Television – Two-way video and voice communication
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-19
2003-04-15
Ramakrishnaiah, Melur (Department: 2643)
Television
Two-way video and voice communication
C348S014080, C348S014130
Reexamination Certificate
active
06549229
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF INVENTION
The Invention is in the field of video teleconferencing communication equipment and more particularly self-contained portable video teleconferencing systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Available videoconferencing equipment is designed and packaged for use in permanent fixed site conference or boardrooms. There exists a need for a self-contained, portable video teleconferencing system that is lightweight and provides for encryption/decryption of the video signal. The system should have high quality video, have the capability to be set up and be operational in a short period of time, operate from a wide range of supply voltages and have a serial interface for interfacing with satellite terminals, ISDN terminal adapters, or other digital transmission devices. The Invention is designed to and does provide an integrated, self-contained set of video communications solutions to users in the remote field locations or where videoconferencing equipment is otherwise not available.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present Invention relates to a portable, self-contained, briefcase-sized video teleconferencing system capable of transmitting and receiving video teleconferencing communications at speeds from 56 Kbps up to 768 Kbps. The Invention comprises a video coder/decoder (“CODEC”), along with other commercially available electronic components, including a video camera, a microphone, a video monitor and interface for various peripheral devices, all controlled by a hand-held remote control device, integrated into a briefcase-type product that provides boardroom quality videoconferencing capabilities to remote sites around the world. The individual components of the Invention may be obtained by disassembling commercially-available assemblies to remove the individual components and installing the removed components within the portable suitcase. For example, a commercially available CODEC assembly, which integrates the CODEC, video camera, microphone, and serial interface, can be disassembled to allow the individual components to be mounted in a portable suitcase. The Invention also may transmit and receive in a secure environment through an optional, installable encryption/decryption or COMSEC device. The unit is preferably self-contained requiring only a source of AC power and a communications link, including satellite communications. Thus, the Invention may be transported to and used in any location in the world at which AC power is available thereby expanding the availability of boardroom quality videoconferencing to practically all areas of the world in which such communications were not previously available.
A technical advantage of the present Invention is that it may be used to provide boardroom quality video teleconferencing via a variety of conventional communications links.
Another technical advantage is that the present Invention can be easily transported via commercial air to remote locations where boardroom quality video teleconferencing is not currently available.
Another technical advantage is that the present Invention provides a self-contained system for military or civilian encrypted video teleconferencing without external wiring to an encryption device.
Another technical advantage is that the present Invention provides a portable suitcase with a lockable, durable outer shell to protect the electronics of the video teleconferencing system, including an installed COMSEC device.
Disclosed herein is a portable suitcase device for video teleconferencing over a telecommunication link, which device comprises: a portable suitcase having a durable outer shell, a lower storage compartment, an upper storage compartment, and a hinge that hingeably connects the lower storage compartment to the upper storage compartment; a video monitor mounted within the upper storage compartment of the suitcase; a speaker mounted within the suitcase; a communications interface for electrically coupling the device to the telecommunications link, the communications interface mounted within the suitcase, and the communications interface being capable of receiving and transmitting video and audio signals; and a CODEC, the CODEC for decoding video and audio signals received over the telecommunications link and for displaying the video signal on the video monitor and for playing the audio signal over the speaker, and the CODEC for encoding video and audio signals for transmission across the telecommunications link; a video interface coupled to the CODEC to permit a video signal to be input and sent via the telecommunications link; and a microphone interface coupled to the CODEC to permit an audio signal to be input and sent via the telecommunications link. The device may also comprise a COMSEC housing being mounted within the suitcase, wherein a COMSEC device can be placed within the housing and electrically coupled to the CODEC and the communications interface, such that audio and video signals to be transmitted across the telecommunications link are encrypted before transmission, and such that audio and video signals received on the telecommunications link may be decrypted. The COMSEC housing may be retractably mounted to the suitcase to permit movement between a stowed position, in which the COMSEC housing may be stowed when a COMSEC device is not being used in conjunction with the device, and an operating position, in which at least a portion of a COMSEC device is housed within the COMSEC housing. The COMSEC housing also may be rotably mounted to the suitcase. The device may also comprise a COMSEC device, which is preferably a KIV-
7
COMSEC device. The CODEC may be mounted within the suitcase. Preferably, the suitcase is sized to fit in a selected one of underneath a passenger seat in a commercial aircraft and in an overhead bin above a passenger seat in a commercial aircraft. A remote control may also be provided for controlling at least one function of the device. Video signals may be provided to the device by a video camera, a videocassette recorder, or a workstation. Audio signals may be provided to the device by a microphone, a videocassette recorder, or a workstation. Data may be supplied to the device by a workstation or a local area network. The telecommunications link may comprise a satellite link, an ISDN terminal adapter, an IMUX, an Ethernet connection, a local area network, a telephone line, or a serial connection. The device may also comprise a first set of support elements mounted in the case to hold the CODEC in one of the lower storage compartment and the upper storage compartment; a second set of support elements mounted in the case to hold the video monitor within the upper storage compartment; a third set of support elements mounted in the case to hold the COMSEC housing in one of the lower storage compartment and the upper storage compartment; and a fourth set of support elements mounted in the case to hold the communications interface in one of the lower storage compartment and the upper storage compartment.
Also disclosed herein is a method of assembling a portable suitcase device for video teleconferencing over a plurality of telecommunication links, which method comprises the steps of: providing a portable suitcase having a durable outer shell, a lower storage compartment, an upper storage compartment, and a hinge that hingeably connects the lower storage compartment to the upper storage compartment; providing a CODEC; mounting the CODEC in one of the lower storage compartment and the upper storage compartment; providing a communications interface for coupling the device to a telecommunications link for receiving a first video signal and a first audio signal; mounting the communications interface in the one of the lower storage compartment and the upper storage compartment; providing a video interface for receiving a second video signal; mounting the video interface in one of the lower storage compartment and the upper storage compartment; electrically coupling the video interface to the CODEC; providing an audio interface for receiving a second audio signal;
Evans James Allen
Flynn John Joseph
Kirby Kevin Arthur
C-Cubed Corporation
Ramakrishnaiah Melur
Wiley Rein & Fielding LLP
LandOfFree
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