Multiway Telepresence Without Hardware MCU
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-screen telepresence videoconferencing setups require expensive hardware multipoint conferencing units (MCUs) for audio/video switching and mixing, increasing deployment costs.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for conducting multi-screen, multi-way videoconferences without a dedicated hardware MCU, where each videoconferencing location includes multiple endpoints with codecs, displays, video inputs, and audio inputs, with audio inputs configured to minimize overlap and use a mixer to provide mixed audio signals to videoconferencing units, allowing selective display of videoconferencing signals based on active talkers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hardware MCU is used for audio/video switching and mixing in multi-screen telepresence, then reliable videoconferencing functionality is achieved, but system cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the MCU functionality from a dedicated hardware component and distributes it across multiple videoconferencing endpoints. Each endpoint performs videoconferencing operations independently, eliminating the need for a centralized hardware MCU while maintaining reliable multi-way videoconferencing functionality through software-based control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes each videoconferencing endpoint multi-functional by enabling it to act as both a video participant and a virtual MCU. Each endpoint can host multiple video inputs and switch between them, allowing a single endpoint to serve multiple functions that traditionally required separate dedicated hardware components
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple endpoints are used at one location for multi-screen telepresence, then video display capability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the videoconferencing system into independent endpoints, each handling specific video inputs and displays. This segmentation allows each endpoint to manage its own video switching independently, simplifying the overall system configuration while enabling multi-screen capability across multiple locations
Solution Approach 2:
Each videoconferencing endpoint autonomously manages its own video switching and display operations without requiring centralized control. The endpoints self-configure and self-manage their video inputs and outputs, reducing system complexity while maintaining adaptability for multi-screen telepresence
Data Source
AI summary
System and method for performing a videoconference. The videoconference may be established between at least three videoconferencing locations. Each videoconferencing location may include respective pluralities of displays, video inputs, and videoconferencing units. A first videoconferencing unit at a first videoconferencing location may receive an indication that there is an active talker at the first videoconferencing location. An indication that there is an active talker at the first videoconferencing location may also be provided to a second videoconferencing unit at the first videoconferencing location. The first and second videoconferencing units may provide signals to corresponding videoconferencing units at second and third videoconferencing locations indicating that videoconferencing signals from the first videoconferencing location should be displayed. The second and third videoconferencing locations may switch to display videoconferencing signals from the first videoconferencing location based on the signals which indicate that videoconferencing signals from the first videoconferencing location should be displayed.