Conference bridge which decodes and responds to control information embedded in audio information
First Claim
1. A conference bridge for multipoint conferencing among a plurality of endpoints via one or more networks, the bridge comprising:
- a network interface for exchanging audio data with the plurality of endpoints, at least one endpoint providing audio data containing embedded control data, the control data being substantially humanly inaudible;
a control data extraction module coupled to said network interface to extract the control data from the audio data;
a control data decode module coupled to said control data extraction module to decode the extracted control data;
a control data handling module coupled to said control data decode module to interpret the control data and perform responsive operations; and
an audio unit coupled to said network interface, said audio unit receiving the audio data, mixing the received audio data, and transmitting the mixed audio data.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed herein are methods, systems, and devices for improved audio, video, and data conferencing. The present invention provides a conferencing system comprising a plurality of endpoints communicating data including audio data and control data according to a communication protocol. A local conference endpoint may control or be controlled by a remote conference endpoint. Data comprising control signals may be exchanged between the local endpoint and remote endpoint via various communication protocols. In other embodiments, the present invention provides for improved bridge architecture for controlling functions of conference endpoints including controlling functions of the bridge.
191 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A conference bridge for multipoint conferencing among a plurality of endpoints via one or more networks, the bridge comprising:
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a network interface for exchanging audio data with the plurality of endpoints, at least one endpoint providing audio data containing embedded control data, the control data being substantially humanly inaudible; a control data extraction module coupled to said network interface to extract the control data from the audio data; a control data decode module coupled to said control data extraction module to decode the extracted control data; a control data handling module coupled to said control data decode module to interpret the control data and perform responsive operations; and an audio unit coupled to said network interface, said audio unit receiving the audio data, mixing the received audio data, and transmitting the mixed audio data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A conferencing system comprising:
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a plurality of endpoints for exchanging audio data, at least one of said plurality of endpoints embedding control data in the audio data; one or more networks providing communication capability for said plurality of endpoints; and a conference bridge for multipoint conferencing, said bridge including; a network interface for exchanging audio data with the plurality of endpoints, at least one endpoint providing audio data containing embedded control data, the control data being substantially humanly inaudible; a control data extraction module coupled to said network interface to extract the control data from the audio data; a control data decode module coupled to said control data extraction module to decode the extracted control data; a control data handling module coupled to said control data decode module to interpret the control data and perform responsive operations; and an audio unit coupled to said network interface, said audio unit receiving the audio data, mixing the received audio data and transmitting the mixed audio data. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for multipoint conferencing among a plurality of endpoints connected to a multipoint conference bridge via one or more networks, the method comprising the steps of:
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exchanging audio data between the bridge and the plurality of endpoints, at least one endpoint providing audio data containing embedded control data, the control data being substantially inaudible; extracting the control data from the audio data; decoding the extracted control data; interpreting the control data; performing responsive operations; receiving audio data; mixing the audio data; and transmitting the mixed audio data. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification