METHODS, COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS, AND VIRTUAL SERVERS FOR A VIRTUAL COLLABORATIVE ENVIRONMENT

• US 20090125955A1
• Filed: 11/08/2007
• Published: 05/14/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T BLS Intelectual Property Inc (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T BLS Intelectual Property Inc (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: DeLorme, David
• Granted Patent: US 8,739,214 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/110
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1813 for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms instant messaging H04L51/04; protocols for multimedia communication H04L65/1101; arrangements for multi-party communication H04L65/403; telephonic conference arrangements H04M3/56; television conference systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/21805 enabling multiple viewpoints, e.g. using a plurality of cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/242 Synchronization processes, e.g. processing of PCR [Program Clock References] arrangements for synchronising broadcast or distribution via plural systems in broadcast distribution systems H04H20/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4223 Cameras H04N23/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4316 for displaying supplemental content in a region of the screen, e.g. an advertisement in a separate window
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4437 Implementing a Virtual Machine [VM] virtual machines in general G06F9/45533
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4788 communicating with other users, e.g. chatting arrangements for providing for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms, to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1813; distributed application using peer-to-peer [P2P] networks H04L67/104
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/141 between two video terminals, e.g. videophone telephonic communication systems combined with television receiver for reception of entertainment or information matter H04M11/085
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources

Abstract

Methods, computer program products, and virtual servers for providing virtual service are provided. A user of a virtual service is authenticated. An input is received that identifies another user in which to operatively connect for virtual service. Permission is requested to operatively connect to the other user. The user is operatively connected to the other user, in response to receiving an acceptance to operatively connect from the other user. Acquired information is transmitted and received between the user and the other user, while broadcast content is being received by the user and the other user. The acquired information and the broadcast content may be displayed together on a television.

Claims

1. A method for providing a virtual service comprising:

authenticating a user for the virtual service;

receiving input identifying another user in which to operatively connect for the virtual service;

requesting permission to operatively connect to the other user; and

operatively connecting the user to the other user, in response to receiving an acceptance to operatively connect from the other user;

wherein acquired information is transmitted and received between the user and the other user, while broadcast content is being received by the user and the other user.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising mapping to the other user.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein a set top box of the user maps to another set top box of the other user, such that acquired information can be transmitted and received.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein a virtual server maps a set top box of the user to another set top box of the other user, such that acquired information can be transmitted and received.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the user and the other user represent a plurality of users utilizing the virtual service.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving input identifying the other user in which to operatively connect comprises receiving a unique identification address of the other user.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving input identifying the other user in which to operatively connect comprises:

receiving a telephone number of the other user;

correlating the telephone number to determine a unique address of the other user; and

mapping to the other user based on the unique address.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein requesting permission to operatively connect to the other user allows the other user to accept or decline the request to operatively connect for the virtual service.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein operatively connecting the user to the other user establishes a communications connection such that the acquired information is transmitted to a device as broadcast content is transmitted to the device;

and

wherein the acquired information and the broadcast content can be presented simultaneously on the device.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the acquired information comprises respective video and audio of the user and the other user.

11. A virtual server for providing a virtual service, the virtual server comprising:

means for transmitting and receiving communications;

means for receiving an input from a user that is transmitted by a communications device configured to receive and process inputs from multiple sources via a network, the input identifying another user in which to operatively connect for the virtual service;

means for requesting permission to operatively connect for the virtual service; and

in response to an acceptance by the other user, means for connecting the communications device of the user to another communications device of the other user, such that acquired information can be transmitted and received between the user and the other user, wherein the acquired information is transmitted and received between the user and the other user, while broadcast content is being received by the user and the other user.

12. The virtual server of claim 11, wherein the communications device is operatively connected to a camera and a microphone for capturing the acquired information, wherein the acquired information is processed by a video and audio application of the communications device;

wherein the acquired information of the user is transmitted from the communications device to the other communications device of the other user; and

wherein the acquired information of the other user is transmitted from the other communications device to the communications device of the user.

13. The virtual server of claim 11, wherein the virtual server is operatively connected to an Internet protocol (IP) device via the communications device;

and

wherein the acquired information and the broadcast content are simultaneously presented on the IP device.

14. The virtual server of claim 11, wherein the virtual server maps to the other communications device of the other user based on the input identifying the other user.

15. The virtual server of claim 11, wherein the communications device maps to the other user based on the input identifying the other user.

16. The virtual server of claim 11, wherein if a telephone number for the other user is received by the virtual server, the virtual server correlates the telephone number to identify a unique address the other user.

17. A computer program product, tangibly embodied on a computer readable medium, for a virtual service, the computer program product including instructions for causing a computer to execute a method, comprising:

authenticating a user for a virtual service;

receiving input identifying another user in which to operatively connect for virtual service;

requesting permission to operatively connect to the other user; and

operatively connecting the user to the other user, in response to receiving an acceptance to operatively connect from the other user;

wherein acquired information is transmitted and received between the user and the other user, while broadcast content is being received by the user and the other user.

18. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein receiving input identifying the other user in which to operatively connect comprises receiving a unique identification address of the other user.

19. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein receiving input identifying the other user in which to operatively connect comprises:

receiving a telephone number of the other user;

correlating the telephone number to determine a unique address of the other user; and

mapping to the other user based on the unique address.

20. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein the acquired information comprises respective video and audio of the user and the other user.