Videotelephony Camera Field of View Control via Visual Token Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Videotelephony systems face challenges in dynamically focusing on changing regions of interest during multi-user conferencing, as existing solutions require additional complex systems for camera positioning, such as infrared and RF systems, which add complexity and expense.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a visual token system where participants use a selectively activated token within the camera's field of view to automatically redirect the camera's focus, using a visual token recognition module to detect and adjust the camera's field of view electronically, eliminating the need for separate positioning systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If an infrared transmitter and RF receiver system is used to track the mobile remote unit for camera positioning, then the camera can be positioned to follow the region of interest, but the system complexity and expense increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the tracking function from a separate complex infrared/RF system and integrates it into the existing video camera system by detecting visual tokens directly in the video feed. This eliminates the need for separate positioning systems while maintaining automatic tracking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The video camera serves multiple functions: it captures video for conferencing and simultaneously detects visual tokens for automatic positioning. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated tracking hardware, reducing system complexity while maintaining automation.
2Extent of automation
If an infrared transmitter and RF receiver system is used to track the mobile remote unit for camera positioning, then the camera can be positioned to follow the region of interest, but the system expense increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The video camera serves multiple functions: it captures video for conferencing and simultaneously detects visual tokens for automatic positioning. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated tracking hardware, reducing system expense while maintaining automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own video feed to detect visual tokens and determine camera positioning, eliminating the need for separate tracking hardware. The camera essentially tracks itself by detecting tokens in its own field of view, reducing overall system cost.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a separate tracking system is used to obtain positioning information for the videotelephony camera, then the camera can be repositioned to follow the region of interest, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the tracking function with the video conferencing system by detecting visual tokens in the video feed. This combination allows dynamic tracking of attention shifts while using the same hardware infrastructure, reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The visual token acts as an intermediary that carries positioning information within the video feed itself. Rather than using a separate tracking system, the token embedded in the video stream serves as the mediator for transmitting location data, simplifying the system architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
A videotelephony system has an electronically controllable camera with a field of view, a visual token disposed within the field of view, and a camera controller. The camera controller is configured to detect the visual token and reconfigure the field of view relative to a detected position of the visual token.