System and method to provide video communication with a service provider

• US 20080235745A1
• Filed: 03/23/2007
• Published: 09/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: AT&T Knowledge Ventures, L.P. (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Knowledge Ventures, L.P. (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Edwards, Gregory, Van Vleck, Paul, Sullivan, Marc A., Arellano, Javier, Garofalo, Donald
• Application Number:
  US11/728,210
• Publication Number:
  US 20080235745A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/110
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/66 Arrangements for connecting between networks having differing types of switching systems, e.g. gateways
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/478 Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6131 involving transmission via a mobile phone network wireless downlink channel access H04W74/006
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/814 comprising emergency warnings arrangements specially adapted for emergency or urgency in broadcast systems H04H20/59; arrangements for providing alarms, notifications, alerts to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1895
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8146 involving graphical data, e.g. 3D object, 2D graphics
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

Methods and systems for providing a video link are provided. A method may include receiving a request to establish a first video link to a healthcare service provider. The method may also include selecting a first healthcare service provider from at least two healthcare service providers and establishing the first video link to the first healthcare service provider.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving a request to establish a first video link to a healthcare service provider;

selecting a first healthcare service provider from at least two healthcare service providers; and

establishing the first video link to the first healthcare service provider.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a first video from the first healthcare service provider; and

transmitting the first video to a request device.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the first video comprises a video from a mobile video device.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the mobile video device is selected from one of a cellular telephone, a personal digital assistant, a mobile computer, and a video camera.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the first video link is a two-way video link between the request device and the first healthcare service provider.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising establishing a second video link to a second healthcare provider while maintaining the first video link.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first video link is provided over a network selected from a cellular network, a television broadcast network, and an internet protocol network.

8. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

receiving an instructional healthcare video via the first video link from the first healthcare provider; and

transmitting the instructional healthcare video to the request location via the first video link.

9. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

receiving a first live video stream from the request device; and

transmitting the first live video stream to the first healthcare service provider.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a first live video stream over the first video link from the first healthcare service provider; and

transmitting the first live video stream over the first video link.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

receiving a second video stream; and

transmitting the second video stream to a request device while maintaining the first live video stream.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the second video stream is an instructional video.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving first data indicating an availability of a healthcare service; and

selecting the first healthcare service provider at least partially based on the first data.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving first data indicating a proximity of a physician to a request location; and

selecting the first healthcare service provider at least partially based on the first data.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving first data indicating an insurance plan of a person making the request; and

selecting the first healthcare service provider at least partially based on the first data.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving medical history information of a requestor; and

selecting the first healthcare service provider at least partially based on the medical history information.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the medical history information is received from a database accessible by a website.

18. A device comprising:

a network interface;

a processor coupled to the network interface, the processor operable to execute

a method comprising;

receiving a request to establish a first video link to a first healthcare service provider;

transmitting information related to a selection of a first healthcare service provider from at least two healthcare service providers, the selection at least partially based on the information;

establishing the first video link via the network interface with the first healthcare service provider; and

providing a first video received over the first video link to a display device.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein the information further comprises information including at least one of a service provider identification, an insurance plan, a medical history, a proximity of a service provider, an availability of a service provider, a specialty of a service provider, a location of a service provider, contact information for a service provider, a quality rating of a service provider, an insurance plan identification, a co-pay amount, a deductible amount, an eligible service provider, a coverage type, a maximum coverage amount, an insurance policy holder, a person covered under the insurance policy, a past service, a previous service date, a future service date, an equipment identification, a specific service technician, allergy information, a medical treatment information, a medication information, a payment information, and a problem diagnosis information.

20. The device of claim 18, wherein the processor is operable to execute the method further comprising:

receiving a second video; and

providing the second video to the display device.

21. The device of claim 20, wherein the first video and the second video are provided to the display device for concurrent display.

22. The device of claim 21, wherein the concurrent display comprises one of a picture-in-picture display and a side-by-side display.

23. The device of claim 22, wherein the information comprises a type of medical information requested by a user.

24. A graphical user interface comprising:

a first screen comprising a channel listing including a first channel; and

a first selectable element, wherein a selection of the first selectable element initiates a request to establish a first video link with a first healthcare service provider to provide a first video on the first channel.

25. The graphical user interface of claim 24, further comprising a second screen to allow an input of data, the data to select the healthcare service provider from at least two healthcare service providers.

26. The graphical user interface of claim 25, wherein the data further comprises at least one of verification data, personal identification number data, or text data.

27. A computer-readable medium having instructions to cause a processor to perform a method, the method comprising:

receiving a request to establish a video connection to an emergency service provider over an internet protocol television network; and

initiating the video connection to the emergency service based on the request.

28. The computer-readable medium of claim 27, wherein the method further comprises transmitting information related to a selection of a first emergency service provider from at least two emergency service providers, the selection at least partially based on the information.

29. The computer-readable medium of claim 27, wherein the emergency service provider is one of a healthcare service provider, an ambulance service provider, a police service provider, a security service provider, a first responder service provider, a security service provider, a fire service provider, an emergency room service provider, a live operator service provider, and a poison first aid service provider.

30. The computer-readable medium of claim 27, wherein the request is initiated from a selection of a remote control equipped with an actuator for requesting an emergency service.