Abstract: An automatic voice tracking camera system (12) is provided. System (12) includes a camera (18) operable to receive control signals for controlling a view of the camera (18). A microphone array (14) comprises a plurality of microphones. The microphone array (14) is operable to receive a voice of a speaker and to provide an audio signal representing the voice. A beamformer (30) coupled to the microphone array (14). The beamformer (30) is operable to receive the audio signal, to generate from the audio signal speaker position data representing a position of the speaker, and to provide the speaker position data. A camera controller (36) is coupled to the beamformer (30) and to the camera (18).

Abstract: An automatic voice tracking camera system (12) and method of operation are disclosed. The system (12) includes a first camera (18) and a camera controller (36). The first camera (18) is operable to receive control signals for controlling a view of the first camera (18). The camera controller (36) is operable to determine a responsive camera movement of the first camera (18) based upon coordinates for a point in space where the determination comprises comparing the coordinates with a first spacial region (90) defined around a current speaker position. The camera controller (36) is then operable to generate camera control signals based upon the appropriate responsive camera movement and to provide the camera control signals to the first camera (18). In one embodiment, the camera controller is further operable also to compare the coordinates with a second spacial region (92) defined around the current speaker position.

Abstract: A voice activated camera preset selection system (15) is provided. The system includes a preset storage unit (17) operable to store a plurality of camera presets (21). Each camera preset (21) defines a camera preset location and camera preset data. A preset selector (16) is coupled to the preset storage unit (17). The preset selector (16) is operable to receive position data representing a speaker location based upon the voice of the speaker. The preset selector (16) is also operable to select a camera preset (21) from the plurality of stored camera presets (21) by determining a camera preset (21) that defines a camera preset location that is proximate the speaker location. The preset selector (16) is further operable to provide camera preset data defined by the selected camera preset (21) to a camera controller (18) such that a camera (19) can be automatically moved to view the camera preset location defined by the selected camera preset (21).

Abstract: An auxiliary unit is used in conjunction with a personal computer based work station for interconnecting the work station to an audio-visual communications network. The auxiliary unit includes a CRT, a camera, a speaker phone circuit, and a CPU for interfacing these elements with each other and with the communications network to permit the transmission and reception of voice, video and computer graphics information.