Systems and devices for audio capture and communication during television broadcasts

• US 6,397,388 B1
• Filed: 11/06/2000
• Issued: 05/28/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ARRIS Enterprises LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Digeo Incorporated (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Inventors: Allen, Paul G.
• Primary Examiner(s): GRANT, CHRISTOPHER C
• Application Number:
  US09/707,072
• Time in Patent Office: 568 Days
• Field of Search: 375/131,132,133,134,109,110,111,112,113,139,140,141,142,151,152,153 348/734
• US Class Current: 725/133
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72415 for remote control of appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2007/145 Handheld terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42203 sound input device, e.g. microphone
• 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 21/42222 Additional components integrated in the remote control device, e.g. timer, speaker, sensors for detecting position, direction or movement of the remote control, microphone or battery charging device
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4223 Cameras H04N23/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42684 Client identification by a unique number or address, e.g. serial number, MAC address, socket ID network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming H04L61/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4334 Recording operations recording of a television signal H04N5/76; arrangements for recording or accumulating broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/27
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43637 involving a wireless protocol, e.g. Bluetooth, RF or wireless LAN [IEEE 802.11] arrangements for wireless networking or broadcasting of information in indoor or near-field type systems H04B10/114
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/439 Processing of audio elementary streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4782 Web browsing , e.g. WebTV
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4786 e-mailing message switching systems, e.g. electronic mail systems H04L51/00
• 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 21/6125 involving transmission via Internet transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/64 Addressing network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming H04L61/00; support for multicast or broadcast of one-way stream services H04L65/611
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/602 for digital sound signals
• 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 7/142 Constructional details of the terminal equipment, e.g. arrangements of the camera and the display
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17309 : Transmission or handling of upstream communications

Abstract

A remote control for an interactive television system includes an integrated microphone and a wireless transmitter for transmitting audio information captured by the microphone to the interactive television system. A set top box for the interactive television system includes a wireless receiver for receiving the audio information and a converter for transforming the audio information into a network-compatible audio stream for transmission over a network.

Claims

1. A system for audio capture and communication comprising:

a remote control for an interactive television system, the remote control comprising a microphone and a wireless transmitter for transmitting audio information captured by the microphone to the interactive television system;

a set top box for the interactive television system, the set top box comprising a wireless receiver for receiving the audio information from the wireless transmitter in the remote control;

wherein the set top box comprises a microphone for capturing audio information; and

wherein the remote control comprises a button for selectively activating the microphone in the remote control and the microphone in the set top box.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the set top box comprises an activity indicator for visually indicating when the microphone is active.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the remote control comprises an activity indicator for visually indicating when the microphone is active.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the set top box comprises a digital recording device for recording audio information captured by the microphone.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the set top box comprises a converter for transforming the audio information received from the microphone in the set top box into a network-compatible audio stream for transmission over a network.

2. A system for audio capture and communication comprising:

a set top box for an interactive television system;

a microphone integrated with the set top box; and

a remote control for the interactive television system, the remote control comprising a specifically-designated button for activating the microphone.