KR20120126595A - USB camera apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A USB camera device is provided to easily implement a video call by connecting a USB camera device into an IP set-top box. CONSTITUTION: A control unit(117) synthesizes a video signal photographed by a camera module(111) with a video signal inputted from an STB(Set Top Box)(150) through a USB interface(119). The control unit transmits a synthesis signal to the STB through a USB interface. The control unit transmits the inputted voice signal to the STB through the USB interface. The STB transmits the voice signal and the video signal through the internet. [Reference numerals] (111) Camera module; (113) Mike; (115) Voice processing unit; (117) Control unit; (119, 151) USB interface; (153) Communication unit; (160) TV; (AA) Internet

Description

USB camera apparatus {USB camera apparatus}

The present invention relates to a USB camera device, and more particularly, to a USB type camera device to which video encoding and decoding, a communication function, and a wireless call function are added.

In general, a set-top box having a function of receiving a broadcast signal through an IP network is called an IP SetTop Box (IP-STB).

IP set-top box (IP-STB) is connected to the Internet by one side connected to the external Internet network, the other side is connected to the TV to provide a function for networking with the Internet through the TV. Accordingly, when networking using a TV is possible, not only web surfing but also bidirectional broadcasting by networking rather than conventional passive broadcasting is possible.

The IP set-top box (IP-STB) can be applied to video online VOD and game functions such as broadcast guide information, Internet, movies, music, etc., and recently equipped with a camera device and a microphone to remotely display images It is also applied to a video call system capable of making calls.

However, a camera apparatus for capturing a user in a conventional video call system performs only a function of encoding a captured image and transmitting the encoded image to an IP set-top box (IP-STB) and receiving an external party through an internet network. Decoding of video, output of video and audio data to the TV, and communication with the Internet, etc. Porting relevant functions to the IP Set-Top Box (IP-STB) to perform in the IP Set-Top Box (IP-STB) There is a cumbersome disadvantage in implementing a video call system.

An object of the present invention is to provide a camera device of the USB type equipped with a video encoding, decoding function and communication function that can be easily connected to the IP set-top box to implement a video call.

A USB camera device connected to an Internet network and a TV and connected to a set-top box for displaying a broadcast signal from the Internet network on a TV. The USB camera device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a camera module for capturing an image; A microphone for converting sound into an electrical signal, a USB interface for exchanging data with a set-top box, and a video signal input by the camera module through a video signal input from the set-top box through the USB interface. It transmits to the set-top box through the interface to be displayed on the TV, and transmits the audio signal input through the microphone and the video signal taken by the camera module to the set-top box through the USB interface to transmit through the Internet network A control unit is provided.

In this case, the camera apparatus may further include a wireless telephone base module for wireless telephone call, and the controller may connect the wireless telephone base module and the USB interface to perform a telephone call through an internet network.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a USB camera device includes a camera module for capturing an image, a microphone for converting sound into an electrical signal, a USB interface for exchanging data with a set-top box, and an internet network. An internet interface for combining the video signal captured by the camera module with a video signal input through the internet interface and transmitting the synthesized video signal to the set-top box through the USB interface for display on a TV. And a control unit for transmitting a voice signal and a video signal captured by the camera module to the internet network through the internet interface.

In this case, the camera apparatus may further include a wireless telephone base module for wireless telephone call, and the controller may connect the wireless telephone base module and the USB interface to perform a telephone call through the Internet network.

The control unit of the USB camera device according to the embodiments is characterized in that for receiving a user operation command from the set-top box via the USB interface to perform an operation according to the user operation command, the user operation command and the Internet phone call And an operation command relating to a method of synthesizing a video signal captured by the camera module with a related operation command or an input video signal.

The present invention has an effect of easily implementing a video call by connecting a USB type camera device equipped with various functions to the IP set-top box without adding a separate function directly to the existing IP set-top box.

In addition, the present invention has the effect of reducing the communication load weighted to the IP set-top box by having a wired or wireless communication function in the camera device that is connected to the IP set-top box separately.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a video call system including a USB camera device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a video call system including a USB camera device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a video call system including a USB camera device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a video call system including a USB camera device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, some visible embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following, in adding reference numerals to the components of each drawing, it should be noted that the same components have the same reference numerals as much as possible even though they are shown in different drawings.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a video call system including a USB camera device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the video call system 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a USB camera device 110, an IP set-top box (IP-STB) 150, and a TV 160. . Since the configuration of the video call system according to the first embodiment of the present invention is a basic configuration for various other embodiments to be described later, description of the same configuration will be omitted in other embodiments.

IP set-top box (IP-STB) 150 is connected to the Internet via an Internet modem or an IP router (hereinafter referred to as the communication unit 153) to receive IPTV services. In general, the IP set-top box (IP-STB) 150 includes a controller (not shown) for controlling TV channel switching and various functions, and is connected to the TV 160 to control the controller (not shown). The video and audio signals are processed and transmitted to the TV 160 for output.

In this case, the controller (not shown) of the IP set-top box 150 may divide and display the video signal on the screen of the TV 160. Screen division methods include PBP (Picture By Picture), PIP (Picture In Picture), and POP (Picture On Picture).

 In addition, the IP set-top box 150 may be connected to the Internet through the communication unit 153 to transmit and receive various Internet data. As such, the configuration and functions of the IP set-top box 150 are generally well known, and thus the description of the specific functions of the respective components is omitted.

As described above, the TV 160 displays an image and an audio output from the IP set-top box 150 on a screen and outputs them to a speaker. In this case, the IP set-top box 150 and the TV 160 may be connected by a wired cable.

USB camera device 110 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is a USB type, the camera module 111 for capturing the user's image, the microphone 113 for receiving the user's voice, IP set-top box 150 Synthesized video signal captured by the camera module 111 with a video signal input from the IP set-top box 150 through a USB interface 119 and a USB interface 119 for exchanging data with the USB interface 119. Through the USB set-top box 150 to be displayed on the TV 160, the voice signal input through the microphone 113 and the video signal captured by the camera module 111 through the USB interface 119 Control unit 117 for transmitting to the IP set-top box 150 to transmit through the Internet.

The USB camera device 110 may further include a voice processor 115 for processing a voice signal of the user input from the microphone 113.

The USB camera device 110 is connected by an IP set-top box 150 and a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable. Accordingly, the IP set-top box 150 also has a USB interface for exchanging data with the USB camera device 110. 151.

The camera module 111 may use a charge coupled device (CCD) camera or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) camera.

The control unit 117 of the USB camera device 110 includes an IMS (Ip Multimedia Subsystem), a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), and a Skype for implementing Internet telephony and various multimedia data (voice, audio and video data) transmission and reception functions. Communication stacks such as) may be mounted by default.

As described above, the controller 117 converts the image data of the user photographed by the camera module 111 and the voice data of the user input by the microphone 113 into digital data and encodes the encoded data. The video and audio data encoded by the user through the interface 119-> 151 are transmitted to the IP set-top box 150.

The IP set-top box 150 receiving the video and audio data of the user is connected to the Internet through the communication unit 153 and transmits the received video and audio data to the outside.

In addition, the controller 117 receives the encoded video and audio data of the encoded counterpart that the IP set-top box 150 receives from the Internet network through the USB interface 151-> 119, and encodes the encoded counterpart. The video and audio data of the decoding (decoding) and the analog data is converted to the IP set-top box 150 through the USB interface (119-> 151).

The IP set-top box 150 outputs the received video and audio data of the other party to the TV 160, displays the video of the other party on the screen of the TV 160, and displays the other party's voice through the speaker of the TV 160. Enable output.

In this case, the IP set-top box 150 may simultaneously display the video and audio data of the user and the video and audio data of the counterpart on the screen of the TV 160. In other words, the screen may be divided in half, and the other party's image may be displayed on one side, and the user's image may be displayed on the other side, the other party's image may be displayed on a full screen, and the user's image may be displayed on a portion of the entire screen. And vice versa.

Accordingly, in the video call system 100 including the USB camera device 110 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the camera module 111 and the microphone 113 display the video and audio of the user in the USB camera device 110, respectively. Receive the input through the (encoding) and transmits to the IP set-top box 150 to transmit to the outside through the communication unit 153, receives the video and audio of the other party from the IP set-top box 150 (decoding) And transmit the decoded video and audio signals back to the IP set-top box 150 to output to the TV 160.

2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a video call system including a USB camera device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the video call system 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention provides a DECT for providing a wireless voice call service to a user in the video call system 100 according to the first embodiment. (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunication) terminal 220 is included, and the USB camera device 110 includes a DECT base module 210 for a wireless telephone call through the DECT terminal 220.

In addition, the USB camera device 110 according to the second embodiment of the present invention additionally, that is, when the power supplied through the USB to operate the DECT base module 210 for the wireless telephone call is not sufficient It may further include an adapter (not shown) for supplying external power, accordingly, the USB camera device 110 is a power management unit (not shown) for adjusting the external power supplied from the adapter the same as the internal power ) May also be included.

Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunication (DECT) is an abbreviation for digital European wireless telecommunications and is approved by the European Telecommunications Standard Institute (ETSI) and employs time division multiplexing (TDM), which is used throughout Europe. Say communication service.

Conventional DECT system is generally composed of a DECT base module 210 for providing an interface between the DECT terminal 220 for providing a wireless communication service to the user and a communication network such as PSTN, ISDN, FTTC backbone. The DECT terminal 220 is usually in the form of a handset.

The DECT terminal 220 included in the video call system 200 according to the second embodiment provides a wireless voice call service to a user, and is a voice processing unit that processes voice signals input and output through microphones and speakers. Wireless communication with the control unit (not shown) and the DECT base module 210 for controlling the overall functions of the DECT terminal 220, such as modulating, demodulating and outputting an input / output signal of a voice processing unit (not shown). RF transmitter and receiver (not shown) and a key input unit (not shown) for receiving a control signal from the user. Since the configuration of the DECT terminal 220 is generally widely used, descriptions of specific configurations and functions are omitted.

Similarly, the DECT base module 210 includes an RF transmitter / receiver (not shown) for wireless communication with the DECT terminal 220 and transmits a signal from the DECT terminal 220 to the outside through an Internet network, and from the outside. It includes a control unit (not shown) for controlling the function of transmitting a signal of the DECT terminal 220, and the like, since a specific function for this configuration is generally widely used, description thereof is also omitted.

At this time, the control unit 117 may be implemented to connect the DECT base module 210 and the USB interface 150 to perform a telephone call through the Internet using the communication unit 153 of the IP set-top box 150. .

That is, the video call system 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is a USB camera device connected to the IP set-top box 150 so that a user can use a wireless voice call service with a separate DECT terminal 220. The DECT base module 210 serving as an interface between the DECT terminal 220 and the Internet network is built in the 110.

Accordingly, by connecting the USB camera device 110 to the existing IP set-top box 150, the user can conveniently use the separate DECT terminal 220 instead of the microphone mounted on the USB camera device 110, the image with the other party You can make a call.

3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a video call system including a USB camera device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 3, the video call system 300 according to the third embodiment of the present invention is a communication module 310 for connecting to the Internet network in the USB camera device 110 according to the first embodiment. ) Is included.

The communication module 310 may be a wired communication module or a wireless communication module. The wired communication module includes a LAN card connected to a WAN cable for connecting to a wide area network (WAN), and the wireless communication module includes an access point. Includes a Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) module that connects to the Internet via Here, Wi-Fi is a logo provided by the Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance for the 802.11b wireless Ethernet standard.

In addition, the USB camera device 110 according to the third embodiment of the present invention is an additional function, that is, if the power supplied through the USB to operate the communication module for connection to the Internet network is not enough external power It may further include an adapter (not shown) for supplying, and accordingly, the USB camera device 110 includes a power management unit (not shown) for adjusting the external power supplied from the adapter to the same as the internal power. can do.

That is, in the first and second embodiments of the present invention, the video and audio data are received or transmitted to the outside through the communication unit 153 provided in the IP set-top box 150, but the data is transmitted to the outside. In the third embodiment, the USB camera device 110 is provided with a wired communication module or a wireless communication module by itself, thereby transmitting and receiving data to and from the outside.

Accordingly, since the video and audio data of the user and the counterpart may be transmitted and received without passing through the communication unit of the IP set-top box 150, the load added to the IP set-top box 150 may be reduced.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, the video call system 400 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is a DECT terminal applied to the video call system 300 according to the third embodiment in the second embodiment. By applying the 220 and the DECT base module 210, the user can more easily perform a voice call using the DECT terminal 220.

On the other hand, the above description has been described taking the case of using a DECT wireless telephone as a wireless telephone method, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, various wireless telephone devices such as a WiFi phone and a Bluetooth hands-free device can be used.

While the present invention has been described using the preferred embodiments, these embodiments are illustrative and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the rights set forth in the appended claims.

110: camera device 111: camera module
113: microphone 115: voice processing unit
117 control unit 119 USB interface
150: IP set-top box (IP-STB) 151: USB interface
153: communication unit 160: TV
210: DECT base module 220: DECT terminal

Claims (7)

A USB camera device connected to a set-top box connected to an Internet network and a TV to display broadcast signals from the Internet network on a TV.
A camera module for shooting an image,
A microphone for converting sound into an electrical signal,
USB interface for sending and receiving data with the set-top box,
The video signal input by the camera module is synthesized by the video signal input from the set-top box through the USB interface, and transmitted to the set-top box through the USB interface to be displayed on a TV. Control unit for transmitting the video signal photographed by the camera module to the set-top box via the USB interface via the Internet network
USB camera device comprising a. The method of claim 1,
And a wireless telephone base module for wireless telephone call, wherein the controller connects the wireless telephone base module and the USB interface to perform a telephone call through an internet network. A USB camera device connected to a set-top box connected to the TV to allow video signals from the outside to be displayed on the TV.
A camera module for shooting an image,
A microphone for converting sound into an electrical signal,
USB interface for sending and receiving data with the set-top box,
An internet interface for accessing the internet network,
The video signal input by the camera module is synthesized with the video signal input through the internet interface, transmitted to the set-top box through the USB interface, and displayed on the TV. The voice signal input through the microphone and the camera module are displayed. Control unit for transmitting the video signal captured by the Internet to the Internet through the Internet interface
USB camera device comprising a. The method of claim 2,
And a wireless telephone base module for wireless telephone call, wherein the controller connects the wireless telephone base module and the internet interface to perform a telephone call through an internet network. The method according to claim 1 or 3,
The control unit receives a user operation command from the set-top box via the USB interface, characterized in that for performing an operation according to the user operation command. 6. The USB camera device according to claim 5, wherein the user operation command is an operation command associated with an internet telephone call. The USB camera apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the user operation command is an operation command relating to a method of synthesizing a video signal captured by the camera module with an input video signal.

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