8x8, Inc.

Other

8.times.8, Inc.

Netergy Networks, Inc.

Ykk Corporation

Netergy Microelectronics, Inc.

Paul A Voois

Barry Dean Andrews

Bryan R Martin

Truman Joe

Philip Stanley Bednarz

Keith Barraclough

Katherine Wang Kwan

Ruili Hu

May Shu-Pei Chiang

Stephane Bryant

Frederic Artru

Paul Ning

Paul C Ning

Phil Bednarz

External-services data are processed for use in a user facility in a manner that enables easy user interface and control. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, an arrangement for processing external-services data includes an audio, video, and data signal bussing arrangement adapted to distribute audio, video, and data to designated points in a user facility. A plurality of appliances are communicatively coupled to the bussing arrangement and adapted to receive and process one or more audio, video, and data signals. A user input device is adapted to command a network interface unit (NIU) to process the external-services data for use at a particular one of the plurality of appliances in the user facility. External-services data is delivered over the bussing arrangement and to one or more of the plurality of appliances using the (NIU).

Network interface unit control system and method therefor

The present invention is directed to IP telephony communications control. A user-interface device is communicatively coupled to an IP communications link and adapted to provide communications control selections to a user via a display. A plurality of IP telephony devices are coupled to the IP communications link. Selections from the display are used for providing communications control including control of communications for at least one of the plurality of IP telephony devices. The user-interface device is adaptable for use by various types of users, such as system administrators, office administrators, and individual telephony device users. In this manner, efficient and flexible user control of IP telephony applications is effected using a portable operations platform that is adaptable for use by different users at various locations.

Communications controller and method therefor

The present invention is directed to a method and system for enhancing the routing of telephony data. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a telephony private branch exchange routing arrangement is adapted to route IP telephony data. The routing arrangement includes a call-control application having an OOP telephony interface and programmed, using OOP and the OOP telephony interface, to control the routing of calls. A device-control application is adapted to provide telephony communication signals for the routed calls and to interface between the call-control application and a plurality of telephony devices. Configuration information for the call-control application is provided via a configuration manager. In this manner, voice and data networks are effectively fused, allowing the easy integration of computer telephony applications.

Communications service provider network

A multimedia communication arrangement processes and multiplexes different types of data, including data from an adaptive data rate data source and a nonadaptive data rate data source, to substantially increase data throughput over a communication channel. The rate at which data is collected from the adaptive data rate data source varies based on the available channel bandwidth of the modem. The transmission rate is optionally adjusted in response to a detected error rate. Furthermore, the amount of filtering performed by a video camera on an image before the image is encoded by a codec can be adjusted. In addition, a data recovery terminal optionally selectively adjusts intervals at which received audio data is sampled to potentially reduce latency periods.

Data processor having controlled scalable input data source and method thereof

According to one aspect of the disclosure, the present invention provides methods and arrangements for the removal or reduction of divergence artifacts between a transmitting codec and a receiving codec. One of a number of implementations includes using a deblocking filter in an inverse transformer loop and selectively disabling the filter upon certain conditions.

Deblocking filter for encoder/decoder arrangement and method with divergence reduction

A video signal decoding arrangement conceals visible artifacts attributable to errors in a data stream. The arrangement includes a data processing arrangement that decodes the data stream into image data and that replaces data corrupted by the errors with replacement data generated as a function of a previous frame. The image data is optionally stored in first and second memories.

Video signal decoding arrangement and method for improved error concealment

According to one aspect of the disclosure, the present invention provides methods and arrangements for the removal or reduction of divergence artifacts between a transmitting codec and a receiving codec.

A videophone apparatus with an on-screen telephone keypad user-interface. The videophone communicates video and audio data over a plain old telephone service (POTS) line and includes a video source and a communication channel interface circuit coupled to a programmable processor. The programmable processor is configured and arranged to execute a user interface program for user controlled operation of the videophone apparatus, display a first menu on the display, the first menu referencing a first plurality of options for operating the videophone apparatus and having associated therewith respective indicators of telephone keypad buttons, receive from the telephone keypad a first selection signal indicative of a pressed button, and initiate an operation to control the videophone apparatus in response to the first selection signal.

Videocommunicating device with an on-screen telephone keypad user-interface method and arrangement

Deblocking filter for encoder/decoder arrangement and method with

In one embodiment, a cost-effective videophone device includes a programmable processor circuit capable of communicating over a conventional communications channel, such as a POTS line, and of generating video data for display on a television set. The device includes a video source, an interface circuit, including a modem transmitting and receiving video and audio data over the channel; an EEPROM circuit for storing a program to control the videophone apparatus; and a display driver circuit for generating video data to the display. The programmable processor circuit includes a DSP-type processor for processing video data and a RISC-type processor executing the stored program and controlling the operation of the videophone apparatus. Further, a housing arrangement, enclosing each of the above structures, mounts adustably on the top of the display.

Videocommunicating apparatus and method therefor

A cost-effective videophone includes a programmable video/general-purpose processor capable of readily updating program-related data. The processor includes a first circuit section used to process data for videoconferencing and to detect codes data used for revising software-related data provided from a remote location, and a second circuit section used for executing the executable program data stored in the second memory circuit. A volatile memory circuit is coupled to and accessed by the programmable video/general-purpose processor, and is used for storing the revision data until it is validated. Once validated, the revision data is transferred from the first memory circuit to a non-volatile memory circuit. The non-volatile memory circuit is then used by the processor in a subsequent video-related application, such as a videoconferencing application or a web browser application.

Apparatus and method for videocommunicating having programmable

A still image is progressively transmitted over a communications channel by computing, encoding, and outputting for transmission difference information representing the difference between the still image and a lower quality representation of the still image that has been received by a remote location. This process is repeated, with additional difference information being generated to supplement the image received at the remote location, such that the quality of the image at the remote location improves over time. The difference information may be encoded in a format compatible with existing video compression standards and processed by a receiving terminal regardless of the presence of still mode capability.

Progressive still frame mode

A still image is progressively transmitted over a communications channel by computing, encoding, and outputting for transmission difference information representing the difference between the still image and a previously-transmitted image that has been stored at a remote location. This process is repeated, with additional difference information being generated to supplement the image received at the remote location, such that the quality of the image at the remote location improves over time. The difference information may be encoded in a format compatible with existing video compression standards and processed by a receiving terminal regardless of the presence of still mode capability.

Configuring a communication arrangement that transmits video and other signal types using operational modes includes constructing a hierarchy of nodes representing the operational modes. The hierarchy also includes null nodes and a root node. Scores are collected as the nodes are traversed. The score represents a difference between the operational modes represented by the nodes along the path and desired operational modes received from a data recovery terminal. When the sum of scores collected for a set of nodes exceeds a threshold, the order of traversal is reversed. Reversing the order discards inefficient solutions and avoids dedication of system resources to evaluating such solutions. In addition, decreasing the number of paths evaluated permits more rapid determination of the operational modes best matching the desired operational modes.

Arrangement for configuring a video communication system and method

A multimedia communication system processes and multiplexes different types of data, including data from an adaptive data rate data source and a nonadaptive data rate data source, to substantially increase data throughput over a communication channel. The system includes: a first data source, responsive to a control signal, including a video image processor constructed to capture images and to present the images as a first type of data at a rate determined as a function of the control signal; at least one additional data source generating at least one additional data signal; a data signal processor that determines an available bandwidth factor for the communication channel, generates the control signal in response to this factor, collects the first type of data at a rate that varies in response to the available channel bandwidth of the modem, and collects the at least one additional type of data at at least one established rate. A communication channel modem transmits the data to a receiving terminal as the data is presented by the data signal processor.

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Sunnyvale, CA, United States of America

Paul A Voois