Television integrated chat and presence systems and methods
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method, comprising:
- receiving a first video transmission at a network terminal of a first user;
displaying the first video transmission to the first user;
receiving a request at the network terminal to send a communication;
displaying, to the first user in response to the received request, information identifying a second user and a status of the second user, wherein the information is displayed to the first user simultaneously with the first video transmission;
receiving the communication and a destination of the communication from the first user, the destination including an identification of the second user;
sending a first message, the first message including the identification of the second user, the communication, and data identifying the first video transmission; and
detecting a change in a status of the first user, the detecting comprising;
detecting whether the first user has used the network terminal within a specified period of time;
detecting whether a commercial break is in progress in the first video transmission displayed to the first user;
prompting the first user to act when the first user has not used the network terminal within the specified period of time;
changing the status of the first user when the first user fails to act in response to the prompting; and
modifying an availability of the first user to receive messages when the commercial break is in progress.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An enhanced television system which enables users to communicate using a television, both via messaging and telephone. Users or the system may create a buddy list. Users may send and receive program information to and from each other, and change programs based on received information. The system may maintain information regarding a user'"'"'s presence on the system, availability for messaging, and television viewing.
106 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method, comprising:
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receiving a first video transmission at a network terminal of a first user; displaying the first video transmission to the first user; receiving a request at the network terminal to send a communication; displaying, to the first user in response to the received request, information identifying a second user and a status of the second user, wherein the information is displayed to the first user simultaneously with the first video transmission; receiving the communication and a destination of the communication from the first user, the destination including an identification of the second user; sending a first message, the first message including the identification of the second user, the communication, and data identifying the first video transmission; and detecting a change in a status of the first user, the detecting comprising; detecting whether the first user has used the network terminal within a specified period of time; detecting whether a commercial break is in progress in the first video transmission displayed to the first user; prompting the first user to act when the first user has not used the network terminal within the specified period of time; changing the status of the first user when the first user fails to act in response to the prompting; and modifying an availability of the first user to receive messages when the commercial break is in progress. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method, comprising:
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transmitting a first video transmission to a first user of a plurality of users and a second video transmission to a second user of the plurality of users; detecting whether a commercial break is in progress in the first video transmission; receiving a first notification including an indication of a change in status of the first user; storing the change of status of the first user in a record associated with the first user; and transmitting a second notification to the second user, the second notification reflecting the change of status of the first user, wherein; the change of status of the first user includes information identifying the first video transmission and a presence status of the first user indicating an availability of the first user to receive messages, the presence status of the first user indicates whether the first user has been idle for a specific period of time and whether the first user has responded to a prompt for action when the first user has been idle for the specified period of time, and the storing comprises modifying the availability of the first user to receive messages when the commercial break is in progress. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A communication system, comprising:
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a server configured to enable a first user to communicate with a second user via a television and to transmit a television broadcast; a television control processor configured to present, with the television broadcast, and upon command from the first user, a list including information identifying the second user; and a module configured to transmit, using the information from the list, a message to the second user including data regarding the television broadcast; wherein the television control processor is further configured to output a presence status of the second user, the presence status indicating an availability of the second user to receive messages, and the presence status further indicating whether the second user has been idle for a specific period of time and whether the second user has responded to a prompt for action when the second user has been idle for the specified period of time, and further wherein the television control processor is configured to detect whether a commercial break is in progress in a television broadcast presented to the second user and to modify the availability of the second user to receive messages when the commercial break is in progress. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A communications device, comprising:
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a device interface module configured to present a video transmission to an output device; a processor configured to present, with the video transmission and upon command from a first user, information identifying a second user and a status of the second user; and a network interface module configured to transmit, using the presented information, a message to the second user, the message comprising the identification of the first user, the status of the first user, and data identifying the video transmission; wherein the processor is further configured to detect a change in a status of the first user, the detection comprising; detecting whether the first user has been idle for a specified period of time; detecting whether a commercial break is in progress in the video transmission displayed to the first user; prompting the first user to act when the first user been idle for the specified period of time; changing the status of the first user when the first user fails to act in response to the prompting; and modifying an availability of the first user to receive messages when the commercial break is in progress. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification