James Francis Franz

US Patent:

7061521, Jun 13, 2006

Filed:

Dec 16, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/735849

Inventors:

Michael E Bulriss - San Antonio TX, US
James F Franz - San Antonio TX, US

Assignee:

Vugate Inc. - San Antonio TX

International Classification:

H04N 7/14

US Classification:

348 1408, 348 1409, 348 1412

Abstract:

A conference system includes a first conference station generating at least one of audio and video signals from at least an attorney and a second conference station generating at least one of audio and video signals from the attorney's client, the attorney and the attorney's client having a relationship protected by the attorney-client privilege. The system also includes at least one communications link connecting the first and second conference stations that carries the audio and/or video signals between the first and second conference stations. A signal processor is disposed within the communications link between the first and second conference stations to route signals between the first and second conference stations. At least one control panel communicates with the signal processor and provides control over audio and/or video signals so that the attorney and the attorney's client are permitted to engage in a private communication without vitiating the attorney-client privilege.

US Patent:

59033029, May 11, 1999

Filed:

Oct 4, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/726376

Inventors:

Jeffrey D. Browning - Boerne TX
James F. Franz - San Antonio TX
Eric F. Himmer - San Antonio TX
Lawrence M. White - San Antonio TX

Assignee:

Datapoint Corporation - San Antonio TX

International Classification:

H04N7/14

US Classification:

348 15

Abstract:

A video call distribution and method provides the user of a video station with access to a video network conferencing station without human operator assistance, even if the communication protocols of the user video station are incompatible with those of the video network conferencing system. Access is provided by remote user transmitted DTMF (or voice) signals, which signals are converted into compatible protocols in real time.