Device for positioning and operating audio and video equipment

• US 6,930,702 B1
• Filed: 04/11/2002
• Issued: 08/16/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Applied Minds LLC
• Original Assignee: Applied Minds, Inc.
• Inventors: Hillis, W. Daniel, Ferren, Bran
• Primary Examiner(s): Eng, George
• Application Number:
  US10/121,555
• Time in Patent Office: 1,223 Days
• Field of Search: 348 1401- 1405, 348 1407- 1409, 348/14.1, 348/14.11, 348/143, 348151-153, 348/211.12, 348/211.99, 381/83, 381/85, 386/107, 715/753, 370260-263
• US Class Current: 348/14.11
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/567 Multimedia conference systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/142 Constructional details of the terminal equipment, e.g. arrangements of the camera and the display

Abstract

A mount for devices used in a teleconferencing site is disclosed. The mount positions and secures the devices in a substantially linear array along a wall of the teleconference site.

The mount provides both power and communication connections to the each of the devices.

The preferred embodiment of the invention allows the devices to be secured and connected in a single mechanical motion. This is accomplished with an extrusion, which is preferably recessed within a channel shaped cavity within the wall of the teleconference site. The recessed cavity may be enclosed by a cover.

A serial bus and distributed switching scheme allowing selective communication with each of the mounted devices are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A mount for a plurality of devices used at a teleconference site, comprising:

at least one linear extrusion;

a plurality of positioning and securing means attachable to said linear extrusion, each of said positioning and securing means capable of positioning and securing one of said devices in communication with said linear extrusion;

means integrated with said extrusion for securing said mount to either of a wall and ceiling of said teleconference site;

means integrated with said extrusion for establishing a power connection to each of said devices; and

at least one element integrated with said extrusion for establishing a signal communication path, wherein said at least one element serves a plurality of devices to provide a physical communication path between each of said devices and a destination.

2. The mount of claim 1, wherein said linear extrusion has a substantially horizontal orientation.

3. The mount of claim 2, wherein said linear extrusion is substantially aligned at a head level of a teleconference participant.

4. The mount of claim 1, wherein said devices comprise audio devices and video devices.

5. The mount of claim 4, wherein said devices comprise video cameras and microphones, said devices collectively providing coverage of audible and visible events transpiring at said teleconference site.

6. The mount of claim 1, wherein said positioning and securing means comprises at least one receptacle specific to at least one of said devices.

7. The mount of claim 1, wherein said mount and said devices are positioned within a recessed channel.

8. The mount of claim 7, wherein said recessed channel is substantially enclosed by a cover;

wherein said cover is optionally substantially flush with either of said teleconference site wall and ceiling.

9. The mount of claim 8, wherein said mount, said recessed channel, and said cover substantially resemble a chair rail.

10. The mount of claim 1, wherein said destination comprises a matrix switch.

11. The mount of claim 1, wherein said at least one element for establishing a communication path comprises:

a common signal line communicatively coupled with said destination;

at least one switch for selectively coupling each of said devices to said common signal line; and

a controller for controlling each of said switches.

12. The mount of claim 1, wherein said at least one element for establishing a communication path comprises:

a serial bus in communication with each of said devices; and

a bus controller in communication with said serial bus;

for selectively addressing each of said devices.

13. The mount of claim 12, further comprising:

a communication protocol;

wherein said bus controller is in communication with a network;

wherein each of said devices is assigned an address; and

wherein said communication protocol effects selective communication with each of said devices by selectively addressing said devices.

14. A mount for a plurality of devices within a room, comprising:

at least one extrusion for positioning a plurality of said devices in at least one substantially linear array, and for mechanically fixing each of said devices to an interior surface of said room;

said extrusion further comprising;

means integrated therewith for establishing a power connection to each of said devices, and

at least one element integrated therewith, wherein said at least one element establishes a physical communication path between each of a said plurality of said devices, and a signal destination;

wherein said extrusion and said devices are positioned within a recessed channel formed through said interior surface of said room; and

wherein said channel is substantially enclosed by a cover which is substantially flush with said interior surface of said room to conceal said devices.

15. The mount of claim 14, wherein said surface is a wall and said mount is formed as a chair rail.

16. The mount of claim 14, wherein said surface is a ceiling and said mount is formed as a crown molding.