Patent ID: 8477177
Filing Date: 2013-07-02
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. A video conference system, comprising: a first remote presence video conference environment for establishing a remote presence video conference with a second remote presence video conference environment, each environment including a plurality of cameras, oriented to view a plurality of participant positions, and a plurality of displays; said first remote presence video conference environment having at least two operating modes; a first operating mode, in which, among said plurality of cameras, said plurality of participant positions are imaged and a signal from each camera is transmitted to a corresponding display in said second remote presence video conference environment, said first operating mode further comprising receiving signals from said second remote presence video conference environment, signals from said second remote presence video conference environment being output by said displays in said first remote presence video conference environment; a second operating mode, in which, one of said cameras is deactivated and at least one remaining camera of said plurality of cameras is reoriented so as to image more of said plurality of participant positions than in said first operating mode, said second operating mode receiving a signal from a camera in, a third video conference environment, wherein said signal from said third video conference environment is output by a display in said first remote presence video conference environment that would otherwise receive a signal coming from a camera in said second remote presence video conference environment.