System and method for distribution of encoded video data

• US 6,373,517 B1
• Filed: 04/12/2000
• Issued: 04/16/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: 8X8, Inc.
• Original Assignee: 8X8, Inc.
• Inventors: Martin, Bryan R., Davis, Oran
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Duc
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ramakrishnaiah, Melur
• Application Number:
  US09/547,528
• Time in Patent Office: 734 Days
• Field of Search: H04/N.714, 348/14.01, 348/14.02, 348/14.03, 348/14.04, 348/14.05, 348/14.06, 348/14.08, 348/14.09, 348/14.11, 348/14.12, 348/14.13, 379/93.21, 379/202.01, 370/260, 370/261
• US Class Current: 348/14.08
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 9/007 Transform coding, e.g. discrete cosine transform
• 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

A video conferencing arrangement that includes paired and configurable one-way translators. Each one-way translator is configurable to translate encoded video data from a first format to a second format, and are inter-coupled with a switch arrangement. Because each translator is configurable, a one-way translator can translate encoded video data from one of various formats to another format. Because each translator only translates from a first format to a second format, and not from the second format to the first format, conventional hardware and software can be used to save costs.

Claims

1. A system for communicating signals including video signals, the system comprising:

a first video station including a first translator and a user-communicative first video terminal, the first video terminal compatible with a first format of encoded video data; and

a second video station including a second translator, the second video station compatible with a second format of encoded video data;

wherein encoded video data is passed between the first video terminal and the second video station, wherein the first translator is configured and arranged for performing operations (a)-(c);

(a) decoding encoded video data of the first format from the first video terminal;

(b) encoding in the second format video data from the decoding operation (a);

and

(c) transmitting video data of the second format provided by the encoding operation (b) for processing by the second video station; and

wherein the second translator is configured and arranged for performing operations (d)-(f);

(d) decoding encoded video data of the second format;

(e) encoding in the first format video data from the decoding operation (d); and

(f) transmitting video data of the first format provided by the encoding operation (e) for processing by the first video station;

the first video station being configured and arranged for providing the video data video data of the first format received from the second translator to the user-communicative first video terminal.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein each of the first and second formats is a distinct industry-accepted video communications format.