TV Receiver Integration for Automatic Videophone Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional TV receivers and videophones operate independently, requiring users to manually switch between TV viewing and videophone calls, which is time-consuming and inconvenient, especially during TV broadcasts.
Innovation Solution
A videophone function-added TV receiver integrates video and voice decoding/encoding capabilities, allowing simultaneous TV viewing and videophone calls, with automatic operation transitions and echo cancellation, enabling seamless communication without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If TV receiver and videophone operate as independent devices, then each device can perform its function reliably, but the user must manually switch between TV viewing and videophone calls, increasing operation time and reducing convenience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the TV receiver and videophone into a single integrated device. The TV receiver includes a decoder for decoding broadcast signals, a display panel for displaying video, a loudspeaker module for audio output, a camera for capturing video, a microphone for capturing audio, and an encoder for encoding video and audio signals. This integration eliminates the need for manual switching between separate devices, allowing users to seamlessly transition between TV viewing and videophone calls without losing time or convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The TV receiver is designed with multi-functionality to serve both as a traditional TV receiver and as a videophone. The decoder can process both broadcast signals and incoming videophone signals, the display panel can display both TV programs and videophone video feeds, and the loudspeaker module can output both TV audio and videophone audio. This universal design allows a single device to perform multiple functions, reducing the need for manual intervention and saving user time.
2Ease of operation
If manual operations are required for starting and ending videophone calls, then call control is precise, but user labor and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated TV receiver automatically manages videophone call operations. When the decoder receives an incoming videophone signal, the system automatically switches to videophone mode, activating the display panel to show the video feed, the loudspeaker module to play audio, and the encoder to transmit the user's video and audio. Similarly, when the call ends, the system automatically returns to TV reception mode without requiring manual user intervention. This self-service mechanism reduces operational complexity while maintaining precise call control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is pre-configured with the capability to automatically respond to incoming videophone signals. The decoder is continuously monitoring for incoming signals, and the control logic is pre-programmed to automatically switch between TV and videophone modes based on signal detection. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for users to manually initiate or terminate calls, simplifying operation while maintaining control precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If video and audio signals are processed simultaneously for both TV and videophone functions, then functionality is comprehensive, but processing complexity and resource requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The TV receiver employs dynamic signal processing where the decoder and encoder adapt their operation based on the current mode. When receiving TV broadcast signals, the decoder processes video and audio separately according to the broadcast format. When receiving incoming videophone signals, the decoder automatically switches to processing video and audio suitable for videophone communication. The encoder similarly adapts its encoding parameters based on whether it is encoding for TV output or videophone transmission. This dynamic adaptation allows comprehensive functionality while managing processing complexity through context-aware resource allocation.
Solution Approach 2:
The signal processing architecture is segmented into distinct functional modules: a broadcast signal receiver for TV reception, a decoder that can handle both broadcast and videophone signals, a display panel for video output, a loudspeaker module for audio output, a camera for video capture, a microphone for audio capture, and an encoder for signal compression. Each module is optimized for its specific function, allowing the system to process multiple signal types simultaneously without excessive complexity. The segmentation enables independent optimization of each processing path while maintaining overall system versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
A videophone system includes a processor which selectively sets a television (TV) broadcast program viewing function mode and videophone function mode in response to manual operation of a remote control, a decoder which performs, in the TV program view mode, a TV program-use decode function for decoding a broadcast program signal received from a TV tuner to thereby display it on a display screen while producing audio sounds by loudspeakers and which performs, in the videophone function mode a videophone-use decode function for decoding a videophone signal received from a distant party to thereby display on the screen an image of the distant party using the screen and speakers, and an encoder which performs a videophone-use encode function for encoding a video signal from a camera and a voice signal from a microphone to generate a videophone signal, which is sent to the distant party via a network.