The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 23, 2002
Filed:
Nov. 02, 1998
Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Kawasaki, JP;
Abstract
A communication terminal apparatus is separated into a housing that is capable of video/voice communications, and a housing that is capable of only voice communications. Since functions of the housing that is capable of only the voice communications are limited, the housing becomes small, can be stored in a pocket or the like, and can immediately go off-hook upon reception of an incoming call. Upon reception of a videophone communication request, the user goes off-hook using the housing that is capable of only the voice communications to immediately make voice communications with the partner terminal, and can switch the communication mode to the video/voice communications using the housing that is capable of the video/voice communications, as needed. Hence, even a communication terminal having a videophone function can comprise a video input/output function without impairing its portability and storability.