Appeal 2007-0762
Application 09/822,121
video conferencing system using a camera #14, a plurality of
microphones, #12, respectively feeding an audio based locator
#70 and a video based locator #60, supplying signals to a
camera control module #80 with “camera positioning
directives” to direct the camera #14 at the speaker using camera
control module #80. Potts indicates “These directives can be
partly based on face detection and location analysis performed
by a video based locator (or video based detector module) 60”.
(Potts 16). The various modules, including the camera
positioning device, are described as being electronic
components. (Potts 13 top). By use of the audio and video
modules, the location of the speaker is detected. (Potts 14).
The adjustments, based first on the audio and then refined by
video location signals, to the camera positioning device result
in the device presenting a revised (refined) image of the speaker
centered on him or her. (Potts 14 bottom).
3. The Examiner indicates that the Potts reference does not
disclose a stationary image pickup device (camera #14).
(Answer 8). Malkin teaches, in the context of
camera/microphone devices for video conferencing, the
improvement of a stationary camera using electronic pan, tilt,
and zoom (EPTZ) instead of the older mechanical pan, tilt, and
zoom (MPTZ) in which the camera physically moves through
these operations. (Malkin, col. 1 top). Baker, in the same video
conferencing context (col. 1, l. 10 ff), likewise teaches using
EPTZ (col. 16, l. 12). Presuming that Potts does only teach a
5
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Next
Last modified: September 9, 2013