GB2363282A

GB2363282A - Audio-video communications and storage device

Info

Publication number: GB2363282A
Application number: GB0028737A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan Briggs
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-12-01
Filing date: 2000-11-27
Publication date: 2001-12-12
Also published as: GB9928392D0; GB0028737D0

Abstract

An audio-video communications and storage device has a camera (1) and a microphone (2), and a digital video encoder (6) which encodes data from the camera (1) and the microphone (2) into an appropriate digital format for subsequent transmission. A digital decoder (13) receives incoming encoded data and decode it into an appropriate format for audio and visual output. A pair of modems (8 and 10) transmit outgoing digital data and receive incoming digital data, respectively. A screen (16) and at least one speaker (18) are connected to the decoder (13). A message recorder (14) is provided for recording incoming data, and a recorder (4) is provided for transmitting pre-recorded outgoing data.

Description

2363282 AUDIO-VIDEO COMMUNICATIONS AND STORAGE DEVICE The present

invention relates to an audio-video communications and storage device, more particularly a Video-An swe rp hone, which is designed specifically for connection into the internet for communication purposes.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a convenient form of an audio-video communications and storage device which lends itself to a wide variety of uses.

According to the present invention there is provided an audio-video communications and storage device comprising:(i) a camera and a microphone, (ii) an encoder adapted to encode data from the camera and the microphone into an appropriate digital format for subsequent transmission, (i i i) a decoder adapted to receive incoming encoded data and decode it into an appropriate format for audio and visual output, 0v) at least one modem or other communications device for transmitting outgoing digital data and receiving incoming digital data, (v) a display and at least one speaker.connected to the decoder, (vi) means for recording incoming data and M i) means for transmitting pre-recorded data.

The means for transmitting pre-recorded data preferably includes an outgoing message recording and storage facility. The message storage facility preferably stores the message in digital form (eg. computer hard drive writeable CD or floppy disk). The message stored may be a video message, an audio message or a combination of both.

There is no single video-format standard throughout the world (for example PAL is used in Germany and the UK, NTSC in the US and Secam in France). Thus, the audio-video communications and storage device preferably also comprises a data converter which recognises the video format of incoming data received by the modem or other data communications device and converts said data into the local format.

In one embodiment, two modems are provided. The first is adapted to receive incoming data and transfer it to the decoder in use, and the second is adapted to receive encoded data from the encoder and transmit it in use. Most preferably, each modem is a high speed modem (typically at least 8 Mb/s), such as one suitable for use in cable television. Alternatively, an ethernet data communications device may be employed. Other possibilities include terminal adapters, routers and token ring devices.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a schematic representation of an audio-video communications and storage device or Video-Answerphone in accordance with the present invention.

Referring to the drawing, the Video-Answerphone comprises a camera 1, a microphone 2, an outgoing message disk recorder 4, a digital video encoder 6 and a first high speed modem 8 providing a high speed outgoing signal for sending via the internet. The camera 1 and microphone 2 are connected to the modem 8 via the encoder 6. The outgoing message recorder 4 is also connected to the encoder 6 and to the first modem 8.

The Video-Answerphone further comprises a second high speed modem 10 which receives incoming signals from a caller via the internet and which is connected to a video-formats converter 12. Alternatively, a single modem or another communications device or devices may be used for transmitting outgoing data and for receiving incoming data. The formats converter 12 is connected to a digital decoder 13. The decoder 13 is connected to an incoming message disk or tape recorder 14 and to a display screen 16 via a graphics card 17. Audio signals are taken from the decoder 13 and passed to speakers 18 via a sound card 20 which also receives audio signals from the encoder 6. The graphics card 17 also receives video signals from the recorder 4. A modified telephone handset unit 22 is also provided to enable the user to control the basic functions of the videophone. The telephone handset unit 22 is operably connected to the camera 1, the microphone 2, the message recorders 4 and 14 and the display screen 16 via a control-relay system on a main bus of a motherboard M.

The Video-Answerphone may be used to make outgoing calls and receive incoming calls in the presence or absence of a user.

To make an outgoing call, the user dials the required number on the handset 22 and connection is made via the internet. When the call is answered, the camera 1 and the microphone 2 are activated and the outputs from the camera 1 and the microphone 2 are encoded for transmission by the encoder 6 before being transmitted to the other party via the modem 8. Alternatively, the Video-Answerphone may be set to automatically activate the microphone 2 only, with activation of the camera 1 being controlled by the user (eg. the user may only want to activate the camera 1 after the intended recipient of the call has been identified).

To record an outgoing message, record mode is activated via the handset 22 so that outputs from the camera 1 and the microphone 2 are recorded on the outgoing message disk recorder 4. It will be noted that, although in the present embodiment various functions of the Video-Answerphone are controlled via the handset 22. In alternative embodiments, the handset 22 is omitted and the Video-Answerphone is controlled by a tcwch-sensitive screen, a keyboard or a voice activated system.

When an incoming call is received via the internet, data is transferred from the second modem 10 to the video-formats converter 12 where the video format of the incoming data is compared with the local format and converted if necessary. The data in the local format is then decoded by the decoder 13 and displayed on the screen 16. In this embodiment, the user activates the camera and the microphone 2 via the handset 22 once the identity of the caller is known. The microphone 2 may be activated independently of the camera 1 so that the Video-An swerp hone can be operated as a standard telephone (for example as an additional security measure if the user is not completely satisfied with the identity of the cal ler).

When an incoming call is received in the absence of the user, the outgoing message disk recorder 4 is activated in playback mode and the data encoded for transmission via the modem 8. The incoming message disk recorder 14 is then activated in record mode and, if the caller leaves a message, this is recorded by the incoming message disk recorder 14 once the incoming data has been converted to the local format (if necessary) and decoded by the decoder 13. The recorded incoming message may be accessed at any time by the user via controls on the handset 22.

In this embodiment, the Vi deo-An swerp hone is a stand-alone unit. In other embodiments, the system may be computer based with the functions of the outgoing message recorder 4 and incoming message recorder 14 functions being effected by a hard disk, writeable CD or other storage media in the computer. The functions of the handset 22 may be effected by a standard computer keyboard and mouse. Video-Answerphone of the present invention may be incorporated into a portable computer such as a so- called laptop computer or any other readily portable computer such as a PDA.

Instead of. communicating via a modem, the Video-Answerphone may communicate via an ethernet or other communications device such as a terminal adapter, a token ring device or a router.

The various parts of the above-described Video-Answerphone may be physically packaged in any convenient way in one or more housings.

Claims

1. An audio-video communications and storage device comprising:(i) a camera and a microphone, fl i) an encoder adapted to encode data from the camera and the microphone into an appropriate digital format for subsequent transmission, (i i i) a decoder adapted to receive incoming encoded data and decode it into an appropriate format for audio and visual output, OV) at least one communications device for transmitting outgoing digital data and receiving incoming digital data, (v) a display and at least one speaker connected to the decoder, (vi) means for recording incoming data and M i) means for transmitting pre-recorded data.

2. An audio-video communications and storage device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for transmitting pre-recorded data includes an outgoing message recording and storage facility.

3. An audio-video communications and storage device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the message storage facility is arranged to store the message in analogue form.

4. An audio-video communications and storage device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the message storage facility is arranged to store the message in digital form.

5. An audio-video communications and storage device as claimed in claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein the message storage facility is arranged to store a video message, an audio message or a combination of both.

6. An audio-video communications and storage device as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a video converter which recognises the video format of incoming data received by the communications device and converts said data into a local format.

7. An audio-video communications and storage device as claimed in claim 1. substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.