Communication system and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A television receiver system comprising:
- a television receiver operable to receive a broadcast television signal;
signal processing apparatus, coupled to the television receiver, operable to process the received television signal to generate a corresponding series of frames for sequential output to a television screen;
a memory storing a communication client application;
communications processing apparatus, coupled to said memory and said signal processing apparatus, operable to execute the communication client application; and
a user input device communicable with the communications processing apparatus;
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 make available to the other users via the packet-based network an image stored in association with an identifier of said user to represent that user in relation to said communications; and
wherein the client application is further programmed to capture one of said frames in response to a user input received from the user input device, to use the captured frame to generate said image, to store the image to a predetermined storage location, and to automatically retrieve the image from the predetermined storage location in order to make available said image in said representation to the other users.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A media appliance and corresponding method, the media appliance comprising a video signal source such as a TV receiver, and signal processing apparatus for generating a corresponding sequence of frames for output to a screen. The appliance comprises a client application programmed to capture one of the frames and use the captured frame to generate an image to represent a user in relation to bidirectional communications over a packet-based network.
116 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A television receiver system comprising:
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a television receiver operable to receive a broadcast television signal; signal processing apparatus, coupled to the television receiver, operable to process the received television signal to generate a corresponding series of frames for sequential output to a television screen; a memory storing a communication client application; communications processing apparatus, coupled to said memory and said signal processing apparatus, operable to execute the communication client application; and a user input device communicable with the communications processing apparatus; 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 make available to the other users via the packet-based network an image stored in association with an identifier of said user to represent that user in relation to said communications; and wherein the client application is further programmed to capture one of said frames in response to a user input received from the user input device, to use the captured frame to generate said image, to store the image to a predetermined storage location, and to automatically retrieve the image from the predetermined storage location in order to make available said image in said representation to the other users. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of communicating over a packet-based communication network, the method comprising:
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receiving a broadcast television signal; processing the received television signal to generate a corresponding series of frames for sequential output to a television screen; receiving an input from a user of the packet-based communication network; in response said user input, executing code to capture one of said frames, use the captured frame to generate an image, and store the image to a predetermined storage location in association with an identifier of the user; and executing a communication client application so as to establish bidirectional communications with one or more other users via a packet-based communication network; wherein the client application is programmed such that its execution causes it to automatically retrieve the image from the predetermined storage location in order to make said stored image available to the other users via the packet-based network to represent said user in relation to said communications.
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12. A method of communicating over a packet-based communication network, the method comprising:
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receiving a broadcast television signal; processing the received television signal to generate a corresponding series of frames for sequential output to a television screen; detecting a key-press from a user of the packet-based communication network; in response said user input, executing code to;
automatically capture a plurality of said frames in response to said key-press, each within a time window of predetermined length and beginning at a point determined relative to said key-press;
output an indication of the plurality of frames to the screen for perusal by the user;
receive a further user input selecting one of said plurality of frames; and
use the selected frame to generate an image, and store the image in association with an identifier of the user; andexecuting a communication client application so as to establish bidirectional communications with one or more other users via a packet-based communication network, and to make said stored image available to the other users via the packet-based network to represent said user in relation to said communications.
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13. A media appliance comprising:
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a video signal source operable to supply a video signal; signal processing apparatus, coupled to the video signal source, operable to process the supplied video signal to generate a corresponding series of frames for sequential output to a screen; a memory storing a communication client application; communications processing apparatus, coupled to said memory and said signal processing apparatus, operable to execute the communication client application; and a user input device comprising a plurality of keys and communicable with the communications processing apparatus; 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 make available to the other users via the packet-based network an image stored in association with an identifier of said user to represent that user in relation to said communications; and wherein the client application is further programmed to;
automatically capture a plurality of said frames in response to a key-press from the user input device, each within a time window of predetermined length and beginning at a point determined relative to said key-press;
to output an indication of the plurality of frames to the screen for perusal by the user;
to receive a further user input from the user input device selecting one of said plurality of frames; and
to use the selected frame to generate said image.
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Specification