Centralized Communication Hub for Displaying Calls and Messages on a Display

• US 20130208076A1
• Filed: 03/25/2013
• Published: 08/15/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications LLC (Comcast Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications LLC (Comcast Corporation)
• Inventors: Garcia, Maurice
• Granted Patent: US 9,007,423 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/14.05
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1026 at the edge
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1094 Inter-user-equipment sessions transfer or sharing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/4038 with floor control
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/06 Recording class or number of calling , i.e. A-party or called party , i.e. B-party
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42042 Notifying the called party of information on the calling party details within substation equipment H04M1/57, signalling details H04Q3/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/436 Arrangements for screening incoming calls , i.e. evaluating the characteristics of a call before deciding whether to answer it based on the calling party profile H04M3/42059; based on location H04M3/42348; based on presence H04M3/42365; diversion H04M3/54
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0069 comprising a residential gateway, e.g. those which provide an adapter for POTS or ISDN terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/14 Systems for two-way working H04N7/12, H04N7/173 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/15 Conference systems

Abstract

Systems and methods are described that relate to a centralized communication hub at a user location for coordination of receiving/sending phone calls, SMS/MMS messages, and requests for video conferences to/from a display. A user may indicate that she wishes to receive a call/message by selecting an option on a remote control associated with the display. A microphone and/or camera connected to a gateway may provide audiovisual capabilities during a call. In a separate embodiment, the functionality of the communication hub may be split between two devices; one device detects incoming calls and a separate device routes the calls/messages to/from the appropriate gateway.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

a memory storing computer readable instructions that, when executed by said processor, cause the apparatus to perform;

receiving a caller ID message related to an incoming telephone call;

converting the caller ID message into a first predetermined format for transmission via internet protocol (IP); and

transmitting the converted caller ID message to a gateway configured to cause display of the caller ID message on a display.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transmitting the converted caller ID message occurs through a protocol defined by MoCA (Multimedia over Coax Alliance).

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus further performs:

receiving from the gateway a signal to answer the incoming telephone call when a user device selects to answer the incoming telephone call.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the user device comprises a television remote control.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the apparatus further performs:

receiving audio signals corresponding to the incoming telephone call.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the apparatus further performs:

converting the audio signals corresponding to the incoming telephone call into a second predetermined format.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the apparatus further performs:

transmitting the converted audio signals to a speaker associated with the display.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the second predetermined format comprises G.711 standard.

9. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the apparatus further performs:

receiving video signals corresponding to the incoming telephone call.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the apparatus further performs:

converting the video signals corresponding to the incoming telephone call into a third predetermined format.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the third predetermined format comprises H.264 standard.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the third predetermined format is further encapsulated using Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP).

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the apparatus further performs:

transmitting the converted video signals to the display for display on the display.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the converted video signals establish a video conference with the caller using a webcam in communication with the gateway.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the webcam is configured to display a picture within a picture on the display.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein in the webcam has a built-in microphone for establishing a two way audio connection with the caller.

17. An apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

a memory storing computer readable instructions that, when executed by said processor, cause the apparatus to perform;

receiving a converted caller ID message related to an incoming telephone call in a predetermined format via internet protocol;

displaying the converted caller ID message on a display;

receiving a signal from a user device indicative of a decision to answer the incoming telephone call; and

transmitting to a gateway a signal to answer the incoming telephone call.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the gateway comprises a media terminal adapter.

19. A method comprising:

receiving audiovisual signals;

displaying the audiovisual signals on a display;

receiving a converted incoming SMS message in a predetermined format via internet protocol; and

displaying an indicator of the converted incoming SMS message on the display.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

displaying the SMS message on the display when a user device selects to view the incoming SMS message by selecting an option on a handheld unit in communication with the display.