Method and Apparatus for Wideband Conferencing
AssigneePolycom, Inc.
InventorsJeffrey Rodman, David Drell
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for wideband voice and optional data conferencing over a telecommunications network channel between at least two wideband communications devices. An exemplary method comprises establishing an audio link, verifying wideband capability between the at least two wideband communications devices, training modems of the at least two wideband communications device to line conditions, and adjusting the telecommunications connection line conditions between the communications devices. Once a wideband connection has been established, audio and data may be simultaneously exchanged.
Claims20
A method for wideband conferencing over a narrowband Plain Old Telephone System (POTS) connection from a first device, comprising:
- opening one narrowband analog audio connection to a second device over a POTS connection;
- receiving an indication that the second device is wideband capable;
- transmitting a first wideband digital audio signal over the narrowband audio connection from the first device over a first voice channel;
- transmitting a first control data signal over a first control channel;
- receiving a second wideband digital audio signal from the second device over the first voice channel;
- and
- receiving a second control data signal over the first control channel.
A device capable of conducting a wideband conference over a narrowband analog Plain Old Telephone System (POTS) connection, comprising:
- a codec;
- a modem coupled to the codec and for coupling to the analog POTS connection;
- and
- a controller coupled to the codec and the modem;
- wherein the codec is operative to convert analog audio signals to wideband digital audio signals and wideband digital audio signals to analog audio signals;
- wherein the controller is operative to receive an indication that a second communication device connected over the POTS connection is wideband capable;
- wherein the modem is operative to modulate and demodulate digital signals exchanged through the POTS connection;
- and
- wherein the controller and the modem are operative to establish a control channel for control data and a voice channel for the wideband digital audio signals.
The device of claim n where in the codec is a G.711 codec.
The device of claim n wherein the codec is a G.722.1 codec.
The device of claim n further comprising an audio echo canceller coupled to the codec to allow full-duplex audio communication.
The device of claim n wherein the audio communication has audio frequencies above 3.4 KHz.
The device of claim n wherein the controller is operative to adjust quality of connection based on available bandwidth.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.