Methods, systems, and apparatus for providing video communications

• US 9,681,100 B2
• Filed: 08/17/2015
• Issued: 06/13/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: eBay Inc.
• Original Assignee: eBay Inc.
• Inventors: Akin, Jeremiah Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Gauthier, Gerald
• Application Number:
  US14/828,132
• Publication Number:
  US 20150358585A1
• Time in Patent Office: 666 Days
• Field of Search: 348 1407, 348 1408, 348 1409, 348 1402, 348 1416, 348 77, 348 1401, 348169, 3482071, 367127, 381 92, 345156, 345473, 345589, 35115903, 382118, 455411, 4555561, 700259, 704233, 704243, 704260, 713182, 713186, 463 36
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/013 Eye tracking input arrangements G06F3/015 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/18 for broadcast or conference , e.g. multicast
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1827 Network arrangements for conference optimisation or adaptation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/403 Arrangements for multi-party communication, e.g. for conferences data switching systems for conference H04L12/18; arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities H04M3/56; television conferencing systems H04N7/15
• 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

Methods, systems, and apparatus for conducting a video conference. A location of a person is determined based on a direction of a source of speech. The location of an image capture device and/or a portion of a display device may be adjusted based on the determined direction of the source of speech.

Claims

1. An apparatus for conducting a video conference, the apparatus comprising:

a processor;

memory to store instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising;

analyzing one or more facial movements of a person captured by an image capture device to recognize that the person is speaking, and

adjusting an orientation of the image capture device in response to the facial movement analysis recognizing that the person is speaking.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise determining the location of the person by analyzing audio received by one or more microphones.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise determining a location of the person based on a location of a set of eyes in an image.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise panning the image capture device toward the person.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the adjusting adjusts a location of the image capture device.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the adjusting adjusts a location of a portion of a display device.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the adjusting adjusts a location of a reflective element.

8. A method for conducting a video conference, the method comprising:

analyzing one or more facial movements of a person captured by an image capture device to recognize that the person is speaking; and

adjusting an orientation of the image capture device in response to the facial movement analysis recognizing that the person is speaking.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising determining the location of the person by analyzing audio received by one or more microphones.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising determining the location of the person based on a location of a set of eyes in an image.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising panning the image capture device toward the person.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the person is a a video conference participant.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the adjusting adjusts a location of a portion of a display device.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein the adjusting adjusts a location of a reflective element.

15. A non-transitory computer-readable medium embodying instructions that, when executed by a processor, perform operations comprising:

analyzing one or more facial movements of a person captured by an image capture device to recognize that the person is speaking, and

adjusting an orientation of an image capture device in response to the facial movement analysis recognizing that the person is speaking.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the operations further comprise determining the location of the person by analyzing audio received by one or more microphones.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the operations further comprise determining the location of the person based on a location of a set of eyes in an image.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, the operations further comprising panning the image capture device toward the person.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the person is a video conference participant.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the adjusting operation adjusts a location of a reflective element.