# US 9,438,857 B2 · Video conferencing system and multi-way video conference switching method

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 9,438,857 B2
- Document ID: US9438857B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/618,285
- Filed: 2015-02-10
- Published: 2016-07-14
- Granted: 2016-09-06
- Earliest claimed: 2015-01-08
- Assignees: Quanta Computer Inc.
- Applicants: Quanta Computer Inc.
- Inventors: Rong-Quen Chen; Yu-Hsing Lin; Kai-Ju Cheng; Chin-Yuan Ting; Hsin-Lun Hsieh; Yuan-Ruei Jhang
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9438857B2

## CPC

- H04N 7/15: Conference systems
- H04N 7/141: {between two video terminals, e.g. videophone (telephonic communication systems combined with television receiver for reception of entertainment or information matter H04M11/085)}
- H04N 7/152: {Multipoint control units therefor}
- H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION

## Abstract

A video conferencing system is provided. The video conferencing system includes: a first video conferencing terminal; a second video conferencing terminal, for establishing a video conference with the first video conferencing terminal via a peer-to-peer connection; and a management server. When a user needs to add a third video conferencing terminal to the video conference to establish a multi-way video conference, the first video conferencing terminal and the second video conferencing terminal automatically terminate the peer-to-peer connection, and connect to the third video conferencing terminal through the management server to perform the multi-way video conference.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A video conferencing system, comprising:
a first video conferencing terminal;
a second video conferencing terminal, for establishing a video conference with the first video conferencing terminal via a peer-to-peer connection; and
a management server,
wherein when a user needs to add a third video conferencing terminal to the video conference to establish a multi-way video conference, the first video conferencing terminal and the second video conferencing terminal automatically terminate the peer-to-peer connection, and connect to the third video conferencing terminal through the management server to perform the multi-way video conference,
wherein when the user adds the third video conferencing terminal to the video conference to establish the multi-way video conference, the first video conferencing terminal transmits a setup command to the management server, and the management server further determines whether to allow the multi-way video conference,
wherein when the management server determines to allow the multi-way video conference, the management provides a group list to the user for selecting a group, and the selected group comprises at least one member.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The video conferencing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the user drags an icon of the member in the selected group to a window of the video conference, the first video conferencing terminal transmits a connection command to the management server, and the management server further transmits an invitation command to the third video conferencing terminal.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The video conferencing system as claimed in claim 2, wherein when the third video conferencing terminal accepts the invitation command, the first video conferencing terminal and the second video conferencing terminal automatically terminate the peer-to-peer connection, and connect to the third video conferencing terminal through the management server to perform the multi-way video conference, wherein the management server further determines whether any other device is added to the multi-way video conference.

### Claim 4

A multi-way video conference switching method for use in a video conferencing system, wherein the video conferencing system comprising a first video conferencing terminal, a second video conferencing terminal, and a management server, the method comprising:
establishing a video conference between the first video conferencing terminal and the second video conferencing terminal via a peer-to-peer connection;
automatically terminating the peer-to-peer connection between the first video conferencing terminal and the second video conferencing terminal when a user needs to add a third video conferencing terminal to the video conference to establish a multi-way video conference;
connecting the first video conferencing terminal and the second video conferencing terminal to the third video conferencing terminal through the management server to perform the multi-way video conference;
when the user adds the third video conferencing terminal to the video conference to establish the multi-way video conference, utilizing the first video conferencing terminal to transmit a setup command to the management server;
utilizing the management server to determine whether to allow the multi-way video conference; and
when the management server determines to allow the multi-way video conference, utilizing the management to provide a group list to the user for selecting a group, wherein the selected group comprises at least one member.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The method as claimed in claim 4, further comprising:
when the user drags an icon of the member in the selected group to a window of the video conference, utilizing the first video conferencing terminal to transmit a connection command to the management server; and
utilizing the management server to transmit an invitation command to the third video conferencing terminal.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The method as claimed in claim 5, further comprising:
when the third video conferencing terminal accepts the invitation command, automatically terminating the peer-to-peer connection between the first video conferencing terminal and the second video conferencing terminal;
connecting the first video conferencing terminal and the second video conferencing terminal to the third video conferencing terminal through the management server to perform the multi-way video conference; and
utilizing the management server to determine whether any other devices are added to the multi-way video conference.