Videophone

• US 5,079,627 A
• Filed: 06/29/1989
• Issued: 01/07/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Optum Incorporated (UnitedHealth Group Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Optum Incorporated (UnitedHealth Group Incorporated)
• Inventors: Filo, Andrew
• Primary Examiner(s): Ng, Jin F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Woo, Stella L.
• Application Number:
  US07/375,266
• Time in Patent Office: 922 Days
• Field of Search: 358/85, 379/53
• US Class Current: 348/14.15
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/142 Constructional details of the terminal equipment, e.g. arrangements of the camera and the display

Abstract

The present invention, the Videophone, is a compact audio/video device that is capable of both sending and receiving audio and visual signals, and is designed to be compatible with standard telephone equipment. The Videophone includes a modified speakerphone, a camera, a viewing screen, and an imaging system based upon a revolving disk of film having a series of holographic apertures which divide the subject image into elements of light. The disk has two bands which are used to alternately scan and reproduce an image. The visual image is process by unique circuitry that can, for ease of manufacture, be contained on a single customized chip. The videophone has the capability to transmit a full motion picture of reasonably good quality. Moreover, audio transmission is not blocked during transmission of the video signal.

Claims

1. A bidirectional device adaptable to standard telephone equipment, requiring the use of a single telephone line, that will transmit and receive real time, full motion video images comprising:

a camera;

a viewing screen;

an imaging system comprising means for converting light reflected from a subject image into an electrical signal, and further means for converting a transmitted electrical signal into light which is displayed on the screen as the subject image;

signal processing means; and

a speakerphone modified to be compatible with the signal processing means and imaging system;

wherein the imaging system makes use of a rotating disk of film, the disk having holographic images of apertures therein that allow light to pass through the disk in discrete elements;

and wherein the signal processing means is a circuit to transmit audio signals and to process discrete elements of light representing a video image comprising;

a real time video transmitting circuit with means to convert light reflected from the full motion subject into an electrical signal capable of being transmitted over a standard telephone line in real time;

a video receiving circuit with means to convert the signal received over the telephone lines into light that when displayed on the viewing screen forms the subject image;

an audio transmitting circuit with means to detect sound and transmit it while overriding any video signal that is being transmitted; and

an audio receiving circuit with means to receive the audio signal and transmit it to a listener while overriding any video signal that is being received; and

wherein

the video transmitting circuit comprises;

a detector that converts light to electrical current;

an amplifier, a filter, and a second amplifier in serial circuit to convert the current from the detector to DC voltage;

a synchronization circuit to coordinate the rotation of the disk with the detection of light while capturing the subject image;

a buffer and a bridge to convert the DC voltage to an AC current capable of being transmitted over standard phone lines; and

the video receiving circuit comprises;

a buffer, a driver, a DC restoration circuit, and a Z driver to convert the signal received from the telephone line into DC current;

an LED which converts the DC current into light representing the subject image; and

a synchronization circuit to coordinate the rotation of the disk with the light emitted from the LED while displaying the image.

2. A circuit to transmit audio signals to process discrete elements of light representing a full motion video image comprising:

a video transmitting circuit with means to convert light reflected from the subject image into an electrical signal capable of being transmitted over standard telephone lines;

a video receiving circuit with means to convert the signal received over the telephone lines into light that when displayed on a viewing screen forms a subject image;

an audio transmitting circuit with means to detect sound and transmit it while overriding any video signal that is being transmitted; and

an audio receiving circuit with means to receive the audio signal and transmit it to a listener while overriding any video signal that is being received; and

wherein

A. the video transmitting circuit comprises;

a detector that converts light to electrical current;

an amplifier, a filter, and a second amplifier in serial circuit to convert the current from the detector to DC voltage;

a synchronization circuit to coordinate the rotation of a disk with the detection of light while capturing the subject image;

a buffer and a bridge to convert the DC voltage into an AC current capable of being transmitted over standard phone lines; and

B. the video receiving circuit comprises;

a buffer, a driver, a DC restoration circuit, and a Z driver to convert the signal received from the telephone line into DC current;

an LED which converts the DC current into light representing the subject image; and

a synchronization circuit to coordinate the rotation of the disk with the light emitted from the LED while displaying the image.

3. A bidirectional device adaptable to standard telephone equipment, requiring the use of a single telephone line, that will transmit and receive real time, full motion video images comprising:

a camera;

a CRT;

an imaging system comprising means for converting light reflected from a full motion subject into a real time electrical signal, and further means for converting a transmitted electrical signal into the subject image displayed on the CRT;

signal processing means; and

a speakerphone modified to be compatible with the signal processing means and imaging system; and

wherein

the imaging system makes use of a rotating disk, the disk having holographic images of apertures therein that allow light to pass through the disk in discrete elements;

an wherein

the signal processing means is a circuit to transmit audio signals and to process discrete elements of light representing a video image comprising;

a video transmitting circuit with means to convert light reflected from the subject image into an electrical signal capable of being transmitted over standard telephone lines;

a video receiving circuit with means to convert the signal received over the telephone lines into the subject image displayed on the CRT;

an audio transmitting circuit with means to detect sound and transmit it while overriding any video signal that is being transmitted; and

an audio receiving circuit with means to receive the audio signal and transmit it to a listener while overriding any video signal that is being received; and

wherein

the video transmitting circuit comprises;

a detector that converts light to electrical current;

an amplifier, a filter, and a second amplifier in serial circuit to convert the current from the detector to DC voltage;

a synchronization circuit to coordinate the rotation of the disk with the detection of light while capturing the subject image;

a buffer and a bridge to convert the DC voltage to an AC current capable of being transmitted over standard phone lines; and

the video receiving circuit comprises;

a buffer, a driver, a DC restoration circuit, and a Z driver to convert the signal received from the telephone line into DC current; and

a synchronization circuit to coordinate the displaying of the image on the CRT.

4. A circuit to transmit audio signals and to process discrete elements of light representing a video image comprising:

a video transmitting circuit with means to convert light reflected from a full motion subject into an electrical signal capable of being transmitted over standard telephone lines;

a video receiving circuit with means to convert the signal received over the telephone lines into the subject image displayed on a CRT;

an audio transmitting circuit with means to detect sound and transmit it while overriding any video signal that is being transmitted; and

an audio receiving circuit with means to receive the audio signal and transmit it to a listener while overriding any video signal that is being received; and

wherein

A. the video transmitting circuit comprises;

a detector that converts light to electrical current;

an amplifier, a filter, and a second amplifier in serial circuit to convert the current from the detector to DC voltage;

a synchronization circuit to coordinate the rotation of a disk with the detection of light while capturing the subject image;

a buffer and a bridge to convert the DC voltage into an AC current capable of being transmitted over standard phone lines; and

B. the video receiving circuit comprises;

a buffer, a driver, a DC restoration circuit, and a Z driver to convert the signal received from the telephone line into DC current; and

a synchronization circuit to coordinate the displaying of the image on the CRT.