Wireless communication video telephone

• US 6,335,753 B1
• Filed: 06/15/1998
• Issued: 01/01/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Arcaster Mcdonald
• Original Assignee: Arcaster Mcdonald
• Inventors: McDonald, Arcaster
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Duc
• Assistant Examiner(s): Eng, George
• Application Number:
  US09/097,524
• Time in Patent Office: 1,296 Days
• Field of Search: 348/12-20, 379/93.09, 379/93.17, 379/93.21, 379/93.23, 379/100.16, 455/12.1, 455/13.1, 455/13.3, 455/432, 455/573
• US Class Current: 348/14.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/142 Constructional details of the terminal equipment, e.g. arrangements of the camera and the display

Abstract

A wireless communication video telephone system for establishing a wireless audio/video communication between first and second video telephone units. The system includes first and second video telephone units and respective first and second wireless communication devices for establishing a wireless communication channel therebetween. Each video telephone units includes a receiver connected to the respective wireless communication device and a display screen for displaying the received video image. A microprocessor is connected to both the receiver and the display unit for receiving the audio and video data signals transmitted over the wireless communication channel. A data storage device is connected to the microprocessor for storing data representative of an image and a digital camera for capturing a digital image and transmitting said captured digital image to the microprocessor. The video telephone is operable in a first-in-use mode in which the microprocessor reads data from data storage device and displays an image represented by the read data on the display unit and a second in-use mode in which the microprocessor receives the digital data representative of the captured image from the digital camera and the video signal received over the wireless communications channel for display of both on the display unit simultaneously. Each video telephone unit may include a handset for remote wireless operation. The wireless communication device may be one of a satellite dish, a cellular communication unit or any other known device for establishing a wireless communications channel.

Claims

1. A wireless communication video telephone system for establishing a wireless audio/video communication between first and second video telephone units, said system comprising:

a) first and second video telephone units, each video telephone unit including a wireless handset;

b) first and second wireless transmission means, each connected to a respective one of said first and second video telephone units for establishing a wireless communication channel therebetween, wherein each of said video telephone units includes;

i) first receiver means for receiving wirelessly transmitted audio and video signals received by said respective wireless transmission means;

ii) second receiver means for receiving signals from said handset;

iii) a flat display screen, surrounded by a frame containing a telephone base unit, for displaying said video image;

iv) a microprocessor connected to both said first and second receiver means and said display screen for receiving the audio and video data signals transmitted over the wireless communications channel;

v) data storage means in said frame connected to said microprocessor for storing data representative of an image; and

vi) a digital camera mounted in said frame for capturing a digital image and transmitting said captured digital image to said microprocessor, wherein said video telephone is operable in a first not-in-use mode in which said microprocessor reads said data from said data storage means and displays said image represented by said data on said display screen and a second in-use mode in which said microprocessor receives said digital data representative of said captured image from said digital camera and said video signal received over the wireless communications channel for display of at least one of said digital data representative of said captured image from said digital camera and said video signal received from said wireless communication means on said display screen; and

c) each handset including;

i) a switch for generating a control signal for switching said respective video telephone unit between said first and second modes;

ii) a transmitter for transmitting said control signal to said respective video telephone unit;

iii) a dialing keypad connected to said transmitter for generating a control signal indicative of a desired communication channel to open for transmission to said respective video telephone unit when said video telephone unit is in said second mode; and

iv) camera control keys connected to said transmitter for generating and sending a camera control signal for moving said camera horizontally and vertically adjacent said display screen to change the line of sight of said camera.

2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said wireless communication means is a satellite dish connected to said respective video telephone unit and including means for receiving both audio and video signals and means for transmitting audio and video signals received from said respective video telephone unit.

3. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said wireless communication means is a cellular communication unit connected to said respective video telephone unit and including means for receiving both audio and video signals and means for wirelessly transmitting audio and video signals received from said respective video telephone unit.

4. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein each of said video telephone unit further includes a speaker for audibilizing audio signals received from said wireless communication means.

5. The system as recited in claim 4, wherein each of said video telephone units further includes a microphone for capturing audio signals for transmission to said wireless communication means and thereby over a wireless communication channel established thereby.

6. The system as recited in claim 5, wherein said handset includes a speaker control key connected to said transmitter for generating a speaker control signal to activate said speaker and microphone on said respective video telephone unit.

7. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said data storage means is an internal memory having data representative of an image stored therein, said data being read by said microprocessor for display on said display screen when said video telephone unit is in said first mode.

8. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said data storage means is a disk drive for receiving a data diskette having data representative of an image stored thereon, said data stored on said data diskette being read by said microprocessor for display on said display screen when said video telephone unit is in said first mode.

9. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein each of said video telephone units further includes a transmitter connected to said microprocessor for transmission of the audio signals received from the wireless communication means and said handset further includes a receiver and a speaker for receiving and audibilizing said audio signals received by said video telephone unit.

10. The system as recited in claim 9, wherein said handset further includes a microphone connected to said transmitter for collecting audio signals from an area surrounding said microphone and generating a signal representative of said collected signals audio signal for transmission to said video telephone unit for transmission by said wireless communication means.

11. The video telephone as recited in claim 1, wherein said handset further includes a rechargeable internal power source and a recharge port connected to said internal power source for connection of an external power source for use in recharging said internal power source.