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Methods of and apparatus for the generation of split-screen video displays

Assignee: Verizon Laboratories Inc
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Filing: 1986-11-24
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Granted: 1990-06-05
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Expires: 2006-11-24
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Abstract

Abstract Split-screen video displays are presented at a plurality of different sites for a video teleconference. Video cameras are focused respectively upon the conferees directly, and centrally. The displays at each site show the conferees at remote sites. The positioning of the conferees at different sites on a display is achieved electronically, as by delays of a half a line and/or delays of half a field, rather than by panning or tilting of a camera.

Inventors

  • 👤 James C. Stoddard
  • 👤 Ernest P. Tweedy

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-25 13:58
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N9/00; H04N9/44; H04N9/475; H04N5/00; H04N5/222; H04N5/262; H04N5/268

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim 85 words
A method of generating a split-screen video display for conferees located at n different sites, wherein n is an integer greater than two, comprising the steps of focusing video cameras centrally onto respective conferees at respective ones of said different sites, and providing each of said conferees with a different respective monitor display of the remaining conferees at different locations on said monitor, said provision of the different locations of said remaining conferees being determined electronically, rather than by panning or tilting of said cameras.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 85 words
A method of generating a split-screen video display for conferees located at n different sites, wherein n is an integer greater than two, comprising the steps of focusing video cameras centrally onto respective conferees at respective ones of said different sites, and providing each of said conferees with a different respective monitor display of the remaining conferees at different locations on said monitor, said provision of the different locations of said remaining conferees being determined electronically, rather than by panning or tilting of said cameras.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 25 words
The method as recited in claim 1 wherein a signal from each of said cameras can be remotely delayed a fraction of a line scan.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 24 words
The method as recited in claim 1 wherein a signal from each of said cameras can be remotely delayed a fraction of a field.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 36 words
The method as recited in claim 1 wherein one of said cameras provides, on a first output, an undelayed signal, and provides on a second output a signal delayed by a fraction of a line scan.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 14 words
The method as recited in claim 4 wherein said fraction is one-half, when n≦5.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 34 words
The method as recited in claim 1 wherein one of said cameras provides on a first output, an undelayed signal, and provides on a second output a signal delayed a fraction of a field.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 14 words
The method as recited in claim 6 wherein said fraction is one-half, when n≦5.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 69 words
The method as recited in claim 1 wherein one of said cameras provides on a first output, an undelayed signal, provides on a second output a signal delayed a fraction of a line scan, provides on a third output a signal delayed a fraction of a field, and provides on a fourth output a signal delayed by a fraction of a line scan plus a fraction of a field.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 14 words
The method as recited in claim 8 wherein said fraction is one-half, when n≦5.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 100 words
Apparatus for generating a splitscreen video display for n conferees located at n different sites, where n is an integer greater than two, comprising n video cameras focused centrally onto respective conferees at said different sites, n monitor displays, provided at said different sites, to display (n-1) conferees thereon, each monitor display at a respective site showing the conferees not present at said respective site, and electronic means for achieving the display of the remaining conferees at different locations on the monitor display at which said remaining conferees are not present, rather than by panning or tilting of said cameras.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 100 words
Apparatus for generating a splitscreen video display for n conferees located at n different sites, where n is an integer greater than two, comprising n video cameras focused centrally onto respective conferees at said different sites, n monitor displays, provided at said different sites, to display (n-1) conferees thereon, each monitor display at a respective site showing the conferees not present at said respective site, and electronic means for achieving the display of the remaining conferees at different locations on the monitor display at which said remaining conferees are not present, rather than by panning or tilting of said cameras.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 28 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 10 wherein a signal from each of said cameras at each of said sites is delayed a fraction of a line scan.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 27 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 10 wherein a signal from each of said cameras at each of said sites is delayed a fraction of a field.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 36 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 10 wherein one of said cameras provides, on a first output, an undelayed signal, and provides on a second output a signal delayed by a fraction of a line scan.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 12 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 13 wherein said fraction is one-half
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 34 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 10 wherein one of said cameras provides on a first output, an undelayed signal, and provides on a second output a signal delayed a fraction of a field.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 12 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 15 wherein said fraction is one-half.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 69 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 10 wherein one of said cameras provides on a first output, an undelayed signal, provides on a second output a signal delayed a fraction of a line scan, provides on a third output a signal delayed a fraction of a field, and provides on a fourth output a signal delayed by a fraction of a line scan plus a fraction of a field.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 12 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 17 wherein said fraction is one-half.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3207842A Cited
US3437873A Cited
US3736377A Cited
US4400724A Cited
JPS57208781A Cited
US4494144A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1993-06-04 1993-12-04 1994-06-05 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1997-06-04 1997-12-04 1998-06-05 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2001-06-04 2001-12-04 2002-06-05 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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