US 4,686,698 A · Workstation for interfacing with a video conferencing network

Abstract

A workstation (10) for interfacing with a video conferencing network comprises a display (12) which has an internal camera (32) associated therewith. The camera (32) and various auxiliary devices such as a VCR (28) are input to a video switch (52) for selecting a video output. The video output is input to either a monitor (12) and/or to the network through an interface circuit (51). In addition, video can be received from a local processor (42). The monitor (12) operates at two video rates and can be switched therebetween by a CPU (48). The local processor (42) operates at a separate rate from the NTSC video of the monitor (12). A viewfinder (14) having a viewing surface smaller than the monitor (12) is provided as another output on the video switch (52) such that two displays can be received by the user at a given time. A microphone (34) and a speaker (64) are provided and controlled by an audio switch (54 ). This allows a full duplex audio path to exist between the network and the workstation (10).

Claims32

Dependent claims

A workstation for interfacing with a video conferencing network, comprising:

camera means for receiving images and converting the received images to a first video signal at a first video rate;
auxiliary video means for generating a second video signal at a second video rate;
video switch means for receiving the first and second video signals and selectively outputting only one of the received video signals;
display means for receiving the output video signal from said switch means and displaying it for visual perception, said display means operable to operate either said first or second video rates;
means for controlling said video switch means and said display means to select the desired video signal and operate said display means at the corresponding one of said first or second video rates;
and
interface means for interfacing the video output by said switch means with the conferencing network and controlled by said control means to either output the selected video signal to said display means or the network or to said display means and the network.

4 more elements

A workstation for interfacing with a video conferencing network, the video conferencing network providing a video and audio path for full duplex audio/video communications and a data path for data communication with the network, comprising:

video means for generating an outgoing video signal and receiving an incoming video signal to establish a two-way video communication;
audio means for generating an outgoing audio signal and receiving an incoming audio signal to establish a two-way audio communication;
interface means for interfacing with the full duplex audio and video paths of the network and the data path of the network to receive audio, video and data from the network and transmit audio, video and data to the network;
central processing means for controlling the generation and reception of video by said video means and audio by said audio means;
said central processing means controlling the transmission and reception of the video and audio by said interface means;
said central processing means providing a communication interface with the network by reception and transmission of data from the network through said interface means such that commands can be received from the network and responses and requests provided to the network;
and
local processing means for providing additional processing capability for the workstation;
said local processing means and said central processing means operating in a master/slave relationship with said central processing means in a first mode acting as a master and in a second mode acting as a slave with said local processing means in said second mode acting as a master;
said central processing means in said first mode performing all functions of the workstation and in said second mode acting as a slave with said local processing means as the master controlling all the functions of the workstation;
said central processing means in said second mode controlling said audio and video means under the control of said local processing means and providing communication with the network under the control of said local processing means.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Workstation for interfacing with a video conferencing network

Life of this patent

Workstation for interfacing with a video conferencing network

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims32