Method and apparatus for visual communications in a scalable network environment

A method for videoconferencing between at least three terminals over a scalable network comprising the steps of

• encoding at at least two terminals, respective image sequences for transmission of each as a single image data sequence onto the network for decoding at any of the other terminals on the network at either of at least two spatial resolutions and at either of at least two frame rates,
• decoding, at at least one terminal, the encoded sequences from at least two other terminals at frame rates and spatial resolutions selected by said at least one terminal, and
• simultaneously displaying at said one terminal, the image sequences from at least said two other terminals at selected spatial resolutions and frame rates.

A method for providing a videoconference between at least two terminals connected over a scalable network comprising the steps of

• encoding at one terminal an image sequence into a bitstream for transmission of a single image data sequence comprising at least two spatial resolutions, onto the network for decoding at either of at least two spatial resolutions,
• decoding said encoded image sequence at at least one other said terminal at one of said spatial resolutions selected by at least one other said terminal, and
• displaying said decoded image sequence at said selected spatial resolution level.

A method for providing a videoconference between at least two terminals connected over a scalable network comprising the steps of

• encoding at one terminal an image sequence for transmission of a single image data sequence onto the network for decoding at either of at least two frame rates,
• decoding said encoded image sequence at at least one other said terminal at one of said frame rates selected by said at least one other said terminal, and
• displaying said decoded image sequence at said selected frame rate.

An apparatus for providing a videoconference between at least two terminals connected over a scalable network comprising

• an encoder at one terminal for encoding an image sequence for transmission as a single data image sequence onto the network for decoding at either of at least two spatial resolutions and at either of at least two frame rates,
• a decoder for decoding said encoded image sequence at at least one other said terminal at a spatial resolution and frame rate selected by said at least one other said terminal, and
• a display for receiving said decoded image sequence and displaying said decoded image sequence at said selected spatial resolution and frame rate.

An apparatus for videoconferencing between at least three terminals over a scalable network comprising

• an encoder for encoding at at least two terminals, respective image sequences for transmission of each as a single data image sequence onto the network for decoding at any of the other terminals on the network at either of at least two spatial resolutions and at either of at least two frame rates,
• a decoder for decoding, at at least one terminal, the encoded sequences from at least two other terminals at frame rates and spatial resolutions selected by said one terminal, and
• a display for simultaneously displaying at said one terminal, the image sequences from at least said two other terminals at selected spatial resolutions and frame rates.

An apparatus for providing a videoconference between at least two terminals connected over a scalable network comprising

• an encoder for encoding at one terminal an image sequence into a single data image bitstream comprising at least two spatial resolutions, for transmission onto the network for decoding at either of at least two spatial resolutions,
• a decoder for decoding said encoded image sequence at at least one other said terminal at one of said spatial resolutions selected by said at least one other said terminal, and
• a display for displaying said decoded image sequence at said selected spatial resolution level.

An apparatus for providing a videoconference between at least two terminals connected over a scalable network comprising

• an encoder for encoding at one terminal an image sequence for transmission as a single data image sequence onto the network for decoding at either of at least two frame rates,
• a decoder for decoding said encoded image sequence at at least one other said terminal at one of said frame rates selected by said at least one other said terminal, and
• a display for displaying said decoded image sequence at said selected frame rate.