Hitachi, Ltd.

Nobuyoshi Torii

Kiyoshi Ishida

Nobuyuki Matsuyama

Takehiko Yamada

Toru Ebihara

Toshio Watanabe

Tokusou Matsuda

Atsuko Nakao

Masato Kidokoro

Tooru Aramaki

Yoji Shibata

Takashi Morita

Iwao Ishinabe

Toshiaki Watanuki

Yuko Motoki

Shuichi Ishiwata

Toshiyuki Sumida

Tomoki Kozono

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 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 videoconference device connected to a general commercially available facsimile unit and having a function of sending/receiving a facsimile signal during communication. The videoconference device 1 has a facsimile connection terminal connected to a facsimile unit line connection terminal; a call unit for outputting a call signal for a general analog telephone; a 2W/4W convertor for converting a signal from a 2-line facsimile unit to a signal in a 4-line system where the sending and receiving of signals are separated; a voice band signal encode/decode unit for encoding/decoding a facsimile voice band signal; a power supply for supplying to the facsimile connection terminal a voltage/current which meets the standards of a general analog telephone set; a first current detector for detecting the flow of a current on the basis of supply power from the power supply; a first switching unit for selecting whether a signal from the facsimile connection terminal should be connected to the call unit or to a circuit composed of the power supply, 2W/4W converter, and first current detector; a videoconference control unit: and a multiplexing/demultiplexing control unit for multiplexing the encoded/decoded facsimile voice band signal with a video/voice signal and for demultiplexing the multiplexed signal into facsimile voice band signal, a video/voice signal.

Video conference device with facsimile function

A communication system having an exchange network which can execute a communication procedure necessary for setting of a communication bandwidth with a party variable bandwidth terminal to make the most of characteristic of a terminal which can change its communication bandwidth during communication and to obtain as many call interconnections as possible. The exchange network includes a variable terminal attribute memory device for storing therein the types and ranges of variable bandwidths of the terminals, a bandwidth decision device for determining bandwidths allocated to the respective terminals, and a control data communication device for transmitting at least an allocated bandwidth data to the associated terminal. The variable bandwidth terminal at least includes a control data communication device for receiving the allocated bandwidth data from the exchange network, a line management device for performing access management of lines, and a terminal control device for determining a communication band-width based on the allocated bandwidth data received from the exchange network and the then terminal state to execute a communication procedure with the party terminal and to operate the line management device to increase or decrease the communication bandwidth.

Communication system and equipment

Growing community of inventors

Yokohama, Japan

Nobuyoshi Torii