Video TTY device and method for videocommunication

• US 6,188,429 B1
• Filed: 04/02/1998
• Issued: 02/13/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: 8X8, Inc.
• Original Assignee: 8X8, Inc.
• Inventors: Medugno, Richard, Joe, Truman, Martin, Bryan R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kuntz, Curtis A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ramakrishnaiah, Melur
• Application Number:
  US09/053,968
• Time in Patent Office: 1,048 Days
• Field of Search: 348/14, 348/15, 348/16, 348/17, 379/52, 379/90.01, 379/93.05, 379/93.17, 379/93.21, 379/93.23, 455/558, 455/557
• US Class Current: 348/14.08
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1827 Network arrangements for conference optimisation or adaptation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/147 Communication arrangements, e.g. identifying the communication as a video-communication, intermediate storage of the signals selecting H04Q

Abstract

A video communications device used as part of a communication terminal in a video-conferencing arrangement provides the capability of real-time captioning along with real-time visual communication for the individuals that are hearing- or language-impaired and others whose speech is not understandable or non-existent. The device enhances the ability of people with communication disabilities to communicate quickly and effectively with those who are similarly afflicted as well as with those who are not. In one example embodiment, the video communications device includes a camera and a teletype device (TTY) for transmitting and receiving teletype information. The camera captures local images and generates a set of video signals representing those images. A teletype device captures input data from a user and generates a set of data signals. The device can be configured for compatibility with conventional equipment and for alerting users of incoming calls nonaudibly.

Claims

1. A teletype communicator for communicating with a remote communication terminal over a communications channel, comprising:

a user-input device constructed and arranged to generate teletype data in response to a user; and

a teletype arrangement including a receiver constructed to receive the teletype data, an interface circuit for communicating over the communications channel using a selected one of a plurality of transmission rates, and a processor-based circuit having a program that, when executed, causes the processor-based circuit to communicate teletype information over the communications channel, to generate compressed video data using a first compression rate for user display, and, after establishing communication with the remote communication terminal, to negotiate a non-audible communication mode with the remote communication terminal by using another one of the plurality of transmission rates to send video data compressed at the first compression rate.

2. A teletype communicator, according to claim 1, further including a camera arranged to capture local images and, in response, to generate a set of compressed video signals representing the captured images, and wherein the processor-based circuit is configured and arranged to:

communicate video information over the communications channel;

to negotiate a non-audible communication mode with the remote communication terminal by increasing the transmission rate at which the video signals compressed at the first compression rate are being generated over the communications channel to the remote communication terminal; and

to generate both text data and video data for user display.

3. A teletype communicator, according to claim 2, further including a display having top support area and wherein the camera is configured in a housing that is arranged to capture local images while supported on the support area and wherein the processor-based circuit is further configured and arranged to cause the text data to be displayed above the video data, thereby directing a user that is reading the text data toward the camera.

4. A teletype communicator, according to claim 1, further including a wireless channel defined by an infrared communication protocol.

5. A video communications device, according to claim 1, wherein teletype arrangement does not include a video camera and wherein the teletype arrangement is further adapted to operate in another mode in which video data is not generated for user display.

6. A video communications device, according to claim 1, wherein teletype arrangement is configured and arranged to transmit audio on the communications channel along with video information by sending compressed video in packets;

and wherein the data communicated to negotiate a non-audible communication mode with the remote communication terminal is a prerecorded audio message sent responsive to the teletype arrangement detecting audio being generated over the communications channel by the remote communication terminal and sent to indicate that the user of the teletype arrangement is communicatively disadvantaged.

7. A teletype communicator, according to claim 1, wherein the processor-based circuit is configured and arranged to negotiate a non-audible communication mode with the remote communication terminal by increasing a rate at which the compressed video signals are being generated over the communications channel to the remote communication terminal.

8. A teletype communicator, according to claim 1, wherein the data communicated to negotiate a non-audible communication mode with the remote communication terminal is a prerecorded audio message responsive to the teletype arrangement detecting audio being generated over the communications channel by the remote communication terminal.

9. A teletype communicator, according to claim 8, wherein the prerecorded audio message indicates that the teletype communicator is ready for non-audio communication.

10. A teletype communicator, according to claim 8, wherein the processor-based circuit is configured and arranged to negotiate a non-audible communication mode with the remote communication terminal by increasing a rate at which the compressed video signals are being generated over the communications channel to the remote communication terminal.

16. A teletype communication arrangement for use with a television set, according to claim 10, wherein the control information that negotiates a non-audible communication mode with a remote communication terminal includes an increased a rate at which the compressed video signals are being generated over the communications channel.

11. A method of teletype communicating with a remote communication terminal over a communications channel, comprising:

capturing images of a user, including at least one of the user'"'"'s mouth and hands;

generating teletype information, including text and data representing the captured images, over a wireless channel; and

receiving the teletype information over the wireless channel using a wireless receiver and, after establishing communication with the remote communication terminal, communicating the information over the communications channel for simultaneous display of the text and captured images, generating compressed video information using a first compression rate, and negotiating a non-audible communication mode with the remote communication terminal by altering a transmission rate for the video that is compressed using the first compression rate.

12. A teletype communicator for communicating with a remote communication terminal over a communications channel, comprising:

user-engageable means for generating data over a wireless channel in response to a user engaging said means; and

video-teletyping means, responsive to said user-engageable means and to establishing communication with the remote communication terminal, for video-teletyping, including generating compressed video information using a first compression rate, and for negotiating a non-audible communication mode with the remote communication terminal by altering a transmission rate for the video that is compressed using the first compression rate.

13. A teletype communicator for communicating with a remote communication terminal over a communications channel, according to claim 12, wherein said means for video-teletyping includes receiver constructed to receive the data over the wireless channel, an interface circuit for communicating over the communications channel, and a processor-based circuit having a program that, when executed, causes the processor-based circuit to communicate video and text data over the communications channel and to generate at least the text data for user display.

14. A teletype communication arrangement for use with a television set, comprising:

a TTY device including user-engageable keys arranged to generate data in response to a user engaging the TTY device;

a processor-based circuit having a program that, when executed, causes the processor-based circuit to communicate teletype information over a communications channel, the processor-based circuit being adapted to generate compressed video information using a first compression rate and control information that, after establishing communication with the remote communication terminal, negotiates a non-audible communication mode with a remote communication terminal, in which video information compressed using the first compression rate is transmitted at a different transmission rate; and

an interface circuit configured to respond to the processor-based circuit by generating data, including at least text information, for display on the television set.

15. A teletype communication arrangement for use with a television set, according to claim 14, wherein the control information that negotiates a non-audible communication mode with a remote communication terminal includes a prerecorded message requesting a non-audio mode.

17. A teletype communication arrangement for use with a television set, according to claim 14, wherein the control information that negotiates a non-audible communication mode with a remote communication terminal includes a prerecorded message requesting a non-audio mode, and an increased a rate at which the compressed video signals are being generated over the communications channel.

18. A teletype communication arrangement for use with a television set, comprising:

TTY means, including user-engageable keys, for generating teletype data in response to a user engaging said TTY means;

a processor-based circuit having a program that, when executed, causes the processor-based circuit to communicate the teletype data over a communications channel, the processor-based circuit being adapted to generate compressed video information using a first compression rate and, after establishing communication with the remote communication terminal, communicating information for negotiating a non-audible communication mode with a remote communication terminal, in which video information compressed using the first compression rate is transmitted at a different transmission rate; and

means for responding to the processor-based circuit by generating data, including at least text information, for display on the television set.

19. A video-teletype communicator use with a display screen as part of at least one of a plurality of communication terminals communicating over a communications channel, comprising:

an interface circuit for communicating user-input information over the communications channel; and

a processor-based circuit responsive to the interface circuit and having a program that, when executed, causes the processor-based circuit to communicate teletype information over the communications channel and to generate data for user display, the generated data being formatted for the display screen with a teletext banner and a remote view image along a top portion of the display screen, and the processor-based circuit being adapted to generate compressed video information using a first compression rate and, after establishing communication with the remote communication termina, communicating information for negotiating a non-audible communication mode with a remote communication terminal, in which video information compressed using the first compression rate is transmitted at a different transmission rate.

20. A video-teletype communicator, according to claim 19, wherein the teletext banner includes at least one of:

text display that distinguishes between text generated from a first one of the plurality of terminals and text generated from a second one of the plurality of terminals;

text that is recalled from a memory buffer;

text display that scrolls in response to user-input data; and

text display that rolls over to a second line.

21. A video-teletype communicator, according to claim 19, wherein the generated data for the display screen includes the teletext banner along a top portion of the display screen, a remote view image under and near the teletext banner, and a local view image, the local view image being displayed in a smaller area of the display screen than the remote view image.

22. A video-teletype communicator, according to claim 19, further including a camera arranged adjacent the top of the display screen wherein the teletext banner and the remote view image are arranged to permit a user to view the teletext banner and the remote view image while giving the appearance of a user looking at the camera.

23. A method of video-teletype communicating involving a display screen as part of at least one of a plurality of communication terminals communicating over a communications channel, comprising:

communicating user-input information over the communications channel; and

processing the user-input information for communicating teletype information over the communications channel and generating data for user display, and formatting the generated data for a display screen with a teletext banner and a remote view image along a top portion of the display screen, the processing including generating compressed video information using a first compression rate and, after establishing communication with the remote communication terminal, communicating information for negotiating a non-audible communication mode with a remote communication terminal, in which video information compressed using the first compression rate is transmitted at a different transmission rate.

24. A method of video-teletype communicating, according to claim 23, wherein the teletext banner includes at least one of:

text display that distinguishes between text generated from a first one of the plurality of terminals and text generated from a second one of the plurality of terminals;

text display that scrolls in response to user-input data; and

text display that rolls over to a second line.

25. A method of video-teletype communicating, according to claim 23, wherein the generated data for the display screen includes the teletext banner along a top portion of the display screen, a remote view image under and near the teletext banner, and a local view image, the local view image being displayed in a smaller area of the display screen than the remote view image.

26. A method of video-teletype communicating, according to claim 23, wherein the teletext banner and the remote view image are arranged to permit a user to view the teletext banner and the remote view image while giving the appearance of a user looking at a camera arranged adjacent and above the display screen.

27. A video-teletype communicator involving a display screen as part of at least one of a plurality of communication terminals communicating over a communications channel, comprising:

means for communicating user-input information over the communications channel;

means for processing the user-input information for communicating teletype information over the communications channel and generating data for user display, and for generating compressed video information using a first compression rate and, after establishing a communication connection, communicating information for negotiating a non-audible communication mode with a remote communication terminal by altering a transmission rate for the video that is compressed using the first compression rate; and

means for formatting the generated data for a display screen with a teletext banner and a remote view image along a top portion of the display screen.

28. A video-teletype communication arrangement, comprising:

a TTY device, including user-engageable keys, for generating teletype data in response to a user engaging the keys; and

a processor-based circuit having a program that, when executed, causes the processor-based circuit to communicate video image data and the teletype data over a communications channel, and the processor-based circuit being adapted to generate compressed video information and information for negotiating a non-audible communication mode with a remote communication terminal by altering a transmission rate for the video that is compressed and without altering a rate of video-information compression.

29. A video-teletype communication arrangement, comprising:

an input device for generating teletype data corresponding to portions of at least one video image; and

a processor-based circuit having a program that, when executed, causes the processor-based circuit to communicate said at least one video image data and the teletype data over a communications channel for a display including the text reproduced for reading along with the video image data for viewing, and the processor-based circuit being adapted to generate compressed video information and information for negotiating a non-audible communication mode with a remote communication terminal by altering a transmission rate for the video that is compressed and without altering a rate of video-information compression.

30. A video-teletype communication arrangement for communicating over a communications channel, comprising:

means, including user-engageable keys, for generating teletype data in response to a user engaging the keys; and

a processor-based circuit having a program that, when executed, responds to a command received from the means for generating by switching between communication modes, the communication modes including at least following;

communicating video image data and the teletype data over the communications channel for display by using one of a plurality of transmisson rates for sending video and without altering a rate of video compression; and

accesing the internet using the communications channel.

31. A video-teletype communication arrangement for communicating over a communications channel, according to claim 30, wherein the processor-based circuit is adapted to generate compressed video information and to negotiate a non-audible communication mode with a remote communication terminal.

32. A video-teletype communication arrangement for communicating over a communications channel, according to claim 31, wherein the processor-based circuit is adapted to negotiate a non-audible communication mode with a remote communication terminal by increasing a rate at which the compressed video signals are being generated.

33. A video-teletype communication arrangement for communicating over a communications channel, according to claim 31, wherein the processor-based circuit is adapted to negotiate a non-audible communication mode with a remote communication terminal by sending a prerecorded audio message over the communications channel indicating that the processor-based circuit is ready for non-audio communication.

34. A video-teletype communication arrangement for communicating over a communications channel, according to claim 31, wherein the processor-based circuit is adapted to negotiate a non-audible communication mode with a remote communication terminal by sending a prerecorded audio message over the communications channel indicating that the processor-based circuit is ready for non-audio communication and by increasing a rate at which the compressed video signals are being generated.