Despite their growing ubiquity and popularity, first-generation PC and Web video technologies have largely been characterized by their relatively primitive presentations. Today's video blogs and Web chat offer little more than rudimentary visuals. However, Canesta-equipped Web cams capture 3D images, enable a new class of features that dramatically enhance the video presentation:

Real-Time Background Substitution

Today's Web video typically features unprofessional and uninteresting backgrounds that reflect the PC's environment: offices, conference rooms, bedrooms, and basements. A Canesta-equipped camera is capable of identifying and isolating the person on-camera and separating out the background. That enables users to substitute an entirely new background - in the same way that professional broadcasters have used ChromaKey "green screens" for many years. This enables a better chat experience for consumers as well as business users. For instance, telecommuters can use a more professional background than a bedroom-office. Or customer service representatives can present a more professional presentation than their office/cubicle environment.

Video Content Creation

Canesta can raise the bar for user-generated content with new features and sophistication for video content creators - both consumers and business users. For semi-professional content producers such as video bloggers, Canesta enables "virtual sets" that look like professional studios. Floating PowerPoint presentations and other graphics can also be added. In a business setting, this creates a more professional appearance for webinars, earnings conferences, remote sales presentations, or even internal meetings among distributed teams.

Other Special Effects

Similarly, for entertainment, consumer-chat users can add fun backgrounds (e.g. a beach scene from a favorite vacation photo), substitute color values, create mirror images, add hats and glasses, and supplement/enhance the video presentation.