Integrated videoconferencing system

• US 20070009114A1
• Filed: 04/17/2006
• Published: 01/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lifesize, Inc. (Enghouse Systems Limited)
• Original Assignee: Lifesize, Inc. (Enghouse Systems Limited)
• Inventors: Fourt, Jesse, Kenoyer, Michael, Kaplan, Jonathan, Malloy, Craig, Mock, Wayne, Vanderwilt, Patrick, Oxford, William
• Granted Patent: US 7,907,164 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/122
• 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 some embodiments, the components of a videoconferencing system may be incorporated in a unitary housing. For example, an integrated videoconferencing system may include microphones to capture participant audio and a camera to capture participant video (along with corresponding audio processing capabilities) in a unitary housing. The unitary housing may also include speakers to produce audio from conference participants and a display to provide video of conference participants. The integrated videoconferencing system may include a codec for encoding and/or decoding). The integrated videoconferencing system may also perform other conference related functions. The integrated videoconferencing system may be used as a speakerphone (e.g., in audio only calls) and/or a videoconference system. The integrated videoconferencing system may also fold into a compact form for portability.

Claims

1. An integrated videoconferencing system, comprising:

a display;

a microphone;

a speaker;

a high definition (HD) camera; and

wherein the display, microphone, speaker, and HD camera are comprised in a unitary housing.

2. The integrated videoconferencing system of claim 1, further comprising:

a hinge; and

a base;

wherein the hinge couples the base to the unitary housing.

3. The integrated videoconferencing system of claim 2, wherein the hinge is configured to fold the base into closer proximity to the unitary housing when in a folded position.

4. The integrated videoconferencing system of claim 2, wherein the base comprises a keypad.

5. The integrated videoconferencing system of claim 1, further comprising a microphone array that includes the microphone.

6. The integrated videoconferencing system of claim 5, wherein the microphone array is a horizontal microphone array.

7. The integrated videoconferencing system of claim 6, further comprising at least one microphone placed behind the horizontal microphone array to form an endfire array with at least one microphone of the horizontal microphone array.

8. The integrated videoconferencing system of claim 1, wherein the display is an HD display.

9. The integrated videoconferencing system of claim 1, comprising at least two speakers that include the speaker, wherein the system is configured to position audio from a remote videoconference site through the at least two speakers.

10. The integrated videoconferencing system of claim 1, wherein the speaker is a ported speaker.

11. An integrated videoconferencing system, comprising:

a high definition (HD) display;

an array of microphones;

at least two speakers;

an HD camera; and

wherein the HD display, array of microphones, at least two speakers, and HD camera are comprised in a unitary housing.

12. The integrated videoconferencing system of claim 11, further comprising:

a hinge; and

a base;

wherein the hinge couples the base to the unitary housing.

13. The integrated videoconferencing system of claim 12, wherein the hinge is configured to fold the base into closer proximity to the unitary housing when in a folded position.

14. The integrated videoconferencing system of claim 11, wherein the system is configured to position audio from a remote videoconference site through the at least two speakers.

15. The integrated videoconferencing system of claim 11, wherein the array of microphones is a horizontal microphone array.

16. The integrated videoconferencing system of claim 11, further comprising at least one microphone placed behind the horizontal microphone array to form an endfire array with at least one microphone of the horizontal microphone array.

17. The integrated videoconferencing system of claim 11, wherein the at least two speakers are ported speakers.

18. An integrated videoconferencing system, comprising:

a high definition (HD) display;

a horizontal array of microphones;

at least one microphone positioned behind the horizontal array of microphones to form an endfire array with at least one of the microphones in the horizontal array;

at least two speakers;

an HD camera;

a hinge; and

a base;

wherein the hinge couples the base to the unitary housing and wherein the hinge is configured to fold the base into closer proximity to the unitary housing when in a folded position;

wherein the H) display, array of microphones, at least two speakers, and HD camera are comprised in a unitary housing.

19. The integrated videoconferencing system of claim 18, further comprising a keypad comprised on the base.

20. The integrated videoconferencing system of claim 18, wherein the at least two speakers are ported speakers.