Abstract: Media data for a live event such as a horse race, associated real-time data, and contextually related asynchronous data are presented to an end user. A content delivery network distributes the media data and a server distributes the associated real-time data. A time synchronization module combines the media data with the associated real-time data based on a correspondence of temporal data and outputs an integrated data feed. A contextual relating module identifies asynchronous data stored by an asynchronous data storage as contextually relevant to the integrated data feed, outputs the contextually relevant asynchronous data, and records the integrated data feed and contextually relevant asynchronous data for playback as an integrated data combination. A client device executes an application for presenting to the end user the data included in the integrated data feed output by the time synchronization module along with contextually relevant asynchronous data output by the contextual relating module.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided in one example and includes a camera configured to receive image data associated with an end user involved in a video session. The apparatus also includes a display and an optics element configured to interface with the camera. The optics element reflects the image data associated with the end user positioned in front of the display. A retracting mechanism is also provided and is configured to retract the optics element in a direction such that the camera moves to an inactive state and the optics element is removed from a view of the display from the perspective of the end user. An effective optical distance from the camera to the end user is increased by manipulating a position of the optics element. In more detailed embodiments, the camera can be configured above the display such that its lens points downward toward the optics element.

Abstract: A communication device is provided which can smoothly perform communication using a video phone function by suppressing the video phone function depending on whether the video phone function is in an effective condition. When an incoming call using the video phone function is occurred or when an outgoing call using the video phone function is performed, a control unit determines whether the video phone function is in the effective condition. Only when it is determined that the video phone function is in the effective condition, the control unit starts communication using the video phone function. When it is determined that the video phone function is not in the effective condition, the control unit 10 executes control to perform only audio communication without performing the communication using the video phone function.

Abstract: Group management of video device playback provides a mechanism for shared playback of recorded video content. Digital video playback devices are linked to a central management system through network connections which manages the shared playback, or a peer-to-peer network connection is used without the central management system. One user may be responsible for all actions affecting content playback, or all users may be permitted to affect content playback, with certain actions of those users limited in type or quantity. Group membership and group member permissions can be accomplished using the digital playback device through interactive interfaces implemented by the digital video playback device, or can be accomplished using a personal computer coupled to the device or central management system. Users may comment on shared playback using interactive video-based commentary functionality that may provide a text channel or graphical images that may be selected from a set of pre-configured commentary items.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for dynamically selecting one or more networked cameras for providing real-time camera feeds to a video conference. The systems and methods may include identifying one or more networked cameras associated with an area of a conference participant. A server may analyze real-time camera feeds from the identified cameras, and select a video feed having a view of the participant. The server may provide the selected feed to the video conference via a conference bridge, and continue monitoring camera feeds of cameras associated with the participant's area for another camera feed having a better view of the participant. Networked cameras may include fixed and mobile cameras owned and operated by individuals that are not associated with the participant, but who have registered their cameras with the server for use in video conferences.

Abstract: A method is performed via a computer. The method includes receiving a reservation from a customer. The reservation is based at least in part on an agreement reached between the customer and an entertainer as negotiated between the customer and the entertainer. The reservation reserving access for the customer to a bidirectional audiovisual live streaming session according to the agreement. The session is for an entertainment performance via the entertainer according to the agreement. The method further includes granting access to the customer for the session based at least in part on the reservation. The customer and the entertainer are at different locales during the session. The method additionally includes facilitating chat between the customer and the entertainer via the session during the session. The method also includes facilitating payment according to the agreement.

Abstract: Presented herein are techniques for creating video for participants in a video conference. A designated primary video stream is decoded and the resulting video composed in accordance with a primary sub-picture portion of a frame. Other video streams are designated as secondary video streams output by secondary entities, and are decoded and composed in accordance with a secondary sub-picture portion of the frame structured for the secondary entities. The composed primary video stream is encoded for display at each secondary entity, to obtain encoded slices of a primary video stream. The composed secondary video stream is encoded for display at one of the secondary entities, to obtain encoded slices of a secondary video stream. The encoded primary and secondary video streams are combined at the encoded slice level into a single video stream for transmission to, and decode and display at, the one of the secondary entities.

Abstract: A method of processing image data representing a captured image, the data generated using an image capture element of an image capture device, the method comprising generating state data representing at least one characteristic of motion of the image capture device and a status of at least one setting of the device during a predetermined time period, and processing the image data on the basis of the state data in order to provide a measure of the accuracy of framing of the captured image within a field of view of the device, and corresponding apparatus.

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 control apparatus that can display a video includes an inputting unit configured to input the video, a designation unit configured to designate an area in the video, a detection unit configured to detect that a coordinate in the designated area of the video has been pointed, and a display control unit configured to control a display size of a predetermined area in the video in such a manner that the display size of the predetermined area is larger when the detection unit detects that the coordinate in the designated area has been pointed than when the detection unit does not detect any pointing of the coordinate in the designated area.

Abstract: The present invention provides a highly scalable architecture for a three-dimensional graphical, multi-user, interactive virtual world system. In a preferred embodiment a plurality of users interact in the three-dimensional, computer-generated graphical space where each user executes a client process to view a virtual world from the perspective of that user. The virtual world shows avatars representing the other users who are neighbors of the user viewing the virtual word. In order that the view can be updated to reflect the motion of the remote user's avatars, motion information is transmitted to a central server process which provides positions updates to client processes for neighbors of the user at that client process. The client process also uses an environment database to determine which background objects to render as well as to limit the movement of the user's avatar.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for allowing a server system to control a video structure of a client system through a video of an optimized size and to transmit the controlled video structure in a system in which video conference is remotely available. The method includes a step of allowing a control unit of any one client system to request a main control unit of a server system to change the video structure which includes coordinates and video size; and allowing the main control unit to make a change so as to coincide with the request of the control unit of the client system, which has requested the change of the video structure being currently outputted to a video conference monitor, and to transmit the change to a control unit of each client system.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method comprises storing information associated with a conference call that has previously been terminated. The method also comprises obtaining a request to re-establish the terminated conference call, and re-establishing the conference call in response to the request to re-establish the conference call. Re-establishing the conference call comprises using the stored information to set a first set of states associated with the re-established conference call.

Abstract: In an example system, an information processing apparatus is caused to function as: a user image acquisition unit which acquires a user image captured by using a camera of a portable information processing apparatus; a communication partner image acquisition unit which acquires a communication partner image via a network; and an editable image acquisition unit which acquires an editable image that can be edited by at least one of a user viewing a display of the portable information processing apparatus and a user who is a communication partner; and a display control unit which causes the user image, the communication partner image and the editable image to be displayed on at least one of the display of the portable information processing apparatus and an external display.

Abstract: For a portion of video data, a video processing device generates a plurality of compressed video bit streams comprising different bit rates, and selects one stream per portion of video data to transmit to a display device. The streams may be generated concurrently. Bit rates are determined based on operating conditions and link performance. The selections are determined dynamically in response to received information. The streams may be compressed utilizing different compression schemes, for example, DPCM and/or transform compression. The bit rates may be dynamically adjusted by adjusting compression scheme, compression parameters, frame size, frame rate, color space and/or chroma sampling. The portion of video data may comprise contiguous horizontal rows or portions of rows of pixels, a full frame and/or a scaled frame. Information is communicated to the display device for control of decompression operations. The display device receives, decompresses, reconstructs and displays the selected bit stream.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and system provide real time, two way audio-video conversation between mobile computing devices. Low latency is achieved by splitting the audio and video data streams from a given audio-video conversation using two different transport protocols to send the separate streams over a network, and re-syncing them at the other end. The transmission for each stream is tuned based on feedback data indicating available bandwidth of the network or other mobile computing device. A server offloads processing requirements that would otherwise be handled by the mobile computing device. The two way conversation can be externally observed by web-based users. The system functions over a disparate set of mobile computing device endpoints and web-based endpoints, and over different wireless carrier network infrastructures.

Abstract: The present invention provides techniques for digital video distribution that provides for joint video content watching amongst a group of watchers using multiple mini browsing windows (MBWs), such that the watchers can simultaneously interact with each other in a video conferencing-like setting (i.e., seeing selected watchers' videos in MBWs and hearing their voices) while they view together specific video content in a synchronized way. The MBWs can be displayed as overlays on the main video window being watched on full screen.

Abstract: A device for a conference system and method for operation thereof is provided. The device is configured to receive a first audio signal and a first identifier associated with a first participant. The device is further configured to receive a second audio signal and a second identifier associated with a second participant. The device includes a filter configured to filter the received first audio signal and the received second audio signal and to output a filtered signal to a number of electroacoustic transducers. The device includes a control unit connected to the filter. The control unit is configured to control one or more first filter coefficients based on the first identifier and to control one or more second filter coefficients based on the second identifier. Preferably the device comprises a headtracker function for changing the first and second filter coefficients depending on tracking of head's position.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, device, and system for highlighting a party of interest in video conferencing, relating to the communication field and capable of effectively utilizing network bandwidth and enhancing conference efficiency. The method includes: converting received audio and video signals sent by multiple conferencing terminals into multiple independent video images corresponding to the multiple conferencing terminals, and displaying the multiple video images through a display device; and adjusting display factors of the multiple video images according to obtained video image display priority signals, so that the multiple video images present different visual characteristics in the display device. The embodiments of the present invention are applied in video conferencing.

Abstract: An interactive presentation environment for eMeetings or the like that provides participants with more control over what they see and hear. The interactive presentation environment may comprise a meeting recorder adapted to create a recording of a live meeting and a navigation control for selecting a portion of the recording to view during the live meeting. The interactive presentation environment may further comprise a timeline control containing a first graphical indicator associated with a live position and a second graphical indicator associated with a current position, a bookmark control adapted to mark a portion of the recording for archiving, and a display operatively connected to the meeting recorder and the navigation control.

Abstract: Methods and systems for managing messaging are described. An illustrative messaging system includes a processor and a content database storing video content and/or other content, and a user database that stores an identifier corresponding to a telecommunications carrier associated with a user mobile phone, and an indicator indicating the messaging capability of the mobile phone of the user. Code is stored in memory that is configured to provide for display on a terminal a form via which a user can view a plurality of videos from the content database, select a video to be sent as a message, and specify a recipient for the video message. The system is optionally configured to initiate the transmission of an approval request message to a terminal, such as a mobile phone associated with the user, wherein the user can approve the sending of the video message to the recipient by taking an action in response to the approval request.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, articles, and methods are described including operations for content aware selective adjusting of motion estimation.

Abstract: An approach for providing virtual conferencing is described. A virtual conference platform receives, in real-time, images representing users of the respective mobile devices, selects a virtual environment among a plurality of virtual environments, and integrates the images into the selected virtual environment.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus receives sound signals that are respectively output by a plurality of microphones, and detects a sound arrival direction from which sounds of the sound signals are traveled. The image processing apparatus calculates a sound level of sounds output from the sound arrival direction, and causes an image that reflects the sound level of sounds output from the sound arrival direction to be displayed in vicinity of an image of a user who is outputting the sounds from the sound arrival direction.

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

Abstract: Techniques are provided for dynamically adapting the view from a conference endpoint that includes a presentation apparatus, such as a whiteboard. A first signal is received that includes a video signal derived from a video camera that is viewing a room during a conference session in which a person is presenting information on a presentation apparatus. During the video conference, switching is performed between the first signal and a second signal representing content being displayed on the presentation apparatus during the conference session for output and transmission to other conference endpoints of the conference session. The determination as to whether to supply the first signal (for a normal view of the conference room) or the second signal may be based on a position determination of the presenter or may be instead be based on an external view selection command received from another conference endpoint participating in the conference session.

Abstract: A handheld communication device is used to capture video streams and generate a multiplexed video stream. The handheld communication device has at least two cameras facing in two opposite directions. The handheld communication device receives a first video stream and a second video stream simultaneously from the two cameras. The handheld communication device detects a speech activity of a person captured in the video streams. The speech activity may be detected from direction of sound or lip movement of the person. Based on the detection, the handheld communication device automatically switches between the first video stream and the second video stream to generate a multiplexed video stream. The multiplexed video stream interleaves segments of the first video stream and segments of the second video stream. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A method for conducting a video conference, said method comprising: visualizing representations of a plurality of conference participants on a display of a terminal; detecting a gazing direction of a user of said terminal; determining a first observation relationship between said user and a first one of said conference participants (U1), said first one of said conference participants (U1) being identified by correlating said detected gazing direction with a presently observed one of said visualized representations; and visually differentiating said representation of said first one of said conference participants (U1).

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and tool for collaborating in a video conference using a non-electronically enhance whiteboard and without the use of electronically enhanced writing and/or pointing tools. An embodiment may set up a front camera to capture an overall video stream that is split into at least two video feeds, a whiteboard feed and presenter feeds. The front camera may be set up to have a depth of field and focus to capture the whiteboard and presenter as well as specific video capture settings for each feed to optimize the whiteboard or the presenter. An embodiment may capture the two feeds according to the appropriate settings and deliver the two feeds to other video conference member devices. Embodiments may add additional cameras to permit additional optimization such as eliminating whiteboard occluded areas and/or automatically selecting a presenter from a plurality of people who are in the video capture frame.

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

Abstract: A system and method for generating an animation based at least in part on video content associated with a multi-party video communication session are disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes a video receiver module, a video sampler module, a conversion module, a request receiver module and an animation display module. The video receiver module receives video content of a multi-party video communication session including video content of each of one or more participating devices. The video sampler module generates a plurality of video frames based on the video content. The conversion module generates a plurality of images each image based on one of the plurality of video frames and generates an animation file based on the plurality of images. The request receiver module receives a request from a user. The animation display module, based on the request, provides for display textual content, the animation file, and a connection.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to techniques for region-of-interest (ROI) processing for video telephony (VT) applications. According to the disclosed techniques, a recipient device defines ROI information for video information transmitted by a sender device, i.e., far-end video information. The recipient device transmits the ROI information to the sender device. Using the ROI information transmitted by the recipient device, the sender device applies preferential encoding to an ROI within a video scene. ROI extraction may be applied to process a user description of a region of interest (ROI) to generate information specifying the ROI based on the description. The user description may be textual, graphical, or speech-based. An extraction module applies appropriate processing to generated the ROI information from the user description. The extraction module may locally reside with a video communication device, or reside in a distinct intermediate server configured for ROI extraction.

Abstract: Studio, studio system, studio configuration and calibration method for life-size videoconferencing include local conferee space and local transceiver for life-size videoconferencing. The transceiver includes optical input unit and optical output unit providing continuous duplex image transfer via a duplexer area of a screen configured to simultaneously transmit to local conferee space the image of remote conferee space including a remote studio, and reflect the image of local conferee space to the optical input unit, enabling visualizing to scale without aberrations image of the entire local conferee space to the remote conferee space; enabling a local party conferee to establish eye contact and register body movements of a remote party conferee. Images of physically separated conferee spaces are concatenated to an operational conference setting, enabling a remote conferee located anywhere in the remote space to establish eye contact with a conferee visible in the image of the second remote space.

Abstract: System and method involving user interfaces and remote control devices. These user interfaces may be particularly useful for providing an intuitive and user friendly interaction between a user and a device or application using a display, e.g., at a “10 foot” interaction level. The user interfaces may be specifically designed for interaction using a simple remote control device having a limited number of inputs. For example, the simple remote control may include directional inputs (e.g., up, down, left, right), a confirmation input (e.g., ok), and possibly a mute input. The user interface may be customized based on current user activity or other contexts (e.g., based on current or previous states), the user logging in (e.g., using a communication device), etc. Additionally, the user interface may allow the user to adjust cameras whose video are not currently displayed, rejoin previously left videoconferences, and/or any of a variety of desirable actions.

Abstract: A communication device may include logic configured to detect a request to initiate a video call by the user of the communication device; select an avatar for the video call, wherein the avatar corresponds to an image selected by the user to be used as a replacement for a video stream for video calls associated with the user; determine a facial expression associated with the user of the communication device; select an avatar facial expression for the selected avatar, based on the determined facial expression; and incorporate the selected avatar facial expression into a video stream associated with the video call.

Abstract: A user who is online at multiple devices can be invited to escalate an audio-only call to a video call. The escalation invitation is sent only to, or shown only at, the endpoint device that is involved in the audio-only call. The technologies can support public switched telephone network audio-only calls, and escalation can be performed as a seamless call transition from audio-only to video call.

Abstract: Video streams are generated using a combination of Multiple Bit Rate (MBR) encoding and Scalable Video Coding (SVC). Capabilities and requests of the clients are used in determining the video streams to generate as well as what video streams to deliver to the clients. The clients are placed into groups based on a resolution capability of the client. For each resolution grouping, MBR is used for generating spatial streams and SVC is used for generating temporal and quality streams.

Abstract: System and method involving user interfaces and remote control devices. These user interfaces may be particularly useful for providing an intuitive and user friendly interaction between a user and a device or application using a display, e.g., at a “10 foot” interaction level. The user interfaces may be specifically designed for interaction using a simple remote control device having a limited number of inputs. For example, the simple remote control may include directional inputs (e.g., up, down, left, right), a confirmation input (e.g., ok), and possibly a mute input. The user interface may be customized based on current user activity or other contexts (e.g., based on current or previous states), the user logging in (e.g., using a communication device), etc. Additionally, the user interface may allow the user to adjust cameras whose video are not currently displayed, rejoin previously left videoconferences, and/or any of a variety of desirable actions.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a method for intuitively controlling a far-end camera via physical movements. The method includes the steps of receiving an image captured by a first camera and including a digital representation of at least a portion of a user of the first camera, analyzing the digital representation to identify a position of the user relative to the first camera, computing a value associated with a first property of a second camera based on the position of the user, and transmitting the value to the second camera, wherein, in response to receiving the value, a perspective of the second camera is modified based on the value.

Abstract: System and method involving user interfaces and remote control devices. These user interfaces may be particularly useful for providing an intuitive and user friendly interaction between a user and a device or application using a display, e.g., at a “10 foot” interaction level. The user interfaces may be specifically designed for interaction using a simple remote control device having a limited number of inputs. For example, the simple remote control may include directional inputs (e.g., up, down, left, right), a confirmation input (e.g., ok), and possibly a mute input. The user interface may be customized based on current user activity or other contexts (e.g., based on current or previous states), the user logging in (e.g., using a communication device), etc. Additionally, the user interface may allow the user to adjust cameras whose video are not currently displayed, rejoin previously left videoconferences, and/or any of a variety of desirable actions.

Abstract: A display apparatus and a control method thereof are provided The display apparatus includes: an image processor configured to process an image of content; a display configured to display the processed image of the content; a camera configured to capture an image of a remote controller; a storage configured to store information regarding a plurality of appearance states of the remote controller corresponding to user commands; and a controller configured to determine an appearance state from among the plurality of appearance states of the remote controller based on the image of remote controller captured by the camera, and control the display section to display the image of the content according to a user command corresponding to the determined appearance state of the remote controller.

Abstract: A display system and a display method for video walls are provided. The display system includes at least one server and a plurality of player devices. Each server renders an image and transmits the image to a network. The player devices are coupled to the at least one server through the network. Each player device receives the image or a part of the image rendered by one of the at least one server, and determines a synchronization time together with at least one of the other player devices. Each player device uses a display of a video wall to simultaneously display the image or the part of the image at the synchronization time.

Abstract: A remote control system includes a remote control device and an electronic device. The remote control device includes an input element, a wireless transmitter to transmit an absolute coordinate signal and a motion signal and a control unit electrically connected to the input element and the wireless transmitter. The electronic device includes a wireless receiver and a display screen. The wireless receiver receives the absolute coordinate signal and the motion signal, and displays the absolute coordinate signal at the display screen via a cursor. When the electronic device does not receive the motion signal, the absolute coordinate signal is not operated on an application program of the electronic device. When the electronic device receives the motion signal, the absolute coordinate signal is operated on the application program.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method for initiating a video conference using a first mobile device. The method presents, during an audio call through a wireless communication network with a second device, a selectable user-interface (UI) item on the first mobile device for switching from the audio call to the video conference. The method receives a selection of the selectable UI item. The method initiates the video conference without terminating the audio call. The method terminates the audio call before allowing the first and second devices to present audio and video data exchanged through the video conference.

Abstract: A display apparatus including: a camera configured to photograph a first user of the display apparatus; a communication interface configured to communicate with an external apparatus of a second user; a display configured to display an image of a visual communication between the first user and the second user; and a controller configured to generate information regarding a change in a position of a face of the first user from an image of the first user photographed by the camera during the visual communication, and configured to transmit the information regarding the change in the position of the face of the first user to the external device so that the face of the first user having the changed position is displayed on the external apparatus.

Abstract: Systems and methods of visually indicating one or more gestures of a user of a node (22) in the content of a media stream (24) are disclosed. A node (22) configured to transmit a media stream (24) having content to one or more other nodes (22) includes a screen configured to display the content of the media stream, a media device (36) configured to capture an image of one or more gestures of the user of the node (22), wherein the one or more gestures are adjacent to the screen and the media device (36) is positioned to capture the image without capturing more than a peripheral view of the screen in that image; a media analyzer (38) configured to generate a visual representation of the captured one or more gestures; and a compositer (40) configured to composite the visual representation of the captured one or more gestures with the content of the media stream (24).

Abstract: A method controls manipulation of a computing device. The method turns on a camera device to capture images and gestures of a manipulation owner, analyzes the gestures to get operations to control the computing device using a recognition unit of the computing device, and determines whether an additional participant gets the manipulation control of the computing device. If the additional participant gets the manipulation control of the computing device, the method stops to capture the images of the manipulation owner, and captures the images of the additional participant. If the additional participant does not get the manipulation control of the computing device, the method still captures the images of the manipulation owner.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selecting information from a video source to be displayed on at least a first common display screen in a collaborative workspace having a switching device, the method comprising the steps of providing a selectable control interface that includes at least one indicator that can indicate at least first and second different states, associating a video source with the switching device so that video information from the video source is presented to the switching device, when the video source is associated with the switching device, causing the at least one indicator to indicate a first state and when the selectable control interface is selected, causing the at least one indicator to indicate the second state and providing the video information from the video source to the common display screen via the switching device.

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

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes identifying priority objects in a composite image created from one or more input video streams, processing the composite image, and generating a plurality of output video streams. The output video streams correspond to display screens available for viewing the output video streams and the number of output video streams is different than the number of input video streams. Processing the composite image includes positioning the priority objects to prevent placement of the priority objects at a location extending over two of the display screens. An apparatus is also disclosed.