Speakerphone supporting video and audio features
In various embodiments, a speakerphone and/or remote control may be used to control a video conferencing system through a system codec. In some embodiments, video conferencing features may be provided through the speakerphone and/or remote control. For example, features to manage video calls, audio calls, and bridging multiple video and/or audio calls into a single conference may be accessed through a keypad on the speakerphone, a remote control, and/or through a video conference system. Options and indicators may be provided on a screen of the speakerphone and/or video conferencing system. In some embodiments, a video call may be dialed, redialed, muted, answered, added to an existing conference, and/or terminated using a speakerphone and/or remote control. In some embodiments, a call length timer may be implemented, the volume may be adjusted, or a camera may be adjusted through a speakerphone and/or remote control.
1 . A method, comprising:
establishing a video conference for at least two participant locations, wherein at least one participant location of the at least two participant locations has a video conferencing system and a speakerphone;
using a speakerphone functionality in the video conference, wherein the functionality comprises sending or receiving signals to or from the speakerphone.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein using the speakerphone functionality comprises receiving user input by the speakerphone for manipulating one or more characteristics of the video conference.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein using the speakerphone functionality further comprises the speakerphone providing signals to the video conferencing system to manipulate one or more characteristics of the video conference.
4 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
placing an audio call using the speakerphone, wherein the audio call signals are provided through the video conferencing system to a Public Switched Telephone Network.
5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
adding a caller to the video conference, wherein the caller is added to the video conference through user input received through the speakerphone.
6 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
placing the plurality of participant locations on hold;
dialing a new participant;
consulting the new participant apart from the plurality of participant locations; and
connecting the new participant to the conference call with the plurality of participant locations.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein using the speakerphone functionality comprises receiving audio signals from microphones in the speakerphone.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein using the speakerphone functionality comprises producing a speaker signal to the speakerphone.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein using the speakerphone functionality comprises receiving user input through the speakerphone, wherein the user input facilitates one or more of:
dialing a video call;
redialing a video call;
muting a video call;
answering a video call;
implementing a call length timer for a video call;
adjusting a volume for a video call;
terminating a video call;
adding a call to an ongoing video conference call; and
adjusting a camera for a video call.
10 . A system, comprising:
a video conferencing system operable to receive video and audio data from a participant at a remote location and present the video and audio data;
a speakerphone coupled to the video conferencing system, wherein the speakerphone is operable to:
receive user input to manipulate one or more characteristics of the video conference; and
provide signals to the video conferencing system based on the received user input to control the one or more characteristics of the video conference.
11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the speakerphone comprises a first plurality of user input elements useable for receiving user input to place and/or receive telephone calls;
wherein the speakerphone comprises a second one or more user input elements useable for receiving user input to manipulate one or more characteristics of the video conference.
12 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the user input elements are buttons and wherein a button pressed for greater than a predetermined time specifies manipulation of a characteristic of the of the video conference.
13 . The system of claim 10 , further comprising an Ethernet cable coupling the speakerphone to the video conference system, wherein the speakerphone is configured to communicate with the video conferencing system over the Ethernet cable.
14 . A speakerphone, comprising:
one or more microphones;
one or more speakers;
a port for coupling to a telephone jack; and
a plurality of user input elements for receiving user input to manipulate one or more characteristics of a video conference.
15 . The speakerphone of claim 14 , wherein the microphones receive audio from a participant, and wherein audio signals from the microphones are used in the video conference call.
16 . The speakerphone of claim 14 , wherein the one or more speakers is used to reproduce audio received in a video conference call.
17 . The speakerphone of claim 14 , wherein the speakerphone facilitates one or more of:
dialing a video call;
redialing a video call;
muting a video call;
answering a video call;
implementing a call length timer for a video call;
adjusting a volume for a video call;
terminating a video call;
adding a call to an ongoing video conference call; and
adjusting a camera for a video call.
18 . The speakerphone of claim 14 , wherein the speakerphone further comprises and Ethernet cable to couple the speakerphone to a video conferencing system.
19 . The speakerphone of claim 18 , wherein the speakerphone is configured to communicate with the video conferencing system over the Ethernet cable.