INTEGRATED DESKTOP VIDEOCONFERENCING SYSTEM

• US 20090189973A1
• Filed: 04/03/2009
• Published: 07/30/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Polycom Incorporated (Plantronics, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Polycom Incorporated (Plantronics, Inc.)
• Inventors: Duys, Anthony M., Phelps, Daniel R., Root, Timothy
• Application Number:
  US12/418,299
• Publication Number:
  US 20090189973A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/14.80
• 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 for equipping a flat panel display to conduct a video conference, the display having integral electronics, the system comprising:

videoconferencing electronics;

means for enclosing at least part of the videoconferencing electronics;

means for attaching an exterior surface of the means for enclosing to an exterior surface of the flat panel display; and

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

2. The videoconferencing system of claim 1, wherein the videoconferencing electronics includes means for interfacing with a network.

3. The videoconferencing system of claim 1, wherein the videoconferencing electronics includes means for obtaining an image for the video conference.

4. The videoconferencing system of claim 1, wherein the videoconferencing electronics includes means for obtaining audio for the video conference.

5. The videoconferencing system of claim 1, wherein the means for attaching the exterior surface of the means for enclosing to the exterior surface of the flat panel display includes means for affixing the videoconferencing electronics to a back of the flat panel display.