Distributed real-time media composer
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A controller for videoconferencing, comprising:
- a communications interface through which command signals are routed to a plurality of endpoints over a network;
a capabilities module that exchanges information with the plurality of endpoints to determine encoding capabilities of said plurality of endpoints;
a command signal generator configured to generate command signals to be sent to said plurality of endpoints via said communications interface, said command signals instructing said plurality of endpoints to establish sessions between respective of said plurality of endpoints, said sessions being compatible with the encoding capabilities of the plurality of endpoints so that encoding is performed at the endpoints but not in the controller; and
a processor that forms a combined frame from a first partial frame sent from a first endpoint and a second partial frame sent from a second endpoint, said processor configured to operate in a robust mode of operation when an observed packet loss rate from a stream from said first endpoint is greater than a predetermined level.
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Abstract
A system and a method allowing simultaneous exchange of audio, video or data information between a plurality of units over a communication network, supported by a central unit, wherein the central unit is, based on knowledge regarding one or more of the units, adapted to instruct said one or more units to generate multimedia data streams adjusted to fit into certain restrictions to be presented on other units participating in a same session.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A controller for videoconferencing, comprising:
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a communications interface through which command signals are routed to a plurality of endpoints over a network; a capabilities module that exchanges information with the plurality of endpoints to determine encoding capabilities of said plurality of endpoints; a command signal generator configured to generate command signals to be sent to said plurality of endpoints via said communications interface, said command signals instructing said plurality of endpoints to establish sessions between respective of said plurality of endpoints, said sessions being compatible with the encoding capabilities of the plurality of endpoints so that encoding is performed at the endpoints but not in the controller; and a processor that forms a combined frame from a first partial frame sent from a first endpoint and a second partial frame sent from a second endpoint, said processor configured to operate in a robust mode of operation when an observed packet loss rate from a stream from said first endpoint is greater than a predetermined level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for controlling videoconference between endpoints, comprising:
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generating command signals and sending command signals through an interface of a controller to a plurality of endpoints over a network; exchanging information via a capabilities module of the controller with the plurality of endpoints to determine encoding capabilities of said plurality of endpoints; instructing with said command signals said plurality of endpoints to establish sessions between respective of said plurality of endpoints, said sessions being compatible with the encoding capabilities of the plurality of endpoints; and conducting the videoconference between the endpoints using encoded video streams generated at the endpoints without the controller also encoding the video streams, wherein said conducting step includes conducting the videoconference by forming with the controller a combined frame from a first partial frame sent from a first endpoint and a second partial frame sent from a second endpoint, said controller operating in a robust mode of operation when an observed packet loss rate from a stream from said first endpoint is greater than a predetermined level. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium encoded with computer readable instructions that when executed by a processor perform steps for establishing a videoconference comprising:
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generating command signals and sending command signals through an interface of a controller to a plurality of endpoints over a network; exchanging information via a capabilities module of the controller with the plurality of endpoints to determine encoding capabilities of said plurality of endpoints; instructing with said command signals said plurality of endpoints to establish sessions between respective of said plurality of endpoints, said sessions being compatible with the encoding capabilities of the plurality of endpoints; and conducting the videoconference between the endpoints using encoded video streams generated at the endpoints without the controller also encoding the video streams, wherein said conducting step includes conducting the videoconference by forming with the controller a combined frame from a first partial frame sent from a first endpoint and a second partial frame sent from a second endpoint, said controller operating in a robust mode of operation when an observed packet loss rate from a stream from said first endpoint is greater than a predetermined level. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. An apparatus for controlling a videoconference between endpoints, comprising:
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means for generating command signals and sending command signals through an interface of a controller to a plurality of endpoints over a network; means for exchanging information in a capabilities module of the controller with the plurality of endpoints to determine encoding capabilities of said plurality of endpoints; means for instructing with said command signals said plurality of endpoints to establish sessions between respective of said plurality of endpoints, said sessions being compatible with the encoding capabilities of the plurality of endpoints; and means for conducting the videoconference between the endpoints using encoded video streams generated at the endpoints without the controller also encoding the video streams, wherein said means for conducting conducts the videoconference by forming with the controller a combined frame from a first partial frame sent from a first endpoint and a second partial frame sent from a second endpoint, said controller operating in a robust mode of operation when an observed packet loss rate from a stream from said first endpoint is greater than a predetermined level.
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Specification