Two monitor videoconferencing hardware
DCFirst Claim
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1. A teleconferencing system for conducting a teleconference among a plurality of participants, comprising:
- (a) a plurality of workstations, each workstation having first and second monitors and in communication with audio and video (AV) capture capabilities;
(b) a data path in communication with the plurality of workstations, over which data can be shared among the plurality of participants; and
(c) an AV path in communication with the plurality of workstations, along which AV signals, representing video images and spoken audio of the participants, can be carried;
wherein, the system is configured to reproduce images, based on data signals shared along the data path, on at least two first monitors so as to permit participants associated with the workstations having the two first monitors to interactively share the reproduced images and reproduce participant video images, based on AV signals carried along the second path, on at least two second monitors.
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Abstract
A multimedia collaboration system and method that integrates separate real-time and asynchronous networks--the former for real-time audio and video, and the latter for control signals and textual, graphical and other data. The system includes separate data and AV paths that interconnect a plurality of workstations. Each workstation includes two monitors--one for representing video images of the participants and the other for reproducing data interactively shared and manipulated by the participants.
150 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A teleconferencing system for conducting a teleconference among a plurality of participants, comprising:
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(a) a plurality of workstations, each workstation having first and second monitors and in communication with audio and video (AV) capture capabilities; (b) a data path in communication with the plurality of workstations, over which data can be shared among the plurality of participants; and (c) an AV path in communication with the plurality of workstations, along which AV signals, representing video images and spoken audio of the participants, can be carried; wherein, the system is configured to reproduce images, based on data signals shared along the data path, on at least two first monitors so as to permit participants associated with the workstations having the two first monitors to interactively share the reproduced images and reproduce participant video images, based on AV signals carried along the second path, on at least two second monitors. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A workstation for use in a teleconferencing system for conducting a teleconference among a plurality of participants, the teleconferencing system including a first network providing a data path for carrying digital data signals among the workstations, and a second network providing an AV path for carrying AV signals among the workstations, the workstation comprising:
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(a) a first monitor for displaying visual images representing the data signals; (b) AV capture capabilities configured to capture video images and spoken audio of a participant associated with the workstation; and (c) a second monitor configured to reproduce captured participant video images and spoken audio, wherein the workstation is configured to control (i) the reproduction of images, based on the data signals, on the first monitor so as to permit a participant associated with the workstation to interactively share reproduced images based on the data signal with a participant associated with another workstation (ii) and the reproduction of participant video images, based on the AV signals, on the second monitor. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of conducting a teleconference among a plurality of participants, comprising the steps of:
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(a) initiating a video conference, from one of a plurality of workstations, using a video conferencing control included within each of the plurality of workstations, the video conferencing control establishing communication with a central control manager to set up AV paths along a first network over which the video conference can be conducted; (b) capturing video images and spoken audio of the participants for transmission in the form of AV signals over the AV paths during the video conference; (c) reproducing the video images and spoken audio on at least one first monitor, positioned near each workstation, from the AV signals received over the AV paths during the video conference; (d) initiating a data conference, during the video conference, using a data conferencing control included within each of the plurality of workstations, the data conferencing control establishing communication with the central control manager to set up requested data paths along a second network over which the data conference can be conducted; and (e) sharing data, among the plurality of participants, during the data conference, such that data received over the data paths is displayed on at least one second monitor included within each workstation. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification