Tele-presence system with a user interface that displays different communication links
Inventors
Ballantyne, James • TEMBY, KELTON • Rosenthal, James • Roe, David
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10871889-B2
Publication Date
2020-12-22
Expiration Date
Abstract
A tele-presence system that includes a remote device coupled to a control station through a communication link. The remote device includes a remote monitor, a remote camera, a remote speaker and a remote microphone. Likewise, the control station includes a station monitor, a station camera, a station speaker and a station microphone. The control station displays a plurality of graphical icons that each represents a different type of communication link between the control station and the remote device. The graphical icons can be selected to allow a user of the control station to change the communication link between the remote device and its initial node.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a communication system and telepresence system in which two devices establish a communication session through at least an initial node. Each device includes a camera, monitor, speaker, and microphone, and the session includes transmitting and displaying an image and transmitting audio instruction captured by the microphone.
During the communication session, the monitor of the first device displays a graphical interface that includes a plurality of graphical icons representing different types of communication link between the second device and the initial node. The graphical interface is not displayed on the monitor of the second device, and the graphical icons are presented as selectable to change the type of communication link during the communication session.
The user interface provides link availability indications and user prompts to improve communication reliability by switching communication link types. A graphical dialog box can inform the user that an alternative type of communication is available and allow the user to select the alternative communication type.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims cover a communication/telepresence session in which the monitor of a first device displays a graphical interface with multiple selectable icons representing different communication link types between a second device and an initial node, while the same graphical interface is not displayed on the second device’s monitor. Across the independent claims, the core interface concept is combined with audiovisual session functions and link availability indication and dialog-based alternative selection; in total, at least three inventive features are identified across the independent claims.
Selectable graphical icons for communication link types to an initial node
During the communication session, the monitor of the first device displays a graphical interface including a plurality of graphical icons that each represent a different type of communication link between the second device and the initial node, and the graphical icons are selectable to change the type of communication link between the second device and the initial node.
Graphical interface displayed on the first device but not on the second device
The graphical interface is not displayed on the monitor of the second device.
Telepresence communication session with image and audio plus link-type icon interface
A telepresence system in which the first device establishes a communication session with the second device through at least an initial node, and during the communication session the monitor of the first device displays a graphical interface including a plurality of graphical icons representing different types of communication link between the second device and the initial node.
Method of communicating with camera image, audio instruction, and link-type icon interface
The method comprises establishing a communication session with the second device; transmitting an image captured by a camera of the first device to the second device; displaying an image captured by a camera of the second device on a monitor of the first device; transmitting an audio instruction captured by a microphone of the first device to the second device; and displaying, on a monitor of the first device, a graphical interface including a plurality of graphical icons that each represent a different type of communication link between the second device and the initial node without displaying the graphical interface on the monitor of the second device.
Across the independent claims, the inventive coverage centers on presenting only on the first device a graphical interface with multiple graphical icons representing different communication link types between the second device and the initial node, where the link type can be changed during the session, together with telepresence communication functions in a session-based communication system.
Stated Advantages
Link availability indications and user prompts improve communication reliability by switching communication link types.
A graphical dialog box informs the user that an alternative type of communication is available and allows selection of the alternative communication type.
Documented Applications
Healthcare settings.
Remote consult communications.
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