Television – Two-way video and voice communication – User positioning
Reexamination Certificate
1998-01-09
2001-06-05
Kuntz, Curtis A. (Department: 2743)
Television
Two-way video and voice communication
User positioning
C348S014090, C379S093170
Reexamination Certificate
active
06243129
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to videoconferencing arrangements, and more particularly, to a system and method for simultaneous viewing videoconferencing data along with video data from a supplemental video source.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Video communication systems have become increasingly popular. Videoconferencing, for example, is becoming more common in both business and residential applications. Videoconferencing permits audio as well as visual live communication between two remotely located terminals communicating over a single channel. Videoconferencing has had limited success due to, for example, unavailability of a common network interface, overly complex controls, poor video quality, limited functionality, inconvenience, and high cost.
Various levels of coordination are required for videoconferencing with today's systems. For personal computer based applications, the parties must agree upon a time to videoconference so that their computers are running and available to establish the necessary connection. For an impromptu video conference, one party must first contact the other party, by telephone for example, and the parties must then establish the necessary communications between their computers. Thus, the necessary orchestration to establish a video conference does not promote videoconferencing as a preferred communication medium.
Today's videoconferencing set-top boxes are commonly arranged for usage with conventional televisions and telephones. They require interruption of normal television viewing, e.g., broadcast television or CATV, to conduct a videoconference. That is, it is only the videoconference that is displayed on the television. Therefore, impromptu videoconferencing during a popular broadcast, such as a sporting event, a pay-per-view movie, or even a popular sitcom, is unlikely, even though possibly desirable.
Ideally, videoconferencing systems should be convenient to use. Furthermore, users should not have to choose between videoconferencing and watching a television program. Therefore, it would be desirable for a videoconferencing arrangement to address the problems described above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a system that provides simultaneous viewing of videoconferencing data along with video data from a supplemental video source.
In a first aspect of the invention, a videoconferencing arrangement is provided for simultaneous viewing of videoconferencing data from along with video data from a supplemental video source. The apparatus comprises a codec configured and arranged to provide decompressed video data from a first videoconferencing source; a first analog-to-digital converter, configured and arranged to provide digital video data from a second videoconferencing source; a second analog-to-digital converter, configured and arranged to provide digital video data from the supplemental source; and a video processor coupled to the codec, first converter, and second converter, configured and arranged to receive selection signals and responsive thereto generate composite video data including selected scaled video data overlaid on other selected video data.
In another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for simultaneous viewing of videoconferencing data along with video data from a supplemental video source. The method comprises the steps of digitizing video data from a first videoconferencing source; decompressing video data from a second videoconferencing source; digitizing video data from the supplemental source; scaling video data from the second videoconferencing source; and responsive to selection signals, generating a composite arrangement of video data including selected scaled video data overlaid on other selected video data.
The above summary of the invention is not intended to describe each disclosed embodiment of the invention. This is the purpose of the figures and the detailed description that follow.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5379351 (1995-01-01), Fandrianto et al.
patent: 5594813 (1997-01-01), Fandrianto et al.
patent: 5606554 (1997-02-01), Shiibata et al.
patent: 5926208 (1999-07-01), Noonen et al.
patent: 403229588A (1991-10-01), None
patent: 407023357A (1995-01-01), None
patent: 9-149333 (1997-06-01), None
U.S. application No. 08/941,975, Barraclough et al. filed Oct. 1, 1997.
8×8, Inc.
Kuntz Curtis A.
Ramakrishnaiah Melur
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