Automated videography based communications

A method for providing video communications between at least one subject in a local environment and a remote viewer using a video communication system, comprising:

• capturing video images with the video communication system using one or more cameras, during a video communication event of one or more video scenes, which involve a subject and a local environment;
• applying current video capture settings which define subject subject framing and camera parameters, and transmitting captured video images to the remote viewer in accordance with current video capture settings;
• analyzing the video images of a current video scene to assess image quality relative to changes in subject activity and the current subject framing;
• determining a need to change subject framing to improve video image quality and presentation to the remote viewer based on the assessment of image quality;
• determining whether the changes in subject activity, relative to the subject framing, correspond to an intra-scene transition or an inter-scene transition;
• determining new subject framing and new video capture settings for a scene-transition, whether intra-scene or inter-scene;
• automatically modifying ongoing video image capture in accordance with the newly determined video capture settings;
• and
• providing video images to the remote viewer using the video capture settings.

A video communication system, comprising:

• an image display device adapted to display video images;
• at least one image capture device which acquires framed video images of a local environment having at least one subject therein during a video capture event, according to defined video capture settings, which include a current shot selection and current shot framing of the subject;
• an audio system having an audio capture device operable to sense sound in the local environment in accordance with audio settings;
• a computer cooperating with the at least one image capture device, the audio system, and an image processor, to generate video signals based upon the acquired video images, wherein said video signals are then transmitted across a communicative network;
• said computer further providing a contextual interface including a scene analysis algorithm for identifying potential intra-scene transitions or inter-scene transitions in subject activity during the video capture event, as measured by subject activity metrics relative to the current shot framing;
• and
• the contextual interface further including a video capture management algorithm for determining adjustments in video capture settings appropriate for identified intra-scene transitions or inter-scene transitions, wherein the identified adjustments in the video capture settings include changes in the shot framing of the subject within the video image or a shot transition delay time or a shot change transition time.