Telepresence systems and methods therefore
First Claim
1. A telepresence system capable of allowing a user to communicate with a person using a communications system, the telepresence system comprising:
- an image display device having an image area, said image area being in an image plane positioned for viewing from an observation zone;
a two-way mirror between said observation zone and said image display device, said two-way mirror being in a mirror plane, wherein said mirror plane and said image plane form an angle;
a backdrop adjacent to said two-way mirror;
a camera proximate said backdrop such that said camera views said observation zone as a reflection off said two-way mirror; and
a light-absorbing panel adjacent said two-way mirror opposite said camera and located in a view of said camera through said two-way mirror as said camera is aligned to view said reflection of said observation zone off said two-way mirror.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A telepresence system enhances the perception of presence of a remote person involved in a video conference. The system preferably has a two-way mirror, which is between the observer and the display device, positioned at an angle to reflect a backdrop surface. The backdrop surface may or may not appear superimposed in a position behind the image of a person from the remote location. The system preferably minimizes image distortion via an optical path for the camera line of sight that is substantially longer than the physical distance between the user and the camera. The system may be asymmetrical, in that one camera is on axis with the user'"'"'s line of sight while the other camera is off axis with the user'"'"'s line of sight.
-
Citations
16 Claims
-
1. A telepresence system capable of allowing a user to communicate with a person using a communications system, the telepresence system comprising:
-
an image display device having an image area, said image area being in an image plane positioned for viewing from an observation zone; a two-way mirror between said observation zone and said image display device, said two-way mirror being in a mirror plane, wherein said mirror plane and said image plane form an angle; a backdrop adjacent to said two-way mirror; a camera proximate said backdrop such that said camera views said observation zone as a reflection off said two-way mirror; and a light-absorbing panel adjacent said two-way mirror opposite said camera and located in a view of said camera through said two-way mirror as said camera is aligned to view said reflection of said observation zone off said two-way mirror. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
11. A telepresence system comprising:
-
an image display device comprising an image area; a panel comprising a first edge near a first edge of said image display device; a beamsplitter bisecting a volume disposed between said panel and said image display device, wherein a first edge of said beamsplitter is adjacent said panel; and a camera with a view of said beamsplitter through an aperture in said panel.
-
-
12. A telepresence system comprising:
-
a display device; a beamsplitter adjoining said display device along a first line, wherein said display device and said beamsplitter form a first angle with said first line being a vertex of said first angle; and a panel adjoining said beamsplitter along said first line, wherein said beamsplitter and said panel form a second angle with said first line being a vertex of said second angle, wherein said first angle and said second angle are equal and are on opposite sides of said beamsplitter.
-
Specification