US5850250A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Video distance learning system
Assignee: Verizon Maryland Inc
•
Filing: 1994-07-18
•
Granted: 1998-12-15
•
Expires: 2014-07-18
Abstract
Abstract A video distance learning system including a teaching classroom connected to remote learning classrooms by a fiber-optic communication network. The teaching classroom includes at least a rear audio/video cabinet housing four video monitors and a camera. The remote classrooms have front cabinets with four monitors and a camera. In a normal operating mode, one of the video monitors will display the teacher, while the other three monitors display classroom images. A rear video camera mounted is focused on the teacher and a front video camera may be focused on the students. The front video cabinet may have a graphics or document camera is also provided on the front video cabinet. The document camera points downward at a light table to image materials such as books, pictures and overhead transparencies. The teacher may switch between the rear camera, the front camera and the document camera. A teacher's work station, may be located at the front of the teaching classroom. A control panel allows the teacher to control all devices located within the room, such as volume, displays, or focus. The work station may also include a personal computer interfacing with the network to schedule classes. The video distance learning system facilitates eye contact between the teacher in a teaching classroom and students in remote classrooms.
Inventors
- 👤 Miles A. Konopka
- 👤 John A. Powers, III
- 👤 Ray McNew
- 👤 Angelo T. Meola
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 08:57
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B5/00; H; H04; H04N; H04N7/00; H04N7/14; H04N7/15
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 50
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
A video distance learning classroom, comprising: a first audio/video station located proximal to a rear of the classroom and comprising at least: a rear video camera; a primary video monitor connected to display a video image received by said rear video camera; and a plurality of secondary video monitors each connected to display images received through a communications port; a second audio/video station located proximal to a front of the classroom and comprising at least: one or more video cameras connected to said communications port; a primary video monitor connected to display a video image received by said rear video camera; and a plurality of secondary video monitors each connected to display images received through said communications port.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
A video distance learning classroom, comprising: a first audio/video station located proximal to a rear of the classroom and comprising at least: a rear video camera; a primary video monitor connected to display a video image received by said rear video camera; and a plurality of secondary video monitors each connected to display images received through a communications port; a second audio/video station located proximal to a front of the classroom and comprising at least: one or more video cameras connected to said communications port; a primary video monitor connected to display a video image received by said rear video camera; and a plurality of secondary video monitors each connected to display images received through said communications port.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The video distance learning classroom according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of secondary video monitors of said first audio/video station comprise three secondary video monitors, each connected to display images, received through said communications port, of three remote classrooms.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The video distance learning classroom according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of secondary video monitors of said second audio/video station comprise three secondary video monitors, each connected to display images, received through said communications port, of three remote classrooms.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The video distance learning classroom according to claim 1, further comprising a rear video camera controller connected to said rear video camera.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The video distance learning classroom according to claim 1, further comprising a controller connected to each of said one or more video cameras.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The video distance learning classroom according to claim 1, further comprising a document table located near the front of the classroom and a document camera positioned to image said document table.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The video distance learning classroom according to claim 6, wherein said document camera is fixedly mounted to a side of the second audio/video station.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The video distance learning classroom according to claim 6, further comprising a preview monitor connected to said document camera, displaying a graphical video image received by said document camera.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The video distance learning classroom according to claim 8, wherein said preview monitor is located in a side of said second audio/video station.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The video distance learning classroom according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of microphones.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The video distance learning classroom according to claim 10, further comprising one or more microphone mixers connected to outputs of said microphones.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The video distance learning classroom according to claim 11, further comprising one or more line mixers connected to said one or more microphone mixers and communication port audio signals.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
The video distance learning classroom according to claim 12, further comprising one or more audio amplifiers and loudspeakers positioned within said second audio/video station and connected to one of said one or more line mixers.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The video distance learning classroom according to claim 1, further comprising one or more auxiliary video transmitting devices connected to an auxiliary input in said second audio/video station.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
64 words
The video distance learning classroom according to claim 14, further comprising one or more video switchers having inputs connected to said rear video camera, said one or more video cameras and said auxiliary input, and having a first output connected to a video distribution amplifier and a plurality of secondary outputs connected to said plurality of secondary video monitors of said second audio/video station.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
43 words
The video distance learning classroom according to claim 15, wherein said each of said plurality of video monitors of said second audio/video station is connected to an input on a corresponding one of said plurality of video monitors of said first audio/video station.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The video distance learning classroom according to claim 1, further comprising a teacher workstation, said teacher workstation including an audio and video output control panel.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The video distance learning classroom according to claim 17, wherein said control panel further comprises a touch screen liquid crystal display panel.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
The video distance learning classroom according to claim 17, wherein said teacher workstation further comprises a personal computer interfaced through said communications port with a network scheduler.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
111 words
A video distance learning system, comprising: a teaching classroom comprising: a rear cabinet comprising: a rear video camera receiving a first video image; a plurality of rear video monitors; a front cabinet comprising: one or more video cameras receiving a second video image for output onto a communication network; a plurality of front video monitors; a plurality of remote student classrooms, each student classroom comprising: a front cabinet comprising: one or more video cameras receiving a second video image for output onto the network; a plurality of front video monitors; and wherein said communications network provides a video and audio link between said teaching classroom and said plurality of student classrooms.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
111 words
A video distance learning system, comprising: a teaching classroom comprising: a rear cabinet comprising: a rear video camera receiving a first video image; a plurality of rear video monitors; a front cabinet comprising: one or more video cameras receiving a second video image for output onto a communication network; a plurality of front video monitors; a plurality of remote student classrooms, each student classroom comprising: a front cabinet comprising: one or more video cameras receiving a second video image for output onto the network; a plurality of front video monitors; and wherein said communications network provides a video and audio link between said teaching classroom and said plurality of student classrooms.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
44 words
The video distance learning system according to claim 20, wherein said plurality of rear video monitors comprise: a primary video monitor displaying said first video image; and a plurality of secondary video monitors displaying a corresponding plurality of video images received from the network.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
44 words
The video distance learning system according to claim 20, wherein said plurality of front video monitors comprises: a primary video monitor displaying said first video image; and a plurality of secondary video monitors displaying a corresponding plurality of video images received from the network.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
The video distance learning system according to claim 20, wherein said plurality of remote student classrooms comprises three remote student classrooms.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
116 words
A video distance learning workstation for connecting to a communications network, comprising: a first video camera receiving a first video image; a second video camera receiving a second video image; a primary video monitor, selectively displaying one of said first video image or said second video image; a plurality of secondary video monitors displaying a corresponding plurality of video images received from the network wherein said plurality of secondary video monitors comprise three front secondary video monitors and three rear secondary video monitors, and said corresponding plurality of video images comprises three video images corresponding to video images from three remote classrooms; a third video camera receiving a third video image for output to the network.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
116 words
A video distance learning workstation for connecting to a communications network, comprising: a first video camera receiving a first video image; a second video camera receiving a second video image; a primary video monitor, selectively displaying one of said first video image or said second video image; a plurality of secondary video monitors displaying a corresponding plurality of video images received from the network wherein said plurality of secondary video monitors comprise three front secondary video monitors and three rear secondary video monitors, and said corresponding plurality of video images comprises three video images corresponding to video images from three remote classrooms; a third video camera receiving a third video image for output to the network.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
28 words
The video distance learning workstation according to claim 24, further comprising a coder/decoder device transmitting audio/video signals to the communication network and receiving audio/video signals from the network.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
21 words
The video distance learning workstation according to claim 24, further comprising a controller connected to said first and third video cameras.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
19 words
The video distance learning workstation according to claim 24, further comprising a controller connected to said second video camera.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
25 words
The video distance learning workstation according to claim 24, further comprising a preview monitor connected to said second video camera displaying said second video image.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
15 words
The video distance learning workstation according to claim 24, further comprising a plurality of microphones.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
20 words
The video distance learning workstation according to claim 29, further comprising one or more microphone mixers connected to said microphones.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
26 words
The video distance learning workstation according to claim 30, further comprising one or more line mixers connected to said microphone mixers and network audio signal inputs.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
23 words
The video distance learning workstation according to claim 31, further comprising one or more loudspeakers connected to said one or more line mixers.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
23 words
The video distance learning workstation according to claim 24, further comprising one or more auxiliary video transmitting devices connected to an auxiliary input.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
56 words
The video distance learning workstation according to claim 33, further comprising one or more video switchers having inputs connected to said first, second and third video cameras and said auxiliary input, and having a first output connected to a video distribution amplifier and a plurality of secondary outputs connected to said plurality of secondary video monitors.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
17 words
The video distance learning workstation according to claim 24, further comprising an audio and video output controller.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
21 words
The video distance learning workstation according to claim 35, wherein said controller further comprises a touch screen liquid crystal display panel.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
18 words
The video distance learning workstation according to claim 24, further including a scheduling computer interfacing with the network.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
110 words
A video distance instruction method comprising the steps of: shooting video images in each of a plurality of classrooms wherein at least one of said video images is an instructional video image; displaying a plurality of said video images including at least said instructional video image in the front of each of said classrooms; receiving audio signals in each of said classrooms; transmitting audio signal to each of said classrooms; combining said audio signals in at least one of said classrooms; playing said combined audio signals in said at least one classroom; displaying a plurality of said video images in the rear of a classroom originating an instructional video image.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
110 words
A video distance instruction method comprising the steps of: shooting video images in each of a plurality of classrooms wherein at least one of said video images is an instructional video image; displaying a plurality of said video images including at least said instructional video image in the front of each of said classrooms; receiving audio signals in each of said classrooms; transmitting audio signal to each of said classrooms; combining said audio signals in at least one of said classrooms; playing said combined audio signals in said at least one classroom; displaying a plurality of said video images in the rear of a classroom originating an instructional video image.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
110 words
A video distance learning classroom, comprising: a first station located proximal to a rear of the classroom and comprising at least: a rear video camera; a primary video monitor connected to display a video image received by said rear video camera; and a secondary video monitor connected to display an image received through a communications port; a second station located proximal to a front of the classroom and comprising at least: one video camera connected to said communications port; a primary video monitor connected to display a video image received by said rear video camera; and a secondary video monitor connected to display an image received through said communications port.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
110 words
A video distance learning classroom, comprising: a first station located proximal to a rear of the classroom and comprising at least: a rear video camera; a primary video monitor connected to display a video image received by said rear video camera; and a secondary video monitor connected to display an image received through a communications port; a second station located proximal to a front of the classroom and comprising at least: one video camera connected to said communications port; a primary video monitor connected to display a video image received by said rear video camera; and a secondary video monitor connected to display an image received through said communications port.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
110 words
A video distance learning system, comprising: a teaching classroom comprising: a rear video camera receiving a first video image; a plurality of rear video monitors; one or more video cameras located proximal to the front of said teaching classroom receiving a second video image for output onto a network; a plurality of front video monitors; at least one remote student classroom comprising at least: a video camera located proximal to the front of said remote student classroom, receiving a second video image for output onto the network; a plurality of front video monitors; wherein said network provides a video and audio link between said teaching classroom and said student classroom.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
110 words
A video distance learning system, comprising: a teaching classroom comprising: a rear video camera receiving a first video image; a plurality of rear video monitors; one or more video cameras located proximal to the front of said teaching classroom receiving a second video image for output onto a network; a plurality of front video monitors; at least one remote student classroom comprising at least: a video camera located proximal to the front of said remote student classroom, receiving a second video image for output onto the network; a plurality of front video monitors; wherein said network provides a video and audio link between said teaching classroom and said student classroom.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
135 words
A video distance learning workstation for connecting to a communications network, comprising: a first video camera receiving a first video image; a second video camera receiving a second video image; a primary video monitor, selectively displaying one of said first video image or said second video image; a plurality of secondary video monitors displaying a corresponding plurality of video images received from the network; a third video camera receiving a third video image for output to the network; at least one auxiliary video transmitting devices connected to an auxiliary input; at least one video switchers having inputs connected to said first, second and third video cameras and said auxiliary input, and having a first output connected to a video distribution amplifier and a plurality of secondary outputs connected to said plurality of secondary video monitors.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
135 words
A video distance learning workstation for connecting to a communications network, comprising: a first video camera receiving a first video image; a second video camera receiving a second video image; a primary video monitor, selectively displaying one of said first video image or said second video image; a plurality of secondary video monitors displaying a corresponding plurality of video images received from the network; a third video camera receiving a third video image for output to the network; at least one auxiliary video transmitting devices connected to an auxiliary input; at least one video switchers having inputs connected to said first, second and third video cameras and said auxiliary input, and having a first output connected to a video distribution amplifier and a plurality of secondary outputs connected to said plurality of secondary video monitors.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
28 words
The video distance learning workstation according to claim 41, further comprising a coder/decoder device transmitting audio/video signals to the communication network and receiving audio/video signals from the network.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
18 words
The video distance learning workstation according to claim 41, further including a scheduling computer interfacing with the network.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-12-14 | 2002-06-15 | 2002-12-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-12-14 | 2006-06-15 | 2006-12-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-12-14 | 2010-06-15 | 2010-12-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |