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Variable bandwidth communication systems and methods

  • US 7,953,112 B2
  • Filed: 03/27/2007
  • Issued: 05/31/2011
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/09/1997
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A communication device, the device comprising:

  • a data processor;

    a transmission component coupled to the data processor, wherein the transmission component includes a transmit bandwidth;

    a reception component coupled to the data processor;

    a data output component coupled to the data processor;

    an audio and video capture component coupled to the data processor, the audio and video capture component capturing audio information, video information or both audio and video information associated with a user;

    a sensor that automatically senses a presence or an absence of the user and/or motion of the user; and

    a user-selectable transmit control configured to set the transmit bandwidth from a range according to a level of privacy desired by the user, the range including—

    betweena high setting of transmitting real-time audio and video corresponding to a desire by the user to transmit real-time audio and video,a low setting of not transmitting information or of transmitting information corresponding to a desire by the user to not provide presence information,a first intermediate setting of transmitting a dynamic avatar animation derived from data from the audio and video capture component corresponding to a first desire by the user to provide less than full real-time audio and video information but greater than presence information; and

    a second intermediate setting of transmitting a dynamic pure abstract animation derived from data from the audio and video capture component and/or data from the sensor corresponding to a second desire by the user to provide less than full real-time audio and video information but greater than presence information, wherein the dynamic pure abstract animation has a generally dynamic motion that is based at least in part on motion of the user determined by data from the audio and video capture component and/or data from the sensor,such that the transmission component provides a remote user with an indication of the user'"'"'s desire to communicate before the remote user establishes a two-way communication link with the user, and without concealing the user'"'"'s identity.

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