Method and apparatus for combining speakerphone and video conference unit operations
First Claim
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1. A method for combining a near end video conference unit and a near end speakerphone at a near end site for a teleconference with at least one far end site having a far end speakerphone or a far end video conference unit, the method comprising:
- connecting the near end video conference unit and the near end speakerphone with a conference link; and
transmitting control data between the near end speakerphone and the near end video conference unit through the conference link,wherein the near end video conference unit and the near end speakerphone are configured to independently initiate and establish connection to the at least one far end site.
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Abstract
A High Speed Serial Bus connecting teleconference devices, such as video conference unit, speakerphone, external loudspeakers or microphones is disclosed. The disclosed embodiments enable the distributing and sharing of controls among the linked devices. They enable incremental upgrades or capacity increases of the teleconference system.
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Citations
36 Claims
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1. A method for combining a near end video conference unit and a near end speakerphone at a near end site for a teleconference with at least one far end site having a far end speakerphone or a far end video conference unit, the method comprising:
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connecting the near end video conference unit and the near end speakerphone with a conference link; and transmitting control data between the near end speakerphone and the near end video conference unit through the conference link, wherein the near end video conference unit and the near end speakerphone are configured to independently initiate and establish connection to the at least one far end site. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A near end video conference unit for connection with a far end video conference unit which provides and receives audio and video data, the video conference unit further for connection to a near end speakerphone which contains a microphone and a loudspeaker, the video conference unit comprising:
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a network interface; a control module coupled to the network interface; a video input interface coupled to the control module for receiving video signals; a video output interface coupled to the control module for sending out video signals to a video display; and a conference link interface coupled to the control module, wherein the conference link interface is operable to connect to another conference link interface on the near end speakerphone through a conference link, wherein the control module is operable to exchange control data with the near end speakerphone through the conference link, and wherein the near end video conference unit and the near end speakerphone are configured to independently initiate and establish connection to the far end. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A near end speakerphone for connection with a far end speakerphone which provides and receives audio data, the near end speakerphone further adapted for connection to a near end video conference unit which provides and receives audio and video data, the near end speakerphone comprising:
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a control module; a loudspeaker coupled to the control module; a microphone coupled to the control module; and a conference link interface coupled to the control module, wherein the conference link interface is operable to connect to another conference link interface on the near end video conference unit through a conference link, wherein the control module is operable to exchange control data with the near end video conference unit through the conference link, and wherein the near end video conference unit and the near end speakerphone are configured to independently initiate and establish connection to a far end video conference unit and the far end speakerphone, respectively. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A teleconference system for connection with a far end video conference unit which provides and receives audio and video data, the teleconference conference system further for connection to a far end speakerphone which contains a microphone and a loudspeaker, comprising:
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a near end video conference unit having; a first network interface for receiving audio and video data from and providing audio and video data to a far end video conference unit; a first conference link interface; and a first control module coupled to the first network interface and the first conference link interface; a near end speakerphone having; a microphone; a loudspeaker; a second network interface for receiving audio data from and providing audio data to a far end speakerphone; a second conference link interface; and a second control module coupled to the second network interface, the second conference link interface, the microphone and the loudspeaker; and a conference link connecting the first conference link interface with the second conference link interface, wherein the conference link couples the first control module to the second control module, wherein control data are transmitted between the near end video conference unit and the near end speakerphone through the conference link, and wherein the near end video conference unit and the near end speakerphone are configured to independently initiate and establish connection to the far end video conference unit and the far end speakerphone, respectively. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A teleconference system comprising:
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a near end conference system having; a near end video conference unit; and a near end speakerphone coupled to the near end video conference unit with a conference link, wherein the near end speakerphone has a microphone and a loudspeaker; a first network coupled to the near end video conference unit; a second network coupled to the near end speakerphone; and a far end conference system having; a far end video conference unit operable to be coupled to the near end video conference unit through the first network with the far end video conference system providing far end video and audio signals; and a far end speakerphone coupled to the far end video conference unit with a far end conference link, and operable to be coupled to the near end speakerphone through the second network, wherein control data are transmitted between the near end video conference unit and the near end speakerphone, wherein control data are transmitted between the far end video conference unit and the far end speakerphone, and wherein the near end video conference unit and the near end speakerphone are configured to independently initiate and establish connection to the far end video conference unit and the far end speakerphone, respectively. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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Specification