Patent ID: 8095120
Filing Date: 2012-01-10
Classification: H04M

Abstract:
1. A conferencing method, comprising: a first communication device detecting a second communication device within communication range of the first communication device; determining that a user of the first communication device and a user of the second communication device want to participate in a common conference; receiving local audio at the first communication device; receiving local audio at the second communication device; transmitting data representing the local audio received at the second communication device to the first communication device via a faster than audio connection; the first communication device transmitting data representing the local audio received at the first and second communication devices to a remote communication device that is also part of the common conference; receiving an audio signal from the remote communication device at the first communication device; establishing a communication path between the second communication device and the remote communication device; receiving, at the second communication device, a copy of the audio signal transmitted from the remote device to the first communication device; and the first and second communication devices synchronizing playback of the audio signal received from the remote communication device; further comprising: determining signal volume for both the local audio received at the first communication device and the local audio received at the second communication device; selecting the local audio that comprises a higher signal volume; and using the selected local audio as the data that is transmitted to the remote communication device.