Consistent quality for multipoint videoconferencing systems

• US 20080068444A1
• Filed: 09/15/2006
• Published: 03/20/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Callaway, C. Phillip, Grasley, Scott, Thielman, Jeffrey
• Granted Patent: US 7,924,305 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/14.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/147 Communication arrangements, e.g. identifying the communication as a video-communication, intermediate storage of the signals selecting H04Q
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/15 Conference systems

Abstract

A technique for maintaining consistent video quality between a plurality of videoconference sites is disclosed. Calibration correction factors are determined from video calibration data obtained from the videoconference sites. The calibration factors are applied to transmissions between the videoconference sites.

Claims

1. A method of maintaining consistent video quality between a plurality of videoconference sites in direct communication with each other in a multipoint videoconference system comprising:

a) capturing video calibration data from the plurality of videoconference sites;

b) transmitting the video calibration data to a remote calibration studio;

c) determining calibration correction factors for the videoconference sites to achieve a consistent video appearance across the plurality of videoconference sites;

d) communicating the calibration correction factors from the remote calibration studio to the videoconference sites; and

e) applying the calibration correction factors to video transmission between the plurality of videoconference sites.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein capturing video calibration data comprises imaging a video calibration target.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein capturing video calibration data comprises:

transmitting a video color calibration image from the calibration studio to the display within the videoconference site; and

capturing an image of a display within a videoconference site using a sensor collocated within the videoconference site.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein capturing video calibration data comprises measuring light intensity level.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein applying the calibration correction factors comprises adjusting camera color settings to normalize transmitted color to a reference color scheme.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein applying the calibration correction factors comprises adjusting display color settings to normalize displayed color to a reference color scheme.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein applying the calibration correction factors comprises adjusting settings of a video processing device.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein applying the calibration correction factors comprises adjusting the view of the camera.

9. A multipoint videoconference system providing consistent video quality across multiple videoconference sites comprising:

a) a plurality of videoconference sites each being capable of direct communication with at least one other videoconference site to exchange video images to form a multipoint videoconference; and

b) a calibration studio in communication with the plurality of videoconference sites, the calibration studio having;

i) a video receiver to receive calibration data from the plurality of videoconference sites,

ii) a video calibrator to determine calibration correction factors for the videoconference sites to achieve a consistent video appearance across the plurality of videoconference sites, and

iii) a calibration factor transmitter to transmit calibration factors to the videoconference sites, wherein the videoconference sites can apply the calibration factors to exchanged video images to achieve consistent video quality across the multipoint videoconference.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the video calibrator determines calibration correlation factors relative to a reference color scheme.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the videoconference sites comprise a color correctable camera configured to accept calibration factors to adjust color of a transmitted video image.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the videoconference sites comprise a color correctable display configured to accept calibration factors to adjust color of a displayed video image.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein a videoconference site comprises:

a video calibration target; and

at least one video sensor directable towards the video calibration target to transmit calibration data to the calibration studio.

14. A method of making a multipoint videoconference system having consistent video quality comprising:

a) deploying at least one suite of videoconferencing equipment to at least one videoconference site, the suite of videoconferencing equipment having;

i) means for communication with at least one other videoconference site to exchange video images to form a multipoint videoconference;

ii) means for communication with a calibration studio to transmit calibration data to the calibration studio and receive calibration factors from the calibration studio; and

iii) means for applying the calibration factors to video images exchanged with other videoconference sites to achieve a consistent video appearance across the plurality of videoconference sites.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising performing an initial calibration of the multipoint videoconference system using the calibration studio to define calibration factors for each video site.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising periodically adjusting the calibration factors for each video site based on recently acquired calibration data.

17. A computer readable medium having computer readable instructions embodied thereon for maintaining consistent video quality between a plurality of videoconference sites in direct communication with each other in a multipoint videoconference system comprising:

a) computer readable instructions for capturing video calibration data from the plurality of videoconference sites;

b) computer readable instructions for determining calibration correction factors for the videoconference sites to achieve a consistent video appearance across the plurality of videoconference sites; and

c) computer readable instructions for applying the calibration correction factors to the videoconference sites.

18. A calibration studio for maintaining consistent video quality between a plurality of videoconference sites in direct communication with each other in a multipoint videoconference system comprising:

a) a video receiver to receive calibration data from the plurality of videoconference sites,

b) a video calibrator to determine calibration correction factors for the videoconference sites to achieve a consistent video appearance across the plurality of videoconference sites, and

c) a calibration factor transmitter to transmit calibration factors to the videoconference sites in a format suitable for use by the videoconference sites for application to video images exchanged between each other.