Control network-directed video conferencing switching system and method

Abstract

A system and method is provided to allow a video conference participant to establish and direct a video conference through a control network separate from the conference network that sustains the conference. A video conference switching system host machine responds to control signals conveyed by a control network to the switching system from a participant-accessible control system. The host machine generates adaptor conference signals that are interpreted to appropriately configure a crosspoint switch in correspondence with the control signals. The switching system may operate in continuous presence or video follows audio modes. In continuous presence mode, the host machine generates adaptor conference signals that are interpreted to convey to the participants a combination video signal composed from the individual video signals. In the video follows audio mode, detected voice signals result in a switch configuration according to a video follows audio protocol or rule set. The control system is available, preferably, on a participant desktop PC or workstation and may be preferably accessed through a graphical user interface. In a preferred embodiment, signals from the participant-directed control system are conveyed by TCP/IP protocol to the host machine on the control network which may be as simple as a POTS network or more sophisticated such as an INTRANET or the INTERNET. The control signals are captured from the control network by a modem or other terminal device appropriate for the control network technology. An ISDN network or other digital network may provide the conference network for maintenance of the video conference.