Communication system and method

• US 20100064329A1
• Filed: 09/04/2009
• Published: 03/11/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Skype Limited (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Dove, Ben, McLaughlin, Mark, Kaal, Madis, Laasik, Marek
• Granted Patent: US 8,407,749 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/106
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2535 adapted for voice communication over an Internet Protocol [IP] network Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network equipment and services H04M7/006; implementation or adaptation of Internet protocol [IP], of transmission control protocol [TCP] or of user datagram protocol [UDP] H04L69/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72415 for remote control of appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 19/04 the ringing-current being generated at the substations
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42201 biosensors, e.g. heat sensor for presence detection, EEG sensors or any limb activity sensors worn by the user input arrangements for interaction with the human body based on nervous system activity detection G06F3/015
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42204 User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/426 Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4381 Recovering the multiplex stream from a specific network, e.g. recovering MPEG packets from ATM cells transmission of MPEG streams over ATM H04L12/5601
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44218 Detecting physical presence or behaviour of the user, e.g. using sensors to detect if the user is leaving the room or changes his face expression during a TV program methods or arrangements for recognising human body or animal bodies or body parts G06V40/10; methods or arrangements for acquiring or recognising human faces, facial parts, facial sketches, facial expressions G06V40/16; methods or arrangements for recognising movements or behaviour G06V40/20; arrangements for identifying users in broadcast systems H04H60/45
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44222 Analytics of user selections, e.g. selection of programs or purchase activity monitoring of user selections in data processing systems G06F11/34; arrangements for monitoring the user's behaviour or opinions in broadcast systems H04H60/33
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4667 Processing of monitored end-user data, e.g. trend analysis based on the log file of viewer selections
• 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 21/64322 IP
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/173 with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17309 Transmission or handling of upstream communications

Abstract

A television receiver system and corresponding method, the television receiver system comprising: a television receiver for receiving broadcast television signals, signal processing apparatus operable to process the received television signals for output to a television screen, and a control device allowing a user to select a viewing activity by controlling the output to the television screen. The television receiver further comprises a memory storing a communication client application; and communications processing apparatus operable to execute the communication client application. The client application is programmed so as when executed to allow the user to establish bidirectional communications with one or more other users via a packet-based communication network, and to provide notifications to the user of incoming communication events from other users. The client application is further programmed to control the notifications of incoming communication events in dependence on the selection of viewing activity.

Claims

1. A television receiver system comprising:

a television receiver operable to receive multiplexed broadcast television signals corresponding to a plurality of respective concurrent programs;

signal processing apparatus, coupled to the television receiver, operable to process signals including at least said received television signals for output to a television screen, wherein the signal processing apparatus comprises a demultiplexer operable to separate out the signal of a required one of the programs for output to the television screen;

a control device communicable with the signal processing apparatus, configured to allow a user to select a viewing activity by controlling the output to the television screen, the control device being configured to allow the user to select said viewing activity by selecting the program required for output to the television screen;

a memory storing a communication client application; and

communications processing apparatus, coupled to said memory, operable to execute the communication client application;

wherein the client application is programmed so as when executed to allow the user to establish bidirectional communications with one or more other users via a packet-based communication network, and to provide notifications to the user of incoming communication events from other users; and

wherein the client application is further programmed to control said notifications of incoming communication events in dependence on the selected program.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the television receiver is operable to receive a transport stream comprising packets of a plurality of time-division multiplexed broadcast signals corresponding to a plurality of respective concurrent programs, and the demultiplexer comprises a packet filter operable to extract the packets of the required program.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the television receiver is operable to receive frequency-division multiplexed broadcast signals, and the demultiplexer comprises a tuner circuit operable to tune to the frequency of the required program.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the signal processing apparatus is operable to process an alternative video signal from a source other than television broadcast,

the control device is configured to allow the user to select said viewing activity by selecting between a received television signal and the alternative video signal for output to the television screen, and

the client application is programmed to control said notifications in dependence on whether the alternative video signal is selected.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said other source is video disc player, the control device being configured to allow the user to select said viewing activity by selecting between television and video disc, and the client application being programmed to control said notifications in dependence on whether video disc is selected.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the control device is configured to allow the user to select said viewing activity by selecting between an active viewing state in which signals are output to the television screen and an inactive viewing state in which signals are not output to the television screen, and

the client application is programmed to control notifications in dependence on whether the active or inactive viewing state has been selected.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the client application is programmed to refer to an electronic program guide comprising a digital schedule of programs including a record of whether programs have been flagged by a user, and to control said notifications in dependence on whether the selected program is flagged.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the client application is programmed to control the notifications by suppressing notifications in dependence on the selected viewing activity.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the client application is programmed to control the notifications by changing output device for the notification in dependence on the selected viewing activity.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the client application is programmed to control the notifications by changing the appearance of visible notifications on said television screen in dependence on the selected viewing activity.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the client application is programmed to change the appearance of said visible notifications by altering their transparency.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the televisions receiver comprises one of a satellite television receiver operable to receive wireless broadcasts from a satellite repeater station, a terrestrial television receiver operable to receive wireless broadcasts from a terrestrial repeater station, and a cable television receiver operable to receive cable broadcasts.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the client application is further programmed to change a presence status of the user in dependence on said selection of viewing activity.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein said communication network comprises the Internet.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the client application is programmed to allow the user to establish said bidirectional communications via a peer-to-peer connection in said communication network.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the system comprises one of a television set and a set-top box.

14. The system of 1, wherein the bidirectional communication comprises at least one of a video call, an audio phone call, and a text chat conversation.

18. A method comprising:

receiving multiplexed broadcast television signals corresponding to a plurality of respective concurrent programs;

processing said received television signals for output to a television screen, said processing comprising demultiplexing the received signals to separate out the signal of a required one of the programs for output to the television screen;

selecting a viewing activity by controlling the output to the television screen, the selection of said viewing activity comprising selecting the program required for output to the television screen;

executing a communication client application to establish bidirectional communications with one or more other users via a packet-based communication network, and to provide notifications to the user of incoming communication events from other users; and

controlling said notifications of incoming communication events in dependence on said selection of viewing activity, wherein the control of said notifications is performed in dependence on the selected program.

19. A television set comprising:

a television receiver operable to receive multiplexed broadcast television signals corresponding to a plurality of respective concurrent programs;

a television screen;

signal processing apparatus, coupled to the television receiver and screen, operable to process signals including at least said received television signals for output to the television screen, wherein the signal processing apparatus comprises a demultiplexer operable to separate out the signal of a required one of the programs for output to the television screen;

a control device communicable with the signal processing apparatus, configured to allow a user to select a viewing activity by controlling the output to the television screen, the control device being configured to allow the user to select said viewing activity by selecting the program required for output to the television screen;

a memory storing a communication client application; and

communications processing apparatus, coupled to said memory, operable to execute the communication client application;

wherein the client application is programmed so as when executed to allow the user to establish bidirectional communications with one or more other users via a packet-based communication network, and to provide notifications to the user of incoming communication events from other users; and

wherein the client application is further programmed to control said notifications of incoming communication events in dependence on the selected program.

20. A set-top box for connection to a television set, the set-top box comprising:

a television receiver operable to receive multiplexed broadcast television signals corresponding to a plurality of respective concurrent programs;

signal processing apparatus, coupled to the television receiver, operable to process signals including at least said received television signals for output to a television screen, wherein the signal processing apparatus comprises a demultiplexer operable to separate out the signal of a required one of the programs for output to the television screen;

a control device communicable with the signal processing apparatus, configured to allow a user to select a viewing activity by controlling the output to the television screen, the control device being configured to allow the user to select said viewing activity by selecting the program required for output to the television screen;

a memory storing a communication client application; and

communications processing apparatus, coupled to said memory, operable to execute the communication client application;

wherein the client application is programmed so as when executed to allow the user to establish bidirectional communications with one or more other users via a packet-based communication network, and to provide notifications to the user of incoming communication events from other users; and

wherein the client application is further programmed to control said notifications of incoming communication events in dependence on the selected program.

21. A client application product for use in a television receiver system, the television receiver system being for receiving multiplexed broadcast television signals corresponding to a plurality of respective concurrent programs, and outputting a selected one of said programs to a screen, the communication client comprising code which when executed on a processor of the television receiver system will perform the steps of:

establishing bidirectional communications with one or more other users via a packet-based communication network, and to provide notifications to the user of incoming communication events from other users; and

controlling said notifications of incoming communication events in dependence on said selection of viewing activity, wherein the control of said notifications is performed in dependence on the selected program.