Abstract:
An apparatus and method to control transmission of a sequence of a video call or communication. An individual participating in a video call or communication can shade a video input port of a camera to switch from a video call or communication to an audio only call or communication. A control element can be provided to reinstate transmission of the video component of the call or communication.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    The application pertains to apparatus and methods to switch from a video call to an audio call while communications are on-going. More particularly, the application pertains to such apparatus and methods which enable a user to quickly and easily suppress the video portion of the call while continuing the audio portion. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Security monitoring systems usually include a control panel which has a visual display, manual controls and might include a video security CMOS or CCD camera directed to a location in front of the control panel. Such cameras are useful for security purposes as they make it possible to view from a displaced location, or record, individuals approaching the panel. Additionally, they provide a communications path for an individual at the panel to initiate and carry on an audio, or, a video call to a displaced location. Other types of wireless devices, such as smart phones, lap top computers or the like can provide a similar function. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0003]      FIG. 1  illustrates a block diagram of a system in accordance herewith; and 
           [0004]      FIGS. 2A-2C  illustrate a control method in accordance herewith. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0005]    While disclosed embodiments can take many different forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and will be described herein in detail with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles thereof as well as the best mode of practicing same, and is not intended to limit the application or claims to the specific embodiment illustrated. 
         [0006]    In one aspect, an apparatus and methods are provided to switch a video call to an audio call by making a predetermined type of motion. It is particularly advantageous as the process is readily understandable, easily visualized and convenient. Applicable devices which can incorporate the present functionality include smart phones, lap top computers, tablet computers, computer based control systems, all without limitation. 
         [0007]    A user involved in a video call can convert to an audio call merely by shading a camera&#39;s input. Moving a hand in front of the camera will cause a relative abrupt drop in a luminance parameter of the output video from the camera. Alternately, a smart phone or PDA could be temporarily held against a user&#39;s clothing. This parameter change, or drop, can be sensed and used to switch a video call to an audio call. 
         [0008]    This process reflects a natural action of a user who wants to cease a video call but not terminate the communications. It is also quick and easy to carry out. 
         [0009]    In one embodiment, a computer, tablet, smart phone or control panel, for example a security monitoring control panel, can be equipped with a video camera and audio input/output devices. Feed from the camera can be monitored by local circuitry. 
         [0010]    More particularly, where the camera emits YUV, or Y′UV formatted video signals, the Y, or Y′ component is associated with luma, or brightness of the signal. Circuitry in accordance herewith monitors this parameter, and converts from a video call to an audio call only in response to a predetermined change in this parameter. 
         [0011]    Camera output is not a limitation hereof. For example, RGB output cameras can be similarly controlled by converting the R, G and B outputs to an equivalent value of luma, Y or Y′. 
         [0012]    Once the call has been switched from a video to an audio call, a light button can be provided on a respective display device to switch the system back to a video mode. Alternately, a keypad can provide similar functionality. 
         [0013]    In accordance herewith, a user merely has to initiate a video call, and if at some point during the call, the user wants to convert to only an audio call, the user need only move his/her hand in front of the camera, shading it, thereby causing a change in the Y, or Y′ component. This detected change can be used by internal, local circuitry and/or control software, to terminate the video portion of the call, while allowing the audio portion to continue. 
         [0014]    In another aspect, only outgoing video will be suppressed. In this embodiment, the local user can continue to receive video from the other party while transmitting only audio. 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  illustrates an apparatus  10  in accordance herewith. For exemplary purposes, apparatus  10  includes a system to monitor a plurality of conditions in a region R. Other devices which can include the below described functionality can include, without limitation, smart phones, lap top computers, tablet computers, or PDA type devices. 
         [0016]    Apparatus  10  includes, a monitoring control panel  12  which, for example, is in wired or wireless communication with a plurality of condition detectors  14  installed in the region R. The detectors Di from the plurality  14  can include door or window monitoring detectors, intrusion detectors, gas, fire or smoke detectors all without limitation, via a medium  16 . The system  10  can communicate wirelessly via the Internet I with a displaced monitoring station S. 
         [0017]    Monitoring panel  12  can include a housing  20 . Housing  20  can carry a touch screen for input/output communications, such as screen  22  and an associated keypad  24 . A real-time security camera  28  can be carried by the housing  20 . Camera  28  can be mounted on a front panel, such as  20   a  of housing  20  with a field of view that includes a space or region in the immediate vicinity of the front panel  20   a.  In this regard, control unit  12  can include control circuits  30 , which could be implemented, at least in part by a programmable processor  32   a  and associated executable software  32   b.    
         [0018]    Unit  20  can also include a microphone  30 - 1  for audio input, and a speaker  30 - 2  for audio output. System  10  can communicate wirelessly using local wireless transceiver  42 . It will be understood that neither the details of the transceiver  42  nor of the wireless communication protocol, via media  44   a,    44   b  or  44   c  are limitations hereof. 
         [0019]    As will be understood by those of skill in the art, the control unit  12  can wirelessly connect a user in the field of view F of camera  28 , via a wireless, video communication link, an associated audio link and the Internet I, to another party, another computer or the like, for example phone or pad computer  46 , for an audio and video communication or call. An image of the user at the control unit  12 , transmitted via camera  28  can be presented during this call on a display  46   a  of the communication device  46  along with associated real-time audio. 
         [0020]    An image generated at the unit  46  along with associated audio can be presented on display unit  22  and output via speaker  30 - 2 . 
         [0021]    Video signals, generally indicated at  36 , can be fed or coupled to control circuits  30  to implement the desired outgoing video portion of the call or communication. The specific output from the camera  28 , for example CCD or CMOS, is not a limitation hereof. An intensity or luma parameter of the signals  36  can be continually monitored by video evaluation and image control circuits  40  while the call or communication is on-going. This process could be implemented by processor  32   a  executing instructions  32   b.    
         [0022]    In the event that a user waves a hand H in front of, or over the optical input port, indicated at  28   a  of camera  28 , the intensity or luma parameter will change value relatively abruptly. This change can be detected by image control circuits, and/or software  40 . 
         [0023]    In response to the detected change of intensity, the circuits  40  can terminate the outgoing video portion of the call or communication while maintaining the audio portion, along with any incoming video if desired. As discussed subsequently, the control circuits  30  can output a touch sensitive control or light button on the touch screen display  22 . This control or light button can be used to reinstate the outgoing video portion of the call or communication. Alternately, a user can use a key or combination of keys from keypad  24  to enter the video restoring command. 
         [0024]      FIGS. 2A-2C  illustrate additional aspects of the process.  FIG. 2A , illustrates the control panel  12  supporting a calling page. When the user successfully dials a call, to unit  46 , for example, an incoming call page, as in  FIG. 2B  can be presented at the recipient&#39;s display, such as  46   a.  When the called party answers, a calling page as in  FIG. 2A  can be presented. If the “video” button  22   a  is activated, two way video can be presented as on the screen of  FIG. 2C . 
         [0025]    As illustrated in  FIG. 2C , to terminate the outgoing video portion of the call or communication the user need only wave a hand H in front of the input port  28   a  of the camera  28 , otherwise temporarily cover it over. In one aspect, presentation of the user&#39;s outgoing image to the display  46   a  is immediately terminated, while the audio continues. The image from the unit  46 , being presented on the screen  22  can be continued or terminated. 
         [0026]    The screen  22  can then present the call page with video button  22   a  to provide a vehicle for reinitiating the outgoing video portion of the communication. This button can also be presented while incoming video from camera  46   b  is being presented. 
         [0027]    From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope hereof. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims. Further, logic flows, depicted in the figures do not require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. Other steps may be provided, or steps may be eliminated, from the described flows, and other components may be add to, or removed from the described embodiments.