Method of using a video conferencing system including at least two 2-dimensional display screens to implement a common virtual surface

• US 7,567,220 B1
• Filed: 07/30/2008
• Issued: 07/28/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Donoho, Andrew Ward
• Primary Examiner(s): Liang; Regina
• Application Number:
  US12/182,721
• Time in Patent Office: 363 Days
• Field of Search: 345/1.1, 345/1.3, 345/2.1, 345/2.2, 345 4- 6, 345/649, 345/650, 345/653, 345/654, 345/676, 345/679, 345/680, 348/14.01, 348/14.03, 348/14.07, 348/14.08, 715/751, 715/753, 715/757
• US Class Current: 345/1.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/142 Constructional details of the terminal equipment, e.g. arrangements of the camera and the display
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/15 Conference systems

Abstract

Using a video conferencing system including first and second 2-dimensional display screens to implement a virtual surface between participants interacting with the 2-dimensional display screens. The virtual surface is utilized as a 3-dimensional rocker for pivoting an image displayed thereon in a 3-dimensional manner. The display screens (i.e., the virtual surface) may include a plurality of predefined/adjustable edge portions, such that each edge portion is designated as a rocker edge portion. Further, each rocker edge portion can be designated as at least one of a pivot portion and a panel portion. If a rocker edge portion that is a panel portion is utilized, then hidden information/options will appear. In addition, if a rocker edge portion that is a pivot portion is utilized, then the image displayed on the virtual surface will be pivoted around an invisible axis causing a portion of the image (which was once not visible) to appear.

Claims

1. A method of using a video conferencing system including at least two 2-dimensional display screens to implement a common virtual surface between participants interacting with the at least two 2-dimensional display screens, the common virtual surface being formed from the at least two 2-dimensional display screens and being utilized as a 3-dimensional multi-way rocker for pivoting an image displayed on the common virtual surface in a 3-dimensional manner, the common virtual surface having a plurality of predefined and adjustable edge portions, each edge portion being designated as a respective rocker edge portion, and each respective rocker edge portion being designated as at least one of a pivot portion and a panel portion, the method of using the video conferencing system comprising:

exploiting a first rocker edge portion of the common virtual surface from a first 2-dimensional display screen at a location of a first participant;

revealing a hidden panel in relation to the image displayed on the common virtual surface that is formed from (i) the first 2-dimensional display screen at the location of the first participant and (ii) a second 2-dimensional display screen at a location of a second participant, in response to said exploiting of the first rocker edge portion, said revealing only occurring if the first rocker edge portion is designated as a panel portion; and

pivoting the image displayed on the common virtual surface that is formed from (i) the first 2-dimensional display screen at the location of the first participant and (ii) the second 2-dimensional display screen at the location of the second participant, in response to said exploiting of the first rocker edge portion, such that the image displayed on the common virtual surface is pivoted in a 3-dimensional manner based on a location of the first rocker edge portion with respect to the common virtual surface, said pivoting occurring only if the first rocker edge portion is designated as a pivot portion,

wherein, when said pivoting of the image displayed on the common virtual surface occurs, the image displayed on the common virtual surface is pivoted such that (i) a new portion of the displayed image or a new portion associated with the displayed image appears on the first and second 2-dimensional display screens, (ii) the new portion of the displayed image or associated with the displayed image appears on the first and second 2-dimensional display screens in a manner that provides an appearance that the new portion pivots from a third dimension and into a 2-dimensional plane formed by each 2-dimensional display screen, and (iii) a previously visible portion of the image pivots in relation to the appearance of the new portion of the displayed image or associated with the displayed image,

wherein, when the image displayed on each 2-dimensional display screen is pivoted, an axis, around which the image displayed on the respective 2-dimensional display screens rotates, extends in a direction relative to the location of the first rocker edge portion such that the new portion of the displayed image or associated with the displayed image is closer to the first rocker edge portion than the previously visible portion of the image,

wherein a location of the revealed hidden panel is reciprocal to the first participant and the second participant, such that the location of the revealed hidden panel appears on the common virtual surface relative to a point of view of the first participant and relative to a point of view of the second participant, and

wherein a direction of said pivoting of the image displayed on the common virtual surface is reciprocal to the first participant and the second participant, such that the direction of said pivoting is relative to a point of view of the first participant and relative to a point of view of the second participant.