Dynamic picture layout for video conferencing based on properties derived from received conferencing signals
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of video conferencing comprising:
- receiving conferencing signals from plural sites connected in a conference, the conferencing signals including video signals and control signals, the video signals including at least a first video signal at a 4;
3 aspect ratio and a second video signal at a 16;
9 aspect ratio;
after receiving the video signals, defining a composite image layout by deriving at least the 4;
3 aspect ratio of the first video signal and the 16;
9 aspect ratio of the second video signal derived from the received video signals, and causing said composite image layout to include a 16;
9 sub-picture area and 4;
3 sub-picture area for the second video signal at the 16;
9 aspect ratio and the first video signal at the 4;
3 aspect ratio, respectively, wherein the defining includes selecting the composite image layout from a plurality of options including CP4w+4 referring to four displayable 4;
3 video signals and four displayable 16;
9 video signals, CP2w+3 referring to three displayable 4;
3 video signals and two displayable 16;
9 video signals, and CP1w+4 referring to four displayable 4;
3 video signals and one 16;
9 video signal;
processing the received video signals to provide a composite video signal according to the defined composite image layout, wherein a 16;
9 sub-picture and 4;
3 sub-picture are simultaneously included in their corresponding sub-picture areas without letterboxing; and
transmitting the composite video signal to at least one of the connected sites.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for conferencing dynamically determines composite image layout based on properties of received conferencing signals that include video signals and control signals. Video signals received from connected sites are processed to provide a composite video signal according to the defined composite image layout and the composite video signal is transmitted to the connected sites. Upon a change in properties of one or more received video signals, the composite image layout may be redefined. The received video signals are processed according to the redefined composite image layout to provide a second composite video signal that is transmitted to the connected sites.
16 Citations
8 Claims
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1. A method of video conferencing comprising:
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receiving conferencing signals from plural sites connected in a conference, the conferencing signals including video signals and control signals, the video signals including at least a first video signal at a 4;
3 aspect ratio and a second video signal at a 16;
9 aspect ratio;after receiving the video signals, defining a composite image layout by deriving at least the 4;
3 aspect ratio of the first video signal and the 16;
9 aspect ratio of the second video signal derived from the received video signals, and causing said composite image layout to include a 16;
9 sub-picture area and 4;
3 sub-picture area for the second video signal at the 16;
9 aspect ratio and the first video signal at the 4;
3 aspect ratio, respectively, wherein the defining includes selecting the composite image layout from a plurality of options including CP4w+4 referring to four displayable 4;
3 video signals and four displayable 16;
9 video signals, CP2w+3 referring to three displayable 4;
3 video signals and two displayable 16;
9 video signals, and CP1w+4 referring to four displayable 4;
3 video signals and one 16;
9 video signal;processing the received video signals to provide a composite video signal according to the defined composite image layout, wherein a 16;
9 sub-picture and 4;
3 sub-picture are simultaneously included in their corresponding sub-picture areas without letterboxing; andtransmitting the composite video signal to at least one of the connected sites. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A multipoint control unit for video conferencing, the multipoint control unit comprising:
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an interface unit that receives conferencing signals from plural sites connected in a conference, the conferencing signals including video signals and control signals, the video signals including at least a first video signal at a 4;
3 aspect ratio and a second video signal at a 16;
9 aspect ratio;a control processor that dynamically defines, after receiving the video signals, a composite image layout by deriving at least the 4;
3 aspect ratio of the first video signal and the 16;
9 aspect ratio of the second video signal from the received conferencing signals, and causing said composite image layout to include a 16;
9 sub-picture area and 4;
3 sub-picture area for the second video signal at the 16;
9 aspect ratio and the first video signal at the 4;
3 aspect ratio, respectively, wherein the control processor selects the composite image layout from a plurality of options including CP4w+4 referring to four displayable 4;
3 video signals and four displayable 16;
9 video signals, CP2w+3 referring to three displayable 4;
3 video signals and two displayable 16;
9 video signals, and CP1w+4 referring to four displayable 4;
3 video signals and one 16;
9 video signal; anda video processor that processes the received video signals to provide a composite video signal according to the defined composite layout, wherein a 16;
9 sub-picture and 4;
3 sub-picture are simultaneously included in their corresponding sub-picture areas without letterboxing. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7)
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8. An apparatus comprising:
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means for receiving video signals from plural sites connected in a conference, the video signals including at least a first video signal at a 4;
3 aspect ratio and a second video signal at a 16;
9 aspect ratio;means for dynamically defining, after receiving the video signals, a composite image layout by deriving at least the 4;
3 aspect ratio of the first video signal and the 16;
9 aspect ratio of the second video signal from the received video signals and causing said composite image layout to include a 16;
9 sub-picture area and 4;
3 sub-picture area for the second video signal at the 16;
9 aspect ratio and the first video signal at the 4;
3 aspect ratio, respectively, wherein the defining includes selecting the composite image layout from a plurality of options including CP4w+4 referring to four displayable 4;
3 video signals and four displayable 16;
9 video signals, CP2w+3 referring to three displayable 4;
3 video signals and two displayable 16;
9 video signals, and CP1w+4 referring to four displayable 4;
3 video signals and one 16;
9 video signal;means for processing the received video signals to provide a composite video signal according to the defined composite image layout, wherein a 16;
9 sub-picture and 4;
3 sub-picture are simultaneously included in their corresponding sub-picture areas without letterboxing; andmeans for transmitting the composite video signal to at least one of the connected sites.
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Specification