Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Computer conferencing
Reexamination Certificate
1998-07-09
2001-05-15
Najjar, Saleh (Department: 2758)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Computer conferencing
C709S200000, C709S248000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06233605
ABSTRACT:
The invention concerns a remote conferencing system having restricted features, but compensates for the restricted features by being usable everywhere a voice-grade telephone channel is available.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Multi-party telephone conferencing is in widespread use. However, one disadvantage of such conferencing is that all information within the conference is of the audio type, and no visual information is available. Another disadvantage is that the identity of a person speaking at any given time is not known to the others, except through recognition of the speaker's voice.
Thus, the following type of awkward situation frequently arises: if one participant wishes to comment on another participant's statements, the commentator, in general, cannot say, “I agree with Albert's position,” because the commentator does not know whether Albert made the statements. The commentator generally uses a more stilted, and less friendly, phraseology, such as, “I agree with the last speaker,” without naming that speaker.
An advancement over telephone conferencing is found in video conferencing, which adds video information to the audio conference. In a typical video conference, all parties view a common video image, and see video images of each other. When a participant speaks, the speaker can be readily identified, because the other participants see the speaker. The conferencing system can include sketching facilities, wherein a conference participant draws a sketch, and that sketch is reproduced on other computers.
However, video conferencing, in general, require high-bandwidth data channels, such as ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) service, communication satellite links, or an equivalent. Such channels are not in widespread use, and are far less available than ordinary telephone service. Thus, many people having access to telephone service cannot gain access to video conferencing.
In addition, high-bandwidth channels can be expensive. In 1998, one type of ISDN link imposes a fixed cost of about $50.00 per month, plus a per-minute usage charge. In addition to these costs, expensive equipment is required for video conferencing. Each participant requires (1) a video camera, (2) a microphone, (3) one or more expansion cards for a computer to digitize signals produced by the camera and microphone, (4) circuitry to interface with the high-bandwidth channel, and possibly other equipment.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention is to provide improved remote electronic conferencing. A further object of the invention is to provide a system which achieves most of the functionality of video conferencing, in an inexpensive manner, using voice-grade telephone channels.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one form of the invention, a collection of visual images is first transmitted to computers of all participants of a forthcoming conference. Then, during the conference, a leader issues selection signals to the computers, telling them which images to select, from the collection, and display. While viewing the images, the leader and the participants hold a telephone conference. A voice-grade telephone channel carries both the telephone conference and the selection signals, thereby reducing cost.
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Najjar Saleh
NCR Corporation
Welte Gregory A.
LandOfFree
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