Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Computer conferencing
Reexamination Certificate
1996-07-31
2001-12-18
Ton, David (Department: 2133)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Computer conferencing
C709S203000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06332153
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method and system for half-duplex multimedia multi-station conferencing over a network generally and more particularly to a method and system for half-duplex audio multi-station conferencing over a network.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Wide Area Computer Networks (WAN), in particular the INTERNET network, allow users to communicate multimedia information therebetween. For Example, the Internet Phone, commercially available from VocalTec Inc. of New Jersey, enable audio conferencing between two parties using two computer stations connected to the INTERNET and equipped with the INTERNET PHONE™ application.
In another application, multi-station multi-media conferencing Is provided. In multi-station conferencing, a number of users employ their computer station in order to hold a conference. Generally speaking, two types of multi-station conferencing exist, namely, full-duplex conferencing in which each user may speak and hear audio information, i.e. is able to simultaneously transmit and receive voice packets, and half-duplex conferencing in which one station is determined to be the current transmitting station at a time.
Full-duplex conferencing requires a mixing mechanism by which voice packets transmitted by each station are mixed in a network server so as to avoid the need to resolve according to predetermined criteria which participant will be the active participant. Obviously, mixing mechanisms directed to full duplex conferencing are costly and difficult to implement and require in addition a supplemental mechanism for self-hearing cancellation, such as an echo canceling algorithm.
Half-duplex conferencing requires a mechanism which will resolve who will be the user allowed to speak to all other at any particular time. In prior art half-duplex and conferencing, a resolving mechanism based on an arbitration procedure between voice packets, for example the procedure described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,434,797 to Barris is implemented.
Another drawback associated with conferencing systems in general and with multi-media multi-station conferencing in particular is that it is sometimes difficult for one participant to recognize who is the current participant. This problem is particularly difficult in multi-station network conferencing, such as in INTERNET multi-station conferences where participants which are not familiar with each other have to recognize who is the current participant.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide an improved method for half-duplex multi-media multi-station conferencing in a computer network.
In a preferred embodiment the multi-station half-duplex conference is an audio conference or an audio and video conference.
A further object of the present invention is to display the current active participant in a multi-station conference.
There is thus provided, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a method for multi-media half-duplex conferencing in a computer network which includes a plurality of stations and a control server. The method includes the steps of receiving a packet at the server from one station of the plurality of stations including a digital representation of information of at least one information type selected from audio information and video information, identifying the station as a transmitting station, blocking packets transmitted from the plurality of stations at the server except from the first transmitting station, distributing packets from the transmitting station, thereby providing audio information generated by user of the transmitting stations to users of the other stations of the plurality of stations; and repeating the steps of receiving, identifying, blocking and transmitting for a different one of the plurality of stations, thereby replacing the transimitting station with a different transmitting station, thereby providing the half-duplex multi-station conference.
Further, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the step of replacing includes the steps of receiving a packet indicating an end of transmission of the representation of the information and receiving a packet from a different station, thereby providing the identification of the second transmitting station.
According to an alternative embodiment the step of replacing includes the steps of not receiving packets from the transmitting station for a predetermined period of time and receiving a packet from the second station after the predetermined period of time, thereby providing the activation of the second transmitting station.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the method also includes the step of visually indicating to the users which user is utilizing the station which is transmitting station. Preferably, this step includes the steps of transmitting a packet including a user identification from the first station to the control server, adding the user identification to a participants list of users participating in the half-duplex conference, thereby providing a current participants list, storing the current identification list with an indication which station is the current transmitting user, providing the user identification list in the stations and displaying the identification list including the indication of the current transmitting user.
Further, the step of storing preferably includes the steps of storing an update of the current participants list with an indication which station is the current transmitting user, retrieving the update in the stations and displaying the update including the indication of the current transmitting user.
There is also provided, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a system for multi-media half-duplex conferencing in a computer network which includes a plurality of stations and a control server which is capable of operating in accordance with the methods of the present invention.
There is further provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a method for usually indicating to participants of a multi-station conference, both half-duplex and full-duplex conferences, which participant is the current active participant. The method includes the steps of providing a list of participants in the multi-station conference, determining a participant as a currently active participant and indicating to other participants of the multi-station conference who is the currently active participant or participants.
In a preferred embodiment the step of indicating includes the steps of providing the participants list or an updated portion thereof with an indication of the currently active participant and displaying the identification list including the indication of the current active participant or participants.
Further, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the steps of providing the participant list and the step of providing are independent of the step of indicating.
There is also provided, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a system for visually indicating to participants of a multi-station conference, both half-duplex and full-duplex, which participant is the current active participant. The system includes a human or automatic operator for providing a participant lists or an update thereof and a conference bridge server connected to first means, preferably but not limited to telephone means, for determining a currently active participant and to second means, preferably but not limited to computer network means, independent of the first means for providing the visual indication of the currently active participant to the participants of the multi-station conference.
In a preferred embodiment, the conference bridge server includes a CPU for receiving the participant lists or the update thereof, a storage unit for storing the participant lists and the updates thereof and a voice activity unit connected to the first means for detecting the currently active participant. The CPU is
Darby & Darby
Ton David
VocalTec Communications Ltd.
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