Automatic Audio Priority Designation During Conference
First Claim
1. A conferencing method, comprising:
- designating endpoints in a conference as at least one priority endpoint and as one or more non-priority endpoints at a control unit;
generating priority output audio at the control unit using priority input audio from the at least one priority endpoint;
sending the priority output audio for the conference from the control unit;
generating non-priority output audio at the control unit using non-priority input audio from the one or more non-priority endpoints;
determining at the control unit whether the priority input audio is indicative of speech; and
sending the non-priority output audio for the conference from the control unit, the non-priority output sent at a controlled level when the priority input audio is indicative of speech.
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Accused Products
Abstract
During a conference, a multipoint control unit (MCU) designates priority and non-priority endpoints. The MCU forms priority audio from the priority endpoint and sends that audio to the other endpoints at a normal level. However, the MCU forms non-priority audio from the non-priority endpoint and handles that audio based on whether the input audio from the priority endpoint is from speaking or not. If the priority endpoint'"'"'s audio indicates a participant at that endpoint is speaking, then the MCU sends the non-priority audio to the other endpoints at a reduced level. Designation of which endpoint has priority can be based on which endpoint has a current duration of audio indicative of speech that is longer than other endpoints. Alternatively, the designation can be based on which endpoint is currently presenting content during the conference or based on a mix of speech audio and content presentation.
51 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A conferencing method, comprising:
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designating endpoints in a conference as at least one priority endpoint and as one or more non-priority endpoints at a control unit; generating priority output audio at the control unit using priority input audio from the at least one priority endpoint; sending the priority output audio for the conference from the control unit; generating non-priority output audio at the control unit using non-priority input audio from the one or more non-priority endpoints; determining at the control unit whether the priority input audio is indicative of speech; and sending the non-priority output audio for the conference from the control unit, the non-priority output sent at a controlled level when the priority input audio is indicative of speech. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A conferencing control unit, comprising:
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at least one network interface in communication with a plurality of endpoints during a conference via at least one network; an audio interface in communication with the at least one network interface and handling input and output audio for the conference; and a processing unit in communication with the audio interface and determining at least one of the endpoints as having priority, the processing unit sending first audio of the at least one priority endpoint for the conference with the audio interface, the processing unit determining whether input audio from the priority endpoint is indicative of speech, the processing unit sending second audio of the one or more non-priority endpoints for the conference with the audio interface, the second audio being sent at a controlled level based on the determination. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification