Conference endpoint controlling functions of a remote device

• US 20050213739A1
• Filed: 03/15/2005
• Published: 09/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Polycom Incorporated (Plantronics, Inc.)
• Inventors: Rodman, Jeffrey, Drell, David
• Granted Patent: US 8,934,382 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/202.10
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/567 Multimedia conference systems
• 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 conference endpoint for communicating with a second conference endpoint, the conference endpoint 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 provide control data embedded in audio data to the second conference endpoint;

wherein the conference endpoint can transmit control data operable to control the second conference endpoint; and

wherein the control data is substantially humanly inaudible.

2. The conference endpoint of claim 1, wherein the second conference endpoint is remote from the first conference endpoint.

3. The conference endpoint of claim 1, wherein the control module is operable to receive control data embedded in audio data from the second conference endpoint, and wherein the conference endpoint can be controlled by the second conference endpoint based on control data received from the second conference endpoint.

4. The conference endpoint of claim 1, 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.

5. The conference endpoint of claim 1, wherein the conference endpoint is selected from the group consisting of a computer with a microphone and speaker, an audio communication device without the control module combined with a separate control module, a speakerphone, an IP phone, a video conferencing unit, and a conference bridge.

6. The conference endpoint of claim 1, further comprising:

a video processing unit communicably coupled to the network interface.

7. A conferencing system comprising:

a plurality of conference endpoints including a first conference endpoint and a second conference endpoint separated from the first conference endpoint; and

a communication channel having a communication protocol coupling the plurality of conference endpoints including the first conference endpoint and the second conference endpoint;

wherein the first conference endpoint comprises a first control module operable to provide control data embedded in audio data to the second conference endpoint via the communication channel; and

wherein the control data is substantially humanly inaudible.

8. The conferencing system of claim 7, wherein the second conference endpoint is remote from the first conference endpoint.

9. The conferencing system of claim 7, wherein the second conference endpoint comprises a second control module operable to provide control data embedded in audio data to the first conference endpoint via the communication channel.

10. The conferencing system of claim 7, wherein the communication protocol is selected from the group consisting of IP, modem data, local serial digital input/output, ISDN, and analog.

11. The conferencing system of claim 7, wherein the first conference endpoint is selected from the group consisting of a computer with a microphone and speaker, an audio communication device without the first control module combined with a separate control module, a speakerphone, an IP phone, a video conferencing unit, and a conference bridge.

12. The conferencing system of claim 11, wherein the second conference endpoint is selected from the group consisting of a computer with a microphone and speaker, an audio communication device without the second control module combined with a separate control module, a speakerphone, an IP phone, a video conferencing unit, and a conference bridge.

13. The conferencing system of claim 7, wherein the second conference endpoint is selected from the group consisting of a computer with a microphone and speaker, an audio communication device without the second control module combined with a separate control module, a speakerphone, an IP phone, a video conferencing unit, and a conference bridge.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the endpoints are remote from each other.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the 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.

14. A method for controlling a function of one or more endpoints during a conference, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving an audio signal from one or more microphones associated with a local endpoint;

developing a substantially humanly inaudible control signal in the local endpoint;

combining the audio signal and the control signal in the local endpoint;

sending the combined audio and control signal to the one or more endpoints via a communication channel; and

controlling the one or more endpoints based on the control signal.

17. A method for controlling a function of one or more endpoints during a conference, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a signal comprising an audio signal and a control signal via a communication channel;

separating the audio signal from the control signal; and

controlling the one or more endpoints based on the control signal;

wherein the control signal is substantially humanly inaudible.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the endpoints are remote from each another.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the 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.

20. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions for controlling a function of one or more endpoints during a conference by performing the steps of:

receiving an audio signal from one or more microphones associated with a local endpoint;

developing a substantially humanly inaudible control signal from said local endpoint;

combining the audio signal and the control signal;

sending the combined audio and control signal to the one or more endpoints via a communication channel; and

controlling the one or more endpoints based on the control signal.

21. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions for controlling a function of one or more endpoints during a conference by performing the steps of:

receiving a signal comprising an audio signal and a control signal via a communication channel;

separating the audio signal from the control signal; and

controlling the one or more endpoints based on the control signal;

wherein the control signal is substantially humanly inaudible.