US6554433B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Office workspace having a multi-surface projection and a multi-camera system
Assignee: Intel Corp
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Filing: 2000-06-30
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Granted: 2003-04-29
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Expires: 2020-06-30
Abstract
Abstract According to one embodiment of the invention, an apparatus is provided that includes a projection screen located on a wall of a workspace. The apparatus also includes a frontal-view camera located behind the projection screen. The frontal view camera captures a frontal-view image of the workspace through a hole in the projection screen. Additionally, the apparatus includes a projector to project an image of an individual outside the workspace onto the projection screen, such that the hole is located within a face of the image of the individual.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark Holler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 15:42
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B21/00; H; H04; H04N; H04N7/00; H04N7/14; H04N7/141; H04N7/142; H04N7/144
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
An apparatus comprising: a projection screen located on a wall of a workspace; a projector to project an image of an individual outside the workspace onto the projection screen; and a frontal-view camera located behind the projection screen, the frontal-view camera to capture a frontal-view image of a user of the workspace through a hole in the projection screen, the hole located within a face of the image of the individual, wherein a lens of the frontal-view camera is facing the user and wherein an optical axis of the frontal-view camera is not perpendicular to a plane of a front surface of the projector screen.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
105 words
An apparatus comprising: a projection screen located on a wall of a workspace; a projector to project an image of an individual outside the workspace onto the projection screen; and a frontal-view camera located behind the projection screen, the frontal-view camera to capture a frontal-view image of a user of the workspace through a hole in the projection screen, the hole located within a face of the image of the individual, wherein a lens of the frontal-view camera is facing the user and wherein an optical axis of the frontal-view camera is not perpendicular to a plane of a front surface of the projector screen.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the hole in the projection screen is covered with a mesh gauze.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the frontal-view camera includes a telephoto lens having a focal length of approximately 8 millimeters for a charge couple device (CCD) sensor, wherein the CCD sensor is approximately one-third of an inch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a projection surface of the projection screen includes bevels.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein an optical axis of the projector is approximately perpendicular to the projection screen.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
124 words
An apparatus comprising: a first projection screen located on a first wall of a workspace; a second projection screen located on a second wall of the workspace a frontal-view camera located behind the second projection screen, the frontal view camera to capture a frontal view image of the workspace through a hole in the second projection screen; and a first projector to project a screen image for a computer onto the first projection screen, wherein the first projector is located across from the first projection screen; and a second projector to project an image of an individual outside the workspace such that the hole is located within the image of the individual, wherein the second projector is located across from the second projection screen.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
124 words
An apparatus comprising: a first projection screen located on a first wall of a workspace; a second projection screen located on a second wall of the workspace a frontal-view camera located behind the second projection screen, the frontal view camera to capture a frontal view image of the workspace through a hole in the second projection screen; and a first projector to project a screen image for a computer onto the first projection screen, wherein the first projector is located across from the first projection screen; and a second projector to project an image of an individual outside the workspace such that the hole is located within the image of the individual, wherein the second projector is located across from the second projection screen.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the hole in the second projection screen is covered with a mesh gauze.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the first projector and the second projector are hung from a first flipper cabinet and a second flipper cabinet coupled to the first wall and the second wall, respectively.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the frontal view camera includes a telephoto lens having a focal length of approximately 8 millimeters.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the individual outside the workspace and an individual in the workspace can video teleconference using a communications link between the computer in the workspace and a computer that the individual outside the workspace is using.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the individual outside the workspace and the individual in the workspace share a user interface to an application program running on the computer that the individual outside the workspace is using or the computer in the workspace.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein a projection surface of the first projection screen and a projection surface of the second projection screen include bevels.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
194 words
An apparatus comprising: a first projection screen located on a first wall of a workspace, the workspace having a desktop; a second projection screen located on a second wall of the workspace a frontal-view camera located behind the second projection screen, the frontal view camera to capture a frontal-view image of a user of the workspace through a hole in the second projection screen; and a first projector to project a screen image for a computer onto the first projection screen, wherein the first projector is located across from the first projection screen; and a second projector to project an image of an individual outside the workspace such that the hole is located within the image of the individual, wherein the second projector is located across from the second projection screen; a top-view camera located above the workspace, the top-view camera to capture a top-view image of the desktop of the workspace; and a third projector to project the screen image onto the desktop of the workspace, the screen image projected onto the desktop having virtual controls to control the computer, wherein the top-view image can include body gestures for controlling the virtual controls.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
194 words
An apparatus comprising: a first projection screen located on a first wall of a workspace, the workspace having a desktop; a second projection screen located on a second wall of the workspace a frontal-view camera located behind the second projection screen, the frontal view camera to capture a frontal-view image of a user of the workspace through a hole in the second projection screen; and a first projector to project a screen image for a computer onto the first projection screen, wherein the first projector is located across from the first projection screen; and a second projector to project an image of an individual outside the workspace such that the hole is located within the image of the individual, wherein the second projector is located across from the second projection screen; a top-view camera located above the workspace, the top-view camera to capture a top-view image of the desktop of the workspace; and a third projector to project the screen image onto the desktop of the workspace, the screen image projected onto the desktop having virtual controls to control the computer, wherein the top-view image can include body gestures for controlling the virtual controls.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the body gestures control the computer independent of the virtual controls.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the virtual controls include an icon image representing an icon on the screen image for the computer, such that one body gesture of the body gestures activates an application associated with the icon, wherein the one body gesture is a body movement across the icon image.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein a projection surface of the first projection screen and a projection surface of the second projection screen include bevels.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
97 words
A method comprising: projecting, onto a projection screen on a wall of a workspace, an image of an individual outside the workspace; and capturing a frontal-view image of a user of the workspace using a camera, such that a lens of the camera is facing the user and is located behind a hole in the projection screen, wherein the hole is located within a face region of the image of the individual on the projection screen, wherein an optical axis of the camera is not perpendicular to a plane of a front surface of the projection screen.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
97 words
A method comprising: projecting, onto a projection screen on a wall of a workspace, an image of an individual outside the workspace; and capturing a frontal-view image of a user of the workspace using a camera, such that a lens of the camera is facing the user and is located behind a hole in the projection screen, wherein the hole is located within a face region of the image of the individual on the projection screen, wherein an optical axis of the camera is not perpendicular to a plane of a front surface of the projection screen.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 17 , wherein the hole in the projection screen is covered with a mesh gauze.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 17 , wherein the frontal-view camera includes a telephoto lens having a focal length of approximately 8 millimeters.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 17 , wherein the workspace includes an office cubicle.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
86 words
A method comprising: projecting, onto a first projection screen on a first wall of a workspace, a screen image of a computer; projecting, onto a second projection screen on a second wall of the workspace, an image of an individual outside the workspace; capturing a frontal-view image of the workspace using a camera such that a lens of the camera is located in a hole in the first projection screen, wherein the hole is located within the image of the individual on the first projection screen.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
86 words
A method comprising: projecting, onto a first projection screen on a first wall of a workspace, a screen image of a computer; projecting, onto a second projection screen on a second wall of the workspace, an image of an individual outside the workspace; capturing a frontal-view image of the workspace using a camera such that a lens of the camera is located in a hole in the first projection screen, wherein the hole is located within the image of the individual on the first projection screen.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 21 , wherein the individual outside the workspace and an individual in the workspace can video teleconference using a communications link between the computer in the workspace and a computer that the individual outside the workspace is using.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 21 , wherein the individual outside the workspace and the individual in the workspace share a user interface for the computer that the individual outside the workspace is using or the computer in the workspace.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
152 words
A method comprising: projecting, onto a first projection screen on a first wall of a workspace, a screen image of a computer; projecting, onto a second projection screen on a second wall of the workspace, an image of an individual outside the workspace; capturing a frontal-view image of the workspace using a frontal-view camera, such that a lens of the frontal-view camera is located behind a hole in the first projection screen, wherein the hole is located within a face of the image of the individual on the first projection screen; capturing a top-view image of a desktop of the workspace using a top-view camera; and projecting, onto the desktop of the workspace, the screen image of the computer, the screen image projected onto the desktop having virtual controls for controlling the computer, wherein the top-view image can include body gestures from an individual in the workspace for controlling the virtual controls.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
152 words
A method comprising: projecting, onto a first projection screen on a first wall of a workspace, a screen image of a computer; projecting, onto a second projection screen on a second wall of the workspace, an image of an individual outside the workspace; capturing a frontal-view image of the workspace using a frontal-view camera, such that a lens of the frontal-view camera is located behind a hole in the first projection screen, wherein the hole is located within a face of the image of the individual on the first projection screen; capturing a top-view image of a desktop of the workspace using a top-view camera; and projecting, onto the desktop of the workspace, the screen image of the computer, the screen image projected onto the desktop having virtual controls for controlling the computer, wherein the top-view image can include body gestures from an individual in the workspace for controlling the virtual controls.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 24 , the body gestures control the user interface of the computer independent of the virtual controls.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 24 , wherein the virtual controls include an icon image representing an icon on the screen image of the computer such that one body gesture of the body gestures activates an application associated with the icon, wherein the one body gesture is a body movement across the icon image.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
171 words
A machine-readable medium that provides instructions, which when executed by a machine, cause said machine to perform operations comprising: projecting, onto a first projection screen on a first wall of a workspace, a screen image of a computer; projecting, onto a second projection screen on a second wall of the workspace, an image of an individual outside the workspace; capturing a frontal-view image of a user of the workspace using a frontal-view camera, such that a lens of the frontal-view camera is located behind a hole in the first projection screen, wherein the hole is located within a face of the image of the individual on the first projection screen; capturing a top-view image of a desktop of the workspace using a top-view camera; and projecting, onto the desktop of the workspace, the screen image of the computer, the screen image projected onto the desktop having virtual controls for controlling the computer, wherein the top-view image can include body gestures from an individual in the workspace for controlling the virtual controls.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
171 words
A machine-readable medium that provides instructions, which when executed by a machine, cause said machine to perform operations comprising: projecting, onto a first projection screen on a first wall of a workspace, a screen image of a computer; projecting, onto a second projection screen on a second wall of the workspace, an image of an individual outside the workspace; capturing a frontal-view image of a user of the workspace using a frontal-view camera, such that a lens of the frontal-view camera is located behind a hole in the first projection screen, wherein the hole is located within a face of the image of the individual on the first projection screen; capturing a top-view image of a desktop of the workspace using a top-view camera; and projecting, onto the desktop of the workspace, the screen image of the computer, the screen image projected onto the desktop having virtual controls for controlling the computer, wherein the top-view image can include body gestures from an individual in the workspace for controlling the virtual controls.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
37 words
The machine-readable medium of claim 27 , further comprising: capturing a gaze of the individual; and placing a mouse pointer of the screen image of the computer on a projection screen to which the individual is gazing.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
23 words
The machine-readable medium of claim 27 , wherein the body gestures control the user interface of the computer independent of the virtual controls.
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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) | 2006-04-28 | 2006-10-28 | 2007-04-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-04-28 | 2010-10-28 | 2011-04-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-04-28 | 2014-10-28 | 2015-04-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |