AUDIO-VIDEO SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS
First Claim
1. An audio-visual (AV) method for displaying an event with participants occurring at an event location to an audience at a remote location, which method comprises the steps of:
- orienting a first camera with a first configuration at said event location towards the event;
orienting a second camera with a second configuration at said event location towards the event;
outputting AV content from said cameras;
processing the output from said first and second cameras with a central controller;
transmitting the AV content from said central controller to said remote location; and
displaying said transmitted AV content on a single display screen.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An AV system and method for teleconferencing includes input and output subsystems. The input subsystem includes at least a pair of cameras and a microphone. The cameras can be mounted on a portable cart and adapted for repositioning in order to provide optimum camera spacing and angles to accommodate particular subject matter being covered. The input subsystem is connected to a controller, which can be connected to the Internet or some other network whereby systems at various sites can be linked for teleconferencing multiple participants, who can be either geographically remote from each other or located in close proximity. The output subsystem includes multi-screen displays, which are configured for simulating live participation by viewers. The display devices can be mounted on the cart, along with speakers for playing audio content.
82 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An audio-visual (AV) method for displaying an event with participants occurring at an event location to an audience at a remote location, which method comprises the steps of:
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orienting a first camera with a first configuration at said event location towards the event; orienting a second camera with a second configuration at said event location towards the event; outputting AV content from said cameras; processing the output from said first and second cameras with a central controller; transmitting the AV content from said central controller to said remote location; and displaying said transmitted AV content on a single display screen. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for teleconferencing events at first and second event locations remote from each other, which comprises the steps of:
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orienting a first camera with a first configuration at each said event location towards the event at said location; orienting a second camera with a second configuration at each said event location towards the event at said location; outputting AV content from said cameras; processing the output from said cameras with a central controller; transmitting the AV content from said central controller to said locations; displaying said transmitted AV content on a display device at each location; reorienting said cameras with said controller; dividing said display into multiple views; storing a preprogrammed default orientation for said cameras in said controller; orienting said cameras towards said events according to said default orientation; panning said events with said cameras operating independently via said controller; zooming said cameras independently on said events via said controller; providing a portable cart with said cameras mounted thereon at one of said locations; providing said cart with a cabinet; providing said cart with a screen movable between a lowered position retracted into said cart cabinet and a raised position extending upwardly from said cabinet; displaying on said screen multiple screen displays of an event occurring at a remote location from multiple angles; providing said cart with a pair of camera arms; mounting said arms on opposite sides of said cart; each said arm being movable between an extended position extending laterally outwardly from a respective cabinet side and a retracted position folded alongside a respective cabinet side; adjustably mounting each said camera on a respective arm; vertically adjusting said cameras between raised and lowered positions; vertically adjusting each said camera between raised and lowered positions on a respective said arm; at one of said locations reorienting a camera towards at least one of an item or a person associated with a respective event independently of said other camera orientation; splitting said screen display with said controller into multiple, individual screen displays; enhancing a viewer'"'"'s seamless impression of said multiple images comprising said screen display from multiple said cameras by manipulating the video output content displayed on said screen; remotely controlling the camera orientations at said first location from said second location; remotely controlling the camera orientations at said second location from said first location; dividing said screen with said controller into multiple images; subdividing at least one of said divided images into multiple, subdivided images independently of said other divided images; providing multiple microphones and speakers at each said location; providing audio input to said controller from said microphones; providing audio output from said controller to said speakers; providing a visual tracking system; connecting said tracking system to said controller; programming said controller to track video content associated with a person, object or event; tracking said video content with said tracking system; directing a camera to said tracked video content; providing a motion detector at one of said locations; connecting said motion detector to said controller; detecting motion at said one location with said motion detector; activating said system in response to motion detection; teleconferencing said events; recording said events; and evaluating said events.
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18. An AV system for teleconferencing events at first and second locations, which includes:
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first and second cameras at each of said first and second locations; first and second microphones at each of said first and second locations; a controller connected to and receiving input from said first and second cameras and microphones; said controller including a camera orientation function for remotely and independently orienting said cameras at said locations; said controller including a predetermined, default orientation for said cameras; a display device at each location; a speaker at each location; said controller displaying and playing said transmitted AV content on said display device and said speaker at each location; said controller including a function for reorienting said cameras remotely; said controller including a function for displaying multiple views on said display device; said controller including a function for panning at each location with said cameras operating independently of each other; and said controller including a function for zooming said cameras independently of each other. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification