Videocommunicating apparatus and method therefor

• US 6,124,882 A
• Filed: 01/09/1998
• Issued: 09/26/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: 8X8, Inc.
• Original Assignee: 8X8, Inc.
• Inventors: Barraclough, Keith, Joe, Truman, Voois, Paul A., Martin, Bryan R., Bednarz, Philip
• Primary Examiner(s): Kuntz, Curtis A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Eng, George
• Application Number:
  US09/005,053
• Time in Patent Office: 991 Days
• Field of Search: 348/12-20, 348/7, 348/407, 348/413, 348/415, 348/417, 348/423, 382/41, 382/56, 382/166, 382/232-236, 358/432, 364/723, 364/724.013, 379/202, 379/102.02, 345/502, 345/508, 345/505-506, 345/519, 712/23, 712/215, 712/35, 712/20
• US Class Current: 348/14.08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/40 using video transcoding, i.e. partial or full decoding of a coded input stream followed by re-encoding of the decoded output stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/141 between two video terminals, e.g. videophone telephonic communication systems combined with television receiver for reception of entertainment or information matter H04M11/085
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/15 Conference systems

Abstract

In one embodiment, a cost-effective videophone device includes a programmable processor circuit capable of communicating over a conventional communications channel, such as a POTS line, and of generating video data for display on a television set. The device includes a video source, an interface circuit, including a modem transmitting and receiving video and audio data over the channel; an EEPROM circuit for storing a program to control the videophone apparatus; and a display driver circuit for generating video data to the display. The programmable processor circuit includes a DSP-type processor for processing video data and a RISC-type processor executing the stored program and controlling the operation of the videophone apparatus. Further, a housing arrangement, enclosing each of the above structures, mounts adustably on the top of the display.

Claims

1. A videoconferencing apparatus for communicating video and audio data over a plain old telephone service (POTS) line, comprising:

a video source configured and arranged to capture images and to generate video data representing the images;

a POTS interface circuit, including a modem, configured and arranged to transmit and receive video and audio data over the POTS line;

a programmable processor circuit having a first section, including a DSP-type processor, configured and arranged to encode and decode video data, including the video data generated by the video source, according to a programmed video-coding recommendation, and having a controller section, including a RISC-type processor, communicatively coupled to the first section, the controller section executing a stored program for controlling operation of the videoconferencing apparatus in response to user-generated commands;

an EEPROM circuit coupled to the programmable processor circuit and arranged for storing the program for controlling operation of the videoconferencing apparatus;

a display driver circuit responsive to the programmable processor circuit and configured and arranged to generate video data for a display; and

a housing arrangement, enclosing the video source, the POTS interface circuit, the programmable processor circuit, the EEPROM circuit, the display driver circuit, and constructed and arranged to mount adjustably on the top of the display.

2. A videoconferencing apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein the controller section includes at least one of a telephone and a wireless remote unit.

3. A videoconferencing apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein the programmable processor circuit is implemented using at least two intercommunicative integrated circuit packages.

4. A videoconferencing apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein the programmable processor circuit is implemented using one integrated circuit package including both the RISC-type processor and the DSP-type processor.

5. A videoconferencing apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein the first and controller sections of the programmable processor circuit are implemented as part of a single integrated circuit.

6. A videoconferencing apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein the processor circuit is programmed to receive a user-generated command that configures the videoconferencing apparatus to automatically answer a call detected over the POTS line.

7. A videoconferencing apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein the processor circuit is programmed to process video received from one of a plurality of video sources and to respond to a remotely generated "select" command causing one of the video sources to be selected by a remotely-located user.

8. A videoconferencing apparatus for communicating video and audio data over a communications channel, comprising:

a video source configured and arranged to capture images and to generate video data representing the images;

an interface circuit, including a modem, configured and arranged to transmit and receive video and audio data over the channel;

a programmable processor circuit having a first section, including a DSP-type processor, configured and arranged to encode and decode video data, including the video data generated by the video source, according to a programmed video-coding recommendation, and having a controller section, including a RISC-type processor, communicatively coupled to the first section, the controller section executing a stored program for controlling operation of the videoconferencing apparatus in response to user-generated commands;

an EEPROM circuit coupled to the programmable processor circuit and arranged for storing the program for controlling operation of the videoconferencing apparatus;

a display driver circuit responsive to the programmable processor circuit and configured and arranged to generate video data for a display; and

a housing arrangement, enclosing the video source, the interface circuit, the programmable processor circuit, the EEPROM circuit, the display driver circuit, and constructed and arranged to mount adjustably on the top of the display.

9. A videoconferencing apparatus, according to claim 8, wherein the processor circuit is programmed to receive a user-generated command that configures the videoconferencing apparatus to automatically answer a call detected over the communications channel.

10. A videoconferencing apparatus, according to claim 8, wherein the processor circuit is programmed to process video received from one of a plurality of video sources and to respond to a remotely generated "select" command causing one of the video sources to be selected by a remotely-located user.

11. A videoconferencing apparatus, according to claim 8, wherein the processor circuit is programmed to process video received from one of a plurality of video sources and to respond to a remotely generated "select" command causing one of the video sources to be selected by a remotely-located user, and wherein the processor circuit is further programmed to receive a user-generated command that configures the videoconferencing apparatus to automatically answer a call detected over the communications channel.

12. A videoconferencing apparatus for communicating video and audio data over a communications channel, comprising:

a video source input port configured and arranged to couple video data from a video source, the video data representing images captured by the video source;

an interface circuit, including a modem, configured and arranged to transmit and receive video and audio data over the channel;

a programmable processor circuit having a first section, including a DSP-type processor, configured and arranged to encode and decode video data, including the video data generated by the video source, according to a programmed video-coding recommendation, and having a controller section, including a RISC-type processor, communicatively coupled to the first section, the controller section executing a stored program for controlling operation of the videoconferencing apparatus in response to user-generated commands, the processor circuit being further configured to receive a user-generated command that configures the videoconferencing apparatus to automatically answer a call detected over the communications channel;

an EEPROM circuit coupled to the programmable processor circuit and arranged for storing the program for controlling operation of the videoconferencing apparatus;

a display driver circuit responsive to the programmable processor circuit and configured and arranged to generate video data for a display; and

a housing arrangement, enclosing the video source input port, the interface circuit, the programmable processor circuit, the EEPROM circuit, the display driver circuit, and constructed and arranged to mount adjustably on the top of the display.