Integrated TV Videophone Switching for Seamless Call Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing television receivers with videophone capabilities require users to manually switch between TV viewing and videophone calls, which is time-consuming and disruptive, especially during TV broadcasts.
Innovation Solution
A videophone function-added TV receiver with integrated decoders for both digital broadcast and videophone signals, allowing simultaneous display on a single screen and automatic operation control for seamless transitions between modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a videophone and TV receiver are used as separate devices, then each device can operate independently with dedicated functions, but the user must manually move to the videophone location and perform manual operations to answer and end calls, which is time-consuming and disruptive during TV viewing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the TV receiver and videophone into a single integrated device. The TV receiver is equipped with both a display screen for TV viewing and a camera/microphone/speaker system for videophone calls. This merging eliminates the need for users to physically move between devices and perform manual operations, as both functions are accessible from one location through automatic switching based on incoming call detection.
2Loss of information
If the TV receiver displays phone call arrival messages, then the user can see call notifications during TV viewing, but the user still needs to manually go to the videophone location to answer the call
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements automatic call answering functionality where the TV receiver automatically detects incoming videophone calls through its built-in communication module and switches to display the incoming call screen without requiring user intervention. When the user hangs up, the system automatically returns to the previous TV program, eliminating the need for manual operations at the videophone location.
3Reliability
If manual operations are required to start and end videophone calls, then call control is precise, but the process becomes troublesome and time-consuming especially when users are engaged in watching TV programs
Solution Approach 1:
The TV receiver continuously monitors for incoming videophone calls in the background while TV programs are playing. When an incoming call is detected, the system has already prepared the communication module and switched to the incoming call display screen beforehand, so the user only needs to see the notification and the system automatically handles the connection establishment, reducing the user's operational burden while maintaining reliable call control.
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.