Patent ID: 6288753
Filing Date: 2001-09-11
Classification: G09B,H04L,H04N

Abstract:
A system for providing live interactive distance learning to at least one end user situated at a remote location, said system comprising:a video recording means for producing a real-time video/audio signal of an instructor, at another location different from said remote location, against a blue background;a video background generation means for providing at least one background signal of an instructional background;a video mixer means, coupled to said video recording means and to said video background generation means, for combining said real-time video/audio signal with said at least one background signal to generate a real-time instruction video/audio signal which virtually positions said instructor in front of said instructional background;first communication means coupled between said video mixer means and said remote location for transmitting said real-time instruction video/audio signal to said remote location;at least one display positioned at said remote location for displaying said real-time instruction video/audio signal to end users at said remote location such that said instructor is depicted as being able to move around the at least one display in front of said instructional background;a second display positioned at said another location, said second display being coupled to said video mixer means for displaying said real-time instruction video/audio signal to said instructor;wherein said video background generation means comprises a software application station coupled to said video mixer means, said software application station running a software application thereat and providing said at least one background signal of said instructional background to said video mixer means, said instructional background being a display screen of said software application;a computer end user workstation located at said remote location and wherein said computer end user workstation is operating said software application such that said computer end user workstation can modify said at least one background signal; andwherein said computer end user workstation is coupled to the Internet and wherein said software application station is also coupled to said Internet, said computer end user workstation and said software application station having respective sharing and collaboration software applications activated in order to permit said computer end user workstation to control the software application station.