Telepresence system, method and computer program product

A method for providing a telepresence conference between local multiscreen telepresence system and at least a remote multiscreen telepresence system at a remote site, comprising steps of:

• displaying on a first high definition display screen a first remote video image at said remote site, said first remote video image being of a left-hand portion of the remote site;
• capturing with a first video camera an image of a right-hand portion of the local site;
• sending from a first transceiver a first local video image from the first video camera to a corresponding transceiver at the remote site for display on a first remote display;
• displaying on a second high definition display screen a second remote video image at said remote site, said second remote video image being of a right-hand portion of the remote site;
• capturing with a second video camera a left-hand portion of the local site;
• and
• sending from a second transceiver a second video image from the second video camera to a corresponding transceiver at the remote site for display on a second remote display, wherein
• a first angle of view from the right-hand side of the local site to the first high definition display screen and a first angle of incidence from the right-hand side of the local site to the first video camera being approximately equal,
• a second angle of view from the left-hand side of the local site to the second high definition display screen and a second predetermined angle of incidence from the second video camera being approximately equal,
• said left-hand side and said right-hand side being with respect to a direction facing respective display surfaces of said first and second high definition display screens, and
• said first high definition display screen being positioned on a right side of said second high definition display screen at said local site,
• wherein a telepresence conference is initiated from only one of the first transceiver and the second transceiver to the remote multiscreen telepresence system with one telepresence call that includes an IP packet with a TPX message informing the remote multiscreen telepresence system of one or more addresses of respective codecs at the local multiscreen telepresence system.

A non-transitory computer readable medium having computer readable instructions that when executed by a processor perform a method for providing a telepresence conference between local multiscreen telepresence system and at least a remote multiscreen telepresence system at a remote site, said method comprising steps of:

• displaying on a first high definition display screen a first remote video image at said remote site, said first remote video image being of a left-hand portion of the remote site;
• capturing with a first video camera an image of a right-hand portion of the local site;
• sending from a first transceiver a first local video image from the first video camera to a corresponding transceiver at the remote site for display on a first remote display;
• displaying on a second high definition display screen a second remote video image at said remote site, said second remote video image being of a right-hand portion of the remote site;
• capturing with a second video camera a left-hand portion of the local site;
• and
• sending from a second transceiver a second video image from the second video camera to a corresponding transceiver at the remote site for display on a second remote display, wherein
• a first angle of view from the right-hand side of the local site to the first high definition display screen and a first angle of incidence from the right-hand side of the local site to the first video camera being approximately equal,
• a second angle of view from the left-hand side of the local site to the second high definition display screen and a second predetermined angle of incidence from the second video camera being approximately equal,
• said left-hand side and said right-hand side being with respect to a direction facing respective display surfaces of said first and second high definition display screens, and
• said first high definition display screen being positioned on a right side of said second high definition display screen at said local site,
• wherein a telepresence conference is initiated from only one of the first transceiver and the second transceiver to the remote multiscreen telepresence system with one telepresence call that includes an IP packet with a TPX message informing the remote multiscreen telepresence system of one or more addresses of respective codecs at the local multiscreen telepresence system.

A multiscreen telepresence system comprising:

• a controller;
• a plurality of local transceivers having respective addresses and controlled by said controller, said controller configured to initiate a telepresence call with a remote multiscreen telepresence system at a remote site over a communication network, said telepresence call including an indication in a calling signal that the call is a telepresence call that informs the remote site of addresses of the local transceivers, wherein
• said plurality of local transceivers including a first local transceiver associated with a first high definition display screen and a first camera, and configured to communicate in a point-to-point connection with a corresponding first remote transceiver at said remote site after said telepresence call has been established,
• said plurality of local transceivers including a second transceiver associated with a second display and a second camera, and configured to communicate in a point-to-point connection with a corresponding second remote transceiver at said remote site, wherein
• said first local transceiver being configured to receive an incoming first video stream from said first remote transceiver of a first portion of said remote site and display a corresponding image on said first display, said corresponding image being captured by a first camera at said remote site,
• said second local transceiver being configured to receive an incoming second video stream from said second remote transceiver of a second portion of said remote site and display a corresponding image on said second display, said corresponding image being captured by a second camera at said remote site,
• said first image being different than said second image,
• at least a portion of said network including traffic from equipment other than that used for said telepresence call,
• wherein a telepresence conference is initiated from only one of the first transceiver and the second transceiver to the remote multiscreen telepresence system with one telepresence call that includes an IP packet with a TPX message informing the remote multiscreen telepresence system of one or more addresses of respective codecs at the local multiscreen telepresence system.

A method for establishing communications in a telepresence system comprising steps of:

• initiating from a controller a single call with a remote multiscreen telepresence system at a remote site over a non-dedicated communication network, said initiating step including forming a calling signal with an indication that the call is a telepresence call that informs the remote site of addresses of local transceivers;
• receiving said calling signal at said remote site;
• replying from said remote site with point to point connections between respective transceivers at a local site and said remote site, said respective transceivers including
• a first local transceiver associated with a first high definition display screen and a first camera,
• a second transceiver associated with a second display and a second camera,
• receiving an incoming first video stream at said first local transceiver from said first remote transceiver of a first portion of said remote site and displaying a corresponding image on a first display, said corresponding image being captured by a first camera at said remote site,
• receiving an incoming second video stream at said second local transceiver from said second remote transceiver of a second portion of said remote site and displaying a corresponding image on a second display, said corresponding image being captured by a second camera at said remote site,
• said first image being different than said second image,
• at least a portion of said network including traffic other than for said telepresence call,
• wherein a telepresence conference is initiated from only one of the first transceiver and the second transceiver to the remote multiscreen telepresence system with one telepresence call that includes an IP packet with a TPX message informing the remote multiscreen telepresence system of one or more addresses of respective codecs at the local multiscreen telepresence system.

A non-transitory computer readable medium having computer readable instructions that when executed by a processor perform a method for establishing communications in a telepresence system comprising steps of:

• initiating from a controller a single call with a remote multiscreen telepresence system at a remote site over a non-dedicated communication network, said initiating step including forming a calling signal with an indication that the call is a telepresence call that informs the remote site of addresses of local transceivers;
• receiving said calling signal at said remote site;
• replying from said remote site with point to point connections between respective transceivers at a local site and said remote site, said respective transceivers including
• a first local transceiver associated with a first high definition display screen and a first camera,
• a second transceiver associated with a second display and a second camera,
• receiving an incoming first video stream at said first local transceiver from said first remote transceiver of a first portion of said remote site and displaying a corresponding image on a first display, said corresponding image being captured by a first camera at said remote site,
• receiving an incoming second video stream at said second local transceiver from said second remote transceiver of a second portion of said remote site and displaying a corresponding image on a second display, said corresponding image being captured by a second camera at said remote site,
• said first image being different than said second image,
• at least a portion of said network including traffic other than for said telepresence call,
• wherein a telepresence conference is initiated from only one of the first transceiver and the second transceiver to the remote multiscreen telepresence system with one telepresence call that includes an IP packet with a TPX message informing the remote multiscreen telepresence system of one or more addresses of respective codecs at the local multiscreen telepresence system.