Patent ID: 6034715
Filing Date: 2000-03-07
Classification: H04N,H04Q

Abstract:
A video telephone for exchanging image data, voice data, and user data through a digital communication channel or channels in real time, comprising:(I) a voice output-and-input device which outputs a voice according to an input voice signal, produces a voice signal, and transmits the produced voice signal;(II) a mainframe-and-display unit including:(a) a communication controller for controlling communication of image data and voice data, which are multiplexed, through the digital communication channel,(b) a multiplexor-separator for separating multiplexed image data and voice data received by said communication controller, and for multiplexing image data and voice data into multiplexed data which are to be transmitted,(c) an image CODEC for decoding image data, which are separated by said multiplexor-separator, into an image signal and for coding an input image signal into image data and transmitting image data to said multiplexor-separator,(d) a voice communication controller for decoding voice data, which are separated by said multiplexor-separator, into a voice signal to output to said voice output-and-input device and for coding an input voice signal input from said voice output-and-input device into voice data and transmitting voice data to said multiplexor-separator,(e) a power supply unit for receiving a supply of power from an external source and for distributing the power to said video telephone,(f) a key input unit having a plurality of keys,(g) a display which displays an image represented by an image signal which is decoded by said image CODEC, and(h) a facsimile terminal connected to said multiplexer separator for outputting user data as an analog signal to a facsimile and for inputting an analog signal as user data from said facsimile; and(III) a camera unit connected to said mainframe-and-display unit, said camera unit including:(a) a camera for photographing an image and outputting an image signal to be coded by said image CODEC, said camera being rotatable from an angle at which said camera photographs an image while pointing in a horizontal direction to an angle at which said camera photographs an image while pointing in a downward direction, and(b) a lamp,wherein when said camera photographs an image while pointing in a downwardly rotated direction, said lamp illuminates the image; andwherein said image CODEC converts the image signal output by said camera so as to be displayed as a point-symmetrical image by said display [means], said point-symmetrical image being an inverted image of the image photographed by said camera in said downwardly rotated direction.