Abstract: An audio-visual system is provided for bringing together a local scene and a remote scene. The audio-visual system includes several concatenated audio-visual modules, and feedback control and control means between the various modules. Each audio-visual module comprises an image sensing device and a sound pickup device of the local scene, and an image and sound recovery device of the remote scene in an image plane. The audio-visual modules are connected to a transmission network. The feedback control and control means ensures image and sound quality continuity on the image plane when the people being filmed or recorded pass in front of the various image and sound pickup devices of the scene concerned.

Abstract: A videoconference terminal comprises image restoring means having a display arranged substantially horizontally. The terminal preferably has the shape of a well seat closed at one end by the display, thereby enabling a large number of users to distribute the space around the display. This makes the terminal an original and convivial communication equipment dedicated to informal communications between users distant from one another.

Abstract: The invention concerns an interactive audio-visual system between a local scene and a remote scene, comprising at least a device (1) for producing images of the local scene and a device (2) for reproducing the image of the remote scene in an image plane (1). The image sensing device (1) comprises at least a camera (12) and a mirror (11) capable of reflecting on said camera (12) the parallel rays derived from the local scene and perpendicular to the image plane (1). Preferably, the mirror (11) is concave and has a focal point and the camera (12) is located in the proximity of the focal point of said mirror (11).

Abstract: The invention concerns an audio-visual system interactive between a local scene and a remote scene. It comprises: a system for filming the local scene including several shooting devices (1) each provided with a field of view (?), means for arranging (13) said shooting devices so that the field of view of one shooting device should be adjacent to the next shooting device field of view and means for simultaneously controlling (14) the shots, and a system for restoring the image of the remote scene comprising at least a restoring device itself including a display screen whereon the image of the remote scene is formed.

Abstract: The invention concerns an interactive audio-visual system between a local scene and a remote scene, comprising at least a device (1) for producing images of the local scene and a device (2) for reproducing the image of the remote scene in an image plane (I). The image sensing device (1) comprises at least a camera (12) and a mirror (11) capable of reflecting on said camera (12) the parallel rays derived from the local scene and perpendicular to the image plane (I). Preferably, the mirror (11) is concave and has a focal point and the camera (12) is located in the proximity of the focal point of said mirror (11).

Abstract: The invention concerns a modular audio-visual system to bring together a local scene and a remote scene. The invention is characterized in that the system comprises: several concatenated audio-visual modules (M1, M2, M3), each module including an image sensing device and a sound pickup device for the local scene and, a device for restoring the image and the sound of the remote scene in an image plane (I), the modules being connected to a transmission network; automatic control and monitoring means (P) between the various modules to ensure continuity of the quality of the image and the sound on the image plane, when the people being filmed and recorded pass in front of the various image and sound pickup devices of the scene concerned.

Abstract: The invention concerns an audio-visual system interactive between a local scene and a remote scene. It comprises: a system for filming the local scene including several shooting devices (1) each provided with a field of view (&agr;), means for arranging (13) said shooting devices so that the field of view of one shooting device should be adjacent to the next shooting device field of view and means for simultaneously controlling (14) the shots, and a system for restoring the image of the remote scene comprising at least a restoring device itself including a display screen whereon the image of the remote scene is formed.

Abstract: The invention concerns a videoconference terminal (1, 2) comprising image restoring means comprising a display (10, 20) arranged substantially horizontally, and preferably having the shape of a well seat closed at one of its end by the display (10, 20), thereby enabling a large number of users to distribute the space around the display, and to make the terminal an original and convivial communication equipment dedicated to informal communications between users distant from one another.

Abstract: A video-conferencing system between participants located at distant sites, each site featuring a viewing screen. The viewing screen is a large screen of the projection, overhead projection, or direct projection type which has one or more viewing systems forming an image wall to simultaneously view all the distant participants within a space reproduced on the image wall formed by the screen. The system includes devices for each site that spatially distribute the sound to match the sound generated by each distant participant and the image of the participant projected on the screen at the site considered.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for throughput compression for use in a videophone camera wherein an array of photosensitive cells is divided into odd and even lines and the cells of these cells are interlaced with each other and then the interlaced lines are coupled together such that during a first time interval the electric charges stored in the cells of the even lines are transferred to a plurality of first storage cells, then transferred to a plurality of corresponding second storage cells during a succeeding time interval and finally added in the second storage cells to the electrical charges in the corresponding cells of the odd lines of the cell array during a third time interval.

Abstract: The audiovisual telecommunication terminal makes it possible to orient the flat screen relative to the position of the face of the operator in front of the same. The terminal comprises means for the flexible driving of the mobile part (20) carrying the flat screen relative to the fixed part (10). The transmission is of the "pulley block" type and uses a motor (12) driving a belt (8) fixed on the one hand to a drive shaft (18) and on the other to the fixed part (10) in order to exert tension on the mobile part (20). The reverse movement can be brought about by helical springs (19).

Abstract: A visual and sound telecommunication system includes an audiovisual terminal, a camera and a handset with earpiece and microphone. The handset has a remote control acting on the terminal and on the camera by way of the terminal.

Abstract: An audio and video communications terminal, of the type comprising a housing, a camera provided with an optical system, a display screen, a microphone, a loudspeaker, and a central unit including a sound and image information encoder and decoder, and an interface in association with the elements for communication with another terminal of the same type via a digital transmission network, the terminal further comprising electric motors and clutches for adjusting at least one camera parameter; a manual control suitable for generating control information for adjusting the parameter(s); and a switch for switching between a local adjustment mode in which the control information is applied to the electric motors and clutches, and a remote adjustment mode in which the control information is sent to the other terminal over the digital network in parallel with the sound and image information, and in which control information received from the other terminal, likewise over the digital network and in parallel with sound

Abstract: A table-top terminal for sound and vision communications, of the type associated, in particular, with a telephone set, and comprising a case (100) containing: a display screen monitor (128), a camera (132) having a lens system (130), manual control means, and an electronic assembly for the purposes of control, coding/decoding, and interfacing with a transmission line, wherein, for the purpose of compensating the illumination of a speaker in an environment having overhead ambient lighting and thereby enabling the camera to obtain a balanced image of said speaker, the terminal further includes an auxiliary lighting device (160) having a general emission direction (C) which is essentially upwardly inclined towards the speaker, together with a mechanism for adjusting the light flux emitted by the device as a function of the ambient lighting.

Abstract: A terminal for sound and vision communication, of the type associated, in particular, with a telephone set, comprises a case (100) containing a display screen monitor (128), a camera (132) provided with optics (130), an electronic assembly (134) for control, coding/decoding, and telephone line interfacing and control (114). The case (100) comprises a first part (110) via which the terminal is supported on a support surface, and a second part (120) which is hinged to the first part about a substantially horizontal axis (A) and which receives the camera (132) and its optics (130) together with the monitor (128). The terminal is such that, in use, the second part (120) of the case can assume at least two different angular positions relative to the first part (110), corresponding to two different aiming directions (B) for the camera.

Abstract: A telecommunications terminal is provided which has a central unit (100) and a handset (200). The handset houses a microphone (210) and a speaker (220) and is connected to the central unit via a cord (300). The connecting cord has a plurality of wires (301-304) for conveying output signals from the microphone and input signals to the speaker. The telecommunications terminal incorporates at least one function under the manual control of its user. That function is controlled by a switching means (l1, l2; 230) housed in the handset, with the corresponding control signals being conveyed along said cord in the form of phantom D.C. voltages.

Abstract: Video conference system connecting a plurality of remotely located conference rooms, each containing a group of conferees. It comprises in each room a plurality of videotelephones respectively assigned to the conferees, each including a camera and an image receiver and a plurality of microphones respectively associated with these videotelephones. Means are provided for comparing the levels of the speech signals generated by said microphones in each room and registering an address signal defining the videotelephone associated with the microphone generating the loudest speech signal. Means are further provided for adding all the signals generated by the microphones in each room and thereby obtaining room cumulated microphone signals, the levels of which are compared and an address signal defining the room whose microphones generate the loudest cumulated signal is registered. The rooms are connected through transmitting and receiving video facilities.