Patent ID: 8063929

Claim:
A video communication system, comprising: an image display device adapted to display video images; at least one image capture device which acquires video images of a local environment having an individual therein, according to defined video capture settings; an audio system having an audio emission device operable to generate sound in the local environment and an audio capture device operable to sense sound in the local environment, said audio system operating in accordance with audio settings; and a computer cooperating with the at least one image capture device, the audio system, an image processor and a communication controller to generate video signals based upon the acquired video images and to cause output video images to a remote individual during the communication event; said computer further providing a contextual interface including an intra-scene analysis algorithm for identifying potential intra-scene transitions during the communication event and a scene capture management algorithm for determining intra-scene adjustments in video capture settings when an intra-scene transition is detected; and the contextual interface further including a transition test with an inter-scene analysis algorithm, for identifying potential inter-scene transitions in the activities of the individuals, and a transition process structure for determining inter-scene adjustments in video capture settings, wherein the intra-scene transitions include changes in the video signal or audio signal that reduce a communicative impact of the video communication event and wherein the inter-scene transitions include changes in the video signal or audio signal that suggest that a nature of the video communication event has changed.