Teleconferencing imaging system with automatic camera steering
US5686957A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 30, 1995 |
| Grant date | Nov 11, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 30, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N7/15
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An automatic, voice-directional video camera image steering system specifically for use for teleconferencing that electronically selects segmented images from a selected panoramic video scene typically around a conference table so that the participant in the conference currently speaking will be the selected segmented image in the proper viewing aspect ratio, eliminating the need for manual camera movement or automated mechanical camera movement. The system includes an audio detection circuit from an array of microphones that can instantaneously determine the direction of a particular speaker and provide directional signals to a video camera and lens system that provides a panoramic display that can electronically select portions of that image and, through warping techniques, remove any distortion from the most significant portions of the image which lie from the horizon up to approximately 30 degrees in a hemispheric viewing area.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.