U.S. patent application number 10/620048 was filed with the patent office on 2005-01-20 for audio/video conferencing system.
Invention is credited to Rambo, Darwin.
Application Number | 20050015444 10/620048 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34062701 |
Filed Date | 2005-01-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050015444 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rambo, Darwin |
January 20, 2005 |
Audio/video conferencing system
Abstract
Aspects of the present invention may be found in a system and
method to effectively schedule and configure video and audio
conferences. In one embodiment, the system comprises a server and
one or more audio/video conferencing devices interconnected through
a public or private data network. In one embodiment, a graphical
user interface (GUI) provides for an intuitive means to graphically
view and configure one or more conferences, participants, and
conference call configuration settings.
Inventors: |
Rambo, Darwin; (Surrey,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCANDREWS HELD & MALLOY, LTD
500 WEST MADISON STREET
SUITE 3400
CHICAGO
IL
60661
|
Family ID: |
34062701 |
Appl. No.: |
10/620048 |
Filed: |
July 15, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
709/204 ;
348/E7.083 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 7/155 20130101;
G06F 3/0486 20130101; H04N 7/15 20130101; G06F 3/04842
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
709/204 |
International
Class: |
G06F 015/16 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A system for configuring a conference call comprising a
computing device that is communicatively coupled with a server,
said computing device capable of displaying, to a participant of a
conference call, information regarding a status of the conference
call based on at least one communication received from said
server.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein said computing device comprises a
display used for said displaying.
3. The system of claim 2 wherein said display generates a graphical
user interface.
4. The system of claim 3 wherein said graphical user interface
provides one or more lists of participants grouped by way of one or
more conference calls.
5. The system of claim 1 wherein user inputs are generated using a
point, click, and drag device.
6. The system of claim 5 wherein said point, click, and drag device
comprises a mouse.
7. A method of configuring side conference calls comprising:
selecting one or more participant identifiers from at least one
existing conference call; and positioning said selected participant
identifiers into at least one side conference call identifier.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein said positioning said selected
participant identifier comprises: pointing to said selected
participant identifier using a point, click, and drag device;
clicking on said selected participant identifier using said point,
click, and drag device; and dragging said selected participant
identifier using said point, click, and drag device to said at
least one side conference identifier.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein said point, click, and drag device
comprises a mouse.
10. The method of claim 7 further comprising creating said at least
one side conference identifier for configuring said side conference
calls.
11. A method of configuring one or more conference calls
comprising: creating conference identifiers; and grouping
participant identifiers into said conference identifiers.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein said conference identifiers
comprise software objects.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein said software objects may
incorporate a conference call name, icon, logo, or insignia.
14. The method of claim 11 comprising selecting a participant
identifier to effectuate receipt of a corresponding video feed.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein said corresponding video feed
is displayed by a display.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein said display utilizes a
graphical user interface.
17. The method of claim 14 comprising generating a new window for
displaying said corresponding video feed.
18. The method of claim 11 further comprising locking said one or
more conference calls to prevent participation by additional
participants.
19. The method of claim 11 comprising providing a roll call of
participants participating in said one or more conference
calls.
20. A method of graphically viewing and participating in one or
more conference calls comprising selecting participants for one or
more conference calls by way of pointing, clicking, and dragging
participant identifiers into one or more conference
identifiers.
21. The method of claim 20 further comprising selectively receiving
an audio feed of said one or more conference calls by way of using
said one or more conference identifiers.
22. The method of claim 21 further comprising receiving a video
feed of said conference call by way of using said participant
identifiers.
23. The method of claim 21 comprising receiving a translated
version of said audio feed.
24. The method of claim 23 wherein said translated version is
generated at a server.
25. The method of claim 22 wherein said video feed comprises a
recorded playback of said one or more conference calls.
26. The method of claim 25 wherein said recorded playback comprises
an image enhanced playback.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Audio and video conferencing provides a significant resource
to those who reside in distant locations. Critical information may
be exchanged in an effective manner without the inconvenience of
traveling to meet with other parties. Although it has become a
significant tool, audio and video conferencing has a number of
limitations related to its use.
[0002] One disadvantage related to audio/video conferencing relates
to effectively utilizing a vast number of different features
available to configure a conference call. Typical features provided
by conferencing systems include the ability to create side
conferences, conduct roll calls, mute one or more participating
members, and provide pre-recorded broadcast messages to one or more
participants. Often, remembering the vast number of different
features poses a problem for many users. Because of the number of
features, a reference card is provided to a user for use during a
conference call. These cards, however, are often printed in small
type and are very difficult to interpret and use.
[0003] Another issue in configuring one or more features of
conference calls relates to implementation. Often, implementing a
particular feature requires keying in a string or a sequence of
DTMF (dual tone multi-frequency) tones. The sequences may be long
and remembering a sequence may be a very difficult process.
Further, remembering more than a few of these sequences may be a
very arduous task.
[0004] A significant disadvantage to current conferencing systems
involves the difficulty and complexity of invoking various feature
sets while participating in a conference call. A participant may
have to enter one or more states or modes in his conferencing
device prior to entering the appropriate DTMF sequence that allows
him to configure his conferencing device with the desired feature.
The process is not intuitive and a participant may run into
significant problems during a conference call. Often times, a call
may be dropped or a conference call may be terminated if the wrong
DTMF sequence is input. This often causes unwanted frustration to
users who become more hesitant to use such features in the
future.
[0005] Finally, DTMF tones often result in irritating audible
distractions during a conference call. This often occurs when a
participant enters or exits a conference call while a conversation
is occurring during the conference call or when a user wishes to
invoke a particular feature. In addition to annoying a participant,
the wrong sequence of DTMF tones may terminate a conference
call.
[0006] Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and
traditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the
art, through comparison of such systems with some aspects of the
present invention as set forth in the remainder of the present
application with reference to the drawings.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Aspects of the present invention may be found in a system
and method to effectively schedule and configure video and audio
conference calls. Aspects of the present invention allow one to
intuitively view and configure call setup configurations of one or
more conference calls by way of a graphical user interface
(GUI).
[0008] In one embodiment, the system comprises a computing device
that is communicatively coupled with a server, capable of
displaying information regarding a status of a conference call
based on at least one communication received from the server. In
one embodiment, the computing device comprises a display used for
displaying a graphical user interface. In one embodiment, the
graphical user interface provides one or more lists of participants
grouped by way of one or more conference calls. In one embodiment,
a user of the graphical user interface easily makes one or more
selections by way of using a point, click, and drag device.
[0009] In one embodiment, the method comprises configuring side
conference calls by selecting one or more participant identifiers
from at least one conference call and positioning the selected
participant identifiers into a side conference call identifier. In
one embodiment, the positioning is accomplished by pointing,
clicking, and dragging the selected participant identifier. The
participant identifier is dragged to the side conference
identifier.
[0010] In one embodiment, the method comprises configuring one or
more conference calls by creating conference identifiers and
grouping participant identifiers into the conference identifiers.
In one embodiment, the conference identifiers comprise software
objects. In one embodiment, the software objects may incorporate a
conference call name, icon, logo, or insignia. In one embodiment,
the selection of a participant identifier effectuates receipt of a
corresponding video feed. The corresponding video feed may be
displayed using a new window. In one embodiment, the method
comprises locking one or more conference calls to prevent
participation by additional participants. The grouping of
participant identifiers may provide a roll call of participants
participating in the one or more conference calls. In one
embodiment, an audio feed is translated at a server prior to
transmission to a participant. The server is used to enhance the
quality of pre-recorded audio or video prior to broadcasting to one
or more participants. In one embodiment, the video feed comprises a
recorded playback of the one or more conference calls and in
another embodiment, the recorded playback comprises an image
enhanced playback.
[0011] These and other advantages, aspects, and novel features of
the present invention, as well as details of illustrated
embodiments, thereof, will be more fully understood from the
following description and drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an audio/video conferencing
system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of an audio and/or video
conferencing device in dance with an embodiment of the
invention.
[0014] FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a graphical user
interface in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0015] FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of a graphical user
interface in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] Aspects of the present invention may be found in a system
and method to effectively schedule and configure an audio/video
conferencing system. The audio/video conferencing system comprises
a network such as an exemplary server communicating to a number of
computing devices. Each of the computing devices is configured to
provide a graphical user interface. In one embodiment, a graphical
user interface (GUI) provides for a more intuitive means to
graphically view one or more conferences, participants, and current
settings. The GUI may provide one or more exemplary "workspaces" in
which a user may view, interact, and configure the audio/video
conferencing system. In an exemplary Microsoft operating system,
the term "workspaces" may be alternatively termed "windows".
Although aspects of the invention may describe a windows
environment that utilizes the Microsoft Windows Operating System,
it is contemplated that the invention may be applied alternatively
to other operating systems that use workspaces to view, interact,
and configure the audio/video conferencing system.
[0017] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an audio/video conferencing
system 100 in accordance with an example embodiment of the
invention. As illustrated, an audio/video conferencing network 120
interconnects one or more computing devices. The computing devices
may comprise an exemplary desktop 104, a personal digital assistant
(PDA) 108, a wireless communication device 112, a laptop 116, a
server 124, or other like device (e.g., an IP phone). The
audio/video conferencing network 120 may comprise one or more
public and/or private data networks interconnected together. For
example, the public network may comprise an Internet network while
the private network may comprise a dedicated private line. It is
contemplated that any data communications network capable of
connecting two or more computing devices is acceptable. It should
be noted that the audio/video conferencing system 100 illustrated
is but one example embodiment and other embodiments, which do not
depart from the scope of the invention, may be enabled.
[0018] The server 124 comprises any type of computer system or
device capable of storing and providing data to one or more
computing devices over the audio/video conferencing network 120.
The server 124 is capable of receiving and storing call setup
configuration information from the one or more computing devices.
The server 124 acts to coordinate, configure, and facilitate
transmission of audio and/or video conference calls. The server 124
may run an appropriate software capable of communicating,
receiving, displaying, appropriately configuring, scheduling, and
broadcasting one or more conference calls. The server 124 may
comprise a storage device capable of storing a database used in
configuring conference calls. It is contemplated that the server
124 may use one or more secure protocols to communicate to the one
or more computing devices. The secure protocols may employ
encryption algorithms such as secret key encryption and/or a public
key encryption algorithms to securely transmit and decrypt the
contents of any transmitted audio, video, or call setup
configuration information. It is contemplated that security
standards such as AES, DES, Triple DES, and the like may be used to
securely transmit data within the audio and/or video conference
call system.
[0019] The audio/video conferencing call system 100 may be capable
of providing a number of features that are facilitated by the
server 124. The server 124 may facilitate a request by a
participant to arrange a private side conference for two or more
participants. In response, the server 124 may securely acknowledge
such a side conference request by way of an encrypted message using
one or more secure encryption algorithms. A side conference may be
securely transmitted to those participants who have been authorized
to view the side conference. It is contemplated that the
participant may be authenticated by way of one or more user name
and passwords prior to being accepted into a conference call. In
one embodiment, fingerprints or facial profiling may be used to
identify a participant. It is contemplated that one or more
suitable computer input devices are used to facilitate a
fingerprint or facial profiling recognition system. In addition,
the server 124 may facilitate a request by a participant to mute
himself while a conference call is underway, to lock or bar other
parties from attending a conference that has begun, to mute all
participants during a pre-recorded broadcast of a conference call,
and to mute or reduce the volume of another party during a
conference call. It should be noted that these are a few example
embodiments of requests made by a participant causing a
configuration change in the conference call setup environment. It
is contemplated that a graphical user interface may be additionally
enabled for a host's or administrator's use. By logging in as a
host or administrator, by way of an authorized user name and
password, it is contemplated that the graphical user interface
(GUI) may be enabled to allow administrative control of the
exemplary requests previously mentioned. It is contemplated that a
user may log in as a host or administrator using the server 124 or
any one of the other computing devices 104, 108, 112, 116
illustrated in FIG. 1. It is presumed there are additional call
setup embodiments that do not depart from the scope of the
invention that may be enabled by way of the audio/video
conferencing call system 100.
[0020] The server 124 may facilitate scheduling a conference call
by way of inputs provided by an authorized host. The host may be
authorized to schedule conference calls by inputting an exemplary
user name and password. The host may disseminate conference call
information to one or more selected participants by way of a secure
messaging system such as e-mail or wireless messaging such as SMS.
It is contemplated that such conference call information may
include date and time of the conference call, as well as password
information to access the conference call. During a conference
call, the server 124 may automatically adjust the broadcast volume
level to accommodate for the number of participant inputs. In one
embodiment, a previously recorded audio or video conference may be
enhanced in quality prior to re-transmission over a pre-recorded
broadcast. For example, signal to noise ratio enhancement
techniques may be used for audio transmissions while video pixel
averaging enhancement techniques may be used for video
transmissions. In one embodiment, an audio conference is translated
to one or more languages at the server prior to transmission to the
one or more participants. It is contemplated that a software based
translation utility resident in memory, at the server, may be used
to translate a pre-recorded or live audio conference into one or
more languages prior to transmission to one or more requesting
participants. It is also contemplated that a translation delay may
occur during transmission of live audio conferences.
[0021] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a computing device 200
in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The computing
device 200 comprises, for example, an exemplary laptop, desktop
computer, PDA, wireless communication device, or the like (e.g., an
IP phone). The computing device comprises a display 204, memory
208, a processor 212, an interface 216, an audio input device 220,
and a video input device 224. The display is used to provide a
graphical user interface for viewing one or more audio/video
conferencing windows or workspaces. One or more windows may display
call setup parameters, participant lists, current conference call
configuration information, or provide real time streaming video of
one or more participants. One or more graphical or visual
indicators displayed on one or more windows may specify a
participant's status in the audio/video conference call. The
graphical user interface generated at the computing device 200 may
be implemented by way of software downloaded from a server. The
server may act as a repository of various software required for
communication and display at the computing device 200. The software
downloaded to the computing device 200 may be opened and compiled
by the processor 212 operating with the memory 208. The memory 208
may comprise non-volatile, volatile, and mass storage memory. The
resulting compiled software application may be stored in the memory
208 for use by the computing device 200 when needed. The graphical
user interface may incorporate a pull down menu with one or more
tabs, allowing a user to view one or more options that may be
selectable by an exemplary mouse. The graphical user interface
comprises software objects such as radio buttons and input fields
allowing a participant to easily configure a conference call. It is
contemplated that the input fields may comprise a location in a
window where a participant may input a user name and password. It
is further contemplated that the input fields comprise a location
in which an exemplary chat session may be held by the participant.
The audio input device 220 may comprise a microphone while the
video input device 224 may comprise cybercam. The audio input
device 220 may be positioned in a location on the computing device
200 to allow speech to be easily transduced and transmitted into
the network. The video input device 224 may be positioned to
capture the participants participating during the audio/video
conferencing session. The video input device 224 may provide an
input to written material or presentation material that may be
broadcasted to the other participants during the video/audio
conference.
[0022] Call setup parameters may comprise the number of
participants in a proposed conference call, the type of conference
call, information on side conferences to be held simultaneously,
date and time of conference call, meeting number, and user name or
participant number. It is contemplated that one type of conference
call comprises a pre-recorded conference call. This type of
conference call may allow the audio or video to be enhanced prior
to conference call playback. It is contemplated that the image
and/or audio may be enhanced based on the quality of the original
recording. Further, it is contemplated that a translation of the
original pre-recorded audio into one or more languages may be
facilitated by processing performed by the server.
[0023] One or more participants participating in a conference call
may be displayed over one or more windows provided by a graphical
user interface. Each participant may be identified by way of a
participant identifier. The participant identifier may comprise a
software object that incorporates a participant's name, icon, logo,
or other unique insignia in order to adequately identify the
participant in a conference call. The participant identifiers may
be arranged as a list of participants grouped together. As
discussed later, the participant identifiers may be listed under a
particular conference identifier, signifying the conference call
they are participating in. It is contemplated that the participant
identifiers may be listed in a roll call fashion, where
participants are listed in the order they call in or log in to the
audio/video conferencing system. Additional information concerning
a participant may be obtained by way of using an exemplary mouse on
the graphical user interface. It is contemplated that a listed
participant may be pointed to and right clicked on (by the mouse)
to reveal a participant's affiliation and contact information. A
video feed on the participant may be generated by way of using the
mouse. One or more video feeds may be presented over one or more
windows provided by the graphical user interface. The size of the
video feed may be adjusted to the participants needs by way of the
graphical user interface.
[0024] A participant may be qualified as an authorized participant
by way of additional screening and/or password verifications prior
to login. Further, a participant's level of transmission security
may be viewed. By listing the security levels of the participants'
connections, it is possible to visualize the level of protection
provided to the audio or video transmissions.
[0025] Current conference call configuration information may be
provided by way of a window generated by a graphical user
interface. The conference call configuration information may
comprise the number of participants in a particular conference
call, the status of a particular participant, and/or transmitted
audio/video quality status. For example, a participant's status may
include whether or not he has a question for one of the other
participants. It is contemplated that other types of status
information may also be provided by way of a particular window
provided by the graphical user interface.
[0026] In one or more windows provided by the graphical user
interface, one or more video feeds from one or more participants
may be displayed. A particular video feed may be generated by way
of double-clicking or selecting a participant using an exemplary
mouse. The video compression ratio may be automatically selected
based on transceived bandwidth of the participant's computing
device. It is contemplated that multiple video feeds may be limited
by the available bandwidth provided to the computing device. As a
result, the audio/video conferencing device may limit the number of
video feeds provided to a participant based on the available
bandwidth.
[0027] FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a graphical user
interface 300 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
The graphical user interface 300 illustrates an exemplary window
comprising a menu bar row 304, a conference identifiers row 308,
and a number of participant identifiers 312. In this embodiment,
participant #1 through participant #5 are grouped under conference
identifier #1 while participant #6 and participant #7 are grouped
under conference identifier #2. As shown, the participants
associated with a particular conference call are grouped or
positioned under the appropriate conference call identifier.
[0028] The menu bar row 304 may comprise a number of different pull
down items of which a selection may be made. The menu bar row may
comprise exemplary pull down menu selections such as a audio bar
316, video bar 320, view bar 324, tools bar 328, share bar 332,
call bar 336, and a help bar 340. In one embodiment, the audio bar
316 may allow a participant to select an audio feed from one of
several conference calls that he may participate in. For example, a
participant may view two conference calls and their associated
participants in one or more windows of a graphical user interface.
However, the participant may select one of two audio feeds by
selecting from the audio bar 316 pull down. Similarly, the video
bar 320 may allow a participant to select one or more video feeds
from any one or more conference calls that he may participate in.
In one embodiment, a video feed of a particular participant may be
generated by double-clicking or selecting an associated participant
identifier. By doing so, a new window is generated by the graphical
user interface containing the requested video feed. The view bar
324 may allow a participant to adjust the size of the workspace or
window that appears in the graphical user interface. In one
embodiment, the view bar 324 may allow the participant to select a
particular percentage of zoom in or zoom out of one or more windows
of a graphical user interface that he is using. The tools bar 328
may provide one or more selections that allow the participant, for
example, to record a live audio or video conference to a data file.
The share bar 332 may allow the participant to share a file, such
as an exemplary application file, to participants of a conference
call. The call bar 336 may, for example, allow the participant to
mute his audio input device, disable his video input device, or
configure one or more various other attendee privileges. The help
bar 340 may, for example, allow the participant to request
information regarding a particular pull down menu selection.
[0029] Referring to FIG. 4, it is contemplated that a side
conference call may be configured by an authorized user, such as an
administrator or host, by pointing, clicking, and dragging (using
an exemplary mouse) a particular participant identifier over to a
new conference call identifier, thereby creating a new conference
call. For example, an administrator may point, click, and drag
participants identifiers #3 and #5 of conference call #1 into the
conference call #3 identifier. By doing so, participants #3 and #5
become participants of conference call #3. It is contemplated that
the device that performs the pointing, clicking, and dragging of
one or more objects within a graphical user interface comprises a
mouse or like device. It is contemplated that, in one embodiment,
requests made by prospective participants to generate a side
conference call is agreed upon by the participants involved. It is
contemplated that the server automatically generates a new
conference call when all conditions are met for staging a new
conference call. The conditions may comprise that a conference call
be restricted certain participants or a number of participants. For
example, the side conference may comprise members of a company or
organization.
[0030] When there is more than one conference call available, the
audio/video conferencing system may allow a participant to choose
which conference call in which he would like to participate. Each
conference call may be identified by way of a conference
identifier. The conference identifier may comprise a software
object that incorporates a conference call name. The conference
identifier may comprise a software object that may incorporate a
unique icon, logo, or other unique insignia. The graphical user
interface may provide a default mode in which the first conference
call identified by conference identifier #1 is provided as the
audio and/or video feed. When the first conference call's audio
feed is provided to the participant, the graphical user interface
may highlight or color the conference identifier #1. In this
fashion, the participant is visually notified as to the conference
call in which he is listening and participating. It is contemplated
that a user may select another conference call by way of using his
exemplary mouse. For example, the appropriate conference call
identifier may be selected by right clicking on the mouse to
display one or more selection choices. An exemplary selection
choice may be "select audio feed", which may be selected by left
clicking on the mouse. If another conference call is selected, the
associated conference identifier may be colored or highlighted
appropriately.
[0031] It is further contemplated that security of a conference
call may be adjusted by way of the graphical user interface. For
example, a particular conference call identifier may have a number
of selections regarding the security used when a participant
participates in a particular conference call's transmission. It is
contemplated that the level of security or security standard used
may be determined by right clicking on the mouse and selecting an
appropriate security level for the conference call selected.
[0032] As illustrated in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, a
conference call may be locked to prevent others from participating
in the conference call. This may occur when a particular time has
elapsed after the conference call has started. In other instances,
the conference call may be locked when a certain number of
participants have been reached. The criteria for locking the
conference call may be determined by an administrator prior to
scheduling an audio/video conference.
[0033] While the invention has been described with reference to
certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the
art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be
substituted without departing from the scope of the invention. In
addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular
situation or material to the teachings of the invention without
departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the
invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed,
but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within
the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *