`
`ttes Patent [191
`nite
`llemelson et a1.
`
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`4,485,400
`Nov. 27, 1.94
`
`[54] VIDEO TELEPHONE
`[76] Inventors: Jerome H. Lemelson, 85 Rector St.,
`Metuchen, NJ. 08840; Christian
`Grund, 707 L Eagle Heights,
`Madison, Wis. 53705
`[21] Appl. No.: 379,963
`[22] Filed:
`May 19,1982
`
`[63]
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 224,503, Jan. 13, 1981,
`abandoned.
`
`[51] Int. Cl.3 ............................................. .. H04N 7/18
`[52] U.S. Cl. ................................... .. 358/85; 179/2 C;
`179/2 DP; 179/2 TV; 179/6.2; 358/140;
`358/229; 358/254; 360/91; 360/331; Dl4/54;
`Dl4/57; D14/78; Dl4/79
`[58] Field of Search ............... .. 358/ 85, 229, 254, 140;
`360/9.1, 33.1; 179/2 C, 2 TV, 2 DP, 1 C, 1 HP,
`6.2; Dl4/54, 57, 78, 79
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`[56]
`
`3,617,626 ll/l97l Bluth ................................. .. 358/311
`3,974,329 8/ 1976 Zenze?lis ..
`...... .. 360/91
`
`4,057,836 11/1977 Munsey . . . . .
`
`. . . . . .. 358/140
`
`358/ 85
`4,099,202 7/ 1978 Cavanaugh
`358/140
`4,196,447 4/1980 Dalke ..... ..
`4,216,499 8/1980 Kunze ............................... .. 358/140
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, vol. 10, No. 7, Dec.
`1967, p. 904, “TV Buffer”, W. K. French.
`Conference Record: Electronic Text Communication,
`
`Munich, Jun. 12-15, 1978, pp. 323-329, “Display
`Phone”.
`FernmeIde-Praxis, (Germany), vol. 56, No. 24, (Dec. 25,
`1979), “Function of Subscriber Installations for the
`View Text Data”.
`Primary Examiner—Howard W. Britton
`[57]
`ABSTRACT
`An apparatus and method are provided for transmitting
`video data over telephone lines. The apparatus is partic
`ularly applicable for transmitting and receiving images
`of persons speaking to each other. In one form, a porta
`ble self-contained unit is provided at each end of a con
`ventional telephone circuit wherein the transducers of
`the mouthpiece and earpiece of each telephone are
`respectively acoustically coupled to respective acoustic
`output and input electrical-to-sound and sound-to-elec
`trical transducers of each self-contained unit for two
`way audio and video communication therebetween.
`Each unit, which may be contained in a single housing,
`has a television camera directed and operative for slow
`scanning the face of a person making the telephone call,
`a television display screen and image retaining means
`for displaying the image of a person having a similar
`unit at the other end of the line, and a speaker and mi
`crophone which may be contained within the housing
`or in a telephone hand set for receiving speech and
`generating sounds of speech transmitted from the other
`terminal circuits. Hard copy generating means, such as
`a picture printer, may also be provided to print pictures
`of the images on the television display screen when
`controlled to do so.
`
`4 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures
`
`85
`
`POWER
`SUPPLY
`
`ND
`-1TO ALL ACTIVE CIRCUITS
`S/W
`
`SYNC
`SE P,
`
`POINTER
`
`ADDRESS
`
`32
`SYSTEM IO /
`
`SPEAKER
`
`ENCODED
`KEYBOARD
`
`LG 1028
`
`1
`
`
`
`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 27, 1984
`
`Sheet 1 of 6
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`4,485,400
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`US. Patent
`Nov. 27, 1984
`
`Sheet 2 of6
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`4,485,400
`4,485,400
`
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`U.S. Patent
`Nov. 27, 1984
`US. Patent Nov. 27, 1984
`
`Sheet 3 of6
`Sheet 3 of6
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`4,485,400
`4,485,400
`
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`4
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`
`NCV. 27, 1984
`
`Sheet 4 of 6
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`U.S. Patent Nov. 27, 1984
`
`Sheet 6 of6
`
`4,485,400
`
`I42
`
`RECEIVER M8.
`
`I77
`
`[178 TRANSMITTER
`
`TRANSFORMER KI84
`
`FIG. 8
`
`7
`
`
`
`1
`
`VIDEO TELEPHONE
`
`4,485,400
`2
`Another object is to provide a new and improved
`portable communication device for communicating
`speech, video and alphanumeric data.
`With the above and such other objects in view as may
`hereinafter more fully appear, the invention consists of
`the novel constructions, combinations and arrange
`ments of parts as will be more fully described and illus
`trated in the accompanying drawings, but it is to be
`understood that changes, variations and modi?cations
`may be resorted to which fall within the scope of the
`invention as claimed.
`In the drawings:
`FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of electronic and other
`components of a portable two way- communication
`system for video and audio information transmittable on
`conventional telephone lines.
`FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a portable unit forming
`part of the system de?ned in FIG. 1.
`FIG. 3 is a partial isometric view of a modi?ed form
`of the portable unit shown in FIG. 2.
`FIG. 4 is a partial isometric view of a portion of the
`unit of FIG. 2 in an open and operable condition.
`FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a hard copy printing
`sub-system associated with the system shown in FIG. 1.
`FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a modi?ed form of the
`portable unit shown in FIG. 2.
`FIGS. 7A and 7B are schematic diagrams of a modi
`?ed form of the electronic system shown in FIG. 1.
`FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of an electronic subsys
`tem employed to make a direct connection between the
`system of FIGS. 7A and 7B and a telephone line and
`also illustrates a remote transceiver for use with the
`system of FIGS. 7A and 7B.
`FIG. 1 illustrates a portable electronic communica
`tion device 10 which is electrically powered by a suit
`able power supply 84, such as a rechargeable battery,
`which supplies electrical energy for the various compo
`nents of the system through a plurality of manually
`operated switches. The communication device 10 in
`cludes a television camera 12 having a lens 13 for scan
`ning an image ?eld, such as an image of a person located
`at the device and who is seeking to communicate with
`another person in the system by means of one or more
`telephone line communication channels. Control means
`is provided in the form of a photoelectric sensor 14, the
`output of which is connected to an ampli?er and con
`trol circuit 15 for compensating for the ambient light
`level presented to the camera 12. A supplemental light
`source 16, such as a small photo ?ood lamp or other
`suitable lamp, may also be automatically controlled to
`eliminate one or more subjects in the ?eld scanned by
`the camera in the event that the ambient light level falls
`below an acceptable level in order for the camera 12 to
`properly operate. The light source 16 may also be man
`ually controlled through a manual switch 17.
`Signals for controlling the read-beam of the camera
`12 are initially generated by a sync oscillator 18 which,
`in the embodiment illustrated, is a crystal oscillator
`controlled by means of a suitable crystal to achieve the
`accuracy and stability necessary for proper camera
`operation. Such crystal provides the necessary synchro
`nization pulses to a sweep generator 20 which produces
`on its output a suitable waveform which it presents to
`the synchronization-de?ection control circuits of the
`camera through an input 21 extending to the camera.
`The video signals representing the image to be transmit
`ted, pass through a video output 22 of the camera 12
`through a switch 11A to an analog-to-digital converter
`
`60
`
`65
`
`RELATED APPLICATIONS
`This is a continuation in part of Ser. No. 224,503 ?led
`1/13/81, now abandoned.
`This invention relates to a communication system and
`in particular to a composite communication system in
`which voice, alpha-numeric code and picture data may
`be simultaneously generated and automatically trans
`mitted on telephone lines.
`It is known in the art to generate both voice and
`video information at a common terminal, such as a tele
`phone terminal, and to transmit same on the connected
`line to another terminal where the voice information is
`heard by a person at the other terminal and the video
`information is generated as a still image on the display
`screen of a cathode ray tube. Generally the transmission
`of video or facsimile information is effected by means of
`a television camera requiring a cable transmission line
`or slow scanning is effected without interference from
`signals generated by speaking into the telephone. A
`signal processing system is employed which includes a
`memory and a multiplexing or computer controlled
`switching arrangement for generating digital speech
`signals and video signals from such memory, which
`signals are converted to telephone line transmittable
`signals which are multiplexed on the connected line in a
`manner to provide the speech information in real time at
`the receiving telephone and the video information in a
`memory thereat whereby the time to transmit such
`video information is near real time and a picture may be
`generated, if required, at the receiving terminal in a
`minimum of time.
`Accordingly it is a primary object of this invention to
`provide a new and improved system and method for
`generating and transmitting video information and one
`or more additional forms of information on a common
`40
`telephone line.
`Another object is to provide a video telephone capa
`ble of simultaneously or sequentially transmitting both
`video and voice information on a common connected
`line.
`Another object is to provide a portable communica
`tion device which is capable of being operated at any
`telephone terminal circuit without the necessity of ex
`tensive installation, for transmitting both picture and
`voice information on any circuit of the telephone sys
`tem.
`Another object is to provide a communication system
`for automatically transmitting a plurality of types of
`information including video information on telephone
`lines between terminal circuits of an automatic tele
`phone switching system wherein the video information
`is automatically processed and transmitted in a manner
`permitting another type of information to be transmit
`ted without noticeable interruption.
`Another object is to provide an automatic communi
`cation system for video, facsimile and data transission
`and recording which employs portable data terminals.
`Another object is to provide a video telephone sys
`tem and method of communicating picture and speech
`data on voice wires which system does not require
`modi?cations to telephone terminals or special wiring
`for its use.
`
`45
`
`0
`
`8
`
`
`
`3
`23 in which said signals are converted to digital codes
`representing the color and brightness levels of the
`image scanned by the camera 12. The coded output of
`the converter 23 is presented to a memory 24 through a
`memory Write'input port 25.
`The sweep generator 2%) is also connected to an ana
`log-to-digital converter 26 through a switch 11B and a
`transmission gate 27, which gate is held by an inverter
`28. Analog-to-digital converter 26 generates a digital
`code on its output, which code is a series of signals
`representing a sweep signal voltage, and such signals
`are passed to an address pointer 27 which determines
`the code of the particular sequential word position in
`the memory 24 and represents the particular pixel being
`scanned by camera. 12, the color and brightness signals
`of which are simultaneously presented to the analog-to
`digital converter 23. The code so generated is transmit
`ted to the memory 2d» through input ports 28.
`A depression of a normally open momentary contact
`switch 29 causing it to close, results in the activation of
`a pulse generator 30 thru a debounce circuit 31, which
`provides a single setting pulse to a latch 32 each time the
`switch 29 is closed. Latch 32 activates an input 33A of
`an AND gate 33 having a second input 33B which is
`activated upon receipt of the next sync pulse which
`indicates the beginning of an new full-frame scanning
`sweep controlled by sync oscillator 18, the output of
`which transfers the pulse to the set input S of a latch 34
`and also activates a clock input 35A of a JK ?ip-?op
`switch 35. The Q output 35B of flip-flop 35 becomes
`inactive upon receipt of the ?rst pulse by the flip-flop
`35. The output of latch 3-43» is thereafter transferred to the
`write-enable input 36 of memory 24 through an OR gate
`37, causing the memory 24 to “Write” the word pres
`ented at inputs 25 in the position of the memory as
`determined by the code generated on the address input
`28 of the memory. This write or recording process
`continues sequentially through the memory until the
`next sync pulse generated by oscillator 18 is received by
`input 33B to the AND gate 33. Such second pulse is
`transferred to the clock input 35A of the ?ip-?op switch
`35 through AND gate 33 and causes the flip-flop to
`toggle again. This causes the P output 35B to resume its
`initial state causing pulse generator 38 to generate a
`single short duration pulse which is applied to reset
`latches 32 and 34, thus deactivating the input 33A to the
`AND gate 33 and preventing the passage therethrough
`of subsequent sync pulses. The action also deactivates
`the OR gate 37 which controls the write enable input 36
`of memory 24-, thereby terminating the writing of new
`information in the memory. As the address pointer 27
`scans memory 24, the information stored therein is se
`quentially presented to a digital-to-analog converter 39
`through read inputs 40 of the memory 24 and is con
`verted back to an analog video signal which represents
`the color and brightness levels of the pixels of the previ
`ously recorded ?eld. The video signal, so generated, is
`then conducted through a switch 41 and video input
`port 42A to a video receiver-monitor d2, which, upon
`60
`simultaneous receipt thereby of sweep signals from
`sweep generator 20 through sweep input 428, displays
`the reconstructed recorded image ?eld or scene which
`is recorded in memory 215- for monitoring or previewing
`and possible cancellation before its transmission. In
`other words, if the picture so generated is not accept
`able and is unfavorable, it may be automatically can
`celled by a second operation of the switch 29, after
`
`4,485,400
`4
`which a new picture signal may be generated by the
`camera and recorded as described.
`If it is determined that the image recorded in the
`memory is acceptable for transmission, a normally
`open, momentary contact transmit switch 43 is manu
`ally closed. The closure of such switch 43 activates a
`pulse generator 44 through a switch debouncing circuit
`4-5, which transfers a set pulse to a latch 46. The output
`of latch 46 is connected to activate an input 47A to an
`AND gate 47. The other input 478 to the AND gate 47,
`is activated by a pulse received from a pulse generator
`48, which is operable to generate a pulse each time the
`input sweep control signal transmitted to analog-to
`digital converter 26 initiates a new cycle, which indi
`cates the beginning of a frame scanning sequence. When
`both inputs of the AND gate 47 are energized, a pulse is
`transmitted on the output of said gate to the set input S
`of a latch 49 and also to the clock input 50A of a JK
`flip-?op 50, forcing its Q output 5013 to be deactivated.
`The output of latch 49 activates a transmission gate 51
`to cause the slow sweep signals generated by sweep
`generator 52 to be passed through such gate. Generator
`52 is operated at a much slower rate than sweep genera
`tor 20 and is synchronized with the sync oscillator 18 by
`means of a frequency divider 53 which is reset by sig
`nals generated by a pulse generator 54 to cause the
`divider to count to Zero in response to the signal gener
`ated on the output of latch 49 and the inverter 55. The
`fast sweep generator 20 is simultaneously disconnected
`from the converter 26 by the output of latch 49 as fol
`lows:
`Latch 49 activates an OR gate 56 which, in turn,
`activates inverter 28, thereby deactivating transmission
`gate 27 stopping the passage of fast sweep signals from
`generator 20 through switch 11B, the output of which
`extends to the converter 26.
`The memory 24 is thus scanned at a slow rate and its
`contents are read and converted to analog signals by
`means of the digital-to-analog converter 39 in the man
`ner described. Such analog signals are input to a modu
`lator 57, which combines them with the slow sync pulse
`received from inverter 55. The combined signals con
`vert the composite video picture signal to a form which
`may be carried on ordinary telephone lines, such form
`being for example, an FM signal which is modulated
`between 400 Hertz and two Kilohertz. The output of
`modulator 57 is then transmitted to an ampli?er 57A
`through transmission gate 58 and an A.V.C. circuit 59,
`the function of which is to maintain proper ampli?ca
`tion and output level of ampli?er 57A. The output of
`ampli?er 57A is applied to drive a speaker 60 which is
`acoustically coupled to the transmitter 61A of a tele
`phone handset 61, thereby effecting transmission of the
`visual image signal through the telephone system.
`At the beginning of the next sweep sequence, when
`the entire frame in the memory 24 has been scanned, the
`pulse generator 48 transfers a second pulse to the input
`478 of AND gate 4-7, which second pulse is subse
`quently transferred to the clock input 50A of the flip—
`flop switch 50, which action toggles the Q output 50B
`to its active state causing a pulse generator 62 to pro
`vide a reset pulse to latch 46 and latch 49, thus deacti
`vating input 47A to the AND gate 47 and stopping the
`passage of subsequent sync pulses through such gate.
`Transmission gate 51 is also deactivated which stops the
`passage of slow sweep signals from the generator of 52
`therethrough. An input to OR gate 56 is also deacti
`vated, which subsequently causes the input to the in
`
`65
`
`9
`
`
`
`5
`
`25
`
`55
`verter circuit 28 to become deactivated, thereby acti
`vating the transmission gate 27, resuming the passage of
`the fast sweep signals from the generator 20 to the ana
`log-to-digital converter 26 and returning the operation
`of the circuits to the fast sweep mode for again display
`ing the contents of the memory 21% on the screen of the
`monitor I;
`as described.
`Receipt of a short wave transmitted video picture
`signal is accomplished as follows:
`The audible signals emitted by the receiver-micro
`phone
`of the telephone handset 61, are picked up
`and converted to electrical signals by means of a micro
`phone or any suitable transducer 63 and are conducted
`to an ampli?er 613, via AGC. circuit 65, which main
`tains a constant volume output for amplifier 64!- by vary
`ing the gain or other parameter or subsequent applica
`tion to a demodulator circuit 66. The demodulator cir
`cuit 66 outputs the received and demodulated video
`signal to a sync separator 67. Video signal output 67A
`of the sync separator 67 is then input to the analog-t0
`digital converter 23 through a switch 11A, and con
`verted to digital form in the manner indicated above.
`The sync output 678 of the sync separator 67 serves to
`set latch 68, the output of which is then applied to acti
`vate the input 69A of an AND gate 69 and an OR gate
`37, which subsequently activates the write-enable input
`of memory 24 wherein operation continues as previ
`ously described. The other input 6913 to the AND gate
`63‘ is activated by the sync pulse received from the sync
`output 67B of the sync separator 67. ‘When both inputs
`69A and 69B are activated, such sync pulse is trans’
`ferred to the clock input 76A of a 1K ?ip-flop switch 70,
`toggling its Q output 703 to an inactive state.
`The signal generated on the sync output 67B is also
`conducted through switch llllC to the slow sweep gen
`erator 52. The output of the sweep generator 52 is con
`ducted through switch llllB and transmission gate 27 to
`analog-to-digital converter 26, which functions thereaf
`ter as described. The incoming video signal is thus writ
`ten or recorded in the memory 24 in synchronization
`with the other necessary signals transmitted thereto.
`On receipt of a second sync pulse which marks the
`end of the received frame signal, such sync pulse is
`processed and conducted through gate 69 to the clock
`input 70A of flip-flop switch 70, thus retoggling the Q
`45
`output 763 of such flip-?op, to the active state and
`causing a pulse generator 71 to generate a pulse which
`is applied to reset latches 63 and 72. Latch '72, once set
`as described, activates an OR gate 56 which causes
`inverter 28 to inactivate transmission gate 27, thereby
`stopping the passage of the slow sweep signals from
`generator 52.
`The output signal generated from the output of latch
`‘72 is also applied to activate a transmission gate 73
`allowing the passage of the fast sweep signals from the
`generator 29 to the analog~to~digital converter 26. The
`memory Ed- is thus scanned at the fast rate with subse
`quent display of the frame recorded in the memory, on
`a monitor screen 423 as previously described, thus dis
`playing the received information.
`When the next full-frame picture signal is received, a
`third sync pulse is generated on output 678 of sync
`separator 67 which pulse is transferred to the output of
`AND gate 69. Such pulse is further conducted through
`a switch 741 to the reset input of latch 72 which, in turn,
`deactivates OR gate
`causing inverter 28 to turn on or
`activate transmission gate 27, thus passing the slow
`sweep signals from generator 52 through switch MB to
`
`4,485,400
`6
`the analog-to-digital converter 26. The signal generated
`on the output of latch 72 deactivates transmission gate
`73, thus stopping the passage of fast sweep signals from
`the generator 20, with subsequent recording and sweep
`speed switching being effected as indicated above.
`If manual resetting is desired, the reset input to the
`latch 72 is connected to a momentary contact, manually
`operated switch 75 through switch 74 which, when
`operated, will reset latch 72 with subsequent operation
`as described.
`System llll may also be operated with a transceiving
`computer terminal. Information keyed or otherwise
`generated by means of the selective operation of a key
`board 76, is output in coded form to a suitable modem
`77 and thence to an ampli?er 57A thru an AGC circuit
`59, which subsequently drives speaker 60 which is
`acoustically coupled to handset 61 as described. The
`entered information is also transmitted to and recorded
`by a memory 78 through a switch 79 and therefrom to
`a character generator ?ll, a video driver 81 and a switch
`411 to display the latter on the screen 428 of the video
`monitor or receiver 4-2.
`Incoming signals received from handset 61 are con
`verted and ampli?ed by a microphone 63, an AGC
`circuit 6d and an ampli?er 641. The demodulator 82
`separates the incoming signals from the modulation and
`the connected decoder 83 converts such signals to ap
`propriate digital form for application to memory 78
`through switch 79. Subsequent thereto, character gen
`erator 80 and video driver till cooperate to generate
`video signals representative of the contents of the mem
`ory 78 by passing said signals through switch 41 for
`subsequent. display on monitor 42, thereby displaying
`the received information once more. It is noted that all
`circuits are synchronized by sweep generator 20.
`Power supply 84 supplies suitable electrical power
`for all its active circuits of system 110 and may comprise
`a battery or other source of electrical energy. A manual
`switch 85 connects such power supply to the circuits
`illustrated and deactivates such circuits when opened.
`In FIG. 2 the major components of system 10 of FIG.
`1 are illustrated. A self contained unit includes a hous
`ing for receiving and retaining all components of the
`system ill. The self contained unit includes an attache~
`like case 66 having a pivoted top portion 86A which is
`hinged to a bottom portion 86B by means of hinges 86C
`and 86D and is easily openable to expose the operating
`components of the system. Mechanical latches 86E,
`86F, 866 and 86H, are provided to close the case 86
`when not in use. A handle 86] is also shown and is
`included for ease of carrying or transport of the device.
`Within the housing 86 is contained mounting panels
`87A and 87B on which are supported all of the switches
`and controls described and de?ned in FIG. 1.
`Additional components and features of the container
`86 include a storage compartment 12A in which the
`television camera 12 may be stored, another compart
`ment 1l6A for storing light source 16 to be used with the
`camera, a hinged support llZB for supporting the televi
`sion camera as system 10 operates, a battery compart
`ment including a cover MA with a depression MB for
`removing the cover allowing access to the rechargable
`battery, a ribbon cable 88 for connecting circuits de
`vices located within the container with the other com
`ponents indicated in the schematic diagram and a com
`partment 61C for containing a telephone handset, such
`as illustrated in the schematic diagram, in which com
`partment is disposed the described microphone 63 and
`
`35
`
`40
`
`65
`
`10
`
`
`
`7
`speaker 60 in proper position to permit their coupling
`with the telephone handset mouthpiece and earpiece; a
`compartment 89 in which is stored a line cord 90 for
`connecting system 10 to line current, if necessary or for
`charging the battery 84. A television camera and light
`extension arm assembly 91 is stored in compartment 89.
`Also stored within the container 86 are folding devices
`91A and 92A for cables and a keyboard 76 supported
`within a compartment 76A.
`FIG. 3 shows an arrangement of the system 10 for
`transmitting facsimile information, such as document or
`picture signals, on telephone lines. The television cam
`era and lamp support assembly 93, which contains
`swivel joints 93A to 93D for adjusting the position of
`the camera, is ?tted into and supported by holder 91A
`in a manner to support the camera 12 on the end of an
`arm 91 when a clip 12C, which is attached to the cam
`era, is secured to the support. This positions the camera
`directly above a support 945 for document 94. The
`extension 93 also supports the camera ?oodlight 16
`when a clip 16B supported by the light socket, is at
`tached thereto to permit the document to be properly
`illuminated for proper video camera scanning. An ex
`tension cord 16C extends from the recess 16A in which
`the light source 16 is stored, to such light source when
`25
`such light source is supported at the end of jointed arm
`assembly 91 as shown for providing suitable electical
`energy for power such light source and also contains a
`pluggable connector 16D at its end to connect it to the
`light source housing. A second extension cord and cable
`16D extends from the recess 12A in which the camera
`12 is stored and contains wires for supplying power to
`operate the television camera and transmit the camera’s
`video output signals to the circuits shown in FIG. 1.
`Notations 12E and 12F refer to stress relief grommets
`for the cables 16C and 16D supported by the side walls
`of the recesses 16A and 12A. Support 945 for the docu
`ment 94 to be scanned contains a prepositioning frame
`or stops 94R for prepositioning the document for
`proper scanning by the video camera 12 when the sup
`40
`port 94S is properly located on the panel or cover 84A
`for the battery compartment by disposing the latter
`against the side walls of the compartment or container
`868. The television camera 12 may be easily detached
`from its hinged mount 12B as shown in FIG. 2 to permit
`it to be retained by its support clip 12C at the proper
`location on the arm 93 as shown in FIG. 3 for properly
`scanning a document.
`In FIG. 4 is shown an operating arrangement in
`which the manually operable keyboard 76 is supported
`outside of the case or container 86 to permit easier ac
`cess thereto. A holder 92A, which is attached to the rim
`of the bottom part 86B of the container 86 is operable to
`receive a holding clip 92B which is attached to the
`support for the keyboard 76 and to hold the keyboard
`thereon. Keyboard 76 is electrically connected to sys
`tem 10 through an extension cord 76B which extends
`through grommets 76C and 76D in openings the wall
`portions of the keyboard support and the container 86
`as shown.
`FIG. 5 shows the system 10 modi?ed or added to for
`the production of hard copy of information received on
`a connected telephone circuit from a remote location
`containing a similar device or from the output of cam
`era 12 and/or the keyboard 76. A hard copy printer 96,
`such as a facsimile printing device of conventional de
`sign, a cathode ray tube printer, a laser line printer, ink
`jet printer or other device, has as inputs thereto termi
`
`4,485,400
`8
`nals 96A and 96B extending from the sweep generator
`for the television camera 12 and the picture signal ele
`ment generator 39, which is the described digital-to
`analog converter receiving the picture information ele
`ments from the memory 24. Upon closure of a normally
`open switch 95, signals presented to the terminals of the
`hard copy printer 96 and the automatic operation of
`such printer will cause the printer to print and provide
`a hard copy of the information fed thereto, which hard
`copy will be delivered as a sheet from a slotted opening
`96A provided in the side wall of the upper part 86A of
`the case or housing 86 in which is contained such hard
`copy printer.
`In the event that it is desired to listen to conversation
`from the remote terminal without picking up the tele
`phone handset 61 from its operable position in the recess
`61C a speaker 60A is provided which is supported by
`the front panel 87A of the housing section 86A as
`shown in FIG. 2 and is connected through an audio
`ampli?er 63A and a manually operated switch 635 to
`the microphone 63 to which the mouthpiece or speaker
`61B of the telephone handset 61 is coupled. The bistable
`manual switch 635 permits the operator or user of the
`communication device 10 to receive and listen to the
`voice of the person at the other end of the telephone line
`after the video signal has been transmitted or before
`such transmission without removing handset 61 from
`the cradle or recess 61C provided in housing section
`86B. Switch 635 may also be automatically controlled
`or replaced by a suitable ?lter circuit and control to pass
`only audio speech signals to the speaker 60A.
`Also provided and supported by the panel 87A at the
`front of housing member 86A is a microphone 98 which
`is connected to the ampli?er 57A when a manually
`operated bistable switch 99 is closed to permit the oper
`ator of the device 10 to speak directly to a person at the
`other end of the connected telephone circuit without
`removing the headset 61 from its cradle position in the
`recess or cavity 61C. The microphone 98 may be ?led
`to the panel 87A or may be connected to a length of
`cable to be removable from the recess in the panel in
`which it is seated and held by hand or on the end of an
`extendable support near the mouth of the person using
`the device 10 for communication with a person at a
`remote terminal circuit of the telephone system to
`which the device 10 is coupled.
`Variations in the system 10 shown in FIGS. 1-5 of the
`drawings include the following:
`I. The television camera 12 and/or its optical system
`may be pivotally or otherwise supported for multiple
`axis adjustment of its scanning axis. In other words the
`scanning axis of the camera may be adjusted in both the
`horizontal and vertical directions.
`II. The television camera 12 may also be supported
`higher on the compartment 86A than illustrated. It may
`also be supported on a track or rod extending in the
`vertical direction and supported by either or both the
`compartments 86A and 86B, and may be adjustably
`moved on said track.
`III. Additional support may be provided in the form
`of one or more brackets, slides or legs pivotally secured
`to the vertically extending compartment or housing
`member 86A for supporting it vertically on the other
`compartment 86B as shown in FIG. 2.
`IV. One or two axis movement of the television cam
`era 12 may be effected by the operation of one or two
`motors