Automatic camera steering control and video conferencing

• US 20030184645A1
• Filed: 03/27/2002
• Published: 10/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Biegelsen, David K., Berlin, Andrew
• Granted Patent: US 7,969,472 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/14.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1827 Network arrangements for conference optimisation or adaptation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/15 Conference systems

Abstract

An automatic camera steering control for directing video conferences including a communicator with a microphone and a voice activated LED emitter. Cameras receive an LED signal transmitted by the LED emitter and focus on the speaker associated with the activated LED emitter. A controller automatically selects and inserts into the video stream the audio and video of the speaker.

Claims

1. A method of manipulating an image capturing device, comprising:

detecting a sensed condition;

outputting an optical output signal based on the sensed condition;

receiving the optical output signal; and

manipulating the image capturing device based on the received optical output signal.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the detecting step includes detecting an audio signal.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the detecting step includes detecting an audio signal with a microphone disposed proximate a user.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the outputting step includes outputting an optical signal with a light emitting diode (LED).

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the outputting step includes outputting an optical signal with an LED that is disposed proximate to a user.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the receiving step includes receiving the output optical signal emitted by the LED.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the manipulating step includes manipulating an image capturing device based on the received optical signal emitted by the LED.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the manipulating step includes orienting the image capturing device so as to capture images of a user proximate a microphone that has detected an audio signal.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the manipulating step includes orienting the image capturing device so as to capture images of a user proximate an LED that has output a optical output signal.

10. A method for automatically operating an image capturing apparatus, comprising:

transmitting a light signal to the image capturing apparatus; and

controlling the image capturing apparatus based on the transmitted light signal.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the transmitting step includes transmitting the light signal in response to an audio signal.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein the transmitting step includes transmitting a light signal that is infrared.

13. An apparatus for manipulating an image capturing device, comprising:

a detector that detects a sensed condition;

an optical output device that outputs an optical output signal based on the sensed condition;

a receiving device that receives the optical output signal; and

a controller that manipulates the image capturing device based on the received optical output signal.

14. An apparatus for manipulating an image capturing device according to claim 13 wherein the detector is an audio detector that detects an audio signal.

15. An apparatus for manipulating an image capturing device according to claim 13 wherein the detector is a microphone disposed proximate a user.

16. An apparatus for manipulating an image capturing device according to claim 15 wherein the optical output device emits an optical signal using a light emitting diode (LED).

17. An apparatus for manipulating an image capturing device according to claim 16 wherein the receiving device receives the optical signal emitted by the LED.

18. An apparatus for manipulating an image capturing device according to claim 16 wherein the image capturing device is a video camera.

19. An apparatus for manipulating an image capturing device according to claim 17 wherein the controller manipulates an image capturing device based on the received optical signal emitted by the LED.

20. An automatic image capturing apparatus control system comprising:

a communicator including a receiver and transmitter

an image capturing apparatus being controlled by signals emitted from the transmitter.

21. An automatic image capturing control system according to claim 20 wherein the transmitter emits an optical signal in response to an audio signal received by the receiver.

22. An automatic image capturing device system according to claim 21 wherein the optical signal is an infrared signal.

23. A pointer for use with an image capturing device apparatus including an optical emitter that creates an optical signature detectible by the image capturing device apparatus, the image capturing apparatus controlled according to the optical signal.

25. A method of manipulating an image capturing device, comprising:

detecting means to detect a sensed condition;

outputting means to output an optical output signal based on the sensed condition;

receiving means to receive the optical output signal; and

manipulating means to manipulate the image capturing device based on the received optical output signal.

24. The pointer according to claim 25, wherein the optical emitter emits an infrared light.