US6437818B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Video conferencing on existing UTP infrastructure
Assignee: Pragmatus AV LLC
•
Filing: 1998-05-05
•
Granted: 2002-08-20
•
Expires: 2018-05-05
Abstract
Abstract A video collaboration system and method utilizing at least one control communications link, and an unshielded twisted pair (UTP) wire network among a plurality of video sources and display devices, the UTP network defining a video signal path for transport of video signals. In the invention, the control communications link controls any of transmission, routing, multipoint conferencing, and end display of video signals as well as connection termination.
Inventors
- 👤 Lester F. Ludwig
- 👤 J. Chris Lauwers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 15:51
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L65/00; H04L65/80; G; G06; G06Q; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/10; H04L12/00; H04L12/02; H04L12/16; H04L12/18; H04L12/1813; H04L12/1818; H04L12/1822; H04L12/1827; H04L12/1831; H04L51/00; H04L51/04; H04L51/07; H04L51/10; H04L65/1066; H04L65/1101; H04L65/40; H04L65/403; H04L65/4038; H04L67/00; H04L67/14; H04L67/50; H04L67/75; H04L9/00; H04L9/40; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04M3/50; H04M3/53; H04M3/5307; H04M3/56; H04M3/562; H04M3/563; H04M3/567; H04N; H04N7/00; H04N7/14; H04N7/141; H04N7/147; H04N7/148; H04N7/15; H04N7/152; H04L12/1836; H04L12/185; H04M2201/00; H04M2201/38; H04M2203/00; H04M2203/50; H04M2203/5018; H04M2203/5027; H04M3/42221; H04M3/42314; H04M3/42323; H04M3/428; H04M3/4285; H04M3/564; H04M7/00; H04M7/006; H04M7/12; H04Q; H04Q2213/00; H04Q2213/1305; H04Q2213/13093; H04Q2213/13175; H04Q2213/1319; H04Q2213/1322; H04Q2213/1324; H04Q2213/1326; H04Q2213/1332; H04Q2213/13337; H04Q2213/13389
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
A video communication system comprising: (a) at least one video signal source; (b) at least one video display device; (c) at least one unshielded twisted pair of wires (i) defining a video signal path (ii) arranged for transport of video signals, (1) originating at a video signal source, (2) to at least one of the video display devices; and (d) at least one control communication link, (i) arranged for transmission of control signals for controlling at least one of the transmission, routing, multi-point conferencing, and display of video signals and connection termination wherein, the system is configured (i) to respond to control signals, (1) transmitted over the control communication link, (ii) to control the video signal path, and (iii) to cause video image reproduction (1) based on the transported video signals (2) on at least one of the video display devices.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
141 words
A video communication system comprising: (a) at least one video signal source; (b) at least one video display device; (c) at least one unshielded twisted pair of wires (i) defining a video signal path (ii) arranged for transport of video signals, (1) originating at a video signal source, (2) to at least one of the video display devices; and (d) at least one control communication link, (i) arranged for transmission of control signals for controlling at least one of the transmission, routing, multi-point conferencing, and display of video signals and connection termination wherein, the system is configured (i) to respond to control signals, (1) transmitted over the control communication link, (ii) to control the video signal path, and (iii) to cause video image reproduction (1) based on the transported video signals (2) on at least one of the video display devices.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
59 words
The system of claim 1 , further comprising: (a) at least one switch (i) in communication with the control communication link, wherein the system is configured (i) to control the switch (ii) to route the video signals (1) from at least one video signal source, (2) to at least one video display device, (3) over the video signal path.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 2 , further comprising: (a) at least one server (i) configured to (1) control the switch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
The system of claim 1 , further comprising (a) at least two video display devices (i) each having an associated processor (ii) to each define a workstation, and wherein the system is configured (i) to control the reproduction of video images and spoken audio (1) of a first workstation user (2) at the workstation of a second workstation user.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 4 , where in (a) the video signal path is separate from the control communication link.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 5 , wherein the system is configured to (a) reproduce the video images, (i) at greater than TV quality, (ii) on at least one of the video display devices.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 6 , wherein (a) the video signals are transported in analog.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
68 words
The system of claim 6 , further comprising: (a) at least one audio source; and (b) at least one audio reproduction device, wherein the system is configured to (i) transport audio signals, (1) originating at one of the audio sources, (2) over at least one unshielded pair of wires, and (ii) reproduce audio (1) based on the transported audio signals (iii) at one of the audio reproduction devices.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system of claim 6 , wherein the system is configured (a) to combine video images (i) of at least a first and a second user (ii) into a mosaic image, and (b) to reproduce the mosaic image (i) on at least one of the display devices.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
87 words
The system of claim 6 , wherein the system is configured: (a) to allow a first user (i) to use a first graphical user interface (ii) to select a user (iii) from a plurality of users; (b) to allow the first user (i) to use a second graphical user interface (ii) to select a collaboration type (iii) from a group of collaboration types; and (c) to respond (i) by establishing communication (ii) of the selected collaboration type (iii) from the first user to (iv) the selected user.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 5 , further comprising: (a) at least one processing unit (i) capable of providing data conferencing signals; wherein the system is configured to (i) display information, (1) based on the data conferencing signals, (2) on one of the display devices.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
54 words
The system of claim 11 , wherein: (a) images (i) based on the video signals (ii) can be reproduced (iii) in a first window on one of the the display devices, and (b) information (i) based on the data conferencing signals (ii) can be displayed (iii) in a second window on the display device.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 11 , wherein (a) the information (i) based on the data conferencing signals (ii) is displayed (iii) interactively (iv) on at least two of the display devices.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
136 words
A method of conducting video communications, over at least one unshielded twisted pair of wires defining a video signal path using a system including at least one signal source, and at least one video display device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) generating video signals, (i) at one of the video signal sources; (b) transporting (i) the generated video signals (ii) to at least one of the display devices; (c) transmitting (i) control signals for controlling at least one of the transmission, routing, multi-point conferencing, and display of video signals and connection termination (ii) over a control communication link, (d) responding to the control signals (i) to control the video signal path; and (e) reproducing video images (i) based on the controlled, transported video signals (ii) on at least one of the video display devices.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
136 words
A method of conducting video communications, over at least one unshielded twisted pair of wires defining a video signal path using a system including at least one signal source, and at least one video display device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) generating video signals, (i) at one of the video signal sources; (b) transporting (i) the generated video signals (ii) to at least one of the display devices; (c) transmitting (i) control signals for controlling at least one of the transmission, routing, multi-point conferencing, and display of video signals and connection termination (ii) over a control communication link, (d) responding to the control signals (i) to control the video signal path; and (e) reproducing video images (i) based on the controlled, transported video signals (ii) on at least one of the video display devices.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 14 , further comprising the step of: (a) switching the video signals (i) from at least one of the video signal sources, (ii) to at least one of the video display devices, (iii) over the video signal path.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 14 , wherein (a) at least two video display devices (i) each have an associated processor (ii) to each define a workstation.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 16 , wherein (a) the video signal path is separate from the control communication link.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 15 , wherein (b) the video images are reproduced, (i) at TV quality, (ii) on at least one of the video display devices.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 18 , wherein (a) the video signals are transported in analog.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 17 , further comprising the steps of: (a) combining video images (i) of at least a first and a second user (ii) into a mosaic image, and (b) reproducing the mosaic image (i) on at least one of the video display devices.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
84 words
The method of claim 17 , further comprising the steps of: (a) allowing a first user (i) to use a first graphical user interface (ii) to select a user (iii) from a plurality of users; (b) allowing the first user (i) to use a second graphical user interface (ii) to select a collaboration type (iii) from a group of collaboration types; and (c) responding (i) by establishing communication (ii) of the selected collaboration type (iii) from the first user to (iv) the selected user.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 17 , further comprising the steps of: (a) generating data conferencing signals; (b) transmitting the data conferencing signals (i) over at least one data communication link (ii) to at least one of the video display device; and (c) displaying information, (i) based on the transmitted data conferencing signals, (ii) on the video display device.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 22 , further comprising the steps of: (a) reproducing images (i) based on the video signals (ii) in a first window on the video display device, and (b) displaying information (i) based on the data conferencing signals (ii) in a second window on the video display device.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 22 , wherein (a) the step of displaying information includes the substep of (i) interactively displaying (ii) the information (iii) on at least two of the video display devices.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
128 words
A video communication system for operation with an infrastructure including at least one video signal source; at least one video display device; an unshielded twisted pair of wires of defining a video signal path, arranged for transport of video signals; and the system comprising: at least one control communication link, arranged for transmission of control signals for controlling at least one of the transmission, routing, multi-point conferencing, and display of video signals and connection termination, (a) control components configured (i) to respond to control signals (1) transmitted over the control communication link, (ii) to control the video signal path (1) to at least two workstations, and (iii) to cause video image reproduction (1) based on the transported video signals (2) on at least one of the video displays.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
128 words
A video communication system for operation with an infrastructure including at least one video signal source; at least one video display device; an unshielded twisted pair of wires of defining a video signal path, arranged for transport of video signals; and the system comprising: at least one control communication link, arranged for transmission of control signals for controlling at least one of the transmission, routing, multi-point conferencing, and display of video signals and connection termination, (a) control components configured (i) to respond to control signals (1) transmitted over the control communication link, (ii) to control the video signal path (1) to at least two workstations, and (iii) to cause video image reproduction (1) based on the transported video signals (2) on at least one of the video displays.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
60 words
The system of claim 25 , further comprising (a) a switch (i) in communication with the video signal path, and wherein the control components are further configured to (ii) control the switch (iii) to route the video signals (1) from at least one video signal source, (2) to at least one video display device, (3) along the video signal path.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 26 , wherein the control components include (a) at least one server (i) configured to (1) control the switch.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
59 words
The system of claim 26 , wherein (a) at least two video display devices (i) each have an associated processor (ii) to each define a workstation, and wherein the control components are configured (a) to control the reproduction of video images and spoken audio (i) of a first workstation user (ii) at the workstation of a second workstation user.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 28 , wherein (i) the video images are reproduced (ii) at TV quality, (iii) on at least one of the video display devices.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 29 , wherein (c) the video signals are transported in analog.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 29 , wherein, (d) the video images are reproduced in color.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
49 words
The system of claim 30 , wherein the control components are configured (a) to combine video images (i) of at least a first and a second user (ii) into a mosaic image, and (b) to reproduce the mosaic image (i) on at least one of the video display devices.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
88 words
The system of claim 29 , wherein the control components are configured (a) to allow a first user (i) to use a first graphical user interface (ii) to select a user (iii) from a plurality of users; and (b) to allow the first user (i) to use a second graphical user interface (ii) to select a collaboration type (iii) from a group of collaboration types; and (c) to respond (i) by establishing communication (ii) of the selected collaboration type (iii) from the first user (iv) to selected user.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
68 words
The system of claim 29 , wherein the system is configured to (a) generate data conferencing signals; (b) transmit the data conferencing signals (1) to at least one of the display devices, and (c) display video images, (1) based on the transported video signals, (2) on the video display device; and (d) display information, (1) based on the transmitted data conferencing signals, (2) on the video display device.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
52 words
The system of claim 34 , wherein (e) images (i) based on the video signals (ii) can be reproduced in a first window on the video display device, and (f) information (i) based on the data conference signals (ii) can be displayed (iii) in a second window on the video display device.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 35 , wherein (a) the information (i) based on the data conferencing signals (ii) is displayed (iii) interactively (iv) on at least two of the video display devices.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-08-19 | 2006-02-18 | 2006-08-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-08-19 | 2010-02-18 | 2010-08-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-08-19 | 2014-02-18 | 2014-08-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |