Method and System for Composing Video Images from a Plurality of Endpoints
Granted: August 16, 2012
Application Number:
20120206563
The present application discloses a method and apparatus for a multipoint video conferencing system that can offer a wide variety of layouts and the ability to support a large number of conferees. A received stream of NALs from a plurality of endpoints can be processed by an exemplary NAL Processor Module (NPM) and be arranged into a stream of NALs that are referred to in this disclosure as organized NALs (ONALs). Two or more streams of compressed video organized into ONALs can be…
Automatic Video Layouts for Multi-Stream Multi-Site Telepresence Conferencing System
Granted: August 9, 2012
Application Number:
20120200658
A videoconference multipoint control unit (MCU) automatically generates display layouts for videoconference endpoints. Display layouts are generated based on attributes associated with video streams received from the endpoints and display configuration information of the endpoints. An endpoint can include one or more attributes in each outgoing stream. Attributes can be assigned based on video streams' role, content, camera source, etc. Display layouts can be regenerated if one or more…
Method and Apparatus For Improving The Average Image Refresh Rate in a Compressed Video Bitstream
Granted: August 9, 2012
Application Number:
20120200663
An apparatus and method for digital video encoding is disclosed. The disclosed system provides for a way of improving video quality for a given video coding system design.
Appearance Matching for Videoconferencing
Granted: June 14, 2012
Application Number:
20120147130
Methods and systems for presenting video images generated by multiple endpoints in a videoconference such that the displayed images have consistent appearance, for example consistent brightness levels are disclosed. Sampling methods and algorithms are used to calculate an appropriate amount of correction for each video image and the images are adjusted accordingly. Brightness correction may implement one or more brightness sampling and analyzing logical modules (BSAM) and one or more…
Extended Video Conferencing Features Through Electronic Calendaring
Granted: June 14, 2012
Application Number:
20120150956
Systems and methods to integrate or interface video conference rooms, video conference infrastructure equipment and electronic calendars are disclosed. Example embodiments include providing: security for meeting information; interfaces for personal electronic calendar applications and video conferencing equipment; and implementations for video conferencing infrastructure components to integrate with meeting scheduling software. Also disclosed are systems and methods for making…
Removing a Self Image From a Continuous Presence Video Image
Granted: June 7, 2012
Application Number:
20120140020
Upon receiving a continuous presence video image, an endpoint of a videoconference may identify its self image and replace the self image with other video data, including an alternate video image from another endpoint or a background color. Embedded markers may be placed in a continuous presence video image corresponding to the endpoint. The embedded markers identify the location of the self image of the endpoint in the continuous presence video image. The embedded markers may be…
HIGH-INTENSITY AND HIGH-MODULUS GLASS FIBER
Granted: May 24, 2012
Application Number:
20120129678
A high-intensity and high-modulus glass fiber is provided. Said fiber is produced by improving the processes, components and proportion of conventional E-glass production process and apparatus. The fiber contains 13% CaO at most, no boron and fluorine, meanwhile ZrO2 and Li2O is first added, B2O3 is first removed, and SO3 is added. The intensity and the modulus of the fiber are slightly lower than those of S-glass or T-glass, but obviously higher than those of E-glass and ECR-glass which…
Picoprojector with Image Stabilization [Image-Stabilized Projector]
Granted: May 10, 2012
Application Number:
20120113514
A handheld projector is provided with an image stabilization system that acts to reduce (or even eliminate) unwanted motion of the projected image due to unintended movement of the projector. In certain preferred embodiments, a solid-state motion sensor provides input to an image stabilization system that computes a corrective signal. In embodiments having optical image stabilization, the corrective signal is supplied to a mechanical actuator that moves one or more optical elements…
Artifact Reduction in Packet Loss Concealment
Granted: April 26, 2012
Application Number:
20120101814
Various techniques are disclosed for improving packet loss concealment to reduce artifacts by using audio character measures of the audio signal. These techniques include attenuation to a noise fill instead of attenuation to silence, varying how long to wait before attenuating the extrapolation, varying the rate of attenuation of the extrapolation, attenuating periodic extrapolation at a different rate than non-periodic extrapolation, and performing period extrapolation on successively…
Speakerphone and Conference Bridge Which Receive and Provide Participant Monitoring Information
Granted: March 29, 2012
Application Number:
20120076288
Disclosed herein are methods, systems, and devices for improved audio, video, and data conferencing. The present invention provides a conferencing system comprising a plurality of endpoints communicating data including audio data and control data according to a communication protocol. A local conference endpoint may control or be controlled by a remote conference endpoint. Data comprising control signals may be exchanged between the local endpoint and remote endpoint via various…
PERSONALIZED VIRTUAL VIDEO MEETING ROOMS
Granted: March 15, 2012
Application Number:
20120062689
A videoconferencing system allows host users to personalize virtual meeting rooms (VMR). A multipoint control unit (MCU) generates VMRs using associated VMR configuration parameters, which include personal VMR parameters specified by the host user, and admin VMR parameters specified by an administrator of the videoconferencing system. The host user can connect to a server at the MCU to request a list of personal VMR parameters, for which the host user can specify values. The server can…
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SCHEDULING SHARED PROGRAM CONTENT VIDEOCONFERENCING
Granted: March 15, 2012
Application Number:
20120062687
A videoconferencing system provides sharing program content during a videoconferencing session. A graphical user interface (GUI) allows participants to select a program to be shared and participants to share the selected program with. A scheduler communicates with the videoconferencing systems of the participants to tune or configure them to receive the selected shared program content at a scheduled time. The scheduler also communicates with a multipoint control unit (MCU) for initiating…
Managing Mobile Device Interactions Using Barcodes
Granted: March 15, 2012
Application Number:
20120061458
A system allows a connecting a mobile device with a barcode scanner to a stationary device by scanning a barcode displayed on a display of the stationary device. The system allows connecting only one mobile device to the stationary device at any given time and allows connecting the mobile device to only one stationary device at any given time. Once connected to the stationary device, the mobile device may be used to scan additional printed barcodes and barcodes displayed by the…
Method and System for Creating a Continuous Presence Video-Conference
Granted: March 1, 2012
Application Number:
20120050454
One or more horizontal stripes are defined in a continuous presence video conferencing image, comprising one or more segments of the video image. The horizontal stripes may have different heights. A horizontal stripe builder associated with a continuous presence videoconferencing port composes and compresses the horizontal stripe from two or more video images received from a plurality of endpoints of the video conferencing system. A continuous presence image stream generator organizes…
Error Concealment In A Video Decoder
Granted: February 9, 2012
Application Number:
20120033739
The error concealment technique disclosed herein relates to the use of existing information by the decoder to conceal bitstream errors regardless of what the encoder does. Examples of existing information include, for example, the previous reference frame, macroblock information for the previous reference frames, etc. Another aspect of the system described herein relates to the steps that the encoder can take to enhance the decoder's ability to recover gracefully from a transmission…
Method for Creating a Videoconferencing Displayed Image
Granted: January 12, 2012
Application Number:
20120007944
The present disclosure provides methods and systems of multipoint videoconferencing wherein layout description information is used to create videoconferencing displayed images of a composite video of one or more video images and one or more accessory elements. The layout description information is responsive to events in the videoconferencing session. Synchronization between the images of the composite video and the one or more accessory elements is done by using synchronization…
Computer Program and Methods for Automatically Initializing an Audio Controller
Granted: December 29, 2011
Application Number:
20110320942
A computer program of the type commonly known as a “wizard” is disclosed that initializes user interface software for controlling an audio conferencing device. The wizard allows the desired audio inputs (e.g., microphone, telephones, etc.) and audio outputs (speakers, recording devices, etc.) to be chosen by an audio system administrator. Thereafter, the wizard allows an audio conferencing device (or devices) to be chosen by the administrator, or allows such a device(s) to be…
Videoconferencing System with Enhanced Telepresence Using a Single Wide Aspect Ratio Camera
Granted: December 22, 2011
Application Number:
20110310214
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…
Method and Apparatus for Wideband Conferencing
Granted: December 8, 2011
Application Number:
20110299674
A method and apparatus for wideband voice and optional data conferencing over a telecommunications network channel between at least two wideband communications devices. An exemplary method comprises establishing an audio link, verifying wideband capability between the at least two wideband communications devices, training modems of the at least two wideband communications device to line conditions, and adjusting the telecommunications connection line conditions between the communications…
Automatic Camera Framing for Videoconferencing
Granted: November 24, 2011
Application Number:
20110285809
A videoconferencing apparatus automatically tracks speakers in a room and dynamically switches between a controlled, people-view camera and a fixed, room-view camera. When no one is speaking, the apparatus shows the room view to the far-end. When there is a dominant speaker in the room, the apparatus directs the people-view camera at the dominant speaker and switches from the room-view camera to the people-view camera. When there is a new speaker in the room, the apparatus switches to…
