Abstract: A method and system are provided for distributing a computing experience, which includes a user-interface component and one or more media components, to one or more endpoints via a communications network. The method includes communicating the user-interface component and the one or more media-experience components though separate communications channels instead of a single channel. The user-interface component is reunited and synchronized with the media-experience component at an endpoint where it can be remotely observed and controlled.

Abstract: A personalized smart card stores therein public and private cryptography keys stored which are used to securely request and receive subscriber content data from a service provider, utilizing a remote control device.

Abstract: A videophone device for transmitting/receiving an image and voice to/from another device through a network, includes a voice input unit configured to input voice data, an image input unit configured to input image data, a text data generating unit configured to generate text data while at least one of the image data and the voice data is being input, a synthesizing unit configured to synthesize the voice data, the image data and the text data to obtain data, and a communication unit configured to transmit the data obtained by the synthesizing unit.

Abstract: An improved videofax system for displaying a video image from a digital memory, while the digital memory is being updated with data representing a new image and received from a standard telephone line or other communication channel with relatively slow data access time. A video processor circuit uses a first digital counter to increment the address of a digital memory sequentially and load the stored data to a digital-to-analog converter for display of the resulting analog composite signal on a standard monitor. The video processor uses the address provided by a second digital counter to temporarily switch the digital memory address provided by the first counter and sequentially update the digital memory with new data received from a modem, a microcontroller, or any other data storage components with slow access time, enabling a user to view the new image as it overwrites the old image with a sense of continuity between the old image and the new image.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention includes a cordless Internet Protocol (“IP”) phone system. Another embodiment of the present invention provides a cordless video phone system including a base station that may be coupled for communication of audio and video information through a network, such as an IP communication network, and a handset cordlessly coupled for exchanging information with the base station. In one embodiment, the handset includes a camera for capturing video images and the handset is also cordlessly coupled to the base station for sending video information to the base station. In another embodiment, the base station is connectable to a second camera. In other embodiments, the base station is coupled to multiple network interfaces. In other embodiments, the base station and is connectable to a variety of video displays.

Abstract: In a processing terminal, operational request information inputted from an operational request unit is transmitted as additional information to a communication unit of a CATV distributor. In the CATV distributor, the additional information is received in the communication unit, and when the additional information is the operational request information, an operational command generator generates operational command information corresponding to the operational request information. The operational command information is transmitted to a communication unit of a receiver through the communication unit. In the receiver, as the communication unit receives the operational command information for the receiver, an operating unit operates the receiver to perform the desired operation in response to the operational command information.

Abstract: A traffic control system selectively interfaces members of plural groups, as buyer groups and vendor groups, for video communication through a dial-up telephone system, for analyzing and compiling data, scheduling appointments, implementing conferences, consummating sales and the like. The traffic-control system comprises a telephonic interface apparatus for interfacing remote telephonic terminals of the dial-up telephone system identified with the members of plural groups, a video recording unit for recording and playing video transcriptions, a storage memory for storing data on the members, including telephonic terminal numbers and area-of-interest codes and a control computer to selectively interconnect the video recording unit with the remote telephone terminals through the telephonic interface apparatus to record and receive video communication.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for generating a command frame and/or a response frame transmitted and received to/from a digital equipment. The apparatus includes: a host processor for outputting a digital equipment code and operation control signal upon receipt of the signal outputted from the input unit; a frame processor for determining the type of the digital equipment upon receipt of the digital equipment code and operation control signal, and generating a command frame and/or response frame; and a digital interface processor for receiving the command and/or response frame and processing the same so as to be transmitted to the digital interface connecting the digital equipment. In the method for generating a command frame and/or a response, frame, there is an effect that a digital equipment must not be repeatedly programmed in order to generate a command frame and/or a response frame as in the conventional art.

Abstract: An image communication terminal having a reception section for receiving a paging signal and image data based on the paging signal, a storage section for storing data, and a control section for controlling to store the image data based on the paging signal in the storage section when a predetermined mode is set.

Abstract: An attachment apparatus for a handheld computer having a display in accordance with the present invention includes an attachment portion for receiving and securing the handheld computer. A camera assembly mounts to the attachment portion for providing images to the handheld computer, and an interface electrically connects the handheld computing device to the camera assembly for transferring the image data to be displayed on the display of the handheld computer.

Abstract: A video-image control apparatus enables a client to obtain the details of an object in a displayed video image. For this purpose, when the angle of a camera 1003 is changed in accordance with an instruction from an external device, it is determined whether or not the object (e.g., a copier) is within an image sensing view. If it is determined that the object is within the image sensing view, the current status of the object is obtained by request. Then, an image of a character string indicative of the status information is generated, and combined with the video image. The combined image is transferred via a communication interface unit to the external device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for automatically establishing a user account and for configuring a hand-held electronic device for accessing a site on a public network using the user account. The method and system include establishing a connection to a website server, which is responsible for establishing and maintaining website accounts. The presence of account information on the electronic device camera is then checked, and if none are found, it is determined that this is a first-time connection and information uniquely identifying the electronic device is sent to the website server so that the server can set-up the account information based on the electronic device information. The server then sends user account information to the device, including an account ID and password.

Abstract: Improved methods and apparatuses are provided for use with digital cameras. A wireless digital media card is provided for use in a digital camera. The wireless digital media card is configured to replace a conventional digital media card and includes an interface to the digital camera, a transceiver configured to transmit image data over a wireless communication link and logic configured to receive image data from the digital camera via the interface and provide the image data to the transceiver for transmission. The wireless digital media card may also include memory configured to store the image data. A receiving device is configured to store and/or further transfer the image data as needed.

Abstract: A personal videoconferencing system includes a videoconferencing appliance connected to a personal computer through a Universal Serial Bus (USB) or similar connection. The appliance is provided with a video camera and microphone for generating local video and audio streams. The local video and audio streams are compressed by a video and audio encoder residing at the appliance, and the compressed video and audio streams are conveyed to the personal computer over the USB connection. The appliance may be further provided with an audio decoder for decompressing a remote audio stream received by the personal computer through a network interface and conveyed to the appliance via the USB connection. A video decoder, located on the personal computer, is configured to decompress the local video stream (received through the USB connection) as well as a remote video stream received through the network interface. The decompressed video streams are then sent to a monitor for display to a user.

Abstract: A componentized TV system having a video display and audio speakers in wireless communication with a computer. The computer adjusts the audio settings of the speakers based on their distance to the display to optimize the listening experience.

Abstract: A digital videophone answering device (DVAD) that utilizes the functionality of a device such as a set top box (STB) equipped with a digital video recorder (DVR). The system includes an exemplary DVAD operatively connected to or integral with an STB equipped with DVR. A memory within the DVR is used by the DVAD for storing a plurality of parameters and data associated with the DVAD; and a processor within the DVR controls DVAD functionality and display of parameters associated with DVAD.

Abstract: A remote control for an interactive television system includes an integrated camera, a specifically-designated button for activating the camera, and a wireless transmitter for transmitting video information captured by the camera to the interactive television system. The remote control also includes an activity indicator for visually indicating when the camera is active. A set top box for the interactive television system includes a wireless receiver for receiving the video information and a converter for transforming the video information into a network-compatible video stream for transmission to a network.

Abstract: A camera control apparatus provides an end user with environment to easily remote-control a video camera via a general network such as the Internet. When the camera control apparatus 1001 receives a file-transfer request described in the format of the network from an external device 1002 connected to the apparatus, it handles a characters in a character string of a file name of the request as camera-control characters. As a result, if the character string includes description corresponding to the format for camera control, the camera control apparatus 1001 controls the camera in accordance with the description to perform image sensing, and transfers the obtained video image as the content of an image file requested by the external device as the file-transfer request originator.

Abstract: A system and method for performing videophone operations over a television. The system includes a television system, a transceiver and a personal computer that is coupled to a communications network and the transceiver. The television system includes a camera, a microphone, a wireless receiver for wirelessly receiving audio and video signals, a signal processor for processing the received audio and video signals for presentation on a television. The transceiver includes a receiver for wirelessly receiving audio and video signals from the television system, and a transmitter for wirelessly sending audio and video signals to the television system.

Abstract: A video conference system is provided having a base assembly and a loudspeaker assembly in communication with the base assembly by means of a rotable connector is provided. The rotatable connector has an array of springy contacts which are engageable with a compatible array of slide rings, which allows the loudspeaker assembly to be enabling the manually rotated independently of the base assembly, without the loss of electrical contact between the base assembly and the loudspeaker assembly.

Abstract: An expansion apparatus for digital camera includes a housing, output terminals located outside the housing and an input terminal. The input terminal is located in the housing for engaging with an output terminal of the digital camera and links to the output terminals and a transmission cable which transmit images to an output device for subsequent process. When there is a desire for image transmission, just place the digital camera into the housing to connect with the input terminal is all the action needed. There is no more wiring or plugging of the transmission cables to the output terminals of the digital camera. It thus greatly enhances the convenience of using the digital camera.

Abstract: A voice telephony system integrates voice telephony technology with television programming via a visual interface for a telephony device operating in a speakerphone mode. The visual interface indicates a status of the telephony device to a user, and is displayed by a video processing device connected to the television.

Abstract: A remote control for an interactive television system includes an integrated microphone and a wireless transmitter for transmitting audio signal captured by the microphone to the interactive television system. The remote control also includes a specifically-designated button or button sequence for activating the microphone. In alternative embodiments, the microphone is integrated with a set top box for the interactive television system.

Abstract: A simple, low-cost videophone system for transmitting and receiving still video images over a standard telephone line in response to a user command. A video processor circuit, comprising an A/D converter, a digital memory, a digital timing circuit, and a D/A converter, can grab a video image from a standard video camera and store one-half the number of lines of a video frame in the digital memory. A still video image can be displayed in a standard TV monitor by repeatedly sending the data stored in the digital memory to the D/A converter. The data stored in the digital memory can be transmitted using a standard modem to the digital memory of an equivalent system at a remote location, and the same still video image can be displayed at the remote location within a short time. Data compression is accomplished during transmission by decreasing the number of significant bits of the data being transmitted and using standard protocols adopted by the modem.

Abstract: Digital television system overlays subscriber two-way communication during broadcast program delivery to create virtual audience community. Individual or group billing and advertisement is personalized per DTV receiver program viewing and/or conferencing activity. Subscriber receiver includes camera and other media I/O device for multi-way video conferencing. Participants may be added or removed dynamically during programming or conferencing.

Abstract: A video graphics system wherein a large quantity of video data is independently and selectively made available to plural video display devices. The large quantity of video data can be contributed to by plural sources of video data of differing formats. Further, the display devices can also be of varying types, each requiring a different input data format. A multi-sourced video distribution element, also referred to as a hub, serves as an interface between one or more sources of video display data and one or more video display devices. One source of data can be identified as a base image, and other sources of data can be utilized for overlay images integrated into the base image. The base image and any integrated overlay images are provided on a pixel bus internal to the hub. The hub can then be configured as an interface to one or more types of video display devices and/or to another hub.

Abstract: This interactive television receiver console comprises a television receiver connected by a televised program reception channel to a televised program distributor implementing transactional applications. It further comprises an all-purpose interface pack with data transmission means connected to the televised program distributor by a data transmission channel, with data reception means connected to the televised program distributor by a data reception channel and with image overlay means connected to the television receiver and working on the image presented to the screen of this receiver, a chip card reader, a keyboard enabling action by an operator, and a chip card that gets plugged into the chip card reader and is customized for at least one transaction, the running of which it manages. Through its all-purpose character which is customized by means of the chip card, this card has a wide range of uses and is, at the same time, highly selective.

Abstract: A system and method for an interactive, Internet-based videoconferencing multicast operation which utilizes a video production studio with a live instructor giving lectures in real-time to multiple participating students. The videoconference multicasting permits the students to interact with the instructor and other installations during the course of the lecture. In the case of software training, the system and method also utilize Internet-based application sharing and collaboration to permit the students at remote locations to drive a studio-based computer with the software for which the training is being given. The software screen is then used as a background with the instructor being able to literally point to areas of the screen which are being discussed. The instructor has a set of monitors in the studio which allow him/her to see the students on-location.

Abstract: An attachment apparatus for a handheld computer having a display in accordance with the present invention includes an attachment portion for receiving and securing the handheld computer. A camera assembly mounts to the attachment portion for providing images to the handheld computer, and an interface electrically connects the handheld computing device to the camera assembly for transferring the image data to be displayed on the display of the handheld computer.

Abstract: A videoconferencing system uses a modular terminal that includes a conventional video camera or digital still camera coupled to the input port of the videocommunicator, such as a set top box. The camera includes a video input port and a display screen, and the videocommunicator is coupled to the video input port of the camera, whereby videoconference images are displayed on the camera display screen.

Abstract: An electronic camera connected through a communication line to another electronic camera records an image that was transmitted from the other camera. When the electronic camera is connected to a public line from a modular jack, when a shooting lens faces opposite to a surface where an LCD is formed, the image of the user which was input by a CCD is transmitted to the other camera through the public line and is displayed on the LCD of the other camera. Furthermore, the image of the user of the other camera which was input by the other camera is transmitted through the public line and displayed on the LCD of the first camera. At this time, when a release switch to shoot an object is operated, the image which is displayed on the LCD is recorded. Furthermore, when a rotating part containing the shooting part is rotated by either electronic camera, the image which was input by the electronic camera in which the rotating part was rotated is displayed on both electronic cameras.

Abstract: A global information network protocol videophone adapter system that provides telephony for residential users with high bandwidth data access. The system has the features of a conventional video telephone that uses regular telephone lines, but offers an improved video quality due to the availability of higher bandwidth data. Only a television set, a video camera and a microphone are necessary as adjunct devices to the adapter device. The adapter device should be connected to a cable modem or an Asynchronous Digital Subscriber Line modem for a high bandwidth network access.