Wireless multi-handset telephone system with integrated video monitoring accessories

• US 20040132489A1
• Filed: 03/31/2003
• Published: 07/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: VTech Telecommunications Limited (VTech Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: VTech Telecommunications Limited (VTech Holdings Ltd.)
• Inventors: Tischler, Ralph, Ryley, Gordon, Wong, Allan Chi-Yun
• Granted Patent: US 7,062,291 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/556.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6033 for providing handsfree use or a loudspeaker mode in telephone sets arrangements for preventing acoustic echo H04M9/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72513 On hold, intercom or transfer communication modes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/185 from a mobile camera, e.g. for remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/186 Video door telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/20 Adaptations for transmission via a GHz frequency band, e.g. via satellite
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

A wireless multi-handset telephone system with integrated video monitoring. A speakerphone base unit, at least one camera module, at least one combination video/voice handset, and at least one voice handset operate together such that voice and data are transmitted (i) between the speakerphone base unit and the at least one camera module and (ii) between the speakerphone base unit and the at least one voice handset, and video images are transmitted from the at least one camera module to the at least one combination video/voice handset.

Claims

1. A cordless telephone system, comprising:

a base unit;

at least one cordless telephone handset that also includes a screen that is capable of displaying images; and

at least one camera unit that is operable to wirelessly send images to at least the cordless telephone handset.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the camera unit is associated with a doorbell.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the camera unit comprises a speakerphone.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the camera unit comprises an infrared illuminator.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the camera unit comprises means for at least one of transmitting and receiving audio.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein audio and video information is transmitted on different frequencies.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein audio and video information is synchronized.

8. A video monitoring system, comprising:

a speakerphone base unit;

at least one combination video/voice handset;

at least one voice handset; and

at least one camera module,

wherein the base unit is operable to be in wireless communication with any one of the at least one combination video/voice handset, at least one voice handset, and at least one camera module, and wherein the combination video/voice handset is operable to monitor images captured by the at least one camera module.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the camera module is associated with a doorbell.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the camera module comprises a speakerphone.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the camera module comprises an infrared illuminator.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein audio and video information is transmitted on different frequencies.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the audio and video information is synchronized.

14. The system of claim 8, wherein the camera module comprises a TDMA transceiver and a separate video transmitter.

15. The system of claim 8, wherein the camera module comprises a CMOS camera.

16. The system of claim 8, wherein at least the combination video/voice handset comprises an auxiliary connector.

17. A wireless multi-handset telephone system with integrated video monitoring, comprising:

a speakerphone base unit;

at least one camera module;

at least one combination video/voice handset; and

at least one voice handset,

wherein voice and data are transmitted (i) between the speakerphone base unit and the at least one camera module and (ii) between the speakerphone base unit and the at least one voice handset, and video images are transmitted from the at least one camera module to the at least one combination video/voice handset.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the camera module is associated with a doorbell.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the camera module comprises a speakerphone.

20. The system of claim 17 wherein the camera module comprises an infrared illuminator.

21. The system of claim 17, wherein the camera module comprises means for at least one of transmitting and receiving audio.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein audio and video information is transmitted on different frequencies.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the audio and video information is synchronized.

24. A method of monitoring a location using a cordless telephone system, comprising:

initiating a voice and data link between a camera unit having audio capabilities and a base unit;

signaling at least one cordless handset;

establishing a two-way voice intercom between the camera unit and the at least one cordless handset via the base unit;

causing the camera unit to transmit an image; and

receiving and displaying the image at the cordless handset.

25. The method claim 24, wherein audio and image transmissions are performed on different frequencies.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein the camera unit transmits the image directly to the cordless handset.

27. The method of claim 24, wherein the cordless handset causes the camera unit to transmit an image.

28. The method of claim 24, wherein the initiating step is responsive to a doorbell being pressed.