TelePresence architectural systems and methods therefore

• US 9,628,754 B2
• Filed: 04/01/2016
• Issued: 04/18/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Telepresence Technologies LLC (Buffalo Pacific LLC)
• Original Assignee: Telepresence Technologies LLC (Buffalo Pacific LLC)
• Inventors: White, Peter McDuffie
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramakrishnaiah, Melur
• Application Number:
  US15/089,142
• Publication Number:
  US 20160295160A1
• Time in Patent Office: 382 Days
• Field of Search: 348 1401- 1416, 709704, 715753, 370260-261
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06037 multi-dimensional coding
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/194 Transmission of image signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2547 Third Party Billing, e.g. billing of advertiser
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44008 involving operations for analysing video streams, e.g. detecting features or characteristics in the video stream arrangements characterised by components specially adapted for monitoring, identification or recognition of video in broadcast systems H04H60/59
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/157 defining a virtual conference space and using avatars or agents computer conference optimisation or adaptation H04L12/1827

Abstract

An architectural structure incorporates advanced video conference communications systems that embody two-way mirrors to reflect room surfaces to appear superimposed with an image display device to create a perception of depth. The processes for delivering professional services using video conference systems with two-way mirror configurations are presented herein.

Claims

1. An architectural scale communications system comprising:

an entrance configured to allow a user to select a service;

a meeting room configured to provide the service, the meeting room including;

at least two walls;

an observation zone positioned between the at least two walls and configured to accommodate the user;

an image display device positioned to be observable from the observation zone, the image display device configured to display to the observation zone a life-sized or near-life-sized image of a remote service representative;

a two-way mirror having a first edge integrally mounted in a first of the at least two walls and having a second end integrally mounted in a second of the at least two walls, the two-way mirror being positioned between the observation zone and the image display device and angled to reflect the ceiling of the meeting room when viewed from the observation zone;

a ceiling extending between the at least two walls, the ceiling including a reflected zone wherein the reflected zone is configured to provide a backdrop image when reflected in the two-way mirror;

a camera positioned to capture a view of the observation zone;

a microphone positioned to capture sounds emanating from the observation zone;

an audio amplification and speaker system comprised of one or more speakers integrally mounted within at least one of the at least two walls or within the ceiling; and

a transmission system coupled to the image display device, the camera, the microphone, and the speaker and configured to transmit audio and video of the service representative to the observation zone and to transmit audio and video of the observation zone to the service representative; and

an access door separating the entrance and the meeting room, wherein the access door can be remotely controlled to allow access or deny access to the at least one meeting room.

2. The architectural scale communications system of claim 1, further comprising an entrance with a lobby area to access multiple meeting rooms.

3. The architectural scale communications system of claim 1, further comprising a card reader configured to allow the user to swipe a card for identification to allow access to a meeting room.

4. The architectural scale communications system of claim 1, further comprising a touch pad for a user to put in a code for access to the meeting room.

5. The architectural scale communications system of claim 1, further comprising a user activation system to trigger the initiation of an audio and/or video transmission to a remote service representative for the user to request access to the meeting space.

6. The architectural scale communications system of claim 1, wherein the reflected zone is free of visible distractions.

7. The architectural scale communications system of claim 6, wherein the distractions include from ceiling lights, air ducts, fire sprinklers or other objects that would distract the user when viewing the image of the reflected backdrop.

8. The architectural scale communications system of claim 1, wherein the ceiling is treated to be a projection screen for a projection of an image to be reflected in the said two-way mirror to appear as a backdrop image.

9. The architectural scale communications system of claim 1, wherein the meeting room further comprises lighting with a color temperature in a range of about 5500 to about 6500 degrees Kelvin.

10. The architectural scale communications system of claim 1, further comprising sound absorbing surfaces integrated into the walls, ceiling, floor, or combinations of same.

11. The architectural scale communications system of claim 1, further comprising a table surface with a front surface of the two-way mirror integrally mounted in a back surface of the table with the two-way mirror angled to reflect the ceiling.

12. The architectural scale communications system of claim 1, further comprising peripheral devices integrated into a table surface, the peripheral devices positioned to support financial transactions with a professional services provider.

13. The architectural scale communications system of claim 1, further comprising peripheral devices integrated into a table surface, the peripheral devices positioned to support medical treatment with by a professional services provider.

14. The architectural scale communications system of claim 1, further comprising an interactive display device for the service representative to remotely display visual content on the said display device and to provide visually displayed options for the user to select video programs and control of peripheral devices.

15. The architectural scale communications system of claim 1 comprising a service area providing access to a space behind the two-way mirror for servicing the image display device and electronic equipment.

16. An architectural scale communications system comprising:

an architectural space accessible to a user which is configured to support transactions between the user and a professional services provider transmitted from a remote location, said architectural scale communications system including;

at least two walls;

an observation zone positioned between the at least two walls and configured to accommodate the user;

an image display device positioned to be observable from the observation zone, the image display device configured to display to the observation zone a life-sized or near-life-sized image of said professional services provider transmitted from a remote location;

a ceiling extending between the at least two walls, the ceiling including a reflected zone wherein the reflected zone is configured to provide a backdrop image when reflected in the two-way mirror;

a two-way mirror having a first edge integrally mounted in a first of the at least two walls and having a second end integrally mounted in a second of the at least two walls, the two-way mirror being positioned between the observation zone and the image display device and angled to reflect the ceiling when viewed from the observation zone;

a camera positioned to capture a view of the observation zone;

a microphone positioned to capture sounds emanating from the observation zone;

an audio amplification and speaker system comprised of one or more speakers integrally mounted within at least one of the at least two walls or within the ceiling; and

a transmission system coupled to the image display device, the camera, the microphone, and the speaker and configured to transmit audio and video of the remotely located professional services provider to the observation zone and to transmit audio and video of the observation zone to the location of the professional services provider.

17. The architectural scale communications system of claim 16, comprising a counter height surface with the front edge of the two-way mirror integrally mounted into the back edge of the counter surface and the two-way mirror angled to reflect the ceiling of the architectural space.

18. The architectural scale communications system of claim 16, further comprising one or more peripheral device integrated into a counter height surface, and the peripheral devices positioned to support financial transactions with the professional services provider.

19. The architectural scale communications system of claim 16, further comprising one or more peripheral devices integrated into a counter height surface, the peripheral devices positioned to support healthcare services provided by the professional services provider.

20. The architectural scale communications system of claim 16, further comprising an interactive display device for the service representative to remotely display visual content on the said display device and to provide visually displayed options for the user to select video programs and control of peripheral devices.

21. An architectural scale communications system comprising:

an architectural space accessible to a number of users which is configured to facilitate communication with one or more people transmitted from a remote location and the said architectural scale communications system including;

at least two walls;

an observation zone positioned between the at least two walls and configured to accommodate the users;

an image display device positioned to be observable from the observation zone, the image display device configured to display to the observation zone life-sized or near-life-sized images of people transmitted from a remote location;

a ceiling extending between the at least two walls, the ceiling including a reflected zone wherein the reflected zone is configured to provide a backdrop image when reflected in the two-way mirror;

a two-way mirror having a first edge integrally mounted in a first of the at least two walls and having a second end integrally mounted in a second of the at least two walls, the two-way mirror being positioned between the observation zone and the image display device and angled to reflect the reflected zone of the ceiling when viewed from the observation zone;

a camera positioned to capture a view of the observation zone;

a microphone positioned to capture sounds emanating from the observation zone;

an audio amplification and speaker system comprised of one or more speakers integrally mounted within at least one of the at least two walls or within the ceiling; and

a transmission system coupled to the image display device, the camera, the microphone, and the speaker and configured to transmit audio and video of the remotely located people to the observation zone and to transmit audio and video of the observation zone to the location of the remotely located people.

22. The architectural scale communications system of claim 21, wherein reflected zone is free of visible distraction from ceiling lights, air ducts, fire sprinklers or other objects that would not be desirable to be viewed within the image of the reflected backdrop.

23. The architectural scale communications system of claim 21, wherein the ceiling is treated to be a projection screen for the projection of an image to be reflected in the said two-way mirror to appear as a backdrop image.

24. An architectural scale communications system comprising:

an architectural space comprised of multiple observation zones for users to communicate through video and audio with people in remote locations with each said observation zone including;

at least two walls configured to accommodate the users there between;

an image display device positioned to be observable from the observation zone, the image display device configured to display to the observation zone life-sized or near-life-sized images of people transmitted from a remote location;

a two-way mirror having a first edge integrally mounted in a first of the at least two walls and having a second end integrally mounted in a second of the at least two walls, the two-way mirror being positioned between the observation zone and the image display device and angled to reflect a ceiling of the architectural space when viewed from the observation zone,

the ceiling extending between the at least two walls, the ceiling including a reflected zone wherein the reflected zone is configured to provide a backdrop image when reflected in the two-way mirror

a camera positioned to capture a view of the observation zone;

a microphone positioned to capture sounds emanating from the observation zone;

an audio amplification and speaker system comprised of one or more speakers integrally mounted within at least one of the at least two walls or within the ceiling; and

a transmission system coupled to the image display device, the camera, the microphone, and the speaker and configured to transmit audio and video of the remotely located people to the observation zone and to transmit audio and video of the observation zone to the location of the remotely located people.

25. The architectural scale communications system of claim 24, wherein the observation zones include counters with a countertop display, meeting rooms with a table for users, group presentation rooms with seating and other rooms with space for people to communicate in observation zones.

26. The architectural scale communications system of claim 24, further comprising spaces adjoining the back of meeting spaces to provide access to electronic and display equipment within the meeting spaces.

27. The architectural scale communications system of claim 24 comprising a free standing building to house the meeting spaces with observation zones.

28. The architectural scale communications system of claim 24 comprising a prefabricated architectural structure to house the meeting spaces with observation zones.

29. The architectural scale communications system of claim 24 comprising an interior architectural structure to be installed in an existing building to house the meeting spaces with observation zones.