Abstract:
An apparatus and system for improving the projection of a remote conferee&#39;s presence and improving eye contact between the remote video conferee and proximate conferee during a videoconference is disclosed. The image of the remote conferee&#39;s face is shown on a video monitor with a camera located along the eye level of the image of the remote conferee&#39;s face, and within the interocular distance of about 1.5 inches to 3 inches. A feedback screen showing the image of the proximate video conferee is also located near the camera and preferably within the interocular distance. Because the camera is within the interocular distance the proximate conferee will appear, to the remote conferee, to be looking at the eyes of the remote conferee when looking at the monitor, because the camera is within the interocular distance. This will be accentuated when the proximate conferee uses the feedback image, which is near the camera. A rotation member can be provided to rotate the screen and camera from a regular position to a portrait position. The camera may be rotated about a ball joint to increase the remote conferee&#39;s view. The camera apparatus can also be in a form of a camera/monitor unit that can be placed on a video monitor, and preferably closer to the user than the monitor. The camera/monitor unit has a cover that can cover the camera when not in use. The inside surface of the cover has a reflective surface which, when the cover is in the open position, can reflect light from an illumination source located behind the monitor.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to an apparatus for facilitating videoconferencing between a proximate video conferee and a remote video conferee. In particular, the present invention provides a video conferencing apparatus that enhances the presence of the proximate conferee with respect to the remote conferee. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Videoconferencing/teleconferencing has become an effective form of communication between distant conferees by allowing conferees to both hear and see each other. Furthermore, with the increase in globalization, it is often necessary for people separated by long distances to communicate frequently. Unfortunately, videoconferencing is not being utilized as effectively as it could be because of the inherent nature in which people communicate. In particular, when people communicate in person, they often focus on the facial features, and particularly the eyes of the other person. Conventional videoconferencing systems and apparatuses suffer from a lack of eye contact, which distracts from the videoconferencing experience. 
     In conventional teleconferencing systems, there is a video monitor displaying an image of the remote conferee and a camera capturing and transmitting an image of the proximate conferee to the remote conferee. However, the camera is generally located above or below the video monitor projecting the image of the proximate conferee. Because the proximate conferee is generally viewing the image of the remote conferee on the video monitor, the proximate conferee rarely looks into the camera, resulting in a lack of eye contact between the proximate conferee and the remote conferee. By contrast, during normal conversation, people tend to have a large amount of eye contact. Accordingly, lack of eye contact in conventional teleconferencing systems decreases the sense of personal contact and the sense of presence of the video conferees. 
     In addition, the placement of the video camera can have a psychological effect during the video conferencing session. For instance, a camera located above the video monitor will inherently look downwards onto the proximate conferee. Because of this, the image of the proximate conferee may appear submissive to the remote conferee. Likewise, if the camera is located below the video monitor, the image of the proximate conferee may appear grandiose to the remote conferee. 
     Some prior art devices have also suggested placing the cameras to one side of the video monitor. However, video monitors are generally rectangular in shape and have a longer side along the horizontal. Therefore, placing the camera to the side of the video monitor causes the camera to be located substantially off centre from the proximate conferee, such that the image of the proximate conferee may appear distant or only the profile will appear to the remote conferee. 
     The prior art has made several proposals in the past to increase eye contact between video conferees. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,928,301 issued May 22, 1990, U.S. Pat. No. 5,117,285 issued May 26, 1992, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,400,069 issued Mar. 21, 1995 propose various ways to improve eye contact between video conferees. In general, these proposals relate to alternately viewing the image and the camera, or, splitting the image of the remote conferee such that a camera may be located in the same visual path as the projected image of the remote conferee. However, these prior art devices suffer from decrease in the light intensity and degradation of both the projected image and the image captured by the camera. Furthermore, these prior art devices, some of which use beam splitters, inherently limit the field of view of both the remote conferee and the proximate conferee. 
     Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an apparatus and system to promote the presence of video conferees by improving eye contact. Furthermore, there is a need in the art for a device and system that can promote eye contact without degradation of the projected image or loss of light intensity. In addition, there is a need in the art for an apparatus that decreases the psychological effects caused by placement of the camera. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to at least partially overcome the disadvantages of the prior art. Also, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved type of videoconferencing apparatus and system that improves the sense of personal contact and reinforces the presence of both video conferees. 
     Accordingly, in one of its aspects, this invention resides in an apparatus for facilitating videoconferencing between a proximate video conferee and a remote video conferee, said apparatus comprising: a video monitor for displaying an image of the remote conferee; a camera for generating an image of the proximate conferee for display to the remote conferee; wherein the camera is located within an interocular distance of an anticipated displayed position of at least one eye of the remote conferee. 
     In a further aspect, the present invention resides in a videoconferencing apparatus comprising: a housing for housing a camera and video monitor, said camera generating an image of a proximate conferee and said video monitor displaying an image of a remote conferee; wherein the camera is located in the housing within about 4 inches of an anticipated displayed position of at least one eye of the remote conferee. In yet another aspect, the present inventions provides a videoconferencing apparatus further comprising: an aligning mechanism for aligning the housing to a computer monitor, said computer monitor having a direction of view; wherein the aligning mechanism aligns the housing with respect to the computer monitor such that the directions of view of the computer monitor intersects a direction of view of the video monitor at a location near the proximate conferee. 
     One advantage of the present invention is that, by having the camera within the interocular distance of an anticipated displayed position of one eye of the remote conferee improves the perceived eye contact between the video conferees. Furthermore, because this results in the placement of the camera, rather than mechanical or electronic manipulation of the images, the complexity of the apparatus and device, as well as the cost, is much less. Furthermore, because there is no separate apparatus located between the camera, the video monitor and the proximate conferee, the apparatus does not cause a degradation of the image or loss of light intensity. 
     In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, a feedback screen for displaying the image of the proximate conferee is located near the camera. During videoconferences, the applicant has appreciated that the proximate conferee periodically desires to view their own image to see how they appear to the remote conferee. By placing the feedback screen near the video camera, each time the proximate conferee views his or her image, the eye contact between the remote conferee and proximate conferee improves because the video camera is near the feedback screen. 
     In a further embodiment, the apparatus comprises a rotation member for rotating the camera and video monitor. This permits the apparatus to rotate from a conventional or landscape position to a portrait position, thereby increasing the versatility of the apparatus. This permits the apparatus according to the present invention to be used in both landscape and portrait positions. This also assists the apparatus of the present invention to be used in a videoconference session where the remote conferee has a conventional videoconferencing apparatus. 
     A further advantage of the present invention is that the field of view of the camera is not restricted. In particular, any type of video camera can be positioned within the interocular distance of the anticipated displayed position of an eye of the remote conferee. In a preferred embodiment, an electronic camera having a large field of view could be used. In this case, the video camera could be controlled to select a portion of the field of view selected for display to the remote conferee. This can occur, for instance, in response to signals inputted by the remote conferee. Furthermore, the camera could be mounted on a ball joint or other mechanical camera direction unit for moving the camera to change the field of view. 
     In a further preferred embodiment, the present invention can, in one embodiment, be housed in a single housing. The housing can contain a video monitor for displaying an image of the remote conferee, a camera for generating an image of the proximate conferee, and optionally, a feedback screen, a microphone and a speaker. In one embodiment, this housing can contain a contact surface for contacting a conventional computer monitor. Accordingly, the present invention, in one embodiment, comprises a videoconferencing module that can be rested or fixed to a standard computer monitor such that the video conferees are free to refer to data or other information appearing on the computer monitor without interfering with the videoconference. 
     In a further preferred embodiment, the invention comprises a cover for movement from a closed position covering the camera to an open position not covering the camera. In this way, the videoconferencing unit will be closed and protected when not in use. Furthermore, this decreases uneasiness people sometimes experience when a camera is directed toward them after a videoconferencing session. Furthermore, by having the camera covered, there is no concern that a videoconference session will commence before the proximate conferee is prepared to engage in the videoconference session. 
     In a further preferred embodiment, the cover has a reflective surface. In this preferred embodiment, the reflective surface can be used to reflect light from a light source, such as a light source located behind the camera. In this way, light can be reflected by the reflective surface in a direction substantially the same as the direction of view of the camera and video monitor, and therefore towards the anticipated position of the proximate conferee. The reflective surface can have a diffusing effect to avoid harsh direct light illuminating the proximate conferee. The reflective surface can also increase the effective distance of the light source to the proximate conferee, thereby improving illumination. 
     Further aspects of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and drawings that illustrate the invention and preferred embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the drawings, which illustrate embodiments of the invention: 
     FIG. 1 shows a front view of a videoconferencing apparatus, according to one embodiment of the present invention, in contact with a computer monitor; 
     FIG. 2 illustrates the interocular distance and positioning of the camera within the interocular distance of an anticipated displayed position of at least one eye of the remote conferee; 
     FIG. 3 shows a more detailed front view of the videoconferencing apparatus shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIGS. 4 a  and  4   b  illustrate the cover of the videoconferencing apparatus in the closed and open positions respectively, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 illustrates light being reflected from a light source located behind the camera and video monitor; 
     FIGS. 6 a ,  6   b  and  6   c  illustrate a perspective view at various stages of rotation of a videoconferencing apparatus according to a further embodiment of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic diagram showing the electronic components of the videoconferencing according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The preferred embodiments of the present invention and its advantages can be understood by referring to the present drawings. In the present drawings, like numerals are used for like and corresponding parts of the accompanying drawings. 
     As shown in FIG. 1, one embodiment of the present invention relates to a videoconferencing apparatus, shown generally by reference numeral  10 . The videoconferencing apparatus  10  facilitates video conferencing between at least two video conferees, which shall be referred to as a proximate video conferee and a remote video conferee. It is understood that more than two video conferees could conference at the same time. 
     The videoconference apparatus  10  comprises a video monitor  20  for displaying an image  22  of the remote conferee. The apparatus  10  also comprises a camera  30  for generating an image of the proximate conferee for display to the remote conferee. 
     In a preferred embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the apparatus  10  also comprises a feed back screen  40 . The feed back screen  40  displays the image of the proximate conferee being generated by the camera  30 . In this way, the proximate conferee can periodically look into the feed back screen  40  to see his or her image  32 . 
     In order to facilitate the videoconference, it is preferred that the camera  30  is within the interocular distance of an anticipated position of at least one eye  22   i  of the image  22  of the remote conferee. This is illustrated in FIG. 2 where the interocular distance I is illustrated at the lower portion of FIG. 2, and, the distance of the camera  30  to the anticipated displayed position of one eye  22   i  of the remote conferee is illustrated as being within this interocular distance. 
     It is understood that the interocular distance I will be the actual distance between the eyes of an average person, rather than the distance between the eyes of the image  22  of the remote conferee. In general, the interocular distance I is between 1 inch and 4 inches. More specifically, the interocular distance can be considered between 1½ and 3 ½ inches. More preferably, the interocular distance is about 2½ inches. It is understood that this is an average of the interocular distance between the eyes of an adult. Should the video conference apparatus  10  be designed specifically for children, then an interocular distance closer to the lower range of 1 to 4 inches, such as 1 inch or 1.5 inches, would be more appropriate. 
     In general, when two people converse in normal face to face conferencing, the eyes of one conferee scans across the face of the other conferee. However, in general, when eye contact occurs, one conferee will be looking into one of the eyes of the other conferee. Because of this, having eye contact which is separated by no more than the interocular distance I, namely 1 inch to 4 inches, more preferably  1½ to  3½ inches and most preferably 2½ inches, would not be distinguished by the conferee, thereby enhancing the videoconference. 
     Accordingly, by having the camera  30  within the interocular distance I of the anticipated displayed position of at least one eye  22   i  of the image  22  of the remote conferee will give the impression of eye to eye contact between the video conferees when the proximate conferee views the image  22  of the remote conferee on the video monitor  20 . This impression of eye to eye contact is further enhanced if the camera  30  is in a location that is substantially aligned with the anticipated displayed position of both eyes  22   i  and  22   ii  of the remote conferee, as also illustrated in FIGS. 1,  2 ,  3  as well as the embodiment shown in FIG.  6 C. In this way, the eyes of the proximate conferee will be in line and within the interocular distance of the camera  30 . This is similar to the manner in which one person views another person during a face to face meeting. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the feed back screen  40  will be a distance from the feed back screen  40  to the camera  30  which is within the interocular distance I. More preferably, the feed back screen  40  will be substantially adjacent the camera  30 . This is the case, in part, because remote conferees frequently view their image  32  in the feed back screen  40 . Accordingly, by having the feed back screen  40  within the interocular distance I from the camera  30 , and preferably substantially adjacent the camera  30 , the perception of eye contact will be greater each time the remote conferee views their image  32  on the feed back screen  40 , because the eyes of the proximate conferee will be directed substantially towards the camera  30  each time the proximate conferee glances at the feed back screen  40 . 
     As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, in one embodiment, the apparatus  10  comprises a housing  100  which houses the camera  30  and the video monitor  20 . The housing  100  may also house other components for facilitating the video conferencing. For instance, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, the housing  100  may also house the feed back screen  40 , a speaker  24  and a microphone  26 . The speaker  24  generates audible sounds corresponding to the audio signals As received from the remote conferee. Similarly, the microphone  26  receives audible sounds from the proximate conferee and generates audio signals to be transmitted to the remote conferee. As such, the embodiment having a housing  100  as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3 can be considered to be a video conferencing module having all the components for facilitating video conferencing and capable of being rested on a computer monitor or other object. 
     As also shown in FIGS. 1,  3  and  4 A and  4 B, the housing  100  preferably has a cover  150 . The cover  150  can move from a closed position, shown in FIG. 4A, to an open position, shown in FIG.  4 B. In this way, the cover  150  can cover the camera  30  and monitor  20 , as well as the other components such as the speaker  24  and microphone  26 , to protect them when the apparatus  10  is not in use. Furthermore, video conferees sometimes experience uneasiness when a camera  30  is directed toward them after a video conferencing session. By covering the camera  30  with the cover  150 , this uneasiness can be decreased and possibly avoided. Furthermore, by covering the camera  30  with the cover  150 , the proximate conferee can ensure that a videoconferencing session does not start before they are prepared. 
     In a further preferred embodiment, in order to increase illumination of the proximate conferee, the apparatus  10  comprises a light source, shown generally by reference numeral  154  in FIGS. 1,  3 ,  4 A and  4 B. The light source  154  assists in illuminating the proximate conferee in order to facilitate the videoconferencing session. In a preferred embodiment, the inside surface of the cover  150  has a reflective surface  152 . When the cover  150  is in the open position, the reflective surface reflects light from the light source  154 . Preferably, the reflective surface  152  reflects lights in substantially a direction D VMC  of view of the monitor  20  and camera  30  which also likely corresponds to the position of the video conferee. 
     The reflective surface  152  can have a diffusing effect on the light source  154  to avoid harsh direct light illuminating the proximate conferee. In addition, the reflective surface  152  increases the effective distance of the light source  154  to the proximate conferee, which improves illumination and may accentuate the diffusing effect. The reflective surface  152  also permits the light source  154  to be located behind and away from the camera  30  such that spurious light from the light source  154  does not affect the camera  30  and degrade the image being generated by the camera  30 . Similarly, the light source  154  will preferably be located behind and away from the video monitor  20  so as not to affect or degrade the image  22  of the remote conferee. The illumination of the proximate conferee by the light source  154  reflecting on the reflective surface  152  is illustrated best in FIG.  5 . 
     FIG. 5 also illustrates the housing  100  having the video monitor  20  and camera  30  aligned with the computer monitor  120 . Preferably, the direction of view D VC  of the computer monitor  120  will substantially intersect the direction of view D VMC  of the monitor  20  and camera  30  at a location near the anticipated position of the proximate conferee. In this way, the proximate conferee will be able to view the computer monitor  120  as well as the video monitor  20 , and be seen by the camera  30 , at the same time. While, in this embodiment, the speaker  24  and microphone  26  will also be directed towards the proximate conferee, and in the same direction as the direction of view D VC  of the monitor  20  and camera  30 , this is not as critical as the direction of view D VMC  of the monitor  20  and camera  30 . 
     In order to assist in aligning the direction of view D VMC  of the monitor  20  and camera  30  to substantially intersect direction of view D VC  of the computer monitor  120 , in a preferred embodiment, the housing  100  comprises a contact surface  110 , shown best in FIG.  3 . The contact surface  110  acts as an aligning mechanism  170  to assist in the aligning the housing  100  with the computer monitor  120 . In particular, the contact surface  110  of the housing  100  contacts the computer monitor  120  such that the video monitor  20  and camera  30  have a direction of view D VMC  substantially similar to the direction of view D VC  of the computer monitor  120 . 
     More preferably, the video monitor  20  and camera  30  are closer to the remote conferee than the computer monitor. To accomplish this, the contact surface  110  of the aligning mechanism  170  aligns the video monitor  20  and the camera  30  along a plane, shown by the dashed line P A  in FIG. 5, which is displaced from a plane, shown by the dashed line P B  in FIG. 5, of the computer monitor  120  in the direction D VC  of view of the computer monitor  120 . 
     More preferably, the aligning mechanism  120  comprises a pivoting member  112 , shown in FIG. 5, such that the camera  30  and video monitor  20  are tiltably mounted to the contact surface  110 . By rotating the pivoting member  112 , about an axis parallel to the plain P B  of the camera  30  and video monitor  20 , the camera  30  and video monitor  20  can be better aligned with the proximate conferee such that the direction of view D VMC  of the video monitor  20  and camera  30  may substantially intersect the direction of view of the computer monitor D VC  preferably at a location near the video conferee. It is understood that the camera  30  and video monitor  20  are aligned with the plain P B  before they have been tilted by the pivoting member  112 . 
     In this way, the video conferee can view the computer monitor  120  at the same time as they view the camera  30  and video monitor  20 . Preferably, as discussed above, the video monitor  20  and camera  30  will be closer to the video conferee than the computer monitor  120 . This assists the video conferee in viewing the image  22  of the remote conferee on the video monitor  20 . This also assists the camera  30  in generating an image of the proximate conferee for display to the remote conferee. Furthermore, by having a camera  30  closer to and directed at the video conferee, it is more likely that the video camera  30  will capture a better image of the video conferee, and, that the image will fill more of the screen on the video monitor  20  of the remote conferee. This will assist in viewing the video conferees in the video monitor  20 . This will also assist in placing the anticipated displayed position of at least one eye  22   i  of the remote conferee closer to the edge of the video monitor  20  and therefore closer to the camera  30 , thereby improving eye contact. 
     It is understood that the alignment mechanism  170  can assist in aligning the camera  30  such that the image displayed at the remote video monitor will have the displayed eye  22   i  of the remote conferee  22  displayed at an anticipated displayed position, as shown in FIG.  2 . However, to ensure that the anticipated display position of at least one eye  22   i  of the remote conferee is within the interocular distance, it is possible that the interocular distance I be measured from the middle of the camera  30  to the middle of the video monitor  20 . In this case, the anticipated displayed position of at least one eye  22   i  of the remote conferee would be taken as being within ½ of the video monitor  20  and therefore within the midpoint of the video monitor  20 . In a further preferred embodiment, the apparatus  10  recognizes the facial features of the video conferee and manipulates the image  22  of the remote conferee such that the image  22  of at least one eye  22   i  is within the interocular distance I with the camera  30 . For instance, the image  22  may be mapped or manipulated such that the camera  30  is substantially aligned with the image of the eyes  22   i  and  22   ii  and the camera  30  is within the interocular distance I of the displayed position of at least on eye  22   i.    
     In a further embodiment, shown in FIGS. 6A,  6 B and  6 C, the apparatus  10  is not present in a separate housing  100 , but rather is incorporated in a computer  200 . In this embodiment, the computer monitor  120  also acts as the video monitor  24  for the teleconferencing apparatus  10  and the image  22  of the remote conferee will appear on the computer monitor  120  as illustrated in FIG. 6A and 6C, in the video monitor  20 . When not used for videoconferencing, the computer monitor  120  will be used by the computer  200  in the normal fashion. 
     FIG. 6A illustrates the computer monitor  120  of the computer  200  in a landscape position, where the camera  30  is located above the monitor  20  and the longer side  201  of the computer monitor  120  is substantially horizontal. Also, feed back screen  40  displaying an image  32  of the proximate conferee is located above the displayed image  22  of the remote conferee and not substantially aligned with the displayed position of the eyes  22   i  and  22   ii . Such a position would be useful to videoconferee with a remote conferee that has a videoconferencing apparatus where the camera  30  is not located within the interocular distance of an anticipated display position of at least one eye  22   i  of the remote conferee and, is not located at eye level. Furthermore, the landscape position, illustrated in FIG. 6A, is common in prior art devices and also common in computer monitor  120  to display text and images, but suffers when used for videoconferencing for a number of reasons, such as that the camera  30  is located above the image  22  of the remote conferee, rather than at eye level and within the interocular distance I. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the present invention, comprises a rotating member, shown generally by reference numeral  50 , for rotating the computer monitor  120 , which acts as a video monitor  20  in this embodiment, along with the camera  30  and feedback screen  40  about 90° as illustrated in FIGS. 6A,  6 B and  6 C. In FIG. 6C, the computer monitor  120 , which is acting as the video monitor  20 , has been rotated 90° and is now in a portrait position, where the long side  201  is substantially vertical and the short side  20   s  is substantially horizontal. This facilitates video conferencing in that the image  20  of the remote conferee is now displayed along the longitudinal axis Ld of the video monitor  20 . In this way, the anticipated displayed position of at least one eye  20   i  of the remote conferee will be closer to the edge of the video monitor  20 , and therefore closer to the camera  30 . This arrangement assists in having the anticipated displayed position of at least one eye  20   i  of the remote conferee within the interocular distance I of the camera  30 . This arrangement also assists in having the camera  30  at about the same longitudinal position along the longitudinal axis Ld as the anticipated displayed position of the eyes  22   i  and  22   ii  of the remote conferee to improve eye contact. The rotating member  50  used to rotate the computer monitor  120  acting as a video monitor  20  can be any type of know-rotating member, such as a ball and socket joint (not shown). 
     Internal components of the videoconferencing apparatus are illustrated in FIG.  7 . FIG. 7 shows two separate video apparatuses  10 , identified by reference numerals  10 ( a ) and  10 ( b ). The two apparatuses  10 ( a ) and  10 ( b ) send video signals V s , audio signals A s  and control signals C s  between each other. The signals V s , A s  and C s  can be sent by any known means, such as by telephone wire, high speed cable, wireless transmission and any other known manner for transmitting signals such as video signals V s , audio signals A s  or control signals C s . Furthermore, it is understood that the video signals V s , audio signals A s  and control signals C s  need not each be transmitted together, although it would be preferable to do so. Furthermore, it is understood that if the signals V s , A s  and C s  are transmitted together, the relative band width between each of the signals may change, as required, in order to most efficiently send the video signals V s , audio signals A s  and control signals C s . It is understood that other data or information may be transmitted between the video conferees at the videoconferencing apparatus  10 ( a ) and  10 ( b ), including data signals D s  (not shown) transmitting information between computers or facsimile transmission devices. 
     The internal components of apparatus  10 ( a ) will now be discussed. It is understood that apparatus  10 ( b ) will have corresponding internal components, but for clarity, these are not illustrated in FIG.  7  and only the function of the components in apparatus  10 ( a ) will be discussed. It is also understood that these electrical components, or equivalents thereto, would be present in either the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, where the apparatus  10  is a module contained within a housing  100 , as well as the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6A,  6 B and  6 C, where the apparatus  10  is hosted by a computer  200 . The only difference being that, in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6A,  6 B and  6 C, the function of the various components could be performed by the computer  200 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus  10 ( a )comprises a controller  60  which essentially controls the functioning of the apparatus  10 ( a ). For instance, the controller  60  would control the reception and transmission of the video signals V s , audio signals A s  and control signals C s  which are transmitted and received by the apparatus  10 ( a ). The controller  60  may also preferably comprise an analogue to digital converter in order to convert any of the signals V s , A s  and C s  from analogue to digital or from digital to analogue, as required. The controller  60  may also comprise modulator/demodulator or be capable of interfacing with these types of components. 
     The controller  60  may also comprise image recognition and manipulation software to recognize the image of the video conferee and the video signal V S  and manipulate the video signal V s  to permit the image  22  of the remote conferee to be displayed on the video monitor  20  such that the image  22  appears in the middle of the video monitor and/or at least the image of one eye  22   i  will be within the interocular distance of the camera  30 . The controller  60  could also be programmed to manipulate the video signal V s  such that the image  22  of the remote conferee is displayed on the video monitor  20  such that the displayed image of the eyes  22   i  and  22   ii  are substantially aligned with the position of the camera  30  in the apparatus  10 ( a ). 
     The controller  60  will also send and receive the control signals V s , A s  and C s  to the various components of the apparatus  10 ( a ), such as the video monitor  20 , the speaker  24 , the microphone  26  and the camera  30 . For instance, the controller  60  may receive from the camera  30  the video signals V sa  generated by the camera  30  and representing an image  22  of the video conferee using apparatus  10 ( a ). The controller  60  will then transmit the video signal V sa  representing the image  22  of the video conferee using apparatus  10 ( a ) to the apparatus  10 ( b ) for display on the video monitor  20  to the video conferee using the apparatus  10 ( b ). 
     The control unit  60  also sends the video signal V s(b)  representing the image  22  of the video conferee using apparatus  10 ( b ) to the video monitor  20 . The video monitor  20  will then display the image  22  of the remote conferee using apparatus  10 ( b ) as represented by the video signal V s(b) . 
     Likewise, the controller  60  may also send to the speaker  24  audio signals A s(b) , which are the audio signals A s(b)  transmitted from the remote video conferee using apparatus  10 ( b ). The speaker  24  receives the audio signals A s(b)  and generates audible sounds corresponding to the audio signals A s(b) . Similarly, microphone  26  receives audible sounds from the vicinity of apparatus  10 ( a ) and converts these audible sounds to audio signals A s(a)  and may send these audio signals A s(a)  to the controller  60 . The controller  60  then transmits the audio signals A s , comprising the audio signals A s(a)  to the apparatus  10 ( b ). The apparatus  10 ( b )then converts the audio signals A s(a)  to audible sound by speaker  24  on apparatus  10 ( b ) 
     In a preferred embodiment, a separate input/output unit  70  is present for sending control signals C sa  from the video conferee using apparatus  10 ( a ) to the controller  60 . It is understood that the input/output unit  70  is an optional unit and would be used merely to generate and send control signal C sa  from the video conferee operating at apparatus  10 ( a ) to the controller  60 . It is also understood that the input/output unit  70  may be formed by the computer  200  such that the control signals C s , or the data signals D s  (not shown) are generated by the computer  200 . Depending on the control signals C sa , they may be used by the controller  60  or sent to apparatus  10 ( b ). 
     For instance, in a preferred embodiment, the apparatus  10 ( a ) and  10 ( b ) comprise camera direction units  62  which move the associated camera  30  to change the field of view in response to control signals C s , and in particular the camera control signal CC s  which form a part of the control signals C s . In the preferred embodiment, the camera direction unit  62  moves the camera  30  to change the field of view electronically by selecting a different portion of the field of view of the camera  30  to transmit. It is understood that the camera control signal CC s(b)  are a subset of the control signal C sb  generated by the input/output unit  70  connected to the apparatus  10 ( b ). 
     Accordingly, the input/output unit  70  at apparatus  10 ( a ) would generate control signals C sa  to control the movement of camera  30  at apparatus  10 ( b ). These control signals C sb  would be transmitted by controller  60  to apparatus  10 ( b ) where the controller  60  (not shown) at apparatus  10 ( b ) would send camera signals CC s(a)  (not shown) to change the field of view of the camera  30  at apparatus  10 ( b ). In this way, the proximate video conferee at apparatus  10 ( a ) can control aspects of apparatus  10 ( b ), such as the field of view of the camera  30 . Similarly, the apparatus  10 ( b ) could have an attention getting device, such as a light or moving hand (not shown), and control signals C sa  from input/output  70  at apparatus  10 ( a ) could control these devices (not shown) at apparatus  10 ( b ). 
     Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the controller  60  controls the apparatus  10 ( a ). A corresponding controller  60  controls apparatus  10 ( b ) in a similar manner in order to transmit and receive the audio signals A s , video signals V s  and control signals C s  to facilitate video conferencing between the video conferee using apparatus  10 ( a ) and the video conferee using the apparatus  10 ( b ). 
     It will be understood that, although various features of the invention have been described with respect to one or another of the embodiments of the invention, the various features and embodiments of the invention may be combined or used in conjunction with other features and embodiments of the invention as described and illustrated herein. 
     Although this disclosure has described and illustrated certain preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not restricted to these particular embodiments. Rather, the invention includes all embodiments that are functional, electrical or mechanical equivalents of the specific embodiments and features that have been described and illustrated herein.