Network videoconferencing system

摘要

A videoconferencing system which readily accommodates new devices and new features. A plurality of devices ( 10, 12-18, 20-22) are connected to a network (23) by a plurality of network converters (11). A controller (10) contains software pertinent to each type of converter and the device to which it is connected. The controller (10) loads the appropriate software into each converter (11) so that each converter is then configured for the device (10, 12-18, 20-22) to which it is connected. User instructions are provided by a mouse (12), a control panel (13), or a joystick (18) to the controller (10). The controller (10) interprets the instructions to determine the action required and sends an appropriate command to the selected device. The present invention also provides a method for automatically positioning the camera, automatically zooming and focusing the camera, and for automatically adjusting the pan and tilt rates, and the zoom and focus during pan and tilt operations.