Communication devices incorporating reduced area imaging devices

• US 7,002,621 B2
• Filed: 08/21/2001
• Issued: 02/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cellect LLC (Micro-Imaging Solutions, LLC (f/k/a Micro-Imaging Solutions, Inc.; f/k/a Micro-Medical Devices, Inc.))
• Original Assignee: Micro-Imaging Solutions LLC
• Inventors: Adair, Edwin L., Adair, Randall S., Adair, Jeffrey L.
• Primary Examiner(s): RAO, ANAND SHASHIKANT
• Application Number:
  US09/934,201
• Publication Number:
  US 20020089589A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,645 Days
• Field of Search: 348 65- 76, 348155-159, 348373-376, 348 60-400, 455556-566, 455400-600
• US Class Current: 348/158
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00016 using wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00034 rechargeable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00048 Constructional features of the display
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00135 Oversleeves mounted on the endoscope prior to insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0051 with controlled bending of insertion part
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/05 characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1647 including at least an additional display G06F1/1692 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1671 Special purpose buttons or auxiliary keyboards, e.g. retractable mini keypads, keypads or buttons that remain accessible at closed laptop G06F1/1666 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1686 the I/O peripheral being an integrated camera
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1698 the I/O peripheral being a sending/receiving arrangement to establish a cordless communication link, e.g. radio or infrared link, integrated cellular phone details of antennas disposed inside a computer H01Q1/2266
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 25/167 comprising optoelectronic devices, e.g. LED, photodiodes
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00 Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/0002 Not covered by any one of groups H01L24/00, H01L24/00 and H01L2224/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/3011 Impedance
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/54 Mounting of pick-up tubes, electronic image sensors, deviation or focusing coils
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/555 for picking-up images in sites, inaccessible due to their dimensions or hazardous conditions, e.g. endoscopes or borescopes
• 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

A reduced area imaging device is provided for use with a communication device, such as a wireless/cellular phone. Various configurations of the imaging device are provided which locate the elements of the imaging device at desired locations. The communication device includes a miniature LCD-type monitor which displays not only images taken by the camera module, but also incoming video messages. The camera module may communicate with the housing of the communication device by wired connection, or wirelessly. The camera module is of such small size that it can be stored within the housing of the communication device. The camera module may be pointed at any object within sight of the user, without having to move the phone housing in order to take video images. Any acceptable wireless standard may be used for wireless communication between the camera module and the video telephone. One particularly advantageous wireless standard includes Bluetooth.

Claims

1. In a wireless telephone for conducting wireless telephonic communications, the improvement comprising:

a video system integral with said telephone for receiving and transmitting video images, and for viewing said video images, said video system comprising;

a camera module housing an image sensor therein, said image sensor including an array of pixels for receiving images thereon, said image sensor further including circuitry means on said first plane and coupled to said array of pixels for timing and control of said array of pixels, said image sensor producing a pre-video signal, a first circuit board mounted in said camera module adjacent said image sensor and electrically coupled to said image sensor, said first circuit board including circuitry means for converting said pre-video signal to a desired video format, said camera module further including a transceiver radio element mounted therein and electrically communicating with said first circuit board to transmit said converted pre-video signal;

a transceiver radio module mounted in the wireless telephone for wirelessly communicating with said transceiver element in said camera module to receive said converted pre-video signal;

a video monitor attached to said wireless phone for viewing said video images, said video monitor electrically coupled to said transceiver radio module for displaying video images processed by said first circuit board.

2. A device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said pixels are CMOS pixels.

3. A device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said transceiver radio element and said transceiver radio module communicate by a Bluetooth communications standard.

4. A device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said transceiver radio element and said transceiver radio module communicate by an IEEE 802.15.3 communications standard.

5. In a wireless telephone for conducting wireless telephonic communications, the improvement comprising:

a video system integral with said telephone for receiving and transmitting video images, and for viewing said video images, said video system comprising;

a camera module housing an image sensor therein, said image sensor including an array of pixels for receiving images thereon, said image sensor further including circuitry means on said first plane and coupled to said array of pixels for timing and control of said array of pixels, said image sensor producing a pre-video signal;

said camera module further including a transceiver radio element mounted therein and electrically communicating with said image sensor to transmit said pre-video signal;

a transceiver radio module mounted in the wireless telephone for wirelessly communicating with said radio transceiver element in said camera module to receive said pre-video signal;

a first circuit board mounted in said wireless telephone and electrically coupled to said transceiver radio module, said first circuit board including circuitry means for converting said pre-video signal to a desired video format;

a video monitor attached to said wireless phone for viewing said video images, said video monitor electrically coupled to said transceiver radio module for displaying video images processed by said first circuit board.

6. A device, as claimed in claim 5, wherein:

said pixels are CMOS pixels.

7. A device, as claimed in claim 5, wherein:

said transceiver radio element and said transceiver radio module communicate by a Bluetooth standard.

8. A device, as claimed in claim 5, wherein:

said transceiver radio element and said transceiver radio module communicate by an IEEE 802.15.3 standard.

9. In a video telephone for receiving and transmitting telephone communications to include video signals transmitted by the user of the phone, and video signals received from the party to whom a call was made, the video telephone including a housing, and a video monitor for viewing the video signals, the improvement comprising:

a camera module for taking video images, said camera module wirelessly communicating with circuitry within said video telephone enabling video signals to be transmitted from said camera module to said video telephone for viewing by said user or for further transmission to another party, said camera module including an image sensor housed therein, said image sensor lying in a first plane and including an array of pixels for receiving images thereon, said image sensor further including circuitry means on said first plane and coupled to said array of said pixels for timing and control of said array of pixels, said image sensor producing a pre-video signal, a first circuit board electrically connected to said image sensor and mounted within said camera module adjacent said image sensor, said first circuit board including circuitry means for converting said pre-video signal to a desired video format, and a transceiver radio element mounted in said camera module and electrically coupled to said first circuit board for transmitting said converted pre-video signal wirelessly to the video telephone.

10. A device, as claimed in claim 9, wherein:

said pixels are CMOS pixels.

11. A device, as claimed in claim 9, wherein:

said transceiver radio element communicates with the video telephone by a Bluetooth communications standard.

12. A device, as claimed in claim 9, wherein:

said transceiver radio element communicates with the video telephone by an IEEE 802.15.3 communications standard.

13. In a video telephone for receiving and transmitting telephone communications to include video signals transmitted by the user of the phone, and video signals received from the party to whom a call was made, the video telephone including a housing, and a video monitor for viewing the video signals, the improvement comprising:

a camera module for taking video images, said camera module wirelessly communicating with circuitry within said video telephone enabling video signals to be transmitted from said camera module to said video telephone for viewing by said user or for further transmission to another party, said camera module including an image sensor housed therein, said image sensor lying in a first plane and including an array of pixels for receiving images thereon, said image sensor further including circuitry means on said first plane and coupled to said array of said pixels for timing and control of said array of pixels, said image sensor producing a pre-video signal, and a transceiver radio element mounted in said camera module and electrically coupled to said image sensor board for transmitting the pre-video signal wirelessly to the video telephone, wherein the pre-video signal is further processed in the video telephone for viewing.

14. A device, as claimed in claim 13, wherein:

said pixels are CMOS pixels.

15. A device, as claimed in claim 13, wherein:

said transceiver radio element communicates with the video telephone by a Bluetooth communications standard.

16. A device, as claimed in claim 13, wherein:

said transceiver radio element communicates with the video telephone by an IEEE 802.15.3 communications standard.

17. A video telephone for conducting telephonic communications including receiving and transmitting video images between two parties of a telephone call, said video telephone comprising:

an image sensor lying in a first plane including an array of pixels for receiving images thereon, said image sensor further including circuitry means on said first plane and coupled to said array of pixels for timing and control of said array of pixels, said image sensor producing a pre-video signal;

a first circuit board electrically communicating with said image sensor, said first circuit board including circuitry means for converting said pre-video signal to a desired video format;

a camera module housing said image sensor and said first circuit board;

a transceiver radio element mounted in said camera module and communicating with said first circuit board for wirelessly transmitting the converted pre-video signal;

a transceiver radio module communicating wirelessly with said transceiver radio element for receiving the converted pre-video signal;

a transceiver/amplifier section electrically coupled to said transceiver radio module for amplifying and further transmitting the converted pre-video signal, and for receiving and amplifying video and audio signals transmitted by the other party of the telephone call;

a digital signal processor electrically coupled to said transceiver radio module and said transceiver/amplifier section, said digital signal processor further conditioning said converted pre-video signal prior to said converted pre-video signal being manipulated by said transceiver/amplifier section, and also for conditioning video and audio signals received by said transceiver/amplifier section from the other party of the telephone call;

a microphone electrically communicating with said digital signal processor for receiving sound and converting the sound to audio signals;

a speaker electrically communicating with said digital signal processor for broadcasting audio signals;

a video monitor attached to said video phone, said video monitor for selectively displaying the converted pre-video signals, and for selectively displaying video images received by said transceiver/amplifier section from the other party of the telephone call;

a video switch communicating with said transceiver radio module and said digital signal processor for switching video images to be viewed on said video monitor, a user being able to selectively display video images from the converted pre-video signal or video images received by the transceiver/amplifier section from the other party of the telephone call; and

a power supply mounted to said video telephone for providing power thereto.

18. A device, as claimed in claim 17, wherein:

said pixels are CMOS pixels.

19. A device, as claimed in claim 17, wherein:

said transceiver radio element communicates with the video telephone by a Bluetooth communications standard.

20. A device, as claimed in claim 17, wherein:

said transceiver radio element communicates with the video telephone by an IEEE 802.15.3 communications standard.

21. A video telephone for conducting telephonic communications including receiving and transmitting video images between two parties of a telephone call, said video telephone comprising:

an image sensor lying in a first plane, and an array of pixels for receiving images thereon, said image sensor further including circuitry means on said first plane and coupled to said array of pixels for timing and control of said array of pixels, said image sensor producing a pre-video signal;

a camera module housing said image sensor therein;

a transceiver radio element mounted in said camera module and communicating with said image sensor for wirelessly transmitting the pre-video signal;

a transceiver radio module communicating wirelessly with said transceiver radio element for receiving the pre-video signal;

a first circuit board electrically communicating with said transceiver radio module, said first circuit board including circuitry means for converting said pre-video signal to a desired video format;

a transceiver/amplifier section electrically coupled to said first circuit board for amplifying and further transmitting the converted pre-video signal, and for receiving and amplifying video and audio signals transmitted by the other party of the telephone call;

a digital signal processor electrically coupled to said first circuit board and said transceiver/amplifier section, said digital signal processor further conditioning said converted pre-video signal prior to said converted pre-video signal being manipulated by said transceiver/amplifier section, and also for conditioning the video and audio signals received by said transceiver/amplifier section from the other party of the telephone call;

a microphone electrically communicating with said digital signal processor for receiving sound and converting the sound to audio signals;

a speaker electrically communicating with said digital signal processor for broadcasting audio signals;

a video monitor attached to said video phone, said video monitor for selectively displaying the converted pre-video signals, and for selectively displaying video images received by said transceiver/amplifier section from the other party of the telephone call;

a video switch communicating with said transceiver radio module and said digital signal processor for switching video images to be viewed on said video monitor, a user being able to selectively display video images from the converted pre-video signal or video images received by the transceiver/amplifier section from the other party of the telephone call; and

a power supply mounted to said video telephone for providing power thereto.

22. A device, as claimed in claim 21, wherein:

said pixels are CMOS pixels.

23. A device, as claimed in claim 21, wherein:

said transceiver radio element communicates with the video telephone by a Bluetooth communications standard.

24. A device, as claimed in claim 21, wherein:

said transceiver radio element communicates with the video telephone by an IEEE 802.15.3 communications standard.

25. In a wireless telephone for conducting wireless telephonic communications, the improvement comprising:

a video system integral with said telephone for receiving and transmitting video images, and for viewing said images, said video system comprising;

a camera module housing an image sensor therein, said image sensor lying in a first plane and including an array of pixels for receiving images thereon, circuitry means electrically coupled to said array of pixels for timing and control of said array of pixels, said circuitry means for timing and control being placed remote from said array of pixels on a second plane, said image sensor producing a pre-video signal, a first circuit board lying in a third plane and electrically coupled to said image sensor, said first circuit board including circuitry means for processing and converting said pre-video signal to a desired video format, a transceiver radio element communicating with said first circuit board for transmitting said converted pre-video signal;

a transceiver radio module mounted in said telephone for wirelessly receiving said converted pre-video signal; and

a video monitor attached to said wireless phone for viewing said video images, said video monitor communicating with said transceiver radio module, and displaying video images processed by said first circuit board.

26. A device, as claimed in claim 25, wherein:

said pixels are CMOS pixels.

27. A device, as claimed in claim 25, wherein:

said transceiver radio element communicates with the video telephone by a Bluetooth communications standard.

28. A device, as claimed in claim 25, wherein:

said transceiver radio element communicates with the video telephone by an IEEE 802.15.3 communications standard.

29. In a video telephone for receiving and transmitting telephone communications to include video signals transmitted by the user of the phone, and video signals received from the party to whom a call is made, the video telephone including a video monitor for viewing the video signals, the improvement comprising:

a camera module for taking video images, said camera module communicating with circuitry within said video telephone enabling video signals to be transmitted from said camera module to said video telephone for viewing by said user or for further transmission to another party, said camera module including an image sensor housed therein, said image sensor lying in a first plane and including an array of pixels for receiving images thereon, said image sensor producing a pre-video signal, a first circuit board mounted adjacent said image sensor and electrically connected to said image sensor, said first circuit board including circuitry means for timing and control of said array of pixels and circuitry means for processing and converting said pre-video signal to a desired video format, and a transceiver radio element communicating with said first circuit board for wirelessly transmitting said converted pre-video signal.

30. A device, as claimed in claim 29, wherein:

said pixels are CMOS pixels.

31. A device, as claimed in claim 29, wherein:

said transceiver radio element transmits by a Bluetooth communications standard.

32. A device, as claimed in claim 29, wherein:

said transceiver radio element transmits by an IEEE 802.15.3 communications standard.

33. In a video telephone for receiving and transmitting telephone communications to include video signals transmitted by the user of the phone, and video signals received from the party to whom a call is made, the video telephone including a video monitor for viewing the video signals, the improvement comprising:

a camera module for taking video images, said camera module communicating with circuitry within said video enabling video signals to be transmitted from said camera module to said video telephone for viewing by said user or for further transmission to another party, said camera module including an image sensor housed therein and lying in a first plane, said image sensor including an array of pixels for receiving images thereon, said image sensor producing a pre-video signal, and a transceiver radio element communicating with said image sensor for wirelessly transmitting said pre-video signal.

34. A device, as claimed in claim 33, wherein:

said pixels are CMOS pixels.

35. A device, as claimed in claim 33, wherein:

said transceiver radio element transmits by a Bluetooth communications standard.

36. A device, as claimed in claim 33, wherein:

said transceiver radio element transmits by an IEEE 802.15.3 communications standard.

37. In a video telephone for receiving and transmitting telephone communications to include video signals transmitted by the user of the phone, and video signals received from the party to whom a call was made, the video telephone including a video monitor for viewing the video signals, the improvement comprising:

a camera module for taking video images, said camera module communicating with circuitry within said video enabling video signals to be transmitted from said camera module to said video telephone for viewing by said user or for further transmission to another party, said camera module including an image sensor housed therein, said image sensor lying in a first plane and including an array of pixels for receiving images thereon, said image sensor further including circuitry means electrically coupled to said array of said pixels for timing and control of said array of pixels, said circuitry means for timing and control placed remote from said array of pixels on a second plane, said image sensor producing a pre-video signal, a first circuit board electrically connected to said image sensor and lying in a third plane, said first circuit board including circuitry means for processing and converting said pre-video signal to a desired video format, and a radio transceiver element communicating with said first circuit board for wirelessly transmitting said converted pre-video signal.

38. A device, as claimed in claim 37, wherein:

said pixels are CMOS pixels.

39. A device, as claimed in claim 37, wherein:

said transceiver radio element transmits by a Bluetooth communications standard.

40. A device, as claimed in claim 37, wherein:

said transceiver radio element transmits by an IEEE 802.15.3 communications standard.

41. In a video telephone for receiving and transmitting telephone communications to include video signals transmitted by the user of the phone, and video signals received from the party to whom a call was made, the video telephone including a video monitor for viewing the video signals, the improvement comprising:

a camera module for taking video images, said camera module communicating with circuitry within said video telephone enabling viewing of said video images on said video telephone and enabling video signals to be transmitted from said camera module for viewing by said party, said camera module including an image sensor housed therein, said image sensor lying in a first plane and including an array of pixels for receiving images thereon, said image sensor further including circuitry means electrically coupled to said array of said pixels for timing and control of said array of pixels, said circuitry means for timing and control placed remote from said array of pixels on a second plane, said image sensor producing a pre-video signal, and a radio transceiver element communicating with said image sensor for wirelessly transmitting said pre-video signal.

42. A device, as claimed in claim 41, wherein:

said pixels are CMOS pixels.

43. A device, as claimed in claim 41, wherein:

said transceiver radio element transmits by a Bluetooth communications standard.

44. A device, as claimed in claim 41, wherein:

said transceiver radio element transmits by an IEEE 802.15.3 communications standard.

45. A video telephone for conducting telephonic communications including receiving and transmitting video images between two parties of a telephone call, said video telephone comprising:

an image sensor lying in a first plane including an array of pixels for receiving images thereon, said image sensor producing a pre-video signal;

a first circuit board electrically communicating with said image sensor, said first circuit board including circuitry means for timing and control of said array of pixels and circuitry means for processing and converting said pre-video signal to a desired video format;

a transceiver radio element communicating with said first circuit board for wirelessly transmitting said converted pre-video signal;

a camera module housing said image sensor, said first circuit board, and said transceiver radio element therein;

a transceiver radio module mounted in said telephone for receiving said converted pre-video signal;

a transceiver/amplifier section electrically coupled to said transceiver radio module for amplifying and further transmitting the converted pre-video signal, and for receiving and amplifying video and audio signals transmitted by the other party of the telephone call;

a digital signal processor electrically coupled to said transceiver radio module and said transceiver/amplifier section, said digital signal processor further conditioning said pre-video signal which is first conditioned by said first circuit board, and also for conditioning video and audio signals received by said transceiver/amplifier section from the other party of the telephone call;

a microphone electrically communicating with said digital signal processor for receiving sound and converting the sound to audio signals;

a speaker electrically communicating with said digital signal processor for broadcasting audio signals;

a video monitor attached to said video phone, said video monitor for selectively displaying images from said imaging device, and for selectively displaying video images received by said transceiver/amplifier section;

a video switch communicating with said first circuit board and said digital signal processor for switching video images to be viewed on said video monitor; and

a power supply mounted to said video telephone for providing power thereto.

46. A device, as claimed in claim 45, wherein:

said pixels are CMOS pixels.

47. A device, as claimed in claim 45, wherein:

said transceiver radio element transmits by a Bluetooth communications standard.

48. A device, as claimed in claim 45, wherein:

said transceiver radio element transmits by an IEEE 802.15.3 communications standard.

49. A video telephone for conducting telephonic communications including receiving and transmitting video images between two parties of a telephone call, said video telephone comprising:

an image sensor lying in a first plane including an array of pixels for receiving images thereon, said image sensor producing a pre-video signal;

a first circuit board electrically communicating with said image sensor, said first circuit board including circuitry means for timing and control of said array of pixels;

a transceiver radio element communicating with said first circuit board for wirelessly transmitting said pre-video signal;

a camera module housing said image sensor, said first circuit board, and said transceiver radio element therein;

a transceiver radio module mounted in said telephone for receiving said pre-video signal;

a second circuit board electronically communicating with said radio transceiver module, said second circuit board including circuitry means for converting said pre-video signal to a desired video format;

a transceiver/amplifier section electrically coupled to said second circuit board for amplifying and further transmitting said converted pre-video signal, and for receiving and amplifying video and audio signals transmitted by the other party of the telephone call;

a digital signal processor electrically coupled to said second circuit board and said transceiver/amplifier section, said digital signal processor further conditioning said converted pre-video signal which is first conditioned by said second circuit board, and also for conditioning video and audio signals received by said transceiver/amplifier section from the other party of the telephone call;

a microphone electrically communicating with said digital signal processor for receiving sound and converting the sound to audio signals;

a speaker electrically communicating with said digital signal processor for broadcasting audio signals;

a video monitor attached to said video phone, said video monitor for selectively displaying images from said imaging device, and for selectively displaying video images received by said transceiver/amplifier section from the other party of the telephone call;

a video switch communicating with said second circuit board and said digital signal processor for switching video images to be viewed on said video monitor, a user being able to selectively display video images from the imaging device or video images received by the transceiver/amplifier section from the other party of the telephone call; and

a power supply mounted to said video telephone for providing power thereto.

50. A device, as claimed in claim 49, wherein:

said pixels are CMOS pixels.

51. A device, as claimed in claim 49, wherein:

said transceiver radio element transmits by a Bluetooth communications standard.

52. A device, as claimed in claim 49, wherein:

said transceiver radio element transmits by an IEEE 802.15.3 communications standard.

53. A video telephone for conducting telephonic communications including receiving and transmitting video images between two parties of a telephone call, said video telephone comprising:

an image sensor lying in a first plane, and an array of pixels for receiving images thereon, said image sensor further including circuitry means electrically coupled to said array of pixels for timing and control of said array of pixels, said circuitry means for timing and control being placed remote from said array of pixels on a second plane, said image sensor producing a pre-video signal;

a first circuit board electrically coupled with said image sensor and lying in a third plane, said first circuit board including circuitry means for processing and converting said pre-video signal to a desired video format;

a transceiver radio element communicating with said first circuit board to wirelessly transmit the converted pre-video signal;

a camera module housing said image sensor, said first circuit board and said transceiver radio element;

a transceiver radio module mounted in said videophone for wirelessly receiving said converted pre-video signal,

a transceiver/amplifier section electrically coupled to said transceiver radio module for amplifying and further transmitting said converted pre-video signal and for receiving and amplifying video and audio signals transmitted by the other party of the telephone call;

a digital signal processor electrically coupled to said transceiver radio module and said transceiver/amplifier section, said digital signal processor further conditioning said converted pre-video signal which is first conditioned by said first circuit board, and also for conditioning video and audio signals received by said transceiver/amplifier section from the other party of the telephone call;

a microphone electrically communicating with said digital signal processor for receiving sound and converting the sound to audio signals;

a speaker electrically communicating with said digital signal processor for broadcasting audio signals;

a video monitor attached to said video phone, said video monitor for selectively displaying images from said imaging device, and for selectively displaying video images received by said transceiver/amplifier section from the other party of the telephone call;

a video switch communicating with said transceiver radio module and said digital signal processor for switching video images to be viewed on said video monitor, a user being able to selectively display video images from the imaging device or video images received by the transceiver/amplifier section from the other party of the telephone call; and

a power supply mounted to said video telephone for providing power thereto.

54. A device, as claimed in claim 53, wherein:

said pixels are CMOS pixels.

55. A device, as claimed in claim 53, wherein:

said transceiver radio element transmits by a Bluetooth communications standard.

56. A device, as claimed in claim 53, wherein:

said transceiver radio element transmits by an IEEE 802.15.3 communications standard.

57. In a method for conducting video telephone communications with a video telephone, the improvement comprising the steps of:

providing a camera module having an image sensor housed therein;

removing the camera module from connection with the video telephone;

pointing the camera module at a targeted object and selectively taking video images of the targeted object;

wirelessly transmitting the video images taken by the image sensor to the video telephone;

processing the video images transmitted by the camera module; and

selectively viewing the video images on the video telephone and selectively transmitting the video images to another party.

58. A method, as claimed in claim 57, wherein:

said image sensor includes a CMOS pixel array.

59. In a wireless telephone for conducting wireless telephonic communications, the improvement comprising:

a camera module housing an image sensor therein, said camera module for producing video images of a targeted object;

means for wirelessly interconnecting said camera module to said wireless telephone, said means for wirelessly interconnecting enabling said camera module to be selectively displaced away from and not in contact with said wireless telephone; and

a video monitor attached to said wireless phone for selectively viewing video images taken by said camera module, and for selectively viewing incoming video images transmitted by another party.

60. A device, as claimed in claim 59, wherein:

said video telephone includes a housing, and an opening in said housing for receiving said camera module so as to place said camera module in a stored position.

61. In a video telephone for conducting communications including receiving and transmitting video images between two parties of a video telephone call, the improvement comprising:

a camera module housing an image sensor therein;

a camera module battery housed within said camera module for providing power to said camera module;

a camera battery charge circuit housed within the video telephone;

a telephone battery housed within the telephone for providing power to said camera battery charge circuit; and

wherein the camera module is received in the video telephone so said camera module battery electrically communicates with said camera battery charge circuit to selectively charge said camera module battery.

62. A method of powering and recharging a camera module for use with a video telephone, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a video telephone including a camera battery charge circuit and a telephone battery housed therein;

providing a camera module housing an image sensor therein for taking video images, and a camera module battery housed within said camera module for selectively powering said camera module;

removing said camera module from seated engagement with the video telephone resulting in activation of said camera module battery for powering said camera module; and

returning said camera module to its seated position with said video telephone and in electrical communication with the battery charge circuit to charge said camera module battery.