VIDEO CONFERENCE EQUIPMENT

Abstract: The invention relates to video conference equipment comprising a document presentation worktop (11), a camera (2) arranged above the document presentation worktop (11), actuators (3) such as electric motors for the camera (2), control means (4) for the actuators (3), for example a computer, audio equipment (5) for saving and producing sound, a telecommunication module (6) for forwarding audio, data, and/or video information, and a display unit (8) for displaying material filmed using the camera (2). According to the invention, the camera is of a kind allowing both vertical and horizontal shooting, a personal display unit (7, 7') and camera (9) are reserved for at least one conference participant, whereby the conference can be arranged in the manner of a normal conference as regards the seating of the participants. In addition, according to the invention the telecommunication module (6) of the video conference equipment allows a data channel or a TCP/IP data channel or a corresponding data channel and the transmission of the MIDI signal of musical instruments as well as of signals controlling the pitch, intensity, duration, and manner of presentation of music synchronized with video images during a video conference connection.

Description: Video conference equipment The present invention relates to video conference equipment according to the preamble of claim 1. The term video conference refers to interactive communication via telecommunication networks by means of moving pictures and sound in compliance with internationally set standards (ITU H.320). In addition, the various facilities enabling the transmission of information during a video conference connection - transmission of files, joint use of electronic notice boards and different applications - have been agreed upon by means of a separate standard (ITU T.120). That the transmitted information remain unchanged (e.g., stills used as samples) and that it be saveable for later inspection are special requirements imposed on video conference equipment within telemedicine. A switched digital network (ISDN) has, particularly because of its switched nature and attractive cost become the most commonly used video conference transmission path. Within telemedicine, three simultaneous ISDN connections (384 kB) have been found to produce sufficient picture quality for certain medical applications, a few of which will be cited below. With the progress of standardization, a broadband ATM network, TCP/IP based data networks and networks for analog data transmission (GSM and an ordinary telephone network) are becoming increasingly common as other transmission paths. The video conference systems of the 80 's were large assemblies consisting of several different units immovably set up in so called video conference studios. For communication, a fixed 2 MB-band network reserved for video conferences was used. The cost of the equipment as well as of use was high. In the early 90's, there was a shift toward so called roll-about solutions where the technical equipment was packed into one trolley with a TV display unit and a participant portrayal camera. As transmission path, the DIGINET network known as a prestage of ISDN was selected. The electronics required for packing picture and sound was now packed into one unit, a so called codec. The codec featured the same basic facilities as in the 80 's. Special attention was paid to picture and sound quality. With the new techniques, a 384 kB band sufficed to achieve the same picture quality which had previously required a speed of 2 MB. PC-based solutions began to emerge by the side of the so called studio- standard equipment in the early 90 's, and the video conference properties were now packed on 1 to 2 PC interface cards. The first PC hardware generation was designed for personal use. Insufficient technical attention was paid to sound interaction which is essential for group work. Correspondingly, the picture quality did not attain the level of studio systems. In 1996, a second generation of PC video conference equipment has been launched which pays more attention to both picture quality and sound interaction. The integration of video conference facilities into computers opens up new possibilities for other applications such as telemedical and new educational applications. As an example, the remote use of MIDI instruments in, for example, teaching, may be cited. Data transmission, the handling of high resolution pictures and patient databases can now be integrated into one system. In the future, medical instruments with an existing computer are likely to be provided with picture transmission connections by the manufacturer. As regards group conferences, the prior art has mainly been hampered by the high cost of the equipment and the constrained conference situation of traditional video conferences with all participants facing one large screen, this setting resulting in poor eye contact between the participants at the same locality. The aim of the present invention is to remove the drawbacks of the above-described techniques and the shortcomings of the setting and to achieve completely novel video conference equipment resembling a conventional overhead projector and comprising, among others, the possibility of using the remote music method. The invention is based on using as the conference main camera a document camera which can be pointed vertically at the documents discussed as well as horizontally at the different participants of the conference. In addition, the equipment comprises an extra display unit and a camera for the local conference chairperson. According to the invention, data transmission is in addition to the standard T.120 implemented by means of a so called MIDI interface and for corresponding interfaces. In more detail the video conference equipment according to the invention is characterized by what is stated in the characterizing part of claim 1. The invention offers considerable benefits. The new arrangement provides for a natural and unforced conference. The participants can be seated facing the chairperson. Connecting the camera to an overhead projector frame results in easily movable compact equipment. The equipment is also less costly than conventional equipment. The local use of the equipment according to the invention is as easy as using an overhead projector. Connecting remote participants to the conference corresponds to a regular telephone call - the connection is established by selecting the data of the other party from a visual telephone directory where a picture of the other party can be saved along with name information. Due to transmission by means of an integrated person portrayal/document camera and PC interface cards, the participants see each other as well as the conference material either on paper or on transparencies or in file form. In the following, the invention is examined in more detail in the Ught of exemplifying embodiments in accordance with the annexed figures. Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of an equipment setup according to the invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective representation of the overhead projector/camera combination according to the invention. Fig. 3 is a top view of another equipment setup according to the invention. Fig. 4 shows a user interface according to the invention. As shown in Fig. 1, the video conference equipment comprises equipment arranged round an overhead projector 1. The overhead projector 1 comprises a document presentation worktop 11. Instead of the overhead projector 1, another suitable camera base such as a conventional document camera base may be used. A camera 2 is attached to the base 1 in connection with the document presentation woktop 11 and can be moved horizontaUy as weU as verticaUy by means of actuators 3, typicaUy inbuilt electric motors. A computer 4 functions as a control device for the camera 2 as well as for the rest of the system, the display units 8 and 7 being connected to the computer. The computer 4 is controUed by means of a keyboard, a mouse touch screen or some other known user interface. In addition, the setup comprises a telecommunication module 6 for forwarding the audio and video data. A second dispay unit 7 and a second camera 9 are reserved for the local chairman of the conference. By means of these auxihary units 7 and 9 for the chairperson and the camera 2 capable of horizontal and vertical shooting, a normal face-to-face conference seating arrangement can be retained in spite of the video conference situation. As seen in Fig. 2, outwardly the overhead projector 1 serving as camera base resembles a fully normal overhead projector. The camera unit 2 is mounted at the end of a curved arm 10 above the document presentation worktop 11. As an alternative to the solution of Fig. 2, the camera unit 2 can be mounted on a separate trolley whose upper surface is furnished with a document presentation worktop. Thus, in this embodiment the camera unit is not fixed directly to the document presentation worktop but instead to the frame carrying it. However, what is characteristic of the invention is that the camera 2 is above the document presentation worktop so as to allow pointing it at the documents. In accordance with Fig. 3, the video conference equipment may also comprise additional display units 7' for the conference participants. The display units are typicaUy flat, e.g. LCD display units. The various camera focusing possibiUties are indicated by the letters A to E. A represents the target of camera 9 (e.g. the chairperson), B the targets of main camera 2 (view angle for three persons), C an alternative target of the main camera (three persons even here), D the document presentation worktop for main camera 2, and E the whiteboard as a target for camera 2. Each one of the target can at wish be selected by the push-button selectors of an IR remote control device. The monitor 8 is typicaUy a regular 29 to 40 inch color monitor. In the exemplifying case, the size of the area marked off by the dash line is 6.5 x 3.5 m 2 . As shown in Fig. 4, the user interface according to the invention may also be implemented by controlling the video image 15 e.g. by means of a cursor. The cursor movement can be performed by means of a mouse or some other control (stick control, touch screen). When under mouse control, the camera is typicaUy turned by moving the mouse into the desired direction and pressing the mouse button. The desired camera position information is saved by taking the relevant video image 15 onto the icons 16. Then it can be clearly seen from the icon 16 itself which participant the camera control information behind each icon relates to. During use, then, the camera is moved to the desired position by taking the relevant icon 16 onto the video image 15. Saved camera position information can be deleted by taking the icon to the trash can 1. In the foUowing, typical components suited for use as part of the equipment setup according to the invention are described: A camera base 1 both for shooting pictures of the participants and for presenting documents. In addition, a multimedia computer 4 with the foUowing features is integrated in the camera base 1: Pentium 133 Mhz, 16 MB RAM, 1.2 GB HDD, CD-ROM, a video display terminal control unit, an ISDN interface and interface cards aUowing video conferences, two card slots avaUable in the PC. Software including an easy-to-use connection to the auxiliaries, as weU as display possibiUties for various Windows software. The visual database contains: - a telephone directory, - visuaUy saved presettings for the camera 2, and - a document presentation worktop furnished with marking tools. A camera 9 with an in-buUt microphone for the chairperson (teacher), an extra microphone, a keyboard and a mouse, an IR remote control device, 1 ISDN (2B+D) interface support and an H.320 compatible video conference codec 6 with the foUowing features: - studio- standard picture quaUty, - a high- class sound system equipped with in-buUt echo canceling techniques. The echo canceling is automaticaUy caUbrated in real time. - two microphone supphes, - two composite video suppUes for the cameras and one S video supply for an inbuUt SVGA/PAL converter with an 800*600 resolution, - a JPEG still display mode with a video display control device and database connections, - ISDN expansible to support three ISDN lines (option). 1 Q97 avaUable. - expansible for LAN communication (TCP/IP, ATM) (option). 1 Q97 avaUable. - electronic pen tablet (option), - a 15" SVGA display with a touch panel (option), - a movable troUey (option). In a video conference between two participants or two groups the connection is estabUshed by calling the other party. The caU is either automaticaUy answered or, alternatively, the ensuing connection is acknowledged. It is also technicaUy possible to carry out a video conference in a multipoint manner. For this purpose, a special technique termed "bridge" has been devised. The bridge connects most conference parties to each other. During a multipoint session, not aU the participants can see each other simultaneously. Picture is usuaUy transmitted only from the party whose speaking turn it is. If the speaking turn is taken over by a participant or participants at a different locaUty, picture transmission is also relocated either automaticaUy based on sound control, or manuaUy controUed by the conference chairperson. A natural consequence is that only one participant can speak at a time. Those Ustening should turn off their microphones so as not to cause unnecessary picture switches between the different conference locaUties caused by noise disturbance (conversation between the participants at one and the same location, rustle of paper, etc.). The multipoint bridges used in connection with the invention are commerciaUy avaUable products. A bridge aUows the coupling of as many as 48 locaUties to one conference session. Furthermore, one bridge can serve several multipoint conferences at the same time. The cost of a bridge aUowing four simultaneous connections is about FIM 100,000. Bridge services can also be bought from telecommunication operators. In the system of the invention, network interfaces, camera and sound techniques and a visual database appUcation have been combined with a multimedia computer in a novel compact manner. The conference material may comprise paper documents, transparencies, or material displayed by means of a computer. The system is controUed by means of a touch screen and/or a separate wireless remote control device. The control measures are clear and visuaUy easy to understand aUowing the participants to concentrate on the content of the conference instead of having to control numerous auxUiaries. According to a preferred embodiment, the video conference equipment is provided with a MIDI interface and a corresponding telecommunication unit for transmitting data in MIDI form between two or more conference points. This typicaUy requires a paraUel port/an adapter unit for a MIDI or an RS232 interface. Thus, the telecommunication module 6 of the video conference equipment aUows a data channel or TCP/IP communication and the transmission of the MIDI signals of musical instruments as weU as of signals controlling the pitch, intensity, duration and manner of presentation of music synchronized with the video picture during a video conference connection. Thus, a person at locaUty A can play, for example, an acoustic piano equipped with MIDI control such that the video conference equipment transmits information on how the piano keys are pressed to one or several locaUties simultaneously, whereby the piano keys at these locaUties sound synchronized with the video images as naturaUy as at locaUty A. Correspondingly, when the playing takes place at a remote locaUty, the control information is transmitted to the other locaUties. The invention makes numerous new appUcations possible for teaching and for transmitting a genuine concert atmosphere in remote form.

Claims: Claims: 1. Video comference equipment comprising - a document presentation worktop (11), - a camera (2) arranged above the document presentation worktop (11), - actuators (3) such as electric motors for the camera (2), - control means (4) for the actuators (3), for example a computer, - audio equipment (5) for producing and possibly saving sound, - a telecommunication module (6) for forwarding audio, data, and/or video information, - a display unit (8) for displaying material filmed with the camera (2), characterized in that - said camera (2) is of a kind which aUows both vertical and horizontal shooting, - a personal display unit (7, 7') and camera (9) are reserved for at least one conference participant, whereby the conference can be arranged as a normal conference as regards the seating of the participants. 2. The equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that the equipment comprises a picture database for saving and retrieving conference participant position data for focusing and pointing the camera (2). 3. The equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that the equipment comprises icons (16) corresponding to each camera position data item which directly show a picture content corresponding to the position data. 4. The equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that the equipment comprises a picture database for saving the telephone data of the participants. 5. The equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that the equipment comprises a MIDI interface and corresponding data transmission equipment aUowing data transmission in MIDI form during video conferences. 6. The equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that the equipment comprises a paraUel port/MIDI interface or an adapter unit for an RS232 interface.

Inventors: OJALA ESA, SIIVOLA ESA, OJALA, ESA, SIIVOLA, ESA
Applicants: OJALA ESA, SIIVOLA ESA, XENEX OY, OJALA, ESA, SIIVOLA, ESA
Application year: 1997
Main classification: H04N7
IPC codes: H04N7