Video terminal, video terminal communicating system, and videoconference system

• US 7,161,632 B2
• Filed: 12/01/2000
• Issued: 01/09/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ginganet Corporation
• Original Assignee: Ginganet Corporation
• Inventors: Sudo, Satoru
• Primary Examiner(s): Natnael; Paulos M.
• Application Number:
  US10/433,325
• Publication Number:
  US 20040051780A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,230 Days
• Field of Search: 348565-569
• US Class Current: 348/565
• 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 7/142 Constructional details of the terminal equipment, e.g. arrangements of the camera and the display
• 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 7/152 Multipoint control units therefor

Abstract

The screen layout of a main screen and a subscreen is optimized, depending on the types of images to be displayed on the main screen and the subscreen. A video terminal, capable of displaying a subscreen within a main screen, is equipped with a signal control unit 15 as means for optimizing the main screen/subscreen layout, depending on the types of images to be displayed on the main screen and the subscreen. When the main screen is in a split composite screen mode, the signal control unit 15 allows a subscreen to be displayed on a screen of a television 11, with the subscreen occupying one section of the split composite screen. When the main screen is in a full screen mode, the signal control unit 15 allows a subscreen to be diminished.

Claims

1. A video conferencing system comprising:

a communication line; and

a plurality of video terminals interconnected in a point-to-point manner via said communication line, each of said video terminals being operable to display a subscreen within a main screen, and each of said video terminals including;

an optimizing section operable to optimize a screen layout of the main screen and the subscreen based on a type of image to be displayed on the main screen and the subscreen, and operable to optimize a screen layout of the main screen and the subscreen of at least one other of said video terminals so as to result in a display mode specification command;

a transmission section operable to transmit the display mode specification command to said at least one other of said video terminals via said communication line, wherein a screen layout is specified by the display mode specification command;

a receiving section operable to receive a display mode specification command transmitted from at least one other of said video terminals via said communication line; and

a switching section operable to switch a screen layout in accordance with the display mode specification command received by said receiving section.

2. A video conferencing system according to claim 1, wherein said optimizing section is operable to enlarge the subscreen when the subscreen displays a still image.

3. A video conferencing system according to claim 2, wherein:

said optimizing section is operable to locate the subscreen in any one section of a split-composite screen when the main screen is in a split-composite screen mode; and

said optimizing section is operable to diminish the subscreen when the main screen is in a full screen mode.

4. A video conferencing system according to claim 1, wherein:

said optimizing section is operable to locate the subscreen in any one section of a split-composite screen when the main screen is in a split-composite screen mode; and

said optimizing section is operable to diminish the subscreen when the main screen is in a full screen mode.

5. A video conferencing system comprising:

a communication line;

a multipoint control unit;

a plurality of video terminals connected to said multipoint control unit via said communication line, each of said video terminals being operable to display a subscreen within a main screen, and each of said video terminals including;

an optimizing section operable to optimize a screen layout of the main screen and the subscreen based on a type of image to be displayed on the main screen and the subscreen, and operable to optimize a screen layout of the main screen and the subscreen of at least one other of said video terminals so as to result in a display mode specification command;

a transmission section operable to transmit the display mode specification command to said multipoint control unit via said communication line, wherein a screen layout is specified by the display mode specification command;

a receiving section operable to receive a display mode specification command transmitted from said multipoint control unit via said communication line; and

a switching section operable to switch a screen layout in accordance with the display mode specification command received by said receiving section;

wherein said multipoint control unit comprises a relay section operable to receive the display mode specification command from at least one other of said video terminals, and transmit the display mode specification command to at least one of other said video terminals.

6. A video conferencing system according to claim 5, wherein said optimizing section is operable to enlarge the subscreen when the subscreen displays a still image.

7. A video conferencing system according to claim 6, wherein:

said optimizing section is operable to locate the subscreen in any one section of a split-composite screen when the main screen is in a split-composite screen mode; and

said optimizing section is operable to diminish the subscreen when the main screen is in a full screen mode.

8. A video conferencing system according to claim 7, wherein:

each of said video terminals is operable to select the type of image to be displayed on the main screen; and

said multipoint control unit is operable to determine the display position of the subscreen of each of said video terminals, depending upon the type of image selected to be displayed on the main screen.

9. A video conferencing system according to claim 5, wherein:

said optimizing section is operable to locate the subscreen in any one section of a split-composite screen when the main screen is in a split-composite screen mode; and

said optimizing section is operable to diminish the subscreen when the main screen is in a full screen mode.

10. A video conferencing system according to claim 9, wherein:

each of said video terminals is operable to select the type of image to be displayed on the main screen; and

said multipoint control unit is operable to determine the display position of the subscreen of each of said video terminals, depending upon the type of image selected to be displayed on the main screen.

11. A video conferencing system according to claim 5, wherein:

each of said video terminals is operable to select the type of image to be displayed on the main screen; and

said multipoint control unit is operable to determine the display position of the subscreen of each of said video terminals, depending upon the type of image selected to be displayed on the main screen.

12. A video conferencing system according to claim 11, wherein said optimizing section is operable to enlarge the subscreen when the subscreen displays a still image.

13. A video terminal operable to interface to another video terminal in a point-to-point manner via a communication line, operable to display a subscreen within a main screen, said video terminal comprising:

an optimizing section operable to optimize a screen layout of the main screen and the subscreen based on a type of image to be displayed on the main screen and the subscreen, and operable to optimize a screen layout of the main screen and the subscreen of at least one other of said video terminals so as to result in a display mode specification command;

a transmission section operable to transmit the display mode specification command to said at least one other of said video terminals via the communication line, wherein a screen layout is specified by the display mode specification command;

a receiving section operable to receive a display mode specification command transmitted from at least one other of said video terminals via the communication line; and

a switching section operable to switch a screen layout in accordance with the display mode specification command received by said receiving section.

14. A video terminal operable to interface with a multipoint control unit which is operable to connect to multiple video terminals via a communication line, wherein said video terminal is capable of displaying a subscreen within a main screen, said video terminal comprising:

an optimizing section operable to optimize a screen layout of the main screen and the subscreen based on a type of image to be displayed on the main screen and the subscreen, and operable to optimize a screen layout of the main screen and the subscreen of at least one of other said video terminals so as to result in a display mode specification command;

a transmission section operable to transmit the display mode specification command to said multipoint control unit via the communication line, wherein a screen layout is specified by the display mode specification command;

a receiving section operable to receive a display mode specification command transmitted from said multipoint control unit via the communication line; and

a switching section operable to switch a screen layout in accordance with the display mode specification command received by said receiving section;

wherein said multipoint control unit comprises a relay section operable to receive the display mode specification command from at least one other of said video terminals, and transmit the display mode specification command to at least one of other said video terminals.