Abstract: A participation device in a multiparty conference call may act as a server device and/or a client device for two-way audio and video (AV) streaming. A server device may encode a requested AV stream into a set of different encoding profiles that may be dynamically determined based on the varying channel conditions and device capacities of the client devices. At least a portion of differently encoded AV streams is selected and dynamically communicated to the client devices for display. Session parameters are determined according to the varying channel conditions and the device capacities of the client devices to create intended sessions. The selected encoded AV streams are communicated utilizing segment-based adaptive streaming techniques such as HTTP. A client device may access to a HTTP session to download an expected AV stream from the server device. The downloaded AV stream may be decoded into different decoding profiles for display as needed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for providing a video signature representative of a content of a video signal. A method and apparatus are further disclosed for providing an audio signature representative of a content of an audio signal. A method and apparatus for detecting lip sync are further disclosed and take advantage of the method and apparatus disclosed for providing a video signature and an audio signature.

Abstract: A telepresence system enhances the perception of presence of a remote person involved in a video conference. The system preferably has a two-way mirror, which is between the observer and the display device, positioned at an angle to reflect a backdrop surface. The backdrop surface, which is further away from the two-way mirror than the image plane of the image display device, appears superimposed in a position behind the image of a person from the remote location. The system preferably minimizes image distortion via an optical path for the camera line of sight that is substantially longer than the physical distance between the user and the camera. The system may be asymmetrical, in that one camera is on axis with the user's line of sight while the other camera is off axis with the user's line of sight.

Abstract: A method for communication includes establishing communication links over a packet network between a server and plurality of client computers that are to participate in a video teleconference. The server receives from the client computers uplink audio packets and uplink video packets, which respectively contain audio and video data captured by each of the client computers. The server mixes the audio data from the uplink audio packets so as to create respective streams of mixed audio data for transmission to the client computers and transmits to the client computers downlink audio packets containing the respective streams of mixed audio data. The server relays the video data to the client computers in downlink video packets. The client computers receive and synchronize the video data with the mixed audio data.

Abstract: In a media gateway (MG) that enables communication with a plurality of client devices, 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 may be handled by the media gateway. The portion of the VC processing handled by said media is 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 (A/V) transcoding. The MG may adaptively control and/or configure latency associated with handling and/or communication of data by the media gateway's client device during the video conference call. The adaptive latency control and/or configuration may be based on determination of end-to-end latency associated with exchange of data during the video conference call.

Abstract: Stereo audio cues are provided at an information handling system to associate audio with its source based upon the characteristics of the image of the source as presented at a display of the information handling system. For example, in one embodiment, a location on a display of a window having a videoconferencing participant is used to create a stereo audio location that correlates audio associated with the participant to the window location. In another embodiment, the size on a display of a window having a videoconferencing participant is used to determine the volume of audio that is associated with the participant.

Abstract: A videophone input apparatus includes a body part configured to protect a circuit board of the apparatus; a cover part configured to be movable between an open position and a closed position, and when in said closed position, to at least partially received by the body part. The apparatus further includes a lens located in the cover part, configured to receive incoming rays of light in an operating position when the cover part being in said open position, and the lens configured to be hidden, by the body part, in a standby position when the cover part being in said closed position; an image sensor located on the circuit board, configured to convert the directed rays of light to an electronic image signal; and a mirror configured to direct the rays of light from the lens to the image sensor.

Abstract: A method is provided for processing text data in a telecommunication context between at least one first terminal and one second terminal, comprising, after a processing device receives text data from the first terminal, generating image data integrating the received text data in order to transmit the image data to at least the second terminal. The invention also relates to a corresponding device and to a call system including such a device.

Abstract: A mechanism for efficiently and dynamically adjusting lighting conditions in a space through the use of existing video capture devices in the space or video capture devices on computing devices brought into the space is provided. Incident lighting levels, light composition, and similar aspects on the participants, displays, projectors, white boards, walls, and comparable objects may be calibrated and/or optimized based on captured image quality.

Abstract: A method for providing a video call service in a videophone apparatus comprising: establishing a peer-to-peer connection between the videophone apparatus and a peer over a wireless connection; generating a local video stream in the videophone apparatus based on a video signal provided by a camera of the videophone apparatus; and rendering the local video stream to provide a first preview video of the video call for a user of the videophone apparatus. The method further comprises receiving at least one frame of a peer video stream; rendering the at least one frame of the peer video stream to provide a second preview video of the video call for the user of the videophone apparatus; and cross-fading the second preview video with the received peer video stream in response to a frame rate of the peer video stream exceeding a threshold value.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, an apparatus, and a system for implementing a videoconferencing application and relates to the field of communications technologies. The videoconferencing system can provide an application related to the geographic location of each participant, including: obtaining an address of at least one conference site by performing resolving; acquiring information related to the address of the conference site according to the address of the conference site; and sending the related information to one or more of the conference sites, where the related information is used to provide a reference for a user to attend a conference. When a conference is held by using the videoconferencing system, the videoconferencing system can provide an application related to the geographic location of each participant, enriching service functions that the videoconferencing system can provide and improving the user satisfaction.

Abstract: The present technology relates to a transmitter apparatus, an information processing method, a program, and a transmitter system capable of easily transmitting a wideband signal. The transmitter apparatus includes: a first acquisition unit that obtains first transmission control information; a second acquisition unit that obtains second transmission control information similar to information input to another transmitter apparatus; and a generating unit that processes transmission target data based on a parameter contained in the first transmission control information and generates data including the processed transmission target data and the second transmission control information. The present technology can be applied to a transmitter apparatus that transmits a DVB-C2 signal.

Abstract: A system and method of managing video conferencing over a network, among a plurality of clients using a server as an intermediary is disclosed. At the server a real-time video stream is received from each client. This real-time video stream may be a high frequency stream representative of video from a camera associated with the end user. The server serves to any given client, a real-time video stream selected by the given client from among the video streams received at the server.

Abstract: Optimization of conference call encoding processes is provided. A first client of a multi-party conference call may receive client capability data, including video scalability support, from each of the other clients to the conference call. Based on the client capability data and the transmission capabilities of the first client, including video scalability support, the first client may determine a total number of data streams and properties for each data stream, such that the total number of data streams and the plurality of properties for each data stream are optimized and supported by the respective client capability data and the transmission capabilities. Subsequently, the first client generates one or more data streams according to the total number of data streams and the properties that were determined for each data stream and transmits the one or more data streams to the other clients of the conference call.

Abstract: A videoconference apparatus and method coordinates a stationary view obtained with a stationary camera to an adjustable view obtained with an adjustable camera. The stationary camera can be a web camera, while the adjustable camera can be a pan-tilt-zoom camera. As the stationary camera obtains video, faces of participants are detected, and a boundary in the view is determined to contain the detected faces. Absence and presences of motion associated with the detected face is used to verify whether a face is reliable. To then capture and output video of the participants for the videoconference, the view of the adjustable camera is adjusted to a framed view based on the determined boundary. In the end, active video captured in the framed view with the adjustable camera can be sent to a far-end for the videoconference.

Abstract: Video receiving capabilities of participants and source capabilities are compared and conference capabilities for providing different resolutions, frame rates, bit rate, and number of streams are determined by maintaining a conference receiving capability list updated as number and capability of participants' changes. Preferred receiving capabilities of participants are also taken into account in determining conference characteristics based on comparison with allowed capabilities.

Abstract: A method and device for adapting a display image on a hand-held portable wireless display and digital capture device. The device includes a camera for capturing a digital video and/or still image of a user, means for adjusting the captured digital image in response to poor image capture angle of said image capture device so as to create a modified captured digital image; and means for transmitting said modified captured digital image over a wireless communication network to a second hand-held portable wireless display and digital capture device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for enabling a visitor to access VR representations authored by different authors of locations in a virtual universe via a computer network are provided. A plurality of VR data sets may be stored. Each VR data set comprise web or IP camera VR datasets and may be independently authored by a respective author different from the other authors. One or more VR data servers may be adapted to access and transmit the VR data sets, and each VR data set may be associated with a VR data server for access to the VR data set. A domain server may be adapted to access and transmit domain data comprising the location within the universe of each VR representation and the network address of the VR data server associated with the VR representation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a plurality of communication devices configured to be associated with a user group. Each communication device of the plurality of communication devices may be configured to communicate with one or more servers both as an individual communication device with an individual unique identifier assigned thereto and as the user group with a group unique identifier assigned thereto.

Abstract: A communication arrangement including a room having at least one communication device therein, the at least one communication device receiving in-room images, in-room video and/or in-room audio within the room. The communication arrangement also includes a communication system for transmitting the in-room images, in-room video and/or in-room audio from within the room to a location remote from the room. The communication system has a privacy setting that, when activated, prevents viewing of the in-room images or in-room video and/or hearing of the in-room audio from within the room at the location remote from the room and communicates to the location remote from the room that the privacy setting is activated.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method for processing cascade conference sites in a cascade conference, which may be used to implement one-to-one correspondence between an image orientation and a voice orientation of each conference site in the cascade conference, and improve the user experience of a participant. Certain embodiments of the present invention include: receiving an audio code stream sent by a cascade conference site, where the audio code stream sent by the cascade conference site is sent to different conference sites through different audio sound channels or audio cascade channels; receiving an audio code stream sent by a non-cascade conference site; and selecting audio data satisfying a preconfigured condition from audio data to be selected.

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: An apparatus and method to control transmission of a sequence of a video call or communication. An individual participating in a video call or communication can shade a video input port of a camera to switch from a video call or communication to an audio only call or communication. A control element can be provided to reinstate transmission of the video component of the call or communication.

Abstract: A system for providing a trusted peer-based information verification system may include one or more processors and a memory. The one or more processors may provide a multimedia conference to participant devices, and may receive a request to transfer a session of the multimedia conference of a participant device that is characterized by a first multimedia conference capability. The one or more processors may provide a list of target devices associated with the participant device to the participant device, and may receive an indication of a target device from the participant device. The one or more processors may transfer the session of the multimedia conference from the participant device to the target device, wherein the target device is characterized by a second multimedia conference capability that is different than the first multimedia conference capability of the participant device.

Abstract: It is determined whether or not an input image is an image converted from an image with a relatively low resolution based on one frame of an image. A resolution determination device includes: an edge strength calculator configured to obtain an edge strength of a pixel included in an input image based on luminance of the pixel and luminance of a pixel adjacent to the pixel, for each of a plurality of pixels included in the input image; and a resolution determiner configured to determine whether or not the input image is an image upconverted from an image with a predetermined resolution or less, based on distribution of the edge strengths.

Abstract: An example method includes receiving, by the computing device, a video stream from a first client device of a plurality of client devices, wherein the computing device is communicatively coupled to each client device of the plurality of client devices. The method further includes detecting, by the computing device, one or more conditions associated with the first client device and adjusting, by the computing device, the received video stream based at least in part on the detected one or more conditions. The method further includes sending, by the computing device, the adjusted video stream to at least a second client device of the plurality of client devices.

Abstract: An approach is provided for generating a composite signal. A plurality of media signals are received over a wireless communication network from a plurality of mobile devices. One or more of the received media signals are selected according to a criterion. A composite signal is generated from the selected media signals.

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: The present invention comprises a system and method for controlling the rate a data encoder generates compressed data. The system and method are preferably implemented as program code stored and executed by a processor or computer that is interfaced to standard variable or constant bit rate encoders known in the art. The system preferably encodes and compresses video signals received from a camera, and controls the rate at which the compressed data is generated by the encoder so that storage capacity reserved for the compressed data will not be exceeded. The device preferably takes advantage of periods when the data generation rate is low to increase the quality of video data generated during periods of high activity.

Abstract: Techniques for use in messaging from a portable communication device having a camera module are described. In an instant communication session, the portable device displays a message thread involving two or more participants and a text input field for entering text. In response to an input to capture an image, the portable device automatically captures a photographic image via the camera module, attaches the photographic image to a message, and sends the message to at least one of the two or more participants.

Abstract: A television and camcorder combination include an acoustic echo canceller and a videoconference protocol stack in order to provide videoconferencing capabilities using only a television in combination with an attached camcorder. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: In one example, multimedia content is requested from a plurality of storage modules. Each storage module retrieves the requested parts, which are typically stored on a plurality of storage devices at each storage module. Each storage module determines independently when to retrieve the requested parts of the data file from storage and transmits those parts from storage to a data queue. Based on a capacity of a delivery module and/or the data rate associated with the request, each storage module transmits the parts of the data file to the delivery module. The delivery module generates a sequenced data segment from the parts of the data file received from the plurality of storage modules and transmits the sequenced data segment to the requester.

Abstract: A terminal device associated with a participant of the multipoint session can be identified. The multipoint session can be associated with a video and an audio stream. The terminal device can be a computing device comprising of an audio and video input, and a video output. The multipoint session can be a conference associated with a telephony session. The location of the terminal device and a conferencing device can be determined. The conferencing device can be associated with an audio input and output. If the terminal device is proximate to the conferencing device, a terminal device audio stream can be terminated and a conference device audio stream can be received. A video stream and an audio stream can be simultaneously presented upon the audio and video output of the conferencing device and terminal device. The video and the audio stream can be a synchronized stream of the session.

Abstract: A videoconferencing system for enhanced telepresence employs a single wide aspect ratio high resolution camera for capturing video images of near end conference participants. Captured video image can be divided into adjacent portions, where video images corresponding to each portion is separately encoded and sent to a far end videoconferencing system to be displayed on adjacently placed display devices. Misalignment in displayed images at the far end can be mitigated by selecting portions that are non-overlapping and horizontally aligned. Number and size of the portions can be determined based on configuration information of the far end videoconferencing system.

Abstract: A method that allows customers to connect remotely with customer service representatives by continuously monitoring the customers with cameras. Images from the cameras are sent to a computerized system that employs image processing techniques to determine when assistance is sought by a customer. When the customer is deemed in need of such assistance, a video phone call is initiated between the customer and a customer service representative.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for transmitting/receiving image data in a mobile communication system, in which image data are classified into two types of image data, a first type of image data corresponding to entire-image data in a current time period, a second type of image data being image data representing a difference between previous time-period image data and current time-period image data. A transmission side transmits image data to a reception side, and the reception side notifies the reception side of error occurrence of received image data when detecting the error occurrence on the received image data. When receiving the notification of the error occurrence, the transmission side generates the first type of image data and transmits the first type of image data to the reception side. The reception side receives generated the first type of image data from the transmission side and decodes the first type of image data.

Abstract: A system for enabling communication between devices is described. The system includes the following: a media processing information receiver configured for receiving, at a first device, media processing information associated with a second device, wherein at least one of the first and second device is a mobile device; a comparer configured for comparing the media processing information to a processing time of the at least one media processing component of the first device; a target adjustment level determiner configured for determining a target adjustment level, wherein arriving at the target adjustment level enables the first and second device to achieve a matching media processing quality level; and a media processing component adjuster coupled with the computer and configured for adjusting the at least one media processing component of the first device to meet the target adjustment level.

Abstract: A method for outputting sensitive data to a user includes a communication terminal checking to determine whether at least a portion of the sensitive data is to be outputted by determining whether the communication terminal is in one of a plurality of predefined communication configurations for outputting the sensitive data. If the communication terminal is found to be a first configuration, the communication terminal transmits the sensitive data so that at least one of the video data and the audio data is output to the user via at least one peripheral device connected to the communication terminal. If the communication terminal is in a second configuration, the communication terminal performs at least one security action to help further protect the sensitive data.

Abstract: A method for displaying information in a videoconference is disclosed. Video information from a first endpoint of the videoconference may be received. The video information may include an image of a participant at the first endpoint. Participant information for the participant (e.g., name, phone number, job title, etc.) may also be received. The video information and the participant information for the participant may be displayed together on a display screen at a second endpoint of the videoconference.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for upstream video sources to be synchronized in vertical sync time and in frame rate, so that a downstream device can create a composite image with low latency. At a video compositor device, a plurality of video streams are received that include at least first and second video streams. First and second vertical synchronization points associated with the first and second video streams points are determined. A difference in time between the first and second vertical synchronization points is determined. At least one control signal or message is generated that is configured to change a video capture frame rate associated with one or both of the first and second video streams to reduce the difference in time and the control message is sent to video capture devices for one or both of the first and second video streams. Techniques are also provided for upstream video sources, e.g., cameras, to receive the control message and respond accordingly.

Abstract: The phone landline and videophone handset system is related to landline videophone devices, videophone methods, and videophone systems for establishing video communications between two or more persons through an internet network, wherein a telephone landline is used for the voice transmission and the internet videophone is used for visual transmission.

Abstract: A portable terminal equipped with a projector and a method for displaying data using the portable terminal provides capabilities for both conferencing and video presentations. When a projection function is selected in the portable terminal while the portable terminal is making a video call with other portable terminal, presentation data that will be output via the projector is transmitted to another portable terminal. The presentation data and image data transmitted from the other portable terminal is output via the projector of the portable terminal.

Abstract: A video chatting method and system are provided. The method and system describe collection of facial vector data, audio data, and interactive motion information of a user of a first client. The collected data may be transmitted to a second client. The second client, in turn, may generate a virtual avatar model of the user of the first client based on the received data. The second client may further display the virtual model, play sound in the audio data. The second client may also render the interactive motion information and facial data information of a user of the second client, and generate and display a virtual avatar model of the user of the second client. The provided method and system may decreases amount of data that may be transferred over the network. This may allow data transmission rate during video communication to be high enough for a smooth operation.

Abstract: A dynamically adjustable framed view of occupants in a room is captured through an automatic framing system. The system employs a camera system, including a pan/tilt/zoom (PTZ) camera and one or more depth cameras, to automatically locate occupants in a room and adjust the PTZ camera's pan, tilt, and zoom settings to focus in on the occupants and center them in the main video frame. The depth cameras may distinguish between occupants and inanimate objects and adaptively determine the location of the occupants in the room. The PTZ camera may be calibrated with the depth cameras in order to use the location information determined by the depth cameras to automatically center the occupants in the main video frame for a framed view. Additionally, the system may track position changes in the room and may dynamically adjust and update the framed view when changes occur.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described in which image information is received from an image sensor relating to one image frame, one or more sub-images are produced from the received image information according to given cropping data; and the produced one or more sub-images are forwarded through an output.

Abstract: A player receives encoded content of a first resolution level from a content retransmitter and monitors bandwidth of the communication connection utilized to receive the content. When the bandwidth changes with respect to various threshold values corresponding to various resolution levels, the player signals the content retransmitter to increase or decrease the encoding resolution for future portions. The player also locates related substitute content. When the player signals the content retransmitter to decrease the resolution below a minimum, the player plays the substitute content instead of the received content. Subsequently when the bandwidth is again such that player signals the content retransmitter to increase the resolution to the minimum or above, the player plays the received content instead of the substitute content. In various implementations, the player may obtain substitute content prior to or at the time the player determines to play substitute content.

Abstract: A system and a method allowing simultaneous exchange of audio, video or data information between a plurality of units over a communication network, supported by a central unit, wherein the central unit is, based on knowledge regarding one or more of the units, adapted to instruct said one or more units to generate multimedia data streams adjusted to fit into certain restrictions to be presented on other units participating in a same session.

Abstract: A reception apparatus configured to receive content data including a plurality of pieces of segment data includes a metadata reception unit configured to receive metadata indicating a reproduction order of the segment data, an acquisition unit configured to acquire storage information indicating whether the reception apparatus is in a storage mode for storing the content data, and a control unit configured to, if the storage information does not indicate the storage mode, perform control to transmit a request for acquiring a piece of segment data that is later in the reproduction order than a piece of the segment data to be requested to be acquired if the storage information indicates the storage mode.

Abstract: In one aspect, audio streams are added to a mix until the mix is either complete (i.e., all audio streams have been added) or the mix is closed early (i.e., before the mix is complete). In another aspect, audio and video streams are synchronized by playing back the audio stream and then synchronizing display of the video frames to the playback of the audio stream.

Abstract: A recording apparatus is disclosed. The recording apparatus includes a data input portion configured to input data, a first moving image signal recording portion configured to record, based on the input data, a first moving image signal having a first image quality attribute, a condition detector configured to detect that the input data satisfies a predetermined condition during recording of the first moving image signal, and a second moving image signal recorder configured to record, based on the input data, a second moving image signal having a second image quality attribute when the condition detector detects that the input data satisfies the predetermined condition.