Series/1-based videoconferencing system

Discussed is a new videoconferencing system that has been developed and deployed at several IBM locations. This system transmits high-quality monochrome, freeze-frame images over dial-up telephone lines between two (or three) dedicated video-conferencing rooms. There are two main system components. An IBM Series/1 provides control, communication, data compression, and storage, and Grinnell GMR-270 image processing display system implements image acquisition, processing, and video buffering functions. Conference participants may choose either a basically black and white rendering of an image for fast transmission or a continuous-tone rendering with a longer transmission time. Details are given regarding the system configuration, function, and operation.