DE19523325B4 - Audiovisual telecommunication terminal of the video telephone type - Google Patents

Abstract

Audiovisual Communication terminal of the Videtelefontyps which is suitable over a Telecommunications network or a computer network (19) with at least a video telephone (20) and a coding / decoding circuit for picture and sound (23) and a network interface circuit (18), characterized in that it is a camcorder interface circuit (22), which is designed to be used with a camcorder with screen (9) to be connected in such a way that the camera (10), the Screen (12) and the image processing module (11) of the camcorder can be used in such a way that a real-time communication between several people and that the screen of the camcorder can be rotated, so that he looks to the filmed object, and that a remote control is used to operate the camcorder remotely.

Description

The The present invention relates to an audiovisual telecommunication terminal of the video telephone type.

The Technical field of the invention is that of audiovisual communication between individuals and groups on different telecommunications and computer science networks. So it's the video telephony.

The Terminals or videophones can be equipped with different platforms, namely with Workstations or microcomputers. A videophone allows his User to see the moving picture of his counterpart while he is at the same time performing logical applications in cooperative mode. The Programs are executed on both video phones and communicate via data transmission channels, which are opened in parallel with the audiovisual transmission.

One Videophone enabled essentially the transfer from digitally processed (compressed), moving pictures and from associated sound over digital circuits. The network NUMERIS, for example, the information streams in the multiplex process with 64 kbits / s the preferred network for Videophone applications. However, one can also use an analogue for such applications Use a lower throughput network.

The French patent application FR 2 642 928 A1 describes a video terminal type sound and image terminal comprising: a housing, an image pickup camera provided with optics, a screen, a microphone, a speaker, a central processing unit, image information encoding / decoding devices, and sound and interface devices in connection with these elements for communication with another terminal of the same type via a digital transmission network, means for controlling at least one parameter for image acquisition, devices for manual control adapted to generate control information for controlling the parameter or parameters, and devices for switching between a local control mode in which this control information is applied to the control devices, and a remote control mode in which this control information is sent to the computer via the digital network in parallel with the image and sound information other terminals are sent and in which also via the digital network parallel to image and sound information received from the other terminal control information is applied to the control devices.

The technical means to run Videophone are available today and are well-defined (Standardized). But the commissioning of videophone or audiovisual Communication services require technical developments, in particular from special terminals for these services. A current obstacle to the development of video telephony services are the high costs of the terminal, that of the screen and the camera are effected.

however feature those persons who are particularly attracted to video telephony are, mostly over a camcorder that is generally used very little. He remains on average for 90% the time in a closet and leaves it only at certain Occasions. It would be so profitable to make better use of such an investment.

Besides, they are new camcorders of the "Viewcam" type or camcorder type with screen instead of over the traditional viewfinder device over a liquid crystal screen (LCD) of three to four inches (one inch equals 2.54 cm) appeared to the market. These camcorders with an "image capture screen" have a color screen, one Camera and a picture chain. Because the camera and the screen are against each other are movable, so you can "the Film someone you see on screen ".

One Camcorder with Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) is described, for example, in the instruction manual of the camcorder "Viewcam", model "VL-H400S" by Sharp.

One such camcorder includes an LCD screen of 89622 pixels, which makes it possible to film an object while looking at the screen looks without the device must hold against the eye.

This Device is equipped with a microprocessor that allows in provide a variety of uses that are very much for the user useful are.

advantageously, The LCD screen can be rotated vertically by 180 °, allowing it looks to the filmed object. This allows the user on the Scene while looking at the screen at the same time. You can then use a remote control to turn off the camcorder to operate the distance.

In particular, this camcorder can be connected to a TV to watch TV to play a recorded video cassette.

The The subject of the present invention is the development of video telephony in the context of all the audiovisual services that a terminal with a Need camera / screen arrangement, by reducing the cost of terminal equipment. For this purpose proposes they intend to use such a camcorder with screen.

The The present invention thus relates to an audiovisual communication terminal of the video telephony type that is suitable over a telecommunications network or a computer network connected to at least one videophone and a coding / decoding circuit for picture and sound and a network interface circuit thereby characterized in that it has a camcorder interface circuit includes, which is intended with a camcorder with screen to be connected in such a way that the camera, the screen, for example a liquid crystal screen is, and the image processing module of the camcorder in such a way can be used that real-time communication between several people is possible.

The Invention allows to profitabilize the components of such a camcorder equipped with screen, so its liquid crystal screen, its Camera and its image processing module. The terminal used or the "Videophone" then only needs another encoding / decoding device for image and sound accordingly the applicable standards, an interface circuit for the network and include an interface circuit for the camcorder.

The Invention allows thus, over Having a videophone with "low" cost by existing equipment is reused.

The Invention allows about it to make the video telephony function more mobile.

1 Fig. 12 schematically shows the video telephone type audio-visual communication terminal according to the present invention;

2 Fig. 1 schematically shows a camcorder with a screen according to the prior art,

3 schematically shows a video telephone according to the prior art.

The camcorder with the screen 9 according to the prior art, which is schematically in 2 is shown includes a camera 10 , an image processing circuit 11 , a screen display circuit 12 and a memory cartridge assembly 13 ,

This in 3 The prior art videophone shown schematically includes a camera 15 , a screen 16 , a coding / decoding circuit 17 and a network interface circuit 18 providing audiovisual communication with at least one other video telephone 20 over a network 19 allows.

The videotelephone-type audiovisual communication terminal according to the present invention, as disclosed in U.S.P. 1 is shown, uses the circuits of a camcorder with screen 9 as he is in 2 is shown, so a camera 10 , an image processing display circuit 12 and a memory cartridge assembly 13 ,

It also includes special circuitry, a camcorder interface circuit 22 , a coding / decoding circuit 23 for picture and sound and a network interface circuit 18 ,

Like a classic videophone, such a terminal can be over the network 19 with another videophone 20 get connected.

The originality of the invention lies in the reuse of various components, such as the camera 10 , the image processing circuit 11 , the on-screen display circuit 12 and the memory cartridge assembly 13 that equip a camcorder with a screen to create a video telephone terminal.

• – eine Vorrichtung zum Empfangen und Senden von Signalen über eine Leitung;
• – eine Vorrichtung zum Kodieren und Dekodieren von Ton und Bild;
• – eine Vorrichtung zur lokalen Aufnahme von Ton und Bild, also eine Kamera und ein Mikrofon;
• – eine Vorrichtung zur entfernten Wiederherstellung von Ton und Bild, also einen Bildschirm und einen Lautsprecher (oder eine Kombination);

ermöglicht die Erfindung, nur einen einfachen "Bild-und-Ton-Sender/Kodierer" auszuführen, der in einem viel größeren Rahmen verwendet werden kann.Instead of developing a videophone, which includes:

• A device for receiving and transmitting signals via a line;
• A device for coding and decoding audio and video;
• - A device for local recording of sound and image, so a camera and a microphone;
• - a device for remote restoration of sound and image, so a screen and a speaker (or a combination);

For example, the invention allows only a simple "picture-and-tone transmitter / encoder" to be used that can be used in a much larger frame.

By reusing the components that provide a camcorder with screen, the invention allows the purchase of such Camcorders made better use of investments.

Under consideration the cost of a video telephone the selection of screen and camera to use that with components be used at very low cost and therefore of limited quality. On the other hand allowed The invention by relying on the use of a camcorder with screen supports, over components with a high quality level to dispose of. The invention thus allows to improve the picture quality of video telephones.

The most expensive elements involved in the construction of a videophone used, namely The camera, and especially the screen, are powered by the camcorder to disposal posed. More than the half The cost of a traditional video phone will be saved. The Invention thus allows videophones at a much lower cost which facilitates the development of this market becomes.

in the Principle, a camcorder takes the sound and the picture on a cassette on. The invention allows therefore, the sound received from the corresponding video telephone and to record the picture. these can subsequently displayed on the screen of the camcorder. One thus has one Audio / video recording system for communications.

outgoing From the cassette one can also imagine an audio / video sequence record that asks the caller to leave a message (Application of the type "telephone answering machine").

at Receipt of a call can be made when the videophone is in the answering machine position is located, the reception sequence is transmitted to the caller. After a Time Delay can the execution go into the "recording" position, so that of the Caller transferred Picture and the sound will be recorded. One can thus over a Function "Callband for audio and video "feature no special material development needed.

you can also imagine the camcorder "over the line "to use. Instead of filming a scene and then after a time delay to look at the cassette or mail it to a recipient you can enable him See this scene in real time by doing a transfer over Telecommunications network (for example, Numeris, RTC or Broadband) used.

Claims (5)

Video-visual type audio-visual communication terminal capable of being transmitted via a telecommunications network or a computer network ( 19 ) with at least one video telephone ( 20 ) and a picture / sound encoding / decoding circuit ( 23 ) and a network interface circuit ( 18 ), characterized in that it includes a camcorder interface circuit ( 22 ), which is intended to be used with a camcorder with a screen ( 9 ) in such a way that the camera ( 10 ), the screen ( 12 ) and the image processing module ( 11 ) of the camcorder can be used in such a way as to enable real-time communication between several people, and that the screen of the camcorder can be rotated to look at the filmed object, and remote control is used to remotely control the camcorder to operate. Terminal according to claim 1, characterized that the screen is a liquid crystal screen is. Terminal according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized that it uses in an audio / video recording system of communications becomes. Terminal according to claim 3, characterized that in an application of the "telephone Answering machine "type is used. Terminal according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized that recorded scenes are transmitted in real time by a transmission process via a Telecommunications network is used.