Thomas V Stark

US Patent:

6646997, Nov 11, 2003

Filed:

Oct 25, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/426684

Inventors:

Warren E. Baxley - Arvada CO
Gregory A. Clemson - Superior CO
William P. Ernstrom - Golden CO
Eric J. Nylander - Morrison CO
Thomas W. Stark - Englewood CO

Assignee:

Voyant Technologies, Inc. - Westminster CO

International Classification:

H04L 1216

US Classification:

370260, 370261, 37920201, 709204

Abstract:

A method of large-scale fault-tolerant audio conferencing in an audio conferencing system using a purely packet-switched network. An endpoint places a call to a conference gatekeeper indicating an audio conference. The conference gatekeeper determines whether the call contains sufficient information to establish the audio conference. If there is insufficient information, the endpoint is connected to an IVR server that obtains sufficient information from the endpoint. Either way, a CACS selects an MCU hosting or that will host the audio conference. The CACS then responds to the endpoint with routing instructions indicating the selected MCU and the endpoint connects or transfers to the selected MCU. The MCU mixes input from all endpoints in the audio conference to form a voice stream, which is then returned to each endpoint in the audio conference. Audio conference participants can dial-out from the MCU to bring additional participants into the audio conference.

US Patent:

6657975, Dec 2, 2003

Filed:

Oct 25, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/426382

Inventors:

Warren E. Baxley - Arvada CO
Gregory A. Clemson - Superior CO
William P. Ernstrom - Golden CO
Eric J. Nylander - Morrison CO
Thomas W. Stark - Englewood CO

Assignee:

Voyant Technologies, Inc. - Westminter CO

International Classification:

H04L 1216

US Classification:

370260, 370352, 370401, 370466, 709204, 37920201

Abstract:

An audio conferencing method in a hybrid network. Input from a plurality of endpoints connected to an audio conference in the hybrid network is received in a media gateway. The media gateway converts the input to an MCU-usable format and selects input based on predetermined selection criteria. An MCU mixes the selected input with other selected input to form an output stream and a sum stream which are matched with the endpoints in the audio conference. The media gateway converts the output stream and the sum stream to an endpoint-compatible format which is returned to the endpoints in the audio conference. Audio conference participants can dial-out from the MCU to bring additional participants into the audio conference. Once established in the hybrid network, the audio conference supports full service audio conferencing. In addition, dynamic routing permits an operator to service multiple MCUs, and an audio conference participant and/or an entire audio conference to be moved between MCUs.

US Patent:

6879565, Apr 12, 2005

Filed:

Oct 29, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/696376

Inventors:

Warren E. Baxley - Arvada CO, US
Gregory A. Clemson - Superior CO, US
William P. Ernstrom - Golden CO, US
Eric J. Nylander - Morrison CO, US
Thomas W. Stark - Englewood CO, US

Assignee:

Polycom, Inc. - Pleasanton CA

International Classification:

H04L012/16

US Classification:

370261, 370352, 370401, 379158, 37920201, 709229, 709231

Abstract:

An audio conferencing method in a hybrid network. Input from a plurality of endpoints connected to an audio conference in the hybrid network is received in a media gateway. The media gateway converts the input to an MCU-usable format and selects input based on predetermined selection criteria. An MCU mixes the selected input with other selected input to form an output stream and a sum stream which are matched with the endpoints in the audio conference. The media gateway converts the output stream and the sum stream to an endpoint-compatible format which is returned to the endpoints in the audio conference. Audio conference participants can dial-out from the MCU to bring additional participants into the audio conference. Once established in the hybrid network, the audio conference supports full service audio conferencing. In addition, dynamic routing permits an operator to service multiple MCUs, and an audio conference participant and/or an entire audio conference to be moved between MCUs.

US Patent:

20040085914, May 6, 2004

Filed:

Oct 30, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/697810

Inventors:

Warren Baxley - Arvada CO, US
Gregory Clemson - Superior CO, US
William Ernstrom - Golden CO, US
Eric Nylander - Morrison CO, US
Thomas Stark - Englewood CO, US

International Classification:

H04L012/16

US Classification:

370/260000

Abstract:

A method of large-scale fault-tolerant audio conferencing in an audio conferencing system using a purely packet-switched network. An endpoint places a call to a conference gatekeeper indicating an audio conference. The conference gatekeeper determines whether the call contains sufficient information to establish the audio conference. If there is insufficient information, the endpoint is connected to an IVR server that obtains sufficient information from the endpoint. Either way, a CACS selects an MCU hosting or that will host the audio conference. The CACS then responds to the endpoint with routing instructions indicating the selected MCU and the endpoint connects or transfers to the selected MCU. The MCU mixes input from all endpoints in the audio conference to form a voice stream, which is then returned to each endpoint in the audio conference. Audio conference participants can dial-out from the MCU to bring additional participants into the audio conference. Once established, the audio conference supports full service audio conferencing. In addition, dynamic routing permits an operator to service multiple MCUs, and an audio conference participant and/or an entire audio conference to be moved between MCUs. The audio conference can also be broadcast from a streaming protocol server to passive participants.