Method and apparatus for merging voice and data features with internet protocol television

• US 8,307,402 B2
• Filed: 01/22/2008
• Issued: 11/06/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Services Incorporated (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Sommer, Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Saltarelli, Dominic D
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHUNG, JASON
• Application Number:
  US12/017,568
• Publication Number:
  US 20090187956A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,750 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 725/106
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/40 Support for services or applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/611 for multicast or broadcast systems for broadcast or conference H04L12/18; arrangements for broadcast or distribution combined with broadcast H04H20/00; arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time H04H60/00; selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS], H04W4/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/54 Presence management, e.g. monitoring or registration for receipt of user log-on information, or the connection status of the users
• 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 1/57 Arrangements for indicating or recording the number of the calling subscriber at the called subscriber's set at the operator set in a manual exchange H04M5/20
• 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 21/4396 by muting the audio signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/440236 by media transcoding, e.g. video is transformed into a slideshow of still pictures, audio is converted into text
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/478 Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4882 for displaying messages, e.g. warnings, reminders arrangements for providing short real-time information to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1895
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/173 with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal

Abstract

A method and apparatus that enable the use of a multi-service endpoint device to integrate features and functions of voice and/or data services with IPTV service through a TV console are disclosed. For example, the method connects a multi-service endpoint device (MSED) to a plurality of networks, where at least one of the plurality of networks provides a voice service, and where at least one of the plurality of networks provides an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) service. The method then integrates the voice service with the IPTV service using the MSED.

Claims

1. A method for providing a plurality of services, comprising:

connecting a multi-service endpoint device to a network providing a voice service and a network providing an internet protocol television service; and

integrating the voice service with the internet protocol television service using the multi-service endpoint device, wherein the multi-service endpoint device is connected to a television console, wherein the integrating the voice service comprises;

displaying caller information associated with an incoming call on the television console; and

providing a plurality answering options to be selected by a user, wherein the plurality of answering options comprises;

a deny option for forwarding the incoming call to a voicemail system;

an answer option for allowing the user to speak to a caller of the incoming call;

a closed caption answer option for allowing the user to read spoken words on the television console from the caller using a voice to text translation after connecting the incoming call to the multi-service endpoint device, wherein the voice to text translation is provided by the multi-service endpoint device; and

an announcement answer option for providing an announcement message to the caller.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the network providing the voice service comprises a voice over internet protocol network.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the integrating the voice service further comprises:

lowering a volume of an ongoing video programming when the incoming call is answered by the user.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein one of the plurality of answering options is selectable by the user via a remote control.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the integrating the voice service further comprises:

receiving called party phone number information associated with a called party from the user; and

initiating an outgoing call to the called party.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the called party phone number information is received via a remote control device using point and click operations on the television console.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the integrating the voice service further comprises:

receiving a type of telephony service to be used for initiating the outgoing call.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the integrating the voice service further comprises:

lowering a volume of an ongoing video programming when the outgoing call is placed by the user.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein the called party phone number information is received via a remote control device having a set of dialing keys.

10. The method of claim 5, wherein the called party phone number information is received via a wireless keyboard device.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein one of the plurality of answering options is selectable by the user via a wireless keyboard device.

12. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of instructions, the plurality of instructions including instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method for providing a plurality of services, comprising:

connecting a multi-service endpoint device to a network providing a voice service and a network providing an internet protocol television service; and

integrating the voice service with the internet protocol service using the multi-service endpoint device, wherein the multi-service endpoint device is connected to a television console, wherein the integrating the voice service comprises;

displaying caller information associated with an incoming call on the television console; and

providing a plurality answering options to be selected by a user, wherein the plurality of answering options comprises;

a deny option for forwarding the incoming call to a voicemail system;

an answer option for allowing the user to speak to a caller of the incoming call;

a closed caption answer option for allowing the user to read spoken words on the television console from the caller using a voice to text translation after connecting the incoming call to the multi-service endpoint device, wherein the voice to text translation is provided by the multi-service endpoint device; and

an announcement answer option for providing an announcement message to the caller.

13. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the network providing a voice service comprises a voice over internet protocol network.

14. A multi-service endpoint device for providing a plurality of services, comprising:

a processor; and

a computer-readable medium in communication with the processor, the computer-readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of instructions, the plurality of instructions including instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform a method comprising;

connecting to a network providing a voice service and a network providing an Internet protocol television service; and

integrating the voice service with the internet protocol television service, wherein the multi-service endpoint device is connected to a television console, by;

displaying caller information associated with an incoming call on the television console; and

providing a plurality answering options to be selected by a user, wherein the plurality of answering options comprises;

a deny option for forwarding the incoming call to a voicemail system;

an answer option for allowing the user to speak to a caller of the incoming call;

a closed caption answer option for allowing the user to read spoken words on the television console from the caller using a voice to text translation after connecting the incoming call to the multi-service endpoint device, wherein the voice to text translation is provided by the multi-service endpoint device; and

an announcement answer option for providing an announcement message to the caller.