Patent US5990933A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5990933A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for storage and playback of video images and audio messages in multipoint videoconferencing
Assignee: Cisco Technology Inc
•
Filing: 1999-03-22
•
Granted: 1999-11-23
•
Expires: 2019-03-22
Abstract
Abstract In a multipoint control unit for conferencing audiovisual terminals, conference participants are greeted with audio and video welcome messages and then placed in an automated queue. The automated queue is a holding queue from which a conference operator can select the next available conference participant in the queue and conduct a subconference. Apparatus in the multipoint control unit includes a memory for storing video data and a processor coupled to the memory for controlling playback of the video data to a connected terminal during conference setup.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel F. Ozone
- 👤 Christopher L. Dischino
- 👤 Nelson Shen
- 👤 Vilas V. Bhade
- 👤 Tak Szeto
- 👤 Brittain S. McKinley
- 👤 Peter J. Donovan
- 👤 Daniel E. Zeck
- 👤 Charles F. Sharkey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 20:58
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/02; H04L12/16; H04L12/18; H04L12/1813; H04L12/1831; H04N; H04N7/00; H04N7/14; H04N7/15; H04N7/152; H04N7/155
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 61
Claim 1
Independent Claim
52 words
A multipoint control unit for conferencing a plurality of audiovisual terminals comprising: a source for providing a video greeting; and a processor for controlling playback of the video greeting to an audiovisual terminal connected to the multipoint control unit, the processor transmitting the video greeting to the audiovisual terminal during conference setup.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
52 words
A multipoint control unit for conferencing a plurality of audiovisual terminals comprising: a source for providing a video greeting; and a processor for controlling playback of the video greeting to an audiovisual terminal connected to the multipoint control unit, the processor transmitting the video greeting to the audiovisual terminal during conference setup.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The multipoint control unit of claim 1 wherein the source further provides audio data and wherein the processor further controls playback of the audio data to the audiovisual terminals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The multipoint control unit of claim 1 wherein the video greeting comprises a still image.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The multipoint control unit of claim 3 wherein the video greeting comprises an H.261 QCIF intramode frame.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The multipoint control unit of claim 4 wherein the video greeting further comprises fill blocks for synchronizing framing between the multipoint control unit and the connected audiovisual terminal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The multipoint control unit of claim 1 wherein the video greeting comprises a series of images.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
57 words
In a video teleconferencing system having a plurality of audiovisual terminals and a multipoint control unit for conferencing the terminals, a method for operating the teleconferencing system comprising the steps of: providing a stored video greeting; connecting one of the terminals to the multipoint control unit; and transmitting the video greeting to the connected terminal for display.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
57 words
In a video teleconferencing system having a plurality of audiovisual terminals and a multipoint control unit for conferencing the terminals, a method for operating the teleconferencing system comprising the steps of: providing a stored video greeting; connecting one of the terminals to the multipoint control unit; and transmitting the video greeting to the connected terminal for display.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the video greeting comprises a still image.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the video greeting comprises an H.261 QCIF intramode frame.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of transmitting fill blocks to synchronize framing between the connected terminal and the multipoint control unit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
80 words
A video teleconferencing system comprising: a plurality of user sites, each site having an audiovisual terminal; a multipoint control unit for conferencing the audiovisual terminals, the multipoint control unit having a processor for controlling playback of a video greeting; and an operator site connected to the multipoint control unit for controlling a conference, the operator site having means for placing the terminals in an operator queue; wherein the processor transmits the video greeting to the queued terminals during conference setup.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
80 words
A video teleconferencing system comprising: a plurality of user sites, each site having an audiovisual terminal; a multipoint control unit for conferencing the audiovisual terminals, the multipoint control unit having a processor for controlling playback of a video greeting; and an operator site connected to the multipoint control unit for controlling a conference, the operator site having means for placing the terminals in an operator queue; wherein the processor transmits the video greeting to the queued terminals during conference setup.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system of claim 11 wherein the operator site further includes means for selecting one of the queued terminals, means for conducting a subconference between the selected terminal and the operator site, and means for placing the selected terminal into the conference.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 11 wherein the video greeting comprises a still image.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 13 wherein the video greeting comprises an H.261 QCIF intramode frame.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 11 wherein the video greeting comprises a series of images.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
83 words
A method for operating a video teleconferencing system comprising the steps of: providing an operator site for controlling a conference; providing a plurality of user sites, each site having an audiovisual terminal; providing a multipoint control unit for conferencing the audiovisual terminals and the operator site; providing a video greeting; connecting one of the audiovisual terminals to the multipoint control unit; placing the connected audiovisual terminal into an operator queue at the operator site; and transmitting the video greeting to the queued terminal.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
83 words
A method for operating a video teleconferencing system comprising the steps of: providing an operator site for controlling a conference; providing a plurality of user sites, each site having an audiovisual terminal; providing a multipoint control unit for conferencing the audiovisual terminals and the operator site; providing a video greeting; connecting one of the audiovisual terminals to the multipoint control unit; placing the connected audiovisual terminal into an operator queue at the operator site; and transmitting the video greeting to the queued terminal.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 16 further comprising conducting a subconference between the queued terminal and the operator site and placing the queued terminal into the conference.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the video greeting comprises a still image.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
75 words
In a videoconferencing system in which an audiovisual terminal connected to a multipoint control unit receives a first stream of frames of video and audio data, a method for operating the videoconferencing system comprising the steps of: providing a video greeting; interrupting the first stream of frames at the multipoint control unit; placing the video greeting into frames to form a second stream; and transmitting the second stream of frames to the connected audiovisual terminal.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
75 words
In a videoconferencing system in which an audiovisual terminal connected to a multipoint control unit receives a first stream of frames of video and audio data, a method for operating the videoconferencing system comprising the steps of: providing a video greeting; interrupting the first stream of frames at the multipoint control unit; placing the video greeting into frames to form a second stream; and transmitting the second stream of frames to the connected audiovisual terminal.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 19 further including the step of placing a series of fill frames into the second stream periodically.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
45 words
A method of operating a conference, comprising: using stored video data to generate a first signal representative of a first greeting; transmitting the first signal to a first audiovisual terminal; connecting the first audiovisual terminal and at least a second audiovisual terminal in a conference.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
45 words
A method of operating a conference, comprising: using stored video data to generate a first signal representative of a first greeting; transmitting the first signal to a first audiovisual terminal; connecting the first audiovisual terminal and at least a second audiovisual terminal in a conference.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 21 wherein the first greeting comprises a still image.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 21 further comprising: using stored video data to generate a second signal representative of a second greeting; transmitting the second signal to the second audiovisual terminal.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 23 wherein the first greeting is substantially identical to the second greeting.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 23 wherein the first and second greetings comprise still images.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 21 further comprising connecting the first audiovisual terminal and a third audiovisual terminal in a conference before connecting the first and second audiovisual terminals in a conference.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 26 wherein the third audiovisual terminal is an operator terminal.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 26 further comprising terminating the conference between the first and third audiovisual terminals before connecting the first and second audiovisual terminals in a conference.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 21 further comprising generating a third signal representative of music and transmitting the third signal to the first audiovisual terminal before connecting the first and second audiovisual terminals in a conference.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 29 wherein the third signal is generated in response to data received from an audio source.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
42 words
A method of conferencing two or more audiovisual terminals, comprising: transmitting stored video data representative of a first greeting to a first of the audiovisual terminals before connecting the first audiovisual terminal and a second of the audiovisual terminals in a conference.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
42 words
A method of conferencing two or more audiovisual terminals, comprising: transmitting stored video data representative of a first greeting to a first of the audiovisual terminals before connecting the first audiovisual terminal and a second of the audiovisual terminals in a conference.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 31 further comprising transmitting stored video data representative of a second greeting to the second audiovisual terminal before connecting the first and second audiovisual terminals in a conference.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 31 further comprising connecting the first audiovisual terminal and a third audiovisual terminal in a conference before connecting the first and second audiovisual terminals in a conference.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 33 wherein the third audiovisual terminal is an operator terminal.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 33 further comprising terminating the conference between the first and third audiovisual terminals before connecting the first and second audiovisual terminals in a conference.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 31 wherein the first greeting comprises a still image.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 31 further comprising transmitting data representative of music to the first audiovisual terminal before connecting the first and second audiovisual terminals in a conference.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
45 words
A method of operating a conference, comprising: transmitting stored video data representative of a video greeting to a first audiovisual terminal; transmitting stored video data representative of a video greeting to a second audiovisual terminal; connecting the first and second audiovisual terminals in a conference.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
45 words
A method of operating a conference, comprising: transmitting stored video data representative of a video greeting to a first audiovisual terminal; transmitting stored video data representative of a video greeting to a second audiovisual terminal; connecting the first and second audiovisual terminals in a conference.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of operating a conference, comprising: connecting a multipoint control unit to a first audiovisual terminal via a first communications network; using stored video data to generate a first signal representative of a first greeting; transmitting the first signal from the multipoint control unit to the first audiovisual terminal via the first communications network; connecting the multipoint control unit to a second audiovisual terminal via a second communications network; using the multipoint control to connect the first and second audiovisual terminals in a conference.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of operating a conference, comprising: connecting a multipoint control unit to a first audiovisual terminal via a first communications network; using stored video data to generate a first signal representative of a first greeting; transmitting the first signal from the multipoint control unit to the first audiovisual terminal via the first communications network; connecting the multipoint control unit to a second audiovisual terminal via a second communications network; using the multipoint control to connect the first and second audiovisual terminals in a conference.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 39 wherein the first greeting comprises a still image.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method according to claim 39 further comprising using stored video data to generate a second signal representative of a second greeting and transmitting the second signal from the multipoint control unit to the second audiovisual terminal via the second communications network.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method according to claim 39 further comprising using the multipoint control unit to connect the first audiovisual terminal and a third audiovisual terminal in a conference before connecting the first and second audiovisual terminals in a conference.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 42 further comprising terminating the conference between the first and third audiovisual terminals before connecting the first and second audiovisual terminals in a conference.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 42 wherein the third audiovisual terminal is an operator terminal.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method according to claim 39 further comprising using the multipoint control unit to receive a signal representative of music and to transmit data representative of the music to the first audiovisual terminal before connecting the first and second audiovisual terminals in a conference.
Claim 55
Independent Claim
124 words
A method of operating a conference, comprising: connecting a multipoint control unit to a first audiovisual terminal via a first communications network; using stored video data to generate a first signal representative of a first greeting; transmitting the first signal from the multipoint control unit to the first audiovisual terminal via the first communications network; connecting the multipoint control unit to a second audiovisual terminal via a second communications network; using the multipoint control unit to transmit data received from the first audiovisual terminal via the first communications network to the second audiovisual terminal via the second communications network and to transmit data received from the second audiovisual terminal via the second communications network to the first audiovisual terminal via the first communications network.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
124 words
A method of operating a conference, comprising: connecting a multipoint control unit to a first audiovisual terminal via a first communications network; using stored video data to generate a first signal representative of a first greeting; transmitting the first signal from the multipoint control unit to the first audiovisual terminal via the first communications network; connecting the multipoint control unit to a second audiovisual terminal via a second communications network; using the multipoint control unit to transmit data received from the first audiovisual terminal via the first communications network to the second audiovisual terminal via the second communications network and to transmit data received from the second audiovisual terminal via the second communications network to the first audiovisual terminal via the first communications network.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 46 wherein the first greeting comprises a still image.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method according to claim 46 further comprising using stored video data to generate a second signal representative of a second greeting and transmitting the second signal from the multipoint control unit to the second audiovisual terminal via the second communications network.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the step of transmitting occurs during conference setup.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 7 further comprising placing the connected terminals into a conference queue and wherein the step of transmitting the video greeting occurs after the terminal is placed into the conference queue.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 7 further comprising transmitting a music signal to the connected terminal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4516156A
Cited
US4691347A
Cited
US5600646A
Cited
WO1996042152A1
Cited
US5710591A
Cited
US5886734A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-11-22 | 2003-05-24 | 2003-11-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-11-22 | 2007-05-24 | 2007-11-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-11-22 | 2011-05-24 | 2011-11-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |