Architectural scale communications systems and methods therefore

• US 9,800,829 B2
• Filed: 04/04/2016
• Issued: 10/24/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Telepresence Technologies LLC (Buffalo Pacific LLC)
• Original Assignee: Telepresence Technologies LLC (Buffalo Pacific LLC)
• Inventors: White, Peter McDuffie
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramakrishnaiah, Melur
• Application Number:
  US15/090,490
• Publication Number:
  US 20160295170A1
• Time in Patent Office: 568 Days
• Field of Search: 348 1401- 1416, 705 719
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06037 multi-dimensional coding
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/194 Transmission of image signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2547 Third Party Billing, e.g. billing of advertiser
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44008 involving operations for analysing video streams, e.g. detecting features or characteristics in the video stream arrangements characterised by components specially adapted for monitoring, identification or recognition of video in broadcast systems H04H60/59
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/157 defining a virtual conference space and using avatars or agents computer conference optimisation or adaptation H04L12/1827

Abstract

An architectural structure incorporates advanced video conference communications systems that embody two-way mirrors to reflect room surfaces to appear superimposed with an image display device to create a perception of depth. The processes for delivering professional services using video conference systems with two-way mirror configurations are presented herein.

Claims

1. A method for use of a communications system, comprising:

displaying video content on an image display device that is observable by a customer within an observation zone through a two-way mirror positioned between the observation zone and the image display device, with the two-way mirror angled at approximately 45 degrees to reflect a backdrop positioned a further distance from the two-way mirror than the image display device so that the customer in the observation zone will view the video content as three dimensional imagery, through the two-way mirror that superimposes a depth relationship on the video content relative to the backdrop, the video content including preselected video content;

capturing a video image of the customer in the observation zone with a camera;

capturing a voice of the customer in the observation zone with a microphone;

projecting audio with a speaker into the observation zone that is observable by the customer within the observation zone, the audio including preselected audio content;

communicating to a server in a data center with a transmission system coupled to the image display device, the camera, the microphone, and the speaker, the transmission system being configured to transmit audio and video to the observation zone and to receive audio and video from the observation zone;

analyzing the voice and video image of the customer captured in the observation zone, using video management software on a server in the data center to detect a presence of the customer in the observation zone while at least one of the preselected video content and the preselected audio content are observable by the customer within the observation zone; and

calculating charges to an advertising company based on the presence of the customer being detected in the observation zone while the at least one of the preselected video content and the preselected audio content are observable by the customer within the observation zone,

wherein the observation zone is defined with two walls and a ceiling extending between the walls, with a portion of the ceiling providing the backdrop reflected by the two-way mirror,

wherein the observation zone is configured to accommodate the customer between the walls and under the ceiling, and

wherein the communications system comprises the observation zone, the transmission system, the data center, the image display device, the two-way mirror, the speaker, the camera and the microphone.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

charging for professional services delivered to the customer in the observation zone by the transmission system being configured to enable a professional services provider remote from the observation zone to interact with the customer as a live image at approximately life-size in real time.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising at least one of:

delivering professional services to the customer in the observation zone;

charging for professional services delivered to the customer in the observation zone; and

marketing and selling products to the customer in the observation zone,

wherein the communications system enables the customer to interact with a displayed computer image of a lifelike avatar generated in real time that is able to converse with the customer through artificial intelligence to respond to the voice and video image of the customer in a two-way dialogue.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising using peripheral devices integrated into the communications system that perform functions that deliver services to the customer in the observation zone.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising using peripheral payment devices integrated into the communications system for the customer to pay for services and products.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying a QR code on the image display device for the customer to capture the QR code to be connected to an advertising website;

and

charging the advertising company for at least one of;

connecting the customer to the advertising website, and for sales resulting from subsequent use by the customer of the advertising website.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting calculated charges to an advertising company; and

generating income by collecting payment from the advertising company; and

using at least part of the income to offset a cost of leasing of the communications system.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising providing the communications system to a company for use by the company at no added cost to the company,

wherein the company providing a location to operate the communications system, and generates income through delivery of professional services through usage of the communications system.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the video content displayed to the customer includes images of people,

wherein the image display device is positioned in the observation zone to display the images of people as life-sized or near-life-sized to the customer when the customer is in the observation zone, the video content including the images of people,

wherein the images of people are at least one of prerecorded or are transmitted real time from a location remote to the observation zone, and the images of people are included in the video content displayed by the image display device to the customer in the observation zone,

wherein the images of people that are prerecorded are included in the video content as one of the preselected video content and additional prerecorded video content displayed after the image display device displays the preselected video content to the customer, and

wherein the images of people that are transmitted real time are included in the video content as one of the preselected video content and additional video content displayed after the image display device displays the preselected video content to the customer.

10. A method for managing a visitor in an architectural space with a communications system, comprising:

displaying video of a receptionist on an image display device that is observable by the visitor in an observation zone within the architectural space through a two-way mirror positioned between the observation zone and the image display device, with the two-way mirror angled at approximately 45 degrees to reflect a backdrop positioned a further distance from the two-way mirror than the image display device so that the visitor in the observation zone will view the video as three dimensional imagery, through the two-way mirror that superimposes a depth relationship on the video relative to the backdrop;

capturing a video image of the visitor in the architectural space with a camera;

capturing a voice of the visitor in the architectural space with a microphone;

projecting audio into the the observation zone that is audible by the visitor with a speaker;

communicating to a server in a data center with a transmission system coupled to the image display device, the camera, the microphone, and the speaker and configured to transmit audio and video to the architectural space and to receive audio and video from the architectural space;

receiving video, audio and data over a network connection to the server in the data center that indicate a presence of the visitor in the architectural space; and

analyzing incoming transmission of video, audio and data in video management software at the data center to make an appropriate selection based on a programmed priority of responses and to initiate prerecorded video of a receptionist to run at the image display device or to route a transmission of a live receptionist from a contact center,

wherein the observation zone is defined with two walls and a ceiling extending between the walls, with a portion of the ceiling providing the backdrop reflected by the two-way mirror,

wherein the observation zone is configured to accommodate the visitor between the walls and under the ceiling, and

wherein the communications system comprises the observation zone, the transmission system, the data center, the image display device, the two-way mirror, the speaker, the camera and the microphone.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising analyzing the incoming transmission of video to perform facial recognition for a purpose of identifying the visitor.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising using a peripheral device that can be remotely controlled to unlock doors to provide access to other architectural spaces.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising using a peripheral device to print visitor badges.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising implementing functions of the video management software on the server to route the incoming transmission of video from one receptionist to another receptionist or a security guard, depending on a need for representation at the architectural space.

15. A method for providing professional services with a communications system comprising:

displaying video of a professional services provider on an image display device that is observable by a client in an observation zone within a meeting space through a two-way mirror positioned between the observation zone and the image display device, with the two-way mirror angled at approximately 45 degrees to reflect a backdrop positioned a further distance from the two-way mirror than the image display device so that the client in the observation zone will view the video as three dimensional imagery, through the two-way mirror that superimposes a depth relationship on the video relative to the backdrop;

capturing a video image of the client in the meeting space with a camera;

capturing a voice of the client in the meeting space with a microphone;

projecting audio into the meeting space that is audible by the client with an audio amplification and speaker system comprising a speaker;

communicating to a server in a data center with a transmission system coupled to the image display device, the camera, the microphone, and the speaker and configured to transmit audio and video to the the meeting space and to receive audio and video from the meeting space; and

running a video management software program to route video communication between the meeting space and an appropriate professional services provider,

wherein the observation zone is defined with two walls and a ceiling extending between the walls, with a portion of the ceiling providing the backdrop reflected by the two-way mirror,

wherein the observation zone is configured to accommodate the client between the walls and under the ceiling, and

wherein the communications system comprises the observation zone, the transmission system, the data center, the image display device, the two-way mirror, the speaker, the camera and the microphone.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising using peripheral devices to conduct financial transactions including signature pad, credit card reader, cash dispenser, photo id reader, scanner, and combinations of same.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising using peripheral devices to perform medical services, including heart rate cuff, dermascope, digital thermometer, and combinations of same.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising using a secondary image display device positioned in the meeting space for viewing by the client with a network connection to a remote host system controlling the secondary image display device for a remote professional services provider to present visual information to be viewed by the client.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising using the secondary image display device having a touch screen capability for the client to make selections that are transmitted to the server with the video management software program to initiate at least one of videos and responses to professional services processes.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising displaying a QR code on the secondary image display device, with the QR code providing access on a mobile device carried by the client to further professional services to client that can be accessed through the mobile device.

21. The method of claim 18, further comprising displaying a QR code on the secondary image display device, with the QR code providing an application to use a mobile device to control a selection by client and display of content on the image display device.

22. A method of communicating comprising:

operating a communications system in an observation zone configured to accommodate a user within the observation zone;

wherein the observation zone is defined by two walls and a ceiling extending between the walls, the walls including a first wall and a second wall opposite the first wall;

wherein the communications system is configured to enable a user to communicate through video and audio with a person in a remote location, with the person in the remote location appearing as images that are life-sized or near-life-sized and three-dimensional to the user in the observation zone; and

wherein the communications system comprises;

an image display device positioned to be observable from the observation zone, the image display device configured to display the images of the person in the remote location as life-sized or near-life-sized to the user in the observation zone;

a two-way mirror having a first edge mounted to the first wall and a second edge opposite the first edge mounted to the second wall, the two-way mirror being positioned between the observation zone and the image display device and angled to reflect a portion of the ceiling to the user in the observation zone;

an audio amplification and speaker system comprised of a speaker to play audio from the remote location into the observation zone;

a camera to capture a video image of the user in the observation zone;

a microphone to capture a voice of the user in the observation zone; and

a transmission system;

wherein the speaker, the camera and the microphone are each mounted to or within one of the first wall, the second wall and the ceiling,

wherein the transmission system is coupled to the image display device, the speaker, the camera and the microphone,

wherein the transmission system is configured to transmit audio and video of the person in the remote location to the observation zone and to transmit audio and video of the observation zone to the person at the remote location, and

wherein the two-way mirror superimposes a depth relationship onto the images of the person in the remote location relative to the portion of the ceiling that is reflected by the two-way mirror, providing a three-dimensional appearance of the images of the person to the user in the observation zone.

23. A communication system enabling a user to communicate through video and audio with a person in a remote location, comprising:

an image display device configured to display images of the person in the remote location to the user while the user is inside an observation zone, wherein the observation zone is defined by two walls and a ceiling extending between a first wall and a second wall opposite the first wall, and the observation zone is configured to accommodate the user under the ceiling and between the first wall and the second wall;

a two-way mirror having a first edge mounted to the first wall and a second edge opposite the first edge mounted to the second wall, wherein the two-way mirror is positioned between the observation zone and the image display device and angled to reflect a portion of the ceiling to the user inside the observation zone;

an audio amplification and speaker system comprised of a speaker configured to play audio from the remote location into the observation zone;

a camera configured to capture video images from the observation zone;

a microphone configured to capture audio from the observation zone; and

a transmission system,

wherein the speaker, the camera and the microphone are each mounted to or within one of the first wall, the second wall and the ceiling,

wherein the transmission system is coupled to the image display device, the speaker, the camera and the microphone, and the transmissions system is configured to transmit audio and video of the person in the remote location to the observation zone and to transmit audio and video captured in the observation zone to the person at the remote location, and

wherein the two-way mirror is configured to superimpose a depth relationship onto a display by the image display device, relative to the portion of the ceiling that is reflected by the two-way mirror, providing a three-dimensional appearance of the person in the remote location to the user while the user is inside the observation zone.