Integrated desktop videoconferencing system

• US 20050231587A1
• Filed: 04/15/2005
• Published: 10/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Polycom Incorporated (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Root, Timothy, Duys, Anthony M., Phelps, Daniel R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,593,031 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/14.70
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/142 Constructional details of the terminal equipment, e.g. arrangements of the camera and the display
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/02 Spatial or constructional arrangements of loudspeakers

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a videoconferencing system that has been integrated into a flat panel display or computer monitor. The integration provides an improved form factor for the videoconferencing system. In addition, the integration offers the dual use as a computer monitor and as a videoconferencing system. The system includes a videoconferencing module attaching to a back of the flat panel display. The videoconferencing module has videoconferencing electronics that electronically connect to integral electronics of the display. The system also includes a microphone/camera module attaching to a top of the flat panel display. The microphone/camera module has a camera and microphone that both electronically connect to the videoconferencing electronics.

Claims

1. A videoconferencing system, comprising:

a flat panel display including display electronics;

videoconferencing electronics for videoconferencing mechanically integrated with the flat panel display and electronically connected to the display electronics;

a camera attached to the flat panel display and electronically connected to the videoconferencing electronics; and

a microphone attached to the flat panel display and electronically connected to the videoconferencing electronics.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the flat panel display comprises a desktop computer monitor.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the flat panel display further comprises at least one audio amplifier and at least one speaker.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a dialing pad for placing video and/or audio calls and electronically connected to the videoconferencing electronics.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the videoconferencing electronics comprise a network interface, a LAN interface, an ISDN interface, a telephone interface, a Voice over Internet Protocol telephone interface, or a wireless interface.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the videoconferencing electronics are housed in a first module attached to the flat panel display.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the display comprises a housing with a back, and wherein the first module comprises a separate housing attaching to the back of the display housing.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the back of the display housing includes one or more mounting holes in standardized locations, and wherein the separate housing of the first module attaches to the one or more mounting holes with fasteners.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the camera and the microphone are housed in a second module attached to the flat panel display.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the camera comprises a pan/tilt mechanism coupling the camera to the second module.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the second module comprises an infrared detector electronically connectable to the videoconferencing electronics.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the second module comprises one or more microphones angled toward a front of the display.

13. A videoconferencing system for equipping a flat panel display to conduct a video conference, the flat panel display having integral electronics, the system comprising:

a first module configured to be mechanically attached to the flat panel display, the first module including videoconferencing electronics adapted for electrical connection to the integral electronics of the flat panel display; and

a second module configured to be mechanically attached to the flat panel display, the second module including a camera and a microphone adapted for electronic connection to the videoconferencing electronics.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the flat panel display comprises a desktop computer monitor.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the flat panel display further comprises at least one audio amplifier and at least one speaker.

16. The system of claim 13, further comprising a dialing pad for placing video and/or audio calls and electronically connected to the videoconferencing electronics.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the videoconferencing electronics comprise a network interface, a LAN interface, an ISDN interface, a telephone interface, a Voice over Internet Protocol telephone interface, or a wireless interface.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein the display comprises a housing with a back, and wherein the first module comprises a separate housing attaching to the back of the display housing.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the back of the display housing includes one or more mounting holes in standardized locations, and wherein the separate housing of the first module attaches to the one or more mounting holes with fasteners.

20. The system of claim 13, wherein the camera comprises a pan/tilt mechanism coupling the camera to the second module.

21. The system of claim 13, wherein the second module comprises an infrared detector electronically connectable to the videoconferencing electronics.

22. The system of claim 13, wherein the second module comprises one or more microphones angled toward a front of the display.

23. A videoconferencing system for equipping a flat panel display to conduct a video conference, the display having integral electronics, the system comprising:

videoconferencing electronics;

means for attaching the videoconferencing electronics to the flat panel display; and

means for electronically connecting the videoconferencing electronics to the integral electronics of the flat panel desktop display.

24. The videoconferencing system of claim 23, wherein the videoconferencing electronics includes means for interfacing with a network.

25. The videoconferencing system of claim 23, wherein the videoconferencing electronics includes means for obtaining an image for the video conference.

26. The videoconferencing system of claim 23, wherein the videoconferencing electronics includes means for obtaining audio for the video conference.

27. The videoconferencing system of claim 23, wherein the means for attaching the videoconferencing electronics to the flat panel display includes means for affixing the videoconferencing electronics to a back of the flat panel display.