Patent Publication Number: US-2006001737-A1

Title: Video conference arrangement

Description:
BACKGROUND  
      Videoconferencing has become a widely available tool for permitting users to communicate both visually and audibly over long distances for both business and personal applications. Generally, in a videoconference environment, a dedicated video display that is large enough for multiple users to easily view is used, along with a dedicated microphone and audio amplification equipment. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      Certain illustrative embodiments illustrating organization and method of operation, together with objects and advantages may be best understood by reference detailed description that follows taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:  
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a videoconferencing system consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention.  
       FIG. 2  is a flow chart of a first embodiment of a videoconferencing call initiation process consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention.  
       FIG. 3  is a flow chart of a second embodiment of a videoconferencing call initiation process consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention.  
       FIG. 4  is a flow chart of a videoconferencing call receipt process consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention.  
       FIG. 5  is a flow chart of a process for terminating a videoconference call consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention.  
       FIG. 6  is a block diagram of a television system suitable for providing videoconferencing services consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
      While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail specific embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure of such embodiments is to be considered as an example of the principles and not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments shown and described. In the description below, like reference numerals are used to describe the same, similar or corresponding parts in the several views of the drawings.  
      The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term “plurality”, as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term “another”, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having”, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled”, as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. The term “program”, as used herein, is defined as a sequence of instructions designed for execution on a computer system. A “program”, or “computer program”, may include a subroutine, a function, a procedure, an object method, an object implementation, in an executable application, an applet, a servlet, a source code, an object code, a shared library/dynamic load library and/or other sequence of instructions designed for execution on a computer system. The term “remote” is used herein to identify a location of a party involved with a “local” user in a videoconference. The degree of remoteness is not relevant, since a videoconference could be carried out between parties in adjacent rooms (or even the same room) or thousands of miles away.  
      Turning now to  FIG. 1 , a videoconferencing system  100  consistent with certain embodiments is depicted. In this system  100 , a user&#39;s camera-enabled wireless (e.g., cellular) telephone  104  (i.e., a wireless telephone with a built-in camera for capturing still and/or moving video images) is utilized as an input device for the video conference. Such devices are currently available from several manufacturers and utilize a small video screen  108  to display images either from video telephone calls or images captured on the telephone&#39;s built-in camera  112 . Audio is captured in a conventional manner using the telephone&#39;s audio circuits including microphone  114 . In the current embodiment, while images can be viewed on the telephone&#39;s display  108  in a conventional fashion, the camera  112  is used as an input device for images that are displayed on a remote video display during a videoconference. A television display  116  is used to display video that is captured at the remote site or sites involved in the videoconference, in addition to preferably functioning as a conventional television receiver.  
      It should be noted that system  100  depicts only one side of a videoconference. The other side can be similarly outfitted, or can be realized within a telephone, video conference system or personal computer based videoconference system. When images of a person or persons such as  122  are captured by the camera  112  of telephone  112 , they are transmitted to the remote party via the cellular telephone network using a two way communication channel  126  through cell tower network  130 . The video can then be delivered to the recipient either via the cell tower network  130  or via connection  132  through other connections provided by the cell phone service provider  134 .  
      Video data from the remote party, regardless of how it is received from the remote party at the service provider  134 , are then sent as a video stream  140  via a high speed data network such as the Internet  144 . The video stream  140  emerges from the network  144  to a broadband connection  150  (e.g., a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) modem, high speed analog modem or an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) modem, or a digital telephone line adapter, etc.) that in turn provides a stream of video data  154  to television display  116 . Video stream  140  may also carry audio for the videoconference that is played over the television&#39;s audio circuits. A back channel  158  is also depicted to provide for the television or other control device to supply control information relating to the videoconference call to the cell phone service provider  134 .  
      Thus, a videoconference system consistent with certain embodiments has a camera-enabled wireless telephone that transmits video images to a remote location using the telephone&#39;s camera and transmits audio signals to the remote location using the telephone&#39;s audio circuits. A television which is capable of display of streaming video from the remote location via a broadband network connection is provided.  
      In another embodiment, a videoconference system has a camera-enabled wireless cellular telephone that transmits video images to a remote location using the telephone&#39;s camera and transmits audio signals to the remote location using the telephone&#39;s audio circuits. A television capable of display of streaming video from the remote location via a broadband network connection to a cellular telephone service provider is provided. An audio circuit within the television is provided, wherein the streaming video from the remote location includes audio, and wherein the audio is reproduced on the television&#39;s audio circuitry. The broadband network connection can be provided, for example, via one of a cable modem or a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) modem or an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) modem, or a high speed analog modem, or a digital telephone line adapter.  
      A videoconference telephone call can be placed using the process  200  depicted in the flow chart of  FIG. 2 . In this embodiment, a user initiates a videoconference by placing a telephone call to another party at  204 . At  208 , after the call has been initiated, the user selects a videoconference option from a video menu displayed on the user&#39;s video display  108 , or using a dedicated key on the telephone  104 . This sends a message to the cell phone provider  134  that indicates a videoconference call is being implemented. When the cell phone provider  134  receives this message, the cell phone provider  134  initiates a “call” to the user&#39;s television  116  (e.g., by sending a message to the Internet Protocol (IP) address designated for the television  116 ) at  212 .  
      When this “call” is received at television  116 , videoconferencing software is enabled at the television  116  including software that enables viewing of streaming video at  216  received via the broadband connection  150 . In this embodiment, the user is prompted at  220  to accept or reject the video stream at the television  116  at  220  (in effect, the user “answers” the television, much the same as a user would “answer” a telephone). When the user accepts the video stream for the television  116  at  224 , video is enabled for display on the television  116  and the videoconference can proceed with the telephone&#39;s camera serving to provide local camera and audio functions that generate audio and video signals transmitted to the remote party.  
      Thus, in accordance with certain embodiments, A videoconferencing method consistent with certain embodiments involves receiving a video stream via a broadband network connection at a television display to display a remote party&#39;s inbound video information. A video stream is transmitted via a wireless cellular telephone&#39;s camera to the remote party to provide outbound video information. Inbound audio is received from the remote party via the broadband network connection at the television display and playing the audio using the television display&#39;s audio circuits. Outbound audio is transmitted to the remote party via the wireless cellular telephone&#39;s audio circuits.  
      In accordance with other embodiments, a videoconferencing method involves receiving a video stream via a broadband network connection at a television display to display a remote party&#39;s inbound video information; and transmitting a video stream via a wireless telephone&#39;s camera to the remote party to provide outbound video information.  
      With reference to  FIG. 3 , another exemplary process for placing a videoconference call using hardware similar to that described above is depicted as process  300 . At  302 , the user selects an option from a menu or hard or soft button to place a videoconference call or presses a particular key sequence that enables the initiation of the videoconference call. At  306 , the cell phone service provider initiates a call to the user&#39;s television. The streamer software of the user&#39;s television is enabled at  310  by a signal from the cell phone service provider. At  314 , the user is prompted on the television screen or by a special display to receive and display the videoconference video (and possibly play the videoconference audio). If the user accepts the video stream at  318 , the videoconference ensues with the wireless telephone&#39;s camera providing local capture of video and audio. In this manner, only an Internet capable television (or set top box or other adapter) is needed for videoconferencing. No special camera or microphone is necessary since the cellular telephone is already equipped with that capability.  
      With reference to  FIG. 4 , a process for receipt of a videoconference call consistent with certain embodiments is depicted as process  400 . In this embodiment, a call is initiated by a remote calling party causing the cell phone service provider to “call” both the cell phone and the television associated with the intended recipient at  404 . The process can then take one of two major paths from  404 . The left path represents the first answer to the call being carried out on the wireless cellular telephone. The right path represents the fist answer to the call being carried out on the television.  
      Consider first the left path. At  408 , the user answers the cell phone and is given a menu option to send video to the television. If the user does not accept the television display option at  412 , a signal is sent to the television to clear the prompt appearing at the television to enable the television for videoconference viewing at  416 . A regular audio or video telephone call then ensues at  420  using only telephone resources.  
      If the television option is selected at  412 , the user is prompted to accept the video (and possibly audio) stream on the television at  424 . If the call is accepted at the television at  428 , the cellular telephone camera is situated (e.g., on a stand or otherwise) to utilize the telephone&#39;s camera to capture video for the video conference and capture audio for the videoconference and transmit same to the other party at  432 . The television is used to display the video and possibly play out the audio of the remote party. In other embodiments, the cellular telephone can also provide the audio from the remote party.  
      Now consider the right side path. After  404 , the user answers the call to the television at  440 . The user is prompted to turn on the cellular telephone identified by a particular phone number and accept the call also. If the call is accepted at the television at  444 , and the call is accepted at the cellular telephone at  448 , then the cellular telephone camera is situated (e.g., on a stand or otherwise) to utilize the telephone&#39;s camera to capture video for the video conference at  456  and capture audio for the videoconference and transmit same to the other party. The television is used to display the video and possibly play out the audio of the remote party. In other embodiments, the cellular telephone can also provide the audio from the remote party. If the call is not accepted either at  444  or at  448 , the call can be sent to an answering service at  460  or other error handling can be invoked.  
      Once a videoconference has been initiated, it can be terminated using the process  500  depicted in  FIG. 5 . In this process, a videoconference call is in progress at  504 . The videoconference call can be terminated by one of two methods shown by the left path and the right path in this illustration. If the left path is taken, control passes to  508  when the user decides to terminate the videoconference session by use of the cellular telephone. To do so, the user invokes a menu on the cellular telephone and makes a menu selection to end the streaming video to the television at  508 . The cellular telephone then sends a wireless message to the service provider as a result and the video stream to the television ends at  512 . The video conference call can then be terminated if desired by normal procedures for terminating a telephone call using the cellular telephone.  
      If the right path is taken, control passes to  516  when the user decides to terminate the videoconference session by use of the television. To do so, the user invokes a menu on the television and makes a menu selection to end the streaming video to the television and thus terminate the videoconference at  508 . The television sends a message to the service provider as a result via the back channel  158  to terminate the stream, and the video stream to the television ends at  512 . The video conference call can then either continue using only the telephone display, or be terminated if desired by normal procedures for terminating a telephone call at the cellular telephone (i.e., the user “hangs up”).  
      Referring now to  FIG. 6 , an exemplary television device such as  116  is depicted in relevant part. One skilled in the art will appreciate that this drawing omits functional elements of the television  116  that are not used in certain embodiments of the present invention such as an RF tuner, power supply, etc. It should be noted, however, that the elements depicted in this embodiment with the television device  116  could also be realized in a separate adapter or television set top box without departing from certain embodiments consistent with the present invention.  
      Television  116 , in this example, incorporates an integral broadband modem  602  that can be coupled to the Internet  144  (e.g., a cable modem). Such broadband modem is addressable by, for example, an Internet Protocol address and a MAC address. Modem  602  could also be a separate item of hardware and not integrated within television  116  in other embodiments. Modem  602  transfers data from the Internet to a processor such as computer CPU (Central Processing Unit)  604  via a communication bus  610 . In the reverse direction, CPU  604  sends data to locations on the Internet by placing data for the modem  602  on bus  610 . Bus  610  also provides a mechanism for CPU  604  to interact with memory  614  in a conventional manner. Memory may incorporate Read Only Memory, as well as Random Access Memory, as well as any other computer storage device (e.g., disc drives, and persistent electronic storage elements, etc.).  
      CPU  604  can also interact with a video interface  618  in order to send video data to the television&#39;s video display system  622 . CPU  604  can also interact with an audio interface  626  in order to send audio data to the television&#39;s audio system  630 . A user interface  634  (e.g., a control panel, key pad, buttons, remote control interface, etc.) is also provided in order for a user to send commands to the CPU in any number of ways including hard coded buttons and switches as well as navigation of on screen menus that can be used to select videoconference options.  
      The CPU  604  operates under control of computer programs stored in memory  614  that may include an operating system  640  that provides normal functions and services of an operating system. The user interface  634  may be controlled in part or in whole by a user interface control program  644 . An Internet browser  648  may also be provided in order to provide navigation to appropriate addresses over the Internet in order, for example, to appropriately contact the cell phone service provider  134  to initiate or carry out a videoconference. Videoconference software  652  may also be stored in memory  614  in order to provide the appropriate control over the videoconference process including, providing of input to the user interface control and the user interface for implementing control (i.e., initiation or teardown) of the video stream. The videoconference software may be implemented as a browser plug-in or in any other suitable manner. Similarly, video streaming software  656  is provided to decode and convert an input stream of digital video packets to a video format that can be used by video interface  618  and displayed as video on the television&#39;s video display system  622 . Such video streamer software may include, for example, an appropriate software codec for the video encoding, or such codec may form a part of the video interface  618 .  
      Thus, in certain embodiments a television device consistent with the present invention has a television video display system. An addressable input is provided for receiving a videoconference video stream addressed to the input address. A user interface provides a user with an option to accept a videoconference video stream addressed to the addressable input. A video streamer accepts the videoconference video stream and converts the video stream to a format that can be displayed on the television video display system, if the user provides an input to the user interface that accepts the video stream. In certain embodiments, a television audio system receives a stream of audio associated with the video stream to produce sounds associated with the videoconference. In certain embodiments, a broadband modem is incorporated wherein the addressable input is an address of the broadband modem. The address can be, for example, at least one of an IP address and a MAC address. In certain embodiments, the user interface further prompts a user to activate a cellular telephone in order to use the cellular telephone to provide outbound audio and video transmissions.  
      Many variations will occur to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the present teachings. For example, the hardware incorporated in the television as depicted in  FIG. 6 , could equally well be separate hardware or could be integrated into a cable television or satellite set top box. In this case, the television interface to the modem or set top box can have it&#39;s own IP address and MAC address and be separately addressable. In such case, all reference to addressing a call to the television should be interpreted to mean that the call is ultimately addressed to the television connection in order to view the video stream. Since the back channel  158  is used mostly for control, this could be implemented using an asymmetrical communication system, or using a separate dial-up connection with the video stream being provided over a broadband connection. Also, the term “cellular telephone” and similar terms are intended to embrace all technologies for wireless telephone communication including, for example, analog, TDMA, FDMA, CDMA, PCS and other current and future technologies without limitation.  
      Those skilled in the art will recognize, upon consideration of the above teachings, that certain of the above exemplary embodiments are based upon use of a programmed processor such as  604  and/or a processor within a cellular telephone and/or a processor at the service provider. However, the invention is not limited to such exemplary embodiments, since other embodiments could be implemented using hardware component equivalents such as special purpose hardware and/or dedicated processors. Similarly, general purpose computers, microprocessor based computers, micro-controllers, optical computers, analog computers, dedicated processors, application specific circuits and/or dedicated hard wired logic may be used to construct alternative equivalent embodiments.  
      Those skilled in the art will appreciate, upon consideration of the above teachings, that the program operations and processes and associated data used to implement certain of the embodiments described above can be implemented using disc storage as well as other forms of storage such as for example Read Only Memory (ROM) devices, Random Access Memory (RAM) devices, network memory devices, optical storage elements, magnetic storage elements, magneto-optical storage elements, flash memory, core memory and/or other equivalent volatile and non-volatile storage technologies without departing from certain embodiments of the present invention. Such alternative storage devices should be considered equivalents.  
      Certain embodiments described herein, are or may be implemented using a programmed processor, such as  604  and/or a processor within a cellular telephone and/or a processor at the service provider, executing programming instructions that are broadly described above in flow chart form that can be stored on any suitable electronic or computer readable storage medium and/or can be transmitted over any suitable electronic communication medium. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate, upon consideration of the present teaching, that the processes described above can be implemented in any number of variations and in many suitable programming languages without departing from embodiments of the present invention. For example, the order of certain operations carried out can often be varied, additional operations can be added or operations can be deleted without departing from certain embodiments of the invention. Error trapping can be added and/or enhanced and variations can be made in user interface and information presentation without departing from certain embodiments of the present invention. Such variations are contemplated and considered equivalent.  
      While certain embodiments herein were described in conjunction with specific circuitry that carries out the functions described, other embodiments are contemplated in which the circuit functions are carried out using equivalent software or firmware embodiments executed on one or more programmed processors. General purpose computers, microprocessor based computers, micro-controllers, optical computers, analog computers, dedicated processors, application specific circuits and/or dedicated hard wired logic and analog circuitry may be used to construct alternative equivalent embodiments. Other embodiments could be implemented using hardware component equivalents such as special purpose hardware and/or dedicated processors.  
      Software and/or firmware embodiments may be implemented using a programmed processor executing programming instructions that in certain instances are broadly described above in flow chart form that can be stored on any suitable electronic or computer readable storage medium (such as, for example, disc storage, Read Only Memory (ROM) devices, Random Access Memory (RAM) devices, network memory devices, optical storage elements, magnetic storage elements, magneto-optical storage elements, flash memory, core memory and/or other equivalent volatile and non-volatile storage technologies) and/or can be transmitted over any suitable electronic communication medium. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate, upon consideration of the present teaching, that the processes described above can be implemented in any number of variations and in many suitable programming languages without departing from embodiments of the present invention. For example, the order of certain operations carried out can often be varied, additional operations can be added or operations can be deleted without departing from certain embodiments of the invention. Error trapping can be added and/or enhanced and variations can be made in user interface and information presentation without departing from certain embodiments of the present invention. Such variations are contemplated and considered equivalent.  
      While certain illustrative embodiments have been described, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, permutations and variations will become apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description.