9214results about "Television conference systems" patented technology

A remote controlled robot with a head that supports a monitor and is coupled to a mobile platform. The mobile robot also includes an auxiliary camera coupled to the mobile platform by a boom. The mobile robot is controlled by a remote control station. By way of example, the robot can be remotely moved about an operating room. The auxiliary camera extends from the boom so that it provides a relatively close view of a patient or other item in the room. An assistant in the operating room may move the boom and the camera. The boom may be connected to a robot head that can be remotely moved by the remote control station.

A television chat system is provided that allows television viewers to engage in real-time communications in chat groups with other television viewers while watching television. Users of the television chat system may engage in real-time communications with other users who are currently watching the same television program or channel. The system allows real-time communications in a chat group to be transmitted between users at user television equipment devices via a television distribution facility. The television chat system of the present invention permits users to join chat groups related to television programs, channels, or categories of programs that the user may be interested in. Real-time communications may be textual messages, audio communications, or video communications. The television chat system may also allow users to send chat requests to ask other users to enter a chat group. The system also permits users to establish chat groups that television viewers are permitted to join. The television chat system may be based on an interactive television program guide or set-top box application implemented on a set-top box.

Some embodiments provide a method for initiating a video conference using a first mobile device. The method presents, during an audio call through a wireless communication network with a second device, a selectable user-interface (UI) item on the first mobile device for switching from the audio call to the video conference. The method receives a selection of the selectable UI item. The method initiates the video conference without terminating the audio call. The method terminates the audio call before allowing the first and second devices to present audio and video data exchanged through the video conference.

A viewer interface for a television program delivery system is described. The innovation relates to methods and devices for viewer pathways to television programs. Specifically, the interface involves hardware and software used in conjunction with a television at the viewer home to create a user friendly menu based approach to television program access. The device is particularly useful in a program delivery system with hundreds of programs and a data signal carrying program information. The disclosure describes menu generation and menu selection of television programs.

A method and apparatus for playing games between the clients of entities at different locations by linking multiple players together through a network using the users' mobile phones. The method includes connecting a plurality of mobile phones together through a network for playing a game, setting up a game scenario for each of the plurality of mobile phones and transmitting game signals between the plurality mobile phones across the network. At least two of the plurality of mobile phones are remotely located. The mobile phones connect to the network through a base station. A connection from a mobile phone to the network through a base station is a low power radio frequency connection. The interactive game may be interrupted when a mobile phone receives a call. The interactive game is interrupted only for the mobile phone receiving the call.

A system and method for accessing conference room devices connected to a first computer include receiving status information from available devices connected to the first computer, displaying a device menu of available devices for a particular conference room, displaying a control menu to control a selected one of the available devices, and transmitting commands to the selected one of the available devices to control the device in response to user input. In one embodiment, the first computer is accessible via a web browser so a remote user can control or operate the conference room devices. The conference room devices may include facility devices, such as room lights, thermostat, door lock, drapes, etc. in addition to audio / visual equipment, such as VCR's, projectors, screens, and cameras, for example.

A video communication system and method for operating a video communication system are provided. The video communication system has a video communication device, having an image display device and at least one image capture device, wherein the at least one image capture device acquires video images of a local environment and an individual therein, according to defined video capture settings, an audio system having an audio emission device and an audio capture device; and a computer operable to interact with a contextual interface, a privacy interface, an image processor, and a communication controller to enable a communication event including at least one video scene in which outgoing video images are sent to a remote site. Wherein the contextual interface includes scene analysis algorithms for identifying potential scene transitions and capture management algorithms for providing changes in video capture settings appropriate to any identified scene transitions; and wherein the privacy interface provides privacy settings to control the capture, transmission, display, or recording of video image content from the local environment.

A drift-free hybrid method of performing video stitching is provided. The method includes decoding a plurality of video bitstreams and storing prediction information. The decoded bitstreams form video images, spatially composed into a combined image. The image comprises frames of ideal stitched video sequence. The method uses prediction information in conjunction with previously generated frames to predict pixel blocks in the next frame. A stitched predicted block in the next frame is subtracted from a corresponding block in a corresponding frame to create a stitched raw residual block. The raw residual block is forward transformed, quantized, entropy encoded and added to the stitched video bitstream along with the prediction information. Also, the stitched raw residual block is inverse transformed and dequantized to create a stitched decoded residual block. The residual block is added to the predicted block to generate the stitched reconstructed block in the next frame of the sequence.

Methods for providing video on demand service from an Application Service Provider (“ASP”) to a user over a Regional / Access Network (“RAN”) are provided. A request for a video on demand application flow may be received from the user. In response to the request, information may be obtained from the RAN regarding the capabilities of the user's Customer Premises Equipment (“CPE”). A profile may then be forwarded from the ASP to the RAN that specifies at least one policy regarding the transmission of data associated with the video on demand application flow across the RAN. The data associated with the video on demand application flow may then be forwarded across the RAN in accordance with the profile. The RAN may also be provided a default profile that specifies default policies that apply with respect to video on demand application flows that are transmitted across the RAN prior to obtaining information from the RAN regarding the capabilities of the CPE of any specific user. The user specific profiles may then be used to alter one or more policies specified in the default profile.

A secure, modular and movable interactive two-way telecollaborative video conferencing and imaging enclosure for conducting business or privileged medical, legal, or other confidential matters in private, being particularly equipped for remote monitoring of physiological attributes of one or more users by medical specialists and remote interaction between users and medical specialists.

The rich media communication system of the present invention provides a user with a three-dimensional communication space or theater having rich media functions. The user may be represented in the theater as a segmented video image or as an avatar. The user is also able to communicate by presenting images, videos, audio files, or text within the theater. The system may include tools for allowing lowered cost of animation, improved collaboration between users, presentation of episodic content, web casts, newscasts, infotainment, advertising, music clips, video conferencing, customer support, distance learning, advertising, social spaces, and interactive game shows and content.

A server system enables a subscriber to select a specific broadcast program for recording and a specific location and time frame for play-out of the recorded program.

Systems and methods for directing pickup of media content by way of user input are disclosed. These systems and methods enable desired media content to be more effectively acquired. The user input can be locally provided or remotely provided. The systems and methods for directing pickup of media content are particularly suitable for video conferencing systems. The media content being directed is, for example, video or audio.

A teleconferencing system includes a network. The system includes a plurality of nodes in communication with each other to form a conference. Each node having a video display with a display layout, at least one of the nodes individually controlling at least partially the display layout of each node in the conference with a specific format able to be unique for each node. A method for providing a teleconference including the steps of forming a conference with a plurality of nodes in communication with each other through a network. Each node having a video display with a display layout. There is the step of controlling individually with at least one of the nodes at least partially the display layout of each node in the conference with a specific format able to be unique for each node. A teleconferencing node. A teleconferencing system includes a network. The system includes a plurality of nodes in communication with each other through the network to form a conference. Each node communicating only a change to the other nodes when the change occurs. A method for conducting a telecommunications conference between at least three parties includes the steps of establishing a conference between the party. There is the step of making a change to the conference. There is the step of communicating only the change to the parties.

A teleconferencing system for conducting a teleconference among a plurality of participants. The system has a plurality of video display devices, each having associated participant video capture capabilities and participant audio capture and reproduction capabilities. At least one communication path is provided for transmitting signals representing participant audio and video. A graphical rolodex can be displayed on a participant's video display device and includes a scrollable listing of entries of video-enabled potential participants. Also included is a quick dial list, listing icons representing video-enabled potential participants copied from the graphical rolodex. The system is configured to allow an initiating participant to initiate collaboration by selecting at least one participant listed in at least one of the graphical rolodex and quick dial list, and automatically establish one of a plurality of communication types, with a selected participant, upon a communication type being selected or by default when the participant is selected.

A Mobile Streaming Camera is operable by an Operator for communication with one of more Remote Clients through a wireless network allows compressed communication of video and audio in both directions together with voice signals in a telephony type communication. The remote client is able to control the operation by voice signals or direct control. A video display at the Camera and at the remote client allows communication of additional data.

A medical video-teleconferencing and treatment system, having a central video-conferencing station and one or more remote video-conferencing stations and a communications link establishing video-conferencing communication therebetween. A central video monitor and audio system is located at the central video-conferencing station, and a controller unit is coupled with the communications link. The remote video-conferencing stations each have a mobile emergency center cart including a remote video monitor and audio system and a video-conferencing camera controlled by the controller unit via the communications link and capable of responding to control signals of the controller unit for panning and zoom movement of said video-conferencing camera by a medical practitioner located at the central video-conferencing station. The arrangement enables the medical practitioner to observe and to diagnose the condition of the patient and direct the medical personnel of the selected video-conferencing station to provide treatment of the patient.

A method for exchanging information in a shared interactive environment, comprising selecting a first physical device in a first live video image wherein the first physical device has information associated with it, causing the information to be transferred to a second physical device in a second live video image wherein the transfer is brought about by manipulating a visual representation of the information, wherein the manipulation includes interacting with the first live video image and the second live video image, wherein the first physical device and the second physical device are part of the shared interactive environment, and wherein the first physical device and the second physical device are not the same.

A computer-implemented interface for a local telepresence video conferencing facility, pre-assigns displays at the local telepresence video conferencing facility to respective video images from remote telepresence video conference facilities such that respective video images from the remote telepresence video conference facilities will be displayed on corresponding displays at the local telepresence video conferencing facility once communications connections are made. A controller pre-assigns the displays according to control commands from a tactile input device prior to establishing the communication connections with the remote telepresence video conference facilities. A touchscreen display presents avatars of remote conference participants to illustrate pre-assignments of displays to particular remote telepresence video conference facilities prior to the communication connections being made.

Video communication systems and methods for communicating between an individual in a local environment, and a remote viewer in a remote environment are provided. The system has an image display device; at least one image capture device which acquires video images for fields of view of a local environment, and any individuals therein; an audio system having an audio emission device and an audio capture device; a computer, which includes a contextual interface having a gaze adapting process, and image processor; and a communication controller which transmits and receives video images of the local environment and the remote environment, and data regarding video scene characteristics thereof across a network between the local environment and the remote environment; wherein the gaze adapting process identifies video scene characteristics of the local environment indicative of eye gaze image capture and altering the video images when the characteristics are indicative.

A system and method for teleconferencing and recording of meetings. The system uses a variety of capture devices (a novel 360° camera, a whiteboard camera, a presenter view camera, a remote view camera, and a microphone array) to provide a rich experience for people who want to participate in a meeting from a distance. The system is also combined with speaker clustering, spatial indexing, and time compression to provide a rich experience for people who miss a meeting and want to watch it afterward.

A desktop sharing system and method are provided. A desktop sharing application permits a selected display region on a first computer's desktop to be shared with other computers. The desktop sharing application permits another computer to assume control and share a selected display region of the other computer's desktop during a conference.

A method of synchronizing a multimedia content stream for output to a plurality of wired and wireless output device in a network having plural realms, wherein each realm includes a CTL, includes buffering the multimedia content stream in a first realm; determining a buffer delay; transmitting the buffer delay to all CTLs in all realms of the network; and transmitting the multimedia content stream to all realms in the network.

The multiple-network typed electronic conferencing system 104 comprises, as shown in FIG. 15, two network information processing systems #n (n=1, 2) each for processing arbitrary information and a wire or wireless communication 40 for connecting these system to each other, each network information processing systems having input operation function. It comprises, for example, five notebook personal computers PCi (i=1-5), and projectors Pj (j=1-5) for processing at least information transferred from any one of these notebook personal computers PCi and providing electric information contents including display information, thereby permitting the projector Pj to perform simultaneous display control based on the input operations of the notebook personal computers Pci. This allows multiple projectors Pj to display the same electric information contents at the same time.

A videophone. The videophone can include an imaging mechanism for taking a video picture of a scene. The videophone can include a mechanism for producing a first video stream of the scene and a second video stream of the scene from the video picture and sending the first video stream and the second video stream onto a network at the same time, the producing mechanism in communication with the imaging mechanism. The videophone can include a mechanism for receiving a plurality of video streams of different scenes from a network. The videophone can include a mechanism for displaying the different scenes of the plurality of video streams alongside each other. A method for a video call.

A conference support system includes a data reception portion for receiving image data of attendants in a conference and voice data, an emotion distinguishing portion for distinguishing emotions of attendants in accordance with the image data, a text data generation portion for generating comment text data that indicate contents of speeches of the attendants in accordance with the voice data, and a record generation portion for generating record data that include contents of a speech of an attendant and emotions of attendants when the speech was made, in accordance with emotion data that indicate a result of distinguishing made by the emotion distinguishing portion and the comment text data.

Included are systems and methods for a virtual inmate visitation. Some embodiments include providing a scheduling user interface for a visitor to schedule a video visitation, receiving a visitor scheduling request for the video visitation with an inmate, and determining a visitor type for the visitor. Some embodiments include providing, based on the visitor type, a scheduling option, providing a visitor payment mechanism that depends on the visitor type, and providing a video visitation user interface to the visitor for conducting the video visitation between the visitor and the inmate. Still some embodiment include in response to receiving a visitor input, conduct the video visitation between the visitor and the inmate, determining whether the video visitation includes an unacceptable activity and performing a preventative measure.

Recording and indexing audio and video conference calls allows topic-based notification, navigation and playback of one or many recordings. An external conferencing system with five internal modules, recording, indexing, management, notification, and playback allows a plurality of meeting participants to record a conference call, and a plurality of subscribers to access, search, and be notified of the occurrence of an event of interest. The system automatically creates contextual or topic based time intervals which are used to immediately notify a subscriber of an event occurrence. The subscriber can use the time stamps of the topic intervals to navigate and playback the recording. The system also indexes project management files and correlates recording intervals to project tasks, and subsequently correlates multiple recording intervals.