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
29 Claims
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1-16. -16. (Canceled).
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17. A display system for use in a communications network, comprising:
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a display device; and
plural display windows at the display device, the plural windows for simultaneously displaying multiple content, wherein a first display window is for displaying a broadcast television program and wherein a second display window is for displaying content from an instant messaging (IM) application, so that IM content in the form of a message may be displayed at the second window, such message concerning the television program displayed on the first window. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. 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 television 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, so that both a television program and IM messages concerning the television program may be displayed simultaneously at the display means.
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29. A method for displaying content to users in a communications network, comprising:
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displaying content at a display device associated with each user; and
providing plural windows at the display device, with a first window displaying television programming and a second window for simultaneously displaying instant messaging messages concerning the television programming.
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Specification