Method and apparatus for video conferencing having dynamic picture layout
First Claim
1. A method of conferencing comprising:
- connecting at least two sites to a conference;
receiving at least two video signals from the connected sites;
defining a composite image layout based on the number of sites connected in the conference or the number of received video signals or both;
processing the received video signals to provide a composite video signal according to the defined composite image layout; and
transmitting the composite video signal to at least one of the connected sites.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for conferencing dynamically determines conference parameters such as image layout, image resolution and bandwidth. The conference parameters are dynamically determined based on the number of participants or video sources or both that currently connect to the conference. Video signals received from connected sites are processed to provide a composite video signal according to defined conference parameters and the composite video signal is transmitted to the connected sites. Upon one or more other sites connecting to the conference or one or more of the connected sites disconnecting from the conference or both, such that the number of sites or sources currently connected in the conference changes, one or more conference parameters is redefined. The received video signals are processed according to the redefined conference parameters to provide a second composite video signal that is transmitted to the connected sites. The conference parameters include composite image layout, image resolution, and conference bandwidth rate.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method of conferencing comprising:
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connecting at least two sites to a conference;
receiving at least two video signals from the connected sites;
defining a composite image layout based on the number of sites connected in the conference or the number of received video signals or both;
processing the received video signals to provide a composite video signal according to the defined composite image layout; and
transmitting the composite video signal to at least one of the connected sites. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A method of conferencing comprising:
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connecting at least two sites to a conference;
receiving video signals from the connected sites;
defining one or more conference parameters based on the number of sites connected in the conference or the number of received video signals or both;
processing the received video signals to provide a composite video signal according to the defined conference parameters;
transmitting the composite video signal to at least one of the connected sites;
upon one or more other sites connecting to the conference, one or more of the connected sites disconnecting from the conference, one or more other video signals received and/or one or more video signals disconnecting, such that the number of sites currently connected in the conference or the number of received video signals changes or both, redefining one or more conference parameters, processing the received video signals according to the redefined conference parameters to provide a second composite video signal, and transmitting the second composite video signal to at least one of the connected sites. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of conferencing comprising:
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connecting first, second, third and fourth sites to a conference;
receiving first, second, third and fourth video signals from the respective connected sites;
defining a first composite image layout that has four areas, each of the first, second, third and fourth sites associated with one of the four areas;
processing the first, second, third, and fourth video signals to provide a first composite video signal according to the first composite image layout;
transmitting the first composite video signal to at least one of the first, second, third and fourth sites;
connecting a fifth site to the conference;
receiving a fifth video signal from the fifth connected site;
defining a second composite image layout that has more than four areas, each of the first, second, third, fourth and fifth sites associated with one of the more than four areas;
processing the first, second, third, fourth and fifth video signals to provide a second composite video signal according to the second composite image layout;
transmitting the second composite video signal to at least one of the first, second, third, fourth and fifth sites. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. A method of conferencing comprising:
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connecting first, second, third and fourth sites to a conference;
receiving first, second, third and fourth video signals from the respective connected sites;
defining a first composite image layout that has four areas, each of the first, second, third and fourth sites associated with one of the four areas;
processing the first, second, third, and fourth video signals to provide a first composite video signal according to the first composite image layout;
transmitting the first composite video signal to at least one of the first, second, third and fourth sites;
receiving a fifth video signal from the fourth connected site;
defining a second composite image layout that has more than four areas, each of the first, second, third, fourth and fifth video signals associated with one of the more than four areas;
processing the first, second, third, fourth and fifth video signals to provide a second composite video signal according to the second composite image layout;
transmitting the second composite video signal to at least one of the first, second, third and fourth sites. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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18. A multipoint control unit for conferencing, the multipoint control unit comprising:
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an interface unit for receiving video signals from at least two sites connected in a conference;
a control processor for dynamically defining one or more conference parameters based on the number of sites connected in the conference and/or the number of received video signals; and
a video processor for processing the received video signals to provide a composite video signal according to the defined conference parameters. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A multipoint control unit comprising:
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means for connecting at least two sites to a conference;
means for receiving video signals from the connected sites;
means for dynamically defining a composite image layout based on the number of sites connected in the conference and/or the number of received video signals;
means for processing the received video signals to provide a composite video signal according to the defined composite image layout; and
means for transmitting the composite video signal to at least one of the connected sites.
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Specification