Conference bridge processing of speech in a packet network environment

A speech processing method for use in facilitating communication between a first participant and a second participant, said speech processing method comprising:

• receiving a first bitstream of said first participant encoded based on a first coding scheme;
• decoding said first bitstream according to said first coding scheme to generate a plurality of first speech samples and a first side information;
• generating a plurality of second speech samples and a second side information, for use according to a second coding scheme, using said plurality of first speech samples and said first side information;
• and
• creating a second bitstream, encoded based on said second coding scheme for said second participant, using said plurality of second speech samples and said second side information.

A conference bridge for facilitating communication between a first participant, a second participant and third participant, said conference bridge comprising:

• a first decoder capable of receiving a first bitstream of said first participant, decoding said first bitstream and generating a first speech information;
• a second decoder capable of receiving a second bitstream of said second participant, decoding said second bitstream and generating a second speech information;
• a first mixer capable of combining said first speech information with said second speech information to generate a third speech information;
• and
• a first encoder capable of using said third speech information to generate a third bitstream for said third participant;
• wherein said first speech information includes a plurality of first speech samples and a first side information, said second speech information includes a plurality of second speech samples and a second side information and said third speech information includes a plurality of third speech samples and a third side information.

A conferencing method for facilitating communication between a first participant, a second participant and third participant, said conferencing method comprising:

• receiving a first bitstream of said first participant;
• decoding said first bitstream to generate a first speech information;
• receiving a second bitstream of said second participant;
• decoding said second bitstream to generate a second speech information;
• combining said first speech information with said second speech information to generate a third speech information;
• and
• generating a third bitstream, for said third participant, using said third speech information;
• wherein said first speech information includes a plurality of first speech samples and a first side information, said second speech information includes a plurality of second speech samples and a second side information and said third speech information includes a plurality of third speech samples and a third side information.