Video teleconferencing for networked workstations

Patent 5375068 Issued on December 20, 1994. Estimated Expiration Date:

June 3, 2012. 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

3584142

Combined telephone and data-transfer system
Patent #: 4387271
Issued on: 06/07/1983
Inventor: Artom

Teleconferencing method and system
Patent #: 4516156
Issued on: 05/07/1985
Inventor: Fabris , et al.

Conversational video system
Patent #: 4525779
Issued on: 06/25/1985
Inventor: Davids , et al.

Multilocation video conference terminal including rapid video switching
Patent #: 4574374
Issued on: 03/04/1986
Inventor: Scordo

Videophone network system
Patent #: 4645872
Issued on: 02/24/1987
Inventor: Pressman , et al.

Communication system for videoconferencing
Patent #: 4650929
Issued on: 03/17/1987
Inventor: Boerger , et al.

Graphics based call management
Patent #: 4653090
Issued on: 03/24/1987
Inventor: Hayden

Variable bandwidth switching system
Patent #: 4679191
Issued on: 07/07/1987
Inventor: Nelson , et al.

Workstation for interfacing with a video conferencing network
Patent #: 4686698
Issued on: 08/11/1987
Inventor: Tompkins , et al.

More ...

Inventors

Assignee

Digital Equipment Corporation

Application

No. 893074 filed on 06/03/1992

US Classes:

709/204, COMPUTER CONFERENCING370/260, Conferencing709/236Computer-to-computer data framing

Examiners

Primary: Voeltz, Emanuel T.
Assistant: Peeso, Thomas R.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Hamilton, Brook, Smith & Reynolds

International Class

G06K 015/00

Abstract

A video teleconferencing method and apparatus for computer workstations connected by a digital data network includes a transmission source portion for a local workstation to send audio and video teleconference data across the network to one or more remote workstations, and, a receiver for the local workstation to receive audio and video teleconference data back from the remote workstations. The local workstation sends teleconference data to each of the remote workstations over a variable bandwidth digital data connection, and each of the remote workstations returns teleconference data back to the local workstation over another variable bandwidth digital data connection. The transmission source portion includes a master software process executing on the local workstation, and the receiver includes a slave software process executing the remote workstation. The master process of a local workstation causes execution of a slave process on a remote workstation for receiving video teleconference data from the local workstation. An audio data transmitter for sends an audio data stream to the remote workstation such that the audio data can be reconstructed into a continuous audio signal. A video transmitter sends video data so that each frame of video data to be sent is inserted into the audio data stream without affecting the continuity of the reconstructed audio signal at the remote workstation.

Other References

Palmer and Palmer, "Desktop Meeting", LAN Magazine, 6(11):111-121 (Nov. 1991)
D. Comer, "Internetworking with TCP/IP, vol. I: Principles, Protocols, and Architecture", 2nd Edition, pp. 1-8, 337-346, 505 (Prentice Hall: Engelwood Cliffs, N.J. 1991