System and method for mitigating interruptions during television viewing
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method in an interactive television system for mitigating interruptions during television viewing, the method comprising:
- receiving a television signal from a signal source;
displaying the television signal;
detecting a request from a remote device to establish communication with the interactive television system; and
automatically buffering the television signal for subsequent playback after a user responds to the request.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In response to an incoming communication request or other interruption, a television signal being currently displayed by an interactive television system is buffered for subsequent playback. In one embodiment, the television signal is automatically buffered immediately upon detection of the request. Alternatively, buffering begins when the request is accepted. Playback of the television signal being buffered may commence, for example, when the request is rejected or after communication with a remote device is terminated.
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Citations
65 Claims
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1. A method in an interactive television system for mitigating interruptions during television viewing, the method comprising:
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receiving a television signal from a signal source;
displaying the television signal;
detecting a request from a remote device to establish communication with the interactive television system; and
automatically buffering the television signal for subsequent playback after a user responds to the request. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 19, 20, 42)
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13. A method in an interactive television system for mitigating interruptions during television viewing, the method comprising:
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receiving a television signal from a signal source;
displaying the television signal;
detecting a request from a remote device to establish communication with the interactive television system;
prompting a user to accept or reject the request; and
in response to the user accepting the request, automatically buffering the television signal for subsequent playback after communication with the remote device is terminated. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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21. A method in an interactive television system for mitigating interruptions during television viewing, the method comprising:
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receiving a television signal from a signal source;
displaying the television signal;
sending a request to a remote device to establish communication between the remote device and the interactive television system; and
automatically buffering the television signal for subsequent playback after completion of the communication. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. An interactive television system for mitigating interruptions during television viewing, the system comprising:
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a tuner that receives a television signal from a signal source;
a video controller that displays the television signal on a display device;
a detection component that detects a request from a remote device to establish communication with the interactive television system; and
a buffering component that automatically buffers the television signal for subsequent playback after a user responds to the request. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 49, 50)
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43. An interactive television system for mitigating interruptions during television viewing, the system comprising:
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a tuner that receives a television signal from a signal source;
a video controller that displays the television signal on a display device;
a detection component that detects a request from a remote device to establish communication with the interactive television system;
a prompting component that prompts a user to accept or reject the request; and
a buffering component that, in response to the user accepting the request, automatically buffers the television signal for subsequent playback after communication with the remote device is terminated. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
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51. A system for mitigating interruptions during television viewing, the system comprising:
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a tuner that receives a television signal from a signal source;
a video controller that displays the television signal on a display device;
a network interface that sends a request to a remote device to establish communication between the remote device and the interactive television system; and
a buffering component that automatically buffers the television signal for subsequent playback after completion of the communication. - View Dependent Claims (52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60)
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61. A method in an interactive television system for mitigating interruptions during television viewing, the method comprising:
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receiving a television signal from a signal source;
displaying the television signal;
detecting a request from a remote device to establish communication with the interactive television system;
automatically buffering the television signal for subsequent playback after a user responds to the request;
identifying a caller associated with the remote device using information contained within the request;
notifying a user of the interactive television system concerning the identity of the caller;
prompting the user to accept or reject the request;
in response to the user accepting the request, establishing communication with the remote device; and
in response to the communication being terminated, automatically playing back the television signal being buffered from a point in time at which the request was detected.
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62. An interactive television system for mitigating interruptions during television viewing, the system comprising:
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a tuner that receives a television signal from a signal source;
a video controller that displays the television signal on a display device;
a detection component that detects a request from a remote device to establish communication with the interactive television system;
a buffering component that automatically buffers the television signal for subsequent playback after a user responds to the request;
an identification component that identifies a caller associated with the remote device using information contained within the request;
a prompting component that notifies a user of the interactive television system concerning the identity of the caller and prompts the user to accept or reject the request;
a communication component that, in response to the user accepting the request, establishes communication with the remote device; and
a playback component that, in response to the communication being terminated, automatically plays back the television signal being buffered from a point in time at which the request was detected.
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63. A interactive television system for mitigating interruptions during television viewing, the system comprising:
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means for receiving a television signal from a signal source;
means for displaying the television signal;
means for detecting a request from a remote device to establish communication with the interactive television system; and
means for automatically buffering the television signal for subsequent playback after a user responds to the request.
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64. An interactive television system for mitigating interruptions during television viewing, the system comprising:
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means for receiving a television signal from a signal source;
means for displaying the television signal;
means for detecting a request from a remote device to establish communication with the interactive television system;
means for prompting a user to accept or reject the request; and
means for automatically buffering the television signal for subsequent playback in response to the user accepting the request.
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65. An interactive television system for mitigating interruptions during television viewing, the system comprising:
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means for receiving a television signal from a signal source;
means for displaying the television signal;
means for sending a request to a remote device to establish communication between the remote device and the interactive television system; and
means for automatically buffering the television signal for subsequent playback after completion of the communication.
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Specification