Patents by Inventor Stephen P. Schaefer

Stephen P. Schaefer has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9473740
    Abstract: In a system and method of conducting a videoconference, a videoconferencing unit detects an activation related to a presentation device at a near-end of the videoconference. The unit stores a current orientation of at least one camera and directs the at least one camera at the presentation device. At this point, the unit begins outputting to a far-end at least one of (i) video captured of the presentation device with the at least one directed camera and (ii) content displayed with the presentation device. At some point, the unit detects a deactivation related to the presentation device at the near-end and then redirects the at least one camera to the stored orientation so the videoconference can proceed as before.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Polycom, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen P. Schaefer, Alain Nimri
  • Publication number: 20140111600
    Abstract: In a system and method of conducting a videoconference, a videoconferencing unit detects an activation related to a presentation device at a near-end of the videoconference. The unit stores a current orientation of at least one camera and directs the at least one camera at the presentation device. At this point, the unit begins outputting to a far-end at least one of (i) video captured of the presentation device with the at least one directed camera and (ii) content displayed with the presentation device. At some point, the unit detects a deactivation related to the presentation device at the near-end and then redirects the at least one camera to the stored orientation so the videoconference can proceed as before.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Inventors: Stephen P. Schaefer, Alain Nimri
  • Patent number: 8248448
    Abstract: A videoconferencing apparatus automatically tracks speakers in a room and dynamically switches between a controlled, people-view camera and a fixed, room-view camera. When no one is speaking, the apparatus shows the room view to the far-end. When there is a dominant speaker in the room, the apparatus directs the people-view camera at the dominant speaker and switches from the room-view camera to the people-view camera. When there is a new speaker in the room, the apparatus switches to the room-view camera first, directs the people-view camera at the new speaker, and then switches to the people-view camera directed at the new speaker. When there are two near-end speakers engaged in a conversation, the apparatus tracks and zooms-in the people-view camera so that both speakers are in view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Polycom, Inc.
    Inventors: Jinwei Feng, Peter Chu, Wayne Dunlap, Jonathan Gallmeier, Alain Nimri, Stephen P. Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20110285809
    Abstract: A videoconferencing apparatus automatically tracks speakers in a room and dynamically switches between a controlled, people-view camera and a fixed, room-view camera. When no one is speaking, the apparatus shows the room view to the far-end. When there is a dominant speaker in the room, the apparatus directs the people-view camera at the dominant speaker and switches from the room-view camera to the people-view camera. When there is a new speaker in the room, the apparatus switches to the room-view camera first, directs the people-view camera at the new speaker, and then switches to the people-view camera directed at the new speaker. When there are two near-end speakers engaged in a conversation, the apparatus tracks and zooms-in the people-view camera so that both speakers are in view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: POLYCOM, INC.
    Inventors: Jinwei FENG, Peter CHU, Wayne DUNLAP, Jonathan GALLMEIER, Alain NIMRI, Stephen P. SCHAEFER