System and method for audio multicast
First Claim
1. A method for processing audio conferencing between a plurality of endpoints communicating over a packet network, the method comprising:
- at a server;
receiving a plurality of endpoint audio packets from one or more participating endpoints, each endpoint audio packet comprising an endpoint identifier and an encoded digital audio;
mixing the digital audio from all the received endpoint audio packets to create a mixed audio stream;
generating a composite audio packet, each composite audio packet comprising some or all of the mixed audio stream and the endpoint identifier associated with the digital audio in the mixed audio stream;
sending the composite audio packet in a multicast manner to all endpoints irregardless of receipt of audio packets from a particular endpoint;
at the endpoints;
receiving the composite audio packet from the server;
determining if the mixed audio stream comprises a self-generated digital audio; and
removing the self-generated digital audio from the mixed audio stream.
14 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for audio multicast includes a flexible number of active and passive conferencing endpoints in packet communication with a server. The server creates a mixed audio stream from the received audio packets from the active endpoints. The server multicasts the mixed audio to all the conferencing endpoints. The endpoints determine if the received mixed audio includes any self-generated audio by comparing the received packet to a sample packet of self-generated audio stored prior to transmission to the server. If a match is present, the endpoint removes the self-generated audio from the mixed audio and plays the conference audio.
45 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method for processing audio conferencing between a plurality of endpoints communicating over a packet network, the method comprising:
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at a server;
receiving a plurality of endpoint audio packets from one or more participating endpoints, each endpoint audio packet comprising an endpoint identifier and an encoded digital audio;
mixing the digital audio from all the received endpoint audio packets to create a mixed audio stream;
generating a composite audio packet, each composite audio packet comprising some or all of the mixed audio stream and the endpoint identifier associated with the digital audio in the mixed audio stream;
sending the composite audio packet in a multicast manner to all endpoints irregardless of receipt of audio packets from a particular endpoint;
at the endpoints;
receiving the composite audio packet from the server;
determining if the mixed audio stream comprises a self-generated digital audio; and
removing the self-generated digital audio from the mixed audio stream. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A system for processing audio conferencing comprising:
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a plurality of conferencing endpoints comprising active and passive participants, the endpoints comprising;
a tag generator to associate an identity to a packet of self-generated audio; and
a storage to retain a plurality of representations of the packets of self-generated audio prior to transmission to a server;
the server in packet communication with the conferencing endpoints, the server comprising;
a mixer to create a mixed audio stream comprising a compilation of all audio received from the active participants;
a packet generator assembling a composite audio packet for multicast transmission to the conferencing endpoints, each composite audio packet comprising some or all of the mixed audio stream and the identity of the endpoints included in the mixed audio stream; and
the conferencing endpoints further comprising;
a comparator reading the composite audio packet received from the server and determining if the associated identity matches one of the representations;
upon a match, an audio reconstructor removes the self-generated audio stream of the stored sample from the mixed audio stream; and
a configuration to play the mixed audio at the endpoint. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for audio conferencing between a plurality of endpoints over a network, a participating endpoint performing the steps of:
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encoding a self-generated audio using an encoding scheme and altering the encoding scheme as needed to accommodate the network;
assigning an identifier to an audio packet of the self-generated audio;
storing a representation of the audio packet and the encoding scheme;
sending the audio packet to a server;
receiving a mixed audio data packet from the server, the mixed audio data packet comprising one or more audio streams from one or more participating endpoints, an identity of the participating endpoints, and a plurality of processing instructions;
determining if the mixed audio includes the self-generated audio;
reconstructing the self-generated audio from the representation, the encoding scheme and the instructions;
removing the self-generated audio from the mixed audio; and
playing the mixed audio without the self-generated audio. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification