Patent ID: 7339605

Claim:
A near end video conference unit for connection with a far end video conference unit which provides and receives audio and video data, the near end video conference unit further for connection to a standalone, near end speakerphone which comprises a microphone, a loudspeaker and a network connection and which is capable of performing audio-only communications over the network connection, the near end video conference unit comprising: a network interface for receiving audio and video data from and providing audio and video data to the far end video conference unit; a control module coupled to the network interface; a video input interface coupled to the control module for receiving video signals; a video output interface coupled to the control module for sending out video signals to a video display; and a conference link interface coupled to the control module, wherein the conference link interface is operable to connect to another conference link interface on the near end speakerphone through a conference link; and wherein the control module is operable to exchange audio data with the near end speakerphone through the conference link.