US6237025B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multimedia collaboration system
Assignee: Pragmatus AV LLC
•
Filing: 1997-12-19
•
Granted: 2001-05-22
•
Expires: 2017-12-19
Abstract
Abstract A multimedia collaboration system that integrates separate real-time and asynchronous networks—the former for real-time audio and video, and the latter for control signals and textual, graphical and other data—in a manner that is interoperable across different computer and network operating system platforms and which closely approximates the experience of face-to-face collaboration, while liberating the participants from the limitations of time and distance. These capabilities are achieved by exploiting a variety of hardware, software and networking technologies in a manner that preserves the quality and integrity of audio/video/data and other multimedia information, even after wide area transmission, and at a significantly reduced networking cost as compared to what would be required by presently known approaches. The system architecture is readily scalable to the largest enterprise network environments. It accommodates differing levels of collaborative capabilities available to individual users and permits high-quality audio and video capabilities to be readily superimposed onto existing personal computers and workstations and their interconnecting LANs and WANs. In a particular preferred embodiment, a plurality of geographically dispersed multimedia LANs are interconnected by a WAN. The demands made on the WAN are significantly reduced by employing multi-hopping techniques, including dynamically avoiding the unnecessary decompression of data at intermediate hops, and exploiting video mosaicing, cut-and-paste and audio mixing technologies so that significantly fewer wide area transmission paths are required while maintaining the high quality of the transmitted audio/video.
Inventors
- 👤 Lester F. Ludwig
- 👤 J. Chris Lauwers
- 👤 Keith A. Lantz
- 👤 Gerald J. Burnett
- 👤 Emmett R. Burns
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 12:39
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L65/00; H04L65/80; G; G06; G06Q; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/10; H04L12/00; H04L12/02; H04L12/16; H04L12/18; H04L12/1813; H04L12/1818; H04L12/1822; H04L12/1827; H04L12/1831; H04L51/00; H04L51/04; H04L51/07; H04L51/10; H04L65/1066; H04L65/1101; H04L65/40; H04L65/403; H04L65/4038; H04L67/00; H04L67/14; H04L67/50; H04L67/75; H04L9/00; H04L9/40; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04M3/50; H04M3/53; H04M3/5307; H04M3/56; H04M3/562; H04M3/563; H04M3/567; H04N; H04N7/00; H04N7/14; H04N7/141; H04N7/147; H04N7/148; H04N7/15; H04N7/152; H04L12/1836; H04L12/185; H04M2201/00; H04M2201/38; H04M2203/00; H04M2203/50; H04M2203/5018; H04M2203/5027; H04M3/42221; H04M3/42314; H04M3/42323; H04M3/428; H04M3/4285; H04M3/564; H04M7/00; H04M7/006; H04M7/12; H04Q; H04Q2213/00; H04Q2213/1305; H04Q2213/13093; H04Q2213/13175; H04Q2213/1319; H04Q2213/1322; H04Q2213/1324; H04Q2213/1326; H04Q2213/1332; H04Q2213/13337; H04Q2213/13389
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 48
Claim 1
Independent Claim
180 words
A teleconferencing system for conducting a teleconference among a plurality of participants comprising: (a) a plurality of video display devices each having associated (i) participant video capture capabilities, and (ii) participant audio (1) capture and (2) reproduction capabilities; and (b) at least one communication path (i) along which signals (1) representing participant audio and video (ii) can be transmitted, wherein the system maintains (a) at least one directory, including (i) a list of potential participants; and (b) at least one database, including (i) addresses of video display devices, and (ii) audio and video capabilities of each video display device, and (c) an association (i) between the information in the directory and the database; and wherein the system is configured to (a) display information from (i) at least the directory (ii) on at least one video display device; and (b) to initiate collaboration (i) upon a selecting participant selecting (1) one or more participants i. from the displayed participant information and (ii) then establishing communication (1) with each selected participant (2) using information in the database (3) to define a teleconference.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
180 words
A teleconferencing system for conducting a teleconference among a plurality of participants comprising: (a) a plurality of video display devices each having associated (i) participant video capture capabilities, and (ii) participant audio (1) capture and (2) reproduction capabilities; and (b) at least one communication path (i) along which signals (1) representing participant audio and video (ii) can be transmitted, wherein the system maintains (a) at least one directory, including (i) a list of potential participants; and (b) at least one database, including (i) addresses of video display devices, and (ii) audio and video capabilities of each video display device, and (c) an association (i) between the information in the directory and the database; and wherein the system is configured to (a) display information from (i) at least the directory (ii) on at least one video display device; and (b) to initiate collaboration (i) upon a selecting participant selecting (1) one or more participants i. from the displayed participant information and (ii) then establishing communication (1) with each selected participant (2) using information in the database (3) to define a teleconference.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The teleconferencing system of claim 1 , wherein (a) the participant information is displayed in two sets in which the second set includes at one least of the group consisting of (i) displayed icons and text (1) representing the potential participants.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
The teleconferencing system of claim 1 , wherein (a) a selecting participant can (i) select (1) at least one of the participants and (2) at least one of a set of displayed communication types; and wherein the system is further configured to (i) establish communication (1) of the selected type (2) with each selected participant.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The teleconferencing system of claim 3 , wherein (a) the set of communication types includes at least one of: (i) data conferencing, videoconferencing, telephone conferencing, sending faxes, sending electronic mail, and the sending of multimedia mail messages.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The teleconferencing system of claim 3 , wherein (a) the selecting participant can use (i) at least one computer graphic user interface (ii) to select (1) at least one of the participant(s) and/or (2) at least one of the collaboration types.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The teleconferencing system of claim 3 , wherein the system (a) defaults (i) to a default collaboration type (ii) upon selection of a participant.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
The teleconferencing system of claim 1 , wherein the system is further configured to allow a participant: (a) to select (i) a further participant (ii) from the potential participants and (b) add (i) the new participant (ii) to an existing teleconference call.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
The teleconferencing system of claim 1 , wherein the system is further configured to: (a) allow (i) at least one participant (ii) access (1) to at least one audio and/or video signal source; and (b) reproduce (i) audio and/or video (1) based on signals (2) from the accessed signal source (ii) for another participant.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the association between the information in the directory and the database is dynamically changeable.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein (a) a selecting participant can (i) select (1) at least one of the participants (2) using a hot key.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
122 words
A method for conducting a teleconference among a plurality of participants, each having an associated video capture and display and audio capture and reproduction capabilities, the method comprising the steps of: (a) maintaining (i) at least one directory, including (1) a list of potential participants; and (ii) at least one database, including (1) addresses of video display devices, and (2) audio and video capabilities of each video display device, and (iii) an association (1) between the information in the directory and the database; (b) displaying (i) participant information from at least the directory (c) selecting (i) one or more participants (1) from among the displayed participant information; and (d) establishing communication (i) with each selected participant (ii) using information in the database.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
122 words
A method for conducting a teleconference among a plurality of participants, each having an associated video capture and display and audio capture and reproduction capabilities, the method comprising the steps of: (a) maintaining (i) at least one directory, including (1) a list of potential participants; and (ii) at least one database, including (1) addresses of video display devices, and (2) audio and video capabilities of each video display device, and (iii) an association (1) between the information in the directory and the database; (b) displaying (i) participant information from at least the directory (c) selecting (i) one or more participants (1) from among the displayed participant information; and (d) establishing communication (i) with each selected participant (ii) using information in the database.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 11 , wherein (a) the participant information is displayed in two sets in which the second set includes at least one of the group consisting of (i) displayed icons and text (1) representing potential participants.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 11 , further comprising the steps of: (a) selecting a communication type, (i) from a displayed set of communication types; and (b) establishing communication (i) of the selected type, (ii) with each selected participant.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein (a) the set of communication types includes at least one of: (i) data conferencing, videoconferencing, telephone conferencing, sending faxes, sending electronic mail and sending multimedia mail messages.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein (a) the step of selecting (i) one or more participants (ii) invokes a default collaboration type.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 11 , further comprising the steps of: (a) selecting (i) a new participant (ii) from among a plurality of potential participants; and (b) adding (i) the new participant (ii) to an existing teleconference.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
73 words
The method of claim 11 , further comprising the steps of: (a) detecting, (i) during a first teleconference (1) between a first and a second participant, (ii) an attempt (1) by a third caller (2) to initiate a second teleconference (3) with the second participant; (b) notifying (i) the second participant (ii) of the attempt; and (c) allowing the second participant (i) to add (ii) the third caller (iii) to the first teleconference.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 11 , further comprising the steps of: (a) allowing at least one participant (i) access to at least one audio and/or video signal source; and (b) reproducing video and/or audio (i) based on signals, (ii) from the accessed signal source; (iii) for another participant.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 11 , further comprising the step of: (a) allowing a participant (i) in an existing teleconference with (1) a plurality of other participants (ii) to place on hold (iii) at least one of the other participants.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 11 , further comprising the step of: (a) allowing a participant (i) in an existing teleconference with (1) a plurality of other participants (ii) to disconnect (iii) at least one of the other participants.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 11 , wherein the association between the information in the directory and the database is dynamically changeable.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 11 , further comprising the steps of: (a) selecting a participant (i) by using a hot key.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
176 words
A teleconferencing system for conducting a teleconference among a plurality of participants comprising: (a) a plurality of video display devices each having associated (i) participant video capture capabilities, and (ii) participant audio (1) capture and (2) reproduction capabilities; and (b) at least one communication path (i) along which signals (1) representing participant audio and video (ii) can be transmitted, wherein the system maintains (a) at least one directory, including (i) a list of potential participants; and (b) at least one database, including (i) addresses of video display devices, and (c) an association (i) between the information in the directory; and the database in which the association is dynamically changeable; and wherein the system is configured to (a) display information from (i) at least the directory (ii) on at least one video display device; and (b) to initiate collaboration (i) upon a selecting participant selecting (1) one or more participants i. from the displayed participant information and (ii) then establishing communication (1) with each selected participant (2) using information in the database (3) to define a teleconference.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
176 words
A teleconferencing system for conducting a teleconference among a plurality of participants comprising: (a) a plurality of video display devices each having associated (i) participant video capture capabilities, and (ii) participant audio (1) capture and (2) reproduction capabilities; and (b) at least one communication path (i) along which signals (1) representing participant audio and video (ii) can be transmitted, wherein the system maintains (a) at least one directory, including (i) a list of potential participants; and (b) at least one database, including (i) addresses of video display devices, and (c) an association (i) between the information in the directory; and the database in which the association is dynamically changeable; and wherein the system is configured to (a) display information from (i) at least the directory (ii) on at least one video display device; and (b) to initiate collaboration (i) upon a selecting participant selecting (1) one or more participants i. from the displayed participant information and (ii) then establishing communication (1) with each selected participant (2) using information in the database (3) to define a teleconference.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
42 words
The teleconferencing system of claim 23 , wherein (a) the participant information is displayed in two sets in which the second set includes any one or more of the group consisting of (i) displayed icons and text (1) representing the potential participants.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
55 words
The teleconferencing system of claim 23 , wherein (a) a selecting participant can (i) select (1) at least one of the participants and (2) at least one of a set of displayed communication types; and wherein the system is further configured to (i) establish communication (1) of the selected type (2) with each selected participant.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
37 words
The teleconferencing system of claim 25 , wherein (a) the set of communication types includes at least one of: (i) data conferencing, videoconferencing, telephone conferencing, sending faxes, sending electronic mail, and the sending of multimedia mail messages.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
41 words
The teleconferencing system of claim 25 , wherein (a) the selecting participant can use (i) at least one computer graphic user interface (ii) to select (1) at least one of the participant(s) and/or (2) at least one of the collaboration types.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
24 words
The teleconferencing system of claim 25 , wherein the system (a) defaults (i) to a default collaboration type (ii) upon selection of a participant.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
42 words
The teleconferencing system of claim 23 , wherein the system is further configured to allow a participant: (a) to select (i) a further participant (ii) from the potential participants and (b) add (i) the new participant (ii) to an existing teleconference call.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
54 words
The teleconferencing system of claim 23 , wherein the system is further configured to: (a) allow (i) at least one participant (ii) access (1) to at least one audio and/or video signal source; and (b) reproduce (i) audio and/or video (1) based on signals (2) from the accessed signal source (ii) for another participant.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 23 , wherein the database further includes audio and video capabilities of each video display device.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 23 , wherein (a) a selecting participant can (i) select (1) at least one of the participants (2) using a hot key.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
119 words
A method for conducting a teleconference among a plurality of participants, each having an associated video capture and display and audio capture and reproduction capabilities, the method comprising the steps of: (a) maintaining (i) at least one directory, including (1) a list of potential participants; and (ii) at least one database, including (1) addresses of video display devices, and (iii) an association (1) between the information in the directory and the database (2) in which the association is dynamically changeable; (b) displaying (i) participant information from at least the directory (c) selecting (i) one or more participants (1) from among the displayed participant information; and (d) establishing communication (i) with each selected participant (ii) using information in the database.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
119 words
A method for conducting a teleconference among a plurality of participants, each having an associated video capture and display and audio capture and reproduction capabilities, the method comprising the steps of: (a) maintaining (i) at least one directory, including (1) a list of potential participants; and (ii) at least one database, including (1) addresses of video display devices, and (iii) an association (1) between the information in the directory and the database (2) in which the association is dynamically changeable; (b) displaying (i) participant information from at least the directory (c) selecting (i) one or more participants (1) from among the displayed participant information; and (d) establishing communication (i) with each selected participant (ii) using information in the database.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 33 , wherein (a) the participant information is displayed in two sets in which the second set includes anyone or more of the group consisting of (i) displayed icons and text (1) representing potential participants.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 33 , further comprising the steps of: (a) selecting a communication type, (i) from a displayed set of communication types; and (b) establishing communication (i) of the selected type, (ii) with each selected participant.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 35 , wherein (a) the set of communication types includes at least one of: (i) data conferencing, videoconferencing, telephone conferencing, sending faxes, sending electronic mail and sending multimedia mail messages.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 35 , wherein (a) the step of selecting (i) one or more participants (ii) invokes a default collaboration type.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 33 , further comprising the steps of: (a) selecting (i) a new participant (ii) from among a plurality of potential participants; and (b) adding (i) the new participant (ii) to an existing teleconference.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
73 words
The method of claim 33 , further comprising the steps of: (a) detecting, (i) during a first teleconference (1) between a first and a second participant, (ii) an attempt (1) by a third caller (2) to initiate a second teleconference (3) with the second participant; (b) notifying (i) the second participant (ii) of the attempt; and (c) allowing the second participant (i) to add (ii) the third caller (iii) to the first teleconference.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 33 , further comprising the steps of: (a) allowing at least one participant (i) access to at least one audio and/or video signal source; and (b) reproducing video and/or audio (i) based on signals, (ii) from the accessed signal source; (iii) for another participant.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 33 , further comprising the step of: (a) allowing a participant (i) in an existing teleconference with (1) a plurality of other participants (ii) to place on hold (iii) at least one of the other participants.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 33 , further comprising the step of: (a) allowing a participant (i) in an existing teleconference with (1) a plurality of other participants (ii) to disconnect (iii) at least one of the other participants.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 33 , wherein the database further includes audio and video capabilities of each video display device.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 33 , further comprising the steps of: (a) selecting a participant (i) by using a hot key.
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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) | 2004-05-21 | 2004-11-20 | 2005-05-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-05-21 | 2008-11-20 | 2009-05-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-05-21 | 2012-11-20 | 2013-05-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |