Importance

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Abstract

A video conferencing system wherein a director controller is adapted for disposition on a lecture podium. The controller includes an interconnected control section and a video display section for controlling the distribution of generated audio and video information signals among a local and remote sites selectively in accordance with command signals fed to the controller by a podium speaker. The system is adapted to operate in one of two operating modes: a 'Main-screen' mode and a 'Mark-up' mode. In the 'Main-screen' mode, the video display section is made up of two display areas; a 'presentation' display area, and a 'preview' display area. The 'presentation' display area displays the video information which typically is currently being viewed by the audience/participants at the remote and local sites. The 'preview' video display area is privately viewable by the podium speaker, displays video information signals from a second podium speaker selected one of the video sources. In the 'Mark-up' mode, the 'preview' area is removed and the size of the 'presentation' area is increased. The image in the enlarged 'presentation' area is adapted for editing/annotation by the podium speaker. The edited/annotated image is distributed to the local and remote sites.

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First Claim