CA2082180A1 - Silc-single line connection all-in-one audio and visual imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

PATENT APPLICATION
Abstract This invention (hereafter called as SiLC for the sake of expedience and pronounced silk) is an interface device and a connecting process at the transmitting and the receiving locations, which will allow visual information to be presented simultaneously (or at the control of the nearest party to each device) as part of a normal conversation as comfortably as if all parties shared the communication within the same room.
With SiLC, multi sensory communication over single voice-grade telephone lines can be part of the ease of interaction that is now limited to voice only conversation.
Transactions which include audio and visual components (such as those which are now shown to a group in a single room using readily available presentation devices) can now be telecommunicated as ubiquitously as voice telephone calls to people in distant locations.
The addition of visual aids like written text, charts, or pictures is common in face to face interaction because it improves initial audience interest, sustains ongoing attention, improves persuasion, and enhances memory retention of the information presented.
All these visual elements add to communications effectiveness. The addition of visual components to telecommunication, where only verbal telecommunication was previously possible, will accelerate attention, interest, understanding, and commonality.

abstract 4 The average person speaks at a rate of between 100 and 150 words per minute. That same average person can read at 300 words per minute, and those who read at 1000 words per minute are not uncommon. Many normal people have difficulty sustaining interest in and attention to an unseen speaker, especially if the verbal message lacks emotional appeal. The nuance of factual or appealing visual information (such as graphics, images and/or colour) adds to the speed of comprehension and attention by the receiver. Gestures and facial expressions become non-verbal aids to understanding.
A University of California study entitled "Silent Messages" by Albert Mehrabid, outlined the role of the 5 human physical senses in knowledge accumulation in an average person's lifetime experience as Sight - 75%, Hearing - 13%, Touch - 6%, Taste - 3%, Smell - 5.
People are better lookers than listeners. Visual experience is 5 times more frequent (and hence familiar) than audible experience.
Visual plus audible communication is 43% more persuasive, 100% more effective, and 133% more efficient than an effective audio-only interaction.
Next day recall of what we hear is 30%, but is 50% when we both hear and see. Compared to black and white, colour in visual content improves next day recall from 50% to 78%, same day participation by 80%, and attitude change effectiveness by 50% to 85%.
(Note that the audio-visual interaction effectiveness is still preconditioned upon acceptable audio transmission and reception).
More concensus can be accomplished faster, more accurately, and more spontaneously using SiLC devices with basic telephone service between distant parties. This device will be of special help for those in less well developed areas in Canada and in the rest of the world, who now only have access to simple telecommunications infrastructure.

Description

2~2180 SPECIPICATION
General character of the class of article and kind f` process 5 -:
to which this in~entive idea relatçs ar~:
- devices and processes usecl in the transmission, processing, and reception of visual ima~es between distant parties usin~ basic voice grade 2 wire lines in the local !oops of the public telephone network connection.
SiLC refers to Single Line Connectivity as a process and a device.
SiLC is a device which uses an electronic process as a tool to receive inpu~, store, output and transmit ima~es, te~t, data, and voice in organi~ed sequences enabling all these infomation media to be telecommunicated using the most common facility, a 2 wire voice grade local loop, to access the public telephone network~ In essence, SiLC enables connection of a standard telephone line with a standard television receiver or video monitor so that visual images can be transmitted more easily to distant locations using only the basic telephone network. The device is of economical size ~same size as a modem) which means it is easily portable and connectable for shared use.
SiLC connectivity accomodates interface and interaction (using 2 wire telephone connections) among:
-standard local access lines and single line telephones -computing devices via common serial ports, -digital video through cameras, monitors, and VCR's using standard composite or "S' video formats, -standard keyboards for text input, -standard control devices such as a "mouse" or remote control, SiLC is a unique, singular device and process which allows visual and verbal information to be transmitted, received and stored SiLC's internal memory capability plus unique software allows for simplified interface between the two-wire voice grade public telephone network and output display equipment. This` eliminates a requirement for a separate computer controlled device to handle visual-image data sent from a distant source if no visual images are to be transmitted back.
SiLC can also be used on 4 wire connections if necessary or available.
In essence, SiLC enables connection of a standard telephone line wi~h a standard television receiver so that visual images can he transmitted to or rrom distant locations using only the basic telephone network.

2~82180 6 : -SiLC enables u~iqitous convenient interface among e~isting communication technologies and networks. This facilitates ease of access to visual information and promotes commonality of visual as well as verbal interaction in a single ~ransaction.
SiLC provides control, stora~e and connectivity. SiLC's internal network allows connection with:
-a control module which in turn can connect with: --an external keyboard.
-a telephone dial pad or numeric key pad, r -input-output through voice detection equipment.
-standard composite and "S" video output which in turn connects - .
video ou~puts to television, monitor, VCR or viewing screens. - .;
-a modem which connects with standard serial devices such as computers, fa~. or printers. .:-an options port for connections with other devices such as a "mouse". ~ .
-composite input including video input sources such as camera. . ... --access to the public telephone network. -These connections allow SiLC fast, convenient inter-connectability with familiar common voice, image, text, and data input and output devices whose si~nals can now he transmitted and received over the pu~lic telephone network e~pediently, conveniently and economically.
SiLC is a multi sensory device and methodology. SiLC is not a multi media device (in the currently popular definition of multi media which ~:
applies to simultaneous display of images from different sources within a single CPU on the screen at a single location~
The voice-image storage receives input from the control module which connects with an external telephone set and an external keyboard.
Input to voice-image storage, and memory storage is received from e~ternal sources through the composite input. The unique memory connects via the modem to the public telephone network, control devices such as a mouse, or any serial device such as computers, fax, and/or printers.
The voice-image storage output can connect to video display devices such as a monitor, television set or VCR or to any device that accepts a composite or "S" video signal. Then either transmitted images or images stored within SiLC can be displayed on screen.

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2~82180 SiLC works as an unattended answer and record device for voice telephone calls and as an unattended VCR for receiving transmilted visual messa~es or for data transmissions from modems or other SiLC devices.
SiLC includes and allows an integration of many readily available products and technologies. SiLC adds unique memory capacity, ROM and software capability to allow visual information to be transmitted between speciali~ed interfaces before or during voice conversations, or independently of immediate voice conversation.
A SiLC audio visual conversation can be accomplished significantly more expediantly and economically than connections with e~isting multimedia methodologies because only a single basic telephone connection is required at each end.
SiLC is independant of existing proprietary transmission or computation technologies. SiLC is connectable with the most commun terminals and is transparent once a connection is established. Other technologies may need connection to a proprietary host or terminal.
SiLC offers enhanced portability, sharability, and connectivity.

- 208~180 ~ .i The nature of the articles or process previously known or u~ed which~are intended to be improved or replaced by resort to~bis iaventiQ~
In existing telecommunications technology, transmitting or receivin~
still or moving visual images in a condition of adequate clarity often requires a high quality or specialized line connection (the local loops to the switched - ~
network~. For audio and high quality visual information ~elecommunications . -`:
to be part of the same transaclion, in existing technology and methodology, - .--two (2) distinct telecommunications connections lines or local loops from the subscriber premises to the central offic public ne~work connçction must be in operation simultaneously between the sending point and the receiving point (one for the voice - audio and the second for the image - data). ~ -Transmission of motion video requires high speed digital transmission facilities (eg 2~ + D) which are broader band width than normal voice grade public telephone networks. Multi sensory media telecommunication (images as generated by computers) also requires digital or broader band facilities to ~. -achieve its motion objectives. This necessitates 4 wire or two parallel 2 wire -connections (eg Centre~ data) at each end of the conversation. - .
This effectively doubles the local telephone line requirements and ~.
thus increases the telecommunication cost of the transaction. .- -In many telephone subscriber locations only one single line connection is available. Multiple local loops or lines to each subscriber premises do not e~ist (for reasons of absence of predictable ongoing demand or for economic reasons or scarcity of available outside plant facilities). This is especially evident in rural areas, or non industrialized older urban areas (or in developing nations~
In locations which do have multiple lines, the vast majority of subscribers usually only have sufficient lines to provide an acceptable grade~ :of service to accomodate needs for voice conversation holding times which are brief (5 minutes or less per call, 2% blockage of attemped calls~.
Creation or upgrading of telephone network outside plant facility is :
capital intensive and time consuming Provision of high capability facility is vulnerable to reduced prioritization or cancellation by the network provider in times o~ economic instability or capital scarcity. This limits universality :and spontaneous access to multi sensory telecommunications . .~

2~82180 Provisioning of specialized facilities is difficult to justify until the economic benefits are clearly evident of additional/multiple lines to accommodate data based interaction. The average telephone user is thus prevented from economically/conveniently tes~ing and experimentatin~
with multi sensory telecommunication or evaluating of its potential.
Yideophones (combined voice and image transceivers using basic 2 wire local loop connections~ are now available to offer a limited slow scan television image from a small TV camera of the user party but videophones are limited in their ability to deal with fine resolution presentation graphics detailed text print fonts, and distant or moving images.
Existing devices and technologies for combining various media within a telecommunication transaction require separation of the voice component from the data~image signal component onto two or more separate communication channels (pairs of wires).
Future high capacity network technolo~ies (eg IS~N) anticipate a single communication connection but will require unique network configuration (eg 2B+ d) and significant reconstruction of the telephone network to be accessible to the masses of existing telephone user locations (and then probably only in developed~ high demand locations).
Without SiLC, multi sensory telecommunication is limited to thoge who already have access to multi-line telecommunication service.
The absence of ubiqutous high-capability accessibility already limits ease of telecommunication for the majority of potential beneficiaries of multi sensory communication. Economic reality likely will inhibit the construction of advanced technology telecommunication plant in areas of low population density and in poorer developing nations. These conditions significantly restrict the availability and use of telecommunication that can combine interactive audible and higher quality visual message content, or that can access visual data bases (such as drawin~s, charts, or video images) to expedite completion of the transaction.
SiLC can accommodate intercepting devices which rectify variances in the speed of group 1, 2 and 3 fax machines by acting as an intermediary to receive and store, then relay the transmission to the receiving machine at the optimum speed. Thus newer, faster machines don't have to slow down to deal with older technology fax machines. Group 3 fa~ machines have increased accessibility and group I machines have longer utility.

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o and process overcomes the difficulties and inco~nvenience previous practices or ~osals.
In essen~e, SiLC enables connection of a standard telephone line with a standard video monitor nr television receiver so that visual images can be transmitted to distant locations using only the basic telephone network.
SiLC results from the combination of -electronic storage of dlgitally based recorded images, -uni~ue random access memory RAM~ capability, plus . .-:.
-uni~ue read only memory (ROM~ and software.
SiLC includes and allows an inte~ration of many readily available .
products and technologies. SiLC adds unique memory capacity. ROM and -software capability to allow visual information to be transmitted between specialized interfaces before or during voice conversations, or independently of immediate voice conversation. . ~ .
The SiLC device has internal connections for a high speed modern video output, video circuit, composite input, and control module; all of which accomodate further external access to input or output through standard telephone sets, standard telephone lines, keyboards. video sources, common serial devices such as computers, fax or printers, VCRs or television monitors, RF or mouse control devices, and numerical keypads.
SiLC combines the ability to transmi~ and receive voice and assembled-data-based images with unique Read Only Memory (ROM) and with unique storage Random Access Memory (RAM) to create capability to use a single telephone connection to include a variety of available media inputs (whether stored or live) including: telephone voice, facsimile, computers, video cameras/ recorders/ monitors (visual output mechanisms using composite or 'S' video signals).
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SiLC's internal memory capability plus unique software allows for simplified interface between the two-wire voice grade public telephone network and output display equipment. This eliminates a requirement for a ~ : -separate computer controlled device to handle visual-image data sent from a distant source if no visual images are to be transmitted back. (SîLC can also be used on 4 wire connections if necessary or available.) :: : ::, . ' ' , . ' :

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2~32180 `

SiLC is a unique, singular device and process which allows 11 visual and verbal information to ~e transmitted, received and stored.
The device is of economical size (the samesize as a modem~ which means it is portable and easily connectable.
Using SiLC will enable simultaneous visual and auclio presentation to be part of a personal telephone conversation. SiLC also enables recorded audio and visual presentations to be transmitted to an unattended distant location for future retreival and review at a convenient time (eg. where several time zones separate people~.
Using SiLC reduces the complexity surrounding connectivity between terminal devices and communication networks. That simplicity will promote a linear understanding of the connecting relationships of devices to assist communications effectiveness. Some academic authorities have estimated that 60x of voice only conversation can benefit from some form of visual enhancement.
Using SiLC can increase ease of that intercommunication about the world. The availability of SiLC will promote more timely, convenient and complete telecommunication by making multi sensory telecommunication ~ ;
more accessible and more affordable to the majority of users.
Using SiLC allows easier connection of a variety of visual devices for sendin~, receiving or displaying images using conventional available 2-wire voice grade telephone line service. SiLC eliminates the need for a separate.
distinct or specialized data communication channel parallel to the voice .
transmission channel.
SiLC allows input and output of voice, image, text, and data via a single, simple telephone connection using standard connecting jacks, and connection of other devices using standard jack or plug. :
A SiLC audio visual conversation can be accomplished significantly more e~pediantly and economically than conversations with e~isting multimedia methodologies because only a single basic telephone connection ~ .
is required at each end. : :
SiLC is an advance compared to existing alternatives because SiLC is usable easily anywhere a single telephone line is available. Dedication of a second access line or speciali~ed communication facilities are not required.

2~82180 SiLC represents a significant opportunity for economical entryof multi sensory communication among us rs in remote geographic areas where provisioning of additional telephone plant requires additional time and expense for construction.
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SiLC allows increased efficiency of terminal equipment. The store and ~ ~ -forward capability of SiLC means that the image does not need to be displayed on screen at the same speed as it was transmitted, but rather the :: .
transmittable image can be stored in SiLC's memory, then displayed at the - ~ -desired speed (the same as coincidently displayed images drawn from the originatin~ compu~er). This minimizes distraction among the viewing audience and enables greater control for the presentor.
SiLC allows economical, timely use of available telecommunications ~ ~
facilities. Comple~ or long presentations can be assembled and transmi~ted . . - ~
during non-busy (discount rate). periods of the day, held in memory, then recalled from memory at the distant end during convenient periods. :
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SiLC enables convenient 'co-working' among terminals of equal :
capability while optimizing the usability of available other equipment at -each location. SiLC's voice and image messaging capability reduces the need for connected equipment to have redundant or dormant capacity.
SiLC's integrated control module eliminates the need for a complete ~ ~:
computer to be at each end of a multi sensory teleconversation. . :
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SiLC integral memory capability enables e~isting services and ; : ~:equipment to be usable for multiple tasks, This increases the connected equipments' versatility, reduces redundancy, and lengthens the contributory life of aging technology by improving connectivity among terminals of differing capabilities (through the store, forward at high speed, and store again capability until all . . ~
related components are available for the presentation). : .
SiLC offers enhanced portability, sharability, and connectivity.

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2~218~
, ~, Full description of the beat wav of usi~ or puttin~
the inventi~7e ide~ into operation. (see drawing attached) 13 The diagram accompanying this filing shows the connec~ion network:
- within the SiLC device itself, - through to the connections to the components included in the SiLC box, -continuing through to connections in from and out to common input and output devices.
NOTE: In the protot,vpe IBetaSiLC' an entire computer CPU including software is used as a surragate to emulate the control module internal to SiLC. The final SiLC device will he more compact in size throu~h the elimination from SiLC of the redundant capabilty that BetaSiLC shares with the nun telecommunication functioning of other terminating devices.
In ~he final SiLC device all redundancy between the components in the SiLC bo~ and common external devices will be eliminated so only essential control capability will ~e retained internally within SiLC.
The SiLC device and process can be used on a standard 2 wire local loop telephone connection as: - --an aid to effective presentation of audio and visual material.
-a device to accomodate connection to unattended input devices such as surveilance video cameras using e~isting 2 wire telephone house cable or public network facilities rather than coa~ial cable.
This allows sharing o~ the same cable as adjacent telephone sets.
-a video/graphics storage device -a modem interface for data tranmission and stora~e.
-a connecting device between an audio or video input devices (such as between a video camera and the telephone network) for remote spontaneous tr~nsmission of image and voice -SiLC is a component in a system for receiving, storing, assemblin~
and displaying graphics, animated and/or still images -SiLC includes a stand alone modem for sending and receiving data. ~ ~ --SiLC provides stand alone connectivity for computers, printers, and facsimile transceivers -SiLC is a stand alone device and process which provides connectivity for voice, data, text and images -The SiLC unit is also a unique stand alone video capture system.
An image cr~ated on a computer can be loaded into SiLC for storage and/or for transmission to another SiLC unit or computer.
-SiLC can also be a portable stand alone presentation device ~upon connectlon to any available Television or other output device.)

Claims

Claims The embodiments of this invention in which exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows.
This is SiLC: Single Line Connectivity. SiLC enables voice, data, image, text, and video information to be processed discreetly and transmitted sequentially over a single (2 wire) voice grade telephone connection.
SiLC plus POTS (plain ordinary telephone service) = advanced capability.
The combination of the voice and data connectivity elements are controlled by a central processing unit (CPU) and custom software.
The entire conceptual design is based on an internal BUS connecting device (drop-in appropriate circuit board accommodating the desired feature(s) such as real time video, more memory capacity, fax option etc) The limitations to access to multi sensory communication can be overcome by the connection (within an intermediary device and process) of voice-image storage plus read-only memory and software plus random access memory, all within a compact electronic device.
The internal hardware and software uses compression for a standard computer image format to allow for a real time video signal feed.
Internal compression of images to a standard computer format (eg Gif. Tif. PCX etc) from a video source creates a compact image to be transmitted both to another SiLC unit and/or directly to a computer.
-SiLC is NOT a telephone.
Comparable devices, options or variants -Analogue or Digital telephone sets -Modems (modulator - demodulators) -Picturephone & VideoPhone (assumed tradenames of AT&T small screen packaged voice-slow scan video terminals with internal cameras) -Video conferencing, Dial-up video via switched 56 kps and higher digital public and private networks -Vsat and microwave motion video using private and public access networks and services.
-multimedia systems offered by many computer manufacturers, and/or software developers.
-Northern Telecom Vision multi-media video and graphics systems.