Video communication system with synchronous video output from a plurality of terminals

Claim 2

A video communication system comprising: (A) a terminal unit for transmitting/receiving an information signal including video information; and (B) a repeater to which a plurality of terminal units each identical to said terminal unit can be connected, said repeater generating a reference sync. signal for causing the plurality of connected terminal units to synchronously generate the respective video information, supplying the generated reference sync. signal to each of the plurality of connected terminal units, forming a transmission signal to be transmitted to a transmission line by synthesizing the video information, respectively transmitted from the plurality of terminal units, synchronously with the reference sync. signal, and outputting the formed transmission signal to the transmission line.

Claim 3

A system according to claim 1, wherein the information signal includes audio information in addition to the video information.

Claim 4

A system according to claim 2, wherein said terminal unit includes: (a) video information input means for inputting video information to be transmitted; (b) audio information input means for inputting audio information to be transmitted; and (c) information signal forming means for forming an information signal by multiplexing the video information input by said video information input means and the audio information input by said audio information input means.

Claim 5

A system according to claim 3, wherein said video information input means includes: (a) image pickup means for picking up an image of an operator who operates said terminal unit; and (b) image pickup operation control means for controlling an image pickup operation of said image pickup means in accordance with the reference sync. signal supplied from said repeater.

Claim 6

A system according to claim 3, wherein said audio information input means includes speech pickup means for picking up speech from an operator who operates said terminal unit, and generates an audio signal corresponding to the picked-up speech.

Claim 7

A system according to claim 1, wherein said repeater includes multiimage forming means for forming a multiimage signal by separating the video information from information signals respectively supplied from the plurality of connected terminals units, and performing reduction/synthesis processing of the plurality of separated video information.

Claim 8

A system according to claim 2, wherein said repeater includes synthetic audio signal forming means for forming a synthetic audio signal by separating audio signals from information signals respectively supplied from the plurality of connected terminal units, and performing synthesis processing of the plurality of separated audio signals.

Claim 9

A system according to claim 7, wherein said synthetic audio signal forming means further includes speaker detection means for detecting, on the basis of a plurality of audio signals separated from information signals respectively supplied from the plurality of connected terminal units, whether any one of the plurality of operators who is operating one of said terminal units is generating speech, and generating a detection signal.

Claim 10

A system according to claim 8, wherein said repeater further includes multiimage forming means arranged to receive the detection signal generated by said speaker detection means, output a signal obtained by performing reduction/synthesis processing of a plurality of video information separated from information signals respectively supplied from the plurality of connected terminal units when the input detection signal does not inform that some operator who is operating one of said terminal units is generating speech, and output video information separated from an information signal supplied from one of the plurality of connected terminal units which is indicated by the input detection signal without performing the reduction/synthesis processing when the input detection signal informs that some operator who is operating one of said terminal units is generating speech.

Claim 11

A system according to claim 2, wherein said terminal unit includes: (a) a camera head unit for picking up an image of an operator who operates said terminal unit, and outputting a video signal corresponding to the picked-up image; and (b) a computer having an expansion board and an expansion slot in which said expansion board can be mounted, said expansion board having a camera head connection terminal to which said camera head unit can be connected, a microphone connection terminal to which a microphone for picking up speech from the operator who operates said terminal unit and generating an audio signal corresponding to the picked-up speech can be connected, and an information signal forming circuit for forming an information signal to be sent to said repeater by multiplexing the video signal supplied through the camera head connection terminal and the audio signal supplied through the microphone connection terminal, the terminals and the circuit being mounted on said expansion board, and said expansion board being separated from said camera head.

Claim 12

A system according to claim 10, wherein said camera head unit and the circuit mounted on said expansion board are arranged to receive power from said computer in which said expansion board is mounted.

Claim 13

A system according to claim 2, wherein said terminal unit includes: (a) a camera head unit for picking up an image of an operator who operates said terminal unit, and outputting a video signal corresponding to the picked-up image; and (b) an adaptor unit having a camera head connection terminal to which said camera head unit can be connected, a microphone connection terminal to which a microphone for picking up speech from the operator who operates said terminal unit and generating an audio signal corresponding to the picked-up speech can be connected, an information signal forming circuit for forming an information signal to be sent to said repeater by multiplexing the video signal supplied through the camera head connection terminal and the audio signal supplied through the microphone connection terminal, and an operation unit for instructing operations, said adaptor unit being stored in a single housing which is separated from said camera head.

Claim 14

A system according to claim 12, wherein said camera head unit and the circuit stored in said adaptor unit are arranged to receive power from a source outside of said adaptor unit.

Claim 15

A video communication system comprising: (A) a terminal unit for transmitting/receiving an information signal including video information; and (B) a repeater to which a plurality of terminal units each identical to said terminal unit can be connected, said repeater generating a reference sync. signal for causing the plurality of connected terminal units to synchronously generate the respective video information, supplying the generated reference sync. signal to each of the plurality of connected terminal units, forming a transmission signal to be transmitted to a transmission line by synthesizing the video information, respectively transmitted from the plurality of terminal units, synchronously with the reference sync. signal, and outputting the formed transmission signal to the transmission line, or receiving a transmission signal supplied from the transmission line and supplying the input transmission signal to each of the plurality of connected terminal units.

Claim 16

A video communication system comprising: (A) a terminal unit for transmitting/receiving an information signal including video information; and (B) a repeater to which a plurality of terminal units each identical to said terminal unit can be connected, said repeater generating a reference sync. signal for causing the plurality of connected terminal units to synchronously generate the respective video information, supplying the generated reference sync. signal to each of the plurality of connected terminal units, forming a transmission signal to be transmitted to a transmission line by synthesizing the video information, respectively transmitted from the plurality of terminal units, synchronously with the reference sync. signal, and outputting the formed transmission signal to the transmission line, or receiving a transmission signal supplied from the transmission line and supplying the input transmission signal to each of the plurality of connected terminal units.

Claim 17

A system according to claim 14, wherein the information signal includes audio information in addition to the video information.

Claim 18

A system according to claim 15, wherein said terminal unit includes: (a) video information input means for inputting video information to be transmitted; (b) audio information input means for inputting audio information to be transmitted; and (c) information signal forming means for forming an information signal by multiplexing the video information input by said video information input means and the audio information input by said audio information input means.

Claim 19

A system according to claim 16, wherein said video information input means includes: (a) image pickup means for picking up an image of an operator who operates said terminal unit; and (b) image pickup operation control means for controlling an image pickup operation of said image pickup means in accordance with the reference sync. signal supplied from said repeater.

Claim 20

A system according to claim 16, wherein said audio information input means further includes: (a) speech pickup means for picking up speech from an operator who operates said terminal unit, and generates an audio signal corresponding to the picked-up speech; and (b) subtraction means for separating an audio signal from the transmission signal supplied from said repeater, and subtracting the audio signal generated by said speech pickup means from the separated audio signal.

Claim 21

A system according to claim 14, wherein said repeater includes multiimage forming means for forming a multiimage signal by separating the video information from information signals respectively supplied from the plurality of connected terminals units, and performing reduction/synthesis processing of the plurality of separated video information.

Claim 22

A system according to claim 15, wherein said repeater includes synthetic audio signal forming means for forming a synthetic audio signal by separating audio signals from information signals respectively supplied from the plurality of connected terminal units, and performing synthesis processing of the plurality of separated audio signals.

Claim 23

A system according to claim 20, wherein said synthetic audio signal forming means further includes speaker detection means for detecting, on the basis of a plurality of audio signals separated from information signals respectively supplied from the plurality of connected terminal units, whether any one of the plurality of operators who is operating one of said terminal units is generating speech, and generating a detection signal.

Claim 24

A system according to claim 21, wherein said repeater further includes multiimage forming means arranged to receive the detection signal generated by said speaker detection means, output a signal obtained by performing reduction/synthesis processing of a plurality of video information separated from information signals respectively supplied from the plurality of connected terminal units when the input detection signal does not inform that some operator who is operating one of said terminal units is generating speech, and output video information separated from an information signal supplied from one of the plurality of connected terminal units which is indicated by the input detection signal without performing the reduction/synthesis processing when the input detection signal informs that some operator who is operating one of said terminal units is generating speech.

Claim 25

A system according to claim 15, wherein said terminal unit includes: (a) a camera head unit for picking up an image of an operator who operates said terminal unit, and outputting a video signal corresponding to the picked-up image; and (b) a computer having an expansion board and an expansion slot in which said expansion board can be mounted, said expansion board having a camera head connection terminal to which said camera head unit can be connected, a microphone connection terminal to which a microphone for picking up speech from the operator who operates said terminal unit and generating an audio signal corresponding to the picked-up speech can be connected, and an information signal forming circuit for forming an information signal to be sent to said repeater by multiplexing the video signal supplied through the camera head connection terminal and the audio signal supplied through the microphone connection terminal, the terminals and the circuit being mounted on said expansion board, and said expansion board being separated from said camera head.

Claim 26

A system according to claim 23, wherein said camera head unit and the circuit mounted on said expansion board are arranged to receive power from said computer in which said expansion board is mounted.

Claim 27

A system according to claim 15, wherein said terminal unit includes: (a) a camera head unit for picking up an image of an operator who operates said terminal unit, and outputting a video signal corresponding to the picked-up image; and (b) an adaptor unit having a camera head connection terminal to which said camera head unit can be connected, a microphone connection terminal to which a microphone for picking up speech from the operator who operates said terminal unit and generating an audio signal corresponding to the picked-up speech can be connected, an information signal forming circuit for forming an information signal to be sent to said repeater by multiplexing the video signal supplied through the camera head connection terminal and the audio signal supplied through the microphone connection terminal, a separation circuit for separating video and audio signals from a transmission signal supplied from said repeater, a video signal output terminal to which a television monitor apparatus for outputting the video signal separated by said separation circuit can be connected, an audio signal output terminal to which a speaker unit for outputting the audio signal separated by said separation circuit can be connected, and an operation unit for instructing operations, said adaptor unit being stored in a single housing which is separated from said camera head.

Claim 28

A system according to claim 25, wherein said camera head unit and the circuit stored in said adaptor unit are arranged to receive power from a source outside of said adaptor unit.

Claim 29

An information signal transmitting/receiving apparatus for transmitting an information signal including a video information signal to a plurality of terminal units and for receiving an information signal transmitted from each of the plurality of terminal units, comprising: (A) connection means for simultaneously attaining connections to the plurality of terminal units; and (B) control means for generating a reference sync. signal for causing the plurality of connected terminal units to synchronously generate the respective video information signals, supplying the generated reference sync. signal to each of the plurality of connected terminal units, and forming a transmission signal, to be transmitted to a transmission line, from the information signals transmitted synchronously with the reference sync. signal respectively from the plurality of terminal units to output the formed transmission signal to the transmission line, the formed transmission signal being synthesized from the information signals.

Claim 30

An information signal transmitting/receiving apparatus for transmitting an information signal including a video information signal to a plurality of terminal units and for receiving an information signal transmitted from each of the plurality of terminal units, comprising: (A) connection means for simultaneously attaining connections to the plurality of terminal units; and (B) control means for generating a reference sync. signal for causing the plurality of connected terminal units to synchronously generate the respective video information signals, supplying the generated reference sync. signal to each of the plurality of connected terminal units, and forming a transmission signal, to be transmitted to a transmission line, from the information signals transmitted synchronously with the reference sync. signal respectively from the plurality of terminal units to output the formed transmission signal to the transmission line, the formed transmission signal being synthesized from the information signals.

Claim 31

An apparatus according to claim 27, wherein each information signal includes audio information in addition to the video information.

Claim 32

An apparatus according to claim 27, wherein each terminal unit includes: (a) video information input means for inputting video information to be transmitted; (b) audio information input means for inputting audio information to be transmitted; and (c) information signal forming means for forming an information signal by multiplexing the video information input by the video information input means and the audio information input by the audio information input means.

Claim 33

An apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the video information input means includes: (a) image pickup means for picking up an image of an operator who operates the terminal unit; and (b) image pickup operation control means for controlling an image pickup operation of the image pickup means in accordance with the reference sync. signal supplied from said control means.

Claim 34

An apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the audio information input means includes speech pickup means for picking up speech from an operator who operates the terminal unit, and for generating an audio signal corresponding to the picked-up speech.

Claim 35

An apparatus according to claim 27, further comprising multiimage forming means for forming a signal by separating the video information signals from information signals respectively supplied from the plurality of connected terminals units, and performing reduction/synthesis processing of the plurality of separated video information signals.

Claim 36

An apparatus according to claim 28, further comprising synthetic audio signal forming means for forming a synthetic audio signal by separating audio signals from information signals respectively supplied from the plurality of connected terminals units, and performing synthesis processing of the plurality of separated audio signals.

Claim 37

An apparatus according to claim 33, wherein said synthetic audio signal forming means further includes speaker detection means for detecting, on the basis of a plurality of audio signals separated from information signals respectively supplied from the plurality of connected terminal units, whether any of the plurality of operators who is operating one of said terminal units is generating speech, and generating a detection signal.

Claim 38

An apparatus according to claim 34, further comprising multiimage forming means arranged to receive the detection signal generated by said speaker detection means, output a signal obtained by performing reduction/synthesis processing of a plurality of video information signals separated from information signals respectively supplied from the plurality of connected terminal units when the input detection signal does not inform that some operator who is operating one of the terminal units is generating speech, and output a video information signal separated from an information signal supplied from of the plurality of connected terminal units which is indicated by the input detection signal without performing the reduction/synthesis processing when the input detection signal informs that some operator who is operating one of the terminal units is generating speech.

Claim 39

An apparatus according to claim 28, wherein each terminal unit includes; (a) a camera head unit of picking up an image of an operator who operates the terminal unit, and outputting a video signal corresponding to the picked-up image; and (b) a computer having an expansion board and an expansion slot in which the expansion board can be mounted, the expansion board having a camera head connection terminal to which the camera head unit can be connected, a microphone connection terminal to which a microphone for picking up to speech from the operator who operates the terminal unit and generating an audio signal corresponding to the picked-up speech can be connected, and an information signal forming circuit for forming an information signal to be sent to said control means by multiplexing the video signal supplied through the camera head connection terminal and the audio signal supplied through the microphone connection terminal, the terminals and the circuit being mounted on the expansion board, and the expansion board being separated from the camera head.

Claim 40

An apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the camera head unit and the circuit mounted on the expansion board are arranged to receive power from the computer in which the expansion board is mounted.

Claim 41

An apparatus according to claim 28, wherein each terminal unit includes: (a) a camera head unit for picking up an image of an operator who operates the terminal unit, and outputting a video signal corresponding to the picked-up image; and (b) an adapter unit having a camera head connection terminal to which the camera head unit can be connected, a microphone connection terminal to which a microphone for picking up speech from the operator who operates the terminal unit and generating an audio signal corresponding to the picked-up speech can be connected, an information signal forming circuit for forming an information signal to be sent to said control means by multiplexing the video signal supplied through the camera head connection terminal and the audio signal supplied through the microphone connection terminal, and an operation unit for instructing operations, the adaptor unit being stored in a single housing which is separated from the camera head.

Claim 42

An apparatus according to claim 38, wherein the camera head unit and the circuit stored in the adaptor unit are arranged to receive power from a source outside of the adaptor unit.

Claim 43

An information signal transmitting/receiving apparatus for transmitting an information signal including a video information signal to a plurality of terminal units and for receiving an information signal from each of the plurality of terminal units, comprising: (A) connection means for simultaneously attaining connections to the plurality of terminal units; and (B) control means for generating a reference sync signal for causing the plurality of connected terminal units to synchronously generate the respective video information signals, supplying the generated reference sync. signal to each of the plurality of connected terminal units, forming a transmission signal, to be transmitted to a transmission line, from the information signals transmitted synchronously with the reference sync. signal respectively from the plurality of terminal units to output the formed transmission signal to the transmission line, the formed transmission signal being synthesized from the information signals, and receiving a transmission signal supplied from the transmission line to supply the received transmission signal respectively to the plurality of connected terminal units.

Claim 44

An information signal transmitting/receiving apparatus for transmitting an information signal including a video information signal to a plurality of terminal units and for receiving an information signal from each of the plurality of terminal units, comprising: (A) connection means for simultaneously attaining connections to the plurality of terminal units; and (B) control means for generating a reference sync signal for causing the plurality of connected terminal units to synchronously generate the respective video information signals, supplying the generated reference sync. signal to each of the plurality of connected terminal units, forming a transmission signal, to be transmitted to a transmission line, from the information signals transmitted synchronously with the reference sync. signal respectively from the plurality of terminal units to output the formed transmission signal to the transmission line, the formed transmission signal being synthesized from the information signals, and receiving a transmission signal supplied from the transmission line to supply the received transmission signal respectively to the plurality of connected terminal units.

Claim 45

An apparatus according to claim 40, wherein each information signal includes audio information in addition to the video information.

Claim 46

An apparatus according to claim 41, wherein each terminal unit includes: (a) video information input means for inputting video information to be transmitted; (b) audio information input means for inputting audio information to be transmitted; and (c) information signal forming means for forming an information signal by multiplexing the video information input by the video information input means and the audio information input by the audio information input means.

Claim 47

An apparatus according to claim 42, wherein the video information input means includes: (a) image pickup means for picking up an image of an operator who operates the terminal unit; and (b) image pickup operation control means for controlling an image pickup operation of the image pickup means in accordance with the reference sync. signal supplied from said control means.

Claim 48

An apparatus according to claim 42, wherein the audio information input means further includes: (a) speech pickup means for picking up speech from an operator who operates the terminal unit, and generates an audio signal corresponding to the picked-up speech; and (b) subtraction means for separating an audio signal from the transmission signal supplied from the transmission line, and subtracting the audio signal generated by the speech pickup means from the separated audio signal.

Claim 49

An apparatus according to claim 40, further comprising multiimage forming means for forming a multiimage signal by separating the video information signals from information signals respectively supplied from the plurality of connected terminals units, and performing reduction/synthesis processing of the plurality of separated video information signals.

Claim 50

An apparatus according to claim 41, further comprising synthetic audio signal forming means for forming a synthetic audio signal by separating audio signals from information signals respectively supplied from the plurality of connected terminal units, and performing synthesis processing of the plurality of separated audio signals.

Claim 51

An apparatus according to claim 46, wherein said synthetic audio signal forming means further includes speaker detection means for detecting, on the basis of a plurality of audio signals separated from information signals respectively supplied from the plurality of connected terminal units, whether any one of the plurality of operators who is operating one of the terminal units is generating speech, and generating a detection signal.

Claim 52

An apparatus according to claim 47, further comprising multiimage forming means arranged to receive the detection signal generated by said speaker detection means, output a signal obtained by performing reduction/synthesis processing of a plurality of video information signals separated from information signals respectively supplied from the plurality of connected terminal units when the input detection signal does not inform that some operator who is operating one of the terminal units is generating speech, and output a video information signal separated from an information signal supplied from one of the plurality of connected terminal units which is indicated by the input detection signal without performing the reduction/synthesis processing when the input detection signal informs that some operator who is operating one of the terminal units is generating speech.

Claim 53

An apparatus according to claim 41, wherein each terminal unit includes: (a) a camera head unit for picking up an image of an operator who operates the terminal unit, and outputting a video signal corresponding to the picked-up image; and (b) a computer having an expansion board and an expansion slot in which the expansion board can be mounted, the expansion board having a camera head connection terminal to which the camera head unit can be connected, a microphone connection terminal to which a microphone for picking up speech from the operator who operates the terminal unit and generating an audio signal corresponding to the picked-up speech can be connected, and an information signal forming circuit for forming an information signal to be sent to said control means by multiplexing the video signal supplied through the camera head connection terminal and the audio signal supplied through the microphone connection terminal, the terminals and the circuit being mounted on the expansion board, and the expansion board being separated from the camera head.

Claim 54

An apparatus according to claim 49, wherein the camera head unit and the circuit mounted on the expansion board are arranged to receive power from the computer in which the expansion board is mounted.

Claim 55

An apparatus according to claim 41, wherein each terminal unit includes: (a) a camera head unit for picking up an image of an operator who operates the terminal unit, and outputting a video signal corresponding to the picked-up image; and (b) an adapter unit having a camera head connection terminal to which the camera head unit can be connected, a microphone connection terminal to which a microphone for picking up speech from the operator who operates the terminal unit and generating an audio signal corresponding to the picked-up speech can be connected, an information signal forming circuit for forming an information signal to be sent to said control means by multiplexing the video signal supplied through the camera head connection terminal and the audio signal supplied through the microphone connection terminal, a separation circuit for separating video and audio signals from a transmission signal supplied from said control means, a video signal output terminal to which a television monitor apparatus for outputting the video signal separated by the separation circuit can be connected, an audio signal output terminal to which a speaker unit for outputting the audio signal separated by the separation circuit can be connected, and an operation unit for instructing operations, the adaptor unit being stored in a single housing which is separated from the camera head.

Claim 56

An apparatus according to claim 51, wherein the camera head unit and the circuit stored in the adaptor unit are arranged to receive power from a source outside of the adaptor unit.

Claim 57

An information signal transmitting/receiving method of transmitting an information signal including a video information signal to a plurality of terminal units and for receiving an information signal transmitted from each of the plurality of terminal units, comprising: (A) a reference sync. signal supplying step of generating a reference sync. signal for causing the plurality of connected terminal units to synchronously generate the respective video information signals and supplying the generated reference sync. signal to each of the plurality of terminal units; and (B) a transmission signal outputting step of forming a transmission signal, to be transmitted to a transmission line, from the information signals transmitted synchronously with the reference sync. signal respectively from the plurality of terminal units and outputting the formed transmission signal to the transmission line, the formed transmission signal being synthesized from the information signals.

Claim 58

An information signal transmitting/receiving method of transmitting an information signal including a video information signal to a plurality of terminal units and for receiving an information signal transmitted from each of the plurality of terminal units, comprising: (A) a reference sync. signal supplying step of generating a reference sync. signal for causing the plurality of connected terminal units to synchronously generate the respective video information signals and supplying the generated reference sync. signal to each of the plurality of terminal units; and (B) a transmission signal outputting step of forming a transmission signal, to be transmitted to a transmission line, from the information signals transmitted synchronously with the reference sync. signal respectively from the plurality of terminal units and outputting the formed transmission signal to the transmission line, the formed transmission signal being synthesized from the information signals.

Claim 59

A method according to claim 53, wherein each information signal includes audio information in addition to the video information.

Claim 60

A method according to claim 53, further comprising, at each terminal: (a) a video information input step of inputting video information to be transmitted; (b) an audio information input step of inputting audio information to be transmitted; and (c) an information signal forming step of forming an information signal by multiplexing the video information input by said video information input steps and the audio information input by said audio information input step.

Claim 61

A method according to claim 55, wherein said video information input step includes: (a) an image pickup step of picking up an image of an operator who operates the terminal unit; and (b) an image pickup operation control step of controlling an image pickup operation of said image pickup step in accordance with the reference sync. signal supplied from said reference sync. signal supplying step.

Claim 62

A method according to claim 55, wherein said audio information input step includes a speech pickup step of picking up speech from an operator who operates the terminal units, and generating an audio signal corresponding to the picked-up speech.

Claim 63

A method according to claim 53, further comprising a multiimage forming step of forming a multiimage signal by separating the video information signals from information signals respectively supplied from the plurality of connected terminals units, and performing reduction/synthesis processing of the plurality of separated video information signals.

Claim 64

A method according to claim 54, further comprising a synthetic audio signal forming step of forming a synthetic audio signal by separating audio signals from information signals respectively supplied from the plurality of connected terminal units, and performing synthesis processing of the plurality of separated audio signals.

Claim 65

A method according to claim 59, wherein said synthetic audio signal forming step further includes a speaker detection step of detecting, on the basis of a plurality of audio signals separated from information signals respectively supplied from the plurality of connected terminal units, whether any one of the plurality of operators who is operating one of the terminal units is generating speech, and generating a detection signal.

Claim 66

A method according to claim 60, further comprising a multiimage forming step arranged to receive the detection signal generated by said speaker detection step, output a signal obtained by performing reduction/synthesis processing of a plurality of video information signals separated from information signals respectively supplied from the plurality of connected terminal units when the input detection signal does not inform that some operator who is operating one of the terminal units is generating speech, and output a video information signal separated from an information signal supplied from one of the plurality of connected terminal units which is indicated by the input detection signal without performing the reduction/synthesis processing when the input detection signal informs that some operator who is operating one of the terminal units is generating speech.

Claim 67

An information signal transmitting/receiving method of transmitting an information signal including a video information signal to a plurality of terminal units and for receiving an information signal transmitted from each of the plurality of terminal units, comprising: (A) a reference sync signal supplying step of generating a reference sync. signal for causing the plurality of connected terminal units to synchronously generate the respective video information and supplying the generated reference sync. signal to each of the plurality of connected terminal units; (B) a transmission signal outputting step of forming a transmission signal to be transmitted, to a transmission line, from the information signals transmitted synchronously with the reference sync. signal respectively from the plurality of terminal units and outputting the formed transmission signal to the transmission line, the formed transmission signal being synthesized from the information signals; and (C) a transmission signal supplying step of a transmission signal supplied from the transmission line and supplying the received transmission signal respectively to the plurality of connected terminal units.

Claim 68

An information signal transmitting/receiving method of transmitting an information signal including a video information signal to a plurality of terminal units and for receiving an information signal transmitted from each of the plurality of terminal units, comprising: (A) a reference sync signal supplying step of generating a reference sync. signal for causing the plurality of connected terminal units to synchronously generate the respective video information and supplying the generated reference sync. signal to each of the plurality of connected terminal units; (B) a transmission signal outputting step of forming a transmission signal to be transmitted, to a transmission line, from the information signals transmitted synchronously with the reference sync. signal respectively from the plurality of terminal units and outputting the formed transmission signal to the transmission line, the formed transmission signal being synthesized from the information signals; and (C) a transmission signal supplying step of a transmission signal supplied from the transmission line and supplying the received transmission signal respectively to the plurality of connected terminal units.

Claim 69

A method according to claim 62, wherein each information signal includes audio information in addition to the video information.

Claim 70

A method according to claim 63, further comprising, in each terminal unit: (a) a video information input step of inputting video information to be transmitted; (b) an audio information input step of inputting audio information to be transmitted; and (c) an information signal forming step of forming an information signal by multiplexing the video information input by said video information input step and the audio information input by said audio information input step.

Claim 71

A method according to claim 64, wherein said video information input step includes: (a) an image pickup step of picking up an image of an operator who operates the terminal unit; and (b) an image pickup operation control step of controlling an image pickup operation of said image pickup step in accordance with the reference sync. signal supplied from said reference sync. signal supplying step.

Claim 72

A method according to claim 64, wherein said audio information input step further includes: (a) a speech pickup step of picking up speech from an operator who operates the terminal unit, and generating an audio signal corresponding to the picked-up speech; and (b) a subtraction step of separating an audio signal from the transmission signal supplied from said transmission signal supplying step; and subtracting the audio signal generated by said speech pickup step from the separated audio signal.

Claim 73

A method according to claim 62, further comprising a multiimage forming step of forming a multiimage signal by separating the video information signals from information signals respectively supplied from the plurality of connected terminals units, and performing reduction/synthesis processing of the plurality of separated video information signals.

Claim 74

A method according to claim 63, further comprising a synthetic audio signal forming step of forming a synthetic audio signal by separating audio signals from information signals respectively supplied from the plurality of connected terminal units, and performing synthesis processing of the plurality of separated audio signals.

Claim 75

A method according to claim 68, wherein said synthetic audio signal forming step further includes a speaker detection step of detecting, on the basis of a plurality of audio signals separated from information signals respectively supplied from the plurality of connected terminal units, whether any one of the plurality of operators who is operating one of the terminal units is generating speech, and generating a detection signal.

Claim 76

A method according to claim 69, further comprising a multiimage forming step arranged to receive the detection signal generated by said speaker detection step, output a signal obtained by performing reduction/synthesis processing of a plurality of video information signals separated from information signals respectively supplied from the plurality of connected terminal units when the input detection signal does not inform that some operator who is operating one of the terminal units is generating speech, and output video information separated from an information signal supplied from one of the plurality of connected terminal units which is indicated by the input detection signal without performing the reduction/synthesis processing when the input detection signal informs that some operator who is operating one of terminal units is generating speech.