Method and system for conducting a sub-videoconference from a main videoconference
First Claim
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1. A method implementable with a multipoint control unit for conducting a plurality of videoconferences between a plurality of endpoints, comprising:
- conducting a main videoconference between a group of endpoints;
receiving a request from a requesting endpoint, which belongs to the group of endpoints, to conduct a sub-videoconference with less than all of the endpoints of the group, the request identifying one or more selected endpoints of the less than all of the endpoints of the group to participate in the sub-videoconference;
sending an invitation to each of the one or more selected endpoints to join the requesting endpoint in the sub-videoconference;
receiving one or more responses to the invitations from the one or more selected endpoints;
while the main videoconference is still pending, establishing the sub-videoconference between the requesting endpoint and the one or more selected endpoints of the group responding affirmatively to the invitation; and
after establishing the sub-videoconference, allowing the endpoints participating in the sub-videoconference to actively select either (a) to listen to the audio of the main videoconference only or mixed with the audio of the sub-videoconference and (b) to listen only to the audio of the sub-videoconference.
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Abstract
New videoconferencing services and methods for handling the video and audio of one or more sub-conferences running in parallel to a main videoconference are disclosed. In exemplary embodiment, a multipoint control unit (MCU) that controls one or more videoconferences may be requested by a conferee of a videoconference (a main videoconference) to establish a sub-conference according to a requester mode of operation.
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Citations
44 Claims
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1. A method implementable with a multipoint control unit for conducting a plurality of videoconferences between a plurality of endpoints, comprising:
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conducting a main videoconference between a group of endpoints; receiving a request from a requesting endpoint, which belongs to the group of endpoints, to conduct a sub-videoconference with less than all of the endpoints of the group, the request identifying one or more selected endpoints of the less than all of the endpoints of the group to participate in the sub-videoconference; sending an invitation to each of the one or more selected endpoints to join the requesting endpoint in the sub-videoconference; receiving one or more responses to the invitations from the one or more selected endpoints; while the main videoconference is still pending, establishing the sub-videoconference between the requesting endpoint and the one or more selected endpoints of the group responding affirmatively to the invitation; and after establishing the sub-videoconference, allowing the endpoints participating in the sub-videoconference to actively select either (a) to listen to the audio of the main videoconference only or mixed with the audio of the sub-videoconference and (b) to listen only to the audio of the sub-videoconference. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A multipoint control unit for conducting a plurality of videoconferences between a plurality of endpoints, comprising:
a control module, wherein the control module is configured to; conduct a main videoconference between a group of endpoints; receive a request from a requesting endpoint, which belongs to the group of endpoints, to conduct a sub-videoconference with less than all of the endpoints of the group, the request identifying one or more selected endpoints of the less than all of the endpoints of the group to participate in the sub-videoconference; send an invitation to each of the one or more selected endpoints to join the sub-videoconference; receive one or more responses to the invitations from the one or more selected endpoints; while the main videoconference is still pending, establish the sub-videoconference between the requesting endpoint and the selected one or more endpoints of the group responding affirmatively to the invitation; and allow the endpoints participating in the sub-videoconference to actively select either (a) to listen to the audio of the main videoconference only or mixed with the audio of the sub-videoconference and (b) to listen only to the audio of the sub-videoconference. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method implementable with a multipoint control unit for conducting a plurality of videoconferences between a plurality of endpoints, comprising:
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conducting a main videoconference between a group of endpoints; receiving a request from a requesting endpoint, which belongs to the group of endpoints, to conduct a sub-videoconference with less than all of the endpoints of the group, the request identifying one or more selected endpoints of the less than all of the endpoints of the group to participate in the sub-videoconference; sending an invitation to each of the one or more selected endpoints to join the requesting endpoint in the sub-videoconference; receiving one or more responses to the invitations from the one or more selected endpoints; and while the main videoconference is still pending, establishing the sub-videoconference between the requesting endpoint and the one or more selected endpoints of the group responding affirmatively to the invitation, wherein the main videoconference and the sub-videoconference are both visible to the endpoints participating in the sub-videoconference after establishing the sub-videoconference. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A multipoint control unit for conducting a plurality of videoconferences between a plurality of endpoints, comprising:
a control module, wherein the control module is configured to; conduct a main videoconference between a group of endpoints; receive a request from a requesting endpoint, which belongs to the group of endpoints, to conduct a sub-videoconference with less than all of the endpoints of the group, the request identifying one or more selected endpoints of the less than all of the endpoints of the group to participate in the sub-videoconference; send an invitation to each of the one or more selected endpoints to join the sub-videoconference; receive one or more responses to the invitations from the one or more selected endpoints; while the main videoconference is still pending, establish the sub-videoconference between the requesting endpoint and the selected one or more endpoints of the group responding affirmatively to the invitation; and display the main videoconference and the sub-videoconference together to the endpoints participating in the sub-videoconference after establishing the sub-videoconference. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
Specification