Abstract: A method is provided in one example and includes receiving audio data at a microphone array that includes a plurality of microphones. The microphone array is provisioned at a first endpoint, which includes a camera element configured to capture video data associated with a video session involving the first endpoint and a second endpoint. The method also includes formatting the audio data into a time division multiplex (TDM) stream, and communicating the stream to a port for a subsequent communication over a network and to the second endpoint.

Abstract: A display device may reduce the latency of the display of a digital signal by reducing the latency that the display device adds to the digital signal. After a digital signal is received by an input module, the signal is stored in a frame buffer as a plurality of pixels. A controller determines the input frame rate of the digital signal and a pixel delay. The controller monitors the frame buffer to determine when the frame buffer has stored a number of pixels greater than or equal to the pixel delay. After the frame buffer contains enough pixels, the controller initiates transmission of the pixels from the frame buffer to a display module. In certain embodiments, the controller initiates transmission of the pixels to the display module before the frame buffer has stored all pixels corresponding to the frame.

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: Methods and systems that compensate for display latency when separate speakers are used during video conferencing. A method includes determining whether speakers, which are not controlled by a display, are to be used in connection with a video conferencing session. The method further includes sending, to the display, data that causes the display to generate a predetermined pattern, capturing imagery of the effects of the predetermined pattern shown on the display, calculating a latency of the display based on a difference in a time the data was sent and the imagery of the effects is received, and storing a value of the latency of the display in a device that enables the video conferencing. When the speakers, which are not controlled by the display are selected, are selected, the audio portion of the video conferencing session is redirected to those speakers, but delayed for an amount of time substantially equivalent to the value of the latency of the display.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided in one example and includes a camera configured to receive image data associated with an end user involved in a video session. The apparatus further includes a display configured to interface with the camera. The camera and the display cooperate such that the apparatus can initiate the video session involving the end user, and activate a retracting mechanism configured to move the camera such that the camera is retracted from a view of the display and the camera moves to an inactive state.

Abstract: A system for enhancing eye gaze in a telepresence system includes a plurality of local cameras coupled to at least one local display. Each local camera is directed to at least one respective local user section and operable to generate an image of the respective local user section. The system also includes a plurality of remote displays. Each remote display is operable to reproduce the local video image of the local user section. Within the system the plurality of remote displays and the plurality of local cameras are aligned such that when a first local user within a local user section looks at a target at least one remote display is operable to reproduce the local video image of the first user section comprising the first local user such that the eye gaze of the reproduced image of the first local user is directed approximately at a corresponding target.

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 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: An apparatus is provided in one example and includes a camera configured to receive image data associated with an end user involved in a video session. The apparatus further includes a display configured to interface with the camera. The camera and the display cooperate such that the apparatus can initiate the video session involving the end user, and activate a retracting mechanism configured to move the camera such that the camera is retracted from a view of the display and the camera moves to an inactive state.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example and includes receiving audio data at a microphone array that includes a plurality of microphones. The microphone array is provisioned at a first endpoint, which includes a camera element configured to capture video data associated with a video session involving the first endpoint and a second endpoint. The method also includes formatting the audio data into a time division multiplex (TDM) stream, and communicating the stream to a port for a subsequent communication over a network and to the second endpoint.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for synchronizing a plurality of video signals received from one or more video sources is provided. The method includes providing one or more video sources and providing a codec including an internal reference oscillator. The method also includes generating a plurality of horizontal and vertical synchronization pulses based on the reference frequency of the internal reference oscillator, generating a composite synchronization pulse based on the plurality of horizontal and vertical synchronization pulses, and transmitting the composite synchronization pulse to the one or more video sources via a communication link.

Abstract: A method, an apparatus, and logic for testing a video data path. One method includes sending video data corresponding to a video test pattern to an input port of a video data path; receiving video data at an output port of the video data path; and calculating a function of at least the active part of the received video data. The function is selected such that it has a correct value when the at least the active part of the received video data accurately corresponds to the corresponding part of the sent video data. The method further includes ascertaining whether the function of at least the active part of the received video data has the correct value to ascertain whether or not an error has occurred.

Abstract: Methods and systems that compensate for display latency when separate speakers are used during video conferencing. A method includes determining whether speakers, which are not controlled by a display, are to be used in connection with a video conferencing session. The method further includes sending, to the display, data that causes the display to generate a predetermined pattern, capturing imagery of the effects of the predetermined pattern shown on the display, calculating a latency of the display based on a difference in a time the data was sent and the imagery of the effects is received, and storing a value of the latency of the display in a device that enables the video conferencing. When the speakers, which are not controlled by the display are selected, are selected, the audio portion of the video conferencing session is redirected to those speakers, but delayed for an amount of time substantially equivalent to the value of the latency of the display.