Patent ID: 6288739
Filing Date: 2001-09-11
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
A video communication system, comprising:a data communications network: anda plurality of nodes disposed about said data communications network, each of said nodes having:a video source for generating digital video data,a data transmitter for transmitting said digital video data to said data communications network on a defined address in a message protocol, which digital video data at said defined address is accessible from said data communications network by substantially all of said nodes on said data communications network,a data receiver for receiving from said data communications network digital video data at said defined addresses,a configuration table for storing information as to select ones of said defined addresses on said data communications network to define a local group of said select ones of said defined addresses for said associated node,a configuration device for configuring said configuration table to define said local group for said associated node and to control said data receiver to receive only video data from ones of said defined addresses within said local group, anda display device for processing and displaying digital video data received from said data communications network at select ones of said defined addresses within said local group, said configuration device determining which of said ones of said defined addresses in said local group constitute said select ones for displaying said associated digital video data by said display device;wherein said configuration table is operable to store information as to select ones of said defined addresses on said data communications network that define more than a single local group, with each of said local groups comprised of select ones of said defined addresses and which defined addresses in each of said local groups can be different for said associated node, and wherein said configuration device is operable to select between ones of said local groups.