Dynamic Picture Layout for Video Conferencing Based on Properties Derived from Received Conferencing Signals

• US 20080100696A1
• Filed: 10/27/2006
• Published: 05/01/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Schirdewahn, Jochen Christof
• Granted Patent: US 8,259,624 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/14.09
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/152 Multipoint control units therefor

Abstract

A method and apparatus for conferencing dynamically determines composite image layout based on properties of received conferencing signals that include video signals and control signals. Video signals received from connected sites are processed to provide a composite video signal according to the defined composite image layout and the composite video signal is transmitted to the connected sites. Upon a change in properties of one or more received video signals, the composite image layout may be redefined. The received video signals are processed according to the redefined composite image layout to provide a second composite video signal that is transmitted to the connected sites.

Claims

1. A method of video conferencing comprising:

receiving conferencing signals from plural sites connected in a conference, the conferencing signals including video signals and control signals;

defining a composite image layout based on properties derived from the received video signals or the control 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.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein properties include picture aspect ratio of the received conferencing signals.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising upon at least one of the connected sites or at least one video signal changing its picture aspect ratio, redefining the composite image layout based on the picture aspect ratio of one or more of the received conferencing signals;

processing the received video signals to provide a second composite video signal according to the redefined composite image layout; and

transmitting the second composite video signal to at least one of the connected sites.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein properties include picture resolution of the received conferencing signals.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising upon at least one of the connected sites or at least one video signal changing its picture resolution, redefining the composite image layout based on the picture resolution of one or more of the received conferencing signals;

processing the received video signals to provide a second composite video signal according to the redefined composite image layout; and

transmitting the second composite video signal to at least one of the connected sites.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein properties include picture resolution of the composite video signal.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein properties include a measure for image distortions.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising upon at least one of the connected sites disconnecting from the conference or at least one video signal disconnecting, redefining the composite image layout based on properties derived from the received conferencing signals and on the number of sites currently connected in the conference or the number of video signals currently being received;

processing the received video signals to provide a second composite video signal according to the redefined composite image layout; and

transmitting the second composite video signal to at least one of the connected sites.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising upon at least one other site connecting to the conference or at least one other video signal being received, redefining the composite image layout based on properties derived from the received conferencing signals and on the number of sites currently connected in the conference or the number of video signals currently being received;

processing the received video signals to provide a second composite video signal according to the redefined composite image layout; and

transmitting the second composite video signal to at least one of the connected sites.

10. A multipoint control unit for video conferencing, the multipoint control unit comprising:

an interface unit for receiving conferencing signals from plural sites connected in a conference, the conferencing signals including video signals and control signals;

a control processor for dynamically defining a composite image layout based on properties derived from the received conferencing signals or the control signals or both; and

a video processor for processing the received video signals to provide a composite video signal according to the defined composite layout.

11. The multipoint control unit of claim 10 wherein properties include picture aspect ratio of the received conferencing signals.

12. The multipoint control unit of claim 11 wherein the control processor is further configured to redefine the composite image layout based on the picture aspect ratio of one or more of the received conferencing signals upon at least one of the connected sites or at least one video signal changing its picture aspect ratio.

13. The multipoint control unit of claim 10 wherein properties include picture resolution of the received conferencing signals.

14. The multipoint control unit of claim 13 wherein the control processor is further configured to redefine the composite image layout based on the picture resolution of one or more of the received conferencing signals upon at least one of the connected sites or at least one video signal changing its picture resolution.

15. The multipoint control unit of claim 10 wherein properties include picture resolution of the composite video signal.

16. The multipoint control unit of claim 10 wherein properties include a measure for image distortions.

17. The multipoint control unit of claim 10 wherein the control processor is further configured to redefine the composite image layout based on properties derived from the received conferencing signals and on the number of sites currently connected in the conference or the number of video signals currently being received upon at least one other site connecting to the conference or disconnecting from the conference or at least one other video signal being received or being disconnected.

18. Apparatus comprising:

means for receiving video signals from plural sites connected in a conference;

means for dynamically defining a composite image layout based on properties derived from the 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.