Method and apparatus for combining speakerphone and video conference unit operations

• US 20050212908A1
• Filed: 05/06/2005
• Published: 09/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Polycom Incorporated (Plantronics, Inc.)
• Inventors: Rodman, Jeffrey, Drell, David, Vander Kam, Rick A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,947,487 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/14.80
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/148 Interfacing a video terminal to a particular transmission medium, e.g. ISDN
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

A High Speed Serial Bus connecting teleconference devices, such as video conference unit, speakerphone, external loudspeakers or microphones is disclosed. The disclosed embodiments enable the distributing and sharing of controls among the linked devices. They enable incremental upgrades or capacity increases of the teleconference system.

Claims

1. A method for combining a near end video conference unit and a near end speakerphone at a near end site for a teleconference with at least one far end site having a far end speakerphone or a far end video conference unit, the method comprising:

connecting the near end video conference unit and the near end speakerphone with a conference link; and

transmitting control data between the near end speakerphone and the near end video conference unit through the conference link.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the conference link comprises,

a bi-directional serial link for transmitting data;

and

a bi-directional link for transmitting clock signals.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

assigning a time slot for data communication for the near end video conference unit and the speakerphone according to the clock signals;

transmitting data by the near end video conference unit through the conference link during the assigned time-slot for the near end video conference unit; and

transmitting data by the speakerphone through the conference link during the assigned time slot for the near end speakerphone.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the control data is sent from the near end video conference unit to near end speakerphone to control the operation of the near end speakerphone.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the control data is sent from the near speakerphone to the near end video conference unit to control the operation of the near end video conference unit.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the near end video conference unit has dialing information for use to set up a video conference, wherein the far end site has both a far end speakerphone and a far end video conference unit, wherein the far end speakerphone is connected the near end speakerphone and wherein the far end video conference unit is connectable to the near end video conference unit, the method further comprising:

the near end video conference unit sending its dialing information to the near end speakerphone through the conference link; and

the near end speakerphone transmitting the dialing information to the far end speakerphone.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the dialing information is a phone number.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the dialing information is an IP address or an SIP address.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the far end video conference unit has dialing information for use to set up a video conference, wherein the far end site has both a far end speakerphone and a far end video conference unit, wherein the far end speakerphone is connected the near end speakerphone and wherein the far end video conference unit is connectable to the near end video conference unit, the method further comprising:

the near end speakerphone receiving the dialing information from the far end speakerphone;

the near end video conference unit receiving the dialing information from the near end speakerphone through the conference link; and

the near end video conference unit initiating a video conference between the near end site and the far end site.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the near end speakerphone has a phone number of the far end speakerphone, the method further comprising:

the near end speakerphone dialing the phone number of the far end speakerphone;

the near end speakerphone receiving far end audio signals; and

the near end speakerphone reproducing the far end audio signals by the near end loudspeaker.

11. A video conference unit for connection with a far end video conference unit which provides and receives audio and video data, the video conference unit further for connection to a speakerphone which contains a microphone and a loudspeaker, the video conference unit comprising:

a network interface;

a control module coupled to the network interface;

a video input interface coupled to the control module for receiving video signals;

a video output interface coupled to the control module for sending out video signals to a video display; and

a conference link interface coupled to the control module,

wherein the conference link interface is operable to connect to another conference link interface on the speakerphone through a conference link; and

wherein the control module is operable to exchange control data with the speakerphone through the conference link.

12. The video conference unit of claim 11,

wherein the control module is operable to accept control data from the speakerphone through the conference link, and perform the tasks indicated by the control data.

13. The video conference unit of claim 11,

wherein the control module is operable to send control data to the speakerphone through the conference link, and

wherein the control data dictates the function of the speakerphone.

14. The video conference unit of claim 11, wherein the control module is further operable to:

transmit dialing information of the video conference unit to the speakerphone through the conference link, wherein the dialing information enables a far end video conference unit to initiate and set up a video conference.

15. The video conference unit of claim 11, wherein the far end video conference unit has dialing information used to set up a video conference with the far end video conference unit, wherein the far end speakerphone is connected the near end speakerphone, wherein the control module is further operable to:

accept the dialing information of the far end video conference unit from the near end speakerphone through the conference link; and

initiate a video conference with the far end video conference unit using the dialing information.

16. A speakerphone for connection with a far end speakerphone which provides and receives audio data, the speakerphone further for connection to a video conference unit which provides and receives audio and video data, the speakerphone comprising:

a control module;

a loudspeaker coupled to the control module;

a microphone coupled to the control module; and

a conference link interface coupled to the control module,

wherein the conference link interface is operable to connect to another conference link interface on the video conference unit through a conference link; and

wherein the control module is operable to exchange control data with the video conference unit through the conference link.

17. The speakerphone of claim 16,

wherein the control module is operable to accept control data from the video conference unit through the conference link and perform the tasks indicated by the control data.

18. The speakerphone of claim 16,

wherein the control module is operable to send control data to the video conference unit through the conference link, and

wherein the control data dictates the function of the video conference unit.

19. The speakerphone of claim 16, wherein the control module is further operable to,

transmit a phone number of the speakerphone to the video conference unit through the conference link, wherein phone number enables a far end speakerphone to initiate and set up an audio conference.

20. The speakerphone of claim 16, wherein the far end speakerphone is connected to a far end video conference unit through a far end conference link and the far end speakerphone has a phone number used to setup an audio conference with the far end speakerphone, wherein the far end speakerphone is connectable to the near end speakerphone, wherein the control module is further operable to:

accept the phone number of the far end speakerphone from the near end video conference unit through the conference link;

call the far end speakerphone using the phone number.

21. The speakerphone of claim 16, wherein the control module is further operable to:

receive dialing information of the video conference unit through the conference link interface, wherein the dialing information enables a far end video conference unit to initiate a video conference with the video conference unit; and

transmit the dialing information of the video conference unit to a far end speakerphone.

22. The speakerphone of claim 16, wherein the control module is further operable to,

receive dialing information of a far end video conference unit from a far end speakerphone, wherein the dialing information enables the video conference unit to initiate a video conference with the far end video conference unit;

and

transmit the dialing information of the far end video conference unit to the video conference unit through the conference link interface.

23. A teleconference system for connection with a far end video conference unit which provides and receives audio and video data, the teleconference conference system further for connection to a far end speakerphone which contains a microphone and a loudspeaker, comprising:

a near end video conference unit having;

a v-network interface for receiving audio and video data from and providing audio and video data to a far end video conference unit;

a v-conference link interface; and

a v-control module coupled to the v-network interface and the v-conference link interface;

a near end speakerphone having;

a microphone;

a loudspeaker;

an s-network interface for receiving audio data from and providing audio data to a far end speakerphone;

an s-conference link interface; and

an s-control module coupled to the s-network interface, the s-conference link interface, the microphone and the loudspeaker; and

a conference link connecting the v-conference link interface with the s-conference link interface,

wherein the conference link couples the v-control module to the s-control module; and

wherein control data are transmitted between the near end video conference unit and the near end speakerphone through the conference link.

24. The teleconference system of claim 23,

wherein the v-control module is operable to accept control data from the near end speakerphone through the conference link, and perform the tasks indicated by the control data.

25. The teleconference system of claim 23,

wherein the v-control module is operable to send control data to the speakerphone through the conference link, and

wherein the s-control module performs the tasks dictated by the control data.

26. The teleconference system of claim 23,

wherein the s-control module is operable to accept control data from the near end video conference unit through the conference link, and perform the tasks indicated by the control data.

27. The teleconference system of claim 23,

wherein the s-control module is operable to send control data to the video conference unit through the conference link, and

wherein the v-control module performs the tasks dictated by the control data.

28. The teleconference system of claim 23, wherein the far end video conference unit further has dialing information used to setup a video conference with the far end video conference unit,

wherein the s-control module is operable to,

couple to the far end speakerphone;

receive the dialing information of the far end video conference unit from the far end speakerphone;

send the dialing information to the v-control module through the conference link; and

wherein the v-control module is operable to,

receive the dialing information of the far end video conference unit from the s-control module; and

initiate a video conference with the far end video conference unit using the dialing information.

29. The teleconference system of claim 23, wherein the far end speakerphone further has a phone number used to setup an audio conference with the far end speakerphone, wherein the far end speakerphone is connectable to the near end speakerphone,

wherein the v-control module is further operable to,

connect to the far end video conference unit;

receive the phone number of the far end speakerphone; and

send the phone number to the s-module through the conference link, and

wherein the s-control module is further operable to,

accept the phone number of the far end speakerphone from the near end video conference unit through the conference link; and

call the far end speakerphone using the phone number.

30. A teleconference system comprising:

a near end conference system having;

a near end video conference unit; and

a near end speakerphone coupled to the near end video conference unit with a conference link,

wherein the near end speakerphone has a microphone and a loudspeaker;

a first network coupled to the near end video conference unit;

a second network coupled to the near end speakerphone; and

a far end conference system having;

a far end video conference unit operable to be coupled to the near end video conference unit through the first network with the far end video conference system providing far end video and audio signals; and

a far end speakerphone coupled to the far end video conference unit with a far end conference link, and operable to be coupled to the near end speakerphone through the second network,

wherein control data are transmitted between the near end video conference unit and the near end speakerphone; and

wherein control data are transmitted between the far end video conference unit and the far end speakerphone.

31. The teleconference system of claim 30,

wherein each speakerphone is operable to send control data through a conference link to a video conference unit linked by the conference link, and

wherein each video conference unit is operable to accept the control data and perform the tasks indicated by the control data.

32. The teleconference system of claim 30,

wherein each video conference unit is operable to send control data through a conference link to a speakerphone linked by the conference link, and

wherein the speakerphone is operable to accept the control data and perform the tasks indicated by the control data.

33. The teleconference system of claim 30,

wherein the far end video conference unit further has first dialing information used to setup a video conference with the far end video conference unit;

wherein the far end speakerphone is operable to receive the first dialing information through the far end conference link, and send the first dialing information to the near end speakerphone through the second network;

wherein the near end speakerphone is operable to,

connect to the far end speakerphone;

receive the first dialing information of the far end video conference unit from the far end speakerphone; and

send the dialing information to the near end video conference unit through the near end conference link; and

wherein the near end conference unit is operable to,

receive the first dialing information of the far end video conference unit; and

initiate a video conference with the far end video conference unit using the first dialing information.

34. The teleconference system of claim 30,

wherein the near end video conference unit further has first dialing information used to setup a video conference with the near end video conference unit;

wherein the near end speakerphone is operable to receive the first dialing information through the near end conference link, and send the first dialing information to the far end speakerphone through the second network;

wherein the far end speakerphone is operable to,

connect to the near end speakerphone;

receive the first dialing information of the near end video conference unit from the near end speakerphone; and

send the dialing information to the far end video conference unit through the far end conference link; and

wherein the far end conference unit is operable to,

receive the first dialing information of the near end video conference unit; and

initiate a video conference with the near end video conference unit using the first dialing information.

35. The teleconference system of claim 30,

wherein the far end speakerphone further has a phone number used to setup an audio conference with the far end speakerphone;

wherein the far end video conference unit is connected to the near end video conference unit through the first network and is operable to send the phone number to the near end video conference unit;

wherein the near end video conference unit is further operable to,

receive the phone number of the far end speakerphone; and

send the phone number to the near end speakerphone through the conference link, and

wherein the near end speakerphone is further operable to,

accept the phone number of the far end speakerphone from the near end video conference unit through the conference link; and

call the far end speakerphone using the phone number.

36. The teleconference system of claim 30,

wherein the near end speakerphone further has a phone number used to setup an audio conference with the near end speakerphone;

wherein the near end video conference unit is connected to the far end video conference unit through the first network and is operable to send the phone number to the far end video conference unit;

wherein the far end video conference unit is further operable to,

receive the phone number of the near end speakerphone; and

send the phone number to the far end speakerphone through the far end conference link, and

wherein the far end speakerphone is further operable to,

accept the phone number of the near end speakerphone from the far end video conference unit through the far end conference link; and

call the near end speakerphone using the phone number.