Computer method and apparatus for video conferencing
First Claim
1. Apparatus for remote communication of images and graphics comprising:
- a low bandwidth communication channel;
a first workstation coupled to one end of the communication channel, the first workstation including a display monitor and an input device enabling user input of data to the first workstation end of the communication channel; and
a second workstation coupled to an opposite end of the communication channel such that data is able to be transmitted between the first and second workstation, the second workstation including a display monitor and a computer graphics and animation assembly having (i) a preprocessor for determining control points and corresponding plane coordinate values of a subject along working axes in a sample view, the sample view having parameter values of each working axis indicative of the position of the subject in that sample view, and (ii) an image processor coupled to preprocessor and responsive to the associations between the coordinate values of the control points and the parameter values of a sample view, the image processor mapping the coordinate values of control points for sample positions of the subject in plural sample views to control point coordinate values for desired intermediate positions of the subject along each working axis to form intermediate views of the subject;
in response to user input at the first workstation end of the communication channel of parameter values of desired views, the second workstation receiving the input parameter values across the communication channel and using the computer graphics and animation assembly forms the desired views and displays said views on the display monitor of the second workstation, such that the views are displayed remotely from the first workstation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Computer method and apparatus provides remote communication of images with low communication bandwidth requirements. Workstations are remotely coupled to each other across a communication channel (e.g., telephone line or Internet line) and employ the invention method and apparatus. Parameter values of desired images are input at one workstation and transmitted across the communication channel to a remote workstation. In response to the input parameter values, the remote workstation generates and displays the desired images. Video e-mail messages is one application of such remote generation of desired images. Further parameter values may be input at the remote workstation for generation and display of corresponding further images at the initial workstation. Interactive video conferencing results as the workstations remotely communicate images in real-time to each other.
179 Citations
31 Claims
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1. Apparatus for remote communication of images and graphics comprising:
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a low bandwidth communication channel; a first workstation coupled to one end of the communication channel, the first workstation including a display monitor and an input device enabling user input of data to the first workstation end of the communication channel; and a second workstation coupled to an opposite end of the communication channel such that data is able to be transmitted between the first and second workstation, the second workstation including a display monitor and a computer graphics and animation assembly having (i) a preprocessor for determining control points and corresponding plane coordinate values of a subject along working axes in a sample view, the sample view having parameter values of each working axis indicative of the position of the subject in that sample view, and (ii) an image processor coupled to preprocessor and responsive to the associations between the coordinate values of the control points and the parameter values of a sample view, the image processor mapping the coordinate values of control points for sample positions of the subject in plural sample views to control point coordinate values for desired intermediate positions of the subject along each working axis to form intermediate views of the subject; in response to user input at the first workstation end of the communication channel of parameter values of desired views, the second workstation receiving the input parameter values across the communication channel and using the computer graphics and animation assembly forms the desired views and displays said views on the display monitor of the second workstation, such that the views are displayed remotely from the first workstation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. Computer apparatus for remote communication of images and graphics comprising:
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a communication channel; and a multiplicity of workstations coupled to the communication channel for communication across a distance, such that at least one of the workstations is remote from a second one of the workstations, each workstation in the multiplicity having (i) input means enabling user input of image data through the workstation to the communication channel for transmission thereon, (ii) a display monitor, and (iii) a computer graphics and animation assembly for forming views of a subject from parameter values using hyper basis function interpolation with respect to predefined sample views; in response to user input at the one workstation of parameter values of desired views, the second workstation receiving the input parameter values across the communication channel and using its computer graphics and animation assembly forms the desired views and displays said views on the display monitor of the second workstation, such that the views are displayed remotely from the one workstation. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for remote communication of computer images and graphics, comprising the steps of:
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providing a low bandwidth communication channel; coupling a first workstation to one end of the communication channel, the first workstation including a display monitor and an input device for user input of data to the first workstation end of the communication channel; coupling a second workstation to an opposite end of the communication channel such that data is able to be transmitted between the first and second workstations, the second workstation including (a) a display monitor, (b) input means, and (c) a computer graphics and animation assembly for forming views of a subject using interpolation of input parameters of the views with respect to predefined initial sample views; at the first workstation end of the communication channel, inputting parameters of desired views, and transmitting said input parameters across the communication channel from the first workstation to the second workstation; and receiving the input parameters at the second workstation, and using the computer graphics and animation assembly of the second workstation, forming the desired views and displaying said views on the display monitor of the second workstation, such that the desired views are displayed remotely from the first workstation. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification