Method and apparatus for image capture, compression and transmission of a visual image over telephonic or radio transmission system

Abstract

An image capture, conversion, compression, storage and transmission system provides a data signal representing the image in a format and protocol capable of being transmitted over any of a plurality of readily available transmission systems and received by readily available, standard equipment receiving stations. The system is adapted to be installed in a standard cellular phone configuration, providing a portable, hand held, wireless transmission system for transmitting video image signals to a remote receiving station.

1 . A portable audio-visual transceiver for providing a teleconferencing environment wherein the transceiver provides a local station for sending and receiving signals comprising: 
 a. a display screen for displaying a received image;    b. at least one sensor adapted for generating an electronic video signal representing a teleconference attendee;    c. at least one sensor adapted for generating an electronic audio signal representing the teleconference attendee;    d. a transmitter for transmitting the electronic signals;    e. a receiver for receiving electronic signals;    f. a display screen for reproducing a received video signal; and    g. a speaker for reproducing a received audio signal:    
     
     
         2 . The transceiver of  claim 1 , further including a multiplexer for multiplexing a plurality of transmittable signals prior to transmission.  
     
     
         3 . The transceiver of  claim 1 , further including a demultiplexer for separating a received signal into at least a separate video signal and a separate audio signal.  
     
     
         4 . The transceiver of  claim 1 , further including a video digitization and compression device.  
     
     
         5 . The transceiver of  claim 1 , further including an audio digitization compression device.  
     
     
         6 . The transceiver of  claim 1 , further including a data input device.  
     
     
         7 . The transceiver of  claim 6 , wherein the data input device is a keypad.  
     
     
         8 . The transceiver of claim one, wherein the transceiver is for transmitting and receiving signals via a cellular transmission system.  
     
     
         9 . The transceiver of  claim 1 , wherein the transceiver is for transmitting and receiving signals via a surrogate satellite system.  
     
     
         10 . The transceiver of  claim 1 , wherein the transceiver is for transmitting and receiving signals via a satellite system.  
     
     
         11 . The transceiver of  claim 1 , wherein the transceiver is for transmitting and receiving signals via a plurality of communications systems.  
     
     
         12 . The transceiver of  claim 1 , wherein the transceiver includes a processor for receiving control signals for controlling the functions of the transceiver.  
     
     
         13 . The transceiver of  claim 12 , wherein the control signals are generated by the transceiver.  
     
     
         14 . The transceiver of  claim 12 , wherein the control signals are transmitted to and received by the transceiver.  
     
     
         15 . The transceiver of  claim 1 , further including means for transmitting and receiving graphic signals, wherein received graphic signals may be displayed on the display screen.  
     
     
         16 . The transceiver of  claim 1 , further including means for transmitting and receiving alpha-numeric information, wherein the alpha-numeric information may be displayed on the display screen.