Abstract: A system and method for providing video conferencing are described herein. Original video streams from one or more cameras are sampled to form downscaled versions of the video stream. The downscaled version is analyzed to find regions of interest and generate metadata describing aspects of the regions of interest, including a region that includes a preferred speaker and the best view of each participant present together in the video conference. Cropping instructions are generated from the metadata, and portions of the original video stream are removed to form a set of presentation views for each participant, including the preferred speaker. The set of presentation views is stitched together to form a composite display for each participant viewing the stream remotely.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provided herein generally relate to methods and video system components that have integrated background differentiation capabilities that allow for background replacement and/or background modification. In some embodiments, undesired portions of video data generated in a video environment are separated from desired portions of the video data by taking advantage of the illumination and decay of the intensity of electromagnetic radiation, provided from an illuminator, over a distance. Due to the decay of intensity with distance, the electromagnetic radiation reflected from the undesired background has a lower intensity when received by the sensor than the electromagnetic radiation reflected from the desired foreground. The difference in the detected intensity at the one or more wavelengths can then be used to separate and/or modify the undesired background from the desired foreground for use in a video feed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure generally relate to video-conferencing systems, and more particularly, to advanced camera devices with integrated background differentiation capabilities, such as background removal, background replacement, and/or background blur capabilities, which are suitable for use in a video-conferencing application. Generally, the camera devices described herein use a combination of integrated hardware and software to differentiate between the desired portion of a video stream and the undesired portion of the video stream to-be-replaced. The background differentiation and/or background replacement methods disclosed herein are generally performed, using a camera device, before encoding the video stream for transmission of the video stream therefrom.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provided herein generally relate to methods and video system components that have integrated background differentiation capabilities that allow for background replacement and/or background modification. In some embodiments, undesired portions of video data generated in a video environment are separated from desired portions of the video data by taking advantage of the illumination and decay of the intensity of electromagnetic radiation, provided from an illuminator, over a distance. Due to the decay of intensity with distance, the electromagnetic radiation reflected from the undesired background has a lower intensity when received by the sensor than the electromagnetic radiation reflected from the desired foreground. The difference in the detected intensity at the one or more wavelengths can then be used to separate and/or modify the undesired background from the desired foreground for use in a video feed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provided herein generally relate to methods and video system components that have integrated background differentiation capabilities that allow for background replacement and/or background modification. In some embodiments, undesired portions of video data generated in a video environment are separated from desired portions of the video data by taking advantage of the illumination and decay of the intensity of electromagnetic radiation, provided from an illuminator, over a distance. Due to the decay of intensity with distance, the electromagnetic radiation reflected from the undesired background has a lower intensity when received by the sensor than the electromagnetic radiation reflected from the desired foreground. The difference in the detected intensity at the one or more wavelengths can then be used to separate and/or modify the undesired background from the desired foreground for use in a video feed.

Abstract: A dual-host, USB system comprising a USB hub, a multiplexor (MUX) configured to couple a first host computing device or a second host computing device to a USB hub where each of the first and second host computing device have host-level control of a plurality of USB ports coupled to the USB hub based on which of a first or second input of the MUX is selected. The system further includes a processor communicatively coupled to the second host computing device and the USB hub, the processor providing a non-USB communication path from the second host computing device to the first host computing device to facilitate the sending of commands from the second host computing device to the first host computing device in the USB system.

Abstract: A dual-host, USB system comprising a USB hub, a multiplexor (MUX) configured to couple a first host computing device or a second host computing device to a USB hub where each of the first and second host computing device have host-level control of a plurality of USB ports coupled to the USB hub based on which of a first or second input of the MUX is selected. The system further includes a processor communicatively coupled to the second host computing device and the USB hub, the processor providing a non-USB communication path from the second host computing device to the first host computing device to facilitate the sending of commands from the second host computing device to the first host computing device in the USB system.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provided herein generally relate to methods and video system components that have integrated background differentiation capabilities that allow for background replacement and/or background modification. In some embodiments, undesired portions of video data generated in a video environment are separated from desired portions of the video data by taking advantage of the illumination and decay of the intensity of electromagnetic radiation, provided from an illuminator, over a distance. Due to the decay of intensity with distance, the electromagnetic radiation reflected from the undesired background has a lower intensity when received by the sensor than the electromagnetic radiation reflected from the desired foreground. The difference in the detected intensity at the one or more wavelengths can then be used to separate and/or modify the undesired background from the desired foreground for use in a video feed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provided herein generally relate to methods and video system components that have integrated background differentiation capabilities that allow for background replacement and/or background modification. In some embodiments, undesired portions of video data generated in a video environment are separated from desired portions of the video data by taking advantage of the illumination and decay of the intensity of electromagnetic radiation, provided from an illuminator, over a distance. Due to the decay of intensity with distance, the electromagnetic radiation reflected from the undesired background has a lower intensity when received by the sensor than the electromagnetic radiation reflected from the desired foreground. The difference in the detected intensity at the one or more wavelengths can then be used to separate and/or modify the undesired background from the desired foreground for use in a video feed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure generally relate to video-conferencing systems, and more particularly, to advanced camera devices with integrated background differentiation capabilities, such as background removal, background replacement, and/or background blur capabilities, which are suitable for use in a video-conferencing application. Generally, the camera devices described herein use a combination of integrated hardware and software to differentiate between the desired portion of a video stream and the undesired portion of the video stream to-be-replaced. The background differentiation and/or background replacement methods disclosed herein are generally performed, using a camera device, before encoding the video stream for transmission of the video stream therefrom.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides intelligent lighting control systems. The lighting control system apparatuses include a light control module configured to be coupled to a luminaire electrically coupled to a light bulb comprising a capacitor. The lighting control module comprises a controller configured to temporarily close a circuit comprising a load wire configured to connect an AC power source to the capacitor through the luminaire, whereby electricity flowing through the load wire flows through the capacitor in the light bulb and charges an energy storage device in the lighting control module electrically coupled to the load wire. The controller is configured to after temporarily closing the circuit, re-open the circuit prior to the capacitor fully charging, so as to prevent a light emitting element of the light bulb electrically coupled to the capacitor from illuminating.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a light bulb apparatus for changing a color temperature of a luminaire using an encoded alternating current (AC) power signal transmitted from a lighting control system to the luminaire electrically coupled to the light bulb apparatus, wherein the color temperature is encoded with a cut phase of the AC power signal.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provided herein can be used to improve the control, selection and transmission of data to a remote video conferencing environment, by use of a plurality of wired or wirelessly connected electronic devices. In one example, the transmission of data from a local environment can be improved by switching the source of visual inputs (e.g., cameras or display of an electronic device, such as laptop) and/or audio inputs (e.g., microphones) to the one or more appropriate visual and audio sources available within the local environment. The most appropriate visual and audio sources can be the sources that provide the participants in the remote environment the most relevant data giving the remote users the best understanding of the current activities in the local environment.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an intelligent lighting control system. A controller of the lighting control system causes a phase change cut to be applied to an AC power signal to signal to a light bulb apparatus connected to a luminaire a request to self identify. The encoded phase changed AC power signal is transmitted to the light bulb apparatus for a predetermined time period. A response signal received from the light bulb in response to receipt of the encoded phase changed AC power signal by the light bulb is detected at the lighting control system. A bulb identification is determined based on the response signal from the light bulb apparatus.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provided herein can be used to improve the control, selection and transmission of data to a remote video conferencing environment, by use of a plurality of wired or wirelessly connected electronic devices. In one example, the transmission of data from a local environment can be improved by switching the source of visual inputs (e.g., cameras or display of an electronic device, such as laptop) and/or audio inputs (e.g., microphones) to the one or more appropriate visual and audio sources available within the local environment. The most appropriate visual and audio sources can be the sources that provide the participants in the remote environment the most relevant data giving the remote users the best understanding of the current activities in the local environment.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provided herein can be used to improve the control, selection and transmission of data to a remote video conferencing environment, by use of a plurality of wired or wirelessly connected electronic devices. In one example, the transmission of data from a local environment can be improved by switching the source of visual inputs (e.g., cameras or display of an electronic device, such as laptop) and/or audio inputs (e.g., microphones) to the one or more appropriate visual and audio sources available within the local environment. The most appropriate visual and audio sources can be the sources that provide the participants in the remote environment the most relevant data giving the remote users the best understanding of the current activities in the local environment.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provided herein can be used to improve the control, selection and transmission of data to a remote video conferencing environment, by use of a plurality of wired or wirelessly connected electronic devices. In one example, the transmission of data from a local environment can be improved by switching the source of visual inputs (e.g., cameras or display of an electronic device, such as laptop) and/or audio inputs (e.g., microphones) to the one or more appropriate visual and audio sources available within the local environment. The most appropriate visual and audio sources can be the sources that provide the participants in the remote environment the most relevant data giving the remote users the best understanding of the current activities in the local environment.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for connecting via a cable a USB host and USB device over distances equal to greater than 50 meters. The methods and systems include having the host and device each send a pilot signal over the cable and the host and device, each detecting that the received pilot signal is valid. After confirming the validity of the pilot signals, the host begins standard USB protocols with the device. The system and methods also allow for the insertion of a power over Ethernet device into the cable to provide power to a remote USB device. In some embodiments, only the D+ and D? lines are used allowing multiple independent USB connections over the cable.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provided herein can be used to improve the control, selection and transmission of data to a remote video conferencing environment, by use of a plurality of wired or wirelessly connected electronic devices. In one example, the transmission of data from a local environment can be improved by switching the source of visual inputs (e.g., cameras or display of an electronic device, such as laptop) and/or audio inputs (e.g., microphones) to the one or more appropriate visual and audio sources available within the local environment. The most appropriate visual and audio sources can be the sources that provide the participants in the remote environment the most relevant data giving the remote users the best understanding of the current activities in the local environment.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provided herein can be used to improve the control, selection and transmission of data to a remote video conferencing environment, by use of a plurality of wired or wirelessly connected electronic devices. In one example, the transmission of data from a local environment can be improved by switching the source of visual inputs (e.g., cameras or display of an electronic device, such as laptop) and/or audio inputs (e.g., microphones) to the one or more appropriate visual and audio sources available within the local environment. The most appropriate visual and audio sources can be the sources that provide the participants in the remote environment the most relevant data giving the remote users the best understanding of the current activities in the local environment.