US5533112A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Volume control in digital teleconferencing
Assignee: Intel Corp
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Filing: 1994-03-31
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Granted: 1996-07-02
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Expires: 2014-03-31
Abstract
Abstract A computer-implemented process and apparatus for processing audio signals for real-time audio conferencing. Digital audio signals from multiple stations of a teleconference are mixed by a control processor while incorporating special control signals that allow participants at each station to control the respective volumes of each of the audio signals received from each of the other stations independently.
Inventors
- 👤 Gunner D. Danneels
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 17:59
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04M3/56; H04M3/561
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
A computer-implemented process for processing audio signals, comprising the steps of: (a) receiving a plurality of input streams {S 1 , . . . , S n-1 , S n } of audio signals from a plurality of stations participating in a real-time audio conference; (b) generating a plurality of output streams from the plurality of input streams, wherein each output stream O i is generated as a sum of products of each input stream and a plurality of corresponding volume-control factors {K 1 , . . . , K n-1 , K n }, such that: O.sub.i =K.sub.i1 S.sub.1 + . . . + K.sub.i(n-1) S.sub.n-1 +K.sub.in S.sub.n wherein at least one volume-control factor is independent of at least one other corresponding volume-control factor used to generate a different output stream; and (c) transmitting the output streams to the stations, wherein each output stream is transmitted to a corresponding station.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
151 words
A computer-implemented process for processing audio signals, comprising the steps of: (a) receiving a plurality of input streams {S 1 , . . . , S n-1 , S n } of audio signals from a plurality of stations participating in a real-time audio conference; (b) generating a plurality of output streams from the plurality of input streams, wherein each output stream O i is generated as a sum of products of each input stream and a plurality of corresponding volume-control factors {K 1 , . . . , K n-1 , K n }, such that: O.sub.i =K.sub.i1 S.sub.1 + . . . + K.sub.i(n-1) S.sub.n-1 +K.sub.in S.sub.n wherein at least one volume-control factor is independent of at least one other corresponding volume-control factor used to generate a different output stream; and (c) transmitting the output streams to the stations, wherein each output stream is transmitted to a corresponding station.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 1, wherein each volume-control factor is independent of all other volume-control factors.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the input streams of audio signals comprise pulse code modulated audio signals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 1, wherein each output stream O i is independent of its corresponding input stream.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
The process of claim 1, wherein: step (a) further comprises the step of receiving from one or more of the stations one or more volume-control signals representative of one or more of the volume-control factors; and step (b) further comprises the step of adjusting the one or more volume-control factors based on the one or more volume-control signals.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 5, wherein step (b) comprises the step of adjusting the one or more volume-control factors during the audio conference.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
The process of claim 6, wherein: each volume-control factor is independent of all other volume-control factors; the input streams of audio signals comprise pulse code modulated audio signals; and each output stream O i is independent of its corresponding input stream.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
149 words
An apparatus for processing audio signals, comprising: (a) means for receiving a plurality of input streams {S 1 , . . . , S n-1 , S n } from a plurality of stations participating in a real-time audio conference; (b) means for generating a plurality of output streams from the plurality of input streams, wherein each output stream O i is generated as a sum of products of each input stream and a plurality of corresponding volume-control factors {K 1 , . . . , K n-1 , K n }, such that: O.sub.i =K.sub.i1 S.sub.1 + . . . +K.sub.i(n-1).sup.- S.sub.n-1 +K.sub.in S.sub.n wherein at least one volume-control factor is independent of at least one other corresponding volume-control factor used to generate a different output stream; and (c) means for transmitting the output streams to the stations, wherein each output stream is transmitted to a corresponding station.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
149 words
An apparatus for processing audio signals, comprising: (a) means for receiving a plurality of input streams {S 1 , . . . , S n-1 , S n } from a plurality of stations participating in a real-time audio conference; (b) means for generating a plurality of output streams from the plurality of input streams, wherein each output stream O i is generated as a sum of products of each input stream and a plurality of corresponding volume-control factors {K 1 , . . . , K n-1 , K n }, such that: O.sub.i =K.sub.i1 S.sub.1 + . . . +K.sub.i(n-1).sup.- S.sub.n-1 +K.sub.in S.sub.n wherein at least one volume-control factor is independent of at least one other corresponding volume-control factor used to generate a different output stream; and (c) means for transmitting the output streams to the stations, wherein each output stream is transmitted to a corresponding station.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein each volume-control factor is independent of all other volume-control factors.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the input streams of audio signals comprise pulse code modulated audio signals.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein each output stream O i is independent of its corresponding input stream.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein: means (a) receives from one or more of the stations one or more volume-control signals representative of one or more of the volume-control factors; and means (b) adjusts the one or more volume-control factors based on the one or more volume-control signals.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 12, wherein means (b) adjusts the one or more volume-control factors during the audio conference.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 13, wherein: each volume-control factor is independent of all other volume-control factors; the input streams of audio signals comprise pulse code modulated audio signals; and each output stream O i is independent of its corresponding input stream.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-07-02 | 2000-01-01 | 2000-07-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-07-02 | 2004-01-01 | 2004-07-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-07-02 | 2008-01-01 | 2008-07-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |