APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PRESENTING AUDIO IN A VIDEO TELECONFERENCE

• US 20070188595A1
• Filed: 07/31/2006
• Published: 08/16/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Applied Minds LLC
• Original Assignee: Applied Minds LLC
• Inventors: FERREN, BRAN, Hillis, W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,855,726 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/14.80
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1827 Network arrangements for conference optimisation or adaptation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• 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 7/147 Communication arrangements, e.g. identifying the communication as a video-communication, intermediate storage of the signals selecting H04Q

Abstract

An advanced video teleconferencing (AVTC) system uniquely combines a number of features to promote a realistic “same room” experience for meeting participants. These features include an autodirector to select audio and video sources and to compose shots, a collaboration interface for each participant to communicate nonverbal information, directional LEDs to privately alert participants, audio reflected from the main display, and a collaborative table to share a video of objects or papers on a table. When implemented with sufficient bandwidth for take advantage of these features and to keep latency time low, this AVTC system results in a highly realistic and productive teleconferencing experience.

Claims

1. An apparatus for presenting audio in a video teleconference comprising:

a display means viewable by at least one participant; and

at least one audio source;

wherein said at least one audio source is positioned so that sound emanating from said at least one audio source is reflected from a surface of said display means towards said at least one participant;

wherein said sound appears to said at least one participant to originate from said surface of said display means.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one audio source comprises a directional audio speaker.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said surface of said display means comprises any of:

a front surface of a monitor;

a surface of a wall;

a projection screen; and

a beam splitter.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an obstructing member substantially obstructing direct transmission of said sound from said at least one audio source to said at least one participant.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a support for said display means;

wherein said at least one audio source is recessed within a surface of said support so that said support substantially obstructs direct transmission of said sound from said at least one audio source to said at least one participant.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said support comprises a table at which said at least one participant is seated.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said surface of said display means is forwardly inclined so that the angles between said surface o said display means and said surface of said support is less than 90 degrees.

8. The apparatus of claim 1,

wherein each of said at least one audio source is characterized by an acoustic axis about which said sound emanates;

wherein said acoustic axis is incident upon said surface of said display means at an incident angle; and

wherein said surface of said display means is oriented so that a line from said at least one participant to said surface of said display means and the normal to said surface of said display, means define a reflected angle substantially equal to said incident angle.

9. A method of presenting audio in a video teleconference comprising the steps of:

providing a display means viewable by at least one conference participant; and

positioning at least one audio source so that sound emanating from said at least one audio source is reflected from a surface of said display means towards said at least one participant;

wherein said sound appears to said at least one participant to originate from said surface of said display means.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said at least one audio source comprises a directional audio speaker.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein said surface of said display means comprises any of:

a front surface of a monitor;

a surface of a wall;

a projection screen; and

a beam splitter.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of:

obstructing direct transmission of said sound from said at least one audio source to said at least one participant by provision of an obstructing member.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising the steps of:

recessing said at least one audio source within a surface of a support for said display means; and

obstructing direct transmission of said sound from said at least one audio source to said at least one participant.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said support comprises a table at which said at least one participant is seated.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of:

inclining said surface of said display means in a forward manner relative to said surface of said support so that the angle between said surface of said display means and said surface of said support is less than 90 degrees.

16. The method of claim 9,

wherein each of said at least one audio source is characterized by an acoustic axis about which said sound emanates;

and

wherein said acoustic axis is incident upon said surface of said display, means at an incident angle;

said method further comprising the step of;

orienting said surface of said display means so that a line from said at least one participant to said surface of said display means and the normal to said surface of said display means define a reflected angle substantially equal to said incident angle.