Bruce W Allen

US Patent:

58417630, Nov 24, 1998

Filed:

Jun 13, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/489742

Inventors:

Arthur P. Leondires - Mount Vernon NH
Bruce S. Allen - East Kingston NH
Marshall B. Garrison - Derry NH
Philip J. Baun - Andover MA

Assignee:

MultiLink, Inc. - Andover MA

International Classification:

H04L 1216
H04Q 1100

US Classification:

370260

Abstract:

A processor unit for a multipoint audio-video conferencing system, wherein the processor unit includes a host processor for controlling operation of the audio-video conferencing system. Controlling operation includes controlling the performance of a plurality of functions associated with servicing each of a plurality of communications connections, each of the connections being between a conferee terminal and the audio-video conferencing system. The processor unit also includes a plurality of digital signal processors, in communication with each other over a first bus and in communication with and controlled by the host processor over a second bus. Each digital signal processor includes an associated configuration element for adaptively configuring a selected digital signal processor to perform processing required by a selected one of the functions associated with servicing a selected one of the communications connections. The processing required by the conferencing functions is distributed between the plurality of digital signal processors.