Implementation of MPCP MCU technology for the H.264 video standard

A method for generating a video output signal, comprising the steps of:

• (A) receiving a plurality of input video signals from each of a plurality of source devices, each of said input video signals having a plurality of input frames, each of said input frames having a source slice carrying an image, each of said input frames being encoded using a subset of a plurality of reference frames at an encoding time;
• and
• (B) generating said video output signal for transmission to a video on demand display, said video output signal comprising a plurality of output frames, wherein (i) a first of said output frames has at least a first slice having (a) a first coded portion carrying said image from a first of said source devices and (b) a first unencoded portion for said image from a second of said source devices, (ii) a second of said output frames has at least a second slice having (a) a second coded portion carrying said image from said second source device and (b) a second unencoded portion for said image from said first source device and (iii) said frames of said video output signal are generated as soon as one of said frames of said video input signal are received.

A method for generating a video output signal, comprising the steps of:

• (A) receiving a plurality of input video signals from a plurality of participants, each of said input video signals having a plurality of input frames, each of said input frames having a source slice carrying an image;
• and
• (B) generating said video output signal for transmission to said participants, said video output signal comprising a plurality of output frames, wherein (i) a first of said output frames has (a) a first foreground slice carrying said image from a first of said participants and (b) a first background slice designated as unencoded, (ii) a second of said output frames has (a) a second foreground slice carrying said image from said second participant and (b) a second background slice designated as unencoded and (iii) said frames of said video output signal are generated as soon as one of said frames of said video input signal are received.