Systems and Methods for Selecting Videoconferencing Endpoints for Display in a Composite Video Image
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Abstract
In some embodiments, a videoconferencing endpoint may be an MCU (Multipoint Control Unit) or may include embedded MCU functionality. In various embodiments, the endpoint may thus conduct a videoconference by receiving/compositing video and audio from multiple videoconference endpoints. The endpoint may select a subset of endpoints and form a composite video image from the subset of the videoconference endpoints to send to the other videoconference endpoints. In some embodiments, the subset of endpoints that are selected for compositing into the composite video image may be selected according to criteria such as the last N talking participants. In some embodiments, the master endpoint may request the non-talker endpoints to stop sending video to help conserve the resources on the master endpoint. In some embodiments, the master endpoint may ignore video from endpoints that are not being displayed.
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Citations
50 Claims
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1-25. -25. (canceled)
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26. A method, comprising:
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a processor receiving an audio stream from each of N remote endpoints that are participating in a videoconference, wherein N is greater than two, wherein the processor has access to M video decoders, wherein M is greater than one and smaller than N; the processor analyzing the audio streams from the N remote endpoints to maintain a list of the M most recently voice-active endpoints among the N remote endpoints; the processor receiving M video streams from the M most recently voice-active endpoints respectively; the processor directing the decoding of the M video streams using respectively the M video decoders to generate M component images respectively; the processor generating a composite image including at least the M component images; the processor transmitting the composite image to one or more of the N remote endpoints. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A system for performing multi-way videoconferencing, the system comprising:
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a memory that stores program instructions; a processor configured to execute the program instructions, wherein the program instructions, if executed, cause the processor to; receive an audio stream from each of N remote endpoints that are participating in a videoconference, wherein N is greater than two, wherein the processor has access to M video decoders, wherein M is greater than one and smaller than N; analyze the audio streams from the N remote endpoints to maintain a list of the M most recently voice-active endpoints among the N remote endpoints; receive M video streams from the M most recently voice-active endpoints respectively; direct the decoding of the M video streams respectively in the M video decoders to generate M component images respectively; generate a composite image including at least the M component images; and transmit the composite image to one or more of the N remote endpoints. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46)
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47. A videoconferencing system operable to perform multi-way videoconferencing, the videoconferencing system comprising:
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an audio input; a video input; a set of M decoders coupled to the video input; a memory that stores program instructions; a processor configured to execute the program instructions, wherein the program instructions, if executed, cause the processor to; receive an audio stream from each of N remote endpoints via the audio input, wherein the N remote endpoints are participants in a videoconference, wherein N is greater than two, wherein the processor has access to the M video decoders, wherein M is greater than one and smaller than N; analyze the audio streams from the N remote endpoints to maintain a list of the M most recently voice-active endpoints among the N remote endpoints; receive M video streams, via the video input, from the M most recently voice-active endpoints respectively; direct the decoding of the M video streams respectively in the M video decoders to generate M component images respectively; generate a composite image including at least the M component images; and transmit the composite image to one or more of the N remote endpoints. - View Dependent Claims (48, 49, 50)
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Specification