Multilocation video conference terminal including rapid video switching

Patent 4574374 Issued on March 4, 1986. Estimated Expiration Date:

October 25, 2003. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

3519744

3601530

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Inventor

Scordo, Dominick

Assignee

AT&T Bell Laboratories

Application

No. 06/545363 filed on 10/25/1983

US Classes:

370/265Particular technique for combining diverse information types

Examiners

Primary: Olms, Douglas W.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Stafford; Thomas

International Classes

H04Q 11/04 (20060101)
H04N 7/15 (20060101)
H04M 3/56 (20060101)

Abstract

In a multilocation conference terminal for transmitting audio and video information to a plurality of remote locations, rapid video and non-disrupted audio switching are obtained by employing a plurality of single composite digital signals each including all the video information from an associated location and all of the audio mixes for all of the locations in a conference. Then, the composite signals are switched prior to conversion for transmission to one or more of the locations. Since each composite signal includes all the audio mixes for all of the locations, when video from anyone of the locations is selected for transmission to any of the locations, the audio mixes for those locations are also switched.

Other References

"Teleconferencing", IEEE 1981 Conference on Communications, vol. 2, pp. 31.2.1-31.2.4, Jun. 1981, by David W. Kennett
Bernard A. Wright, "The Design of Picturephone.RTM. Meeting Service (PMS) Conference Centers for Video Teleconferencing", IEEE Communications Magazine, pp. 30-36, Mar. 1983
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