US5872923A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Collaborative video conferencing system
Assignee: NCR Voyix Corp
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Filing: 1993-09-28
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Granted: 1999-02-16
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Expires: 2013-09-28
Abstract
Abstract A video conferencing system, wherein multiple parties at different locations can view, and modify, a common image on their computer displays. The invention also provides a video camera at each computer, which takes a video picture of each party. The invention distributes data to all computers involved in the conference from which each computer can generate a display containing the common image, the modifications, and the video pictures.
Inventors
- 👤 William C. Schwartz
- 👤 Catherine A. Boss
- 👤 Allison A. Carleton
- 👤 Joseph B. Cyr
- 👤 Catherine M. FitzPatrick
- 👤 J. Michael Grinn
- 👤 Paul A. Peterson
- 👤 Theresa M. Pommier
- 👤 Krista S. Schwartz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 04:48
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/14; G06F3/1454; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/033; G06F3/038; G06F3/048; G06F3/0481; H; H04; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/02; H04L12/16; H04L12/18; H04L12/1813; H04L12/1827; H04L65/00; H04L65/40; H04L65/403; H04L67/00; H04L67/01; H04L67/10; H04L67/1095; H04L67/50; H04L67/75; H04L9/00; H04L9/40; H04N; H04N7/00; H04N7/14; H04N7/15; G09; G09G; G09G2360/00; G09G2360/04; H04L65/1066; H04L65/1101; H04L67/131; H04L69/00; H04L69/30; H04L69/32; H04L69/322; H04L69/329
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
A computer system, comprising: a) multiple remote computers at different locations, each having a display; b) substantially identical remote program means, running on each remote computer, for communicating with one host application program running on a host computer; and c) means for allowing a user of each remote computer to simultaneously: i) hold a video conference; and ii) operate the remote program means executing on the remote computer, the remote program enabling the remote computer to: 1) communicate with the host application program; 2) provide program input to the host application program; 3) draw annotation images on the display of the remote computer; and 4) communication between the remote program and the host program to selectively replicate the annotation images on the displays of the other remote computers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
A computer system, comprising: a) multiple remote computers at different locations, each having a display; b) substantially identical remote program means, running on each remote computer, for communicating with one host application program running on a host computer; and c) means for allowing a user of each remote computer to simultaneously: i) hold a video conference; and ii) operate the remote program means executing on the remote computer, the remote program enabling the remote computer to: 1) communicate with the host application program; 2) provide program input to the host application program; 3) draw annotation images on the display of the remote computer; and 4) communication between the remote program and the host program to selectively replicate the annotation images on the displays of the other remote computers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system according to claim 1 in which communication among the computers can by accomplished by two data channels having a total capacity not exceeding 128,000 bits per second in both directions, simultaneously.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
133 words
A computer system, comprising: a) two or more computers at different locations, each capable of running a substantially identical message-driven, multi-tasking, operating environment; b) substantially identical program means, running on each computer, for communicating with one host application program running on a host computer; and c) means for allowing users of the computers to simultaneously: i) hold a video conference; and ii) operate the substantially identical program means executing on the computer, the program means enabling the remote computer to: 1) communicate with the host application program; 2) provide program input to the host application program; 3) draw annotation images on the display of the remote computer; and 4) communicate between the remote program and the host application program to selectively replicate the annotation images on the displays of the other remote computers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
133 words
A computer system, comprising: a) two or more computers at different locations, each capable of running a substantially identical message-driven, multi-tasking, operating environment; b) substantially identical program means, running on each computer, for communicating with one host application program running on a host computer; and c) means for allowing users of the computers to simultaneously: i) hold a video conference; and ii) operate the substantially identical program means executing on the computer, the program means enabling the remote computer to: 1) communicate with the host application program; 2) provide program input to the host application program; 3) draw annotation images on the display of the remote computer; and 4) communicate between the remote program and the host application program to selectively replicate the annotation images on the displays of the other remote computers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
148 words
A kit for connection to a user's computer, comprising: a) a video camera; b) a capture card for receiving i) video data from the video camera, and ii) video data from a communication channel; and converting both video data into forms usable by the computer; c) remote program means for communicating with one host application program running on a host computer; and d) program means for allowing a user of the computer to simultaneously: i) hold a video conference with another computer; and ii) operate the remote program means, the remote program means enabling the computer to: 1) communicate with the host application program; 2) provide program input to the host application program; 3) draw annotation images on the display of the computer; and 4) communicate between the remote program and the host program to selectively replicate the annotation images on the displays of the other remote computers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
148 words
A kit for connection to a user's computer, comprising: a) a video camera; b) a capture card for receiving i) video data from the video camera, and ii) video data from a communication channel; and converting both video data into forms usable by the computer; c) remote program means for communicating with one host application program running on a host computer; and d) program means for allowing a user of the computer to simultaneously: i) hold a video conference with another computer; and ii) operate the remote program means, the remote program means enabling the computer to: 1) communicate with the host application program; 2) provide program input to the host application program; 3) draw annotation images on the display of the computer; and 4) communicate between the remote program and the host program to selectively replicate the annotation images on the displays of the other remote computers.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
151 words
A system for communicating with other computers by a communication channel, comprising: a) a computer equipped with i) a message-driven, multi-tasking, operating environment; ii) video camera means for feeding the computer with data representing a visual image; and iii) means for interfacing with the communication channel; b) remote program means for communicating with one host application program running on a host computer; and c) program means for allowing a user of the computer to simultaneously: i) hold a video conference with other computers so equipped; and ii) operate the remote program means, the remote program means enabling the computer to: 1) communicate with the host application program; 2) provide program input to the host application program; 3) draw annotation images on the display of the computer; and 4) communicate between the remote program and the host program to selectively replicate the annotation images on the displays of the other remote computers.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
151 words
A system for communicating with other computers by a communication channel, comprising: a) a computer equipped with i) a message-driven, multi-tasking, operating environment; ii) video camera means for feeding the computer with data representing a visual image; and iii) means for interfacing with the communication channel; b) remote program means for communicating with one host application program running on a host computer; and c) program means for allowing a user of the computer to simultaneously: i) hold a video conference with other computers so equipped; and ii) operate the remote program means, the remote program means enabling the computer to: 1) communicate with the host application program; 2) provide program input to the host application program; 3) draw annotation images on the display of the computer; and 4) communicate between the remote program and the host program to selectively replicate the annotation images on the displays of the other remote computers.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-02-15 | 2002-08-17 | 2003-02-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-02-15 | 2006-08-17 | 2007-02-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-02-15 | 2010-08-17 | 2011-02-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |