Abstract: A system for video call processing is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a first communication device having a controller element to establish by way of a PSTN port of the first communication device a Public Switched Telephone Network communication session with a second communication device, submit by way of a broadband port of the first communication device a first Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) message to determine whether the second communication device has video capability, receive a second SIP message indicating the second communication device is video capable, present a notice indicating the second communication device is video capable, receive a request to establish video communications with the second communication device, and submit a third SIP message to establish a video communication session with the second communication device. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A data call between at least two internetworked computers is established using a central server. Once the data call is in place, prerecorded motion video is shared between the two computers by creating a streaming video server on one user's computer for streaming the prerecorded motion video simultaneously to both users as clients of the streaming server. Either user can pause, rewind, or fast forward the streamed video as it is viewed by both users.

Abstract: An integrated video-telephony system is provided. The system allows a video communication session to be established to complement an audio communication session when communication devices or endpoints associated with the audio communication session are also video communication enabled. By coordinating the establishment of separate audio and video communication channels, integrated video-telephone communication sessions can be provided, without requiring the use of specialized communication servers or dedicated video telephone devices.

Abstract: A system and method for teleconferencing and recording of meetings. The system uses a variety of capture devices (a novel 360° camera, a whiteboard camera, a presenter view camera, a remote view camera, and a microphone array) to provide a rich experience for people who want to participate in a meeting from a distance. The system is also combined with speaker clustering, spatial indexing, and time compression to provide a rich experience for people who miss a meeting and want to watch it afterward.

Abstract: According to the present invention there are provided a system, method and program storage device for establishing a connection for an endpoint to a scheduled audiovisual conference between a plurality of participants, the plurality of participants connecting to the audiovisual conference from a plurality of endpoints, connections for the plurality of endpoints to the audiovisual conference being maintained by a multipoint control unit, comprising: receiving a request at a conference control server from a participant to connect an endpoint associated with the participant to the scheduled audiovisual conference; obtaining an IP address or a telephone number for the endpoint; writing the IP address or the telephone number for the endpoint to the multipoint control unit; and communicating audiovisual conference data from the multipoint control unit to the endpoint via the IP address or the telephone number, thereby enabling the endpoint to be connected to the audiovisual conference.

Abstract: A videoconferencing system which encodes different streams of information. The information may include video, audio, speech recognized versions of the audio, and language translated versions of the audio. Text may be sent as part of the videoconference.

Abstract: A display device for capturing and displaying images along a single optical axis. The device includes a display panel having a front side and a back side, said display panel capable of being placed in a first display state which allows displaying of an image on said front side for viewing of an image and a second transmissive state wherein said display panel becomes substantially transmissive so as to allow capture of an image of an object positioned in front of said front side of said display panel. An image capture device is provided for capturing said objective image through said display panel when said display device is in the second transmissive state.

Abstract: An automated system and method for producing videos using expert video production rules. The automated video production system and method of the present invention is particularly well-suited for the online publishing of lectures. The system of the present invention includes a camera system for capturing the lecture, such as an audience-tracking camera and a non-intrusive lecturer-tracking camera. Moreover, each camera may be controlled by a cinematographer. Tracking of a subject is performed using a history-based, reduced-motion tracker that sets up a camera shot based on the subject's movement history and leaves the shot fixed until the camera is switched. The system also includes a virtual director module having a probabilistic finite state machine (FSM) module that uses probabilistic rules and the expert video production rules to determine a current camera view.

Abstract: Conventional video call attempts encountering a device inoperable according to a desired capability will fail if the receiving device is unable to complete the call at the desired service level (i.e. video). In addition to frustrating the communication attempts between users, another issue is that resources consumed in the attempted but failed exchange are not recoverable, since the call never completed. Accordingly, configurations herein substantially overcome such shortcomings by providing a fallback mechanism that identifies a service level operable by both the initiating device and the receiving devoice, and completes the call at a lower service level operable by both devices. The disclosed approach allows a call to complete at an alternate service level (i.e. voice instead of video) rather than failing the call completely, resulting in a source of lost revenue to the service provider (operator).

Abstract: In a communication system having at least three communication devices communicating with each other, a seating-order determination device for generating seating-order information for information sent from each communication device and for transmitting the seating-order information to each communication device is provided. Each communication device controls the output position of each information according to the seating-order information to output the information sent from the other communication devices in a seating order corresponding to the seating-order information. The seating order is always automatically changed to the most appropriate condition according to the progress of a conference and the state of conversations to provide the user with a comfortable conference environment and a comfortable communication environment.

Abstract: An apparatus is adapted to configure a virtual communication device that includes communication devices accessible to the apparatus. A signal interface receives from a calling communication device information data including first and second content parts, and an information separating unit separates the first and second content parts of the information data. A DMF unit identifies communication attributes of the communication devices accessible thereto and identifies the communication devices capable of processing information corresponding to at least one of the first and second content parts.

Abstract: Even when both a digital audio signal and an analog audio signal are inputted, a type of inputted digital audio signal is identified, and an internal signal path is automatically switched based on the result of the identification operation and previously set content. A main storage of a host microcomputer 12 stores signal path information indicating a signal path to be selected for each type of digital audio signal inputted from each external AV apparatus. A DIR 3 identifies the type of digital audio signal inputted from a digital input terminal 1. The host microcomputer 12 switches an A/D switching selector 4 and an analog direct/DSP process switching selector 7 respectively so that a signal path corresponding to the type of signal shown in the result of an identification operation of the DIR 3 is selected, based on the signal path information.

Abstract: According to the present invention there are provided a system, method and program storage device for establishing a connection for an endpoint to a scheduled audiovisual conference between a plurality of participants, the plurality of participants connecting to the audiovisual conference from a plurality of endpoints, connections for the plurality of endpoints to the audiovisual conference being maintained by a multipoint control unit, comprising: receiving a request at a conference control server from a participant to connect an endpoint associated with the participant to the scheduled audiovisual conference; obtaining an IP address or a telephone number for the endpoint; writing the IP address or the telephone number for the endpoint to the multipoint control unit; and communicating audiovisual conference data from the multipoint control unit to the endpoint via the IP address or the telephone number, thereby enabling the endpoint to be connected to the audiovisual conference.

Abstract: A video-phone call with a portable video-phone terminal is enabled for a cellular phone which has not video-phone service provided, by making use of cameras and display devices placed on the street. For a video-phone call to a portable video-phone terminal, a media converter in a service center distributes data so as to send video data to a public communication terminal on the street, and voice data to a cellular phone without video recording/reproducing capability. A call agent in a service center issues an ID in response to a request from the cellular phone without video recording/reproducing capability on voice call. This ID may be received by a service center via a detector such as a sensor deployed on the street, to provide a video-phone service by using a public communication terminal on the street in the vicinity of the detector.

Abstract: A communication apparatus includes an image sensing unit, voice recognition unit, keyword detection unit, auxiliary image selection unit, input image selector switch, and transmission unit. The image sensing unit senses a camera image. The voice recognition unit recognizes a phrase from input voice. The keyword detection unit detects coincidence between a registered keyword and the phrase output from the voice recognition unit. The auxiliary image selection unit selects a specific auxiliary image associated with the registered keyword in response to a coincidence detection output from the keyword detection unit. In response to the coincidence detection output, the input image selector switch selectively outputs one of the camera image output from the image sensing unit and an image containing the auxiliary image output from the auxiliary image selection unit. The transmission unit transmits the input voice and the image output from the input image selector switch. A communication method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing appropriate output signals to output devices in a teleconference setting is disclosed. Input signals are obtained from input devices, and descriptive information describing the teleconference is received from several sensors. On a substantially continuous basis, using the descriptive information, a desirability is computed for each of several possible output configurations, each output configuration specifying a routing of output signals to output devices. The most desirable output configuration is then selected, and output signals are provided to output devices as specified by the selected output configuration.

Abstract: A two-way wireless personal video/audio communication system comprises a video mode switch for selecting a desired one of X, N, and R modes, and a video signal control circuit for transferring a video signal from a camera circuit to a display circuit in the N mode, a video signal from a remote terminal to the display circuit in the R mode and the video signal from the camera circuit to the display circuit and a video transmission/reception circuit in the X mode. The display circuit applies an output video signal from the video signal control circuit to a display to reproduce an image picked up by a camera. The camera circuit converts an image incident on a camera lens into an electrical video signal and outputs the electrical video signal to the video signal control circuit.

Abstract: A synchronization signal generating apparatus and method in which an input circuit is inductively coupled to an alternating current signal line. The input circuit generates a rectified signal. A switch has a switch input and a switch output in which the switch input is electrically connected to the input circuit and is enabled when the voltage of the rectified signal is greater than a predetermined voltage and is disabled when the rectified signal voltage is less than the predetermined voltage. A pulse generating circuit has a pulse generating circuit input and a pulse generating circuit output. The pulse generating circuit input is electrically connected to the switch output. The pulse generating circuit generates a pulse each time the switch is enabled. The synchronization signal generating apparatus is used in a synchronized television display system to signal a video switch to switch the video signal generated by a camera to a monitor based on the occurrence of the synchronization signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a videophone terminal by which the emotions and impressions of a user can be transmitted to and easily understood by a co-communicant. When a user performs a predetermined operation or when an audio processor identifies a predetermined keyword in the speech of the user, a picture of a virtual character is modified, or a completely different picture is displayed. To modify the picture of the virtual character, the size of each part of the face or the whole face is changed, or a pattern expressing an emotion is added thereto. And when a pending mode is released, the virtual character is recovered and displayed on the screen while a melody is played. At the end of a video conversation, in accordance with the user's selection, a picture indicating that the virtual character disappears from the screen is displayed before disconnecting the line.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to insert variable audio delay during video conferencing to achieve conflicting goals of lip-sync and interactive conversation. The amount of audio delay is variable according to the condition of the videoconferencing: long audio delay is inserted to achieve lip-sync between audio and video playback during monologue speech, but minimum or no audio delay is inserted during interactive discussion or argument. Variable audio playback speeds may be used instead of inserting quantum delay to achieve the same result. Various methods and apparatuses to detect the non-interactive mode or interactive modes are also disclosed.

Abstract: In an image display having a image generator for forming and displaying an optical image in accordance with inputted image signal and a controller for controlling the image generator, a controller (5) has a display-condition switching controller (510, 511) for switching a display-condition of the optical image formed by the image generator, an operation signal receiver (506) for receiving an operation signal for switching the display-condition of the optical image, and a display switching determining portion (509) for monitoring the received operation signal to determine the display-condition to be switched, the display-condition switching controller (510, 511) conducting switching operation based on a judgment of the display switching determining portion (509).

Abstract: Image data from a plurality of cameras 2-1, 2-2, 2-3 showing the movements of a number of people, for example in a meeting, and sound data from a directional microphone array 4 is processed by a computer processing apparatus 24 to archive the data in a meeting archive database 60. The image data is processed to determine the three-dimensional position and orientation of each person's head and to determine at whom each person is looking. The sound data is processed to determine the direction from which the sound came. Processing is carried out to determine who is speaking by determining which person has his head in a position corresponding to the direction from which the sound came. Having determined which person is speaking, the personal speech recognition parameters for that person are selected and used to convert the sound data to text data. Image data to be archived is chosen by selecting the camera which best shows the speaking participant and the participant to whom he is speaking.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a surveillance apparatus for monitoring the situation of a visitor through a mobile phone, which comprises a monitor assembly including a microprocessor, a digital/analog converter connected to the microprocessor, an electric bell, a microphone, and a speaker. If the electric bell is pressed, a visit signal will be sent to the microprocessor. After the microprocessor has received the visit signal, a notice signal is sent immediately from a switchboard through at least one base station to a mobile phone. After the mobile phone is connected, a bidirectional signal communication can be made between the mobile phone and the microphone and the speaker.

Abstract: A system for setting up video conferencing calls. Setting up such calls imposes a delay of about 45 seconds. Under the invention, an audio call is established immediately, and is held during the delay. During the audio call, static pictures of the conference participants are displayed to the participants. After set-up becomes complete, an audio-video conference is held, using live audio and video.

Abstract: An image capture and display device includes an electronic motion image camera for capturing the image of a subject located in front of the image display device and a digital projector for projecting the captured image. An optical element provides a common optical axis electronic camera and the digital electronic camera, and a light valve projection screen electronically switchable between a transparent state and a frosted state, is located with respect to the common optical axis for allowing the electronic camera to capture the image of the subject through the projection screen when in the transparent state and for displaying the captured image on the projection screen when in the frosted state.

Abstract: Terminal management information concerning a plurality of communication terminals of a user is managed. When a call addressed to the user is initiated, one or more terminals that can accept the call is identified by referring to an ability needed for a communication involved in the call and the terminal management information concerning the plurality of communication terminals managed by the step (a). Information involved in the call into items of information to be sent to the above one or more terminals identified by the step (b) and combining items of information from the above one or more terminals identified by the step (b) is separated into information to be sent to one of the plurality of communication terminals that initiates the call. A virtual terminal is formed by the above one or more terminals identified by the step (b) and communicates with the above one of the plurality of communication terminals.

Abstract: An automatically switched camera system includes sensors for providing data of an image scene having subjects who are behaving in a manner which make them potential targets of the camera system, a pre-take indicator for providing an advanced notification to the subjects of the image scene that one of them is about to become a target of the camera system, a multimodal image analysis module communicating with the sensors and the pre-take indicator, for analyzing the data of the image scene provided by the sensors to select one of the subjects as a target of the camera system and outputting an indicator function command that causes the pre-take indicator to provide the advanced notification to the selected subject.

Abstract: A system for providing video communication services to one or more premises with video communications-services users, comprising a first premises network, a plurality of user workstations interconnected by the first premises network, and a multimedia central office being in communication with the first premise network and a public digital network. The multimedia central office, in use, transceives audio, video and digital data signals for providing at least switching functions originating at or destined for at least one user workstation, to and from the first premises network to provide video communications services.

Abstract: A method for non-causal speaker selection is provided. In accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention the method includes receiving a plurality of video streams at a multipoint control unit, each of the plurality of video streams being associated with a respective endpoint of a multipoint conference. A plurality of audio streams may also be received at the multipoint control unit, and each audio stream may be associated with a respective one of the video streams. The audio streams are buffered in respective audio buffers, and the video streams are buffered in respective video buffers. First video data is copied from the video buffers to obtain a low latency video stream for distribution to active conference participants. In a particular embodiment, second video data may be copied from the video buffers to obtain a high latency video stream for distribution to passive conference participants, the high latency video streams being delayed in time with respect to the low latency video stream.

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 mount for devices used in a teleconferencing site is disclosed. The mount positions and secures the devices in a substantially linear array along a wall of the teleconference site. The mount provides both power and communication connections to the each of the devices. The preferred embodiment of the invention allows the devices to be secured and connected in a single mechanical motion. This is accomplished with an extrusion, which is preferably recessed within a channel shaped cavity within the wall of the teleconference site. The recessed cavity may be enclosed by a cover. A serial bus and distributed switching scheme allowing selective communication with each of the mounted devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: The remote video phone system comprises a base video unit, at least one remote video unit and a circuit configured to allow the base unit and one or more remote video units to communicate with one another or a standard external telephone line. The base unit comprises a video image device for capturing a sequence of video images, a microphone, a speaker, a user interface control pad, a circuit configured to control a network structure between the base unit remote and the remote video units, a means for providing video and audio communication between the base unit and the remote video units, and a circuit configured to allow the base unit to connect between a existing telephone and a standard PBX telephone line. The base unit can also be configured to operate as a stand-alone telephone.

Abstract: In a multimedia communications system (100) that supports conference calls that include an audio portion and a video portion, a primary video image is selected from a plurality of video images based on an amount of audio data generated. The amount of audio data is determined by counting a number of audio packets or by counting an amount of audio samples in audio packets (204). A dominant audio participant is selected if the difference in the amount of audio exceeds a predetermined threshold (206). If the difference in the amount of audio does not exceed the predetermined threshold (206), the dominant audio participant may be determined by comparing the loudness or volume for each audio participant (207 212). The primary video image is selected to correspond to the dominant audio participant (208, 214). The primary video image remains constant for a predetermined period of time before the possibility to change (210, 216).

Abstract: A system for recording, storing, manipulating, retrieving and displaying video images of events. The system has the capability of accepting video and audio input from a number of sources, processing and storing the input in the digital format, and combining it with previously captured material for the production on demand of video tapes or other media. Manual controls and automated sensors govern the video collection process. Remote monitoring and control is accomplished through networks or modem connections.

Abstract: A display system able to display a television screen and a navigation screen, giving due consideration to safe vehicle operation, provided with a screen switching unit for displaying a television screen instead of a navigation screen at least at part of a display screen during display of the navigation screen, a switching instructing unit for instructing switching to the screen switching unit when detecting that a predetermined event has occurred, or a screen area setting unit for setting a specific area in the screen for display by switching by the screen switching unit instead of the switching instructing unit.

Abstract: A portable video switching device receives video streams from a multiple number of different video capture devices located remotely and selects one of the video streams for further transmission. The portable video switching device receives video streams via wired, wireless or mobile telecommunication network connection and has video production capability to manipulate the selected video stream to add special effects, fading and the like.

Abstract: A call conferencing apparatus, method, and computer program switch the video information presented to one or more participants during a conference call. The apparatus, method, and computer program identify a primary speaker channel during a video conference. Video information from the primary speaker channel is then provided to at least one other channel of the communication session.

Abstract: A system and method accepting information regarding audio telephony sessions (e.g., a telephone calls) and, in response, initiating videoconferences via videoconference terminals associated with the audio terminals used for the audio telephony sessions.

Abstract: A TV phone apparatus includes an image sensing element, ROM, CG processing section, and radio antenna. The image sensing element photographs a real video of a speaker. The ROM stores in advance at least one substitute video of the speaker. The CG processing section extracts substitute video data from the ROM in place of real video data output from the image sensing element and executes graphics processing. The radio antenna transmits the substitute video data output from the CG processing section to a partner of speech communication.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing appropriate output signals to output devices in a teleconference setting is disclosed. Input signals are obtained from input devices, and descriptive information describing the teleconference is received from several sensors. On a substantially continuous basis, using the descriptive information, a desirability is computed for each of several possible output configurations, each output configuration specifying a routing of output signals to output devices. The most desirable output configuration is then selected, and output signals are provided to output devices as specified by the selected output configuration.

Abstract: A set top box may in one embodiment enable customers to use their televisions to purchase through a live sales agent The set top box may have a high or low bandwidth bi-directional communication link that enables video conferencing through the television for the presentation of sales material to support the sales agent in his efforts to sell a product to the customer.

Abstract: An automatic switching system and method for determining and effecting an optimal video display mode based on the interaction among participants in a conference or discussion is disclosed. The system includes a timer which continuously monitors the duration of signals received from each of a number of endpoints. The system further includes a signal switching processor which compares the signal durations to predefined parameters which define various display mode switching thresholds. The system reacts to the conversational interaction of endpoint participants by automatically switching the display mode of all endpoints between single-window, single speaker presentation mode, and multiple-window, multiple speaker discussion mode.

Abstract: A camera-based system includes a number of sites, each having a camera associated therewith. A processing system processes a video signal received from a camera at a given one of the sites, and provides a controlled switching between a representative presence mode and at least one other mode for presentation, at one or more of the sites remote from the given site, of corresponding output video associated with the given site. The processing system utilizes information derived from the video signal generated by the camera to control the switching between the representative presence mode and the other mode, which may be, e.g., a live video mode. For example, the processing system may process the video to identify a user of the system, retrieve a corresponding user profile, and control the switching between the modes in accordance with information in the retrieved user profile.

Abstract: A method and system for transmitting an alternative video or multimedia data file during an interrupted video transmission in, for example, a mobile video telephony system. In a first aspect of the invention, the method includes interrupting the video signal (200) which then automatically initiates downloading of a video data file from a storage medium (205,206) into a memory (120) for transmission to viewers over the mobile telephony system during the interruption in the video transmission. In a second aspect, a pre-encoded multimedia data file is stored on a storage medium (310) and downloaded into the video telephony system for playback to viewers during the interruption thereby providing a more enjoyable and possibly more informative viewing experience. In a third aspect, a software generated image is produced (400) and transmitted to viewers in lieu of the interrupted video transmission.

Abstract: Digital television system overlays subscriber two-way communication during broadcast program delivery to create virtual audience community. Individual or group billing and advertisement is personalized per DTV receiver program viewing and/or conferencing activity. Subscriber receiver includes camera and other media I/O device for multi-way video conferencing. Participants may be added or removed dynamically during programming or conferencing.

Abstract: For communication between terminals having different multimedia capabilities, those multimedia services are determined which, although they are offered by a first of the terminals, they are not operated by a second of the terminals. For a multimedia service determined in this way, multimedia data specific to this multimedia service are thereupon selected from a multiplicity of stored multimedia data and transmitted to the first terminal. In this case, the transmission is effected via a media channel, which is assigned to a connection between first and second terminal.

Abstract: An improved video conferencing system debundles the audio and the video and allows for a user to select which other conference stations will receive audio, which will receive video and which will receive both.

Abstract: A method and system for routing video calls includes one or more video endpoints. An array of infrastructure routing elements transmits the video calls between the video endpoints along one or more principle routes and one or more back-up routes. The system and method further includes a video network platform in communication with the video endpoints and the infrastructure routing elements, and the video network platform prioritizing the principle routes and the back-up routes. A scheduling engine associated with the infrastructure routing elements is operable to monitor the performance of the infrastructure routing elements, determine a reliability model for each infrastructure routing element, and intelligently route the video calls based on the reliability models without losing communication between the video endpoints.

Abstract: A multi-user camera control system with automatic tracking capability for use in video conferencing and similar applications includes a plurality of personal controllers, one for each person utilizing the system. Each personal controller includes a micro-computer controlled keypad and associated communication circuitry as well as optional audio and tracking capability. The controller is programmed with the capability to send commands to the camera system.

Abstract: A video teleconferencing system and method transfers video teleconferencing signals from a sender to a receiver. The sender determines decision information based on internal or external factors. The sender may or may not generate a video teleconferencing signal depending on the content of the decision information. If generated, the video teleconferencing signal is encoded at the sender and sent to the receiver. Each sender includes at least one memory module for storing the decoded signal, each memory module is one group. The sender updates its memory module with a copy of each sent video teleconferencing signal. The receiver decodes the signal and presents the signal to the user of the receiver. The receiver stores a copy of the signal in a memory module identified with each specific sender.