초록 ▼

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to compact portable video conferencing systems, which eliminate the need for other meeting room appliances for a video conference. The systems provide the freedom to hold video conferences with a few participants in any setting, e.g., a manager's off

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to compact portable video conferencing systems, which eliminate the need for other meeting room appliances for a video conference. The systems provide the freedom to hold video conferences with a few participants in any setting, e.g., a manager's office, a conference room, multiple locations, etc. Embodiments provide portable video conferencing systems, which allow all the meeting participants, including local and remote users, to maintain constant eye contact throughout the meeting. An embodiment of the invention provides a portable video conferencing system including a base, a dual-sided display and a camera unit.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A portable video conferencing system, comprising: a base;a dual-sided display including a frame, configured to attach along a side of the base, the dual-sided display configured to display an image on a first side and the image on a second side of the dual-sided display, the second side being opp

1. A portable video conferencing system, comprising: a base;a dual-sided display including a frame, configured to attach along a side of the base, the dual-sided display configured to display an image on a first side and the image on a second side of the dual-sided display, the second side being opposite the first side; anda camera unit attached to a portion of the frame of the dual-sided display, the camera unit configured to capture video from the first side and the second side, the camera unit adjustable in at least one lateral displacement direction along an edge of the frame, and the base configured to transmit the captured video to a remote location. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the base is a multipoint control unit (MCU) configured to control the dual-sided display and the camera unit. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the MCU includes at least one of a keyboard, a digital tablet, at least one video input, at least one video output, at least one wired network input, at least one wired network output, at least one wireless transceiver, a touch screen, at least one PSTN phone line connector, telephone apparatus connector, at least one audio input, and at least one audio output; andthe camera unit is configured to rotate around a vertical axis. 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the camera unit includes at least two cameras. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the camera unit includes at least one microphone. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the dual-sided display is further configured to include touch functionality and picture in picture functionality. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein each side of the dual-sided display is further configured to display information independently from the other side of the dual-sided display. 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the dual-sided display includes two LCDs, each including a frame, the two LCDs attached to each other along a side of each frame, the connection configured to allow the two LCDs to pivot around a vertical axis to face the same direction. 9. The system of claim 1, further including: an extender pivotally connected to the base on a different side from the dual-sided display and configured to support the dual-sided display and the camera unit when extended. 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the camera unit is configured to attach to the extender. 11. The system of claim 9, wherein the extender telescopes along a vertical axis. 12. The system of claim 9, wherein the camera unit and the dual-sided display are rotatable around an axis of the extender. 13. The system of claim 1, wherein when the system is in a closed configuration, the dual-sided display is attached to and covers at least a portion of the base. 14. The system of claim 1, wherein when the system is in a first viewing configuration the dual-sided display is attached to the base to form an open configuration where both sides of the dual-sided display are visible and the camera unit is located above the dual-sided display, and wherein when a video conference is conducted, both sides of the dual-sided display are viewable by a plurality of participants of the video conference. 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the first viewing configuration is used for conferences of five or less local participants. 16. The system of claim 10, wherein when the system is in a second viewing configuration the extender is in a vertical position and the dual-sided display is attached to the extender by the camera unit, and wherein when a video conference is conducted, both sides of the dual-sided display are viewable by a plurality of participants of the video conference. 17. The system of claim 16, wherein the second viewing configuration is used for conferences of six or more local participants. 18. The system of claim 2, further configured to communicate with at least one computer. 19. The system of claim 18, wherein the at least one computer is remote to the system. 20. The system of claim 2, wherein the system is further configured to communicate with a remote video conferencing system, the remote video conferencing system being configured to display data from the MCU and the camera unit. 21. The system of claim 1, further comprising: an extender connected to the base on a first end and the camera unit on a second end and configured to allow a height of the camera unit to be adjusted to an eye-level of a conference participant.