Method and apparatus for controlling a conference call
First Claim
1. A method for controlling a multi-conference unit (MCU) in a communications network comprising an endpoint device comprising the steps of:
- (a) sending a command to said MCU using said endpoint device;
(b) intercepting said command sent by said endpoint device across said network using said MCU; and
(c) said MCU carrying out said commands received by said MCU.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Provided by the invention is a method for controlling a Video Multi-Conference Unit (MCU) using an endpoint device. In order to do this the MCU intercepts, interprets and acts upon commands sent across the communications network from the endpoint device. The commands may be sent using a user control device such as a control for controlling far-end cameras, a so-called FECC device. Alternatively the commands may be sent using dial-tones from a touchpad telephone. Also provided by the present invention is a method for controlling a secondary device also connected to a conference call using the MCU. This secondary device may be another user endpoint or alternatively a video conference recorder (VCR). In order to control another user endpoint the user may select a second mode in which the MCU rather than intercepting any FECC or other commands sent to it using the user device forwards the commands to the endpoint. Alternatively, the MCU may interpret the FECC device commands and instruct the user device or VCR accordingly.
77 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method for controlling a multi-conference unit (MCU) in a communications network comprising an endpoint device comprising the steps of:
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(a) sending a command to said MCU using said endpoint device;
(b) intercepting said command sent by said endpoint device across said network using said MCU; and
(c) said MCU carrying out said commands received by said MCU. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An MCU connectable to a communications network comprising an endpoint device, the MCU comprising:
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(a) an input for receiving commands from an endpoint connected to said communications network; and
(b) a processor for processing said commands. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A video conference network comprising:
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(a) an MCU;
(b) an endpoint; and
(c) a communications link connecting said MCU and said endpoint said MCU acting to intercept commands from said endpoint.
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Specification