Accessing settings of a videoconference using touch-based gestures

• US 8,605,873 B2
• Filed: 06/28/2011
• Issued: 12/10/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lifesize, Inc. (Enghouse Systems Limited)
• Original Assignee: Lifesize, Inc. (Enghouse Systems Limited)
• Inventors: Mock, Wayne E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Anwah, Olisa
• Application Number:
  US13/171,310
• Publication Number:
  US 20130002802A1
• Time in Patent Office: 896 Days
• Field of Search: 348/14.01, 348/14.03, 379/93.21, 379/158, 379/202.01
• US Class Current: 379/93.21
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1827 Network arrangements for conference optimisation or adaptation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/15 Conference systems

Abstract

Controlling a videoconference based on gestures received to a touch interface. A gesture may be received to a touch interface. In response to the gesture, a videoconference action may be performed. For example, a first gesture may be received to mute the videoconference and in response, the videoconference may be muted. As another example, a second gesture may be received to adjust the volume of the videoconference, and the volume may be correspondingly adjusted. Further, various gestures may be received for controlling one or more cameras in a videoconference, accessing settings in a videoconference, interacting with a presentation, etc.

Claims

1. A non-transitory, computer accessible memory medium comprising program instructions for accessing settings of a videoconferencing system using a touch screen, wherein the program instructions are executable to:

receive user input to the touch screen, wherein the user input comprises a complex touch gesture to access settings of the videoconferencing system;

provide a settings interface on a display in response to the complex touch gesture, wherein the settings interface provided depends on a context of the user input, wherein the settings interface provided does not depend upon a position on the touch screen at which the user input is received.

2. The non-transitory, computer accessible memory medium of claim 1, wherein the complex touch gesture comprises a multi-touch gesture.

3. The non-transitory, computer accessible memory medium of claim 1, wherein the complex touch gesture comprises a multi-touch tap gesture.

4. The non-transitory, computer accessible memory medium of claim 1, wherein the complex touch gesture comprises at least three simultaneous touches.

5. The non-transitory, computer accessible memory medium of claim 1, wherein the complex touch gestures comprises a four touch tap gesture.

6. The non-transitory, computer accessible memory medium of claim 1, wherein said providing the settings interface on a display comprises providing the settings interface for display on the touch screen.

7. The non-transitory, computer accessible memory medium of claim 1, wherein said providing the settings interface on a display comprises providing the settings interface on a videoconference display.

8. The non-transitory, computer accessible memory medium of claim 1, wherein the settings interface comprises administrative settings of the videoconferencing system.

9. The non-transitory, computer accessible memory medium of claim 1, wherein said receiving user input is performed during a videoconference, wherein the settings interface is for the videoconference.

23. The non-transitory, computer accessible memory medium of claim 1, wherein the context of the user input comprises a current operating mode of the videoconferencing system.

10. A method for accessing settings of a videoconferencing system using a touch screen, comprising:

receiving user input to the touch screen, wherein the user input comprises a complex touch gesture to access settings corresponding to the videoconferencing system;

providing a settings interface on a display in response to the complex touch gesture, wherein the settings interface provided depends on a context of the user input, wherein the settings interface provided does not depend upon a position on the touch screen at which the user input is received.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the complex touch gesture comprises a multi-touch gesture.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the complex touch gesture comprises a multi-touch tap gesture.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the complex touch gesture comprises at least three simultaneous touches.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the complex touch gestures comprises a four touch tap gesture.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein said providing the settings interface on a display comprises providing the settings interface for display on the touch screen.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein said providing the settings interface on a display comprises providing the settings interface on a videoconference display.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein the settings interface comprises administrative settings of the videoconferencing system.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein said receiving user input is performed during a videoconference, wherein the settings interface is for the videoconference.

24. The method of claim 10, wherein the context of the user input comprises a current operating mode of the videoconferencing system.

19. A videoconferencing system, comprising:

a videoconferencing unit at a participant location;

at least one display coupled to the videoconferencing unit, wherein the at least one display is configured to provide video corresponding to other participant locations during a videoconference;

at least one audio output coupled to the videoconferencing unit, wherein the at least one audio output is configured to provide audio corresponding to the other participant locations during the videoconference;

at least one video input coupled to the videoconferencing unit, wherein the at least one video input is configured to capture video of the participant location for provision to the other participant locations;

at least one audio input coupled to the videoconferencing unit, wherein the at least one audio input is configured to capture audio of the participant location for provision to the other participant locations;

at least one touch interface coupled to the videoconferencing unit, wherein the at least one touch interface is configured to receive a plurality of touch gestures to control the videoconference;

wherein, in response to a first complex touch gesture received to the at least one touch interface, the videoconferencing unit is configured to provide a settings interface on a display in response to the complex touch gesture, wherein the settings interface provided depends on a context of the user input, wherein the settings interface provided does not depend upon the position on the touch screen at which the user input is received.

20. The videoconferencing system of claim 19, wherein the videoconferencing system further comprises a speaker phone, wherein a first touch interface of the at least one touch interface is comprised in the speaker phone.

21. The videoconferencing system of claim 20, wherein the first touch interface is removable from the speaker phone.

22. The videoconferencing system of claim 19, wherein said receiving the first complex touch gesture is performed during a videoconference, wherein the settings interface is for the videoconference.

25. The videoconferencing system of claim 19, wherein the context of the user input comprises a current operating mode of the videoconferencing system.