1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of televideo communications and, more specifically, to two-way video teleconferencing equipment used in the office environment.
2. Description of the Background
A video teleconferencing unit has been proposed for use in the office environment in connection with a personal computer ("PC") to enable one party at a first location to visually and audibly communicate with a second party at a second location. The sound is detected by a microphone and transmitted and reproduced by a loud speaker. The visual image is picked up by a lens of a video camera and reproduced on the monitor of the PC.
It is becoming more desirable to use televideo communication equipment in the office environment, as it is an efficient mode of communication with innovative features such as simultaneous visual and audio transmission. The communication systems currently available, however, typically consist of several individual components, such as a camera housing, a remote microphone, and separate speakers, thereby rendering the system unduly cumbersome.
Furthermore, in current teleconferencing systems, the lens assembly is fixedly attached to the main housing of the camera and transmitting unit. Therefore, in order to adjust the angle or position of the lens, the entire main housing must be moved or propped up to achieve varying angles. Such movement is undesirable as it leads to possible damage to the teleconferencing unit from excessive movement and it decreases the adaptability of the unit.