Patent ID: 8237771

Claim:
A method for framing one or more subjects captured on video during a video communication event with a remote viewer, the method comprising the steps of: receiving video of a first subject in an environment from a camera; determining a current shot framing of the first subject in the video images, with a computer and an associated image processor, relative to a shot selection and subject positioning within the framed shot; determining at least one subject activity metric for the observed movement of the first subject in the received video, relative to the current framing and level of motion thresholds; analyzing the subject movement of the first subject, relative to the determined at least one subject activity metric and the current framing, to determine scene change probabilities, relative to the determined subject activity metrics and current shot subject motion thresholds, to determine whether video capture of the at least first subject can continue using modifications to the current subject framing or that framing of the at least first subject can be improved with new subject framing; determining alternate shot options, including associated shot selection probabilities, based upon associated shot dependent subject motion thresholds and the determined subject activity metrics, if the determined scene change probability for new subject framing is greater than a predetermined value; selecting a next shot from among the determined alternate shot options based upon the determined shot selection probabilities; instructing the image processor or camera to re-frame the first subject in accordance with the newly selected next shot, including associated shot framing and any new video capture settings; and transmitting video images to the remote viewer using the newly instructed shot framing and video capture settings.