US3587053A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Audio visual information processing and communication system
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1968-06-10
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Granted: 1971-06-22
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Expires: 1988-06-10
Abstract
Abstract A visual communication system comprising a telephone switching system, a plurality of video telephone stations each connected to the system, and a data storage and computing machine also connected to the system via a data translator. A connection from any video telephone station may be established to any other station or to the data storage and computing machine by ''''dialing'''' or keying certain codes on a telephone set of the video station. After establishing a connection to the data storage and computing machine, instructions to the machine are keyed on the telephone set and transmitted via the system and data translator to the machine. In response thereto, the machine generates output signals which are applied to the data translator and there converted to video signals to be transmitted via the system to the originating station for display on the station''s video set.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph J Horzepa
- 👤 James J Mansell
- 👤 Robert L Simms Jr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 13:46
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
A visual communication system comprising a plurality of video telephone stations, each of said stations comprising video display apparatus and means for generating switching signals, a data storage and computing machine arranged to process digital input signals and arranged to generate digital output signals in response thereto, a data translator including means for translating switching signals into digital input signals, means for applying said digital input signals to said data storage and computing machine, and means for translating digital output signals received from said data storage and computing machine into video signals, and a telephone switching system arranged to establish communication channels between said stations and between said stations and said translation means in response to said switching signals, said channels being arranged to transmit switching signals from said stations to said translation means and to transmit video signals from said translation means to said stations.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
A visual communication system comprising a plurality of video telephone stations, each of said stations comprising video display apparatus and means for generating switching signals, a data storage and computing machine arranged to process digital input signals and arranged to generate digital output signals in response thereto, a data translator including means for translating switching signals into digital input signals, means for applying said digital input signals to said data storage and computing machine, and means for translating digital output signals received from said data storage and computing machine into video signals, and a telephone switching system arranged to establish communication channels between said stations and between said stations and said translation means in response to said switching signals, said channels being arranged to transmit switching signals from said stations to said translation means and to transmit video signals from said translation means to said stations.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
127 words
A visual communications system comprising a plurality of video telephone stations, each of said stations comprising video display apparatus and means for generating switching signals, and a switching system interconnecting each of said stations to any other station in response to switching signals generated at said stations, characterized in that said system further comprises a computer for processing input signals and for generating output signals in response thereto, and a translation means interconnecting said switching system with said computer including means for translating switching signals received via said system from said stations into input signals to be applied to said computer and means for translating output signals from said computer into video signals to be applied to said system for transmission to said stations and display thereat.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
127 words
A visual communications system comprising a plurality of video telephone stations, each of said stations comprising video display apparatus and means for generating switching signals, and a switching system interconnecting each of said stations to any other station in response to switching signals generated at said stations, characterized in that said system further comprises a computer for processing input signals and for generating output signals in response thereto, and a translation means interconnecting said switching system with said computer including means for translating switching signals received via said system from said stations into input signals to be applied to said computer and means for translating output signals from said computer into video signals to be applied to said system for transmission to said stations and display thereat.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
182 words
A video telephone communication system comprising a plurality of subscriber stations, each including a video telephone set having means for generating multifrequency signals, a switching system interconnecting said stations in response to said multifrequency signals generated at said stations, data storage and computing means for processing digital input signals and for generating digital output signals in response thereto, means interconnecting said switching system and said data storage and computing means for translating station generated multifrequency signals received from said system into digital input signals and for applying said digital input signals to said data storage and computing means, buffer means for receiving and registering digital output signals received from said data storage and computing means, and means for translating digital output signals received from said buffer means into video signals and for applying said video signals to said switching system, for transmission to said stations, said switching system being further arranged to connect any one of said stations, for operation with said data storage and computing means, to eAch of said translating means in response to multifrequency signals generated by said station.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
182 words
A video telephone communication system comprising a plurality of subscriber stations, each including a video telephone set having means for generating multifrequency signals, a switching system interconnecting said stations in response to said multifrequency signals generated at said stations, data storage and computing means for processing digital input signals and for generating digital output signals in response thereto, means interconnecting said switching system and said data storage and computing means for translating station generated multifrequency signals received from said system into digital input signals and for applying said digital input signals to said data storage and computing means, buffer means for receiving and registering digital output signals received from said data storage and computing means, and means for translating digital output signals received from said buffer means into video signals and for applying said video signals to said switching system, for transmission to said stations, said switching system being further arranged to connect any one of said stations, for operation with said data storage and computing means, to eAch of said translating means in response to multifrequency signals generated by said station.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
181 words
An information storage and retrieval system comprising a plurality of data retrieval stations, each of said stations having video display apparatus and means for generating inquiry signals, a data storage and computing machine arranged to process digital input signals and arranged to generate digital output signals in response thereto, translation means connected to said data storage and computing machine for translating inquiry signals into digital input signals for application to said machine and for translating digital output signals received from said machine into video signals, and means interconnecting each of said stations to said translation means for transmitting inquiry signals generated by said stations to said translation means and for transmitting video signals from said translation means to said stations for display on said display apparatus characterized in that said stations each further comprise a telephone set and a video camera arranged to generate audio signals and video signals, respectively, and said interconnecting means further includes means responsive to said inquiry signals for interconnecting any of said stations to any other station for the transmission of video and audio signals therebetween.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
181 words
An information storage and retrieval system comprising a plurality of data retrieval stations, each of said stations having video display apparatus and means for generating inquiry signals, a data storage and computing machine arranged to process digital input signals and arranged to generate digital output signals in response thereto, translation means connected to said data storage and computing machine for translating inquiry signals into digital input signals for application to said machine and for translating digital output signals received from said machine into video signals, and means interconnecting each of said stations to said translation means for transmitting inquiry signals generated by said stations to said translation means and for transmitting video signals from said translation means to said stations for display on said display apparatus characterized in that said stations each further comprise a telephone set and a video camera arranged to generate audio signals and video signals, respectively, and said interconnecting means further includes means responsive to said inquiry signals for interconnecting any of said stations to any other station for the transmission of video and audio signals therebetween.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
58 words
An information storage and retrieval system in accordance with claim 4 wherein said interconnecting means further includes means responsive to said inquiry signals for selectively interconnecting any of said stations to said translation means for the transmission of video and inquiry signals between said stations and said translation means for operation with said data storage and computing machine.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-06-21 | 1974-12-21 | 1975-06-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-06-21 | 1978-12-21 | 1979-06-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-06-21 | 1982-12-21 | 1983-06-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |