Virtual video teleconferencing system

• US 6,831,676 B2
• Filed: 02/05/2003
• Issued: 12/14/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: e-Watch, Inc. (Cision Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: David A Monroe
• Inventors: Monroe, David A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramakrishnaiah, Melur
• Application Number:
  US10/358,660
• Publication Number:
  US 20030117487A1
• Time in Patent Office: 678 Days
• Field of Search: 348/14-1-, 348/14.1, 348/14-1-, 345/753, 370/260
• US Class Current: 348/14.08
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/38 Displays
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/567 Multimedia conference systems
• 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

A video conferencing system utilizes a plurality of sensors or cameras to record the image of each attendee in order to generate a three-dimensional image thereof. The image signal is then merged and displayed at a remote station where an actual attendee is present. The displayed image is a three-dimensional virtual conference room replicating the look and feel of a hands-on conference.

Claims

1. A video teleconferencing system for providing a synthesized, virtual conference room with one or more actual attendees conferenced with one or more remote stations wherein remote attendees are positioned, all of the remote attendees simultaneously displayed on a single display screen, said attendees being physically present at one or more remote locations, the system having at least one local station for sending and receiving both video and audio signals and one remote station for sending and receiving both video and audio signals, the system comprising:

a display screen at each of said local and said remote stations, said display screen for displaying each of said remote attendees in a synthesized conference room setting by displaying the received video signals;

a plurality of sensors trained on each of said actual attendees at each of said local and said remote stations, said plurality of said sensors at each station adapted for generating a plurality of electronic signals representing one view of each of said attendees at each station, each of said stations adapted for displaying all of the remote attendees on said display screen for viewing by the actual attendee;

a system for combining said plurality of said electronic signals for generating a composite electronic signal representing all of said remote attendees; and

an image generator for generating a three dimensional representation of each of said remote attendees for display upon said display screen.

2. The video teleconferencing system of claim 1, wherein said image generator further comprises at least one position assigner for assigning each of said attendees a display position upon said display screen.

3. The video teleconferencing system of claim 1, wherein said local station has more than one attendee and wherein a unique image and unique electronic signal is created for each attendee, said system further including a multiplexer at said local station for receiving and combining said unique signals for transmission to said remote station and a demultiplexer at said remote station wherein said unique signals are recreated for display at said remote station.

4. The video teleconferencing system of claim 1, further including at least two remote stations, further including a transmission and receiving network wherein the signals generated by each station are sent directly to every other station.

5. The video teleconferencing system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of local and remote stations are in a star configuration.

6. The video teleconferencing system of claim 1, further including at least two remote stations, further including a transmission and receiving network wherein the signals generated by each station are relayed through another station in a loop configuration.

7. The video teleconferencing system of claim 1 wherein said image generator comprises a three-dimensional television projection system.

8. The video teleconferencing system of claim 1 wherein said image generator comprises a plurality of polarizers.

9. The video teleconferencing system of claim 1 wherein said image generator comprises a plurality of cameras and a plurality of light sources.

10. A video teleconferencing system for providing a synthesized, virtual conference room with one or more actual attendees conferenced with one or more remote stations wherein remote attendees are positioned, all of the remote attendees simultaneously displayed on a single display screen, said attendees being physically present at one or more remote locations, the system having at least one local station for sending and receiving both video and audio signals and one remote station for sending and receiving both video and audio signals, the system comprising:

a display screen at each of said local and said remote stations, said display screen for displaying each of said remote attendees in a synthesized conference room setting by displaying the received video signals;

a first plurality of sensors trained on each of said actual attendees at each of said local and said remote stations, said first plurality of said sensors at each station adapted for generating a first plurality of electronic signals representing one view of each of said attendees at each station, each of said stations adapted for displaying all of the remote attendees on said display screen for viewing by the actual attendee;

a graphics wall at each local and remote station located adjacent to said display screen, said graphics wall having one or more sensors adapted for generating a second plurality of electronic signals representing one view of graphical or textual information upon said graphics wall;

a system for combining said first plurality and said second plurality of said electronic signals for generating a composite electronic signal representing all of said remote attendees and all of said graphical or textual information; and

an image generator for generating a three dimensional representation of

     1) each of said remote attendees and

     2) said graphical or textual information from each of said remote stations for simultaneous display upon said display screen.

11. The video teleconferencing system of claim 10, wherein said image generator further comprises at least one position assigner for assigning each of said attendees a display position upon said display screen.

12. The video teleconferencing system of claim 10, further comprising a graphics display panel located adjacent to said display screen.

13. The video teleconferencing system of claim 12, wherein said three dimensional representation of said graphical or textual information from each of said remote stations is displayed upon said graphics display panel.

14. A video teleconferencing system for providing a synthesized, virtual conference room with one or more actual attendees conferenced with one or more remote stations wherein remote attendees are positioned, all of the remote attendees simultaneously displayed on a single display screen, said attendee being physically present at one or more remote locations, the system having at least one local station for sending and receiving both video and audio signals and one remote station for sending and receiving both video and audio signals, the system comprising:

a display screen at each of said local and said remote stations, said display screen for displaying each of said remote attendees in a synthesized conference room setting by displaying the received video signals;

a first plurality of sensors trained each of said actual attendees at each of said local and said remote stations, said first plurality of said sensors at each station adapted for generating a first plurality of electronic signals representing one view of each of said attendees at each remote station, each of said stations adapted for displaying all of the remote attendees on said display screen for viewing by the actual attendee;

a graphics wall at each of said local and said remote stations located generally perpendicular to said display screen, said graphics wall having one or more sensors adapted for generating a second plurality of electronic signals representing one view of graphical or textual information upon said graphics wall;

a system for combining said first plurality and said second plurality of said electronic signals for generating a composite electronic signal representing all of said remote attendees and said graphical or textual information upon said graphics wall of said remote station;

an image generator for generating a three dimensional representation of

     1) each of said remote attendees for display upon said display screen and

     2) said graphical or textual information; and

a graphics display panel for displaying said three dimensional representation of said graphical or textual information and being located generally perpendicular to said display screen and generally parallel to said graphics wall such that said graphics wall, said display screen, and said graphics display panel form a generally C shaped configuration.

15. The video teleconferencing system of claim 14, wherein said image generator further comprises at least one position assigner for assigning each of said attendees a display position upon said display screen.

16. The video teleconferencing system of claim 14 further comprising a receiver for receiving, decoding and displaying the composite electronic signal at said remote station.

17. The video teleconferencing system of claim 14 further comprising a transmitter for transmitting said composite electronic signal to all of said remote stations.

18. The video teleconferencing system of claim 14 wherein said image generator comprises a three-dimensional television projection system.

19. The video teleconferencing system of claim 14 wherein said image generator comprises a plurality of cameras and a plurality of polarizers.

20. The video teleconferencing system of claim 14 wherein said image generator comprises a plurality of cameras and a plurality of light sources.