Process and system for video rate control in a multipoint video conference
First Claim
1. A multipoint video conference system having video rate control and allowing communication of audio, video and data information between end-point units, the multipoint video conference system comprising:
- a multipoint control unit having a plurality of interface units located therein, each interface unit operable to communicate with other interface units via a backplane of the multipoint control unit; and
a plurality of end-point units, each end-point unit coupled to an associated interface unit;
each end-point unit operable to communicate and process real data information and operable to receive and resend fill data information;
the multipoint control unit operable, with respect to each participating end-point unit in a data channel, to allow communication of real data information and, with respect to each non-participating end-point unit, to allow communication of an equal amount of fill data information;
each interface unit operable to transmit real data information to a participating end-point unit and to transmit fill data information to a non-participating end-point unit; and
each non-participating end-point unit operable to retransmit fill data information back to an associated interface unit;
such that available bandwidth for video information remains balanced for all end-point units when a data channel is open between participating end-point units.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A multipoint video conference system (8) is provided that has video rate control and allows communication of audio, video and data information between end-point units (16). The multipoint video conference system comprises a multipoint control unit (10, 20) having a plurality of interface units (12, 22) located therein. Each interface unit (12, 22) is operable to communicate with other interface units (12, 22) via a backplane (14, 24) of the multipoint control unit (10, 20). A plurality of end-point units (16) are each coupled to an associated interface unit (12, 22). Each end-point unit (16) is operable to communicate and process real data information and operable to receive and resend fill data information. The multipoint control unit (10, 20) is operable, with respect to each participating end-point unit (16) in a data channel, to allow communication of real data information and, with respect to each non-participating end-point unit (16), to allow communication of an equal amount of fill data information. Each interface unit (12, 22) is operable to transmit real data information to a participating end-point unit and to transmit fill data information to a non-participating end-point unit (16). Each non-participating end-point unit (16) is operable to retransmit fill data information back to an associated interface unit (12, 22) such that available bandwidth for video information remains balanced for all end-point units (16) when a data channel is open between participating end-point units (16).
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A multipoint video conference system having video rate control and allowing communication of audio, video and data information between end-point units, the multipoint video conference system comprising:
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a multipoint control unit having a plurality of interface units located therein, each interface unit operable to communicate with other interface units via a backplane of the multipoint control unit; and a plurality of end-point units, each end-point unit coupled to an associated interface unit; each end-point unit operable to communicate and process real data information and operable to receive and resend fill data information; the multipoint control unit operable, with respect to each participating end-point unit in a data channel, to allow communication of real data information and, with respect to each non-participating end-point unit, to allow communication of an equal amount of fill data information; each interface unit operable to transmit real data information to a participating end-point unit and to transmit fill data information to a non-participating end-point unit; and each non-participating end-point unit operable to retransmit fill data information back to an associated interface unit; such that available bandwidth for video information remains balanced for all end-point units when a data channel is open between participating end-point units. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A process for video rate control in a multipoint video conference in which audio, video and data information can be communicated between end-point units, the process comprising:
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opening a data channel between participating end-point units, said opening comprising; allowing communication of real data information between participating end-point units; and communicating real data information between the participating end-point units, wherein the participating end-points process the real data information as real data; allowing communication of an equal amount of fill data information by a non-participating end-point unit; transmitting fill data information to the non-participating end-point; and receiving the fill data information in and retransmitting the fill data information by the non-participating end-point unit; such that available bandwidth for video information remains balanced for all end-point units in the multipoint video conference when the data channel is open between the participating end-point units. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 20)
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17. A process for video rate control in a multipoint video conference in which audio, video and data information can be communicated between end-point units, the process comprising:
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opening a data channel between participating end-point units, each end-point unit in the multipoint video conference operable to communicate information using packets having a specified total size and transmitted at a given rate per second, said opening accomplished by a multipoint control unit and comprising; allowing communication of real data as a portion of packets communicated with a participating end-point, said allowing communication accomplished by the multipoint control unit; and communicating packets between the participating end-point units, wherein the participating end-point units process the real data information as real data, said communicating accomplished by the multipoint control unit using interface units and a backplane of the multipoint control unit; allowing communication of fill data as an equal portion of packets communicated with a non-participating end-point unit, said allowing communication accomplished by the multipoint control unit; transmitting packets to the non-participating end-point unit, said transmitting accomplished by the multipoint control unit using the interface units and the backplane of the multipoint control unit; and receiving packets in and retransmitting packets by the non-participating end-point unit, without processing the fill data information as real data; such that portions of packets for video information remain balanced for all end-point units in the multipoint video conference when the data channel is open between the participating end-point units. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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Specification