DE29700983U1 - Arrangement for outputting an image recorded by means of a video camera through a fax machine - Google Patents

Description

PATENT ATTORNEYS

ii/37238-OOl

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ROLF BOCKERMANN DIPL-ING.

PETER KOLL
DR-ING. DIPL-ING.

ADMITTED TO THE EUROPEAN PATENT OFFICE EUROPEAN PATENT ATTORNEYS MANDATAIRES AGREES EUROPEEN

Bergstrasse 159
44791 BOCHUM

PO Box 102450 44724 BOCHUM

22.01.1997 XK/Mo

Erhard Irion sen. _r Äußere Günzburger Straße 2, 89423 Gundelfingen

Joachim Baranski, Danziger Strasse 4, 463 42 Velen

Arrangement for outputting an image recorded by a video camera through a fax machine

The invention relates to an arrangement for outputting an image recorded by a video camera through a fax machine.

Video cameras are used for image and often sound recordings. They are used, for example, as portable reporting cameras or for observing and recording movement sequences, such as road, runway and shunting traffic. Video surveillance is also used in security technology.

Telephone (0234) 51957/58/59 · Fax (0234) 51 0512
Commerzbank AG Bochum, account number 3864782 (bank code 43040036) ■ Postbank Essen, account number 7447-431 (bank code 36010043)

A video camera contains all the components necessary to convert and process the optical and acoustic input signals into electrical output signals.

For surveillance purposes in the area of terrain, room, object, process flow and personal control, the on-site situation is recorded using a video camera. The recorded image is processed in a modulator in such a way that it can be transmitted to a receiver using an existing transmission network, such as ISDN, trunk or satellite radio and the like. On the receiver side, the image is broken down using a corresponding demodulator and usually output using a personal computer.

However, this approach and the technical equipment required for it are very cost-intensive. Furthermore, such a system is generally only useful for stationary applications.

Video printers are also part of the state of the art. These are laser, inkjet or thermal printers that output video signals as an image printed on paper. Televisions, camcorders, video recorders, video record players, still video cameras or photo video cameras can be used as input sources for the video printer.

However, a flexible and, above all, cost-effective transmission of an image recorded by a video camera from one location to another is not possible in this way.

Fax machines are widely used today. They are used to transmit remote copies over the telephone network. It is possible to transmit documents faithfully to the original.

Documents, technical drawings, etc. The written templates are converted into analogue or digital electrical signals in the transmitter by photoelectric means and transmitted via the telephone network. The receiver converts the incoming signals back into light values that control the image recording system.

In order to fax documents, they are fed to the sending device as a readable paper template. In this context, it is already state of the art to fax directly from the personal computer using a fax card integrated into the personal computer. However, a direct transmission of recorded video images to a fax machine is not possible in this case.

The invention is therefore based on the prior art and is based on the object of creating an arrangement by means of which a direct and cost-effective transmission of an image recorded by a video camera to an output device is possible, which is also flexible to handle and suitable for a wide variety of purposes.

The solution to this problem consists in the features of claim 1.

Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the general inventive concept form the subject matter of the dependent claims 2 to 6.

The core idea of the invention is the conversion of the pixels determined from the recorded video image or the video signals determined from the pixels into fax signals that can be displayed by a fax machine. For this purpose, a conversion module is assigned to the video camera,

which converts the image information into fax signals.

The fax signals can then be transmitted to the desired recipient via the telephone network. For this purpose, an automatic dialing and transmission device is advantageously integrated into the arrangement according to the invention.

It is also conceivable that the recorded image could be output directly by a fax machine connected downstream of the video camera or integrated into it.

The conversion module has a central unit with a processor (data processing unit) that includes an arithmetic unit and a control unit. The arithmetic unit carries out all arithmetic and logical operations that are required to convert the recorded image information into fax signals. The control unit controls the system so that all operations are carried out in a chronological and logical order.

In principle, it is possible to directly transform the pixels determined from the recorded video image into preferably digital fax signals. It is also possible to first convert the pixels into video signals. The brightness of each pixel broken down into the primary colors is converted into video signals in electronic circuits. These are then transformed into fax signals and formats by pixel expansion.

When transforming the video image information (pixels or video signals), the resolution of the video camera is interpolated into a fax-compatible (higher) resolution.

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A particularly advantageous embodiment of the general inventive concept provides that the video camera is assigned a digital memory ISt ₇ in which image information can be stored ready for retrieval. In this case, for example, the image information from several recorded images can be stored in the digital memory until it is processed, i.e. converted into fax signals. However, it is also conceivable to store image information that has already been converted to be fax-compatible in the digital memory.

The digital memory allows several images to be recorded initially, regardless of the connection to a telephone network. All or individual video images can then be sent to a fax machine at a later time for output or can be called up via fax retrieval (remote control).

The conversion module that processes the image information into fax signals is conveniently integrated into the video camera. However, it is also conceivable to implement the conversion module including the necessary interfaces as a separate component.

The arrangement according to the invention can be used particularly advantageously in security technology for surveillance tasks. Here, the arrangement is particularly characterized by the reliable, fast and very cost-effective transmission of a recorded video image to the fax machine in a control center or a burglar alarm center.

In this context, an automatic dialing and transmission device is integrated into the arrangement. This has various signal inputs, one of which can be controlled directly or indirectly by recording a video image. The dialing and transmission device

The transmission device then activates an automatic dialing process. The dialing and transmission device connects to the telephone line and dials the first of several stored telephone numbers. The processed fax signals are then transmitted to the recipient.

However, this arrangement is also advantageous for the transmission of templates, for example design drawings and similar planning documents or excerpts from them. These templates can be recorded using video technology, processed and transmitted using a conventional telephone or fax connection.

The arrangement according to the invention thus allows very flexible, fast and efficient work, especially in extensive planning projects where teams often have to work together from different locations worldwide.

Another option is a video camera with an integrated printer, whereby the fax image can either be printed out directly or alternatively transmitted via a telephone line.

Due to the relatively simple structure and the possibility of reducing it to the size of a fountain pen, an arrangement is also conceivable in which images of a template or sections of the template can be recorded using a video reader pen and transferred to a fax machine.

Another application variant involves integrating all the necessary components, including the video camera, into a fax machine. In this way, images of objects can be recorded, read in and transmitted via the telephone network.

The invention is described in more detail below with reference to an embodiment shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1 is technically generalized and not to scale. It shows an arrangement for outputting an image recorded by a video camera 1 to a fax machine 2.

The video camera 1 is assigned a conversion module 3, which converts pixels determined from the recorded video image or video signals determined from the pixels into fax signals that can be displayed by the fax machine 2.

The conversion module 3 has a central unit 4 with a processor which organizes the arithmetic and logical operations for converting the recorded image information into fax signals.

The generated fax signals are then transmitted to the fax machine via the telephone network using a digital dialing and transmission device 5 and are output there. The connection to the telephone network is established by a network-related telecommunications connection device 6, for example a (TAE) socket.

Furthermore, Figure 1 shows a digital memory 7 in which image information can be stored ready for retrieval. The image information of several recorded images can be stored in the digital memory 7 until they are retrieved and processed.

Optionally, a control monitor 8 can be provided, with the help of which the recording scene can be additionally observed.

Furthermore, a printer 9 can be connected, via which the fax signals can be output as an image printed on paper.

Reference symbol list

1 - Video camera

2 - Fax machine

3 - Forming module

4 - Central unit

5 - Dialing and transmission device

6 - TAE socket

7 - Digital storage

8 - Control monitor

9 - Printer

Claims (6)

JS* 9 ·&Agr;· S c hat &zgr; ans prüc he 1. Arrangement for outputting an image recorded by means of a video camera (1) through a fax machine (2), wherein the video camera (1) is assigned a conversion module (3) which converts pixels determined from the recorded video image or video signals determined from the pixels into fax signals that can be displayed by the fax machine (2). 2. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the conversion module (3) has a central unit (4) with a processor comprising an arithmetic unit and a control unit. 3. Arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the video camera (1) is assigned a digital memory (7) in which image information can be stored ready for retrieval. 4. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the conversion module (3) is integrated into the video camera (1). 5. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the forming module (3) is designed as a separate component. 6. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that an integrated or external selection and transmission device (5) is incorporated.