Video terminal, video terminal communicating system, and videoconference system

• US 20040051780A1
• Filed: 10/03/2003
• Published: 03/18/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ginganet Corporation
• Original Assignee: Ginganet Corporation
• Inventors: Sudo, Satoru
• Granted Patent: US 7,161,632 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/14.08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/141 between two video terminals, e.g. videophone telephonic communication systems combined with television receiver for reception of entertainment or information matter H04M11/085
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/142 Constructional details of the terminal equipment, e.g. arrangements of the camera and the display
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/147 Communication arrangements, e.g. identifying the communication as a video-communication, intermediate storage of the signals selecting H04Q
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/152 Multipoint control units therefor

Abstract

The screen layout of a main screen and a subscreen is optimized, depending on the types of images to be displayed on the main screen and the subscreen. A video terminal, capable of displaying a subscreen within a main screen, is equipped with a signal control unit 15 as means for optimizing the main screen/subscreen layout, depending on the types of images to be displayed on the main screen and the subscreen. When the main screen is in a split composite screen mode, the signal control unit 15 allows a subscreen to be displayed on a screen of a television 11, with the subscreen occupying one section of the split composite screen. When the main screen is in a full screen mode, the signal control unit 15 allows a subscreen to be diminished.

Claims

1. A video terminal capable of displaying a subscreen within a main screen, characterized in comprising means for optimizing a screen layout of the main screen and the subscreen, depending on the types of images to be displayed on the main screen and the subscreen.

2. A video terminal according to claim 1, characterized in that when the subscreen displays a still image, the optimizing means allows the subscreen to be enlarged.

3. A video terminal according to claim 1, characterized in:

that when the main screen is in a split composite screen mode, the optimizing means allows the subscreen to occupy one section of the split composite screen; and

that when the main screen is in a full screen mode, the optimizing means allows the subscreen to be diminished.

4. A video conferencing system characterized in comprising multiple video terminals according to any of claims 1 to 3, and a multipoint control unit which connects these video terminals together via communication lines, and also characterized in:

that each of the video terminals selects the type of image to be displayed on the main screen; and

that the multipoint control unit determines a display position of the subscreen, depending on the selected type of image to be displayed on the main screen.

5. A video terminal communication system characterized in comprising video terminals according to any of claims 1 to 3, with a point-to-point connection being established between the video terminals via a communication line, and

also characterized in that each of the video terminals comprises:

transmission means for transmitting a display mode specification command to the other video terminal via the communication line, with a screen layout of the main screen and the subscreen being optimized by the optimizing means and specified by the display mode specification command;

receiving means for receiving a display mode specification command which is transmitted from the other video terminal via the communication line; and

switching means for switching screen layouts in accordance with the display mode specification command received by the receiving means.

6. A video conferencing system characterized in comprising multiple video terminals according to any of claims 1 to 3, and a multipoint control unit which connects these video terminals together via communication lines, and

also characterized in that each of the video terminals comprises:

transmission means for transmitting display mode specification commands to the multipoint control unit via one of the communication lines, with a screen layout of the main screen and the subscreen being optimized by the optimizing means and specified by the display mode specification commands;

receiving means for receiving a display mode specification command which is transmitted from the multipoint control unit via the one communication line; and

switching means for switching screen layouts in accordance with the display mode specification command which is received by the receiving means; and

that the multipoint control unit comprises relay means for receiving the display mode specification commands from each video terminal and transmitting them to the other video terminals.