Immersive Video Conference System with 360-Degree Camera and Translucent Screen
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current video conferencing systems struggle to allow multiple participants in a single location to maintain natural eye contact with each other and with remote participants, as they often require participants to turn away from the camera and screen to communicate effectively.
Innovation Solution
A video conferencing system incorporating a 360-degree camera and a translucent viewing screen positioned between participants, allowing natural eye contact and enabling the capture and display of all participants and the conference environment, with a processing module to manage and project multiple data streams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If standard narrow field video cameras are used, then the system is simple and cost-effective, but multiple participants cannot be captured clearly in a single location
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the camera system into multiple independent cameras, each positioned to capture specific participants or zones. This segmentation allows each camera to maintain simple narrow-field design while collectively providing comprehensive coverage of all participants in the conference room, resolving the contradiction between system simplicity and complete participant visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a spatial arrangement dimension by positioning multiple cameras at different locations and orientations around the conference table. This dimensional approach enables the system to capture all participants simultaneously without requiring any single camera to have an excessively wide field of view, thus maintaining simplicity while improving information completeness.
2Loss of information
If multiple cameras are employed to capture multiple participants, then all participants can be seen by remote participants, but participants must be positioned side-by-side facing the camera rather than around a conference table
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the camera system into multiple units positioned around the conference table, with each camera capturing a specific sector. This allows participants to sit naturally around the table while ensuring all are captured by their respective sector cameras, maintaining both visibility and natural communication posture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses image processing technology as an intermediary to stitch together views from multiple cameras positioned around the table. This intermediary process creates a composite view that allows participants to remain in natural positions around the conference table while still being fully visible to remote participants, eliminating the need for participants to face the camera directly.
3Loss of information
If large flat display screens are used for viewing, then remote participants can be displayed for all to see, but participants must turn away from one another toward the display screen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single large flat display to multiple smaller display screens positioned at different locations around the conference table. This dimensional redistribution allows each participant to view remote participants on screens near their position, enabling eye contact with both local and remote participants simultaneously without requiring turns away from one another.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local display quality by positioning individual or small groups of display screens at specific locations around the conference table. Each participant or small group has display screens locally positioned for their viewing comfort, allowing them to see remote participants without turning away from their conversation partners, thus maintaining natural eye contact and communication.
4Reliability
If dedicated video conferencing centers are used, then proper equipment can be deployed, but the equipment is expensive and requires dedicated space that is difficult to utilize
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the video conferencing system into multiple independent, modular components (cameras, displays, processing units) that can be distributed around the conference room. This segmentation eliminates the need for a single centralized conferencing center, reducing deployment complexity and space requirements while maintaining full video conferencing functionality through the coordinated operation of distributed components.
Data Source
AI summary
A preferred embodiment of a video conferencing system that may employ a video camera capable of capturing a view approximating 360 degrees, a viewing screen positioned to allow natural eye contact between conference participants, and a processing module capable of receiving and processing multiple data streams from video and audio capturing devices as well as data streams from other sources. In some embodiments, the video camera may be mounted above or below the viewing screen to capture an approximately 360 degree view of all locally appearing participants as well as the surrounding conference environment. The video conferencing system allows multiple participants participating from a single location to communicate easily and maintain natural eye contact with one another while maintaining eye contact with persons appearing from remote locations.