GB2364460A - Web-based video conference system for remote fault diagnosis - Google Patents
Web-based video conference system for remote fault diagnosis Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2364460A GB2364460A GB0110562A GB0110562A GB2364460A GB 2364460 A GB2364460 A GB 2364460A GB 0110562 A GB0110562 A GB 0110562A GB 0110562 A GB0110562 A GB 0110562A GB 2364460 A GB2364460 A GB 2364460A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- video
- recited
- computer
- coupled
- video camera
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G08—SIGNALLING
- G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
- G08B13/00—Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
- G08B13/18—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength
- G08B13/189—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems
- G08B13/194—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems using image scanning and comparing systems
- G08B13/196—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems using image scanning and comparing systems using television cameras
- G08B13/19678—User interface
- G08B13/19684—Portable terminal, e.g. mobile phone, used for viewing video remotely
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G08—SIGNALLING
- G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
- G08B13/00—Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
- G08B13/18—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength
- G08B13/189—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems
- G08B13/194—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems using image scanning and comparing systems
- G08B13/196—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems using image scanning and comparing systems using television cameras
- G08B13/19617—Surveillance camera constructional details
- G08B13/19632—Camera support structures, e.g. attachment means, poles
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G08—SIGNALLING
- G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
- G08B13/00—Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
- G08B13/18—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength
- G08B13/189—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems
- G08B13/194—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems using image scanning and comparing systems
- G08B13/196—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems using image scanning and comparing systems using television cameras
- G08B13/19654—Details concerning communication with a camera
- G08B13/19656—Network used to communicate with a camera, e.g. WAN, LAN, Internet
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N7/00—Television systems
- H04N7/14—Systems for two-way working
- H04N7/141—Systems for two-way working between two video terminals, e.g. videophone
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N7/00—Television systems
- H04N7/14—Systems for two-way working
- H04N7/15—Conference systems
Abstract
A system 10 for video conferencing or troubleshooting comprises a web server 12 coupled to a video source. The video source is mounted on a mobile assembly 26 and comprises a computer 40 that sends video signals from a video camera 32 to a local area network 22. A further computer 18 (figure 1) contains a web server and processes the video signals to places them on a website in a predetermined format. The mobile housing may be easily positioned to enable distant users to view the video signals on the web site at a remote location. Users may also be simultaneously in communication over a telephone network 54 using telephones 50, 52.
Description
2364460 LOW BANDWIDTH VIDEO TRANSMISSION METHOD FOR TROUBLESHOOTING IN
VIDEO CONFERENCING The present invention relates generally to 5 conferencing, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for providing low bandwidth video transmission, particularly for troubleshooting in video conferencing Troubleshooting various problems particularly in a manufacturing environment can be difficult. Most often, a 10 representative or several representatives of an engineering staff need to be present to identify the source of the problem and determine a solution. It is important to quickly determine the solution to minimize the amount of product loss and thus the revenue associated with the 15 products.
In global companies, if a problem occurs at a location distant from the expert, the expert must travel to the location. This is costly in terms of the expert's time and travel expenses. This is particularly true when the two are 20 separated on different continents. It would therefore be desirable to provide a method for troubleshooting that reduces the downtime of the system and reduces travel expenses.
Video conferencing is becoming an increasingly popular 25 way of conducting meetings so that the various members can interact not only in audio but in visual as well. Various approaches to video conferencing are provided. Typically, a video conference room is established in which the camera or cameras are fixed in position. Thus, certain limitations 30 with respect to view are present due to the position of the cameras.
Video conferencing has been proposed in which the Internet is used to transmit the video signals. Systems such as Netmeeting'o require 300 to 500 kilobytes of 35 bandwidth. If the system is used on a network system, the network performance may be significantly reduced. Also in such systems, the audio and video may not coincide. That is, there may be some delay between the audio and video signals. To compensate for some of these problems, special high speed networks may be utilized that are unloaded so the system does not become delayed or priority smart switches 5 are implemented to give priority to the video signals.
It would therefore be desirable to provide a video conferencing system that has reduced bandwidth so that it is capable of providing signals on a company intranet or through the Internet without significant delays.
10 It is therefore one object of the invention to provide a method for troubleshooting that includes video transmission. It is a further object of the invention to provide a video conferencing system that utilizes a reduced bandwidth from those of the prior art.
is In one aspect of the invention, the video conferencing system comprises a first user having a video camera generating video signals, a first telephone and a first computer coupled to said video camera for formatting the video signals. A local area network (LAN) is coupled to the 20 first computer. A server is coupled to the LAN for receiving the formatted video signals. The server has a web page thereon for hosting the formatted video signals. A second user has a second telephone and a computer having a web browser. The web browser is coupled to the web page for 25 receiving the formatted video signals. The first telephone and the second telephone are coupled together for communicating audio signals therebetween.
In a further aspect of the invention, a self-contained video apparatus that may be used as part.of the video 30 conferencing system includes a mobile housing. The computer and the video camera are mounted in the mobile housing. A light is also coupled to the housing. The computer is coupled to a LAN connection that may be eventually coupled to a LAN once the self-contained video apparatus is 3S positioned.
In a further aspect of the invention, a method for troubleshooting a problem comprises the steps of:
identifying a potential problem; positioning a mobile card having a video camera and a computer relative to the potential problem; positioning the camera to the potential problem; 5 coupling the computer to a local area network; coupling the local area network to a website; and positioning video signalsfrorti the video camera to a web page.
one advantage of the invention is that no delays e xist 10 between the video signals and the audio signals. Another advantage of the invention is that the bandwidth of the present invention when compared to previously known video conferencing systems is significantly reduced (by nearly a factor of 10).
15 Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent when viewed in light of the detailed description of the preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the attached drawings and appended claims.
The invention will now be described further, by way of 20 example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which; Figure 1 is a system level view of a video conf erence/problem- solving system according to the present invention.
Figure 2 is a more detailed system level view of the system of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a reverse perspective view of a self - contained video apparatus shown in Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a system block diagram of the video 30 conf erence/problemsolving system according to the present invention.
in the following figures the same reference numerals will be used to identify the same components in the various 35 views. The various components described are meant by way of example only. Those skilled in the art will recognize various other components suitable for use with the present invention.
Referring now to Figure 1, a video conference/ trouble shooting system 10 is illustrated in a high level block 5 diagrammatic view. The center of the system is web server 12 that is coupled to a video source 14. Various system users 16 having computers 18 are coupled to web server 12 through a communication connection 20 such as the Internet or a company intranet. Web server 12 is coupled to video 10 source 14 through a local area network (LAN) 22.
Web server 12 may be one of a variety of web servers that provide a web page using a format such as HTML or the like. web server 12 may be located in a central corporate location and may only provide the web page to users with 15 passwords or to users with access to the corporate intranet.
Users 16 may have a variety of types of computers such as UNIX work stations used by product designers, and conventional IBM or Macintosh based personal computers used by manufacturing engineers, suppliers and various other 20 corporate employees. The present invention allows the various users 16 to access the web page and view the same formatted video signals. The users 16 of computers 18 have a web browser that allows access to the web page on web server 12.
25 Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, video source 14 is illustrated in greater detail as a self-contained mobile video apparatus having a mobile housing 26. Mobile housing 26 preferably has wheels 28 and is sized to house the various video components described below. The mobile 30 housing 26 is capable of being positioned in various positions within a manufacturing plant or other setting for video conferencing and for troubleshooting.
The mobile housing 26 has a mono-pole 30 that is used to support a video camera 32. Mono-pole 30 allows video 35 camera 32 to be pivoted and rotated so that video camera 32 may be directed to a desired position. Video camera 32 may be an analog type or digital type video camera having a video output 34. In addition, mono-pole may have an extension 36 used to support a digital camera 38.
Preferably digital camera 38 has a swivel lens. A swivel lens digital camera was found to provide the best 5 pictures from horizontal positions.
A computer 40 is also coupled to mobile housing 26. Computer 40 has a keyboard 42 positioned on housing 26 and a display 44. Preferably, for space purposes, display 44 is a flat panel display. Digital camera 38 and video camera 32 10 are coupled to computer 40 so that digital pictures and video may be provided to the computer for further processing as will be described below.
Mobile housing 26 also preferably has a spotlight 46 positioned thereon. Spotlight 46 allows the video 15 conference or the problem area to be illuminated brightly to provide the highest quality video characteristics.
Computer 40 is coupled to LAN 22 which in turn is coupled to web server 12 which in turn is coupled to users 16 as described above. A significant advantage of the 20 present invention is that the mobile housing 26 may be positioned at various locations within an industrial plant. Commonly, the industrial plant has LAN wires and various LAN connections positioned therethrough. Mobile housing 26 has a LAN connector 48 extending therefrom. LAN connector 48 25 may be used to couple to the LAN of a desired location such as on the manuf acturing floor of a plant. The LAN connection, as will be evident to those skilled in the art, may also be a wireless connection to provide further flexibility in the positioning.
30 The system 10 also comprises a first telephone So and a second telephone 52, each of which are coupled to the public service telephone network (PSTN) 54 or a corporate network.
of course, various numbers of telephones may be used.
Preferably, each user 16 has a telephone for receiving audio 35 signals.
In operation, when a problem arises or a video conference is desired, the mobile housing 26 is positioned in a desired location. The video camera may be aimed, f ocused and may zoom in or out depending on the needs of the 5 users. The spotlight 46 may be used to illuminate the video conference or the area that a problem has been identified. The optional digital camera 38 may be used to take and download high quality still pictures in addition to the video during the video conference.
10 Referring now to Figure 4, a flow diagram of the system is illustrated. Video camera 32 is coupled to computer 40 as described above. Computer 40 has a video capture card 56 therein. one suitable video capture card is the Winnov Video Interface Board. The video capture card 56 captures is the various digital images and provides them to software resident in computer 40. The software is represented by box 58 wherein video is transferred to a predetermined format. In a preferred embodiment of the format, the FTP (file transfer protocol) is used. The FTP format is a common 20 format known by those skilled in the art. A suitable software package for converting the video signal into a suitable format is the Webcam32T" software provided by the Surveyor Corporation. During the transfer to the particular protocol, slices of the picture are sent to web server 12.
25 The web server 12 posts the video signals on a website. other users through their computers with web browsers 60 are allowed to access the web page on the web server 12 and view the digital signals. of course, the TCP/IP protocol is part of the system. The TCP/IP protocol resides on the server 30 and allows for fault tolerant data transmission and in particular the transmission of the digital video signals.
In operation, to form a video conference according to the present invention, the mobile housing 26 is positioned in a suitable location in an area where trouble has been 35 identified. The video camera 32 is directed at the desired location. Spotlight 46 may also be directed into the problem area. The LAN connection 48 is connected between the computer 40 of the mobile housing to provide video signals to a web server 12. The video signals are processed in the computer and placed on a web page within the web server 12 so that various users may view the video signals.
5 Members of the meeting are audibly connected through the public service or company telephone network 54 using the telephones 50, 52.
Advantageously, a 30 to 40 kb bandwidth has been achieved using the present invention. Thus, expert 10 engineers /troubleshooters in various locations may converse via the telephones and view the same video images through the web server. Typically the problems and solutions may be identified in this manner to prevent or minimize business travel. Costs are also reduced in that the problem may be 15 quickly identified and valuable production time may be maximized.
Claims (1)
1. A video conf erencing system comprising:
a first user having, 5 'a video camera generating video signals; ò f irst telephone; ò computer coupled to said video camera and formatting said video signals; a LAN coupled to said first computer; 10 a web server coupled to said LAN, said web server having a web page thereon for posting the formatted video signals; and a second user having a second telephone and a second computer having a web browser, said web browser coupled to 15 said web page for receiving said formatted video signals, said first telephone and said second telephone coupled together for communicating audio signals therebetween.
2. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein said f irst 20 computer and said video camera are coupled to a mobile housing.
3. A system as recited in claim 2 wherein said mobile housing further comprises a digital camera coupled thereto.
4. A system as recited in claim 2 wherein said mobile housing further comprises a spotlight coupled thereto.
5. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein said mobile 30 housing further comprises a LAN connection.
6. A self-contained mobile video apparatus comprising:
ò mobile housing; ò computer coupled to said housing; 35 a video camera positioned on said housing; ò LAN connection for coupling said computer to a server, said computer receiving digital signals from said video camera and converting the digital signals to format video signals.
5 7. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said mobile housing has a light coupled thereto.
8. An apparatus as recited in claim 6 wherein said mobile housing has a mono-pole for supporting said video 10 camera.
9. An apparatus as recited in claim 6 wherein said video camera is a digital video camera.
15 10. An apparatus as recited in claim 6 wherein said video camera comprises an analog video camera.
11. An apparatus as recited in claim 6 wherein said computer comprises a video capture card.
12. A troubleshooting method comprising the steps of:
identifying a potential problem; positioning a mobile cart having a video camera and a computer relative to the potential problem; 25 positioning the video camera to the potential problem; coupling the computer to a local area network; coupling the local area network to a website; and positioning video signals from the video camera on a web page.
13. A method as recited in claim 12 further comprising the steps of allowing users to access the web page and thereby accessing the video signals.
35 14. A method as recited in claim 13 wherein the step of accessing comprises accessing the web page through a web browser.
- 15. A method as recited in claim 12 further comprising the step of audibly coupling users together through a telephone network.
16. A method for providing a video conference comprises the steps of: coupling a video camera to a video capture card; converting the video signal to a predetermined video format; linking the video format to a website through a local area network; and allowing users to link the website to view the video.
15 17. A method as recited in claim 16 further comprising the steps of audibly coupling users together through a telephone network.
18. A method as recited in claim 16 wherein said 20 predetermined video format comprises FTP.
19. A method as recited in claim 16 wherein said format comprises TCP/IP.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US56220400A | 2000-05-02 | 2000-05-02 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB0110562D0 GB0110562D0 (en) | 2001-06-20 |
| GB2364460A true GB2364460A (en) | 2002-01-23 |
Family
ID=24245248
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0110562A Withdrawn GB2364460A (en) | 2000-05-02 | 2001-04-30 | Web-based video conference system for remote fault diagnosis |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| DE (1) | DE10121237A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2364460A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2389978A (en) * | 2002-06-17 | 2003-12-24 | Raymond Joseph Lambert | Event-triggered security monitoring apparatus |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE102021117656A1 (en) | 2021-07-08 | 2023-01-12 | Geltz Umwelttechnologie GmbH | Process and arrangement for producing a peat substitute from a fibrous suspension |
Citations (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2288511A (en) * | 1994-04-15 | 1995-10-18 | David Harris | Diagnostic method and apparatus |
| US5701904A (en) * | 1996-01-11 | 1997-12-30 | Krug International | Telemedicine instrumentation pack |
| WO1998040009A1 (en) * | 1997-03-08 | 1998-09-17 | Graham Francis Murphy | Diagnostic apparatus |
| WO1999012349A1 (en) * | 1997-09-04 | 1999-03-11 | Discovery Communications, Inc. | Apparatus for video access and control over computer network, including image correction |
| GB2337655A (en) * | 1998-04-22 | 1999-11-24 | Time & Space Tech Co Ltd | Displaying exhibition exhibits over the Internet |
| WO2000007431A1 (en) * | 1998-08-03 | 2000-02-17 | Rutgers, The State University Of New Jersey | Translation control elements for high-level protein expression in the plastids of higher plants and methods of use thereof |
| WO2000044169A1 (en) * | 1999-01-26 | 2000-07-27 | Pixelworld Network, Inc. | System and method for sending live video on the internet |
| GB2357387A (en) * | 1999-10-16 | 2001-06-20 | Applied Technologies Mfg Ltd | Remote viewing and security system |
-
2001
- 2001-04-30 DE DE2001121237 patent/DE10121237A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2001-04-30 GB GB0110562A patent/GB2364460A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2288511A (en) * | 1994-04-15 | 1995-10-18 | David Harris | Diagnostic method and apparatus |
| US5701904A (en) * | 1996-01-11 | 1997-12-30 | Krug International | Telemedicine instrumentation pack |
| WO1998040009A1 (en) * | 1997-03-08 | 1998-09-17 | Graham Francis Murphy | Diagnostic apparatus |
| WO1999012349A1 (en) * | 1997-09-04 | 1999-03-11 | Discovery Communications, Inc. | Apparatus for video access and control over computer network, including image correction |
| GB2337655A (en) * | 1998-04-22 | 1999-11-24 | Time & Space Tech Co Ltd | Displaying exhibition exhibits over the Internet |
| WO2000007431A1 (en) * | 1998-08-03 | 2000-02-17 | Rutgers, The State University Of New Jersey | Translation control elements for high-level protein expression in the plastids of higher plants and methods of use thereof |
| WO2000044169A1 (en) * | 1999-01-26 | 2000-07-27 | Pixelworld Network, Inc. | System and method for sending live video on the internet |
| GB2357387A (en) * | 1999-10-16 | 2001-06-20 | Applied Technologies Mfg Ltd | Remote viewing and security system |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
| Title |
|---|
| JP2000122716 A * |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2389978A (en) * | 2002-06-17 | 2003-12-24 | Raymond Joseph Lambert | Event-triggered security monitoring apparatus |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DE10121237A1 (en) | 2001-11-08 |
| GB0110562D0 (en) | 2001-06-20 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |