Integrated desktop videoconferencing system
Disclosed herein is a videoconferencing system that has been integrated into a flat panel display or computer monitor. The integration provides an improved form factor for the videoconferencing system. In addition, the integration offers the dual use as a computer monitor and as a videoconferencing system. The system includes a videoconferencing module attaching to a back of the flat panel display. The videoconferencing module has videoconferencing electronics that electronically connect to integral electronics of the display. The system also includes a microphone/camera module attaching to a top of the flat panel display. The microphone/camera module has a camera and microphone that both electronically connect to the videoconferencing electronics.
1. A videoconferencing system, comprising:
a flat panel display including a display housing that surrounds at least part of the flat panel display, and further including display electronics;
videoconferencing electronics electronically connected to the display electronics, at least part of the videoconferencing electronics surrounded by a first housing; a camera attached to the flat panel display and electronically connected to the videoconferencing electronics; and
a microphone attached to the flat panel display and electronically connected to the videoconferencing electronics;
wherein the videoconferencing electronics are mechanically integrated with the flat panel display by attachment of at least one exterior surface of the first housing to at least one exterior surface of the display housing.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the flat panel display comprises a desktop computer monitor.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the flat panel display further comprises at least one audio amplifier and at least one speaker.
4. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a dialing pad for placing video and/or audio calls and electronically connected to the videoconferencing electronics.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the videoconferencing electronics comprise a network interface, a LAN interface, an ISDN interface, a telephone interface, a Voice over Internet Protocol telephone interface, or a wireless interface.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the videoconferencing electronics are housed in a first module at least part of which is also surrounded by the first housing, the first module attached to the flat panel display.
7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the first module attaches to the back of the display housing.
8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the back of the display housing includes one or more mounting holes in standardized locations, and wherein the first module attaches to the one or more mounting holes with fasteners.
9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the camera and the microphone are housed in a second module attached to the flat panel display.
10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the camera comprises a pan/tilt mechanism coupling the camera to the second module.
11. The system of claim 9 , wherein the second module comprises an infrared detector electronically connectable to the videoconferencing electronics.
12. The system of claim 9 , wherein the second module comprises one or more microphones angled toward a front of the display.
13. The system of claim 1 , wherein the color and materials of the first housing and the display housing are substantially the same and provide an integrated appearance of the attached housings.
14. A videoconferencing system for equipping a flat panel display to conduct a video conference, the flat panel display having integral electronics, the system comprising:
a first module surrounded at least in part by a first module housing, an exterior surface of the first module housing configured to be mechanically attached to an exterior surface of a display housing surrounding the flat panel display, the first module including videoconferencing electronics adapted for electrical connection to the integral electronics of the flat panel display; and
a second module configured to be mechanically attached to the flat panel display, the second module including a camera and a microphone adapted for electronic connection to the videoconferencing electronics.
15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the flat panel display comprises a desktop computer monitor.
16. The system of claim 14 , wherein the flat panel display further comprises at least one audio amplifier and at least one speaker.
17. The system of claim 14 , further comprising a dialing pad for placing video and/or audio calls and electronically connected to the videoconferencing electronics.
18. The system of claim 14 , wherein the videoconferencing electronics comprise a network interface, a LAN interface, an ISDN interface, a telephone interface, a Voice over Internet Protocol telephone interface, or a wireless interface.
19. The system of claim 14 , wherein the first module housing attaches to the back of the display housing.
20. The system of claim 19 , wherein the back of the display housing includes one or more mounting holes in standardized locations, and wherein the first module housing attaches to the one or more mounting holes with fasteners.
21. The system of claim 14 , wherein the camera comprises a pan/tilt mechanism coupling the camera to the second module.
22. The system of claim 14 , wherein the second module comprises an infrared detector electronically connectable to the videoconferencing electronics.
23. The system of claim 14 , wherein the second module comprises one or more microphones angled toward a font of the display.
24. The system of claim 14 , wherein the color and materials of the first module housing and the display housing are substantially the same and provide an integrated appearance of the attached housings.