Patent ID: 7443416

Claim:
Videoconference system comprising: terminals adapted to be connected via a telecommunication network to a central videoconference management arrangement for collecting video data from participants in at least one videoconference respectively adapted to be transmitted by said terminals and for broadcasting video data transmitted by each terminal to the other terminals, each terminal, while functioning as a calling terminal, including a selector for selecting at least one called terminal with which an audiovisual communication is to be set up in order for said calling terminal to transmit a called terminal identifier and calling party audio data and calling party video data to said central arrangement, said central arrangement including an audio-video transmitter arrangement for controlling transmission between the terminals of the participants so that (a) the central arrangement is arranged to control transmission of said calling party audio data and calling party video data with said identifiers of said calling terminal and called terminal to said called terminal and (b) the central control arrangement is arranged to (i) control transmission between the calling terminal and terminals other than said calling and called terminals for transmission of calling party video data with said identifier of said calling terminal to the terminals other than said calling terminal and called terminal, and (ii) is arranged to prevent transmission of the calling party audio data to the terminals other than said calling terminal and called terminal, and each terminal, while functioning as a called terminal, including a controller for controlling reproduction of said calling party audio data forwarded by said central arrangement in matching relationship with said display of pictures representative of said calling party video data transmitted by said central arrangement in response to said identifiers of said calling terminal and called terminal transmitted by said central arrangement.