interaction device; add an annotation, if any, as indicated by the user interaction device; and transmit the annotated copy to the second endpoint.

Abstract: Methods and systems for cancellation of table noise in a speaker system used for video or audio conferencing are disclosed. Table noise is cancelled by using a vertical microphone array to distinguish the tilt angle of sound received by a microphone. If the sound is close to horizontal, the audio is muted. If the sound is above a given angle from horizontal, it is not muted, as this indicates a person speaking. This eliminates paper rustling, keyboard clicks and the like.

Abstract: Systems and approaches are provided to allow for collaborative image capturing. Multiple user devices subscribed to the collaborative image capturing system can be synchronized to perform certain image capturing related tasks, including coordinated image capture. When the user devices are widely dispersed, the image data can be aggregated to generate composited image data, such as panoramas, 3-D transformations, or stereoscopic image data. Multiple user devices can also be coordinated to simultaneously flash or activate other light emitting components that may improve lighting condition than would otherwise be capable of a single computing device.

Abstract: In a method embodiment, a method for automatically editing data recorded during a videoconference includes accessing a plurality of video data streams. Each video data stream records a view of at least one of a plurality of human participants of the videoconference. The view recorded by each video data stream is different from the view recorded by each other video data stream. The method further includes determining, using one or more processors executing logic, that one of the plurality of video data streams recorded a view of a first one of the plurality of participants while the first one of the plurality of participants made a first statement. In addition the method includes determining, using one or more processors executing logic, that one of the plurality of video data streams recorded a view of a second one of the plurality of participants while the second one of the plurality of participants made a second statement after the first one of the plurality of participants made the first statement.

Abstract: To select an appropriate multipoint control unit (MCU) for hosting an upcoming video meeting, video meeting data of previous meetings is stored, including time and location data associated with meetings conducted on a bridge ID and attended by participants located in different regions. The schedule time of an upcoming video meeting using the bridge ID is compared with the time data of previous video meetings on the bridge ID to identify related video meetings among the previous video meetings, the related video meetings being time correlated with the scheduled time of the upcoming video meeting. One of a number of MCUs in the network is selected to be a host MCU to host the upcoming video meeting based on the location data of the related video meetings, in which the host MCU is selected as a function of its proximity to locations of participants of the related video meetings.

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: A transmission terminal is connected to a management apparatus, which stores information on a destination in a first communication mode associated with a plurality of transmission terminals, via a network. The transmission terminal includes a transmission unit that sends data including at least voice data; a voice input unit, that inputs the voice data; and a determination unit that determines whether the transmission terminal is in the first communication mode or not based on an input volume level of the voice data, input by the voice input unit. When the determination unit determines that the transmission terminal is in the first communication mode, the data sent by the transmission unit is relayed only to an other transmission terminal of the transmission terminals, which communicate with the transmission terminal. The other transmission terminal corresponds to the destination associated with the transmission terminal in the management apparatus.

Abstract: A method for providing conference information to attendees of a conference call near real time using a plurality of conference bridges includes receiving the conference information at a first conference bridge. The conference information is generated in response to input from a participant in the conference call using a first device. The method also includes providing the conference information from the first conference bridge to a first group of attendees. The method also includes providing the conference information from the first conference bridge to a second conference bridge separate from the first conference bridge, and providing the conference information from the second conference bridge to a second group of attendees.

Abstract: A proxy streaming module executes on a first computing machine to stream multimedia data from a virtual channel that is established between the first computing machine and a second computing machine. In some instances, the multimedia data is generated by a multimedia device that communicates with the second computing machine. The proxy streaming module forwards the multimedia data to a presentation application that is executing on the first computing machine. A remoting application that executes on the first computing machine then captures the application output generated by the presentation application while the presentation application presents the multimedia data. The remoting application then transmits the application output to the second computing machine which displays the application output in an application output window.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising: an audio analyzer configured to determine for a set of received audio signals at least one dominant audio signal source; and a selector configured to select from the set of audio signals at least one audio signal dependent on the at least one dominant audio signal source.

Abstract: An event computer receives video in which one or more local participants of a conferencing event are viewable. The event computer receives head detection information of the local participants and assigns contextual data to the head detection information for each of the local participants for which head detection information is received. The event computer then sends the video, the head detection information, and the contextual data to one or more remote participant computer systems by which one or more remote participants can view the local participants and their corresponding contextual data within the video.

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: Embodiments disclosed herein provide systems and methods for a scalable videoconference system. In a particular embodiment, a method provides receiving a video stream from a party on a videoconference over a communication network. The method further provides transferring the video stream to a processing device of a plurality of processing devices located on one of a plurality of processing boards operatively coupled to each of one or more server processors. The method further provides processing the video stream to generate a processed video stream and transferring the processed video stream for distribution to other parties on the videoconference.

Abstract: A device, computer program product, and method control the operation of one or more cameras associated with a video conference endpoint in a video conference call. A camera control unit (remote control) includes a touch enabled end user component that presents to the user graphical objects representing video conference endpoints currently connected in a conference call, and/or one or more live video feeds currently captured by the video conference endpoint's cameras, and allows the user to manipulate a camera's pan, tilt and zoom using a touch screen display embedded in said camera control unit.

Abstract: A system and method for Internet video conferencing is provided. The method includes, generating a facilitator user interface on a display associated with a facilitator user device comprising a plurality of participant icons corresponding to a plurality of participant user devices for a conference, forming a plurality of subgroups comprising a first subgroup of the plurality of participant user devices and a second subgroup of the plurality of participant user devices, generating a participant user interface on each screen display associated with the first subgroup and the second subgroup for controlling interaction with a respective subgroup, linking each participant user device within the first subgroup with a second video signal, linking each participant user device in the second subgroup with a second video signal and intercommunicating between the first subgroup at the participant user devices without intercommunicating to the second subgroup.

Abstract: A method includes receiving input data from user devices having access to media content of a media stream that is responsive to at least a subset of the input data. The input data may correspond to one or more user inputs received from the user devices via an interactive session associated with the media content. The method further includes selecting a particular subset of the input data based at least in part on one or more inputs received from a device. The one or more inputs may be responsive to selection of one or more input controls of a moderator control graphical user interface. The method further includes sending an adapted media stream to the user devices. The adapted media stream may include the media content and content corresponding to the particular subset of the input data.

Abstract: A computing device is electronically connected to one or more clients for a video conference. The computing device firstly sends a first video image to the clients. When a client requests a custom video image, the computing device obtains a second video image by merging images of all conference participants for the client, and sends to the client. The client selects information from the second video image and sends the information to the computing device. After receiving the information, the computing device creates the custom video image according to the received information, and sends the custom video image to the client.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus, communicatively connectable to a first transmission terminal, and communicatively connectable with a second transmission terminal via a network and to a first display device, includes a display control unit that displays a region in a screen of a second display device; a bandwidth determination unit that determines whether bandwidth for communication between the transmission terminals is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold; an acquisition region reception unit that receives a selection for selecting at least one of first display data displayed in an entire region of the screen and second display data displayed in an active region in the screen, according to the determination; a resolution conversion unit that converts a resolution of the selected display data based on resolutions of the first and second display devices; and a display data transmission unit that transmits the display data to the first transmission terminal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for partially releasing an appliance from a private branch exchange are shown and described. The method can include issuing a path replacement command to the private branch exchange, receiving a facility message from the private branch exchange destined for one end-point of a communications session, and transmitting the received facility message to another end-point of the communications session.

Abstract: A method for updating at least one data element in a conference is disclosed. The conference can include a first node having at least a first server but no endpoints; a second node coupled to the first node, the second node having at least a second server but no endpoints; a first endpoint coupled to the first server; and a second endpoint coupled to the second server. The first and second nodes can form a free tree topology. In such a conference, an exemplary method includes sending an initial update from either (a) the first server belonging to the first node, or (b) the first endpoint, to the second server belonging to the second node; receiving the initial update by the second server; and sending, by the second server, the content of the initial update as an update to at least one of a third server or the second endpoint.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a memory that stores executable instructions and a processor that executes the instructions. The processor may determine, for plural received compressed video inputs received from one or more endpoints in a video conference, at least one motion vector included in each of the plural compressed video inputs. The processor may calculate, based on the determined motion vectors, a motion value corresponding to each of the plural compressed video inputs, the motion values representing a level of motion over several frames for each of the plural compressed video inputs. The processor may allocate, based on the calculated motion values, bandwidth to the one or more endpoints in the video conference.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a memory that stores executable instructions and a processor that executes the instructions in order to determine, for plural received compressed video inputs, at least one motion vector included in each of the plural compressed video inputs; calculate, based on the determined motion vectors, a motion value corresponding to each of the plural compressed video inputs, the motion values representing a level of motion over several frames for each of the plural compressed video inputs; and select, based on the calculated motion values, at least one of the plural compressed video inputs to be displayed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for automatic scaling by a media conferencing unit (MCU) which is responsible for mixing a video stream sent by participant's to a video conference and composing unique layouts and video streams sent back to each participant for viewing.

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.