CA2267341A1 - Transceiver for video, language and text information - Google Patents
Transceiver for video, language and text information Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2267341A1 CA2267341A1 CA002267341A CA2267341A CA2267341A1 CA 2267341 A1 CA2267341 A1 CA 2267341A1 CA 002267341 A CA002267341 A CA 002267341A CA 2267341 A CA2267341 A CA 2267341A CA 2267341 A1 CA2267341 A1 CA 2267341A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- video
- message
- messages
- video message
- text
- 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.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- 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
- H04N7/147—Communication arrangements, e.g. identifying the communication as a video-communication, intermediate storage of the signals
-
- 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
- H04N7/148—Interfacing a video terminal to a particular transmission medium, e.g. ISDN
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Multimedia (AREA)
- Signal Processing (AREA)
- Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
- Telephonic Communication Services (AREA)
- Data Exchanges In Wide-Area Networks (AREA)
Abstract
The invention relates to a device consisting of simple elements and designed for processing, displaying and storing video, language and text information. The device has a network interface (LI) for receiving and transmitting video and text information, for instance from Internet, as well as language information. An incoming video information can be stored. Text or language information is produced for that purpose, the receiver being notified by transmitting the information concerned. Furthermore, video information in a first image format can be converted into a second image format, in which said information is then displayed.
Description
TRANSCEIVER FOR VIDEO, LANGUAGE AND TEXT INFORMATION
This invention relates to an apparatus for sending and receiving video messages, voice messages, and text messages over a telecommunications network.
EP 0 666 693 A1 discloses a videophone system consisting of a PC workstation, a keyboard or mouse, a display screen, a~camera, and an interface. In such a system, an image is transmitted over an ISDN line to the interface, from which it is transferred over a suitable line to the PC, where it is displayed on the associated screen. A camera mounted on the display unit takes images of the user and passes these images directly to the interface, which transmits them over the ISDN line to another user. Such a videophone system thus combines a videophone facility with a conventional PC. Disadvantages of such a system are that in order for the videophone to be ready for service, the entire PC must be turned on, and that the cost and complexity of the system are relatively high.
In addition, only an immediate indication of a video telephone call, i.e., no recording, is possible.
Patent Application JP 3-201649 discloses an automatic answering video telephone set. Such a videophone system serves to answer an incoming call when the user is absent. A message so received is recorded, and the calling party is simultaneously informed that this message is only being recorded. Such a system requires, however, that both the calling party and the called party have equipment which is ready to receive such messages.
Accordingly, it-is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus for sending and receiving video messages which is composed of simple means and is additionally capable of processing further messages of other formats. Another object of the invention is to improve the apparatus in such a way that the messages can be recorded even if the called party does not take them personally.
According to the invention, this is attained by the teaching of claim 1.
One advantage of the invention is that on such an apparatus for sending and receiving video messages, it is also possible to display other messages, such as messages coming from the Internet. Also, different image standards can be displayed. Thus, such a system is capable of displaying not only images of one standard, but also images of a further standard.
Another advantage is that in the automatic answering video telephone mode, a received image is stored in one data format and can be outputted via the monitor in any other data format.
Further advantageous aspects of the invention are defined in claims 2 to 10.
This invention relates to an apparatus for sending and receiving video messages, voice messages, and text messages over a telecommunications network.
EP 0 666 693 A1 discloses a videophone system consisting of a PC workstation, a keyboard or mouse, a display screen, a~camera, and an interface. In such a system, an image is transmitted over an ISDN line to the interface, from which it is transferred over a suitable line to the PC, where it is displayed on the associated screen. A camera mounted on the display unit takes images of the user and passes these images directly to the interface, which transmits them over the ISDN line to another user. Such a videophone system thus combines a videophone facility with a conventional PC. Disadvantages of such a system are that in order for the videophone to be ready for service, the entire PC must be turned on, and that the cost and complexity of the system are relatively high.
In addition, only an immediate indication of a video telephone call, i.e., no recording, is possible.
Patent Application JP 3-201649 discloses an automatic answering video telephone set. Such a videophone system serves to answer an incoming call when the user is absent. A message so received is recorded, and the calling party is simultaneously informed that this message is only being recorded. Such a system requires, however, that both the calling party and the called party have equipment which is ready to receive such messages.
Accordingly, it-is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus for sending and receiving video messages which is composed of simple means and is additionally capable of processing further messages of other formats. Another object of the invention is to improve the apparatus in such a way that the messages can be recorded even if the called party does not take them personally.
According to the invention, this is attained by the teaching of claim 1.
One advantage of the invention is that on such an apparatus for sending and receiving video messages, it is also possible to display other messages, such as messages coming from the Internet. Also, different image standards can be displayed. Thus, such a system is capable of displaying not only images of one standard, but also images of a further standard.
Another advantage is that in the automatic answering video telephone mode, a received image is stored in one data format and can be outputted via the monitor in any other data format.
Further advantageous aspects of the invention are defined in claims 2 to 10.
A particular advantage results from the embodiment claimed in claim 4, according to which information can be added to a stored video message. This enables a user to determine when a message was recorded and how long it lasts.¢
According to claim 5, it is possible to inform a user at a predetermined location about the reception of a video message at his apparatus, which is located at his home place, for example. He is thus enabled to retrieve the video message at any time.
According to a further advantageous aspect of the invention, which is claimed in claim 8, a video message can be edited, i.e., provided with comments, and forwarded to further users. These comments can be added in the form of a text message or an additional video message.
According to claim 9, a conventional television set can be connected for displaying the video message.
The invention will become more apparent from the following description of an embodiment when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, whose single figure is a schematic block diagram of an apparatus for receiving and sending video messages, voice messages, and text messages.
An apparatus for receiving and sending video messages, voice messages, and text messages comprises an interface S for interfacing the apparatus to a telecommunications network N. Such a telecommunications network N is the ISDN network, for example. The interface S can be a standard interface.
It is also connected to a network interface LI for adapting the apparatus to messages sent and received at different transmission rates. This network interface contains, for example, a modem which enables the apparatus to process different data transfer rates, namely up to several kb/s. Such a modem is capable, for example, of processing data transfer rates as occur in the Internet. In a further development, this modem may be implemented as a digital interface according to the ISDN standard.
Connected to the interface S and the network interface LI is a power supply 5 for the apparatus, for example a battery, so that the apparatus for receiving and sending video messages is always ready for service.
The apparatus may further comprise a camera C for picking up a video message. This camera C may be integrated with the apparatus, but it may also be connectable to the apparatus via a socket. The apparatus for receiving and sending video messages further includes a display screen MON for displaying a video message and a text message. Furthermore, the apparatus comprises a microphone M and a loudspeaker L
for picking up and reproducing a voice message or speech associated with a video or text message. The microphone M and the loudspeaker L may be combined in a handset.
To store an incoming video message for later playback, storage means MEM are provided in the apparatus for storing the received video message. Also provided are means ZI for adding information to the stored video message. Such information may be, for example, the time, the date, the length of the message, and further information.
The apparatus further includes means MA for storing the current location of a recipient. The recipient s current location is stored in these means MA as a number or as a list from which the number is selected, so that upon receipt of a video message, a voice or text message can be sent to the recipient s current location to notify him of the presence of the video message.
A recipient is thus kept informed as to whether a message is waiting for him.
The apparatus further comprises a coder/decoder CODE
for converting an H.261-coded image to an MPEG-coded image and vice versa. This coder/decoder DO/DE is generally designed to convert a coded image of a first standard to a coded image of a further standard.
Conversion of the H.320 standard to an MPEG standard or similar standards is also possible. The following sequence is conceivable: An H.261-coded image is present; it may be present in two different formats.
This image is fed to a decoder, which transforms the image back to the image plane. The decoded image is passed to an MPEG encoder. MPEG covers a multitude of image formats. Such a sequence is also possible in the opposite direction, in which case attention must be paid to the fact that in MPEG the frame frequency is predefined.
In this connection it proves advantageous that a receiving apparatus need not necessarily be compatible with a sending apparatus in terms of image format.
The apparatus further comprises editing means ED for editing a video message. This may include attaching comments to the video message in the form of a text message. Portions of the message may also be cut out and then forwarded.
Since the means for converting an image of a first standard to another standard also permit reproduction of the image on a television set, the apparatus includes an interface TV-S for connecting a television set for reproducing the video message.
It is also important in the present invention that the network interface LI adapts the apparatus to Internet-type text messages and to voice messages from the ISDN
network. The network interface LI thus enables the apparatus both to send and receive text messages over the Internet and to send voice messages over the ISDN
network.
The following use of the apparatus for receiving and sending video messages, voice messages, and text messages is conceivable: The apparatus receives a video message, stores it, and registers the presence of a video message. A recipient is notified of the presence of the message by sending him an E-mail over the Internet. For the future is conceivable that the video message can be forwarded to a recipient by video transmission over the Internet.
According to claim 5, it is possible to inform a user at a predetermined location about the reception of a video message at his apparatus, which is located at his home place, for example. He is thus enabled to retrieve the video message at any time.
According to a further advantageous aspect of the invention, which is claimed in claim 8, a video message can be edited, i.e., provided with comments, and forwarded to further users. These comments can be added in the form of a text message or an additional video message.
According to claim 9, a conventional television set can be connected for displaying the video message.
The invention will become more apparent from the following description of an embodiment when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, whose single figure is a schematic block diagram of an apparatus for receiving and sending video messages, voice messages, and text messages.
An apparatus for receiving and sending video messages, voice messages, and text messages comprises an interface S for interfacing the apparatus to a telecommunications network N. Such a telecommunications network N is the ISDN network, for example. The interface S can be a standard interface.
It is also connected to a network interface LI for adapting the apparatus to messages sent and received at different transmission rates. This network interface contains, for example, a modem which enables the apparatus to process different data transfer rates, namely up to several kb/s. Such a modem is capable, for example, of processing data transfer rates as occur in the Internet. In a further development, this modem may be implemented as a digital interface according to the ISDN standard.
Connected to the interface S and the network interface LI is a power supply 5 for the apparatus, for example a battery, so that the apparatus for receiving and sending video messages is always ready for service.
The apparatus may further comprise a camera C for picking up a video message. This camera C may be integrated with the apparatus, but it may also be connectable to the apparatus via a socket. The apparatus for receiving and sending video messages further includes a display screen MON for displaying a video message and a text message. Furthermore, the apparatus comprises a microphone M and a loudspeaker L
for picking up and reproducing a voice message or speech associated with a video or text message. The microphone M and the loudspeaker L may be combined in a handset.
To store an incoming video message for later playback, storage means MEM are provided in the apparatus for storing the received video message. Also provided are means ZI for adding information to the stored video message. Such information may be, for example, the time, the date, the length of the message, and further information.
The apparatus further includes means MA for storing the current location of a recipient. The recipient s current location is stored in these means MA as a number or as a list from which the number is selected, so that upon receipt of a video message, a voice or text message can be sent to the recipient s current location to notify him of the presence of the video message.
A recipient is thus kept informed as to whether a message is waiting for him.
The apparatus further comprises a coder/decoder CODE
for converting an H.261-coded image to an MPEG-coded image and vice versa. This coder/decoder DO/DE is generally designed to convert a coded image of a first standard to a coded image of a further standard.
Conversion of the H.320 standard to an MPEG standard or similar standards is also possible. The following sequence is conceivable: An H.261-coded image is present; it may be present in two different formats.
This image is fed to a decoder, which transforms the image back to the image plane. The decoded image is passed to an MPEG encoder. MPEG covers a multitude of image formats. Such a sequence is also possible in the opposite direction, in which case attention must be paid to the fact that in MPEG the frame frequency is predefined.
In this connection it proves advantageous that a receiving apparatus need not necessarily be compatible with a sending apparatus in terms of image format.
The apparatus further comprises editing means ED for editing a video message. This may include attaching comments to the video message in the form of a text message. Portions of the message may also be cut out and then forwarded.
Since the means for converting an image of a first standard to another standard also permit reproduction of the image on a television set, the apparatus includes an interface TV-S for connecting a television set for reproducing the video message.
It is also important in the present invention that the network interface LI adapts the apparatus to Internet-type text messages and to voice messages from the ISDN
network. The network interface LI thus enables the apparatus both to send and receive text messages over the Internet and to send voice messages over the ISDN
network.
The following use of the apparatus for receiving and sending video messages, voice messages, and text messages is conceivable: The apparatus receives a video message, stores it, and registers the presence of a video message. A recipient is notified of the presence of the message by sending him an E-mail over the Internet. For the future is conceivable that the video message can be forwarded to a recipient by video transmission over the Internet.
Claims (10)
1. An apparatus for receiving and sending video messages, voice messages, and text messages, comprising:
- an interface (S) for interfacing the apparatus to a telecommunications network (N);
- a network interface (LI) for adapting the apparatus to messages to be sent and received with different transmission rates;
- a screen (MON) for reproducing a video message and for reproducing a text message; and - a microphone (M) and a loudspeaker (L) for picking up and reproducing a voice message or speech associated with a video or text message.
- an interface (S) for interfacing the apparatus to a telecommunications network (N);
- a network interface (LI) for adapting the apparatus to messages to be sent and received with different transmission rates;
- a screen (MON) for reproducing a video message and for reproducing a text message; and - a microphone (M) and a loudspeaker (L) for picking up and reproducing a voice message or speech associated with a video or text message.
2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, comprising a camera (C) for picking up a video message.
3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, comprising storage means (MEM) for storing a received video message for subsequent reproduction.
4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3, comprising means (ZI) for adding information to the stored video message.
5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 or 4, comprising means (MA) for storing a recipient's current location, wherein on reception of a video message, a voice or text message is sent to the recipient's current location to notify the recipient of the presence of the video message.
6. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising a coder/decoder (CO/DE) for converting a coded image of a first standard to a coded image of a further standard.
7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein the coder/decoder (CO/DE) converts an H.261-coded image to an MPEG-coded image or wherein the coder/decoder (CO/DE) converts an MPEG-coded image to an H.261-coded image.
8. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein editing means (ED) are provided for editing a video message.
9. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising an interface (TV-S) for connecting a television set for reproducing a video message.
10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the network interface (LI) adapts the apparatus to Internet-type text messages or to voice messages from the telecommunications network.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP1997/004184 WO1999007143A1 (en) | 1997-07-31 | 1997-07-31 | Transceiver for video, language and text information |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2267341A1 true CA2267341A1 (en) | 1999-02-11 |
Family
ID=8166703
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002267341A Abandoned CA2267341A1 (en) | 1997-07-31 | 1997-07-31 | Transceiver for video, language and text information |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU746290B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2267341A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1999007143A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2001017247A1 (en) * | 1999-08-30 | 2001-03-08 | Safe-T-Net System Pte Ltd | Video transceiver |
| US6529230B1 (en) | 1999-08-30 | 2003-03-04 | Safe-T-Net Systems Pte Ltd | Security and fire control system |
| DE10004348A1 (en) * | 2000-01-27 | 2001-08-30 | Deutsche Telephonwerk Kabel | Telecommunication system |
Family Cites Families (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5473366A (en) * | 1992-11-17 | 1995-12-05 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Television-telephone apparatus having a message-keeping function and an automatic response transmission function |
| JPH0738861A (en) * | 1993-07-20 | 1995-02-07 | Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd | Video telephone system |
| DE59601149D1 (en) * | 1995-04-13 | 1999-02-25 | Siemens Ag | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR STORING, SEARCHING AND PLAYING AUDIOVISUAL INFORMATION AND DATA FILES |
-
1997
- 1997-07-31 AU AU40132/97A patent/AU746290B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1997-07-31 CA CA002267341A patent/CA2267341A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1997-07-31 WO PCT/EP1997/004184 patent/WO1999007143A1/en active Application Filing
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU746290B2 (en) | 2002-04-18 |
| WO1999007143A1 (en) | 1999-02-11 |
| AU4013297A (en) | 1999-02-22 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |