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Video conference device with facsimile function

  • US 5,373,316 A
  • Filed: 03/05/1993
  • Issued: 12/13/1994
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/30/1992
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A videoconference device comprising:

  • video input means for receiving an image to generate an image signal;

    image encode/decode means for encoding/decoding the image signal;

    means for outputting a received decoded image signal;

    voice input means for receiving voice to generate a voice signal;

    voice encode/decode means for encoding/decoding the voice signal;

    means for outputting a received decoded voice signal;

    a telephone network simulator for interfacing a facsimile unit;

    signal converting means for converting a signal from a facsimile unit to a digital signal and converting a digital signal to a signal for the facsimile unit;

    facsimile control means for controlling said telephone network simulator;

    multiplexing/demultiplexing communication control means for multiplexing voice, image and facsimile communication data and sending the multiplexed data to a communication network and demultiplexing multiplexed data from the communication network into respective voice, image and facsimile communication data;

    control data inputting means for inputting data on dial or other function selection; and

    videoconference control means connected to said control data inputting means for controlling said image encode/decode means, voice encode/decode means, signal converting means, facsimile control means, and multiplexing/demultiplexing communication control means,wherein said facsimile control means detects an operative state of a facsimile unit on the basis of a control request from said videoconference control means and a signal from said telephone network simulator, controls said telephone network simulator and requests said videoconference control means to send/receive data on the facsimile unit;

    wherein said telephone network simulator is controlled by said facsimile control means and simulates an external telephone set for the facsimile unit;

    wherein said telephone network simulator comprises;

    a telephone connection terminal for connecting to a telephone connection terminal of a facsimile unit,second switching means for selecting whether two lines from said telephone connection terminal should be short-circuited or opened, andsecond current detecting means for detecting the flow of a current on the basis of short-circuiting of the two lines from said telephone connection terminal,whereby said facsimile control means controls said second switching means and said second current detecting means detects the operative state of the facsimile unit.

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