Patent ID: 6535226
Filing Date: 2003-03-18
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
A telepresence system for allowing a first user, in response to at least one first input, to navigate along a first path through an environment and a second user, in response to at least one second input, to navigate along a second path through the environment independently of the first user, the system comprising:an array of cameras including a first series of cameras defining the first path through the environment, wherein the cameras in the first series have progressively different perspectives of the environment along the first path, and a second series of cameras defining the second path through the environment, wherein the cameras in the second series have progressively different perspectives of the environment along the second path; at least one processing element coupled to the array, the processing element configured to select outputs of cameras in the first series, based on the first inputs, and to cause the selected outputs of cameras in the first series to be sequentially provided to the first user, thereby allowing the first user to progressively navigate through the environment along the first path, the at least one processing element also configured to select outputs of cameras in the second series, based on the second inputs, and to cause the selected outputs of cameras in the second series to be sequentially provided to the second user, thereby allowing the first user and second user to navigate simultaneously and independently through the environment along paths defined by cameras.