Computer assisted graphic teleconferencing method and apparatus
First Claim
1. A method of integrating graphics into a teleconference between at least two participants, a local user and a remote user, each provided with a computer programmed to control a programmable modem including a receiver and a transmitter, and a respective telephone apparatus including a speakerphone connectable to a telephone line for voice conferencing, comprising the steps of:
- initializing said modem so that said receiver continuously silently monitors telephone communications between users without interference with voice conferencing except when transmitting;
initializing predetermined program variables in the computer program of said computer including enabling said modem transmitter to transmit graphic images;
displaying a first menu of a plurality of local user options, said first menu including the selective steps of;
connecting to an incoming phone call, dialing a remote user telephone, interrupting the modem receiver to transmit a graphic image during the interruption, transmitting a full library and respective index of graphics to at least one said remote user, receiving a full library and respective index of graphics from at least one said remote user, and storing at least one of said libraries and its respective index in local user storage;
selecting a first menu option and depending on the selection displaying a second menu of a plurality of local user options;
checking the selection of any second menu options and executing a selected option and, if none is selected, checking for the reception of a graphic code from a remote user to display either a specified graphic image received from said remote user and stored in local user storage or to display a graphic image contemporaneously generated and transmitted from the remote user.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An audiographic telephone conferencing system between a plurality of parties or users either directly connected or through a piece of apparatus known as a "meet me bridge" over voice grade telephone lines. Each user has a programmed personal computer which controls a programmable or "smart" modem, cassette recorder/player, and speakerphone. A protocol is implemented by the software, i.e. the computer program, in each of the computers which puts its respective modem in a listening mode to monitor the phone line at all times. The computer is further programmed and includes a memory for storing and transmitting graphics presently on hand to other user(s) via the modem during a teleconference or alternatively receive graphics from another user, or it can switch to an external graphics program to make new or modify existing graphic images. However, one is unable to speak on the telephone line while a graphic is being transmitted during a teleconference due to the fact that voice alternates with graphic transmissions.
56 Citations
7 Claims
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1. A method of integrating graphics into a teleconference between at least two participants, a local user and a remote user, each provided with a computer programmed to control a programmable modem including a receiver and a transmitter, and a respective telephone apparatus including a speakerphone connectable to a telephone line for voice conferencing, comprising the steps of:
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initializing said modem so that said receiver continuously silently monitors telephone communications between users without interference with voice conferencing except when transmitting; initializing predetermined program variables in the computer program of said computer including enabling said modem transmitter to transmit graphic images; displaying a first menu of a plurality of local user options, said first menu including the selective steps of;
connecting to an incoming phone call, dialing a remote user telephone, interrupting the modem receiver to transmit a graphic image during the interruption, transmitting a full library and respective index of graphics to at least one said remote user, receiving a full library and respective index of graphics from at least one said remote user, and storing at least one of said libraries and its respective index in local user storage;selecting a first menu option and depending on the selection displaying a second menu of a plurality of local user options; checking the selection of any second menu options and executing a selected option and, if none is selected, checking for the reception of a graphic code from a remote user to display either a specified graphic image received from said remote user and stored in local user storage or to display a graphic image contemporaneously generated and transmitted from the remote user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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Specification