Group and conversational framing for speaker tracking in a video conference system

Abstract

In one embodiment, a method is provided to intelligently frame groups of participants in a meeting. This gives a more pleasing experience with fewer switches, better contextual understanding, and more natural framing, as would be seen in a video production made by a human director. Furthermore, in accordance with another embodiment, conversational framing techniques are provided. During speaker tracking, when two local participants are addressing each other, a method is provided to show a close-up framing showing both participants. By evaluating the direction participants are looking and a speaker history, it is determined if there is a local discussion going on, and an appropriate framing is selected to give far-end participants the most contextually rich experience.