Integrated reflected display teleconferencing eye contact terminal

• US 6,243,130 B1
• Filed: 03/05/1999
• Issued: 06/05/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Jeffrey S. Machtig, Steve H. Mcnelley
• Original Assignee: Jeffrey S. Machtig, Steve H. Mcnelley
• Inventors: McNelley, Steve H., Machtig, Jeffrey S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chan, Wing F.
• Application Number:
  US09/262,974
• Time in Patent Office: 823 Days
• Field of Search: 348/14, 348/15, 348/20, 348/335, 348/835, 348/834, 359/296, 313/478, 313/474
• US Class Current: 725/105
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 30/56 by projecting aerial or floating images
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/144 camera and display on the same optical axis, e.g. optically multiplexing the camera and display for eye to eye contact

Abstract

The present invention enables eye contact between conferees during a teleconference using a terminal equipped with a beamsplitter for reflecting an image of a video display so that only the reflection and not a direct view of the display is seen by the conferee. The camera is positioned behind the viewing side of the beamsplitter to capture the conferee'"'"'s image through the beamsplitter. The direct view of the display is blocked by an image blocking film applied between the beamsplitter and the display. Blocking the direct view of the video display greatly improves teleconferencing by eliminating the distraction of simultaneously viewing both the video display and the reflection of the display. The present invention also substantially improves available desktop space, functional options by providing a direct view and a reflected view of the display, and portability. Also, the present invention is an integrated device operating as a fully functional personal computer with a module bay which receives a videoconferencing module to enable a videoconference. The integrated terminal is also uniquely configured for both a single user mode and a group videoconferencing mode.

Claims

1. An integrated eye contact teleconferencing terminal for allowing a first conferee to maintain eye contact with a second conferee imaged by the teleconferencing terminal, the teleconferencing terminal comprising:

a substantially planar image display, with an image bearing surface facing upward;

a semireflective transparent panel forming an angle of between about 30 and 60 degrees with the image display for viewing by the first conferee a reflection of the image bearing surface of the image display on the semireflective transparent panel;

a video camera disposed on a side of the semireflective transparent panel opposite the image display, the video camera capturing, through the semireflective transparent panel, an image of the first conferee who is disposed on the image display-side of the semireflective transparent panel;

a connecting mechanism means so that the semireflective transparent panel and the image display can be closed upon one another; and

a positioning mechanism means so that the semireflective transparent panel, while closed upon the image display, does not substantially overhang a keyboard area between the first conferee and the image display.

2. The teleconferencing terminal of claim 1 wherein a layer of image blocking film is disposed between the image bearing surface of the image display and the semireflective transparent panel blocking a direct view of the image bearing surface from the first conferee viewing the reflection of the image bearing surface on the semireflective transparent panel.

3. The teleconferencing terminal of claim 1 further comprising a personal computer for at least processing, storing and transferring digital information and enabling a visual and auditory videoconference.

4. The teleconferencing terminal of claim 3 wherein the terminal is portable.

5. An integrated eye contact teleconferencing terminal for allowing a first conferee to maintain eye contact with a second conferee imaged by the teleconferencing terminal, the teleconferencing terminal comprising:

a substantially planar image display;

a semireflective transparent panel forming an angle of between about 30 and 60 degrees with the image display for viewing by the first conferee a reflection of an image bearing surface of the image display on the semireflective transparent panel;

a video camera disposed on a side of the semireflective transparent panel opposite the image display, the video camera capturing, through the semireflective transparent panel, an image of the first conferee who is disposed on the image display-side of the semireflective transparent panel;

a selectable viewing mode of the image bearing surface so that the first conferee may observe the image bearing surface either directly or as the reflection on the semireflective transparent panel; and

an image converting means so that an image formed upon the image bearing surface is observably the same by the first conferee when viewing the image bearing surface directly and when reflected by the semireflective transparent panel.

6. The teleconferencing terminal of claim 5 wherein a layer of image blocking film is disposed between the image bearing surface of the image display and the semireflective transparent panel blocking a direct view of the image bearing surface from the first conferee viewing the reflection of the image bearing surface on the semireflective transparent panel.

7. The teleconferencing terminal of claim 5 wherein the image converting means is produced by one or more of turning an LCD panel over and positioned upon a backlight, an image signal change through computer hardware, an image signal change through computer software, and changing the image signal at the display circuitry.

8. The teleconferencing terminal of claim 5 wherein the first conferee can select the image converting means for either direct view or reflected view.

9. The teleconferencing terminal of claim 5 wherein the image converting means is engaged automatically when positioning the image display.

10. The teleconferencing terminal of claim 5 further comprising a personal computer for at least processing, storing and transferring digital information and enabling a visual and auditory videoconference.

11. The teleconferencing terminal of claim 5 wherein the semireflective transparent panel is separate from the image display.

12. An integrated eye contact teleconferencing terminal for allowing a first conferee to maintain eye contact with a second conferee imaged by the teleconferencing terminal, the teleconferencing terminal comprising:

a substantially planar image display connectably fabricated as a part of a portable personal computer;

a semireflective transparent panel separate from the image display forming an angle of between about 30 and 60 degrees with the image display for viewing by the first conferee a reflection of an image bearing surface of the image display on the semireflective transparent panel;

a video camera separate from the image display disposed on a side of the semireflective transparent panel opposite the image display, the video camera capturing, through the semireflective transparent panel, an image of the first conferee who is disposed on the image display-side of the semireflective transparent panel;

a selectable viewing mode of the image bearing surface so that the first conferee may observe the image bearing surface either directly or as the reflection on the semireflective transparent panel; and

an image converting means so that an image formed upon the image bearing surface is observably the same by the first conferee when viewing the image bearing surface directly and when reflected by the semireflective transparent panel.

13. The teleconferencing terminal of claim 12 wherein a layer of image blocking film is disposed between the image bearing surface of the image display and the semireflective transparent panel blocking a direct view of the image bearing surface from the first conferee viewing the reflection of the image bearing surface on the semireflective transparent panel.

14. The teleconferencing terminal of claim 12 wherein the image converting means is produced by one or more of turning an LCD panel over and positioned upon a backlight, an image signal change through computer hardware, an image signal change through computer software, and changing the signal at the display circuitry.

15. The teleconferencing terminal of claim 12 wherein the first conferee can select the image converting means for either direct view or reflected view.

16. The teleconferencing terminal of claim 12 wherein the image converting means is engaged automatically when positioning the image display.

17. The teleconferencing terminal of claim 12 wherein the image display detaches from the portable personal computer and positioned at adjustable heights to the semireflective transparent panel.

27. The teleconferencing terminal of claim 12 wherein a layer of image blocking film is disposed between the image bearing surface of the image display and the semireflective transparent panel blocking a direct view of the image bearing surface from the first conferee viewing the reflection of the image bearing surface on the semireflective transparent panel.

18. An integrated eye contact teleconferencing terminal for allowing a first conferee to maintain eye contact with a second conferee imaged by the teleconferencing terminal, the teleconferencing terminal comprising:

a substantially planar image display connectably fabricated as a part of a portable personal computer;

a semireflective transparent panel forming an angle of between about 30 and 60 degrees with the image display for viewing by the first conferee a reflection of an image bearing surface of the image display on the semireflective transparent panel;

a video camera disposed on a side of the semireflective transparent panel opposite the image display, the video camera capturing, through the semireflective transparent panel, an image of the first conferee who is disposed on the image display-side of the semireflective transparent panel;

a selectable viewing mode of the image bearing surface so that the first conferee may observe the image bearing surface either directly or as the reflection on the semireflective transparent panel; and

an image converting means so that an image formed upon the image bearing surface is observably the same by the first conferee when viewing the image bearing surface directly and when reflected by the semireflective transparent panel.

19. The teleconferencing terminal of claim 18 wherein a layer of image blocking film is disposed between the image bearing surface of the image display and the semireflective transparent panel blocking a direct view of the image bearing surface from the first conferee viewing the reflection of the image bearing surface on the semireflective transparent panel.

20. The teleconferencing terminal of claim 18 wherein the image converting means is produced by one or more of turning an LCD panel over and positioned upon a backlight, an image signal change through computer hardware, an image signal change through computer software, and changing the signal at the display circuitry.

21. The teleconferencing terminal of claim 18 wherein the first conferee can select the image converting means for either direct view or reflected view.

22. The teleconferencing terminal of claim 18 wherein the image converting means is engaged automatically when positioning the image display.

23. The teleconferencing terminal of claim 18 wherein the image display detaches from the portable personal computer and positioned at adjustable heights to the semireflective transparent panel.

24. The teleconferencing system of claim 18 wherein the semireflective transparent panel can separate from the portable personal computer.

25. The teleconferencing system of claim 18 wherein the semireflective transparent panel is configurable to store on the opposite side of the image display when not in use.

26. An integrated eye contact teleconferencing terminal for allowing a first conferee to maintain eye contact with a second conferee imaged by the teleconferencing terminal, the teleconferencing terminal comprising:

a substantially planar image display;

a semireflective transparent panel forming an angle of between about 30 and 60 degrees with the image display for viewing by the first conferee a reflection of an image bearing surface of the image display on the semireflective transparent panel;

a video camera disposed on a side of the semireflective transparent panel opposite the image display, the video camera capturing, through the semireflective transparent panel, an image of the first conferee who is disposed on the image display-side of the semireflective transparent panel; and

a selectable shutter means for permitting the first conferee to select between a clear mode for observation through and beyond the semireflective transparent panel and an opaque mode for enhancing contrast of the reflection of the image bearing surface on the semireflective panel.

28. The teleconferencing terminal of claim 26 wherein the shutter means is provided from the grouping of an LCD panel switchable between a clear mode and an opaque mode, arranging polarizers so that in one position they are clear and in another position they are opaque, a solid removable opaque layer for either clear or opaque modes, and a fluid shutter.

29. The teleconferencing terminal of claim 26 wherein the semireflective transparent panel and the shutter means are separate from the image display.

30. The teleconferencing terminal of claim 26 further comprising a personal computer for at least processing, storing and transferring digital information and enabling a visual and auditory videoconference.

31. An improved eye contact teleconferencing terminal for allowing a first conferee to maintain eye contact with a second conferee imaged by the teleconferencing terminal, the teleconferencing terminal comprising:

a substantially planar image display, with an image bearing surface facing upward, forming a canopy above a desktop;

a semireflective transparent panel forming an angle of between about 30 and 60 degrees with the image display for viewing by the first conferee a reflection of the image bearing surface of the image display on the semireflective transparent panel;

a video camera disposed on a side of the semireflective transparent panel opposite the image display, the video camera capturing, through the semireflective transparent panel, an image of the first conferee who is disposed on the image display-side of the semireflective transparent panel;

a connecting mechanism means so that the semireflective transparent panel and the image display can be closed upon one another;

a positioning mechanism means so that the semireflective transparent panel, while closed upon the image display, does not substantially overhang a keyboard area between the first conferee and the image display;

a personal computer for at least processing, storing and transferring digital information; and

a module port for receiving a videoconferencing module that functionally operates as apart of the personal computer to enable a videoconference between the first and second conferees.

32. The teleconferencing terminal of claim 31 where in a layer of image blocking film is disposed between the image bearing surface of the image display and the semireflective transparent panel blocking a direct view of the image bearing surface from the first conferee viewing the reflection of the image bearing surface on the semireflective transparent panel.

33. The teleconferencing terminal of claim 31 wherein the videoconferencing module is configured for transmitting data by one or more of a local area network, wide area network, Internet, ISDN, multiple phone lines, T1, wire less, and proprietary and public transmission schemes.

34. The teleconferencing terminal of claim 31 further comprising additional module ports for additional videoconferencing modules necessary to enable a videoconference.

35. The teleconferencing terminal of claim 31, wherein the videoconferencing module enables auditory interaction between the first and second conferees.

36. The teleconferencing terminal of claim 31 further comprising a microphone, a speaker, a light, a removable digital storage, a CD ROM, a DVD ROM, a removable camera, and a human interface hardware.

37. An integrated eye contact teleconferencing terminal for allowing a first conferee to maintain eye contact with a second conferee imaged by the teleconferencing terminal, the teleconferencing terminal comprising:

a substantially planar image display;

a semireflective transparent panel forming an angle of between about 30 and 60 degrees with the image display for viewing by the first conferee a reflection of an image bearing surface of the image display on the semireflective transparent panel;

a video camera disposed on a side of the semireflective transparent panel opposite the image display, the video camera capturing, through the semireflective transparent panel, an image of the first conferee who is disposed on the image display-side of the semireflective transparent panel;

a personal computer for at least processing, storing and transferring digital information; and

a module port for receiving a videoconferencing module that functionally operates as a part of the personal computer to enable a videoconference between the first and second conferees.

38. The teleconferencing terminal of claim 37, wherein a layer of image blocking film is disposed between the image bearing surface of the image display and the semireflective transparent panel blocking a direct view of the image bearing surface from the first conferee viewing the reflection of the image bearing surface on the semireflective transparent panel.

39. The teleconferencing terminal of claim 37, wherein the videoconferencing module is configured for transmitting data by one or more of a local area network, wide area network, Internet, ISDN, multiple phone lines, T1, wireless, and proprietary and public transmission schemes.

40. The teleconferencing terminal of claim 37 further comprising additional module ports for additional videoconferencing modules necessary to enable a videoconference.

41. The teleconferencing terminal of claim 37, wherein the videoconferencing module enables auditory interaction between the first and second conferees.

42. The teleconferencing terminal of claim 37 further comprising a microphone, a speaker, a light, a removable digital storage, a CD ROM, a DVD ROM, a removable camera, and a human interface hardware.

43. An integrated eye contact teleconferencing terminal for allowing a first conferee to maintain eye contact with a second conferee imaged by the teleconferencing terminal, the teleconferencing terminal comprising:

a substantially planar image display displaying the image of a second conferee;

a camera for capturing an image of the first conferee for transmission to and observation by the second conferee;

eye contact means so that the image captured of the first conferee, while observing the second conferee'"'"'s image produced upon the image display, is received by the second conferee as looking straight ahead and into the eyes of the second conferee;

a personal computer for at least processing, storing and transferring digital information; and

a module port for receiving a videoconferencing module that functionally operates as a part of the personal computer to enable a videoconference between the first and second conferees.

44. The teleconferencing terminal of claim 43, wherein a layer of image blocking film is disposed between the image bearing surface of the image display and the semireflective transparent panel blocking a direct view of the image bearing surface from the first conferee viewing the reflection of the image bearing surface on the semireflective transparent panel.

45. The teleconferencing terminal of claim 43, wherein the videoconferencing module is configured for transmitting data by one or more of a local area network, wide area network, Internet, ISDN, multiple phone lines, T1, wireless, and proprietary and public transmission schemes.

46. The teleconferencing terminal of claim 43 further comprising additional module ports for additional videoconferencing modules necessary to enable a videoconference.

47. The teleconferencing terminal of claim 43, wherein the videoconferencing module enables auditory interaction between the first and second conferees.

48. The teleconferencing terminal of claim 43 further comprising a microphone, a speaker, a light, a removable digital storage, a CD ROM, a DVD ROM, a removable camera, and a human interface hardware.

49. An improved eye contact teleconferencing terminal for allowing a first conferee to maintain eye contact with a second conferee imaged by the teleconferencing terminal, the teleconferencing terminal comprising:

a substantially planar image display, with an image bearing surface facing upward, forming a canopy above a desktop;

a semireflective transparent panel forming an angle of between about 30 and 60 degrees with the image display for viewing by the first conferee a reflection of the image bearing surface of the image display on the semireflective transparent panel;

a video camera disposed on a side of the semireflective transparent panel opposite the image display, the video camera capturing, through the semireflective transparent panel, an image of the first conferee who is disposed on the image display-side of the semireflective transparent panel;

a connecting mechanism means so that the semireflective transparent panel and the image display can be closed upon one another;

a positioning mechanism means so that the semireflective transparent panel, while closed upon the image display, does not substantially overhang a keyboard area between the first conferee and the image display.

a personal computer for at least processing, storing and transferring digital information and enable a visual and auditory videoconference; and

a peripheral connection means for enabling at least a separate display, speaker and microphone to operate from the personal computer so that the terminal can be utilized for group videoconferencing involving multiple participants.

50. The teleconferencing terminal of claim 49 wherein a layer of image blocking film is disposed between the image bearing surface of the image display and the semireflective transparent panel blocking a direct view of the image bearing surface from the first conferee viewing the reflection of the image bearing surface on the semireflective transparent panel.

51. The teleconferencing terminal of claim 49 further comprising a microphone, a speaker, a light, a removable digital storage, a CD ROM, a DVD ROM, a removable camera, and a human interface hardware.

52. An integrated eye contact teleconferencing terminal for allowing a first conferee to maintain eye contact with a second conferee imaged by the teleconferencing terminal, the teleconferencing terminal comprising:

a substantially planar image display;

a semireflective transparent panel forming an angle of between about 30 and 60 degrees with the image display for viewing by the first conferee a reflection of an image bearing surface of the image display on the semireflective transparent panel;

a video camera disposed on a side of the semireflective transparent panel opposite the image display, the video camera capturing, through the semireflective transparent panel, an image of the first conferee who is disposed on the image display-side of the semireflective transparent panel;

a personal computer for at least processing, storing and transferring digital information and enable a visual and auditory videoconference; and

a peripheral connection means to enable at least a separate display, speaker and microphone to operate from the personal computer so that the terminal can be utilized for group videoconferencing involving multiple participants.

53. The teleconferencing terminal of claim 52 wherein a layer of image blocking film is disposed between the image bearing surface of the image display and the semireflective transparent panel blocking a direct view of the image bearing surface from the first conferee viewing the reflection of the image bearing surface on the semireflective transparent panel.

54. The teleconferencing terminal of claim 52 further comprising a microphone, a speaker, a light, a removable digital storage, a CD ROM, a DVD ROM, a removable camera, and a human interface hardware.

55. An integrated desktop eye contact teleconferencing terminal for allowing a first conferee to maintain eye contact with a second conferee imaged by the teleconferencing terminal, the teleconferencing terminal comprising:

a substantially planar image display displaying the image of a second conferee;

a camera for capturing an image of the first conferee for transmission to and observation by the second conferee;

eye contact means so that the image captured of the first conferee, while observing the second conferee'"'"'s image produced upon the image display, is received by the second conferee as looking straight ahead and into the eyes of the second conferee;

a personal computer for at least processing, storing and transferring digital information and enable a visual and auditory videoconference; and

a peripheral connection means to enable at least a separate display, speaker and microphone to operate from the personal computer so that the terminal can be utilized for group videoconferencing involving multiple participants.

56. The teleconferencing terminal of claim 55 wherein a layer of image blocking film is disposed between the image bearing surface of the image display and the semireflective transparent panel blocking a direct view of the image bearing surface from the first conferee viewing the reflection of the image bearing surface on the semireflective transparent panel.

57. The teleconferencing terminal of claim 55 further comprising a microphone, a speaker, a light, a removable digital storage, a CD ROM, a DVD ROM, a removable camera, and a human interface hardware.

58. An integrated eye contact teleconferencing terminal for allowing a first conferee to maintain eye contact with a second conferee imaged by the teleconferencing terminal, the teleconferencing terminal comprising:

a substantially planar image display;

a semireflective transparent panel forming an angle of between about 30 and 60 degrees with the image display for viewing by the first conferee a reflection of an image bearing surface of the image display on the semireflective transparent panel;

a video camera disposed on a side of the semireflective transparent panel opposite the image display, the video camera capturing, through the semireflective transparent panel, an image of the first conferee who is disposed on the image display-side of the semireflective transparent panel; and

a protection means to protect a reflective coating upon the semireflective transparent panel.

59. The teleconferencing terminal of claim 58 wherein the protection means is a polymer hard coating.

60. An integrated eye contact teleconferencing terminal for allowing a first conferee to maintain eye contact with a second conferee imaged by the teleconferencing terminal, the teleconferencing terminal comprising:

a substantially planar image display;

a semireflective transparent panel forming an angle of between about 30 and 60 degrees with the image display for viewing by the first conferee a reflection of an image bearing surface of the image display on the semireflective transparent panel;

a video camera disposed on a side of the semireflective transparent panel opposite the image display, the video camera capturing, through the semireflective transparent panel, an image of the first conferee who is disposed on the image display-side of the semireflective transparent panel; and

a remote camera positioning system for at least one of panning, tilting and zooming the camera.

61. The teleconferencing terminal of claim 60 wherein at least one of the first conferee and the second conferee can remotely control the camera.