Video conferencing apparatus
First Claim
1. An apparatus for facilitating videoconferencing between a proximate video conferee and a remote video conferee, said apparatus comprising:
- a video monitor for displaying an image of the remote conferee;
a camera for generating an image of the proximate conferee for display to the remote conferee;
wherein the camera is located within an interocular distance of an anticipated displayed position of at least one eye of the remote conferee.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and system for improving the projection of a remote conferee'"'"'s presence and improving eye contact between the remote video conferee and proximate conferee during a videoconference is disclosed. The image of the remote conferee'"'"'s face is shown on a video monitor with a camera located along the eye level of the image of the remote conferee'"'"'s face, and within the interocular distance of about 1.5 inches to 3 inches. A feedback screen showing the image of the proximate video conferee is also located near the camera and preferably within the interocular distance. Because the camera is within the interocular distance the proximate conferee will appear, to the remote conferee, to be looking at the eyes of the remote conferee when looking at the monitor, because the camera is within the interocular distance. This will be accentuated when the proximate conferee uses the feedback image, which is near the camera. A rotation member can be provided to rotate the screen and camera from a regular position to a portrait position. The camera may be rotated about a ball joint to increase the remote conferee'"'"'s view. The camera apparatus can also be in a form of a camera/monitor unit that can be placed on a video monitor, and preferably closer to the user than the monitor. The camera/monitor unit has a cover that can cover the camera when not in use. The inside surface of the cover has a reflective surface which, when the cover is in the open position, can reflect light from an illumination source located behind the monitor.
-
Citations
21 Claims
-
1. An apparatus for facilitating videoconferencing between a proximate video conferee and a remote video conferee, said apparatus comprising:
-
a video monitor for displaying an image of the remote conferee;
a camera for generating an image of the proximate conferee for display to the remote conferee;
wherein the camera is located within an interocular distance of an anticipated displayed position of at least one eye of the remote conferee. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. A videoconferencing apparatus comprising:
-
a housing for housing a camera and video monitor, said camera generating an image of a proximate conferee and said video monitor displaying an image of a remote conferee;
wherein the camera is located in the housing within about 4 inches of an anticipated displayed position of at least one eye of the remote conferee. - View Dependent Claims (21)
-
Specification