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US 6,453,336 B1Granted
Video conferencing with adaptive client-controlled resource utilization
AssigneeSiemens Information and Communication Networks, Inc.
InventorsWilliam Joseph Beyda, Shmuel Shaffer, Vinesh R. Mehta
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Techniques to dynamically control the allocation of resources between audio and video (and perhaps data) streams of a video conference are disclosed. By providing the dynamic control, a participant to a video conference is able to alter the quality levels for the audio and video (and perhaps data) streams that they receive while the video conference is ongoing. A tool bar, window or the like can be used to enable a participant to dynamically control the quality levels. The techniques are particularly well suited for personal computer based video conferencing.
Claims36
A method for providing a video conference, comprising:
- initiating a video conference having an audio quality level and a video quality level, the video conference using resources to provide audio and video between first and second stations coupled together by a network;
- displaying, at the first station, a quality level adjustment tool that allows a participant to adjust at least one of the audio quality level and the video quality level as the video conference is ongoing;
- receiving, from the quality level adjustment tool, an adjustment request to modify at least one of the audio quality level and the video quality level;
- sending the adjustment request from the first station to the second station:
- and
- thereafter receiving, at the first station from the second station, the audio and video of the video conference such that at least one of the audio quality level and the video quality level has been adjusted in accordance with the adjustment request.
3 more elements
A method for providing a video conference, comprising:
- initiating a video conference having an audio quality level and a video quality level, the video conference providing audio and video between two stations coupled together by a network;
- monitoring, by a computer system, a conference quality level for the video conference as the video conference is ongoing;
- determining, by the computer system, if a loss of quality for the video conference has been detected or anticipated;
- displaying a request for a quality level adjustment when said determining determines that a loss of quality has been detected or anticipated;
- receiving an adjustment request to modify at least one of the audio quality level and the video quality level;
- and
- adjusting at least one of the audio quality level and the video quality level in accordance with the adjustment amount.
4 more elements
A method for providing a video conference, comprising:
- initiating a video conference having an audio quality level and a video quality level, the video conference using resources to provide audio and video between two stations coupled together by a network;
- monitoring available resources for the video conference as the video conference is ongoing;
- determining if a reduction of the available resources for the video conference has been detected or anticipated;
- displaying a request for a quality level adjustment when said determining determines that a reduction of the available resources has been detected or anticipated;
- receiving, in response to the request being displayed, an adjustment request to modify at least one of the audio quality level and the video quality level;
- and
- adjusting at least one of the audio quality level and the video quality level in accordance with the adjustment request.
4 more elements
A method for providing a video conference using a conference server, said method comprising:
- receiving incoming streams of audio and video from stations participating in the video conference, the incoming streams having incoming quality levels;
- receiving requested quality levels from the stations participating in the video conference;
- processing the incoming streams to produce outgoing streams in accordance with the requested quality levels;
- and
- transmitting the outgoing streams to the stations participating in the video conference,
- wherein said receiving of the requested quality levels from the stations can occur dynamically as the video conference is ongoing.
3 more elements
A computer readable medium including computer program code for providing a video conference, said computer readable medium comprising:
- computer program code for initiating a video conference having an audio quality level and a video quality level, the video conference using resources to provide audio and video between first and second stations coupled together by a network;
- computer program code for displaying, at the first station, a quality level adjustment tool that allows a participant to adjust at least one of the audio quality level and the video quality level as the video conference is ongoing;
- computer program code for receiving, from the quality level adjustment tool, an adjustment request to modify at least one of the audio quality level and the video quality level;
- computer program code for sending the adjustment request from the first station to the second station;
- and
- computer program code for thereafter receiving, at the first station from the second station, the audio and video of the video conference such that at least one of the audio quality level and the video quality level has been adjusted in accordance with the adjustment request.
3 more elements
A computer readable medium including computer program code for providing a video conference using a conference server, said computer readable medium comprising:
- computer program code for receiving incoming streams of audio and video from stations participating in the video conference, the incoming streams having incoming quality levels;
- computer program code for receiving requested quality levels from the stations participating in the video conference;
- computer program code for processing the incoming streams to produce outgoing streams in accordance with the requested quality levels;
- and
- computer program code for transmitting the outgoing streams to the stations participating in the video conference,
- wherein said receiving of the requested quality levels from the stations can occur dynamically as the video conference is ongoing.
3 more elements
A computer system for supporting a video conference with a remote computer system through a network, said computer system comprising:
- a camera for receiving local images;
- a display for displaying remote images from a remote computer system participating in the video conference;
- a microphone for picking up local audio;
- a speaker for reproducing remote audio from the remote computer system participating in the video conference;
- and
- a conference controller that controls the transmission of the local video and the local audio as well as the reception of the remote video and the remote audio, said video controller operates to (1) initiate the video conference having an audio quality level and a video quality level, (2) display a quality level adjustment tool that allows a participant to adjust at least one of the audio quality level and the video quality level as the video conference is ongoing, (3) receive, from the quality level adjustment tool, an adjustment request to modify at least one of the audio quality level and the video quality level;
- (4) send the adjustment request to the remote computer system;
- and thereafter receive the remote audio and remote video of the video conference such that at least one of the audio quality level and the video quality level has been adjusted in accordance with the adjustment request.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.