Patent ID: 7379961

Claim:
An audio conference server comprising: one or more processors coupled to a memory comprising instructions executable by the processors, the one or more processors operable when executing the instructions to: manage at least one audio conference among a plurality of audio clients; receive real-time audio data from the plurality of audio clients; mix the real-time audio data and stored audio data associated with at least one point source into spatialized audio data; and deliver the spatialized audio data to one or more of the plurality of audio clients; wherein the one or more processors mix the real-time audio data and stored audio data by: providing distance-based attenuation according to a plurality of predetermined sound decay functions, each sound decay function being associated with a respective one of the plurality of audio clients or the at least one point source, and a respective volume/distance relationship; and excluding from the spatialized audio data, real-time audio data or stored audio data that, if attenuated, occurs below a predetermined volume value.