Small, portable, self-contained, video teleconferencing system

• US 6,549,229 B1
• Filed: 07/19/2000
• Issued: 04/15/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: CACI Systems, Inc. (CACI International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: C-Cubed Corp. (CACI International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Evans, James Allen, Kirby, Kevin Arthur, Flynn, John Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramakrishnaiah, Melur
• Application Number:
  US09/619,689
• Time in Patent Office: 1,000 Days
• Field of Search: H04/N.714, 348/14.01, 348/14.02, 348/14.03, 348/14.04, 348/14.05, 348/14.08, 348/14.09, 348/14.1, 348/14.11, 348/14.12, 348/14.13
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/148 Interfacing a video terminal to a particular transmission medium, e.g. ISDN

Abstract

The present Invention relates to a portable, self-contained, briefcase-sized device capable of transmitting and receiving encrypted or unencrypted video teleconferencing communications over a variety of telecommunications mediums. The system contains a liquid crystal flat panel display, a flexible gooseneck video camera, built-in microphones and speakers, a pop-up bay to receive a military or civilian encryption unit, a variety of input and output connections, a modem-codec and ancillary electronics circuitry, a remote control device, interconnecting cabling, and operating software, all contained within a portable, metal reinforced, lockable, briefcase-type enclosure. The Invention can be connected to a telecommunications link such as a LAN, an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) line provided by the local telephone company, or a Satellite Communications (SATCOM) system such as the International Maritime Satellite (INMARSAT) System. Through such communication connections the Invention can receive and transmit live video, videotape, or data, to distant end-stations equipped with the Invention or any standardized Video Teleconferencing (VTC) system.

Claims

1. A method of assembling a portable suitcase device for video teleconferencing over a plurality of telecommunication links, said method comprising:

(a) providing a portable suitcase having a durable outer shell, a lower storage compartment, an upper storage compartment, and a hinge that hingeably connects the lower storage compartment to the upper storage compartment;

(b) providing a CODEC;

(c) mounting the CODEC in one of the lower storage compartment and the upper storage compartment;

(d) providing a communications interface for coupling the device to a telecommunications link for receiving a first video signal and a first audio signal;

(e) mounting the communications interface in the one of the lower storage compartment and the upper storage compartment;

(f) providing a video interface for receiving a second video signal;

(g) mounting the video interface in one of the lower storage compartment and the upper storage compartment;

(h) electrically coupling the video interface to the CODEC;

(i) providing an audio interface for receiving a second audio signal;

(j) mounting an audio interface in one of the upper storage compartment and the lower storage compartment;

(k) electrically coupling the audio interface to the CODEC;

(l) providing a video monitor for displaying at least one of the first video signal and the second video signal;

(m) mounting the video monitor in the upper storage compartment;

(n) electrically coupling the video monitor to the CODEC;

(o) providing a speaker for playing at least one of the first audio signal and the second audio signal;

(p) mounting the speaker in one of the lower storage compartment and the upper storage compartment;

(q) electrically coupling the speaker to the CODEC;

(r) electrically coupling the communications interface to the CODEC, whereby the first video signal can be received from the telecommunications link, decoded, and transmitted to the video monitor, the first audio signal can be received from the telecommunications link, decoded, and transmitted to the speaker, and the second video signal and the second audio signal can be encoded by the CODEC for transmission over the telecommunications link;

(s) providing a data interface for providing a first data signal to the CODEC;

(t) mounting the data interface in one of the lower storage compartment and the upper storage compartment;

(u) electrically coupling the data interface to the CODEC, whereby the data signal can be encoded by the CODEC for transmission over the telecommunications link and a second data signal can be received from the telecommunications link, decoded, and transmitted via the data interface;

(v) providing a COMSEC housing wherein a COMSEC device can be placed at least partially within the COMSEC housing;

(w) mounting the COMSEC housing in one of the lower storage compartment and the upper storage compartment; and

(x) electrically coupling the COMSEC housing;

to the CODEC and the communications interface so that, when a COMSEC device is being used in conjunction with the device, the audio and video signals to be transmitted across the telecommunications link may be encrypted before transmission, and the audio and video signals received on the telecommunications link may be decrypted and so that the first data signal may be decrypted when received and encrypted before transmission via the telecommunications link and the second data signal may be decrypted when received and encrypted before transmission via the data interface.