Abstract: Photographs an action performed to an object with an appliance by a photographing device, and records it as video data. When a desired object is specified while the video data is being played back, the object is identified based on information on a position of the object in the appliance and a time the object acted, and operation predetermined against the identified object is enabled.

Abstract: A method for selecting a compression setting to use during a communications session to compress streaming video data includes the steps of determining processor performance data for at least one processor, determining a video data acquisition rate, and using the processor performance data and the acquisition rate to identify a compression setting for the data communications session.

Abstract: A minutes taking system includes a change detection portion that detects a change of a displayed image for a description object out of displayed images that are a plurality of stream images serving as information displayed in a conference, a separation detection portion that detects a separation temporally separates a content of the displayed image; and an extraction portion that extracts a recorded time segment to be recorded as minutes information composing a minutes, on the basis of a change time when the change detection portion detects the change of the displayed image for the description object and a separation time when the separation detection portion detects the separation according to the plurality of streams.

Abstract: A system for generating video images and corresponding audio of multiple parties engaged in a video conference is provided. The system includes multiple voice transducers for receiving voice signals from the multiple parties and a video camera for capturing moving images of one of the multiple parties who is speaking. The system further includes a processor in communication with the voice transducers and video camera. The processor determines respective distances and angles between the party who is speaking and each of the multiple voice transducers. Additionally, the processor identifies a location of the party who is speaking relative to the video camera based on the determined respective distances and angles. Based on the identified location, the processor selects a portion of a video frame produced by video camera and processes the selected portion to mitigate optical distortion and generate an overall picture in which the party speaking does not appear unnaturally small relative to the overall picture.

Abstract: A teleconferencing system for voice and data provides interconnections among user sites via a central station. User stations at user sites each alternate operation between a data mode connecting a user computer and modem to a user telephone communication path and a voice mode connecting a telephony circuit to the communication path. The teleconferencing system is adapted for conducting a voice conference over standard telephone lines while allowing simultaneous viewing of data objects such as slides, graphs, or text. A host computer connected to the central station serves as a central repository for storage and retrieval of data objects for use in teleconferences.

Abstract: An audiovisual terminal for use in videoconferencing or in providing online services is provided with a high resolution camera for capturing a video image of the operator. The camera is mounted at a distance from the operator and has a narrow field of view allowing a significantly clearer image of the operator to be obtained than is normally possible with a conventional webcam. The operator is also provided with a headset incorporating a microphone and a loudspeaker. The operator is provided with a primary display unit, displaying control information for operating the terminal and may also display visual or other date received from external sources. A secondary display is operable to display the video image captured by the camera. This allows the operator to monitor the operation of the camera during a videoconference call.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for providing a white board service in a mobile communication system are provided, wherein a bit stream received from a counterpart node is demuxed into data of a logic channel and data of a control channel using a demuxing protocol. The demuxed data is decoded for output.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes receiving data indicative of a personal position of an end user. A media stream is selected from a plurality of media streams to be transmitted to the end user based on the personal position. The selected media stream includes image data of an object captured by a camera and the image data is used to construct a three-dimensional rendering of the object. In more specific embodiments, the media stream selection is executed by a server configured to be coupled to a network. The camera can be part of a plurality of cameras that capture image data associated with the object and that transmit respective media streams over a network. Once a camera begins transmitting image data over the network and to the end user, other cameras from the plurality of cameras stop transmitting their respective media streams over the network.

Abstract: A method of tracking a vocal target is disclosed. An image-capturing device is employed to capture an image including the participating targets. Next, an image tracking method is used to determine the image regions where the participating targets are respectively located. The found image regions are compared with the vocal regions of each vocal targets detected by a sound-detecting device. Thus, the positions where the vocal targets are located are precisely detected. Thus, cost of the video system can be effectively reduced and the video image resolution can be effectively promoted.

Abstract: A display apparatus has an acquisition unit and a display unit. The acquisition unit acquires information of a meeting video and/or the meeting video from a video storage apparatus and the video storage apparatus stores a plurality of meeting videos. The display unit creates a introduction screen for introducing information of the meeting video based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit, and displays the introduction screen on a display surface.

Abstract: A display device comprising includes an acquiring unit and a display unit. The acquiring unit acquires information about a conference from a storage device that stores conference information. The display unit creates an icon being representative of a feature of the conference and also a table, and displays the icon on the table corresponding to the conference. The display unit creates the icon and the table based on the information acquired by the acquiring unit.

Abstract: A method for displaying a visual conference includes receiving a plurality of video signals from at least two cameras located at one or more remote sites. The method also includes assigning each video signal to a respective display of a plurality of displays at a local site for the duration of a visual conference. At least one of the plurality of displays has more than one video signal assigned thereto. The method further includes selecting, for each of the at least one of the plurality of displays having more than one video signal assigned thereto, a video signal of the more than one video signal assigned to the display. The method also includes displaying each selected video signal on its respective display.

Abstract: A technique and method provide virtual N-way video conferencing to participants having IP stations/videophones, which have limited processing capacity, by auto-selecting a limited subset of the participants for video display and restricting the rest of the participants to voice-only mode which requires reduced processing capability. The method uses a virtual n-way conferencing module (VNCM) to provide the video conferencing, and an auto caller select module (ACSM) for causing selective video display. Some of the participants might have VoIP terminals instead of IP videophones. The invention includes a technique, e.g., by using a video transmission control module (VTCM) for reducing the bandwidth requirement of IP videophones by signaling the participants in voice-only mode not to transmit the video information in bandwidth-constrained situations.

Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for displaying hologram of a mobile communication terminal. The present invention can create hologram from two-dimensional image by providing a hologram processing function for a mobile communication terminal and provide the hologram to a user. Further, the mobile communication terminal with the hologram processing function can perform medical diagnosis on a user, and thus can save a life by performing accurate medical diagnosis in emergency through hologram communication with an emergency center.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a status of a teleconference by determining an approximate delay time and providing a status signal in view of the determined approximate delay time are provided. An approximate delay time is approximately the amount of time that will elapse before an occurrence occurring at a first time, which is captured into an occurrence signal by a source unit, will be experienced at a second time after the occurrence signal is received by at least one receiving unit.

Abstract: A conference call may involve participants with video conferencing systems and participants with speakerphone systems. In some embodiments, sound from speakerphone participants may be sent through a speakerphone sound system while sound from video participants may be sent through the video sound system (e.g., near a video monitor). Sound may be localized through a combination of both the video sound system and the speakerphone sound system to produce a spatially correct sound field for in room participants.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to generate and to access compressed and indexed elevations of Digital Elevation Models. In one aspect of the invention, a method to store elevation data includes: compressing elevation data of a first portion of a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) to generate first compressed elevation data; storing the first compressed elevation data in a storage location pointed to by a first index; and storing the first index. In another aspect of the invention, a method to retrieve elevation data includes: locating a first compressed portion of a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) using a first index; and decompressing the first compressed portion to retrieve first elevation data for at least one sample point in the Digital Elevation Model. The Digital Elevation Model has a plurality of compressed portions which includes the first compressed portion; and the first index points to a storage location where the first compressed portion is stored.

Abstract: Computer-readable media having corresponding apparatus and methods embodies instructions executable by a computer to perform a method comprising: receiving a recording, wherein the recording includes a video file, and a plurality of event records each representing a respective event in the recording, wherein each event record includes a timestamp representing a time of the event in the recording, and an image corresponding to the event; selecting a section of the recording; and providing a representative image for the selected section of the recording, including determining, based on the timestamps, whether any of the events are associated with the selected section, selecting the image corresponding to one of the one or more events when one or more events are associated with the selected section, and generating the representative image based on the video file when no events are associated with the selected section.

Abstract: A method for preventing movement in a telepresence system, includes a plurality of cameras. Each camera has a respective field of vision for viewing one or more users. The fields of vision each have lateral boundaries. The system also includes a plurality of restrictive elements. Each restrictive element is positioned along a respective lateral boundary of a field of vision of the fields of vision of the plurality of cameras such that viewed users each positioned within a field of vision of the plurality of cameras are restricted by the plurality of restrictive elements from moving outside of the field of vision in which each viewed user is positioned.

Abstract: A teleconference terminal apparatus includes: imaging field changing control means for carrying out control of an imaging field changing unit designed to change the position of the imaging field of an imaging unit; preset information managing means; image signal transmitting means for outputting and transmitting an image signal to another teleconference terminal apparatus; still image generating means for generating still image information based on an image signal obtained by the imaging unit; and transmitted image control means for controlling the image signal transmitting means to transmit an image signal based on an image signal obtained by the imaging unit during a first period in which the imaging field changing control means does not carry out position changing control, and controlling the image signal transmitting means to transmit, during a second period in which the position changing control is carried out, an image signal based on still image information generated by the still image generating means

Abstract: For applying a motion filter of a video stabilization system to a sequence of video frames, an estimate of a motion in the current video frame compared to a first video frame of the sequence of video frames is received. Based on the received motion estimate and on at least one state variable of the motion filter, a correction value for the motion in the current video frame is computed. The at least one state variable is updated in the computation. In case the computed correction value exceeds a system constraint of the video stabilization system, the at least one state variable is adjusted in accordance with an extent by which the system constraint is exceeded. The correction value is then recomputed based on the motion estimate and on the adjusted state variable.

Abstract: A system for supporting virtual conferences includes a switching center, a virtual conference database and a virtual conference bridge. The virtual conference database stores virtual conference information comprising, for example, images associated with a room type, an outdoor environment, a presentation medium and/or a meeting room facility. The switching center is operable to set up a virtual conference including a host terminal and one or more participating terminals by connecting the terminals to the conference bridge, retrieving selected virtual conference information from the virtual conference database and sending the information to the virtual conference bridge. The virtual conference information includes images of the participants such that the host terminal and participating terminals see and hear other participants in a virtual meeting room.

Abstract: A system and process for automatically learning a reliable color-based tracking system is presented. The tracking system is learned by using information produced by an initial object model in combination with an initial tracking function to probabilistically determine the configuration of one or more target objects in a temporal sequence of images, and a data acquisition function for gathering observations relating to color in each image. The observations gathered by the data acquisition function include information that is relevant to parameters desired for a final color-based object model. A learning function then uses probabilistic methods to determine conditional probabilistic relationships between the observations and probabilistic target configuration information to learn a color-based object model automatically tailored to specific target objects.

Abstract: A 3D video conferencing station (200, 300, 500, 700) comprises: a camera (104) for acquiring a first (604) and second (602) image of a first user (110); and optical means for visualizing stereo images of a second user, the optical means comprising glasses for the first user (110). The station (200, 300, 500, 700) is arranged to acquire the first image (604) at a first moment at which the left eye of the first user (110) is better observable by the camera (104) than a second moment and to acquire the second image (602) at the second moment at which the right eye of the first user (110) is better observable by the camera (104) than at the first moment. The station further comprises combining means (714) for combining a first portion of the first image (604) and a second portion of the second image (602) into a third image (606) in which the left eye and the right eye of the first user (110) are relatively well visible.

Abstract: A method for communicating data during an audio conference is provided. Digital data is received from a data source. The digital data is then modulated onto a carrier signal. The modulated carrier signal is subsequently combined with an audio signal of the audio conference. The combined signal is communicated to at least one remote communication device. Upon receipt by the at least one remote communication device, the combined signal is separated into the audio signal and the modulated carrier signal. The modulated carrier signal is then demodulated to extract the digital data. Both the digital data and the audio signal are output by the at least one remote communication device.

Abstract: A visual control system controls a controlled component. In one embodiment, the visual control system controls the controlled component based on a visual location of a user. In another embodiment, input from a visual perception device is used to provide focus control for an audio input device. In additional embodiments, the visual control system stops, starts or suppresses speech recognition or other audio functions when the direction of the sound detected by the audio input device is not coming from the user's visual location.

Abstract: System and method for discovering videoconferencing systems. A first videoconferencing system may contact a known second videoconferencing system. The first videoconferencing system may receive contact information of one or more other videoconferencing systems from the second videoconferencing system. The first videoconferencing system may send a request signal to a third videoconferencing system of the one or more other videoconferencing systems. The request signal may use the contact, wherein the first videoconferencing system sending the request signal uses the contact information of the third videoconferencing system. The first videoconferencing system may receive a response from the third videoconferencing system, and the response may include information regarding the third videoconferencing system.

Abstract: A display apparatus includes a half mirror for allowing light incident from the rear to pass through to the front and reflecting light incident from the front toward the front, a display section placed at the rear of the half mirror, an image pickup section for picking up an image of the user and generating user image data, an image data retention section for retaining a plurality of pieces of attachment member image data, an image combining section for combining the attachment member image data selectively read from the image data retention section and the user image data to generate combined image data, and an image display control section for displaying the combined image data on the display section.

Abstract: An audio-on-demand communication system provides real-time playback of audio data transferred via telephone lines or other communication links. One or more audio servers include memory banks which store compressed audio data. At the request of a user at a subscriber PC, an audio server transmits the compressed audio data over the communication link to the subscriber PC. The subscriber PC receives and decompresses the transmitted audio data in less than real-time using only the processing power of the CPU within the subscriber PC. According to one aspect of the present invention, high quality audio data compressed according to lossless compression techniques is transmitted together with normal quality audio data. According to another aspect of the present invention, metadata, or extra data, such as text, captions, still images, etc., is transmitted with audio data and is simultaneously displayed with corresponding audio data.

Abstract: A transmitting cell phone 10 according to the present invention is provided with a character image DB 11, a user designator 12, a character image generator 13, and a communicator 17. A plurality of character images are preliminarily stored in the character image DB 11. The user designator 12 designates an expression or movement of a character image to be transmitted to a receiving cell phone 20. The character image generator 13 acquires one character image out of the plurality of character images stored in the character image DB 11 and uses the character image to generate a character image with the expression or movement designated by the user designator 12. The communicator 17 transmits the generated character image to the receiving cell phone 20.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention compensate for the movement of a meeting capture device during a live meeting when performing speaker indexing of a recorded meeting. In one example, a first position of a capture device is determined. A second position of the capture device is determined after the capture device has been moved from the first position to the second position. The movement data associated with movement of the capture device from the first position to the second position is determined. The movement data is outputted and used in speaker indexing of the recorded meeting.

Abstract: An audio-on-demand communication system provides real-time playback of audio data transferred via telephone lines or other communication links. One or more audio servers include memory banks which store compressed audio data. At the request of a user at a subscriber PC, an audio server transmits the compressed audio data over the communication link to the subscriber PC. The subscriber PC receives and decompresses the transmitted audio data in less than real-time using only the processing power of the CPU within the subscriber PC. According to one aspect of the present invention, high quality audio data compressed according to lossless compression techniques is transmitted together with normal quality audio data. According to another aspect of the present invention, metadata, or extra data, such as text, captions, still images, etc., is transmitted with audio data and is simultaneously displayed with corresponding audio data.

Abstract: A recording medium recorded by a data structure adapted to link and reproduce audio data and video data, a method of recording/reproducing using the data structure and an apparatus for recording/reproducing using the data structure. On the recording medium, first data and second data, which are different from each other in type and formed of a plurality of data units, are recorded. A first data unit descriptor table and a second data unit descriptor table, in which information on the first data units and the second data units are respectively recorded as data unit descriptors, are recorded. A first program descriptor table and a second program descriptor table, in which information on one or more data units forming respective programs is stored in the program descriptor of the corresponding program in the form of information on respective data unit descriptors, are recorded.

Abstract: Methods, media, and devices for providing visual resources of video conference participants are provided. In some embodiments, methods for providing a visual resource of a participant to a video conference comprise: determining that the participant is joining or departing the video conference; accessing a visual resource that identifies the participant; and presenting the visual resource to at least one other participant to the video conference.

Abstract: A portable electronic device (10) includes a main body (20), and a pluggable module (30) rotatably attached to the main body. The main body includes a display screen (271) embedded in a front (27) thereof, and two symmetrical grooves (281) defined in opposite sides thereof. Two sockets (283) are defined in side walls of the main body that bound the grooves. Each socket includes an electrical connector electrically connecting with an inner circuit of the main body. The pluggable module includes a frame (31), a camera module (33), a headset module (32), and two tenons (3151, 3171) formed on an inside of the frame. The tenons engage in the sockets of the main body, thereby rotatably attaching the pluggable module to the main body, and electrically connecting the camera and headset modules with the inner circuit of the main body.

Abstract: A system has a monitor attached to and monitoring sound and vision around the user and using cellular telephone communications to convey monitored information. The monitor calls a primary server which alerts a secondary server of call receipt. The secondary server calls the monitor which drops the call to the primary server after a predetermined time, and remains in contact with the secondary server only if the monitor has successfully received the call from the secondary server, thereby preventing introduction of a false monitor. The monitor has options alterable only when on a battery charging cradle. The monitor has amber and red alert modes involving further servers, providing means to monitor and record the sounds and vision. The monitor has satellite position reporting. The system employs cell phone inter base station signal strength interpolation to find the monitor's position. A vibration motor silently alerts the user to calls.

Abstract: A camera mounted to a CT scanner can be used to provide technical assistance relating to the CT scanner. The camera captures an image of an operator of the CT scanner, and the image is provided to a technician at an off-site technical support center. The camera can take external images of a patient while the CT scanner captures x-ray images of the patient, and a computer registers the images relative to each other. The camera can be used when the CT scanner is operating in a fluoroscopy mode, for motion tracking or motion correction of a three dimensional CT image, or for soft-tissue simulation of an area of the patient that is to undergo surgery.

Abstract: A method for detecting an object in an image includes determining a shape model from aligned training examples, and implementing the shape model as a prior within a level set framework for determining the object in the image, wherein the level set framework determines a projection of the object in the image and a confidence measure along portions of the projection, the level set framework being constrained by the prior.

Abstract: A teleconferencing system for voice and data provides interconnections among user sites via a central station. User stations at user sites each alternate operation between a data mode connecting a user computer and modem to a user telephone communication path and a voice mode connecting a telephony circuit to the communication path. The teleconferencing system is adapted for conducting a voice conference over standard telephone lines while allowing simultaneous viewing of data objects such as slides, graphs, or text. A host computer connected to the central station serves as a central repository for storage and retrieval of data objects for use in teleconferences.

Abstract: This method determines the displacement of a pixel between a first and a second image, the first image representing, moreover, an object in a first scene taken from given viewpoint, and the second image representing the same object in a second scene, this second scene being obtained from the first scene by moving the object in the first scene and/or by moving the viewpoint of the first scene. The method comprises a definition operation of the colour of at least one point of the object of the second scene according to the position of this point in the first image such that the colour of the pixel of the second image corresponding to this point indicates the position of this pixel in the first image.

Abstract: A communication apparatus includes a radio frequency circuit that operates on a radio frequency signal and a digital processing circuit coupled to the radio frequency circuit. The digital processing circuit includes a plurality of bus masters coupled to a shared bus. A bus arbiter is provided for arbitrating between requests to access the bus by a first bus master and one or more other bus masters. Accesses by the one or more other bus masters to the bus are restricted in response to a signal indicative of a change in a mode of operation of the RF circuit. In one particular implementation, a communication apparatus employs time domain isolation wherein the digital processing circuit may be placed in a shutdown mode when the radio frequency circuit is active.

Abstract: A display apparatus having a video call function, a control method for controlling the display apparatus, and a video call system that uses the display apparatus and control method are provided. The display apparatus includes: an external source connection unit to which an external source is connected; a camera connection unit to which a camera is connected; a network communication unit which enables network communication with other display apparatuses; and a controller which controls a codec processing unit to process a video signal from at least one of the camera and the external source and output the processed signal to the network communication unit during the video call. The display apparatus can share various information input from the camera, a microphone, and the external source with an opposite call party.

Abstract: Methods and systems for broadcasting venue-based data to a wireless hand held devices are disclosed herein. Data transmitted from one or more venue-based data sources may be received by at least one hand held device present within a venue, such as a sports stadium or concert arena. Such data can be processed for display on a display screen associated with the hand held device. The processed data may be then displayed on the display screen, thereby enabling a user of the hand held device to view venue-based data through the hand held device. Such venue-based data viewable through the hand held device within the venue may include real-time and instant replay video images and clips, advertising and promotional information, scheduling, statistical, historical and other informational data, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: In a method of providing video-call service using a general voice-call terminal and a Private Branch Exchange (PBX) for performing the method, the following steps or functions are performed: exchanging, at a PBX, video media information with a video-support adaptor for providing video-call service to a voice-call terminal; and exchanging, at the PBX, moving picture media information to be used by the voice-call terminal and the video-support adaptor with a counterpart video-call terminal so as to establish a session between the video-support adaptor and the counterpart video-call terminal. The PBX includes a call processor and a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) agent. It is possible to provide video-call service between a conventional terminal not having a video screen and various videophone apparatuses by interworking the conventional terminal with SIP-based video software or hardware.

Abstract: A system and method for optimal transmission of a multitude of video pictures consisting of end video encoders wherein more than one encoder is utilized. The system and method improve the image quality of a broadband image comprised of a plurality of images by generating a new bit rate encoder based upon a prior bit rate as determined by a bit rate determiner, thereby managing the distribution of available bandwidth.

Abstract: A technique for enhancing the illusion of physical presence in a common space during a multipoint video conference is disclosed. The technique may include controlling the appearance of a first portion of the video images separately from an appearance of a second portion of the video images to achieve a consistent image appearance across the multipoint videoconference.

Abstract: A technique for maintaining consistent video quality between a plurality of videoconference sites is disclosed. Calibration correction factors are determined from video calibration data obtained from the videoconference sites. The calibration factors are applied to transmissions between the videoconference sites.

Abstract: Hot deployable video management modules maintain a video device management platform by integrating independently developed support for new or updated video devices at runtime. A video device module loader builds a management interface for the new or updated video device associated with the management module based on attributes and operations of the video device defined by an XML descriptor and based on access instructions. The management interface is used to create a video device instance in the management platform for each video device under management. The management platform manages a variety of different types of video devices with a video device management module added as a given video device is added to the management platform or an already managed video device is updated.

Abstract: An arrangement and a method of a videoconferencing end-point provide for eye contact between users at different sites. A conference camera is placed in the light beam of a projector apparatus without degrading the camera-captured view by the projector light. This is provided by generating a black spot in the light beam covering the camera lens, and by adjusting the position and/or size of the black spot according to a camera position detector, which may be the camera itself or one or more light sensors around and close to the camera lens.

Abstract: Sports fans enjoy sporting activities more when they can feel connected to the participants. Through a method of increasing communications between athletes, their fans and commentators, sports fans can feel a greater connection to the athletes whom they are watching and thereby obtain a greater degree of enjoyment from watching the event. Further, by watching the athletes being instructed on how to improve their games, the fans can also learn how to improve their own skill sets.