High-quality switched analog video communications over unshielded twisted pair

• US 6,426,769 B1
• Filed: 05/05/1998
• Issued: 07/30/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Pragmatus AV LLC (Pragmatus, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Collaboration Properties Incorporated
• Inventors: Lauwers, J. Chris, Ludwig, Lester F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Duc
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ramakrishnaiah, Melur
• Application Number:
  US09/072,626
• Time in Patent Office: 1,547 Days
• Field of Search: 348/14, 348/15, 345/331, 345/332, 345/330, 709/204
• US Class Current: 348/14.08
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1813 for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms instant messaging H04L51/04; protocols for multimedia communication H04L65/1101; arrangements for multi-party communication H04L65/403; telephonic conference arrangements H04M3/56; television conference systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1818 Conference organisation arrangements, e.g. handling schedules, setting up parameters needed by nodes to attend a conference, booking network resources, notifying involved parties
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1822 Conducting the conference, e.g. admission, detection, selection or grouping of participants, correlating users to one or more conference sessions, prioritising transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1827 Network arrangements for conference optimisation or adaptation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1831 Tracking arrangements for later retrieval, e.g. recording contents, participants activities or behavior, network status
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1836 with heterogeneous network architecture
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/185 with management of multicast group membership
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/00 User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/10 Multimedia information
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/4038 with floor control
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/80 Responding to QoS
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/14 Session management for real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/1066
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/75 Indicating network or usage conditions on the user display
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/38 Displays
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/5018 Initiating a conference during a two-party conversation, i.e. three-party service or three-way call
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/5027 Dropping a party from a conference
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42221 : Conversation recording systems at the subscriber's set H04M1/656
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42323 : PBX's with CTI arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4285 : Notifying, informing or entertaining a held party while on hold, e.g. Music On Hold
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5307 : for recording messages comprising any combination of audio and non-audio components
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/562 : where the conference facilities are distributed
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/563 : User guidance or feature selection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/564 : whereby the feature is a sub-conference
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/567 : Multimedia conference systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/006 : Networks other than PSTN/ISDN providing telephone service, e.g. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) , including next generation networks with a packet-switched transport layer H04L65/00 takes precedence; aspects not specific to the type of network H04M3/00; special services in those networks H04M3/42
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/12 : for working between exchanges having different types of switching equipment, e.g. power-driven and step by step or decimal and non-decimal
• 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 7/148 : Interfacing a video terminal to a particular transmission medium, e.g. ISDN
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/15 : Conference systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/152 : Multipoint control units therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1305 : Software aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13093 : Personal computer, PC
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13175 : Graphical user interface [GUI], WWW interface, visual indication
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1319 : Amplifier, attenuation circuit, echo suppressor
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1322 : PBX
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1324 : Conference call
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1326 : Consultation call, broker's call, call hold, toggling
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1332 : Logic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13337 : Picturephone, videotelephony
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13389 : LAN, internet

Abstract

In a video communications system and method, first and second unshielded twisted pairs (UTP) of wires are provided, with analog video signals being transported over at least one of the two UTP pairs. A switch is provided to switch transported analog video signals between the first and second UTP pairs. Full motion video having TV quality frame rate, resolution, and color is provided on a video display device. In another embodiment, a plurality of video display devices and video sources may be provided, and the switch may switch analog video signals bidirectionally among the video sources and video devices.

Claims

1. A video communications system comprising:

(a) at least first and second unshielded twisted pair of wires;

(b) at least one video signal source;

(c) at least one video display device;

(d) at least one transceiver

(i) in communication with

(1) at least the first wire pair, and

(ii) capable of transceiving

(1) analog video signals

(2) over a twisted pair of wires; and

(e) at least one switch,

(i) in communication with the first and second wire pairs, wherein the system is configured to

(i) use the transceiver to

(1) transport analog video signals

a. originating at one of the video signal sources,

b. in at least one direction,

c. over at least the first wire pair,

(ii) use the switch to

(1) switch the transported video signals

(2) between the first and second wire pairs, and

(iii) reproduce video images,

(1) based on the transported video signals,

(2) at full motion video having TV quality frame rate, resolution, and color,

(3) on one of the video display devices.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein

(a) the video images are reproduced in color.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

(a) a plurality of video display devices wherein

(i) the switch is configured to switch

(1) the transported video signals

(2) among the display devices.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

(a) at least two video sources; and

(b) at least two video display devices, wherein

(i) the video signals are transported

(1) bidirectionally, and

(ii) the system is configured to reproduce video images

(1) based on the bidirectionally transported video signals,

(2) on at least two video display devices.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein

(a) the video images are reproduced in color.

6. The system of claim 4, further comprising:

(a) at least one audio source; and

(b) at least one audio reproduction device, wherein the system is configured to

(i) transport audio signals,

(1) originating at an audio source,

(2) over at least one unshielded twisted pair of wires; and

(ii) reproduce audio

(1) based on the transported audio signals

(2) at an audio reproduction device.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein

(a) the reproduction

(i) of the video images and audio

(ii) is enabled by control signals

(1) transmitted over at least one unshielded twisted pair of wires.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein

(a) the switch

(i) is controlled by

(ii) the control signals.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein

(a) the system is configured for use by at least one user;

and

(b) the video and audio signals include

(i) user video and audio related signals.

10. The system of claim 4, wherein the system is configured

(a) to combine video images

(i) of at least a first and a second user

(ii) into a mosaic image, and

(b) to reproduce the mosaic image

(i) on one of the video display devices.

11. The system of claim 4, wherein the system is configured:

(a) to allow a first user

(i) to use a first graphical user interface

(ii) to select a user

(iii) from a plurality of users; and

(b) to allow the first user

(i) to use a second graphical user interface

(ii) to select a collaboration type

(iii) from a group of collaboration types; and

(c) to respond

(i) by establishing communication

(ii) of the selected collaboration type

(iii) between the first user and

(iv) the selected user.

12. The system of claim 4, further comprising:

(a) at least one processor unit

(i) capable of providing data conferencing signals;

 

wherein the system is configured to

(i) display information,

(1) based on the data conferencing signals,

(2) on the display device.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein:

(a) images

(i) based on the video signals

(ii) can be reproduced

(iii) in a first window on display device, and

(b) information

(i) based on the data conferencing signals

(ii) can be displayed

(iii) in a second window on the display device.

14. A method of conducting video communications, over at least first and second unshielded twisted pair of wires, and using a system including

at least one video signal source,

at least one transceiver

capable of transceiving

analog video signals,

over a twisted pair of wires, and

at least one video display device,

the method comprising the steps of:

(a) producing a plurality of analog video signals

(i) at one of the video signal sources;

(b) using the transceiver to

(i) cause transport of the analog video signals

(ii) over at least the first unshielded twisted pair of wires;

(c) switching

(i) the transported video signals

(ii) between the first and second pairs of wires; and

(d) reproducing video images,

(i) based on the switched video signals,

(ii) at full motion video having TV quality frame rate, resolution, and color,

(iii) on one of the video display devices.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein

the system further includes

a plurality of video sources,

the method further comprising the steps of:

(a) transporting the analog video signals

(i) bidirectionally

(ii) over at least the the first unshielded twisted pair of wires, and

(b) reproducing video images

(i) based on the bidirectionally transported video signals

(ii) on a least two video display devices.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein

(a) the video images are reproduced in color.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the system further includes

at least one audio source and

at least one audio reproduction device,

the method further comprising the steps of:

(a) originating audio signals

(i) at an audio source;

(b) transporting the audio signals,

(i) over at least one unshielded twisted pair of wires; and

(c) reproducing audio

(i) based on the transported audio signals

(ii) at an audio reproduction device.

18. The method claim 17, further comprising the steps of

(a) enabling the reproduction

(i) of the video images and audio

(ii) by control signals

(1) transmitted over at least one unshielded twisted pair of wires.

19. The method of claim 15, further comprising the steps of:

(a) combining video images

(i) of at least a first and a second system user

(ii) into a mosaic image; and

(b) reproducing the mosaic image

(i) on one of the video display devices.

20. The method of claim 15, further comprising the steps of:

(a) allowing a first user

(i) to use a first graphical user interface

(ii) to select a user

(iii) from a plurality of users; and

(b) allowing the first user

(i) to use a second graphical user interface

(ii) to select a collaboration type

(iii) from a group of collaboration types; and

(c) responding

(i) by establishing communication

(ii) of the selected collaboration type

(iii) between the first user and

(iv) the selected user.

21. The method of clam 15, further comprising the steps of:

(a) generating data conferencing signals;

(b) transmitting the data conferencing signals

(i) over at least one data communication link

(ii) to at least one display device; and

(c) displaying information,

(i) based on the data conferencing signals,

(ii) on the video display device.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising the steps of:

(a) reproducing images

(i) based on the video signals

(ii) in a first window on the display device, and

(b) displaying information

(i) based on the data conferencing signals

(ii) in a second window on the display device.

23. A video communications system for operation, with an infrastructure including

at least one video signal source and

at least one video display device, and

over at least first and second unshielded twisted pair of wires, the system comprising:

(a) at least one transceiver

(i) capable of transceiving

(1) analog video signals

(2) over a twisted pair of wires; and

(b) at least one switch,

wherein the system is configured to

(i) use the transceiver to

(1) transport analog video signals

a. originating at one of the video signal sources,

b. over at least the first pair of wires,

(ii) use the switch to

(1) switch the transported video signals

(2) between the first and second pair of wires, and

(iii) reproduce video images,

(1) based on the transported video signals,

(2) at full motion video having TV quality frame rate, resolution, and color,

(3) on one of the video display devices.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein

(a) the video images are reproducible in color.

25. The system of claim 23, further comprising:

(a) at least one switch,

(i) configured to switch

(1) the transported video signals

(2) among a plurality of display devices.

26. The system of claim 23, wherein the system is configured

(a) to transport the video signals bidirectionally, and

(b) to reproduce video images

(i) based on the bidirectionally transported video signals,

(ii) on at least two video display devices.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein

(a) the video images are reproducible in color.

28. The system of claim 26, wherein the system is configured to

(a) interface with

(i) at least one audio source, and

(ii) at least one audio reproduction device;

(b) transport audio signals,

(i) originating at an audio source,

(ii) over the at least one of the unshielded twisted pairs of wire; and

(c) reproduce audio

(i) based on the transported audio signals

(ii) at an audio reproduction device.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the system is configured to

(a) control

(i) the reproduction of the video and audio

(ii) by control signals

(1) transmitted over at least one of the unshielded twisted pairs of wire,

(2) on a path separate from the video signals.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein

(a) the system is configured

(i) for use by at least one user;

and

(b) the video and audio signals include

(i) user video and audio related signals.

31. The system of claim 26, wherein the system is configured

(a) to combine video images

(i) of at least a first and a second system user

(ii) into a mosaic image, and

(b) to reproduce the mosaic image

(i) on one of the video display devices.

32. The system of claim 26, wherein the system is configured to:

(a) allow a first system user

(i) to use a first graphical user interface

(ii) to select another system user

(iii) from a plurality of system users; and

(b) allow the first user

(i) to use a second graphical user interface

(ii) to select a collaboration type

(iii) from a group of collaboration types; and

(c) respond

(i) by establishing communication

(ii) of the selected collaboration type

(iii) between the first user and

(iv) the selected user.

33. The system of claim 26, further comprising:

(a) at least one processor

(i) capable of providing data conferencing signals;

 

wherein the system is configured to

(i) display information,

(1) based on the data conferencing signals,

(2) on the display device.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein:

(a) images

(i) based on the video signals

(ii) can be reproduced

(iii) in a first window on the display device, and

(b) information

(i) based on the data conferencing signals

(ii) can be displayed

(iii) in a second window on the display device.

35. A video communications system comprising:

(a) at least first and second unshielded twisted wire pairs;

(b) at least one video signal source;

(c) at least one video display device; and

(d) at least one transceiver

(i) in communication with

(1) at least the first pair of wires, and

(ii) capable of transceiving

(1) analog video signals,

(2) originating at one of the video sources,

(3) over the first pair of wires,

 

wherein the system is configured to

(i) use the transceiver to

(1) transport analog video signals

a. originating at the video signal source,

(2) over at least the first pair of wires, and

(ii) reproduce video images,

(1) based on the transported video signals,

(2) at full motion video having TV quality frame rate, resolution, and color,

(3) on one of the video display devices.

36. The system of claim 35, wherein

(a) the video images are reproduced in color.

37. The system of claim 35, further comprising:

(a) a plurality of video display devices, and

wherein;

(i) the switch is configured to switch

(1) the transported video signals

(2) among the display devices.

38. The system of claim 35, further comprising:

(a) at least two video sources; and

(b) at least two video display devices,

wherein

(i) the video signals are transported

(1) bidirectionally, and

(ii) the system is configured to reproduce video images

(1) based on the bidirectionally transported video signals,

(2) on at least two video display devices.

39. The system of claim 38, wherein

(a) the video images are reproduced in color.