Abstract: A method and system for providing remote vision to a remote operator with respect to a plurality of machines includes a remote vision system with one or more display screens and a receiver for receiving video information and machine information from each of the one or more machines. A controller console is linked to the remote vision system and the receiver, and is configured to calculate a priority ranking of the plurality of machines based on the received machine data and to display the video information from each machine as one or more video displays on a display screen wherein at least one of the one or more video displays is modified in appearance and/or position or duration of placement based on the priority ranking.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing software-controlled lighting for video visitation devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method may include receiving a message over a network indicating that a video visitation session is being established between at least a first user and a second user, and illuminating at least one of the users in response to the message and/or independently of a physical position of a telephone handset or the like. The method may also include detecting a security violation in one or more video images captured during the video visitation session, where the security violation includes the presence of one or more of: gesturing, signing, or an object. The method may further include determining an amount of lighting to be emitted by a lighting device as a function of the security violation, and controlling the lighting device to produce the determined amount of lighting.

Abstract: A communication system includes: a remote controller having an input unit inputting user operations and a communication unit performing bidirectional communication, transmitting a remote control code in accordance with the user operation with respect to the input unit from the communication unit; and a host device having a communication unit performing bidirectional communication and a host function unit executing processing corresponding to the remote control code received in the communication unit, wherein the host device transmits a status response from the communication unit in response to a status inquiry transmitted from the communication unit of the remote controller, the remote controller repeatedly executes a status check communication procedure including the transmission of the status inquiry and waiting for receiving the status response after transmitting the remote control code at given time intervals during which the communication unit is in a dormant state.

Abstract: A telepresence robot uses a series of connectible modules and preferably includes a head module adapted to receive and cooperate with a third party telecommunication device that includes a display screen. The module design provides cost advantages with respect to shipping and storage while also allowing flexibility in robot configuration and specialized applications.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a remote video conferencing system which is specifically suited for use in a medical environment. The video conferencing system comprises an elongate, primary support structure such as a pole which is outfitted with castors or similar structures to allow for the selective positioning thereof in any prescribed location within an operating room. Attached to an upper region of the pole is at least one remote controlled video camera which preferably includes a laser pointer operatively coupled thereto. During a surgical procedure, the remotely located manufacturer's representative or other medical professional is able to use the internet to remotely control the video camera, and hence the laser pointer coupled thereto.

Abstract: A video telephony system and a control method thereof are provided. The video telephony system includes a first mobile communication terminal and a second mobile communication terminal, wherein, during a video telephone call connection, the first mobile communication terminal receives a command from a user and sends the received command to the second mobile communication terminal and wherein the second mobile communication terminal executes the command received from the first mobile communication terminal and reconfigures multi-media data transmitted to the first mobile communication terminal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and tool for collaborating in a video conference using a non-electronically enhance whiteboard and without the use of electronically enhanced writing and/or pointing tools. An embodiment may set up a front camera to capture an overall video stream that is split into at least two video feeds, a whiteboard feed and presenter feeds. The front camera may be set up to have a depth of field and focus to capture the whiteboard and presenter as well as specific video capture settings for each feed to optimize the whiteboard or the presenter. An embodiment may capture the two feeds according to the appropriate settings and deliver the two feeds to other video conference member devices. Embodiments may add additional cameras to permit additional optimization such as eliminating whiteboard occluded areas and/or automatically selecting a presenter from a plurality of people who are in the video capture frame.

Abstract: A federated media server system. The federated media server system may include a plurality of media servers. A first media server may be coupled to a second media server over a network. The first media server may also be coupled to a third media server over the network. Additionally, the second and third media servers may be coupled to a plurality of respective clients. The first media server may be configured to record video, e.g., videoconferences, and stream recordings to clients and/or the second and third media servers. The second and third media servers may assist in performing video recording, transcoding, storage of recordings, multicasting, etc.

Abstract: System and method involving user interfaces and remote control devices. These user interfaces may be particularly useful for providing an intuitive and user friendly interaction between a user and a device or application using a display, e.g., at a “10 foot” interaction level. The user interfaces may be specifically designed for interaction using a simple remote control device having a limited number of inputs. For example, the simple remote control may include directional inputs (e.g., up, down, left, right), a confirmation input (e.g., ok), and possibly a mute input. The user interface may be customized based on current user activity or other contexts (e.g., based on current or previous states), the user logging in (e.g., using a communication device), etc. Additionally, the user interface may allow the user to adjust cameras whose video are not currently displayed, rejoin previously left videoconferences, and/or any of a variety of desirable actions.

Abstract: A local video conference system executing a video conference application, that lacks an ability or functionality to control a remote camera of a remote video conference system, can display video from the remote video conference system. The local video conference system can also execute a controller application that can provide the local video conference system control of the remote camera. The controller application can receive user input that selects a region of multiple regions of a display window of the video conference application indicating a camera action for the remote camera, can determine a camera action based on the user input and the selected region, and can provide the camera action to the remote video conference system via a network. The remote video conference system can pan, tilt, and/or zoom the remote camera based on the camera action received from the controller application of the local video conference system.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for selecting a remote controlled device to be controlled from among a plurality of remote controllable devices. The system includes an electronic device having a registration interface configured to register device data corresponding to the plurality of remote controllable devices, a position locator configured to determine position data corresponding to a position of the electronic device, and an orientation interface configured to receive orientation data corresponding to an orientation of a user. A controller is configured to select the remote controlled device based on the device data, the position data, and the orientation data. The plurality of remote controllable devices each may include a respective data source configured to provide the device data, and a headset may be configured to generate the orientation data.

Abstract: Among other aspects, on computer-implemented method includes: receiving at least one command in a computer system from a handheld device; positioning a virtual camera and controlling a virtual scene according to the command; and in response to the command, generating an output to the handheld device for displaying a view of the virtual scene as controlled on a display of the handheld device, the view captured by the virtual camera as positioned.

Abstract: A mobile terminal and a method for operating the same are discussed. The method for operating the mobile terminal includes displaying on the mobile terminal a remote control screen for remotely controlling an image display apparatus, entering a wireless audio reception mode if a wireless audio reception mode start signal is received during the displaying of the remote control screen, and displaying on the mobile terminal a wireless audio reception mode screen. Accordingly, it is possible to improve user convenience.

Abstract: An electronic device and a method of controlling the electronic device are provided. The electronic device includes a communication unit configured to receive image data and a controller configured to obtain identification information of a participant from the received image data, to obtain personal information of a plurality of candidates, to identify an attendee among the candidates based on the identification information of the participant and the personal information of the candidates, to sort non-attendees other than the attendee among the candidates based on a predetermined time, and to transmit an alarm to other electronic devices corresponding to the non-attendees.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes: status information input means for inputting status information indicating an operating state and power consumption of each of a plurality of electronic appliances targeted for connection from the plurality of electronic appliances; list screen generating means for generating a list screen that associates the status information inputted from each of the plurality of electronic appliances with the plurality of electronic appliances; and a display control means for controlling display means for displaying the list screen thereon.

Abstract: System and method involving user interfaces and remote control devices. These user interfaces may be particularly useful for providing an intuitive and user friendly interaction between a user and a device or application using a display, e.g., at a “10 foot” interaction level. The user interfaces may be specifically designed for interaction using a simple remote control device having a limited number of inputs. For example, the simple remote control may include directional inputs (e.g., up, down, left, right), a confirmation input (e.g., ok), and possibly a mute input. The user interface may be customized based on current user activity or other contexts (e.g., based on current or previous states), the user logging in (e.g., using a communication device), etc. Additionally, the user interface may allow the user to adjust cameras whose video are not currently displayed, rejoin previously left videoconferences, and/or any of a variety of desirable actions.

Abstract: System and method involving user interfaces and remote control devices. These user interfaces may be particularly useful for providing an intuitive and user friendly interaction between a user and a device or application using a display, e.g., at a “10 foot” interaction level. The user interfaces may be specifically designed for interaction using a simple remote control device having a limited number of inputs. For example, the simple remote control may include directional inputs (e.g., up, down, left, right), a confirmation input (e.g., ok), and possibly a mute input. The user interface may be customized based on current user activity or other contexts (e.g., based on current or previous states), the user logging in (e.g., using a communication device), etc. Additionally, the user interface may allow the user to adjust cameras whose video are not currently displayed, rejoin previously left videoconferences, and/or any of a variety of desirable actions.

Abstract: System and method for user interfaces using remote control devices. More specifically, these user interfaces may be particularly useful for providing an intuitive and user friendly interaction between a user and a device or application using a display, e.g., at a “10 foot” interaction level. The user interfaces may be specifically designed for interaction using a simple remote control device having a limited number of inputs. For example, the simple remote control may include directional inputs (e.g., up, down, left, right), a confirmation input (e.g., ok), and possibly a mute input. These user interfaces may allow a user to quickly browse and filter lists of items, efficiently provide input (e.g., having multiple data types), customize directional and/or mute functionality of the remote control, perform camera control (e.g., for videoconferencing), etc.

Abstract: System and method for user interfaces using remote control devices. More specifically, these user interfaces may be particularly useful for providing an intuitive and user friendly interaction between a user and a device or application using a display, e.g., at a “10 foot” interaction level. The user interfaces may be specifically designed for interaction using a simple remote control device having a limited number of inputs. For example, the simple remote control may include directional inputs (e.g., up, down, left, right), a confirmation input (e.g., ok), and possibly a mute input. These user interfaces may allow a user to quickly browse and filter lists of items, efficiently provide input (e.g., having multiple data types), customize directional and/or mute functionality of the remote control, perform camera control (e.g., for videoconferencing), etc.

Abstract: A display apparatus and a control method thereof are provided The display apparatus includes: an image processor configured to process an image of content; a display configured to display the processed image of the content; a camera configured to capture an image of a remote controller; a storage configured to store information regarding a plurality of appearance states of the remote controller corresponding to user commands; and a controller configured to determine an appearance state from among the plurality of appearance states of the remote controller based on the image of remote controller captured by the camera, and control the display section to display the image of the content according to a user command corresponding to the determined appearance state of the remote controller.

Abstract: In one general aspect, a request to determine a status of a first of a plurality of advertising devices is received. The advertising devices are spatially separated. Operating conditions of the first advertising device are identified. The status of the first advertising device is determined based, at least in part, on the operating conditions. A presentation including information indicating the status of the first advertising device is transmitted.

Abstract: A method comprises determining a status of an object on a first device and sending an indicator of the status of the object to a remote device, the indicator being configured to allow the remote device to present the status of the object. The method may further comprise establishing audio and video communication with the remote device. The audio and video communication with the remote device may be established over a network. The object may be a book, and the status may be associated with a page number of the book. The method may further comprise displaying animated content based on the determined status of the object. The displaying of animated content may include displaying an animated character providing commentary or asking questions related to content associated with the object.

Abstract: A remote control system includes a remote control device and an electronic device. The remote control device includes an input element, a wireless transmitter to transmit an absolute coordinate signal and a motion signal and a control unit electrically connected to the input element and the wireless transmitter. The electronic device includes a wireless receiver and a display screen. The wireless receiver receives the absolute coordinate signal and the motion signal, and displays the absolute coordinate signal at the display screen via a cursor. When the electronic device does not receive the motion signal, the absolute coordinate signal is not operated on an application program of the electronic device. When the electronic device receives the motion signal, the absolute coordinate signal is operated on the application program.

Abstract: A 3D pointing device for use with a content delivery system is provided. The pointing device can operate in one of at least one of two modes: a first 3D or scrolling mode, and a second non-3D mode that can also be referred to as an up-down-left-right (UDLR) mode. The pointing device can include one or more directional sensors, to provide orientation and movement information. For either of the at least two modes, an optical finger navigation module is provided that can detect movement of a user's finger or object across its screen, and provides a predetermined threshold that must be exceeded before movement information is generated from the OFN module. The pointing device can generate scroll and UDLR commands based on the information from the orientation and movement sensors, as well as the OFN module, or can provide the information from the orientation and movement sensors to a user interface that can generate the appropriate scrolling or UDLR commands for use by the content delivery system.

Abstract: A mobile device stores a TV application for serving as a remote control capable of controlling a TV receiver. The mobile device starts the process of starting the TV application and transmits, to the TV receiver, control signals to turn on the TV receiver before the TV application has been started. More particularly, the mobile device transmits the control signals to turn on the TV receiver while performing the process of starting the TV application. When the mobile device has started the TV application and then the TV receiver has been turned on in normal mode, a user can control the TV receiver by using the mobile device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments of systems and methods for visualizing, analyzing, and managing telepresence devices operating in a telepresence network of healthcare facilities. A user may selectively view a global view of all telepresence devices, telepresence devices within a particular region, the details of a particular telepresence device, and/or the details of a particular healthcare facility. At one viewing level, a user may view a plan view map of a healthcare facility and visualize the navigational history of a telepresence device. At another viewing level, a user may view a plan view map of a healthcare facility and visualize telemetry data of a patient associated with a selected room. At another viewing level, a user may selectively view various graphical representations of telepresence device statistics and usage information with respect to health ratings for each of a plurality of patients.

Abstract: A service performing method and a service requesting method are provided. The service performing method includes receiving from a second device a message including information representing whether to install a widget for performing a service, and location information of the widget; receiving the widget based on the location information of the widget, and selectively installing the widget based on the information representing whether to install the widget; and performing the service by executing the received widget.

Abstract: A network of devices with remote control includes a network interconnecting two or more networked devices and a wireless remote control unit for communicating with one or more of the networked devices. The remote control unit stores an interface for one or more of the networked devices so that the networked devices can be controlled with the remote control unit.

Abstract: A first index corresponding to a first conversation operation and a second index corresponding to a second conversation operation are selectably displayed on a screen of a video output device. When a communicator receives a conversation request from another device, a controller determines whether the first index or the second index is selected on the screen or whether an operating member is operated. If the first index is selected, the controller performs the first conversation operation. If the second index is selected, the controller performs the second conversation operation. If the operating member is operated, the controller performs the second conversation operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selecting information from a video source to be displayed on at least a first common display screen in a collaborative workspace having a switching device, the method comprising the steps of providing a selectable control interface that includes at least one indicator that can indicate at least first and second different states, associating a video source with the switching device so that video information from the video source is presented to the switching device, when the video source is associated with the switching device, causing the at least one indicator to indicate a first state and when the selectable control interface is selected, causing the at least one indicator to indicate the second state and providing the video information from the video source to the common display screen via the switching device.

Abstract: A controlling device interacts dynamically with a plurality of appliances using state information known to a master appliance. The master appliance conveys to the controlling device the state information and the controlling device uses the state information to dynamically configure itself to command functional operations of one or more of the plurality of appliances. The master appliance also causes a graphical representation of the current configuration of the controlling device to be displayed on a display device that is associated with the master appliance.

Abstract: A controlling device interacts dynamically with a plurality of appliances using state information known to a master appliance. The master appliance conveys to the controlling device the state information and the controlling device uses the state information to dynamically configure itself to command functional operations of one or more of the plurality of appliances. The master appliance also causes a graphical representation of the current configuration of the controlling device to be displayed on a display device that is associated with the master appliance.

Abstract: A videoconferencing system has a videoconferencing unit that use portable devices as peripherals for the system. The portable devices obtain near-end audio and send the audio to the videoconferencing unit via a wireless connection. In turn, the videoconferencing unit sends the near-end audio from the loudest portable device along with near-end video to the far-end. The portable devices can control the videoconferencing unit and can initially establish the videoconference by connecting with the far-end and then transferring operations to the videoconferencing unit. To deal with acoustic coupling between the unit's loudspeaker and the portable device's microphone, the unit uses an echo canceller that is compensated for differences in the clocks used in the A/D and D/A converters of the loudspeaker and microphone.

Abstract: Various embodiments of apparatus and/or methods are described for providing communication between multiple content viewers. First video data is captured of a first user located locally with respect to a presentation device and transmitted to a base station located remotely with respect to the presentation device. The base station transmits a composite signal that includes video content provided by a content source communicatively coupled the base station and further includes second video chat data captured of a second user located remotely with respect to the presentation device. The composite signal is responsively presented by the presentation device to the first user.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for remotely controlling and interacting with a multimedia device using a mobile phone. This is accomplished by utilizing cell and mobile phones capable of establishing persistent Internet connections. A software application is provided for the mobile phone that receives inputs entered by a user on the mobile phone's keypad and translates the inputs into commands that are recognized by a multimedia device. For example, the multimedia device may be a television, set top box, or a digital video recorder such as a Tivo or ReplayTV. The software application transmits the data input by the user to the device, either directly, or through at least one central server. Mapping of the commands entered on the mobile phone into commands recognized by the remote device may occur on the phone, at a central server, or at the device itself.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing video calling and conferencing addressing. A computer might receive a call request from a caller. The call request might include a callee address in a first protocol. In some cases, the callee address might include a uniform resource locator (“URL”) associated with the callee, and the first protocol might be hypertext transfer protocol (“HTTP”). The computer might determine a callee at a calling destination based at least in part on the URL associated with the callee or callee's device(s), and might establish a voice or video call between the caller and the callee based at least in part on the URL associated with the callee (or callee's device(s)). In some cases, the computer might map the callee address in a second protocol (e.g., SIP, XMPP, PSTN protocol, etc.) different from the first protocol, and might call the callee using the second protocol.

Abstract: There is provided a remote control device including: a communication unit that can perform communication through a network; a remote control unit that can transmit one or more control commands to a controlled device in response to an operation by a user; a storage unit that stores control command information specifying the one or more control commands to be transmitted from the remote control unit; and a setting unit that sets the control command information to the storage unit based on a result of communication by the communication unit with a controlled device through the network, wherein the setting unit detects a controlled device connected to the network by transmitting a device search signal from the communication unit, acquires device information of the detected controlled device from the controlled device, and decides the control command information to be set to the storage unit based on the acquired device information.

Abstract: System and method for user interfaces using remote control devices. More specifically, these user interfaces may be particularly useful for providing an intuitive and user friendly interaction between a user and a device or application using a display, e.g., at a “10 foot” interaction level. The user interfaces may be specifically designed for interaction using a simple remote control device having a limited number of inputs. For example, the simple remote control may include directional inputs (e.g., up, down, left, right), a confirmation input (e.g., ok), and possibly a mute input. These user interfaces may allow a user to quickly browse and filter lists of items, efficiently provide input (e.g., having multiple data types), customize directional and/or mute functionality of the remote control, perform camera control (e.g., for videoconferencing), etc.

Abstract: A TV control device, for an external TV device includes a storage unit storing a user identification code and user setting data corresponding to the user identification code, and a wireless communication unit transmitting a control signal to the external TV device according to the user identification code and the user setting data, wherein the external TV device determines a TV setting of the external TV device according to the user identification code and the user setting data when the external TV device receives the control signal.

Abstract: A federated media server system. The federated media server system may include a plurality of media servers. A first media server may be coupled to a second media server over a network. The first media server may also be coupled to a third media server over the network. Additionally, the second and third media servers may be coupled to a plurality of respective clients. The first media server may be configured to record video, e.g., videoconferences, and stream recordings to clients and/or the second and third media servers. The second and third media servers may assist in performing video recording, transcoding, storage of recordings, multicasting, etc.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for controlling from a first location a laser at a second location are disclosed. Laser orientation data is determined at a first location. The laser orientation data is communicated to the second location. Video data is received from the second location that includes imagery of a laser beam emitted by a laser, and the imagery is presented on a display at the first location.

Abstract: A display apparatus includes a receiver which receives a broadcasting signal, a display which displays an image based on the received broadcasting signal, a communication unit which communicates with a mobile device, and a controller which determines whether the mobile device interferes with at least one channel of a plurality of broadcasting channels received through the receiver, and controls the display to display a user interface (UI) indicates a user whether image noise has resulted from channel interference by the mobile device.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for recording videos in a video call. The method includes: determining a key voice input end of the video call and acquiring an image of the key voice input end; storing audio data of the video call; synthesizing the acquired image and audio, and then writing the synthesized image and audio into a recorded video file. The present invention solves the defect that the existing video call methods can not record flexibly by determining a source of a key voice, acquiring an image corresponding to the key voice, and synthesizing the image and a recorded audio, so that the sound and the image in the recorded video can be displayed correspondingly, and since only the image of the key voice input end in the call is displayed, the image in the recorded video is clearer.

Abstract: System and method involving user interfaces and remote control devices. These user interfaces may be particularly useful for providing an intuitive and user friendly interaction between a user and a device or application using a display, e.g., at a “10 foot” interaction level. The user interfaces may be specifically designed for interaction using a simple remote control device having a limited number of inputs. For example, the simple remote control may include directional inputs (e.g., up, down, left, right), a confirmation input (e.g., ok), and possibly a mute input. The user interface may be customized based on current user activity or other contexts (e.g., based on current or previous states), the user logging in (e.g., using a communication device), etc. Additionally, the user interface may allow the user to adjust cameras whose video are not currently displayed, rejoin previously left videoconferences, and/or any of a variety of desirable actions.

Abstract: A remote presenting system, includes: a plurality of displays, configured to display a remote image; an audio output apparatus, configured to output remote audio information; a multimedia communication terminal, configured to process and control audio/video information obtained by a local end and audio/video information sent by a remote end; a plurality of video cameras, configured to shoot a local video image and send the shot video image to the multimedia communication terminal to be processed; an audio collection apparatus, configured to collect local audio information, and send the collected audio information to the multimedia communication terminal; and a plurality of user locations, corresponding to the plurality of video cameras respectively, and respectively being in an approximately perpendicular relationship with optic axes of camera lenses of the plurality of video cameras.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling set up of a controlling device capable of controlling a plurality of appliances, via an interactive instruction set and associated programming. The programming is accessible by a STB or other controllable appliance and is configured to appropriately display interactive instructions and prompts to a user during a user initiated set up procedure for configuration of another controllable device (e.g., DVD, VCR, DVR, etc) available to the user. Appropriate set up data, generally in the form of command library codes, is displayed to the user by the interactive instruction set and associated programming for entry and trial by the user in set up of the desired appliance(s).

Abstract: A system for enabling virtual live video, comprising a live video media server; a host computing device comprising at least a processor, a memory, a camera, a microphone, and a display; and a plurality of participant computing devices comprising at least a processor, a memory, a camera, a microphone, and a display. A host user establishes a session using the host computing device and a plurality of participants log in to the session each using one of the plurality of participant computing devices; at least some of the participants are selected for live video viewing by the host, whereupon the respective participant computing devices are directed by the host computing device to activate their cameras and microphones; and the host computing device subscribes to each of the activated cameras' video feeds and a plurality of participant video feeds is displayed in a grid on the host computing device.

Abstract: An input apparatus for a multi-layer on-screen display and a method of generating an input signal for a multi-layer on-screen display. The input apparatus includes: an acceleration sensing unit for sensing an acceleration of a motion of the input apparatus; a processing unit for obtaining information including a motion depth and a motion pattern of the input apparatus using the sensed acceleration and determining a layer to be activated from the information; and a transmitter for generating a signal including the determined layer and outputting the signal to the multi-layer OSD.

Abstract: A tele-presence system that includes a portable robot face coupled to a remote station. The robot face includes a robot monitor, a robot camera, a robot speaker and a robot microphone. The remote station includes a station monitor, a station camera, a station speaker and a station microphone. The portable robot face can be attached to a platform mounted to the ceiling of an ambulance. The portable robot face can be used by a physician at the remote station to provide remote medical consultation. When the patient is moved from the ambulance the portable robot face can be detached from the platform and moved with the patient.

Abstract: A tele-presence system that includes a remote device coupled to a control station through a communication link. The remote device includes a remote monitor, a remote camera, a remote speaker and a remote microphone. Likewise, the control station includes a station monitor, a station camera, a station speaker and a station microphone. The control station displays a plurality of graphical icons that each represents a different type of communication link between the control station and the remote device. The graphical icons can be selected to allow a user of the control station to change the communication link between the remote device and its initial node.