Patent ID: 8300078

Claim:
A computer-implemented interface for a local telepresence video conferencing facility that communicates with remote telepresence video conferencing facilities each including a plurality of cameras and a plurality of displays, said computer-implemented interface comprising: a tactile input device having a touchscreen display that converts forces applied by a user into control commands, said touchscreen display positioned within reach of a user of the local telepresence video conferencing facility when the user is positioned at a station captured by one of the plurality of cameras, said touchscreen display includes a displayed replica of a physical layout of the plurality of displays arranged in the local telepresence video conference facility; a signal interface that exchanges video signals and voice signals between the local telepresence video conferencing facility and the remote telepresence video conferencing facilities; and a controller circuit that pre-assigns the plurality of displays at the local telepresence video conferencing facility to respective video images from the remote telepresence video conference facilities such that respective video images from the remote telepresence video conference facilities will be displayed on corresponding displays at the local telepresence video conferencing facility once communications connections are made, said controller pre-assigns the plurality of displays according to control commands from the tactile input device prior to establishing the communication connections with the remote telepresence video conference facilities, wherein said touchscreen display presents avatars of remote conference participants to illustrate pre-assignments of displays to particular remote telepresence video conference facilities prior to the communication connections being made.