Susumu Oka

Multipoint teleconference architecture for CCITT standard video conference terminals

In this paper we describe an architecture and an implementation method for multipoint teleconference systems as one of the most important applications of image communications. We studied a centralized architecture using Multipoint Control Units (MCUs) as service providers. In order to apply this architecture to large-scale systems we adopted a hierarchical star configuration for inter-MCUs connections. Also we have developed a composite mechanism of international standard protocols and our original protocol for high performance services. We have built a prototype teleconference system which can provide a variety of services including several procedures for opening conferences and various types of conference modes. These services can be used not only by our original videoconference terminals but also by international standard terminals and ordinary audio telephones.