Patent ID: 6243471
Filing Date: 2001-06-05
Classification: G01V,H04N

Abstract:
A camera steering apparatus for use in a video teleconferencing system, the apparatus being responsive to at least three microphones arrangeable in a plurality of sets, each set including two or more microphones, the apparatus comprising:a data processor, coupled with the microphones, for responding to receipt of a source signal by the microphones, the data processor includingi) means for identifying a bearing line, each bearing line representing a locus of potential source locations, and each bearing line being defined as a function of the locations of microphones in the plurality of sets and a time difference of arrival signal of the source signal at those microphones, andii) intersection-finding means for generating a location signal representing a location of the source as a function of the points of closest intersection of a plurality of bearing lines, andat least one motor for steering a camera towards the source as a function of the location signal.