Method and apparatus for multi-cast based video conferencing
US5867653A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 18, 1996 |
| Grant date | Feb 2, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 18, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04Q2213/13337
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A distance learning system consists of a plurality of multi-cast clients of various classes and priorities with one multi-cast client as a primary multi-cast client, a multi-cast server, arbitrator and a distance learning session coordinator. The primary multi-cast client provides the default or primary Audio-Visual Material (AVM) stream. The Multi-Cast Server (MCS) setups a multi-cast over a point to multi-point connection which connects all multi-cast clients that are to take part in a particular distance learning session, along with the Primary multi-cast client. Additionally, the primary multi-cast client is connected to the MCS via a point-to-point link. The multi-cast clients and the primary multi-cast client receive an AVM material stream from the multi-cast server via the point to multi-point connection. When a multi-cast client wishes to speak, a speaking request is sent to the arbitrator, the arbitrator determines whether to grant or deny the speaking request. If permission is granted then a point-to-point link is established between the requesting multi-cast client and the MCS. The requesting multi-cast client then provides an AVM stream to the multi-cast server over the…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.