System and method for providing separate communication zones in a large format videoconference

摘要

A system that incorporates the subject disclosure performs, for example, displaying a video image of a remote scene at a display surface, wherein the remote scene is remote from the display surface. Overlapping video images are obtained from different vantage points of a local scene observable from the display surface. A composite video image is generated of the local scene from the video images and forwarded to the remote location. A first audio signal is generated representing first sounds associated with a first region of the local scene without representing other sounds associated with a second region of the local scene. The first audio signal is forwarded to audio processing equipment at the remote location to present the first sounds at a first region of the remote scene at the remote location without presenting the first sounds at a second region of the remote scene. Other embodiments are disclosed.

主权项

1. A system comprising:
a display device having a display surface to provide a video display of a remote scene at the display surface, wherein the remote scene is remote from the system; a plurality of video cameras positioned across the display surface and aimed at a local scene proximate to the display surface, wherein each video camera of the plurality of video cameras has a respective field of view to capture a respective portion of the local scene; a first two-way communication system positioned at a first location across the display surface of the display device, wherein the first two-way communication system comprises a first microphone device for capturing first input audio from a first source at a first personal zone and a first speaker device for generating first output audio in the first personal zone, wherein the first source comprises a first person speaking, and wherein the first personal zone is proximate to the first location of the display surface; a second two-way communication system positioned at a second location across the display surface of the display device, wherein the second two-way communication system comprises a second microphone device for capturing second input audio from a second source at a second personal zone and a second speaker device for generating second output audio in the second personal zone, wherein the second source comprises a second person speaker, wherein the second personal zone is proximate to the second location of the display surface, wherein the first two-way communication system does not capture sound from the second personal zone and does not reproduce sound that is audible in the second personal zone, and wherein the second two-way communication system does not capture sound from the first personal zone and does not reproduce sound that is audible in the first personal zone; a memory to store instructions; and a video processor coupled to the first two-way communication system and the second two-way communication system and coupled to each video camera of the plurality of video cameras and in communication with the memory, wherein the video processor, responsive to executing the instructions, performs operations comprising generating a composite image of the local scene from respective portions of the local scene.