Multi-component videoconferencing system

• US 20060277254A1
• Filed: 04/17/2006
• Published: 12/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lifesize, Inc. (Enghouse Systems Limited)
• Original Assignee: Lifesize, Inc. (Enghouse Systems Limited)
• Inventors: Kenoyer, Michael L., Oxford, William V., Vanderwilt, Patrick D., Malloy, Craig B., Dudley, Simon
• Application Number:
  US11/405,357
• Publication Number:
  US 20060277254A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/204
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/4038 with floor control
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/142 Constructional details of the terminal equipment, e.g. arrangements of the camera and the display
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/15 Conference systems

Abstract

In various embodiments, a multi-component videoconferencing system (MCVCS) may be used as a videoconferencing endpoint. The MCVCS may include a camera, microphones, speakers, and a codec. The camera and speakers may be coupled to or placed around a display. The MCVCS may send/receive signals through a network coupled to the computer system. The various functions to support the videoconference (e.g., compression and decompression of video signals) may be performed by circuitry in the camera base, codec box, and/or on the computer system. The computer system may be a laptop computer. In some embodiments, the codec functionality may be incorporated in a set-top box. In some embodiments, the components of the MCVCS may be incorporated into a unitary housing. In some embodiments, ported speakers may be used to maximize sound quality for the provided speaker size.

Claims

1. A multi-component videoconferencing system (MCVCS) for providing a videoconference, comprising:

a microphone;

a speaker;

a network connection;

a personal computer (PC) system;

a camera, comprising;

a lens portion;

a camera base coupled to the lens portion; and

an external codec coupled to the microphone, speaker, network connection, PC, and camera for processing videoconferencing signals.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the speakers are electrically coupled to the camera base.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the codec is electrically coupled to a computer system display.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the speakers are coupled to the computer system display.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the camera is a high definition camera.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising an overhead camera coupled to the codec for sharing documents.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a microphone array which includes the microphone;

wherein the microphone array is comprised in the camera base.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a remote control communicatively coupled to the codec.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the codec is coupled to an external network through the network connection from the computer system.

10. A multi-component videoconferencing system (MCVCS) for providing a videoconference, comprising:

a microphone;

a speaker;

a network connection;

a camera, comprising;

a lens portion;

a camera base coupled to the lens portion; and

a codec implemented in a processor card coupled to a laptop computer;

wherein the codec is coupled to the microphone, speaker, network connection, and camera for processing videoconferencing signals.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the speakers are electrically coupled to the camera base.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the codec is electrically coupled to the laptop computer display.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the speakers are coupled to the laptop computer display.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the camera is a high definition camera.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein the speaker is a ported speaker.

16. The system of claim 10, further comprising a microphone array which includes the microphone;

wherein the microphone array is comprised in the camera base.

17. The system of claim 10, further comprising a remote control communicatively coupled to the codec.

18. The system of claim 10, wherein the codec is coupled to an external network through the network connection from the computer system.

19. A multi-component videoconferencing system (MCVCS) for providing a videoconference, comprising:

a microphone;

a speaker;

a network connection;

a camera, comprising;

a lens portion;

a camera base coupled to the lens portion; and

a codec incorporated in the camera base;

wherein the codec is coupled to the microphone, speaker, camera, and network connection for processing videoconferencing signals.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the camera is a high definition camera.