Polycom, Inc.

Polycom Israel Ltd.

Roni Even

Aviv Eisenberg

Sigmund Gavish

Sigi Gavish

Uri Rabinerzon

Uri Rabinison

Itay Yad-Shalom

Ial Yad-Shalom

A system and method for providing multimedia communication between a firewall protected, LAN based endpoint and an endpoint that is external to the LAN. A logical port of a multimedia communications control unit is attached to the LAN behind the firewall. Another logical port of the multimedia communications control unit is attached to the external endpoint. Multimedia communication data, consisting of call management data and media data, can be exchanged between the endpoints via the multimedia.

Multimedia communication control unit as a secure device for multimedia communication between LAN users and other network users

A system for controlling multiple multipoint control units (MCUs) with a single apparatus is disclosed. The system utilizes a Virtual MCU (VMCU) to communicate with a plurality of MCUs. A user initiates a reserve conference command with the VMCU. If sufficient resources are available, the reservation is made and connection numbers are assigned. When the time for the conference arises, an MCU is assigned to the conference. The participants are then connected to the conference. By using a single VMCU to schedule and coordinate multiple MCUs, the system is able to efficiently schedule a large number of conferences. This greater efficiency in scheduling may allow users to schedule conferences without the advance notice that is usually required.

System and method for controlling one or more multipoint control units as one multipoint control unit

A system and method for providing multimedia communication between a firewall protected, LAN based endpoint and an endpoint that is external to the LAN. A logical port of a multimedia communications control unit is attached to the LAN behind the firewall. Another logical port of the multimedia communications control unit is attached to the external endpoint. Multimedia communication data, consisting of call management data and media data, can be exchanged between the endpoints via the multimedia communications control unit. The multimedia communications control unit allows only multimedia communication data that strictly adheres to a particular communications protocol to pass through. Thus, the security afforded by the firewall is not compromised.

A user can design their own custom composed view for a videoconference depending on the users' individualized needs. The view can include segments (windows) in which participating conferees' video images are presented and accessory elements such as window borders, text, icons, and the like. The content of the accessory elements can be linked to events within the conference or the content of other objects within the view. A custom composed view for a video conference can be designed off-line by a user, loaded into a videoconferencing device, and executed to generate the custom composed view. The videoconferencing device can synchronize the content of accessory elements with the content of other objects presented in the view.

Method for creating a videoconferencing displayed image

The present disclosure provides methods and systems of multipoint videoconferencing wherein layout description information is used to create videoconferencing displayed images of a composite video of one or more video images and one or more accessory elements. The layout description information is responsive to events in the videoconferencing session. Synchronization between the images of the composite video and the one or more accessory elements is done by using synchronization information that reflects the event.

A multipoint communication system uses Internet protocol trunking to facilitate communication between media control units (for sending and receiving multipoint communication signals between end-point devices), a media gateway (for translating between non-Internet protocol multipoint communication signals and Internet protocol communication signals), and a controller (for establishing and controlling a multipoint communication session between the end-point devices). In addition, a multimedia gateway (for use in a multipoint communication system) is described that incorporates an interactive voice response unit through which users of non-Internet protocol devices (connected to the multimedia gateway) interact to establish a communication session with a multipoint communication system.

Multipoint multimedia/audio conference using IP trunking

A video teleconferencing system for controlling multiple multipoint control units (MCU) from a single apparatus. The system utilizes a Virtual MCU (VMCU) () to communicate with a plurality of MCUs (). A user initiates a reserve conference command with the VMCU (). If sufficient resources are available, the reservation is made and connection numbers are assigned. When the time for the conference arises, an MCU () is assigned to the conference. The participants are then connected to the conference. By using a single VMCU () to schedule and coordinate multiple MCUs (), the present invention is able to efficiently schedule a large number of conferences. This greater efficiency in scheduling may allow users to schedule conferences without the advance notice that is usually required.

The present invention allows the resources of multiple multipoint control units (MCUS) in a multipoint multimedia communication system. A plurality of multimedia terminals support different multimedia conferencing protocols, and a multipoint control unit communicates with a multipoint processor unit and with the multimedia terminals for signaling and call control. At least one multipoint processor unit communicates with the plurality of multimedia terminals for media and optionally call signaling and call control. The multipoint processor unit also communicates with the multipoint control unit for interfacing the call signaling and the call control information between said multipoint control unit and the terminals.

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Tel Aviv, Israel

Roni Even