Speakerphone transmitting password information to a remote device

• US 8,977,683 B2
• Filed: 03/15/2005
• Issued: 03/10/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/26/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Polycom Incorporated (Plantronics, Inc.)
• Inventors: Rodman, Jeffrey, Drell, David
• Primary Examiner(s): LI, GUANG W
• Application Number:
  US11/081,016
• Publication Number:
  US 20050213737A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,647 Days
• Field of Search: 709/204
• US Class Current: 709/204
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1813 for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms instant messaging H04L51/04; protocols for multimedia communication H04L65/1101; arrangements for multi-party communication H04L65/403; telephonic conference arrangements H04M3/56; television conference systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/66 Arrangements for connecting between networks having differing types of switching systems, e.g. gateways
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/06 Simultaneous speech and data transmission, e.g. telegraphic transmission over the same conductors
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/066 Telephone sets adapted for data transmision
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/56 Arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities video conference systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/567 Multimedia conference systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0057 Services where the data services network provides a telephone service in addition or as an alternative, e.g. for backup purposes, to the telephone service provided by the telephone services network
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1324 Conference call
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13389 LAN, internet

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.

Claims

1. A speakerphone for communicating with a remote conference endpoint, the speakerphone comprising:

an audio processing unit;

a control module communicably coupled to the audio processing unit; and

a network interface communicably coupled to the control module;

wherein the control module is operable to send control data in combination with audio data to the remote conference endpoint via an audio connection;

wherein the control data comprises security information;

wherein the network interface sends and receives data according to a protocol selected from the group consisting of IP, modem data, local serial digital input/output, ISDN, and analog; and

wherein the control data is embedded in the audio data and wherein the control data is substantially humanly inaudible.

2. The speakerphone of claim 1, wherein the security information comprises a password.

3. The speakerphone of claim 1, wherein the remote conference endpoint is selected from the group consisting of a second speakerphone, an IP phone, a video conferencing unit, and a conference bridge.

4. A conferencing system comprising:

a plurality of conference endpoints including a speakerphone and a remote conference endpoint; and

a communication channel having a communication protocol coupling the plurality of conference endpoints including the speakerphone and the remote conference endpoint;

wherein the speakerphone comprises a first control module operable to send control data in combination with audio data via an audio connection to the remote conference endpoint;

wherein the control data comprises security information;

wherein the communication protocol is selected from the group consisting of IP, modem data, local serial digital input/output, ISDN, and analog; and

wherein the control data is embedded in the audio data and wherein the control data is substantially humanly inaudible.

5. The conferencing system of claim 4, wherein the security information comprises a password.

6. The conferencing system of claim 4, wherein the remote conference endpoint is selected from the group consisting of a second speakerphone, an IP phone, a video conferencing unit, and a conference bridge.

7. A method for providing security information during an audio conference, the method comprising the steps of:

combining an audio signal and a control signal in a speakerphone; and

sending the combined audio and control signal from the speakerphone to the one or more remote endpoints via an audio connection;

wherein the control signal comprises security information;

wherein the combined audio and control signal is sent according to a communication protocol selected from the group consisting of IP, modem data, local serial digital input/output, ISDN, and analog; and

wherein the control signal is embedded in the audio signal and wherein the control signal is substantially humanly inaudible.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the control signal comprises a password.

9. A non-transitory, computer-readable medium comprising instructions for providing security information during an audio conference by performing the steps of:

combining an audio signal and a control signal in a speakerphone;

sending the combined audio and control signal from the speakerphone to the one or more remote endpoints via an audio connection; and

wherein the control data comprises security information;

wherein the combined audio and control signal is sent according to a communication protocol selected from the group consisting of IP, modem data, local serial digital input/output, ISDN, and analog; and

wherein the control signal is embedded in the audio signal and wherein the control signal is substantially humanly inaudible.

10. The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the control signal comprises a password.