System and method for simultaneously displaying video programming and instant messaging
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Abstract
Instant messaging (IM) and TV programming are displayed simultaneously on a TV screen. An instant messaging window on the screen displays posted messages and identifies the TV program (if any) being currently viewed by each user posting messages. An icon accompanying a message can be selected by a message recipient to permit a telephone call to be automatically dialed and completed to the message sender. Video files attached to sent messages include a key which may be compared to a key at the destination, so that the video file may be viewed by the recipient only if the there is a match. Data collected at a server managing the instant messaging may be used to monitor message, television and telephone activity, as well as demographic data associated with the IM users.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1-16. -16. (Cancelled)
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17. A display system for use in a communications network, comprising:
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a display device; and
first and second display windows at the display device for simultaneously displaying multiple content, the first display window displaying video programming content and the second display window displaying content from an instant messaging (IM) application, wherein the IM content comprises a selectable telephone communications display element, so that upon selection of the display element a telephone communications line is established over the communications network between plural users of the IM application. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. In a communications network having a plurality of users and a user interface device associated with each user, the user interface device comprising:
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display means; and
means for simultaneously displaying multiple content to a viewer at the display means, including first window means for displaying video programming content at a first display window at said display means, and second window means for simultaneously displaying content from an instant messaging (IM) application at a second window at said display means, wherein the IM content comprises selectable telephone communications means for establishing a telephone communications line over the communications network between plural users of the IM application.
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30. A method for establishing a telephone line connection between at least two users in a public switched telephone network (PSTN), comprising:
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displaying content at a display device associated with each user;
providing plural windows at the display device, with a first window displaying video programming content and a second window for simultaneously displaying instant messaging content; and
providing a selectable telephone communications element as part of the instant messaging content, the telephone communications element, selected by at least one of the users for establishing a telephone line between the users over the PSTN.
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Specification