Hitachi, Ltd.

Kiyoshi Ishida

Yoji Shibata

Iwao Ishinabe

Masaaki Takizawa

Takehiko Yamada

Atsuo Yoshida

Toshiaki Watanuki

Hiroshi Goto

Hitoshi Matsushima

Atsushi Ishibashi

Hiroshi Gotoh

Jun Furuya

Masahiro Takahashi

Kenji Yokoi

Nobuyuki Matsuyama

Katsumi Mikamo

Nobuyoshi Torii

Takushi Yoshimaru

Toshio Watanabe

Yoshinobu Matsubayashi

Hiroaki Takatsuki

Toru Ebihara

Masato Kidokoro

Tooru Aramaki

Tokusou Matsuda

Atsuko Nakao

Takashi Matsubara

Takeshi Hoshino

Takanori Nishiyama

Hiroyuki Kuriyama

Koichi Umezawa

Takafumi Kawasaki

Masumi Fukano

Toru Aramaki

Satoshi Endo

Hitoshi Yamadera

Tatsuya Konishi

Toru Komatsu

Seiji Toyoda

Shuichi Ishiwata

Toshiyuki Sumida

Tomoki Kozono

This is to provided a video conference equipment which can realize a flexible multipoint video conference system unlimited in the number of the terminal attending the conference, by only connecting a plurality of video conference terminals to a network, and a connecting method of the same. A video conference equipment is used in a multipoint video conference system in which at least three video conference equipments are connected with each other via a communication network. The video conference equipment is connected to a communication network via first and second digital lines, each capable of bidirectional communication. External input/output devices, such as a camera for inputting an image, a monitor for displaying a video, a microphone for inputting audios and a loud speaker for outputting audio, are connected to the video conference equipment. The video conference equipment further comprises a data interface unit for controlling input/output of data, a signal processing unit for processing signals inputted from the input devices and signals to be outputted from the output devices, a switching unit for switching over signals to be received and transmitted from the first and second digital lines via the two line control units, signals inputted from the input devices via the signal processing unit, and signals to be outputted to the output devices, and a control unit for controlling each of the elements.

Video conference equipment and multipoint video conference system using

A video telephone to be connected to the ISDN is a unitary structure comprising a communication controller for controlling communication of digital data, such as voice signal, image signal and facsimile/camera control signal, a dial or key panel unit, a telephone controller for controlling the functions of a handset and the key panel unit, a camera for inputting an image, a display for outputting an image, and an image CODEC for coding an input image signal and decoding a received image signal. The camera is tiltable and detachable.

Video telephone for the real-time exchange of image and other data

A television telephone including a movable head section, a support section and a bottom section. The movable head section includes an imaging device for inputting images and a display for displaying images. The bottom section includes a communication controller for transmission and reception of encoded information of at least one of audio and visual signals to and from a communication network, and a telephone controller for controlling transmission and reception functions and including a key console unit. The support section serves for connecting the bottom section and the movable head section and for supporting the movable head section and includes an image encoder/decoder for encoding image input signals and for decoding received image signals.

Television telephone

A teleconference terminal equipment adapted to construct an AV meeting system as an intended use, comprising a network interface and communications control apparatus, a multimedia multiplexing/demultiplexing and interterminal signal control unit which multiplexes and demultiplexes video data and control data contained in a communication frame to be transmitted by the control apparatus and a communication frame received by the same, respectively, a video codec which codes and decodes motion picture data, a video input/output interface which connects an external camera to the video codec, a camera control/external device multiconnector, a CPU which controls an operation of the external camera through the multiconnector on the basis of control data delivered from the control unit, and a box-shaped housing with an adjustable supporter to house the communication control apparatus, video codec, and camera.

Teleconference module with video codec for motion picture data

A television conversation/monitoring system connecting a central station and a plurality of terminal stations through an ISDN line. The central station has a picture/sound conversation/monitoring device, a picture input/output device, a sound input/output device, a system control portion and an ISDN line terminal device, and each of the terminal stations has a picture/sound conversation/monitoring device, a system control portion, a picture input/output device, a sound input/output device, a terminal station state change detecting device and an ISDN line terminal device. The central-station-side system control device has a function to control the line capacity, so that conversation and monitoring can be performed with a plurality of terminal stations simultaneously while the line capacity is changed in accordance with the state of terminals.

Television conversation/monitoring system changing transmission capacity

A video conversation/monitoring system having a remote monitoring function includes a center station and multiple end stations linked through the ISDN network. The center station includes a video conversation/monitoring circuit, video input device, video output device, audio input device, audio output device, system controller, facsimile, and ISDN line terminating unit. Each end station includes a video conversation/monitoring circuit, system controller, first video input device, second video input device, audio input device, audio output device, calling device, first notification device, second notification device, detection device, facsimile, and ISDN line terminating unit. Based on the remote monitoring function of the video input device and the remote control function of the system controller for switching the video input device, various guidance services are accomplished in addition to the video-phonic conversation service. The integrated unit enables easy desk-top installation, the application of the ISDN network reduces the communication cost, and the provision of various state detection devices in the end stations enables image-based monitoring and state monitoring in addition to the conversation.

Video conversation/monitoring system having a remote monitoring function

A teleconference terminal equipment adapted to construct an AV meeting system as an intended use, comprising a network interface and communications network control unit, a multimedia multiplexing/demultiplexing and interterminal signal control unit which multiplexes and demultiplexes video data and control data contained in a communication frame to be transmitted by the control unit and a communication frame received by the same, respectively, a picture codec which codes and decodes video data, a video input/output interface which connects an external camera to the picture codec, a camera control/external device multiconnector, and a CPU which controls an operation of the external camera through the multiconnector on the basis of control data delivered from the control unit.

Teleconference terminal equipment and teleconference module

A video telephone to be connected to the ISDN is a unitary structure comprising a communication controller for controlling communication of digital data, such as voice signal, image signal and facsimile/camera control signal, a dial or key panel unit, a telephone controller for controlling the functions of a handset and the key panel unit, a camera for inputting an image, a display for outputting an image, and image CODEC for coding an input image signal and decoding a received image signal. The camera is tiltable and detachable.

Video telephone

A video conversation/monitoring system, having a remote monitoring function and a remote peripheral device control function in addition to a video-phonic conversation function, includes a center station linked to multiple end stations through an ISDN network. The center station includes a video conversation/monitoring unit, a conversation camera, a monitor screen, a conversation microphone, a conversation speaker, a system controller, a facsimile, and an ISDN line terminating unit. Each end station includes a video conversation/monitoring unit, a system controller, a monitoring camera, a conversation camera, a conversation microphone, a conversation speaker, a sending key set for making calls, a first notification device, a second notification device, a detection device, a facsimile, and an ISDN line terminating unit. Based on the remote monitoring function of the monitoring camera and the remote control function of the system controller for switching between the monitoring camera and the conversation camera, various guidance services are provided in addition to the video-phonic conversation service. Further, the system may be incorporated within an integrated unit which can easily be installed on a desk-top. The ability of the end stations to be adapted to include various state detection devices allows the system to perform image-based and state monitoring in addition to its conversation function.

Audio and video telecommunication system with remote monitoring function

A video conference system control section accepts reservation of a party with which a video conference is the to be held and a video conference date and time entered through a keying section, and stores the reservation contents in an information storage section and also sends them through a communication network transmitting-receiving section to an information center for registration. In response to the stored registration contents, the video conference system control section 109 controls a power unit and the communication network transmitting-receiving section to start up at least a part of the video conference system for calling the party with which the video conference is to be held and setting up a call between them before the video conference date and time.

Video conference system automatically started at reserved time

A handy type video telephone equipment which permits a user to transmit and receive pictures and speech with a casing held in one hand. A speaker is arranged at the upper end part of the front of the casing which is thin and vertically long, while a microphone is arranged at the lower end part thereof. A display panel and a control panel are interposed between the speaker and the microphone. A camera is mounted on the casing so as to be capable of altering its angle. The speaker is detachably mounted, and it is usable as an earphone when detached. The user's movements are not hampered during the transmission and reception, and the equipment can assume various communication or service attitudes conforming to the contents of information for the communications.

Video telephone equipment

A video telephone system which includes a master video telephone terminal (secretary terminal) connected to a communication network and slave video telephone terminals (executive terminals) connected to the master video telephone terminal in which the master video telephone terminal can transfer a call to the slave video telephone terminals. When a call comes into the secretary terminal from a remote terminal on the communication network, a line control section of the secretary terminal sets up a line. Video data and speech data received on the line are decoded by a video signal coding-decoding section and an aural signal coding-decoding section and the decoded signals are output through a display and a speech output device. Sound and images picked up by a microphone and a camera respectively are coded for transmission. Then, if a predetermined instruction of call transfer to an executive terminal is entered on an electronic tablet of the secretary terminal, a communication branch control section of the secretary terminal calls the executive terminal, sets up a line between the secretary and executive terminals on a local transmission network, and connects the line between the secretary terminal and the remote terminal.

Video telephone system

Growing community of inventors

Yokohama, Japan

Kiyoshi Ishida