Teleconference module with video codec for motion picture data

• US 5,936,945 A
• Filed: 10/15/1996
• Issued: 08/10/1999
• 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): Chan, Jason
• Assistant Examiner(s): Carman, Melissa Kay
• Application Number:
  US08/732,520
• Time in Patent Office: 1,029 Days
• Field of Search: 370/264, 370/268, 370/260, 370/265, 370/465, 370/259, 370/350, 370/251, 370/450, 348/15, 348/14, 348/565, 348/373, 348/20, 348/18, 348/61, 348/17, 348/19, 348/13, 348/16, 379/413, 379/93.14, 379/408, 379/202, 379/440, 358/471
• 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 control apparatus, 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 apparatus and a communication frame received by the same, respectively, a video codec which codes and decodes motion picture data, a video input/output interface which connects an external camera to the video codec, a camera control/external device multiconnector, a CPU which controls an operation of the external camera through the multiconnector on the basis of control data delivered from the control unit, and a box-shaped housing with an adjustable supporter to house the communication control apparatus, video codec, and camera.

Claims

1. A teleconference module comprising:

communication control apparatus which controls transmission and reception of video data through a digital communication channel;

a communication terminal for said digital communication channel;

an external video output terminal connectable to a display;

a video codec which decodes said video data received by said communication control apparatus and then outputs a video signal to said external video output terminal, and which codes an input video signal to-be-coded into said video data and then transfers said video data to said communication control apparatus;

a camera which produces a video signal and transfers said video signal to said video codec;

a box-shaped housing in which said communication control apparatus, said video codec and said camera are housed; and

an adjustable supporter which supports said box-shaped housing adjustably.

wherein said camera is arranged in substantially a central position of said box-shaped housing with respect to a horizontal direction of a front panel of said box-shaped housing; and

said teleconference module, in combination with the display performs as a teleconference terminal for exchanging pictures with an opposite communicating equipment through the communication channel when said external video output terminal connects with the display and said communication terminal connects with the digital communication channel.

3. A teleconference module as defined in claim 1, wherein said communication terminal and said external video output terminal are provided on a panel of said box-shaped housing other than said front panel.

5. A teleconference module according to claim 3, further comprising:

an external data input/output terminal,

wherein said communication control apparatus controls transmission of user data input from said external data input/output terminal through a second digital communication channel and reception of the user data through said second digital communication channel, and outputs the user data received from the second digital communication channel to said external data input/output terminal, and

wherein said external data input/output terminal is provided on a panel of said box-shaped housing other than said front panel.

2. A teleconference module comprising:

a communication control apparatus which controls transmission and reception of video data and audio data through a digital communication channel;

a communication terminal for said digital communication channel;

an external video output terminal connectable to a display;

a video codec which decodes said video data received by said communication control apparatus and then outputs a video signal to said external video output terminal, and which codes an input video signal to-be-coded into said video data and then transfers said video data to said communication control apparatus;

a camera which produces a video signal and transfers said video signal to said video codec;

a multiplexer/demultiplexer which multiplexes and demultiplexes said video data and audio data of each of a plurality of communication frames to be transmitted by said communication control apparatus and each of a plurality of communication frames received by said communication control apparatus, respectively;

an external audio input terminal connectable to a microphone;

an external audio output terminal connectable to a loudspeaker;

an audio codec which decodes said audio data demultiplexed by said multiplexer/demultiplexer and then outputs an audio signal to said external audio output terminal, and which codes an input audio signal to-be coded input from said external audio input terminal into said audio data and then transfers said audio data to said communication control apparatus;

a box-shaped housing in which said communication control apparatus, said multiplexer/demultiplexer, said video codec, said camera and said audio codec are housed; and

an adjustable supporter which supports said box-shaped housing adjustably,

wherein said camera is arranged in substantially a central position of said box-shaped housing with respect to a horizontal direction of a front panel of said box-shaped housing; and

said teleconference module, in combination with the display, the microphone and the loudspeaker, performs as a teleconference terminal for exchanging pictures and voice with an opposite communicating equipment through the digital communication channel when said external video output terminal connects with the display, said external audio input terminal connects with the microphone, said external audio output terminal connects with the loudspeaker and said communication terminal connects with the digital communication channel.

4. A teleconference module as defined in claim 2, wherein said communication terminal, said external video output terminal, said external audio input terminal and said external audio output terminal are provided on a panel of said box-shaped housing other than said front panel.

6. A teleconference module according to claim 4, further comprising:

an external data input/output terminal;

wherein said communication control apparatus controls transmission of user data input from said external data input/output terminal through a second digital communication channel and reception of the user data through said second digital communication channel, and outputs the user data received from the second digital communication channel to said external data input/output terminal, and

wherein said external data input/output terminal is provided on a panel of said box-shaped housing other than said front panel.

7. A teleconference module comprising:

a communication control apparatus which controls transmission of video data and audio data through a digital communication channel;

a multiplexer which multiplexes said video data and audio data of each of a plurality of communication frames to be transmitted by said communication control apparatus;

a communication terminal for said digital communication channel;

a camera which produces a video signal;

a video coder which codes said video signal produced by said camera into said video data and then transfers said video data to said communication control apparatus;

an external audio input terminal connectable to a microphone;

an audio coder which codes an audio signal in put from said external audio input terminal into said audio data and then transfers said audio data to said communication control apparatus;

a box-shaped housing in which said communication control apparatus, said multiplexer, said video coder, said audio coder and said camera are housed; and

an adjustable supporter which supports said box-shaped housing adjustably,

wherein said camera is arranged in substantially a central position of said box-shaped housing with respect to a horizontal direction of a front panel of said box-shaped housing, and

said teleconference module, in combination with the microphone, performs as a teleconference terminal for transmitting pictures and voice to an opposite communicating equipment through the digital communication channel when said external audio input terminal connects with the microphone and said communication terminal connects with the digital communication channel.