Abstract: An image-sensing server performs moving-image transfer service by sequentially transferring live video images obtained by a video camera via a general network such as the Internet. When live video images are requested from an external device as a client on the network, a system controller controls data-transfer amount per unit time of an image obtained by image sensing by the video camera, in accordance with traffic status on the network, and transfers the image data to the external device.

Abstract: An image input/output device comprises a semi-transparent display and an image capture device. The semi-transparent has a displaying surface for displaying images to a user and an opposite surface respective to the displaying surface, and has a plurality of transparent regions thereon. The image capture device is located right behind the opposite surface of the semi-transparent display, and used for capturing an image of the user through the transparent regions.

Abstract: A teleconferencing system in which the video image of a subject in front of a selected background scene is extracted from that scene and transmitted to other locations where selected backgrounds are stored. By compositing the subject and background images at each remote location, both image elements, being originals, will show no loss of detail when projected. For a front projection screen, the projector is inhibited from illuminating a presenter.

Abstract: A portable, pocketbook-sized computer is provided with the features of a palmtop computer as well as video conferencing ability. A hinged design is provided so that the unit can fold shut. On one side, a computer unit is housed, including a full keyboard and a monitor, while the other side houses a mobile telephone unit, including a numeric keyboard and similarly sized monitor. The spine included a rotating camera. The units communicated so that the monitors can serve as video phone monitors, each showing one of the communicating parties. In a computer mode, both monitors can operate to display text on figures. Recessed character keys and raised operator keys enable rapid operation despite closely spaced keys. A ball-ended pen is provided for this purpose, sized to fall into one of the recesses at a time. Additionally, the pen is provided with wireless communication with the computer unit to silently alert the owner of incoming calls, or to use as a microphone.

Abstract: According to the teachings of the present invention there is provided a videophone system utilizing a set-top box (STB) and a server to provide full duplex transmission of audio and video signals over a cable television network, comprising: (a) a first element providing data signals; (b) a compression unit for compressing the signals into a first set of compressed signals; (c) a server designed and configured for converting the first set of compressed signals to a second set of compressed signals, and (d) an STB having a built-in, hardware decompression unit, and operationally connected to the first element and to the server, wherein the STB is designed and configured for: (i) transferring the first set of compressed signals to a server, and (ii) decompressing a set of compressed signals received from the server.

Abstract: A video conference and video telephone system in which audio is made stereo and which includes transmission and reception apparatuses is achieved. The transmission apparatus has a transmission unit for transmitting data obtained by addition of two audio signals of L and R channels as monaural audio through a first communication channel and data obtained by subtraction of the two audio signals as nonstandard audio. The reception apparatus has a reception unit for receiving the data obtained by the addition of the two audio signals as the monaural audio data and the data obtained by the subtraction of the two audio signals as the nonstandard audio, and a restoring unit for restoring the audio signal by performing an arithmetic operation on the basis of the received data.

Abstract: A multicasting conferencing system is described wherein permanently or temporarily assigned addressing may be used. When permanently assigned multicast addressing is used, several channel parameters are assigned to a multicast session, and any terminals desiring to “tune in” to the multicast session simply invoke those parameters from a storage location at which they have been previously stored.

Abstract: An A/D converter converts analog data received from a light-receiving element via an amplifier to digital data. From the A/D converter, digital data is transmitted via a multiplier to a comparing circuit. The comparing circuit compares the digital data with a reference data, and when the absolute value of the difference thereof is equal to or more than a present threshold value outputs the digital data to the switch circuit via the multiplier, and also updates the reference value. Then the reference data is updated with the digital data. When a bus line is idle, a controller switches output from the switch circuit and outputs the digital data to the bus line. Then address data and time code are appended to the digital data.

Abstract: A teleconferencing system for voice and data provides interconnections among user sites via a central station. User stations at user sites each alternate operation between a data mode connecting a user computer and modem to a user telephone communication path and a voice mode connecting a telephony circuit to the communication path. The teleconferencing system is adapted for conducting a voice conference over standard telephone lines while allowing simultaneous viewing of data objects such as slides, graphs, or text. A host computer connected to the central station serves as a central repository for storage and retrieval of data objects for use in teleconferences.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multipoint television conference system, comprising terminals, and a multipoint control unit for controlling the terminals. Each of the terminals is provided for each attendee to the multipoint television conference. The multipoint control unit comprises plural detection means. Each of the plural detection means detects whether or not each attendee is speaking on the basis of an audio signal and video signal from each of the terminals in order to output a speaker detection signal representing a result of the detection. A determination means determines who are main speakers among the attendees on the basis of the speaker detection signals in order to generate a determination signal representing the main speaker. A combining means combines the video signals on the basis of the speaker determination signal in order to output the combined video signal to the terminals.

Abstract: A system for videoconferencing having mobile capabilities, wherein at least one end of a communications link between two locations employs a wireless and/or fiber optically coupled transmitter/receiver pair or transceivers. The system enables a host at one end of the link to physically move around the location at which they are located, thereby enabling an audience at the other end of the link to be taken on a moving tour of the host's location and view changing scenes rather than viewing an image recorded from a stationary position at the second location as is the case when using conventional videoconferencing systems.

Abstract: A portable video conference module supporting a network-based video conference comprising a processor, a video camera, and audio input device and several interfaces coupled to the processor. The processor includes a local instruction processor accessing a local non-volatile memory. The interfaces include a wireless data capture interface, a video display interface, an audio output interface and a network interface.

Abstract: The present invention enables eye contact between conferees during a teleconference using a terminal equipped with a beamsplitter for reflecting an image of a video display so that only the reflection and not a direct view of the display is seen by the conferee. The camera is positioned behind the viewing side of the beamsplitter to capture the conferee's image through the beamsplitter. The direct view of the display is blocked by an image blocking film applied between the beamsplitter and the display. Blocking the direct view of the video display greatly improves teleconferencing by eliminating the distraction of simultaneously viewing both the video display and the reflection of the display. The present invention also substantially improves available desktop space, functional options by providing a direct view and a reflected view of the display, and portability.

Abstract: A combined image is made up of a static image and a motion image. An area of the static image is replaced by the motion image to form the combined image. The combined image is then coded and transmitted from one communication partner to another communication partner by way of a network.

Abstract: A system providing video compression/encoding functions incorporates an integrated video apparatus which includes a camera for capturing an image, a frame grabber coupled to the camera for storing a bitmap of the image, and a video processor coupled to the frame grabber. The video processor is coupled to the system bus and to a dedicated memory and executes an algorithm which compresses the bitmap into an encoded bitstream. A central processing unit manages the transfer of the encoded bitstream from the video processor to the network utilizing a main memory coupled to the system bus.

Abstract: A display control system for a videoconference terminal capable of displaying proper images of participants. A video camera captures wide-angle source pictures including the images of participants. The source pictures are sent to a participant position detector and image clipping unit. The participant position detector detects a participant position by examining the source pictures. Depending on the on-screen movement observed in the participant position detected by the participant position detector, the image clipping unit determines an appropriate clipping window. It clips the desired image out of the source pictures as defined by the clipping window. A screen adjustment unit adjusts the image size so that it will fit to the actual screen size.

Abstract: A computer-aided telecommunication system and method which uses an Internet web site and at least two computers to permit people located remotely from one another, and who may be unskilled in computer operation, to conduct real-time visual communication with other computer database subscribers, and promptly transmit to them money, still and moving images, and notices about sales, upcoming events, and employment opportunities at a cost that is relatively low when compared to alternative forms of communication. The simplest preferred embodiment of the system comprises two central processing units; two monitors; four keyboards; two printers; two printer/scanner/fax/copier combination devices; two video recorders; and at least two privacy booths each having a display screen, a camera, audio speakers, a microphone, an optional writing surface, and at least one piece of furniture that can comfortably accommodate visual correspondents.

Abstract: The invention provides a multi-site television conference system which provide natural video images and acoustic images which provide a good feeling of presence to participants who participate in a conference through respective conference terminals. A plurality of cameras are connected to each of conference terminals located at different sites remote from each other and pick up video images of a participant who uses the conference terminal. A central control unit receives, at a multi-site image inputting section thereof, from the conference terminals, video images of participants of the respective conference terminals picked up in multi-directions.

Abstract: An improved teleconferencing data capture, encoding, and decoding architecture incorporates the audio encoding and video encoding functions in capture encoder hardware devices, and incorporates the video decoding function in a video decoder hardware device. The video decoder and an audio decoder are able to analyze incoming data packets and are communicably linked to their respective capture encoder devices, or to a single capture encoder device if both audio and video capture and encoding functions are incorporated in a single device, so that the capture and/or encoding functions may be modified during the course of a teleconference.

Abstract: An improved image capture system capable of combining the individual images from at least two image capture devices to produce a virtual camera for simulated line-of-sight image capture in such computer-based image capture applications as video conferencing, video telephony, video messaging, video postcards, multimedia training, and/or multimedia authoring.

Abstract: A video telephone (TEL) for use in an interactive video service is disclosed to establish a switched connection to a video server (VOD) to receive video signals corresponding to selections chosen by a user. In a further aspect, the video telephone (TEL) includes a card slot and chip card reader to activate the TEL by reading the VOD call number from the card data. The TEL automatically dials the VOD to establish the switched connection via the digital radio network GSM and/or the integrated services digital network ISDN.

Abstract: A video conference control apparatus includes a decoding circuit, a thinning circuit, an image synthesizing circuit, an encoding circuit, and an encoding area setting circuit. The decoding circuit decodes terminal images received from a plurality of video conference terminals. The thinning circuit thins the terminal images decoded by the decoding circuit. The image synthesizing circuit multiplexes the terminal images thinned by the thinning circuit on a predetermined image frame, thereby generating a synthesized image. The encoding circuit encodes the synthesized image generated by the image synthesizing circuit. The encoding area setting circuit sets encoding areas while making the boundary between the encoding areas coincide with the boundary between corresponding divided window areas. A video conference control method and video conference control system are also disclosed.