公开(公告)号：US20060088173A1

公开(公告)日：2006-04-27

申请号：US11156954

申请日：2005-06-20

申请人： Jeffrey Rodman ,  Peter Chu ,  Alain Nimri ,  Stephen Schaefer ,  Martin Sexton

发明人： Jeffrey Rodman ,  Peter Chu ,  Alain Nimri ,  Stephen Schaefer ,  Martin Sexton

IPC分类号： H04R3/00 ,  H04R1/02 ,  H04R9/08

CPC分类号： H04R1/025 ,  H04R1/406 ,  H04R3/005

摘要： An overhead microphone assembly using multiple unidirectional microphone elements. The microphone assembly is installed overhead, generally above all the desired sound sources and below the undesired sound sources. The signals from these multiple microphone elements are fed into a microphone steering processor which can mix and gate the signals to ensure the best signal/noise ratio. The steering processor may also track the sound source dynamically when such tracking (source locating) is desired. The resulting audio signal from the steering processor may be further processed, such as echo canceling, noise reduction and automatic gain control.

摘要翻译： 使用多个单向麦克风元件的顶置麦克风组件。 麦克风组件安装在顶部，通常高于所需的声源并且低于不期望的声源。 来自这些多个麦克风元件的信号被馈送到麦克风转向处理器中，该麦克风转向处理器可以混合和门控信号以确保最佳信号/噪声比。 当需要这种跟踪（源定位）时，转向处理器还可以动态地跟踪声源。 可以进一步处理来自转向处理器的结果音频信号，例如回波消除，降噪和自动增益控制。

公开(公告)号：US20050024485A1

公开(公告)日：2005-02-03

申请号：US10631667

申请日：2003-07-31

申请人： Randy Castles ,  Martin Sexton ,  Alain Nimri

发明人： Randy Castles ,  Martin Sexton ,  Alain Nimri

IPC分类号： H04N5/445 ,  H04N7/14 ,  H04N7/15

CPC分类号： H04N21/4823 ,  H04N7/147 ,  H04N7/15 ,  H04N21/4223 ,  H04N21/4316 ,  H04N21/4622 ,  H04N21/47 ,  H04N21/4788 ,  H04N21/485 ,  H04N21/8146

摘要： The Graphical User Interface (GUI) of a videoconference terminal is provided with user-selectable icons which are associated by the user with various video signals. Textual labels for the various video signals may also be provided. This information may be exchanged with the “far end” participant in the video conference. During the videoconference participants may then simply select an icon to dynamically switch video feeds without having to remember by number the particular camera or other video signal associated with a desired video feed.

摘要翻译： 视频会议终端的图形用户界面（GUI）被提供有由用户与各种视频信号相关联的用户可选择的图标。 也可以提供各种视频信号的文本标签。 该信息可以与视频会议中的“远端”参与者交换。 在视频会议期间，参与者可以简单地选择一个图标来动态地切换视频馈送，而不用记住特定的相机或与期望的视频馈送相关联的其他视频信号。

公开(公告)号：US06744460B1

公开(公告)日：2004-06-01

申请号：US09684489

申请日：2000-10-04

申请人： Alain Nimri ,  Michael Kenoyer ,  David Hein

发明人： Alain Nimri ,  Michael Kenoyer ,  David Hein

IPC分类号： H04N714

CPC分类号： H04L12/1827 ,  H04N7/15

摘要： An automatic switching system and method for determining and effecting an optimal video display mode based on the interaction among participants in a conference or discussion is disclosed. The system includes a timer which continuously monitors the duration of signals received from each of a number of endpoints. The system further includes a signal switching processor which compares the signal durations to predefined parameters which define various display mode switching thresholds. The system reacts to the conversational interaction of endpoint participants by automatically switching the display mode of all endpoints between single-window, single speaker presentation mode, and multiple-window, multiple speaker discussion mode.

摘要翻译： 公开了一种基于会议或讨论中的参与者之间的交互来确定和实现最佳视频显示模式的自动切换系统和方法。 该系统包括定时器，其连续地监视从多个端点中的每一个接收的信号的持续时间。 该系统还包括信号切换处理器，其将信号持续时间与限定各种显示模式切换阈值的预定参数进行比较。 系统通过自动切换单窗口，单个扬声器呈现模式和多窗口多个扬声器讨论模式之间的所有端点的显示模式来对端点参与者的会话交互做出反应。

公开(公告)号：US20140122588A1

公开(公告)日：2014-05-01

申请号：US13665794

申请日：2012-10-31

申请人： Alain Nimri

发明人： Alain Nimri

IPC分类号： G06F15/16

CPC分类号： H04L12/1831 ,  H04L12/1827

摘要： During a conference, a multipoint control unit (MCU) designates speaker and audience endpoints. The MCU receives votes from peripheral devices at the audience endpoints. The votes are aggregated and compared against a threshold by the MCU, and the MCU sends a notification or indication to the speaker endpoints if the threshold is exceeded. The votes have a lifespan over which they are valid. The votes may be weighted when there are targeted and non-targeted audience participants.

摘要翻译： 会议期间，多点控制单元（MCU）指定扬声器和观众端点。 MCU从受众端点的外围设备接收投票。 投票与MCU的阈值进行聚合和比较，如果超过阈值，则MCU会向扬声器端点发送通知或指示。 选票的使用寿命是有效的。 当有针对性和非目标受众参与者时，投票可能会被加权。

公开(公告)号：US08447023B2

公开(公告)日：2013-05-21

申请号：US12697844

申请日：2010-02-01

申请人： Alain Nimri ,  Rick Flott

发明人： Alain Nimri ,  Rick Flott

IPC分类号： H04M3/42

CPC分类号： G10L21/00 ,  H04M3/42 ,  H04N7/15

摘要： During a conference, a multipoint control unit (MCU) designates priority and non-priority endpoints. The MCU forms priority audio from the priority endpoint and sends that audio to the other endpoints at a normal level. However, the MCU forms non-priority audio from the non-priority endpoint and handles that audio based on whether the input audio from the priority endpoint is from speaking or not. If the priority endpoint's audio indicates a participant at that endpoint is speaking, then the MCU sends the non-priority audio to the other endpoints at a reduced level. Designation of which endpoint has priority can be based on which endpoint has a current duration of audio indicative of speech that is longer than other endpoints. Alternatively, the designation can be based on which endpoint is currently presenting content during the conference or based on a mix of speech audio and content presentation.

摘要翻译： 在会议期间，多点控制单元（MCU）指定优先级和非优先级端点。 MCU从优先级端点构成优先音频，并将该音频发送到正常级别的其他端点。 然而，MCU从非优先级终端形成非优先级音频，并且基于来自优先级端点的输入音频是否来自不同语言来处理该音频。 如果优先级端点的音频指示该端点的参与者正在说话，则MCU以降低的级别将非优先级音频发送到其他端点。 哪个端点具有优先权的指定可以基于哪个端点具有指示语音的当前持续时间长于其他端点。 或者，该指定可以基于在会议期间当前呈现内容的哪个端点或者基于语音音频和内容呈现的混合。

公开(公告)号：US08249298B2

公开(公告)日：2012-08-21

申请号：US11872303

申请日：2007-10-15

申请人： Youssef Saleh ,  Peter Chu ,  Jinwei Feng ,  Alain Nimri

发明人： Youssef Saleh ,  Peter Chu ,  Jinwei Feng ,  Alain Nimri

IPC分类号： G06K9/00

CPC分类号： G01S5/22 ,  G01S3/808 ,  H04N7/15

摘要： A camera tracking system includes a controllable camera, an array of microphones, and a controller. The microphones are positioned adjacent the controllable camera and are at least responsive to ultrasound emitted from a source. The microphones may additionally be capable of responding to sound in the audible spectrum. The controller receives ultrasound signals communicated from the microphones in response to ultrasound emitted from the source and processes the ultrasound signals to determine an at least approximate location of the source. Then, the controller sends one or more command signals to the controllable camera to direct at least approximately at the determined location of the source. The camera tracking system tracks the source as it moves and continues to emit ultrasound. The source can be an emitter pack having one or more ultrasonic transducers that produce tones that sweep form about 24-kHz to about 40-kHz.

摘要翻译： 相机跟踪系统包括可控相机，麦克风阵列和控制器。 麦克风位于可控照相机附近，并且至少响应于从源发出的超声波。 麦克风可以另外能够响应可听频谱中的声音。 控制器响应于从源发射的超声波接收从麦克风传送的超声信号，并处理超声信号以确定源的至少近似位置。 然后，控制器将一个或多个命令信号发送到可控照相机，以至少大致指向源的确定位置。 相机跟踪系统在移动时跟踪源，并继续发射超声波。 源可以是具有一个或多个超声波换能器的发射器组，其产生大约24kHz至大约40kHz的扫描的音调。

公开(公告)号：US20120062687A1

公开(公告)日：2012-03-15

申请号：US12880910

申请日：2010-09-13

申请人： Krishna Sai ,  Edward Brakus ,  Alain Nimri ,  Jonathan Gallmeier

发明人： Krishna Sai ,  Edward Brakus ,  Alain Nimri ,  Jonathan Gallmeier

IPC分类号： H04N7/14

CPC分类号： H04N7/147 ,  H04N7/152 ,  H04N21/4223 ,  H04N21/4316 ,  H04N21/4788 ,  H04N21/6125

摘要： A videoconferencing system provides sharing program content during a videoconferencing session. A graphical user interface (GUI) allows participants to select a program to be shared and participants to share the selected program with. A scheduler communicates with the videoconferencing systems of the participants to tune or configure them to receive the selected shared program content at a scheduled time. The scheduler also communicates with a multipoint control unit (MCU) for initiating a videoconferencing session between the participants. The videoconferencing system combines mixed video streams received from the MCU with the program stream of the selected shared program and displays the combined stream on the display device. The scheduler can be located at a program service provider or at the initiating participant's videoconferencing system.

摘要翻译： 视频会议系统在视频会议会话期间提供共享节目内容。 图形用户界面（GUI）允许参与者选择要共享的节目和参与者共享所选择的节目。 调度器与参与者的视频会议系统通信以调整或配置它们以在预定的时间接收所选择的共享节目内容。 调度器还与多点控制单元（MCU）进行通信，用于启动参与者之间的视频会议会话。 视频会议系统将从MCU接收的混合视频流与所选择的共享程序的节目流相结合，并将显示装置上的组合流显示出来。 调度程序可以位于程序服务提供者处或发起参与者的视频会议系统处。

公开(公告)号：US20110187814A1

公开(公告)日：2011-08-04

申请号：US12697844

申请日：2010-02-01

申请人： Alain Nimri ,  Rick Flott

发明人： Alain Nimri ,  Rick Flott

IPC分类号： H04N7/15 ,  H04M3/42 ,  G10L21/00

CPC分类号： G10L21/00 ,  H04M3/42 ,  H04N7/15

摘要： During a conference, a multipoint control unit (MCU) designates priority and non-priority endpoints. The MCU forms priority audio from the priority endpoint and sends that audio to the other endpoints at a normal level. However, the MCU forms non-priority audio from the non-priority endpoint and handles that audio based on whether the input audio from the priority endpoint is from speaking or not. If the priority endpoint's audio indicates a participant at that endpoint is speaking, then the MCU sends the non-priority audio to the other endpoints at a reduced level. Designation of which endpoint has priority can be based on which endpoint has a current duration of audio indicative of speech that is longer than other endpoints. Alternatively, the designation can be based on which endpoint is currently presenting content during the conference or based on a mix of speech audio and content presentation.

摘要翻译： 在会议期间，多点控制单元（MCU）指定优先级和非优先级端点。 MCU从优先级端点构成优先音频，并将该音频发送到正常级别的其他端点。 然而，MCU从非优先级终端形成非优先级音频，并且基于来自优先级端点的输入音频是否来自不同语言来处理该音频。 如果优先级端点的音频指示该端点的参与者正在说话，则MCU以降低的级别将非优先级音频发送到其他端点。 哪个端点具有优先权的指定可以基于哪个端点具有指示语音的当前持续时间长于其他端点。 或者，该指定可以基于在会议期间当前呈现内容的哪个端点或者基于语音音频和内容呈现的混合。

公开(公告)号：US07969461B2

公开(公告)日：2011-06-28

申请号：US11277979

申请日：2006-03-30

申请人： Alain Nimri ,  Stephen Schaefer ,  Rick Flott

发明人： Alain Nimri ,  Stephen Schaefer ,  Rick Flott

IPC分类号： H04N7/14

CPC分类号： H04L12/1818 ,  H04L51/04 ,  H04L51/28 ,  H04N7/147 ,  H04N7/15

摘要： A videoconferencing system includes a first videoconferencing unit coupled to a network and associated with a first instant messaging identity. The first videoconferencing unit obtains a second instant messaging identity and automatically sends a request instant message requesting videoconferencing connection information to the second instant messaging identity. A second videoconferencing unit is coupled to the network and is associated with the second instant messaging identity. The second videoconferencing unit receives the request instant message and automatically returns a response instant message including videoconferencing connection information to the first instant messaging identity. The first videoconferencing unit receives the response instant message and automatically obtains the videoconferencing connection information from the response instant message. Using the videoconferencing connection information, the first videoconferencing unit initiates a videoconference call with the second videoconference unit.

摘要翻译： 视频会议系统包括耦合到网络并与第一即时消息身份相关联的第一视频会议单元。 第一视频会议单元获得第二即时消息身份，并且自动地向第二即时消息身份发送请求视频会议连接信息的请求即时消息。 第二视频会议单元耦合到网络并与第二即时消息身份相关联。 第二视频会议单元接收请求即时消息，并将包括视频会议连接信息的响应即时消息自动返回到第一即时消息身份。 第一视频会议单元接收响应即时消息，并从响应即时消息中自动获取视频会议连接信息。 使用视频会议连接信息，第一视频会议单元发起与第二视频会议单元的视频会议呼叫。

公开(公告)号：US06975721B1

公开(公告)日：2005-12-13

申请号：US09789650

申请日：2001-02-20

申请人： Alain Nimri ,  Keath Milligan

发明人： Alain Nimri ,  Keath Milligan

IPC分类号： H04M12/28

CPC分类号： H04Q11/00 ,  H04L29/12047 ,  H04L29/1216 ,  H04L61/157 ,  H04L61/1594 ,  H04M3/4935 ,  H04M2203/554 ,  H04Q2213/1307 ,  H04Q2213/13097 ,  H04Q2213/13103 ,  H04Q2213/13106 ,  H04Q2213/1324 ,  H04Q2213/13299 ,  H04Q2213/13337

摘要： A central directory system for a network of dial-up communication devices is described. In a preferred embodiment, the communication devices are videoconferencing devices. The system includes a directory management module coupled to the network and configured for importing and exporting directory information to and from a communication device. The directory information received by the management module can be grouped into address books by an access control module coupled to a database in which the address books can be stored. The access control module is further functional to manage access to the address books. Embodiments of the directory system provide systems and methods for providing intelligent dialing service to the dial-up communication device. A dialing algorithm determines a dialing sequence to connect communication devices through a network based on geographic dialing rules and information related to the requesting device.

摘要翻译： 描述了用于拨号通信设备的网络的中央目录系统。 在优选实施例中，通信设备是视频会议设备。 该系统包括耦合到网络并被配置用于将通信信息导入和导出到通信设备的目录管理模块。 由管理模块接收的目录信息可以通过耦合到可以存储地址簿的数据库的访问控制模块分组到地址簿中。 访问控制模块进一步用于管理对地址簿的访问。 目录系统的实施例提供了用于向拨号通信设备提供智能拨号服务的系统和方法。 拨号算法基于地理拨号规则和与请求设备相关的信息，确定通过网络连接通信设备的拨号序列。