Lucent Technologies Inc.

David N Horn

Pierre D Wellner

Amir M Mane

Kyeong-Soo Kim

J H J Maessen

A multi-table-based grant generator in accordance with the present invention solves the issue of bandwidth granularity, while maintaining the simplicity of a table approach. The present invention grant generator provides grants of fine granularity for regulation of upstream transmission of cells in an ATM PON. Multiple grant tables having differing bandwidth granularities are linked together through a simple grant distribution mechanism. The grant tables and grant distribution mechanisms can be recursively linked to achieve a number of different granularities. The grant generator of the present invention is based on multiple grant tables with a combination of multiplexers, dividers, and address counters. The grant generator provides both larger and smaller bandwidths for data grants as well as PLOAM grants without large size grant tables. In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, improved granularity is achieved, where a first grant table is used for one size of bandwidth grant, e.g., data grants, and the second grant table is used for another size of bandwidth grant, e.g., low bandwidth data grants as well as PLOAM grants. A simple clock divider couples to each of the grant tables through corresponding address counters. The clock divider provides a set number of bandwidth grants from each table over a complete cycle. The clock divider also selects an appropriate input port of a multiplexer through which the grants from each grant table are respectively transmitted. By having the ability to issue variable sized bandwidth grants, the granularity is significantly improved, thereby translating to a more efficient use of the bandwidth. More specifically, grants of a finer granularity can be issued without the need for an excessively large grant table usually thought to be necessary to produce fine granularities.

Multi-table based grant generator for improved granularity in an ATM-PON

A solution to the music-on-hold problem associated with audio conference calls. The music on-hold-problem occurs when a conferee having music-on-hold puts the conference call on hold, resulting in a continuous stream of music being transmitted to the other conferees. Such a conferee is called an offending conferee. The solution presented herein is to prevent music-on-hold signals emanating from an offending conferee from being passed through an audio conference bridge to the other conferees. This is accomplished, in particular embodiments, by directing a merging/summing subsystem of the audio conference bridge to temporarily stop combining audio emanating from the offending conferee from being combined or merged onto audio channels through which the other conferees communicate on the audio conference. Once the music-on-hold is terminated, the offending conferee can rejoin conference call by sending a signal that directs the merging/summing subsystem to resume the combining of audio signals emanating from the offending conferee onto the audio channels of the other conferees.

Method for solving the music-on-hold problem in an audio conference

An arrangement for a teleconferencing bridge allows one or more users to control at least one characteristic of at least some of the input signals received by the bridge, such that the output signals received by each user in a teleconference is a user-controlled combination of all the input signals, including the changed input signals. The arrangement allows a rich set of audio bridging features to be provided cost-effectively. Those features include subconferencing, monitoring, whispering, muting, complex gain control, and pseudo stereo.

Teleconferencing audio bridge

In an illustrative embodiment, an audio/video conferencing system comprises two or more audio/video terminals, in which the transmitted and/or received audio is automatically adjusted to provide synchronization between audio and video during periods of monologue (i.e., single talker active for significant duration). During interactive periods in which more than one talker is active, the audio delay is automatically adjusted to be less than the video delay, thus improving audio conference quality.

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Summit, NJ, United States of America

David N Horn