Adaptively controlled multipoint videoconferencing system

摘要

In a multipoint videoconferencing system including a plurality of visual telephone terminals and a multipoint control unit (MCU) connected thereto, shares of the respective visual telephone terminals are determined in the MCU, based on determination of a speaker determined from voice levels and/or amount of movement in the respective visual telephone terminals. The respective telephone terminals generate pictures at picture rates defined by the respective shares, and generate video data from the pictures at data rates defined by the respective shares. Video data generated in each visual telephone terminal are multiplexed in time division multiplexer in the MCU, and are distributed to the other terminals.