Reflected backdrop for communications systems

• US 20050237382A1
• Filed: 03/21/2005
• Published: 10/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Telepresence Technologies LLC (Buffalo Pacific LLC)
• Original Assignee: Telepresence Technologies LLC (Buffalo Pacific LLC)
• Inventors: White, Peter McDuffie
• Granted Patent: US 7,760,229 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/14.160
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 15/10 using back-projection, i.e. blending artificial background with real foreground
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/144 camera and display on the same optical axis, e.g. optically multiplexing the camera and display for eye to eye contact

Abstract

A video conferencing system has a two-way mirror, which is between the observer and the display device, positioned at an angle to reflect a backdrop surface. The backdrop surface, which is further away from the two-way mirror than the image plane of the image display device, appears superimposed in a position behind the image of a person from the remote location. A camera is located in the backdrop at a position along the line of sight of the transmitted image so that a perceived eye contact is achieved. A system is disclosed wherein telepresence systems that are compatible with a pre-defined standard are connected via a network connecting, either directly or via a telepresence operations center, to provide interaction with substantially life-sized images of the remote participant displayed with three-dimensional depth cues in the room setting.

Claims

1. A telepresence communication system for allowing a user located in an observation zone to communicate with a person using a communications system at another location, the telepresence communication system comprising:

an image display device having an image area substantially surrounded by an enclosure, the image area being positioned substantially within a vertical plane, the plane positioned for viewing by the user in an observation zone;

a two-way mirror positioned between said observation zone and said image display device and angled to reflect a backdrop;

said backdrop being positioned adjacent said two-way mirror so that a reflection of a left edge and a right edge of said backdrop in said two-way mirror substantially aligns with a left and right edge, respectively of said image display enclosure when viewed from said observation zone;

a camera located in said backdrop, such that said camera views said observation zone as a reflection off said two-way mirror; and

a light-absorbing panel positioned above said two-way mirror opposite said camera and located in the view of said camera through said two-way mirror as said camera is aligned to view said reflection of said observation zone off said two-way mirror.

2. The telepresence communication system of claim 1, further comprising:

a reflective mirror located behind an aperture in said backdrop in the view of said camera so that the camera views said observation zone as a reflection off the two-way mirror and the reflective mirror.

3. The telepresence communication system of claim 1 wherein said camera view is substantially aligned with a user'"'"'s line of sight when said user looks at eyes of an image of a person displayed on said image display device.

4. The telepresence communications system of claim 1 wherein the backdrop is illuminated from the front.

5. The telepresence communications system of claim 1 where the backdrop is illuminated from behind.

6. The telepresence communications system of claim 1 further comprising lights positioned to illuminate objects behind the communications system.

7. The telepresence communications system of claim 1 wherein the image display enclosure is positioned substantially within a first plane, the first plane positioned for viewing by the user in the observations zone;

said enclosure extending into a second plane that is parallel with the first plane and is further away from the said user than the first said plane;

wherein the width of the enclosure in the second plane is wider than the width of the black enclosure in the first plane so that left and right sides of said enclosure in the second plane are within the view of a user in said observation zone.

8. The telepresence communications system of claim 1 wherein the backdrop is positioned so that the reflection of said backdrop in said two-way mirror appears partially within a reflected third plane, the reflected third plane being parallel with the second plane and being positioned further away from said two-way mirror than said second plane, said backdrop further having left and rights sides, the respective reflections of which left and right side appear to extend forward from the reflected third plane to the reflected second plan to match the superimposed position of the left and right sides, respectively, of the second plane of said enclosure when viewed through said two-way mirror by a user in the observations zone.

9. The telepresence communications system of claim 1 wherein a second image display device is attached to the communications system.

10. The telepresence communications system of claim 1 further comprising a black surface behind the user so that said camera in the communications system captures an image of the observation zone with a user against a black background.

11. A telepresence technologies configuration for allowing a user in a home location to see a substantially life-size image of a person from a remote location appearing in front of a backdrop within the room setting and achieving an apparent eye contact while allowing for two-way interaction in real time for communication, the telepresence technologies configuration comprising:

a first telepresence communications system to capture the video image and audio of the person in a remote location;

a remote location codec to encode outgoing video image and audio signals and decode incoming video image and audio signals;

a network connection to transmit two-way communications signals between said home location and said remote location;

a home location codec to decode incoming video and audio signals from the remote location and code outgoing video image and audio signals for transmission to the remote location; and

a second telepresence communications system in the home location to display an image of the person from the remote location on the image display device and project audio of the person from a speaker system.

12. The telepresence technologies configuration of claim 11 wherein the second telepresence communications system includes a second image display device for the purpose of displaying supporting visual content to be shared between the home and the remote locations.

13. The telepresence technologies configuration of claim 11 wherein the video image and audio signals are coded and decoded by the remote location codec and the home location codec, respectively, and transmitted over the network connection and further including a data transmission enabled codec to transmit over the network connection, within the same bandwidth of the network connection, a computer screen image from one of the home location and the remote location to the other one of the home location and the remote location.

14. The telepresence technologies configuration of claim 11 wherein said network connection is dedicated to transmission of the video image and audio signals and further including a second network connection between a computer at the home location and a computer at the remote location for sharing of data and collaboration using a software application.

15. A telepresence technologies architecture for managing and facilitating telepresence communication for allowing a first user in a home location to see a substantially life-size image of a second user at remote location appearing in front of a backdrop within a room setting and achieving an apparent eye contact while allowing for two-way interaction in real time for communication, the telepresence technologies architecture comprising:

a telepresence communications system to capture a video image and audio of said second user using a pre-determined telepresence standard that defines requirements for placement of a camera relative a user, placement of said user relative a background, and appearance of said background;

said telepresence communications system in said remote location including a codec to encode outgoing video image and audio signals and to decode incoming video image and audio signals;

a network connection from the remote location to a telepresence operations center, the telepresence operations center including network connections to other remote locations;

a second network connection from the home location to said telepresence operations center;

a second codec in said home location to decode incoming video image and audio signals of said second user and to encode video image and audio signals of said first user for transmission to said remote location via said telepresence operations center; and

a second telepresence communications system in the home location, compatible with said pre-determined telepresence standard and configured to display, substantially life-size, said incoming images and audio signals of said second user in front of said backdrop and within a three-dimensional setting of the home location.

16. The telepresence technologies architecture of claim 15 wherein said codec and second codec are respectively restricted in capability to only connect to the telepresence operations center automatically when the telepresence communications system is powered up, and to remain connected as a constant connection to the telepresence operations center as long as the telepresence communications system is powered.

17. The telepresence technologies architecture of claim 15 wherein the network connection includes a constant live connection between the telepresence operations center and a telepresence communications system that operates at a low bandwidth when not in active use by a user and that delivers constant access to an on screen menu for access to a directory of other telepresence users with their current availability, scheduling services for arranging telepresence communication with others, features of services available from the telepresence operations center, and commercial telepresence services from telepresence service providers.

18. The telepresence technologies architecture of claim 15 wherein the telepresence operation center offers a service to users of recording incoming telepresence communications with a digital recording of incoming video image and audio signals and with a digital storing of supporting visuals in a standardized telepresence format to allow for the playback of the video image and audio signals on a first display device, with synchronized supporting visuals on a second image display device of the telepresence communications system.

19. The telepresence technologies architecture of claim 15 wherein the telepresence operations center delivers a service of the playback of digitally recorded telepresence sessions life-size appearance in a three-dimensional setting of the home location with synchronized visual support for display on said telepresence communications systems.

20. The telepresence technologies architecture of claim 15 further including a third network connection to third telepresence communications system employing the pre-determined protocol, and whereat an interpreter can provide translation services to said first and second users to facilitate communication therebetween.