Distributed Videoconferencing Processing

Abstract

A videoconferencing system may include, for example, a camera, microphones, speakers, a computer system (e.g., a portable computer) and a codec box. The videoconferencing system may send/receive signals through a network coupled to the computer system. In some embodiments, the codec functionality may be incorporated in a set-top box (e.g., a cable box, a satellite box, or a gaming box). The various functions to support the videoconference (e.g., compression and decompression of video signals, etc.) may be performed, for example, by circuitry in the camera, codec box/set top box, and/or the computer system. For example, video processing and encoding of signals for the videoconference may be implemented in the camera and audio processing and decoding of signals for the videoconference may be implemented in the codec box.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.