Systems and methods for enhancing teleconferencing collaboration
View Patent ↗An advanced video teleconferencing system facilitates an engaging and realistic video conferencing experience. Key design elements and video, audio, and control capabilities are provided for a video conferencing experience that cannot be attained with conventional methods, which elements and capabilities include careful design of the table and room at each site, supplementary displays showing imagery in a mirrored manner, networked environmental control, an AutoDirector with keyword and gesture recognition, and audio reflection from a display or beam splitter.
1. A teleconferencing site, comprising:
a first table for seating participants in a teleconference at a local site;
at least one additional table for seating participants in said teleconference at least one remote site;
a display at said local site for displaying an image of said at least one remote site; and
said at least one additional table positioned and/or shaped wherein an image of said additional table at a remote site appears on said local site as a continuation of said first table at said local site.
2. The teleconferencing site of claim 1 , wherein:
one or both of said first table and said at least one additional table comprises a semicircular table;
said teleconferencing site further comprising:
a wall positioned a short distance behind participants seated near an apex of said semicircular table;
wherein clearance between said seated participants and said wall behind the participants ensures that any other individuals do not linger behind said seated participants and remain out of a field of view of video cameras showing said seated participants.
3. The teleconferencing site of claim 1 , wherein said first table is substantially semicircular in shape and also has a straight edge; and
wherein said display is aligned with said straight edge of said first table.