Abstract:
Video messages are created in a manner that allows transparent delivery over any electronic mail (e-mail) system. The audio and video components of the message are recorded, encoded, and synchronously combined into a video message file. A player is selectively attached to the video message file to create an executable file which can be delivered as a standard binary file over conventional communications networks. To view the received video e-mail, the recipient executes the received file and the attached player automatically plays the video and audio message or the recipient executes the previously installed player which plays the video message.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of prior U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/995,572, filed on Dec. 22, 1997, titled “E-MAIL SYSTEM WITH VIDEO E-MAIL PLAYER,” now U.S. Pat. No. 6,014,689. 
     Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(e), this application. claims the priority benefit of provisional application No. 60/048,378 filed Jun. 3, 1997. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Electronic mail, or e-mail, stores messages and delivers them when the addressee is ready to receive them, in a so-called “store-and-forward” manner. The basic e-mail system consists of a front-end mail client and a back-end mail server. The e-mail client is a program running on an individual user&#39;s computer which composes, sends, reads, and typically stores e-mail. The e-mail server is a program running on a network server which the e-mail client contacts to send and receive messages. For example, INTERNET e-mail utilizes a SMTP (Simple Mail Transport Protocol) mail server to send mail and a POP (Post Office Protocol) server to receive mail. To send e-mail, an e-mail client contacts an SMTP mail server which moves the message to a POP server where it is sorted and made available to the recipient. The recipient&#39;s e-mail client logs on to the POP server and requests to see the messages that have accumulated in the mailbox. Conventionally, e-mail communications involve the transfer of text. Text-only e-mail, however, does not utilize the full potential of this emerging form of communications. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One aspect of this invention is a sending subsystem and a receiving subsystem remotely interconnected with a communications link. The sending subsystem incorporates a processor which executes a video e-mail recorder program. “Video e-mail” contains audio and video, not just video. The recorder combines video from a video camera and audio from a microphone into a message file. The message file can optionally incorporate a video e-mail player program. This message file is then transferred from the sending subsystem to the receiving subsystem over the communications link. The receiving subsystem has a video monitor and a speaker. The receiving subsystem also incorporates a processor which executes the video e-mail player program obtained from the message file or otherwise preloaded into the receiving subsystem processor. The player separates the video and audio portions of the message from the message file, causing the video portion to be displayed on the monitor and the audio portion to be played on the speaker. 
     Another aspect of this invention is a video e-mail recorder. The recorder incorporates a video encoder, an audio encoder, and a video/audio multiplexer. The video encoder processes video data at its input, generating encoded video data at its output. The audio encoder processes audio data at its input, generating encoded audio data at its output. The multiplexer combines the encoded video and encoded audio so that these portions of a video e-mail message remain synchronized in time relative to each other, resulting in a multiplexed multimedia data output. A recorder manager controls these various recorder components to create video e-mail messages. 
     Yet another aspect of this invention is a video e-mail data file. The data file includes encoded data packets, and for each data packet there is a type indicator associated therewith designating the data packet as having either encoded audio data or encoded video data, and a video e-mail player selectively attached to the data file. The player is in an executable format such that execution of the video e-mail file causes execution of the player. The player includes a demultiplexer, an audio decoder, and a video decoder. Each encoded data packet contains a portion of a video e-mail message and is routed by the demultiplexer to either the audio decoder or the video decoder depending on the type indicator, which designates the data packet as having either encoded audio data or encoded video data. 
     Still another aspect of this invention is a graphical user interface which provides visual information for the creation of video e-mail messages. The graphical user interface includes a display and a virtual video cassette recorder, both responsive to user inputs. The display selectively provides the user a view of either current video data or stored video data. The virtual video cassette recorder provides the user visual controls for storage of video data, as shown in the display, and retrieval of stored video data. 
     A further aspect of this invention is an improved video e-mail system. The system provides means for capturing a video image and an audio signal. The video image and audio signal are encoded and combined into a multimedia data file. Selectively attached to this data file is an executable video e-mail player. The video e-mail system provides a means for transferring this multimedia data file to an e-mail client for eventual transfer to an e-mail recipient. 
     One more aspect of this invention is a video e-mail method. A video message is generated at a sending location and a file is created from the video message. An executable player is attached to the file, which is sent over a communications link to a receiving location. The player is executed at the receiving location to retrieve the video message from the file. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a sending sub-system, communications link and a receiving sub-system for video e-mail; 
     FIGS. 2,  2 A- 2 C are a block diagram of the environment in which video e-mail software resides; 
     FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a preferred video e-mail recorder; 
     FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a preferred video e-mail player; 
     FIG. 5 illustrates a preferred video e-mail file format; 
     FIG. 6 illustrates a portion of a graphical user interface for video e-mail; 
     FIGS. 7,  7 A- 7 B are a functional flow diagram of a video e-mail system; 
     FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a preferred H.261 video encoder for a video e-mail recorder; 
     FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a preferred H.261 video decoder for a video e-mail player; 
     FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a preferred H.263 video encoder for a video e-mail recorder; 
     FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a preferred H.263 video decoder for a video e-mail player; 
     FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a preferred G.723 audio encoder for a video e-mail recorder; and 
     FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a preferred G.723 audio decoder for a video e-mail player. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The video e-mail system according to the present invention creates files of combined audio and video frames in the form of video e-mail files or self-contained executable video e-mail files. These audio-video files can be transmitted in any conventional manner that digital information can be transmitted. In a preferred embodiment, these audio-video files are electronic-mail (e-mail) ready and can be sent using any personal computer (PC) mail utility over the INTERNET or via on-line services such as America Online or CompuServe. 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the video e-mail sending sub-system  2  and receiving sub-system  4  and associated network interfaces  6  and communications link  8  according to the present invention. The sending sub-system  2  is based on a PC  10  having an enclosure  12  containing conventional PC electronics including a motherboard containing the CPU and associated chip set, bus, power supply and various interface and drive electronics, such as hard disk and video display controllers. The sending system also has a video display  14 , a keyboard  18  and an input mouse  19 . In addition, as is well known in the art, PC  10  may have other input and output devices not shown. A preferred PC for the sending system is a conventional “wintel” configuration based on Intel Corporation&#39;s family of microcomputer circuits, such as the 486 and PENTIUM family and Microsoft Corporation&#39;s WINDOWS operating systems such as WINDOWS 3.1, WINDOWS 95, or WINDOWS NT. One of ordinary skill will recognize, however, that the video e-mail system according to the present invention is compatible with a wide range of computer platforms and operating systems. In addition to operating system software, the sending system PC  10  executes video e-mail software  50  which provides for the creation of video e-mail messages and the transfer of those messages to a conventional e-mail client, such as EUDORA PRO 3.0 from Qualcomm Inc., San Diego, Calif. 
     In addition to standard PC peripherals, the sending sub-system  2  has a video input device  20 , an audio input device  30  and an audio output device  40  to support the creation and review of video e-mail messages. The video input device  20  can be any image source, such as one of many types of video cameras, such as digital cameras, desktop video cameras, video camcorders, parallel-port cameras, and handycams. Some type of video input devices may require video capture electronics  22  which are typically contained on a single board within the PC enclosure  12  and mated with the bus provided on the PC motherboard. 
     The audio input device  30  can be any of various types of microphones or any sound source. The microphone  30  typically plugs into a sound card  42  which is contained in the PC enclosure  12  and mated with the bus provided on the PC motherboard. The sound card  42  provides analog-to-digital conversion for the microphone analog output and typically also provides an input amplifier for the microphone along with other audio processing electronics. The sound card also provides a digital-to-analog converter and audio output amplifiers to drive an audio output device  40 . The audio output device  40  may be any of a variety of speakers, headphones, or similar voice or music-quality sound-reproduction devices. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the video and audio data described above may be stored on various media, such as magnetic or optical disks, and input into the sending sub-system  2  through a corresponding storage media peripheral device, such as a disk drive or CD player. 
     The receiving sub-system  4  is also based on a PC  10 A as described above for the sending sub-system  2 . The receiving sub-system  4  includes a sound card  42 A and a speaker  40 A, as described above for the sending sub-system  2 , in order to play back the audio portion of a received video e-mail. The receiving sub-system  4  also includes a video display device  14 A, ordinarily a standard computer monitor, to play back the video portion. 
     A significant feature of the video e-mail system according to the present invention is that a video e-mail message is optionally sent with an attached executable video e-mail player, as described in detail below. As a result, the receiving sub-system  4  need only include conventional PC hardware and peripherals and execute conventional software, such as widely available Email client programs, in order to receive and playback received video e-mail messages. 
     Also shown in FIG. 1 are network interfaces  6 ,  6 A and a communications link  8  connecting the sending and receiving systems. The communications link  8  may be any of a variety of communications channels which allow the transfer of digital data, such as Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), the INTERNET, local area networks (LANS), and wide area networks (WANS) to name a few. The network interfaces  6 ,  6 A may be modem drivers, network adapter drivers, or terminal adapter drivers, for example. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates the preferred embodiment of the environment in which the video e-mail software for the sending sub-system  2  and receiving sub-system  4  resides, as shown in FIG.  2 B. The main software components of the video e-mail system are the video e-mail recorder  210  and the video e-mail player  220 . The video e-mail recorder  210  receives as inputs video message data from the operating system video software  230 , audio message data from the sound card driver  240 , and user inputs from the keyboard driver  250 . The video e-mail recorder  210  outputs user prompts to the video graphics-adapter driver  260 . The video e-mail recorder  210  also executes the Email client  270  and passes the video e-mail file to the Email client  270 . 
     The video e-mail player receives as inputs the video message file from the Email client  270  and user inputs from the keyboard driver  250 . The video e-mail player  220  outputs video message data and user prompts to the video graphics-adapter driver  260  and audio message data to the sound card driver  240 . 
     FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the video e-mail recorder  210 . The recorder has a video encoder  310  which encodes and typically compresses video message data originating from a video input device and routed to the video encoder via the PC operating system video driver. The recorder also has an audio encoder  320  which encodes and typically compresses audio message data originating from an audio input device and routed to the audio encoder from the sound card driver. The encoded and typically compressed video and audio data streams are fed into a video/audio multiplexer  330  which places the video and audio data into a first-in-first-out (FIFO) buffer and multiplexes these data streams so as to maintain synchronism between the video and audio portions of the e-mail message. The multiplexer  330  stores the video e-mail clip or message  335  in a temporary file  340 . The video player  350  optionally is appended to this temporary file  340  in executable form. The temporary file may reside on hard disk, floppy disk, memory, or any other storage media. A graphical user interface (GUI)  360  provides for user control of the recorder functions. A recorder manager  370  coordinates the various recorder functions and interfaces with the Email client software residing on the PC. 
     As described above, video e-mail messages are sent as video e-mail files or self-contained executable video files. The video e-mail player may reside on the receiving PC and, when executed, read the video e-mail file. Alternatively, the video e-mail player is transferred in executable form as an appended portion of the self-contained executable video file. 
     FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the video e-mail player  220 . The player reads a video e-mail file  410 , originating from the resident Email client. The player retrieves the video message, or clip,  420  from this video file. The player has a demultiplexer  430  which separates the video and audio data from the video file. The video data is decoded and typically decompressed with a video decoder  440  which transfers the video data to the video driver. The audio data is decoded and typically decompressed with an audio decoder  450  which transfers the audio data to the sound card driver. The various player functions are directed by the player manager  460 . A graphical user interface (GUI)  480  provides for user control of the player functions. 
     FIG. 5 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the video e-mail file. A video e-mail file  500  is made up of a file header  510 , one or more media packets  520 , and a file footer  530 . If the video player is not embedded in the file, the file header is not present. Otherwise, the file header  510  is the executable stand-alone video player, which occupies 62020 bytes in a specific embodiment of this invention. 
     Each media packet  520  is made up of a type byte  522  and a payload  524 . The type byte  522  is an ASCII “A” or “V,” where “A” designates an audio packet and “V” designates a video packet. The payload  524  is variable in length. As an example, the payload is 18 bytes, a full frame, of CELP-encoded data if an audio packet is designated and 64 bytes, which could be partial or multiple frames, of H.261-encoded data if a video packet is designated. 
     The file footer  530  is made up of a “VF” field  532 , a user name  534 , a file name  536 , and a player length field  538 . The “VF” field  532  is the ASCII characters “V” and “F” in that order, indicating that this file  500  was generated by the video mail recorder of the present invention. The user name  534  is made up of 128 bytes of a null-delimited ASCII character string containing a name provided by the user who recorded the particular video e-mail contained in the file. The file name  536  is 13 bytes of a null-delimited ASCII character string containing the name of the file, as provided by the video e-mail recorder. Player length  538  is a 32-bit unsigned value which designates the length in bytes (62020) of the executable video e-mail player if embedded in this file. If the player is not present, this value is 0. The order of the bytes within this field is DCBA, where A is the most significant byte and D is the least significant byte. This byte order is sometimes referred to as “little-endian.” For example, 62020 is 0000F244 16 . These bytes are stored as 44, F2, 00, 00. 
     FIG. 6 illustrates a portion of the GUI for the preferred embodiment of the video e-mail recorder. This GUI provides a virtual VCR, whose controls appear to the user as shown in the bottom portion of FIG.  6 . The virtual VCR allows the user to record and save both audio and video from the local camera and microphone interfaced to the user&#39;s PC. The operation of this virtual VCR is similar to that of a standard VCR. Control over the VCR is accomplished with virtual buttons provided on the VCR display. 
     To begin recording a video e-mail message, the RECORD button  610  is “pressed,” that is, activated with a point and click operation of a mouse device, for example. Once started, the virtual VCR will continue to record until the STOP button  620  is pressed. As the recording is made, the video recorder stores video and audio data in a temporary file. If the SAVE VMail button  630  is pressed, this file is stored to hard disk along with the video e-mail player software  220 . If the SAVE file button  640  is pressed, this file is stored to hard disk without the video e-mail player. The latter option assumes the video e-mail player software  220  is present on the receiving sub-system  4 . As noted above, however, a significant feature of this invention is the ability to attach an executable version of the video e-mail player  220  to a video e-mail message file  500 . This feature allows the receiving sub-system  4  to play a video e-mail message without the necessity of previously installing special software at the receiving sub-system  4 , such as the video e-mail player  220 . 
     The PLAY button  650  is pressed to watch a previously recorded message. The LOAD button  660  allows a user to select which stored message to watch. The MAIL button  670  is pressed to immediately send a recorded message. Voice recording is either voice activated or activated in a push-to-talk mode by pressing the TALK button  680 . 
     FIGS. 7A and 7B provide a functional flow overview of both the sending and receiving portions of the video e-mail system as described above. The sending user  710  receives prompts and provides inputs to the sending system  720  with respect to controlling the virtual VCR, embedding the video e-mail player  220  into the video e-mail message file  500 , and controlling the Email client. The sending system  720  creates and transmits a video e-mail message to the receiving system  730 . The recipient user  740  receives prompts and provides inputs to the receiving system  730  with respect to selecting and playing the video e-mail message. 
     FIGS. 8-11 illustrate the preferred embodiments of the video codecs, i.e. the video encoder  310  and video decoder  440 . These codecs are based on public standards. These standards are H.261 and H.263, both from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). FIG. 8 is a block diagram for a preferred embodiment of a video encoder based on the H.261 standard. This encoder is described in “Techniques and Standards for Image, Video, and Audio Coding,” by K. R. Rao and J. J. Hwang, Prentice Hall (ISBN 0-13-309907-5). FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a preferred embodiment of a H.261 video decoder, also described in the Rao and Hwang reference. FIGS. 10 and 11 are block. diagrams of preferred embodiments of a H.263 video encoder and a H.263 video decoder, respectively. These, too, are described in the Rao and Hwang reference. Although not a part of this invention, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various specific implementations of the functions shown in FIGS. 8-11 are possible. 
     Referring to FIG. 8, the encoder function can be described on a per-macroblock basis. The current macroblock is extracted from the input frame  810 , which can be in one of two size formats, Common International Format (CIF) and Quarter CIF (QCIF). A Motion Estimator  812  uses the current macroblock and the reconstructed prior frame from a Frame Memory  870  to determine candidate motion vectors which, approximately, minimize the sum of absolute differences between the motion compensated prior frame and the current macroblock. These differences are computed by an adder  815 . An Intra/Inter Decision  825  is made based on the variance of the differences computed by the adder  815 . A large variance implies scene change or fast motion, and inter-picture prediction, even with motion estimation, can be ineffective. Hence, if the variance is large, the macroblock is sent Intra, i.e. with intra-picture correlation reduction only. If the variance is small, the macroblock is sent Inter, i.e. with inter-picture prediction. Additionally, according to the H.261 specification, the macroblock is sent Intra without regard to anything else if it has not been sent Intra in the last 132 frames. If the macroblock is sent Intra, the original macroblock is transformed by the discrete cosine transform (DCT)  830 . If it is sent Inter, the differences from the adder  815  are transformed by the DCT. The transformed macroblock is quantized using a user-selected quantizer  835 . The transformed and quantized coefficients are encoded using the variable length codes (VLC)  840  given in the H.261 specification for these coefficients. The macroblock type  845  is determined by the results of the Intra/Inter decision and, if Inter, the results of the Motion Estimator  812 . The macroblock type is encoded with the VLC  847  given in the H.261 specification for macroblock types. If the macroblock is determined to be Inter, the motion vectors are encoded using the VLC  850  given in the H.261 specification for motion vectors. The various codes are transmitted in the order given in the H.261 specification  855 . The transformed and quantized coefficients are de-quantized  860  and inverse transformed  865 . If the macroblock was determined Intra, the results of the inverse transform are stored as is in the Frame Memory  870  for the reconstructed current macroblock. If the macroblock was determined Inter, an adder  867  adds the results of the inverse transform to the motion compensated reconstructed prior frame and stores this in the Frame Memory  870  for the reconstructed current macroblock. 
     Referring to FIG. 9, the decoder function can be described on a per-macroblock basis. The input bitstream  902 , consisting of variable length codes, is buffer  904  and provided to the variable length decoder  910 . The macroblock type is decoded from the bitstream to determine the mode switch control  920 . The quantized transform coefficients are decoded  930 . If the macroblock is Inter, the motion vectors are decoded  940 . The transformed and quantized coefficients are de-quantized  950  and inverse transformed  955 . If the macroblock is Intra, the results of the inverse transform  960  become the reconstructed current macroblock  965 . If the macroblock is Inter, the results of the inverse transform  960  are added  970  to the motion compensated reconstructed prior frame  975  to form the reconstructed current macroblock  965 . 
     Referring to FIG. 10, the H.263 encoder function can be described on a per-macroblock basis. The current macroblock is extracted from the input frame, M 1   1005 . Integer pixel motion estimation, ME 1   1010 , and half-pixel motion estimation, ME 2   1015 , use the current macroblock and the reconstructed prior frame, M 2   1020 , to determine candidate motion vectors which, approximately, minimize the sum of absolute differences (SAD) between the motion compensated prior frame and the current macroblock. These differences are computed by the adder  1025 . The Intra/Inter decision is also made based on ME 1   1010 . Additionally, according to H.263 specification, the macroblock is sent Intra without regard to anything else if it has not been sent Intra in the last 132 frames. If the macroblock is sent Intra, the original macroblock is transformed by the DCT  1030 . If it is sent Inter, the differences from the adder  1025  are transformed by the DCT  1030 . The transformed macroblock is quantized using a user-selected quantizer  1035 . The transformed and quantized coefficients are encoded  1040  using variable length codes for transform coefficients, VLC[C], given in the H.263 specification. The macroblock type is determined  1045  by the results of the Intra/Inter decision. If the macroblock is determined to be Inter, the motion vectors are encoded  1050  using the variable length codes for motion vectors, VLC[M], given in the H.263 specification. The various codes are transmitted via a multiplexer  1070  and buffer  1075  in the order given in the H.263 specification, as directed under coding control, CC  1080 . The transformed and quantized coefficients are de-quantized, IQ  1055 , and inverse transformed, IDCT  1060 . If the macroblock was determined Intra, the results of the inverse transform are stored, as is, in the frame memory, M 2   1020 , for the reconstructed current macroblock. If the macroblock was determined Inter, the results of the inverse transform are added  1065  to the motion compensated reconstructed prior frame and stored in the frame memory, M 2   1020 , for the reconstructed current macroblock. 
     Referring to FIG. 11, the H.263 decoder function can be described on a per-macroblock basis. The input bitstream  1102 , consisting of variable length codes, is transferred via a buffer  1110  and a demultiplexer  1120  to a variable length decoder for transform coefficients, VLD(C)  1130 . The macroblock type is decoded  1125  from the bitstream. If the macroblock is Inter, a variable length decoder for motion vectors, VLD[M]  1140  is used. The transformed and quantized coefficients are de-quantized, IQ  1150 , and inverse transformed, IDCT  1160 . If the macroblock is Intra, the results of the inverse transform become the reconstructed current macroblock. If the macroblock is Inter, the results of the inverse transform are added  1170  to the motion compensated reconstructed prior frame, derived from the decoded frame store  1180  and predictor  1190  to form the reconstructed current macroblock. 
     FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate the preferred embodiments of the audio codecs, i.e. the audio encoder  320  and the audio decoder  450 . The preferred audio codecs are based on the G.723 and CELP standards. FIGS. 12 and 13 are block diagrams of the preferred G.723 audio encoder and G.723 audio decoder, respectively. These are described in the ITU standard of that name, specifically the Oct. 17, 1995 draft. The preferred CELP audio codecs are based on the Federal (DoD) standard number  1016 . Although not a part of this invention, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various specific implementations of the functions shown in FIGS. 12-13 are possible. 
     Referring to FIG. 12, the G.723 encoder function can be described on a per-frame basis. Frames consist of 240 samples of speech, y, at a sampling rate of 8 KHz. Thus, each frame covers a duration of 30 ms. These frames are further subdivided into subframes consisting of 60 samples each. The current frame, s, is extracted  1210  from the input speech, y. The DC component of the input frame is removed by a high-pass filter  1215 , resulting in filtered speech, x. LPC coefficients, A, are determined by linear predictive coding analysis  1220  of the filtered speech, x. LSP frequencies are computed from the LPC coefficients, A, for sub-frame  3  and quantized  1225 . The quantized LSP frequencies are decoded  1230 . A full set of LSP frequencies for the entire frame are interpolated  1235  and a set of reconstructed LPC coefficients, Ã, are computed. From the high-pass filtered speech, x, a set of formant perceptually weighted LPC coefficients, W, are computed. This filter  1240  is then applied to create the weighted speech signal, f. A pair of open loop pitch periods, L, are estimated  1245  for the frame, one for sub-frames  1  and  2 , and the other for sub-frames  3  and  4 . From the weighted speech, f, and pitch periods, L, a set of harmonic noise shaping filter coefficients, P, are computed. This filter  1250  is then applied to the weighted speech, f, to create the harmonic weighted vector, w. Using the reconstructed LPC coefficients, Ã, the formant perceptually weighted LPC coefficients, W, and the harmonic noise shaping coefficients, P, the combined impulse response, h, is computed  1255 . Using the reconstructed LPC coefficients, Ã, the formant perceptually weighted LPC coefficients, W, and the harmonic noise shaping coefficients, P, the zero input response, z, is computed  1260  and subtracted  1265  from the harmonic weighted vector, w, to form the target vector, t. Using the vector, t, the impulse response, h, and the estimated pitch, L, the 85-element or 170-element adaptive code books are searched  1270  to determine the optimal pitch, L, gain, β, and corresponding pitch prediction contribution, p. The pitch prediction contribution, p, is subtracted  1275  from the target vector, t, to form the residual vector, r. Using the impulse response, h, and the optimal pitch, L, the residual vector, r, is quantized  1280 , resulting in a pulse position index, ppos, pulse amplitude index, mamp, pulse position grid bit, grid, and pulse sign code word, pamp. Using ppos, mamp, grid and pamp, the pulse contribution, v, of the excitation is computed  1285 . Using the results of the adaptive code book search, the pitch contribution, u, of the excitation is computed  1290 . The two contributions, u and v, are summed  1294  to form the combined excitation, e. This is run through the combined filter determined by the reconstruction LPC coefficients, Ã, the format perceptually weighted LPC coefficients, W, and the harmonic noise shaping coefficients, P, forming the synthesis response. The synthesis response and the various filter coefficients are saved  1298  for use by the next frame. 
     Referring to FIG. 13, the G.723 decoder function can be described on a per-frame basis. The quantized LSP frequencies are decoded  1310 . A full set of LSP frequencies for the entire frame are interpolated  1320  and a set of reconstructed LPC coefficients, Ã, are computed. Using the pulse position index, ppos, pulse amplitude index, mamp, pulse position grid bit, grid, and pulse sign code word, pamp, the pulse contribution, v, of the excitation is computed  1330 . Using the results of the adaptive code book search, the pitch contribution, u, of the excitation is computed  1340 . The two contributions, u and v, are summed  1350  to form the combined excitation, e. To this is applied the pitch post filter  1360  resulting in pitch-post-filtered speech ppf. Using the reconstructed LPC coefficients, Ã, the post-filtered speech ppf is filtered  1370  resulting in synthesized speech, sy. A formant post-filter  1380  is applied to the synthesized speech, sy, resulting in post-filtered speech, pf. At the same time, the energy, E, of the synthesized speech is computed. Using the energy, E, the gain of the post-filtered speech is adjusted  1390  forming the final speech, q. 
     The video e-mail apparatus and method according to the present invention has been disclosed in detail in connection with the preferred embodiments, but these embodiments are disclosed by way of examples only and are not to limit the scope of the present invention, which is defined by the claims that follow. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate many variations and modifications within the scope of this invention.