COMMUNICATION SYSTEM GENERATING A FLOATING IMAGE OF A REMOTE VENUE

Number: 20200159035
Published: 2020-05-21
Filed: 2018-11-20
Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
Inventors: Haseltine; Eric C., Wong; Clifford, Nocon; Nathan, Goslin; Michael P.
CPC: G02B30/54; H04N13/398; H04N13/302; H04N13/351; G02B30/56
Verdict: Medium Hardware
Source: Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline

The keeper's note

Floating-image telepresence display hardware.

Abstract

According to one implementation, a communication system includes a computing platform having one or more hardware processor(s) and a system memory storing a software code, as well as an image capture device, a transceiver, and a display including one or more display screen(s) controlled by the hardware processor(s). The communication system also includes a base including a motor coupled to a rotor for rotating the display. The hardware processor(s) is/are configured to execute the software code to receive audio-visual data including image data corresponding to a remote venue and render the image data on the display screen(s) while spinning the display to generate a floating image of the remote venue. The hardware processor(s) is/are further configured to execute the software code to, concurrently with spinning the display, obtain local image data of a local venue and transmit local audio-visual data including the local image data to the remote venue.

Background

BACKGROUND

The display screens with which many modern communication devices are equipped are typically designed to display a two-dimensional (2D) image from a single viewing perspective. As a result, and despite their ability to display sharp, richly featured, high definition images, interactive group communications such as video conferencing using those devices tend to be less engaging and immersive than if the participants could be provided with the illusion of being together in person.

One conceivable improvement to the conventional approach to providing 2D images is to render group communications using 3D imagery. However, several significant obstacles to wider use of 3D imagery exist. For example, in order to project a 3D image, multiple projectors, augmented reality (AR) headgear, and/or other complex display technology is typically required to create the illusion of a real-world 3D image. Additional complications can arise if the 3D image is to be viewed from multiple perspectives.SUMMARY

There are provided communication systems and methods for generating a floating image of a remote venue, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, and as set forth more completely in the claims.

Claims

1. A communication system comprising: a computing platform including at least one hardware processor and a system memory storing a software code; an image capture device, a transceiver, and a display including at least one display screen, controlled by the at least one hardware processor; a base including a motor coupled to a rotor for rotating the display; the at least one hardware processor configured to execute the software code to: receive, using the transceiver, an audio-visual data including an image data corresponding to a remote venue; render the image data on the at least one display screen while spinning the display using the motor and the rotor to generate a floating image of the remote venue; concurrently with spinning the display, obtain, using the image capture device, a local image data of a local venue; and transmit, using the transceiver, a local audio-visual data including the local image data to the remote venue. 11. A method for use by a communication system including an image capture device, a transceiver, a display having at least one display screen, a base including a motor coupled to a rotor for rotating the display, and a computing platform having at least one hardware processor and a system memory storing a software code, the method comprising: receiving, using the transceiver controlled by the at least one hardware processor, an audio-visual data including an image data corresponding to a remote venue; rendering, using the at least one hardware processor, the image data on the at least one display screen while spinning the display using the motor and the rotor to generate a floating image of the remote venue; concurrently with spinning the display, obtaining, using the image capture device controlled by the at least one hardware processor, a local image data of a local venue; and transmitting, using the transceiver controlled by the at least one hardware processor, a local audio-visual data including the local image data to the remote venue.