Communication system and method
First Claim
1. A television receiver system, comprising:
- a television receiver operable to receive broadcast video signals;
a memory storing a communication client application;
a processor, coupled to the memory and operable to execute the communication client application, wherein the communication client application is programmed so as when executed to allow a user to establish a video call with one or more other users via a packet-based communication network;
a video buffer operable to buffer video data for display on a television screen; and
selection means having a first input arranged to receive broadcast video data from the television receiver, a second input arranged to receive video call data from the communication client, an output connected to the video buffer, and a control input connected to the communication client,wherein the selection means is arranged to output the broadcast video data to the video buffer in the absence of a selection signal at the control input, and wherein the communication client is arranged to generate a selection signal to control the selection means to output the video call data to the video buffer responsive to receiving a command to establish a video call from the user.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A television receiver system, comprising: a television receiver operable to receive broadcast video signals; a memory storing a communication client application; a processor, coupled to the memory and operable to execute the communication client application, wherein the communication client application is programmed so as when executed to allow a user to establish a video call with one or more other users via a packet-based communication network; a video buffer operable to buffer video data for display on a television screen; and selection means having a first input arranged to receive broadcast video data from the television receiver, a second input arranged to receive video call data from the communication client, an output connected to the video buffer, and a control input connected to the communication client, wherein the selection means is arranged to output the broadcast video data to the video buffer in the absence of a selection signal at the control input, and wherein the communication client is arranged to generate a selection signal to control the selection means to output the video call data to the video buffer responsive to receiving a command to establish a video call from the user.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A television receiver system, comprising:
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a television receiver operable to receive broadcast video signals; a memory storing a communication client application; a processor, coupled to the memory and operable to execute the communication client application, wherein the communication client application is programmed so as when executed to allow a user to establish a video call with one or more other users via a packet-based communication network; a video buffer operable to buffer video data for display on a television screen; and selection means having a first input arranged to receive broadcast video data from the television receiver, a second input arranged to receive video call data from the communication client, an output connected to the video buffer, and a control input connected to the communication client, wherein the selection means is arranged to output the broadcast video data to the video buffer in the absence of a selection signal at the control input, and wherein the communication client is arranged to generate a selection signal to control the selection means to output the video call data to the video buffer responsive to receiving a command to establish a video call from the user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A media appliance, comprising:
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a video playback device operable to retrieve stored video data from a storage location; a memory storing a communication client application; a processor, coupled to the memory and operable to execute the communication client application, wherein the communication client application is programmed so as when executed to allow a user to establish a video call with one or more other users via a packet-based communication network; a video buffer operable to buffer video data for display on a television screen; and selection means having a first input arranged to receive stored video data from the video playback device, a second input arranged to receive video call data from the communication client, an output connected to the video buffer, and a control input connected to the communication client, wherein the communication client is arranged to control the selection means to output the video call data to the video buffer responsive to the communication client receiving a command to establish a video call from the user. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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21. A method of controlling video signals in a television receiver system having a processor executing a communication client, comprising:
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receiving broadcast video signals at a television receiver and providing broadcast video data from the television receiver to a first input of a selection means; outputting the broadcast video data from the selection means to a video buffer in the absence of a selection signal at a control input of the selection means; receiving a command to establish a video call from a user at the communication client and providing video call data to a second input of the selection means; responsive to receiving the command to establish a video call, the communication client generating a selection signal to control the selection means to output the video call data to the video buffer.
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22. A method of controlling video signals in a media appliance having a processor executing a communication client, comprising:
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retrieving stored video data from a storage location using a video playback device and providing the stored video data from the video playback device to a first input of a selection means; outputting the stored video data from the selection means to a video buffer in the absence of a selection signal at a control input of the selection means; receiving a command to establish a video call from a user at the communication client and providing video call data to a second input of the selection means; responsive to receiving the command to establish a video call, the communication client generating a selection signal to control the selection means to output the video call data to the video buffer.
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Specification