Teleconference terminal equipment and teleconference module

• US 5,477,546 A
• Filed: 07/15/1992
• Issued: 12/19/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Inventors: Matsushima, Hitoshi, Ishibashi, Atsushi, Takizawa, Masaaki, Ishida, Kiyoshi, Yamada, Takehiko, Shibata, Yoji, Yoshida, Atsuo
• Primary Examiner(s): Olms, Douglas W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): VU, HUY DUY
• Application Number:
  US07/913,489
• Time in Patent Office: 1,252 Days
• Field of Search: 370/62, 380/9, 379/202, 379/203, 379/204, 379/205, 379/206, 379/96, 379/100, 348/15, 348/12, 348/14, 348/16, 348/17, 348/18, 348/19, 348/20, 348/21
• US Class Current: 370/260
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/14 Systems for two-way working H04N7/12, H04N7/173 take precedence
• 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 7/15 Conference systems

Abstract

A teleconference terminal equipment adapted to construct an AV meeting system as an intended use, comprising a network interface and communications network control unit, a multimedia multiplexing/demultiplexing and interterminal signal control unit which multiplexes and demultiplexes video data and control data contained in a communication frame to be transmitted by the control unit and a communication frame received by the same, respectively, a picture codec which codes and decodes video data, a video input/output interface which connects an external camera to the picture codec, a camera control/external device multiconnector, and a CPU which controls an operation of the external camera through the multiconnector on the basis of control data delivered from the control unit.

Claims

1. A teleconference terminal equipment for exchanging pictures and speech with an opposite communicating terminal equipment through a communication circuit, comprising

a united body including:

communication control means for controlling transmission and reception of communication frames through a digital communication channel according to a predetermined communication protocol, each communication frame being capable of containing video data, audio data, user data and control data, multiplex/demultiplex means for multiplexing and demultiplexing the video data, audio data, user data and control data of each of the communication frame to be transmitted by said communication control means and the communication frame received by the same, respectively,

a picture codec which decodes a picture signal from said video data demultiplexed from within said communication frame by said multiplex/demultiplex means and then delivers said picture signal as an output, and which codes an input picture signal to-be-coded into said video data and then transfers said video data to said multiplex/demultiplex means,

a video switch,

a camera which supplies said video switch with a picked-up picture signal,

a display which displays a picture indicated by the picture signal decoded by said picture codec,

an audio codec which decodes a speech signal from said audio data demultiplexed from within said communication frame by said multiplex/demultiplex means and then delivers said speech signal as an output, and which codes an input speech signal to-be-coded into said audio data and then transfers said audio data to said multiplex/demultiplex means,

a microphone which supplies said audio codec with a picked-up speech signal as the input speech signal to-be-coded,

a loudspeaker which emits speech based on said speech signal decoded by said audio codec,

a video input/output interface for connecting an external camera and an external display apparatus to said video switch, said video input/output interface supplies said video switch with an external input picture signal from said external camera, and delivers said picture signal decoded by said picture codec to said external display, and

a camera control interface which produces a camera control signal for controlling an operation of said external camera based on said control data demultiplexed from within said communication frame by said multiplex/demultiplex means and supplies said camera control signal to said external camera;

said video switch supplies either one of said picked-up picture signal or said external picture signal to said picture codec as said picture signal to-be-coded.

2. A teleconference terminal equipment as defined in claim 1, wherein said digital communication channel is an ISDN, said each communication frame is a frame stipulated in CCITT Recommendation H. 221, and said control data is FAS or BAS data stipulated in CCITT Recommendation H. 221.

3. A teleconference terminal equipment for exchanging pictures and speech with an opposite communicating terminal equipment through a communication circuit, comprising

a united body including:

communication control means for controlling transmission and reception of communication frames through a digital communication channel according to a predetermined communication protocol, each communication frame being capable of containing video data, audio data, user data and control data,

multiplex/demultiplex means for multiplexing and demultiplexing the video data, audio data, user data and control data of each of the communication frames to be transmitted by said communication control means and each of the communication frames received by the same, respectively,

a picture codec which decodes a picture signal from said video data demultiplexed from within said communication frame by said multiplex/demultiplex means and then delivers said picture signal as an output, and which codes an input picture signal to-be-coded into said video data and then transfers said video data to said multiplex/demultiplex means,

an camera which supplies said picture codec with a picked-up picture signal as said picture signal to-be-coded,

a display which displays a picture indicated by said picture signal decoded by said picture codec,

a audio codec which decodes a speech signal from said audio data demultiplexed from within said communication frame by said multiplex/demultiplex means and then delivers said speech signal as an output and which codes an input speech signal to-be-coded into said audio data and then transfers said audio data to said multiplex/demultiplex means,

a microphone which supplies said audio codec with a picked-up speech signal as said speech signal to-be-coded,

a loudspeaker which emits speech based on said speech signal decoded by said audio codec, and

a data interface for connecting said teleconference terminal equipment to an external device, said data interface supplies said external device at least part of at least either of said user data and said control data demultiplexed by said multiplex/demultiplex means for use by said external device and supplies said multiplex/demultiplex means with data from said external device as either of said user data and said control data to be multiplexed within said communication frame by said multiplex/demultiplex means.

4. A teleconference terminal equipment as defined in claim 3, said united body further comprising:

a data multiplexor/demultiplexor by which either of said user data and said control data demultiplexed from within said communication frame by said multiplex/demultiplex means is further demultiplexed into either of a plurality of types of user data and control data, and which multiplexes either of a plurality of types of user data and control data within said communication frame into either of said user data and said control data to be multiplexed by said multiplex/demultiplex means, wherein said data interface supplies said either of user data and control data demultiplexed by said data multiplexor/demultiplexor, as the external outputs, and it supplies said data multiplexor/demultiplexor with said external input data as said either of user data and control data to be multiplexed by said data multiplexor/demultiplexor.

5. A teleconference module for exchanging pictures and speech with an opposite communicating equipment through a communication circuit, comprising:

communication control means for controlling transmission and reception of communication frames through a digital communication channel according to a predetermined communication protocol, each communication frame being capable of containing video data, audio data, user data and control data;

multiplex/demultiplex means for multiplexing and demultiplexing the video data, audio data, user data and said control data of each of the communication frames to be transmitted by said communication control means and the communication frame received by the same, respectively;

a picture codec which decodes a picture signal from said video data demultiplexed from within said communication frame by said multiplex/demultiplex means and then delivers said picture signal as an external output, and which codes an input picture signal to-be-coded into said video data and then transfers said video data to said multiplex/demultiplex means;

a camera which can photograph an external subject, and by which a picture signal produced by photographing is transferred as said picture signal to-be-coded to said picture codec;

an audio codec which decodes a speech signal from said audio data demultiplexed from within said communication frame by said multiplex/demultiplex means and then delivers said speech signal as an output and which codes an input speech signal to-be-coded into said audio data and then transfers said audio data to said multiplex/demultiplex means;

an echo canceler which cancels an echo having developed between said speech signal to-be-coded and the decoded speech signal;

a data interface which supplies at least part of at least either of said user data and said control data demultiplexed by said multiplex/demultiplex means as an external output, said control data controls an external device, and which supplies said multiplex/demultiplex means with external input data as either of said user data and said control data to be multiplexed by said multiplex/demultiplex means; and

a box-shaped housing in which said communication control means, said multiplex/demultiplex means, said picture codec, said camera, said audio codec and said data interface are housed, said box-shaped housing accompanying no internal display for displaying a picture indicated by said decoded picture wherein.

6. A teleconference module as defined in claim 5, wherein said digital communication channel is one which is offered by a basic interface of an ISDN.

7. A teleconference module as defined in claim 5, having a size of a height within 150 mm, a width within 500 mm and a depth within 450 mm.

8. A teleconference system comprising:

a teleconference module, a loudspeaker, an external display unit, a microphone, and a console with which said teleconference module is remote-controlled;

said teleconference module comprising;

communication control means for controlling transmission and reception of video data and audio data through a digital communication channel according to a predetermined communication protocol,

multiplex/demultiplex means for multiplexing and demultiplexing the video data and the audio data to be transmitted by said communication control means and having been received by the same, respectively,

a picture codec which decodes a picture signal from said video data demultiplexed by said multiplex/demultiplex means and then transfers said picture signal to said external display unit connected outside said teleconference module, and which codes an input picture signal to-be-coded into said video data and then transfers said video data to said multiplex/demultiplex means,

a camera which can photograph an external subject, and which transfers a picture signal produced by photographing as said picture signal to-be-coded to said picture codec,

an audio codec which decodes a speech signal from said audio data demultiplexed by said multiplex/demultiplex means and then transfers said speech signal to said loudspeaker connected outside said teleconference module, and which codes an input speech signal to-be-coded from said microphone connected outside said teleconference module into speech data,

a box-shaped housing in which said communication control means, said multiplex/demultiplex means, said picture codec, said camera and said audio codec are housed, said box-shaped housing accommodating no internal display, for displaying a picture indicated by said decoded picture signal therein,

wherein said picture codec of said teleconference module decodes said picture signal from said video data demultiplexed by said multiplex/demultiplex means and then transfers said picture signal to said display unit in response to an operation with said console, and said audio codec codes said input speech signal to-be-coded from said microphone into said audio data and then transfers said audio data to said multiplex/demultiplex means, and

graphic user interface offering means for offering through said display unit a graphic user interface which serves to operate said teleconference module with said console, said graphic user interface offering means is also housed in said box-shaped housing.

9. A teleconference system for exchanging pictures and speech with an opposite communicating equipment through a communication circuit, comprising:

a remote console and a teleconference module;

(a) wherein said remote console includes;

a teleconference module interface for connecting said remote console to said teleconference module, key switches each allocated for respective functions of said teleconference module, a processor which detects statuses of said key switches and supplies information of statuses of said key switches to said teleconference module interface and a microphone outputting a speech signal to said teleconference module interface, said teleconference module interface transfers said speech signal outputted from said microphone and said information of statuses of said key switches from processor to said teleconference module; and

(b) wherein said teleconference module includes;

communication control means for controlling transmission and reception of video data and audio data through a digital communication channel according to a predetermined communication protocol,

multiplex/demultiplex means for multiplexing and demultiplexing the video data and the audio data to be transmitted by said communication control means and having been received by the same, respectively,

a picture codec which decodes a picture signal from said video data demultiplexed by said multiplex/demultiplex means, and which codes an input picture signal to-be-coded as said video data and then transfers said video data to said multiplex/demultiplex means,

a video switch,

a camera which photographs an external subject and supplies said video switch with a picture signal produced by photographing,

a video input/output interface for connecting said video switch to an external camera and an external display apparatus, said video input/output interface supplies said video switch with an external input picture signal from said external camera and delivers said picture signal decoded by said picture codec to said external display apparatus,

a remote console interface connected to said the conference interface of remote console via a cable,

an audio output interface for outputting a speech signal to the outside of said teleconference module,

an audio codec which decodes a speech signal from said audio data demultiplexed by said multiplex/demultiplex means and then transfers said speech signal to said audio output interface, and by which an speech signal inputted by said remote console, interface is coded into speech data,

control means for controlling operations at least one of said picture codec and said communication control means, according to said information received at said remote console interface from said remote console, and

a box-shaped housing in which said communication control means, said multiplex/demultiplex means, said picture codec, said camera, said audio codec, said control means, said video input/output interface, said remote console interface and said audio output interface are housed, said box-shaped housing accommodating no normal display for displaying a picture indicated by said decoded picture signal therein,

said video switch supplies either one of said picture signal produced by photographing or said external picture signal to said picture codec as said picture signal to-be-coded.

10. A teleconference system for exchanging pictures and speech with an opposite communicating equipment through a communication circuit, comprising:

a remote console and a teleconference module;

(a) said remote console includes;

a teleconference module interface for connecting said remote console to said teleconference module, key switches each allocated for respective functions of said teleconference module, a processor which detects statuses of said key switches and supplies information of statuses of said key switches to said teleconference module interface and a microphone outputting a speech signal to said teleconference module interface, said teleconference module interface transfers said speech signal outputted from said microphone and said information of statuses of said key switches from processor to said teleconference module; and

(b) said teleconference module includes;

communication control means for controlling transmission and reception of communication frames through a digital communication channel according to a predetermined communication protocol, said each communication frames being capable of containing said video data, said audio data, control data and user data,

a multiplex/demultiplex means for multiplexing and demultiplexing the video data, audio data, control date and user data of each of the communication frame to be transmitted by said communication control means and the communication frame received by the same, respectively,

a data interface by which at least part of at least either of said user data and said control data demultiplexed by said multiplex/demultiplex means is supplied as an external output, and which supplies said multiplex/demultiplex means with external input data as either of said user data and said control data to be multiplexed within said communication frame by said multiplex/demultiplex means,

a picture codec which decodes a picture signal from said video data demultiplexed by said multiplex/demultiplex means, and which codes an input picture signal to-be-coded into said video data and then transfers said video data to said multiplex/demultiplex means,

a video switch,

a camera which photographs an external subject, and supplies said video switch with a picture signal produced by photographing,

a video input/output interface for connecting said video switch to an external camera and an external display apparatus, said video input/output interface supplies said video switch with an external input picture signal from said external camera and delivers said picture signal decoded by said picture codec to said external display apparatus;

a remote console interface connected to said teleconference interface of remote console via a cable,

an audio codec which decodes a speech signal from said audio data demultiplexed from within said communication frame by said multiplex/demultiplex means and then delivers said speech signal as an output and which codes an input speech signal to-be-coded into said audio data and then transfers said audio data to said multiplex/demultiplex means,

an audio output interface, by which a speech signal inputted from outside of the teleconference module is supplied is said speech signal to-be-coded to said audio codec, and by which said decoded speech signal produced by said audio codec is outputted to the outside of said teleconference module,

an audio switch,

a modular jack of a half-duplex interface for connecting said teleconference module to an external facsimile machine of a group 3 type recommended by CCITT (G3 facsimile machine) which supplies to said audio switch a G3 facsimile transmission signal from the G3 facsimile machine and delivers said decoded analog audio signal produced by said audio codec to said G3 facsimile machine,

control means for controlling operations at least one of said picture codec, said multiplex/demultiplex means, said audio codec and said communication control means, according to said information received at said remote console interface from said remote console, and

a box-shaped housing in which said communication control means, said multiplex/demultiplex means, said picture codec, said camera, said audio codec, said control means, said video input/output interface, said remote console interface, said modular jack, said data interface, said video switch, said audio switch and said audio output interface are housed, said box-shaped housing accommodating no internal display, for displaying a picture indicated by said decoded picture signal therein;

wherein said video switch supplies either one of said picture signal produced by photographing or said external picture signal to said picture codec as the picture signal to-be-coded and said audio switch supplies either one of said speech signal inputted by said remote console interface or said G3 facsimile transmission signal to said audio codec as the speech signal to-be-coded.

11. A teleconference system for exchanging pictures and speech with an opposite communicating equipment throughout a communication circuit, comprising:

a remote console and a teleconference module;

(a) said remote console includes;

a teleconference module interface for connecting said remote console to said teleconference module, key switches each allocated for respective functions of said teleconference module, a processor which detects statuses of said key switches and supplies information of statuses of said key switches to said teleconference module interface and a microphone for outputting a speech signal to said teleconference module interface, said teleconference module interface transfers said speech signal outputted frame said microphone and supplies information of statuses of said key switches from processor to said teleconference module; and

(b) said teleconference module includes;

communication control means for controlling transmission and reception of video data and audio data through a digital communication channel according to a predetermined communication protocol,

multiplex/demultiplex means for multiplexing and demultiplexing the video data and the audio data to be transmitted by said communication control means and having been received by said communication control means,

a picture codec which decodes a picture signal from said video data demultiplexed by said multiplex/demultiplex means, and codes an input picture signal to-be-coded into said video data and then transfers said video data to said multiplex/demultiplex means,

a camera which can photograph an external subject, and which supplies said picture codec with a picture signal produced by photographing as the picture signal to-be-coded,

a video output interface for connecting said teleconference module to an external display apparatus, said video output interface delivers said picture signal decoded by said picture codec to said external display apparatus,

a remote console interface connected to said teleconference interface of remote console via a cable,

an audio output interface for outputting a speech signal to the outside of said teleconference module,

an audio codec which decodes a speech signal from said audio data demultiplexed by said multiplex/demultiplex means, transfers said speech signal to said audio output interface, and codes an speech signal inputted by said remote console interface into speech data,

control means for controlling operations at least of said picture codec and said communication control means, according to information received at said remote console interface from said remote console, and

a box-shaped housing in which said communication control means, said multiplex/demultiplex means, said picture codec, said camera, said audio codec, said control means, said video input/output interface, said remote console interface, and said audio output interface are housed, said box-shaped housing accommodates no internal display for displaying a picture indicated by said decoded picture signal therein.