Video conferencing system controlled by menu and pointer

• US 5,515,099 A
• Filed: 01/17/1995
• Issued: 05/07/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Libre Holdings Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Videoconferencing Systems Incorporated
• Inventors: Cortjens, Leo M., Franklin, Kenneth A., Mays, Richard C., Smith, Curtis M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Harvey, David E.
• Application Number:
  US08/373,415
• Time in Patent Office: 476 Days
• Field of Search: 348/7, 348/6, 348/8, 348/10, 348/11, 348/12, 348/13, 348/14, 348/15, 348/16, 348/20, 348/211-214, 348/563, 348/564, 370/62
• US Class Current: 348/14.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/66 Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/15 Conference systems

Abstract

A videoconferencing system which is easy to use. First and second video devices, such as a camera unit (17) or a videocassette recorder (20), provide first and second pictures, respectively. A video control unit (15) combines these pictures to provide a combined picture, such as a split screen display, which is displayed on a monitor (21A, 21B). A controller (10) controls the operation of the video devices and the video control unit, and also causes the video control unit to display a pointer or other indicator on the combined picture. A user input device, such as a mouse (12) or a joystick (18), is connected to the controller. The mouse or joystick is used to position the pointer at a desired location on the combined picture, and also to select the function which a video device is to perform. The controller automatically selects the video device which is to perform the selected function by determining which video device is providing the part of the combined picture in which the pointer is positioned. The controller then instructs that video device to perform the selected function. Thus, by placing the pointer in the desired portion of a combined picture, the user automatically controls the video device which provides that portion of the combined picture. Thus, the user does not need to know what video device is providing the desired portion of the combined picture or have to take any steps to directly select that video device.

Claims

1. A videoconferencing system, comprising:

a first video device responsive to first video control signals for providing a first video signal representing a first picture;

a second video device responsive to second video control signals for providing a second video signal representing a second picture;

a user input device responsive to input by a user for providing user control signals;

a video control unit for combining said first video signal from said first video device, said second video signal from said second video device, and user-control option video signals to provide a combined video signal representing a combined picture;

a controller for causing said video control unit to provide said combined video signal, for generating said user-control option video signals, said user-control option video signals representing device control options and a pointer, said controller being functionally connected to said user input device and responsive to said user control signals for positioning said pointer at a user-designated point on said combined picture, and being responsive to said user-designated point for determining which one of said video devices is providing the video signal displayed at said user-designated point, and being further responsive to said user control signals for determining a video device action desired by said user, for generating video control signals to cause said video device action, and for providing said video control signals to said determined one of said video devices, said controller being functionally connected to said first video device, said second video device, said user input device, and said video control unit; and

a monitor, functionally connected to said video control unit, and responsive to said combined video signal for displaying said combined picture.

2. The videoconferencing system of claim 1 wherein at least one of said first video device and said second video device is a camera.