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US 2003/0169329 A1Published application
Multi-user camera control system and method
AssigneeThomson Licensing
InventorsJEFFREY L. PARKER, DAVID F. SORRELLS
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AssigneeThomson Licensing
InventorsJEFFREY L. PARKER, DAVID F. SORRELLS
Estimating the term…
A multi-user camera control system with automatic tracking capability for use in video conferencing and similar applications includes a plurality of personal controllers, one for each person utilizing the system. Each personal controller includes a micro-computer controlled keypad and associated communication circuitry as well as optional audio and tracking capability. The controller is programmed with the capability to send commands to the camera system. The system employs programmed, automatically trackable controllers for issuing commands to control most of the functions of a camera including lens operation. Personal locator devices are electrically connected and can be programmed as a master and as slaves. In addition, a master having override features may be provided, as well as a director's locator device for system wide control.
A method of controlling the field of view controls of a camera in a system including a camera, a means for controlling the field of view variables of the camera and at least two remote control devices capable of sending commands to the means for controlling the field of view variables of the camera comprising the steps of:
A method of controlling the field of view of a camera in an automatic tracking system including a camera, a means for controlling the variables that define the field of view of the camera and at least two remote control devices automatically trackable by the tracking system and capable of sending commands to the means for controlling the field of view of the camera comprising the steps of:
A method of controlling the field of view controls of each camera in a system including at least two cameras, a means for controlling the variables that define the field of view of each camera and at least two remote control devices capable of sending commands to each means for controlling the field of view variables of the respective camera comprising the steps of:
A method of controlling the field of view controls of each camera in a automatic tracking system including at least two cameras, a means for controlling the variables that define the field of view of each camera, selectively operable switch means receiving the video output of each camera and providing an output signal, and at least two remote control devices automatically trackable by the tracking system capable of sending commands to each means for controlling the field of view variables of the respective camera and the tracking system comprising the steps of:
A system for controlling the field of view control variables of a camera comprising a camera, control means for adjusting said field of view control variables of said camera and at least two remote control devices for sending commands to said control means thereby adjusting said field of view.
A system for controlling the field of view controls of a camera comprising at least two cameras, control means for controlling the variables that define the field of view of each said camera, at least two remote control devices capable of sending commands to said control means, said control means further including automatic tracking system means for tracking each remote control device by said tracking system means, said control means including memory means for remembering each said command received and information indicative of which said remote control unit is sending said command, further including selectively operable video signal switch means for receiving video output signal from each said camera and providing a video switch output signal in response to which said video output signal is selected, said video signal switch means being operably connected to said control means, said control means being responsive to commands from each said remote control device for selectively operating said video signal switch means to select a respective video output signal as said video switch output signal.
A method of controlling the field of view control variables of a camera in a system including a camera, a means for adjusting the field of view control variables of the camera, and at least two remote control devices for sending commands to the control means for adjusting the field of view:
A method of controlling the field of view control variables of each camera in a system including at least two cameras, a means for adjusting the field of view control variables of each camera, and at least two remote control devices for sending commands to the control means for adjusting the respective field of view:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.