Abstract:
A multimedia communication system for enabling a variety of high quality video applications over an internet protocol (IP) network is disclosed. In accordance with one embodiment, a videoconference can be established between participants equipped with a television centric multimedia communication system, without any PC computers or expensive videophone services. The participants may view each other on a display means, such as a large television screen. In accordance with another embodiment, the system allows mobile subscribers to migrate mobile video calls from a cellular network to an IP network.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application 60/820,253 filed on Jul. 25, 2006, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all that it contains. 
     
     TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to video over IP applications, and more particularly to systems for enabling videoconferencing over IP networks. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]    In recent years, two or more ways video communication (or videoconferencing) between remote devices connected by a communication network, such as a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN) has become popular. Generally, conventional videoconferencing systems allow at least one participant to view another participant. For example, videoconferencing systems allow businesses to conduct “face-to-face” meetings between parties that are normally located remotely from each other. As a result, businesses have saved significant travel-related expenses that would have been otherwise incurred in order to conduct such face-to-face meetings. 
         [0004]    The currently available high quality videoconferencing systems are costly and hence mainly targeted to the business markets. Specifically, most videoconferencing systems require the use of specialized hardware at either end of a point-to-point connection. In a typical scenario, videoconferencing equipment is installed in a dedicated videoconference room in a first location and in a similarly-dedicated videoconference room in a second location. Meeting participants are called to their respective rooms at a scheduled meeting time, and participants in each room are able to watch, over video, the other room during the meeting. 
         [0005]    Low cost videoconferencing solutions for home users include webcams. Webcams have been proposed as a means to provide video images of participants in a meeting. A webcam may connect to a universal serial bus (USB) port of a personal computer (PC) and send a video stream to a browser that requests the images from the computer. Webcam functions are incorporated into Web-based conferencing applications such as those provided by Skype™, WebEX™, and the likes. The drawback of these applications, in comparison to high-cost solutions, is that such applications are configured to display a relatively low-resolution video on a PC&#39;s screen. 
         [0006]    A videoconferencing session may also be established between mobile telephones, for example, over a 3G (third generation) cellular network. As a matter of fact, the usage of video telephony on 3G networks is only a small fraction of all services available on such networks. The reasons are the quality of the transmitted video and the high cost of videophone services. 
         [0007]    In view of the foregoing discussion and the limitations of the prior art, it would be advantageous to provide a low-cost and high-quality video conferencing system. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]    A television (TV) centric multimedia communication system (hereinafter the “TV-MCS”) for enabling a variety of high quality video applications over an internet protocol (IP) network is disclosed. In accordance with one embodiment, a videoconference can be established between participants equipped with the TV-MCS, without any computers or expensive videophone services. The participants may view each other on a display means, such as a large TV screen. In accordance with another embodiment, the TV-MCS allows mobile subscribers to migrate mobile video calls from a cellular network to an IP network. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    FIG.  1 —is block diagram of a TV-MCS (television (TV) centric multimedia communication system) disclosed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0010]    FIG.  2 —is a diagram describing the process of establishing a videoconferencing session between two mobile telephones in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0011]    FIG.  3 —is a diagram describing the process of re-establishing a videoconference session between two mobile telephones in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0012]    FIG.  4 —is a diagram describing the process of establishing a videoconference session between a mobile telephone and an IP telephone in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0013]    FIG.  5 —is a diagram describing the process of establishing a videoconference session between a mobile telephone and a POTS videophone in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0014]    FIG.  6 —is a diagram describing the process of establishing a videoconference session between a plurality of TV-MCS in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0015]      FIG. 1  shows an exemplary and non-limiting block diagram of a TV-MCS  100  disclosed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The TV-MCS  100  includes a controller  110  coupled to a memory  120 , a network adapter  130 , an audio/video coder  140 , a plurality USB ports  150 , and a Bluetooth adapter  160 . 
         [0016]    The controller  110  controls the operation of the TV-MCS  100  components for the purpose of enabling high-quality video over IP applications. These applications include, but are not limited to, videoconferencing, instant messaging, pictures sharing, multimedia messaging service (MMS), and so on. The memory  120  may be from the type including, but not limited to, RAM, DRAM, a FLASH, or combination thereof. The memory  120  may contain provisioning information, addresses of TV-MCS (e.g., a phonebook), and files uploaded by the users. The network adapter  130  is configured to receive and transmit data packets from and to an IP network. The network adapter  130  may be connected to the network through a wired or wireless (e.g., Wi-Fi) connection. The audio/video coder  140  includes at least video and audio codecs for video compression or decompression of digital video and audio signals. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the audio and video signals are compressed using at least the MPEG-4 or H.264 standards, and thereby allowing transmission of high-quality video images over an IP network with minimal bandwidth consumption. For example, the H.264 standard supports the transmission of high definition quality (1920×1080) video at rate of 1 MegaBit per sec. 
         [0017]    A display, such as a screen of a TV set or a video monitor operable according to, for example, NTSC (National Television Standards Committee) or PAL (Phase Alternating Line) standards is connected to the TV-MCS  100  through A/V outputs  145 . The USB ports  150  allow for the connection of TV-MCS  100  to at least one of a flash disk for uploading image files, a microphone, and a video camera. The controller automatically detects devices connected to USB ports according to conventional plug-and-play techniques. The video camera may be a webcam or other imaging input devices. It should be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the microphone and/or video camera may be integrated within the TV-MCS  100 , or be connected to the TV-MCS by means other than through USB ports. 
         [0018]    The Bluetooth adapter  160  interfaces between handset devices  180  and the TV-MCS  100  for the purpose of initiating video calls through the IP network. A handset device  180  may be, but not limited to, a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistance (PDA), or any wireless or wired communication device which has voice capability and is compliant, for example, with the Bluetooth communication protocol. Other communication protocols such as ZigBee and the likes may be used for this communication purpose and are specifically included herein, however, the exemplary embodiment shall be described with respect to the Bluetooth communication protocol. Examples of such devices include code division multiple access (CDMA) based devices, time division multiple access (TDMA) based devices, a global system for mobile communications (GSM) based devices or 2G, 2.5G, or 3G enabled devices. The Bluetooth adapter  160  atomically recognizes and establishes a connection with the handset devices  180  that are in proximity with the TV-MCS  100 . In addition, the Bluetooth adapter  160  atomically informs the controller  110  of handset devices that left the Bluetooth&#39;s coverage area. In some embodiments the Bluetooth adapter may interface with multimedia devices (e.g., a webcam, a headset, and the likes) that support the Bluetooth standard. 
         [0019]    The TV-MCS  100  can be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, middleware or a combination thereof. In addition, the TV MCS  100  can be integrated within a set-top box, a DVD player, a TV set, with a PC screen, and the likes. 
         [0020]    The operation of the TV-MCS  100  will be described in greater detail below with reference to several non-limiting embodiments of video over IP applications.  FIG. 2  shows an exemplary diagram describing the process of establishing a videoconferencing session between two mobile telephones in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. A videoconference is established between a mobile telephone  220 -A of participant-A and a mobile telephone  220 -B of participant-B over a network  210 . The network  210  may be, for example, a LAN or a WAN. A mobile telephone  220  communicates with a TV-MCS  230  via a Bluetooth communication medium as defined by the telephony control protocol specification (TCS). Each TV-MCS  230  is coupled to a video camera  240 , a display  250  and the network  210  having the attributes mentioned above. 
         [0021]    Once participant-B enters the Bluetooth coverage area of the TV-MCS  230 -B, the presence of the mobile telephone  220 -B is automatically detected. Similarly, as participant-A enters the Bluetooth coverage area of the TV-MCS  230 -A, the presence of the mobile telephone  220 -A is it automatically recognized. Now, participant-A may call the mobile telephone  220 -B of participant-B. Specifically, participant-A dials the number of the mobile telephone  220 -B. The TV-MCS  230 -A, in turn, captures the dialed number and calls TV-MCS  230 -B using this number. The connection between TV-MCS  230 -A and TV-MCS  230 -B is established by means of communication standards that include, but are not limit to, H.323, session initiation protocol (SIP), or other proprietary protocols, the specifics of which are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the TV-MCS  230 -A may send the dialed number to a SIP server in the network  210 . The SIP server may use electronic numbering (ENUM) or DUNDi to translate existing telephone numbers to SIP addresses using DNS. Once a session is established between TV-MCS  230 -A and TV-MCS  230 -B the video channel is opened between them. 
         [0022]    The TV-MCS  230 -B notifies mobile telephone  220 -B of an incoming call. If participant-B decides to accept the call an audio channel is opened between mobile telephones  220  through TV-MC  230 . Thereafter, participant-B may talk with participant-A over an audio channel established between mobile telephone  220 -B, through TV-MCS  230 -B, the network  210 , and TV-MCS  230 -A, and mobile telephone  220 -A. Over the video channel, each TV-MCS  230  transmits high quality and high resolution video images captured by a video camera  240  and sends it to the other TV-MCS  230  that, in turn, displays the video images on display  250 . 
         [0023]    As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , as one of the participants (e.g., participant-A) leaves the Bluetooth coverage area of the TV-MCS  230 -A, the Bluetooth connection with the mobile telephone  220 -A is disconnected. Thereafter, the mobile telephone  220 -A establishes a call leg with network  260 , which may be, for example, a network compliant with the H.324M standard. The H.324M standard enables multimedia communication over low bit-rate networks (e.g., public switched telephone network (PSTN) or 3G cellular network). A voice call over an IP network is segmented into discrete call legs. A call leg is a logical connection between two gateways or between a gateway and an IP telephony device (e.g., a SIP server). 
         [0024]    The network  260  communicates with the network  210  through a gateway  270  which may be, for example, a H.324M/SIP gateway. That is, the audio and video channels are opened between the mobile telephone  220 -A and TV-MCS  230 -B through the network  260 , gateway  270  and network  210 . Once the audio and video channels are established, the TV-MCS  230 -A disconnects the connection with the network  210  (i.e., terminates the SIP connection). In this example, participant-A can view video images sent from participant-B over the screen of mobile telephone  220 -A. On the other hand, participant-B can view video images recorded by a camera embedded in the mobile telephone  220 -A over the display  250 -B. 
         [0025]    It should be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the process described with reference to  FIG. 3  can be utilized also to initiate a video call from a mobile telephone (e.g., telephone  220 -B) that is connected through a Bluetooth communication medium to a TV-MCS (e.g., TV-MCS  230 -B) and a stand alone mobile telephone (e.g., telephone  220 -A) compliant with, for example, the H.324M standard. In this embodiment, the TV-MCS audio/video channels are established between the mobile telephones through the TV-MCS  230 -B, the network  210 , a gateway  270 , the network  260  and mobile telephone  220 -A. The TV-MCS  230 -B and the gateway  270  communicate using, for example, the SIP communication standard. 
         [0026]      FIG. 4  shows an exemplary diagram describing the process of establishing a videoconference session between a mobile telephone and an IP telephone in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. An IP telephone provides voice communication over the IP data network. Generally, such telephone includes functions much like a traditional analog telephone, allowing you to place and receive telephone calls. 
         [0027]    In order to place a call participant-A, having a mobile telephone  420 -A, enters the Bluetooth coverage area of a TV-MCS  430 -A. Once the TV-MCS  430 -A detects the presence of the mobile telephone  420 -A, participant-A may dial the number of IP telephone  420 -B. The TV-MCS  430 -A establishes a videoconference session with mobile telephone  420 -A through an IP network  410  using, for example, the SIP. The process for forming the session is described above. The audio channel is established between the mobile telephone  420 -A, TV-MCS  430 -A, IP network  410 , and IP telephone  420 -B. Over the video channel, the TV-MCS  430 -A transmits high quality and high resolution video images captured by a video camera  440  to the IP telephone  420 -B. 
         [0028]      FIG. 5  shows an exemplary diagram describing the process of establishing a videoconference session between a mobile telephone and a Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) videophone in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. A POTS videophone is a telephone equipped for both audio and video transmission that uses the POTS telephone lines of a PSTN. In order to place a call participant-A, having a mobile telephone  520 -A, enters the Bluetooth coverage area of the TV-MCS  530 -A. Once the TV-MCS  530 -A detects the presence of the mobile telephone  520 -A, participant-A may dial the number of IP telephone  520 -B. The TV-MCS  520 -A, in turn, calls videophone  520 -B using, for example, the SIP as described in detail above. The call from the mobile telephone  520 -A to the videophone  520 -B is routed through the TV-MCS  530 -A, IP network  510 , gateway  570 , and PSTN  560 . In one embodiment of the present invention, the gateway  570  is a PSTN/SIP gateway. 
         [0029]      FIG. 6  shows an exemplary diagram describing the process of establishing a videoconference session between a plurality of TV-MCS in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. For simplicity of the description, a videoconference established only between a TV-MCS  630 -A and a TV-MCS  630 -B is shown. Participant-A (not shown), who wants to call participant-B (not shown) has to designate the address of TV-MCS  630 -B. Participant-A (not shown) may select the address from a phonebook stored in TV-MCS  630 -A and displayed over display  650 -A. Thereafter, a TV-MCS  630 -A connects the TV-MCS  630 -B through network  610  using the address provided by participant-A and videoconferencing session is between TV-MCS  630 -A and TV-MCS  630 -B using, for example, the SIP. 
         [0030]    It should be noted that various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations of the above-described embodiments may occur, as required, insofar as they are within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof. 
         [0031]    The principles of the present invention may be implemented as a combination of hardware and software. The software may be implemented as an application program tangibly embodied on a program storage unit or computer readable medium. The application program may be uploaded to, and executed by, a machine comprising any suitable architecture, for example a computer platform having hardware such as one or more central processing units (“CPU”), a random access memory (“RAM”), and input/output (“I/O”) interfaces. The computer platform may also include an operating system and microinstruction code. The various processes and functions described herein may be either part of the microinstruction code or part of the application program, or any combination thereof, which may be executed by a CPU, whether or not such computer or processor is explicitly shown. 
         [0032]    It is to be further understood that, because some of the constituent system components and methods depicted in the accompanying drawings are preferably implemented in software, the actual connections between the system components or the process function blocks may differ depending upon the manner in which the present invention is programmed. Given the teachings herein, one of ordinary skill in the pertinent art will be able to contemplate these and similar implementations or configurations of the present invention. All examples and conditional language recited herein are intended for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the invention and the concepts contributed by the inventors to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. 
         [0033]    All statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. It is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future, i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure. Other hardware, conventional and/or custom, may also be included. Similarly, any switches shown in the figures are conceptual only. Their function may be carried out through the operation of program logic, through dedicated logic, through the interaction of program control and dedicated logic, or even manually, the particular technique being selectable by the implementer as more specifically understood from the context. 
         [0034]    In the claims hereof, any element expressed as a means for performing a specified function is intended to encompass any way of performing that function including, for example, a) a combination of circuit elements that performs that function or b) software in any form, including, therefore, firmware, microcode or the like, combined with appropriate circuitry for executing that software to perform the function. The invention as defined by such claims resides in the fact that the functionalities provided by the various recited means are combined and brought together in the manner which the claims call for. Applicants thus regards any means that can provide those functionalities as equivalent to those shown herein.