Video retrieval from multiple video cameras in a video conference space

A method comprising:

• capturing video with a plurality of video cameras with different views in a video conference space during a video conference session;
• and
• at a central control device that is in communication with the plurality of video cameras:
• requesting from a first one or more video cameras one or more snapshots of video;
• requesting a second one or more video cameras to analyze video captured by the second one or more video cameras to determine person identity, pose and position and send metadata representing analysis results to the central control device;
• analyzing the one or more of snapshots for person identity, pose and position information obtained from the first one or more video cameras or the metadata from the second one or more video cameras;
• and
• selecting one or more video cameras from which to receive a video stream based on the analyzing to generate an output video stream.

An apparatus comprising:

• a network interface configured to enable network communication with a plurality of video cameras configured to capture video with different views in a video conference space during a video conference session;
• a memory;
• and
• a processor configured to execute instructions stored in the memory to perform operations including:
• requesting from a first one or more video cameras one or more snapshots of video;
• requesting a second one or more video cameras to analyze video captured by the second one or more video cameras to determine person identity, pose and position and send metadata representing analysis results to the apparatus;
• analyzing the one or more of snapshots for person identity, pose and position information obtained from the first one or more video cameras or the metadata from the second one or more video cameras;
• and
• selecting one or more video cameras from which to receive a video stream based on the analyzing to generate an output video stream.