Conference link between a speakerphone and a video conference unit

• US 20050231586A1
• Filed: 07/21/2004
• Published: 10/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Polycom Incorporated (Plantronics, Inc.)
• Inventors: Rodman, Jeffrey, Drell, David, Nimri, Alain, Kilday, Carolyn, Hess, Michael J., Binford, Don, Ratcliff, Jeff, Sexton, Martin G., Vander Kam, Rick A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,339,605 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/14.70
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/40 Circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6033 for providing handsfree use or a loudspeaker mode in telephone sets arrangements for preventing acoustic echo H04M9/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6041 Portable telephones adapted for handsfree use
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/15 Conference systems

Abstract

A conference link between devices in teleconference system at one site is disclosed. The linked devices include video conference units, speakerphones or stand-alone loudspeakers. Audio data can be transmitted through the conference link between devices. Audio data processing can be performed in either a video conference unit or a speakerphone. The microphones and loudspeakers in the video conference unit may be eliminated. The microphones and loudspeakers in the speakerphone are used. Other data, for example directories of dialing information, may also be transmitted through the conference link and the data processing may be allocated among processors in devices connected by conference links. The conference link may be wired or wireless, analog or digital. The devices may be linked by conference link in parallel or series. A dialing program can adapt the dialing stream with the locations of the near end site and the dialed far end site. The dialing program can automatically select a mutually supported network or protocol to establish a connection between two sites.

Claims

1. A method for combining a near end video conference unit and a near end speakerphone at a near end for a teleconference with at least one far end, the method comprising:

connecting the near end video conference unit and the near end speakerphone with a conference link;

picking up audio signals at the near end with microphones of the near end speakerphone;

deriving near end audio signals for transmission to a first far end; and

exchanging audio signals between the near end speakerphone and the near end video conference unit through the conference link.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

connecting the near end video conference unit to the first far end;

the near end video conference unit receiving first far end audio signals;

the near end video conference unit transmitting the first far end audio signals to the near end speakerphone through the conference link; and

reproducing the first far end audio signals through loudspeakers of the near end speakerphone.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

disabling microphones and loudspeakers of the near end video conference unit.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

connecting the near end speakerphone to the first far end;

receiving first far end audio signals by the near end speakerphone;

transmitting the first far end audio signals to the near end video conference unit through the conference link; and

reproducing the first far end audio signals through loudspeakers of the near end speakerphone.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

the near end video conference unit generating a bass audio signal from the first far end audio signals;

connecting a subwoofer to the near end video conference unit; and

reproducing the bass audio signal through the subwoofer.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

connecting the near end video conference unit to the first far end;

the near end video conference unit receiving first far end audio signals;

connecting the near end speakerphone to a second far end;

the near end speakerphone receiving second far end audio signals;

transmitting the first far end audio signals and the second far end audio signals through the conference link;

mixing the first far end audio signals and the second far end audio signals to form a mixed far end signal; and

reproducing the mixed far end audio signals through loudspeakers of the near end speakerphone.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

mixing the second far end audio signals with the near end audio signals to form a second-far-near audio signal;

the near end video conference unit transmitting the second-far-near audio signal to the first far end;

mixing the first far end audio signals with the near end audio signals to form a first-far-near audio signal; and

the near end speakerphone transmitting the first-far-near audio signal to the second far end.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the conference link is a wired link.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the wired link is a three-wire link, with one wire for microphone signal, one wire for loudspeaker signal and one wire for common ground.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the wired link is an Ethernet link.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the wired link is a USB link.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the link is a wireless link.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the wireless link is a 2.4 GHz radio link.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the wireless link is a Bluetooth link.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the wireless link is an IEEE 802.11 compatible link.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the link is an analog link.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the link is a digital link.

18. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

connecting the near end video conference unit to one or more second near end speakerphones with second conference links in parallel; and

exchanging audio signals between one of the second near end speakerphones and the near end video conference unit through the second conference links.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

connecting the near end video conference unit to a subwoofer with a third conference link;

the near end video conference unit generating a bass sound signal;

the near end video conference unit transmitting the bass sound signal to the subwoofer through the third conference link; and

reproducing the bass sound signal in the subwoofer.

20. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

connecting the near end speakerphone unit to one or more third near end speakerphones with fourth conference links in series; and

exchanging audio signals between one of the third near end speakerphones and the near end video conference unit through the near end speakerphone, the fourth conference links, and the first conference link.

21. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting all audio signals via the conference link to the near end video conference unit; and

processing the audio signals by a processor in the near end video conference unit.

22. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting all audio signals via the conference link to the near end speakerphone; and

processing the audio signals by a processor in the near end speakerphone.

23. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting data via the conference link to the near end video conference unit; and

processing the transmitted data by a processor in the near end video conference unit.

24. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting data via the conference link to the near end speakerphone; and

processing the transmitted data by a processor in the near end speakerphone.

25. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

connecting a second speakerphone via a second conference link to the near end speakerphone or the near end video conference unit;

transmitting audio signals via the second conference link to a second processor in the second speakerphone; and

processing the audio signals by the processor in the second speakerphone.

26. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting video signals via the conference link to the near end speakerphone; and

processing the video signals by a processor in the near end speakerphone.

27. A 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 speakerphone which contains a microphone and a loudspeaker, the video conference unit comprising:

a network interface for receiving audio and video data from and providing audio and video data to the far end video conference unit;

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 speakerphone through a conference link; and

wherein the control module is operable to exchange audio data with the speakerphone through the conference link.

28. The video conference unit of claim 27,

wherein the control module is operable,

to transmit the first far end audio data to the speakerphone through the conference link, and

to receive audio data from the speakerphone through the conference link.

29. The video conference unit of claim 27,

wherein the control module is operable,

to receive data from the speakerphone through the conference link, and

to process the received data.

30. The video conference unit of claim 27, further comprising:

an audio input interface coupled to the control module for receiving microphone signals; and

an audio output interface coupled to the control module for sending out loudspeaker signals,

wherein the control module is operable to disable the audio input interface and the audio output interface when the control module is exchanging audio data with the conference link interface.

31. The video conference unit of claim 27,

wherein the control module is operable to process and packetize the audio data from the speakerphone for provision to the far end video conference unit.

32. The video conference unit of claim 27,

wherein the speakerphone processes the audio signals from the microphone to develop the audio data and the control module is operable to packetize the audio data from the speakerphone for provision to the far end video conference unit.

33. The video conference unit of claim 27,

wherein the control module is operable to maintain a directory of calling information of the video conference unit and far end video conference units.

34. The video conference unit of claim 33,

wherein the directory contains information of conference types supported by far end video conference units;

wherein the network interface is operable to support a plurality types of conference calls; and

wherein the control module is operable to initiate a video conference call with the first far end video conference unit using the conference type supported by both the network interface in the video conference unit and the first far end video conference unit.

35. The video conference unit of claim 33,

wherein the plurality types of conference calls includes a conference call through IP network or a conference call through ISDN.

36. The video conference unit of claim 33, wherein the speakerphone further has a directory of dialing information of itself and far end speakerphones;

wherein the control module is operable to accept the dialing information of far end speakerphones from the speakerphone through the conference link.

37. A speakerphone for connection with a far end speakerphone which provides and receives audio data, the speakerphone further for connection to a video conference unit which provides and receives audio and video data, the speakerphone comprising:

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 video conference unit through a conference link; and

wherein the control module is operable to exchange audio data with the video conference unit through the conference link.

38. The speakerphone of claim 37, further comprising a network interface coupled to the control module for receiving audio data from and providing audio data to the far end speakerphone.

39. The speakerphone of claim 38, wherein the control module is operable,

to receive far end audio signals from the far end speakerphone;

and

to transmit the far end audio signals to the video conference unit through the conference link.

40. The speakerphone of claim 38, wherein the control module is operable,

to receive audio signals from the video conference unit through the conference link;

to process the audio signals from the video conference unit; and

to transmit the audio signals to the far end speakerphone.

41. The speakerphone of claim 38, wherein the control module is operable,

to receive near end audio signals from the microphone;

to process the near end audio signals to form near end audio data;

to transmit the near end audio data to the video conference unit through the conference link; and

to transmit the audio signals to the far end speakerphone.

42. The speakerphone of claim 38, wherein the control module is operable,

to receive data from the video conference unit through the conference link, and

to process the received data

43. The speakerphone of claim 38, wherein the control module is operable,

to receive far end audio signals from the far end speakerphone;

to receive audio signals from the video conference unit through the conference link;

to receive near end audio signals from the microphone;

to process the far end audio signals, the audio signals from video conference unit and the near end audio signals to form mixed audio data; and

to send the mixed audio data to the loudspeaker for producing sound.

44. The speakerphone of claim 43, wherein the mixed audio data includes at least two audio channels.

45. The speakerphone of claim 38, wherein the control module is operable to maintain a directory of calling information of the speakerphone and far end speakerphones.

46. The speakerphone of claim 45,

wherein the control module is operable to add dialing prefix to the dialing information based on the dialing information of the speakerphone and a far end speakerphone.

47. The speakerphone of claim 45, wherein the video conference unit further has a directory of dialing information of itself and far end video conference units;

wherein the control module is operable to accept the dialing information of far end video conference units from the video conference units through the conference link.

48. A teleconference conference 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:

a near end video conference unit having;

a v-network interface for receiving audio and video data from and providing audio and video data to a far end video conference unit;

a v-conference link interface; and

a v-control module coupled to the v-network interface and the v-conference link interface;

a near end speakerphone having;

a microphone;

a loudspeaker;

an s-network interface for receiving audio data from and providing audio data to a far end speakerphone;

an s-conference link interface; and

an s-control module coupled to the s-network interface, the s-conference link interface, the microphone and the loudspeaker; and

a conference link connecting the v-conference link interface with the s-conference link interface,

wherein the conference link couples the v-control module to the s-control module; and

wherein audio signals are transmitted between the near end video conference unit and the near end speakerphone through the conference link.

49. The teleconference conference system of claim 48,

wherein the v-control module is operable,

to transmit the far end audio data to the near end speakerphone through the conference link, and

to receive audio data from the near end speakerphone through the conference link.

50. The teleconference conference system of claim 48,

wherein the near end conference unit further having,

a v-audio input interface coupled to the v-control module for receiving microphone signals;

and

a v-audio output interface coupled to the v-control module for sending out loudspeaker signals, and

wherein the v-control module is operable to disable the v-audio input interface and the v-audio output interface when the v-control module is exchanging audio data the s-control module through the conference link.

51. The teleconference conference system of claim 48,

wherein the v-control module is operable to process and packetize the audio data from the near end speakerphone for provision to the far end video conference unit.

52. The teleconference conference system of claim 48,

wherein the s-control module is operable,

to receive far end audio signals from the far end speakerphone;

and

to transmit the far end audio signals to the near end video conference unit through the conference link.

53. The teleconference conference system of claim 48,

wherein the s-control module is operable,

to receive audio signals from the near end video conference unit through the conference link;

to process the audio signals from the near end video conference unit; and

to transmit the audio signals to the far end speakerphone.

54. The teleconference conference system of claim 48,

wherein the s-control module is operable,

to receive near end audio signals from the microphone;

to process the near end audio signals to form near end audio data;

to transmit the near end audio data to the video conference unit through the conference link; and

to transmit the audio signals to the far end speakerphone.

55. The teleconference conference system of claim 48,

wherein the s-control module is operable,

to receive far end audio signals from the far end speakerphone through the s-network interface;

to receive audio signals from the near end video conference unit through the conference link;

to receive near end audio signals from the s-audio input interface;

to process the far end audio signals, the audio signals from the near end video conference unit and the near end audio signals to form mixed audio data; and

to send the mixed audio data to the loudspeaker for producing sound.

56. The teleconference conference system of claim 55, wherein the mixed audio data includes at least two audio channels.

57. The teleconference system of claim 48, wherein the conference link is a wired link.

58. The teleconference system of claim 57, wherein the wired link is a three-wire link, with one wire for microphone signal, one wire for loudspeaker signal and one wire for common ground.

59. The teleconference system of claim 57, wherein the wired link is an Ethernet link.

60. The teleconference system of claim 57, wherein the wired link is a USB link.

61. The teleconference system of claim 48, wherein the link is a wireless link.

62. The teleconference system of claim 61, wherein the wireless link is a 2.4 GHz radio link.

63. The teleconference system of claim 61, wherein the wireless link is a Bluetooth link.

64. The teleconference system of claim 61, wherein the wireless link is an IEEE 802.11 compatible link.

65. The teleconference system of claim 48, wherein the link is an analog link.

66. The teleconference system of claim 48, wherein the link is a digital link.

67. The teleconference system of claim 48,

wherein the v-control module is operable to transmit all audio signals via the conference link to the s-control module;

and

wherein the s-control module is operable to process the audio signals.

68. The teleconference system of claim 48,

wherein the s-control module is operable to transmit all audio signals via the conference link to the v-control module;

and

wherein the v-control module is operable to process the audio signals.

69. The teleconference system of claim 48,

wherein the v-control module is operable to transmit data via the conference link to the s-control module;

and

wherein the s-control module is operable to process the transmitted data

70. The teleconference system of claim 48,

wherein the s-control module is operable to transmit data via the conference link to the v-control module;

and

wherein the v-control module is operable to process the transmitted data.

71. The teleconference system of claim 48, further comprising,

one or more speakerphones having second s-control modules coupled to the s-control module or the v-control module via one or more second conference links,

wherein one of the second s-control modules is operable to receive audio signals via a second conference link, and

wherein the second s-control module is operable to process the audio signals.

72. The teleconference system of claim 71,

wherein the second conference links and the conference link couple speakerphones and the video conference unit in series.

73. The teleconference system of claim 71,

wherein the second conference links and the conference link couple speakerphones and the video conference unit in parallel.

74. The teleconference system of claim 48,

wherein the v-control module is operable to maintain a v-directory of calling information of the near end video conference unit and far end video conference units.

75. The teleconference system of claim 74,

wherein the v-directory contains information of conference types supported by far end video conference units;

wherein the v-network interface is operable to support a plurality types of conference calls; and

wherein the v-control module is operable to initiate a video conference call with the first far end video conference unit using the conference type supported by both the v-network interface in the near end video conference unit and the first far end video conference unit.

76. The teleconference system of claim 74,

wherein the v-control module is operable to accept the dialing information of far end speakerphones from the near end speakerphone through the conference link;

and

wherein the v-directory contains calling information of far end speakerphones.

77. The teleconference system of claim 48,

wherein the s-control module is operable to maintain an s-directory of calling information of the near end speakerphone and far end speakerphones.

78. The teleconference system of claim 77,

wherein the s-control module is operable to add dialing prefix to the dialing information based on the dialing information of the near end speakerphone and a far end speakerphone.

79. The teleconference system of claim 77,

wherein the s-control module is operable to accept the dialing information of far end video conference units from the near end video conference units through the conference link;

and

wherein the s-directory contains calling information of far end video conference units.

80. A teleconference system comprising:

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 far end conference system having a far end video conference unit coupled to the near end video conference unit through a first network with the first end conference system providing first far end video and audio signals; and

a second far end conference system having a far end speakerphone coupled to the near end speakerphone through a second network with the second far end conference system providing second far end audio signals,

wherein first far end audio signals from the first far end conference system are received by the near end video conference unit and transmitted to the near end speakerphone through the conference link;

wherein second far end audio signals from the second far end conference system are received by the near end speakerphone; and

wherein near end audio signals are generated by the microphone of the near end speakerphone.

81. The teleconference system of claim 80,

wherein the first far end audio signals, the second far end audio signals and near end audio signals are processed by the near end speakerphone at the near end site.

82. The teleconference system of claim 80,

wherein the second far end audio signals and the near end audio signals are transmitted to the near end video conference unit through the conference link;

and

wherein the first far end audio signals, the second far end audio signals and near end audio signals are processed by the near end video conference unit at the near end site.