Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes generating a user interface for displaying one or more images, receiving a request from a remote device to view the user interface, determining whether the remote device is a mobile device communicating over a wireless network, depending on a result of the determination, generating a low resolution version of the user interface that is computationally less intensive to render compared to the previously generated user interface, and transmitting the low resolution version of the user interface to the requesting device.

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

Abstract: A multi-modal quality estimation unit (11) estimates a multi-modal quality value (23A) on the basis of an audio quality evaluation value (21A) and a video quality evaluation value (21). In addition, a delay quality degradation amount estimation unit (12) estimates a delay quality degradation amount (23B) on the basis of an audio delay time (22A) and a video delay time (22B). A video communication quality estimation unit (13) estimates a video communication quality value (24) on the basis of a multi-modal quality value (23A) and a delay quality degradation amount (23B).

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: Presented herein are system(s), method(s), and apparatus for dynamic blanking. In one embodiment, there is presented a method. The method comprises generating blank lines forming a portion of a larger picture if a picture is not available, until the picture is available; and including the picture in the larger picture when the larger picture is available.

Abstract: At least one camera lens captures a field of view comprising at least one object of interest, wherein the at least one camera lens is configured for extending the field of view in at least one direction. The at least one object of interest that is within said field of view is detected. Then, an image of a detected at least one object of interest is warped to fit within the field of view. A plurality of pixels surrounding the image of the detected at least one object of interest within the field of view is cropped such that, based on the warping and the cropping, the detected at least one object appears as centered within the field of view.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer-readable media are provided for adjusting one or more video parameters of a video communication session based on a type of use for the video communication session. At least one method includes detecting a use for a certain video communication session and applying a profile of video parameters to the session based on the use. The method further includes detecting a network constraint and adjusting one or more of the video parameters based on the network constraint.

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

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to direct attention in a video content display are disclosed. An example method to direct attention in a video content display, includes determining a location in a display interface to which attention is to be directed based on video content to be displayed, and modulating with a stimulus, at a frequency such that the stimulus is detectable by human peripheral vision and is less detectable by human foveal vision, a portion of the video content displayed in the location with a stimulus to direct attention to the location.

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

Abstract: A conferencing system prevents useless data processing that accompanies data communication from occurring even when a presenter's device that outputs image data is switched. A projector functions as a node in a tree structural network, and projects an image corresponding to image data and sends the image data to the direct child indicated in parent-child information when receiving the image data from the direct parent indicated in the parent-child information. A switching module, when receiving a switching request for making a request to switch a parent-child relationship from the direct child, sends the switching request to the direct parent, when receiving permission information representing permission to switch from the direct parent, sends the permission information to the direct child that sent the switching request and changes the parent-child information so that the direct parent becomes the direct child and the direct child that sent the switching request becomes the direct parent.

Abstract: Systems and methods are for implementing a NSV2SV converter that converts a non-scalable video signal to a scalable video signal. In an implementation, a non-scalable video signal encoded in H.264/AVC standard is decoded and segmented into spatial data and motion data. The spatial data is resized into a desired resolution by down-sampling the spatial data. The motion data is also resized in every layer, except in the top layer, of a scalable video coding (SVC) encoder by using an appropriate measure. Further, the motion data is refined based on the resized spatial data in every layer of the SVC encoder. The refined motion data and the down-sampled spatial data are then transformed and entropy encoded in the SVC standard in every layer. The SVC encoded output from every layer is multiplexed to produce a scalable video signal.

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: Provided are an apparatus, system and method for facilitating a video call between a first caller and a second caller, the apparatus including: an image sensor which captures an image of the first caller; a display which displays an image of the second caller; a microphone which captures audio input by the first caller; a speaker which plays audio input by the second caller; a detector which is operable to determine a location of the first caller; and a controller which controls the detector to determine the location as corresponding to an original location, wherein if the first caller changes from the original location to a new location, the controller controls the detector to determine the location as being the new location and controls the microphone to readjust based on the determined new location of the first caller.

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

Abstract: A method for effecting a machine-based determination of speech intelligibility in an aircraft during flight operations includes: (a) in no particular order: (1) providing a representation of a machine-based speech evaluating signal; and (2) providing a representation of in-flight noise; (b) combining the representation of a machine-based speech evaluation signal and the representation of in-flight noise to obtain a combined noise signal; and (c) employing the combined noise signal to present the machine-based determination of speech intelligibility in an aircraft during flight operations.

Abstract: An image transmitting apparatus including a database configured to store first moving image data for multiple speed reproduction separately generated from second moving image data for normal speed reproduction, the first moving image data being constructed using I-frames selected from a plurality of group of pictures (GOPs) included in the second moving image data; a data transceiver configured to receive a signal requesting a bit stream for reproducing a moving image at an arbitrary multiple speed, and to transmit the bit stream for reproducing a moving image at an arbitrary multiple speed according to the signal; and a controller configured to control transmission of the bit stream for reproducing a moving image at the arbitrary multiple speed based on the first moving image data stored in the database.

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

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

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

Abstract: Herein described is a system and method that tracks the face of a person engaged in a videophone conversation. In addition to performing facial tracking, the invention provides stabilization of facial images that are transmitted during the videophone conversation. The face is tracked by employing one or more algorithms that correlate videophone captured facial images against a stored facial image. The face may be better identified by way of employing one or more voice recognition algorithms. The one or more voice recognition algorithms may correlate utterances of the person engaged in a conversation to one or more stored utterances. The identified utterances are subsequently mapped to a stored facial image. In a representative embodiment, the system used for performing facial tracking and image stabilization comprises an image sensor, a lens, an actuator, and a controller/processor.

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

Abstract: A method and apparatus for video conferencing in a mobile terminal are disclosed. The method includes receiving audio-visual signals comprising a video signal and a voice signal from participating users, selecting one of the audio-visual signals associated with a currently talking user based on properties of the audio-visual signals, decoding all frames of a video signal from the selected audio-visual signal and selectively decoding frames of video signals of the remaining audio-visual signals, and reproducing the decoded frames of the video signals.

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

Abstract: A system and methods to permit a health care provider and a patient to remotely communicate information corresponding to the patient's medical condition with each other, both visually and audibly, via communication link in real time. The system may comprise a first and second interface units each comprising a camera, a microphone, a display, and a speaker. The camera and microphone of the first interface unit may permit real-time video and audio, respectively, to be transferred to the display and speaker of the second unit. Likewise, the camera and microphone of the second interface unit may permit real-time video and audio, respectively, to be transferred to the display and speaker of the first unit.

Abstract: A system and an apparatus for improving image quality of an object in video telephony are described. The apparatus comprises an image detection unit, an image alignment unit and an image fusion unit. A near infrared light source in the image detection unit illuminates the object, such that the object is front illuminated. An image sensor alongside the near infrared light source generates a near infrared image and a visible image. An image alignment unit aligns the near infrared image and the visible image. An image fusion unit fuses the aligned near infrared image and aligned visible image pair to form a composite image of the object. The composite image of the object has improved image quality, image detail, and a reduction in shadows.

Abstract: Systems and methods for image processing, comprising receiving a video frame, coding a first portion of the video frame at a different quality than a second portion of the video frame, based on an optical property, and displaying the video frame.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and an apparatus of wireless video transceiving based on a multi-carrier technique. The method comprises the following steps: image information in a video GOP are separated and a sequential relationship between individual image information is recorded; general image information and important image information are treated discriminatingly in a video transmission process according to the degree of importance of different image information, in order to improve a transmission quality of the important image information; after the image information is received by a receiving end, the image information is recombined into the video GOP according to the sequential relationship.

Abstract: A vehicle-mounted video communication system is equipped with first to fourth image pickup devices, mounted on a vehicle, for transmitting video data obtained by picking up an image; first to fourth video processing devices for processing the video data; and a vehicle-mounted video relay device having connection sections connected to the first to fourth image pickup devices and the first to fourth video processing devices via communication cables and configured to transmit the video data transmitted from the first to fourth image pickup devices selectively or in a multiplexed state to the first to fourth video processing devices.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, via an internet protocol television network, a broadcast signal comprising video content at a device. The device is associated with a person. The method includes receiving, via the internet protocol television network, a message notification directed to a communication address associated with the person. The message notification includes a visual indication based at least in part on the communication address. The method also includes sending a display signal to a display device. The display signal includes the broadcast signal and the visual indication.

Abstract: Determining a videoconference layout based on numbers of participants. Videoconference data may be received from a plurality of videoconferencing endpoints. The videoconference data may include audio and video. Information may be stored which identifies a number of participants at each videoconferencing endpoint. Video from each of the videoconferencing endpoints may be combined to form composite video. The composite video may include portions corresponding to each of the plurality of videoconferencing endpoints. A respective size of each of the portions may be based on the information identifying the number of participants at each videoconferencing endpoint. The composite video may be provided to videoconferencing endpoint(s) over a network.

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

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

Abstract: An information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present technology includes a generation unit and a first transmission unit. The generation unit generates parameter information that shows states of a user. The first transmission unit transmits the generated parameter information through a network to an information processing apparatus of a communication partner capable of generating an image that reflects the state of the user on the basis of the parameter information.

Abstract: The present invention provides a computer implemented method, comprising the steps of: determining using data from a sensing device, when a moveable obscuring structure is in a closed position. When the obscuring structure is in the closed position, the transmission of accessible images captured by an image capture device at the location of a local user is to remote user locations in a video conference session is prevented.

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

Abstract: A holographic direct-view display system uses holographic integral imaging techniques that is an auto stereoscopic way to reproduce parallax and occlusion. The display is not resolution limited and is scalable to display life size images if desired. The system can be used to transmit 3D depictions of a scene at video and sub-video rates as well as other information, such as images of documents or computer generated images. The images may be captured, transmitted and displayed in real-time (or near real-time) for telepresence or stored for time-shifted display. The system combines integral holography, a pulsed laser to record the hologram at high speed and a dynamic refreshable holographic material such as a photorefractive polymer as a recording media. The system uses techniques to write, read and erase the updateable hologram that allow the holographic material, hence direct-view display to remain stationary throughout each of the processes for continuous presentation of the hologram to the audience.

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

Abstract: A transmission system that transmits and receives base data, which is necessary for reproducing image and audio, and extended data, which is used for improving quality of the image and the audio, via a communication network between transmission terminals is provided, The transmission system includes: a base-data relay system that includes: a plurality of base-data relaying units for relaying the base data transmitted from a source transmission terminal among the transmission terminals to a destination transmission terminal among the transmission terminals; and a selecting unit that selects one base-data relaying unit from among the base-data relaying units for each communication between transmission terminals; and an extended-data relay system that includes: an extended-data relaying unit for relaying the extended-data transmitted from the source transmission terminal to the destination transmission terminal.

Abstract: A method for rendering a video conference including identifying a location of a focus region and a size of the focus region by tracking a head position of a participant viewing the video conference and rendering the video conference to increase an amount of display resources for one or more participants included in the focus region and decrease the amount of display resources for one or more of the participants not included in the focus region.

Abstract: A method of measuring video latency between a sender and a receiver in a video conference system is disclosed. In an embodiment, the method includes initiating an electrical signal from a first location in a video conference system, transmitting the electrical signal through the video components of the video conference system, reflecting the electrical signal back through the video components of the video conference system and measuring the latency of the electrical signal at the first location related to the transmission and reflection of the electrical signal.

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

Abstract: Provided is a method and apparatus for video telephony in a portable terminal. In the method, all image frames received from a video telephony counterpart terminal are decoded when a video telephony event is detected. Thereafter, it is determined if the received image frames are accumulated in a buffer of the portable terminal. Thereafter, only a portion of the decoded image frames are selected and displayed when the received image frames are accumulated in the buffer.

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

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 and an apparatus for a video call using transmission of divided image frames are provided. A transmitting mobile terminal captures a still image with the first resolution at a predefined period, divides the captured image into images with the second resolution that is smaller than the first resolution, and transmits the divided images to a receiving mobile terminal. Then the receiving terminal receives the divided images at a predefined period, creates a combined image corresponding to the initial still image from the divided images, and outputs the combined image on a display unit.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a storage cabinet that houses a terminal having a reader unit for reading information recorded on a recording medium. With this storage cabinet, a recording medium can be readily connected to the reader unit from any angle. The storage cabinet houses a thin client terminal having a reader unit for reading authentication information from a recording medium. This storage cabinet includes a shelf board that is supported in a horizontal direction and has an opening into which the thin client terminal can be inserted, with the reader unit facing upward, and holding members that hold the thin client terminal inserted into the board member, with the reader unit being located higher than the shelf board.

Abstract: A method and communication system is provided to identify a calling/called party when the call is being set up but before the call is answered. In the method, a first terminal and a second terminal are respectively provided with opposing terminal's image data before the call is answered. The image data of the first and second terminals can be registered in a media server disposed between the first and second terminals, and the image data can be transmitted between the first terminal and the media server and between the second terminal and the media server in accordance with an SIP protocol.

Abstract: A method and communication system is provided to identify a calling/called party when the call is being set up but before the call is answered. In the method, a first terminal and a second terminal are respectively provided with opposing terminal's image data before the call is answered. The image data of the first and second terminals can be registered in a media server disposed between the first and second terminals, and the image data can be transmitted between the first terminal and the media server and between the second terminal and the media server in accordance with an SIP protocol.

Abstract: A method and communication system is provided to identify a calling/called party when the call is being set up but before the call is answered. In the method, a first terminal and a second terminal are respectively provided with opposing terminal's image data before the call is answered. The image data of the first and second terminals can be registered in a media server disposed between the first and second terminals, and the image data can be transmitted between the first terminal and the media server and between the second terminal and the media server in accordance with an SIP protocol.