Mechanical pan, tilt and zoom in a webcam

Details Mechanical pan, tilt and zoom in a webcam Mechanical pan, tilt and zoom in a webcam

2011-03-29

2011-03-29

Diep, Nhon T (Department: 2621)

Interactive video distribution systems

Video distribution system with upstream communication

Reexamination Certificate

active

07917935

ABSTRACT:
A system and method for mechanically panning, tilting, and/or zooming a webcam to track a user's face. In one embodiment, such movement is controlled by kernel software in a host to which the webcam sends video data. In this way, a driver in the host kernel handles the face tracking, transparent to the application programs that would access the video. In an alternate embodiment, such movement is controlled by firmware in the webcam itself. The video and control signals are sent over the same standard cable, such as a USB bus. In one embodiment, the video is supplied to an instant messaging application. The use of a standard bus (e.g., USB) and the offloading of the face tracking to the webcam and driver allows easy use by the instant messaging application.

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