Conference circuit for encoded digital audio
First Claim
1. A conference system for connection in a digital audio signal transmission system, for receiving N encoded audio signals from N conferees, wherein N is a positive integer greater than or equal to three, the system comprising:
- a decoding system for decoding the N encoded audio signals into respective decoded audio signals;
a selection system for selecting one from the N decoded audio signals by analysing the N decoded audio signals;
a switching system for switching the encoded audio signal corresponding to the selected decoded audio signal directy from an input stage of the conference system to an output of the conference system, for without any decoding and re-encoding, transmission at least to the N−
1 conferees from whom the selected audio signal did not originate.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A conference system is provided for connection in a digital audio signal transmission system (50), for receiving N encoded audio signals from N conferees, wherein N is a positive integer greater than or equal to three. The system comprises a decoding system (90, 91, 92) for decoding the N audio signals, a selection system (100, 130) for selecting one from the N decoded audio signals, and means for switching (160) the selected encoded audio signal from an input stage (80, 81, 82) of the conference circuit to an output (161) of the conference circuit, for transmission at least to the N−1 conferees from whom the selected audio signal did not originate. This arrangement enables the audio from one conferee to be provided as the conference signal, without undergoing decoding and subsequent re-encoding. A decision is made as to whether one signal is appropriate or whether multiple audio signals should be combined.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A conference system for connection in a digital audio signal transmission system, for receiving N encoded audio signals from N conferees, wherein N is a positive integer greater than or equal to three, the system comprising:
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a decoding system for decoding the N encoded audio signals into respective decoded audio signals;
a selection system for selecting one from the N decoded audio signals by analysing the N decoded audio signals;
a switching system for switching the encoded audio signal corresponding to the selected decoded audio signal directy from an input stage of the conference system to an output of the conference system, for without any decoding and re-encoding, transmission at least to the N−
1 conferees from whom the selected audio signal did not originate.- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
a conference entity for combining selected ones of the decoded audio signals;
an encoding unit for re-encoding the combined decoded audio signals, and a switching system for switching the combined re-encoded audio signal to the output of the conference system.
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9. The conference system according to claim 8, wherein a control unit is provided for determining whether the combination of re-encoded signals or the single encoded signal is provided to the output of the conference circuit.
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10. The conference system according to claim 9, wherein the determination is based on the relative volumes of the audio signals.
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11. The conference system according to claim 10, wherein the control unit comprises circuitry for determining the audio signal with the greatest volume, and for measuring the volume difference between that audio signal and the remaining audio signals, the conference entity being operated to couple the two signals with greatest volume, to the output, if the volume difference between the two signals of greatest volume is below a threshold.
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12. A method of providing a conference facility for N conferees communicating over a digital audio signal transmission system, wherein N is a positive integer greater than or equal to three, the method comprising:
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providing encoded audio signals from the N conferees to a conference system;
decoding the N encoded audio signals into respective decoded audio signals;
selecting at least one of the N decoded audio signals by analysing the N without any decoding and re-encoding, decoded audio signals, wherein if only one decoded audio signal is selected, the encoded audio signal corresponding to the selected decoded audio signal is directly switched from an input stage of the conference system to an output of the conference system and transmitted to at least the N−
1 conferees from whom the selected audio signal did not originate.- View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A program storage device readable by a machine and encoding one or more programs of instructions for executing a method of providing a conference facility for N conferees communicating over a digital audio signal transmission system, wherein N is a positive integer greater than or equal to three, the method comprising;
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providing encoded audio signals from the N conferees to a conference system;
decoding the N encoded audio signals into respective decoded audio signals;
selecting at least one of the N decoded audio signals by analysing the N decoded audio signals, wherein If only one decoded audio signal is selected, the encoded audio signal corresponding to the selected decoded audio signal is directly switched without any decoding and re-encoding, from an input stage of the conference system to an output of the conference system and transmitted to at least the N−
1 conferees from whom the selected audio signal did not originate.- View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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Specification