Abstract

An improved video phone transmits a source image over a standard telephone line in conjunction with voice signals. The unique initialization protocol provides a hardware preamble for synchronizing a receiver clock, a software preamble for identifying the video image and disabling the audio, automatic gain control adjustment data and amplitude calibration data. The audio portion is disabled by coupling a capacitor across the telephone to effectively short the telephone. The telephone is placed across a bridge circuit which is provided with switches to balance the bridge in both the telephone and video modes. The transmitted and received signals pass through the same delay equalization circuit, so that half the equalization is done before transmission, with the remaining half being done after reception. Input and output selectors allow the same circuit to be used. The digital signals are level shifted up prior to being converted into analog, and then are shifted down again to reduce the effects of DC offset. The digital and analog voltage supplies are coupled together with a resistor and diode, and a capacitor is coupled between the analog supply and ground to combine the reset and voltage supply functions. An RC circuit providing 180° of phase shift is coupled to the crystal oscillator to produce a clock which is locked into the series resoonant frequency of the oscillator. The camera and the rest of the circuitry are turned on and off by a switch coupled to panel which can be slid in front of the camera.

Other References

• The Sharper Image, "Introducing Luma: The Telephone That Lets You See Who's Talking", Catalog, pp. 1-3, Aug. 1986, Received 7/17/8