Managing multiple data sources

• US 8,384,753 B1
• Filed: 12/15/2006
• Issued: 02/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Bedingfield, James Carlton Sr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Woo, Stella
• Application Number:
  US11/611,795
• Time in Patent Office: 2,265 Days
• Field of Search: 348/14.07, 348/14.01, 348/14.08, 348/14.09, 379/93.07, 379/93.17, 379/90.01
• US Class Current: 348/14.01
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/14 Digital output to display device ; Cooperation and interconnection of the display device with other functional units
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2370/20 Details of the management of multiple sources of image data
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/61 for supporting one-way streaming services, e.g. Internet radio
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/765 intermediate
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/535 Tracking the activity of the user network monitoring arrangements H04L43/00; recording of computer activity G06F11/34
• 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: H04L 67/75 Indicating network or usage conditions on the user display
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/147 Communication arrangements, e.g. identifying the communication as a video-communication, intermediate storage of the signals selecting H04Q

Abstract

Devices for managing multiple data sources or networks are described herein. One such device may include a data source input module configured to input a plurality of signals, which may include video signals, from multiple local data sources. The device may further include an output module, which may receive the signals from the data source input module and output the signals onto a single display device.

Claims

1. A system comprising a processor having access to a computer readable medium storing instructions, executable by the processor, that perform a method when executed by the processor, the method comprising:

receiving a plurality of signals including video signals from a plurality of local data sources;

outputting the video signals onto a single display device; and

responsive to receiving a telepresence signal from a presence sensor indicating that a user is in proximity to the system and working remotely, streaming video of the user to the user'"'"'s office for presentation at the user'"'"'s office.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of local data sources is a personal computing device.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of signals travel over a plurality of networks.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the telepresence signal travels over an independent network.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the method includes inputting audio signals from an audio device and outputting the audio signals to an audio system.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the method includes receiving user input selected from audio input, visual input, and textual input, the user input being directed from at least one of a cursor controller, a camera, a microphone, and the presence sensor.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the presence sensor is associated with a chair and wherein, responsive to the user sitting in the chair, the presence sensor detects that the user is present and a generates the telepresence signal.

8. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing program instructions, executable by a processor, wherein the program instructions perform a method when executed by the processor, the method comprising:

selecting, from a plurality of data source displays, each corresponding to a respective local data source and each concurrently located on a single display device, a selected data source display;

accessing a local data source corresponding to the selected data source to allow for use of the local data source;

receiving a telepresence signal from a presence sensor to indicate that a user is present in a vicinity of the system; and

responsive to receiving the telepresence signal, streaming at least one of audio of the user and video of the user to the user'"'"'s office for presentation at the user'"'"'s office.

9. The computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the method includes arranging the data source displays on the single display device.

10. The computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the method includes arranging the data source displays on multiple display devices.

11. The computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein arranging the data source displays includes dragging and dropping the data source displays by use of a point-and-select device.

12. The computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the method includes arranging data source display windows on the single display device.

13. A method, implemented at least in part by a computing device, comprising:

receiving data including video data from a plurality of local data sources, the plurality of local data sources including a first local data source coupled to a first network and a second local data source coupled to a second network that is independent of the first network, wherein the second local data source comprises a telepresence data source;

outputting a portion of video data received from the first local data source and a portion of video data received from the second local data source to a single display device;

receiving a telepresence signal from a presence sensor indicating that a user is present in a vicinity of the second local data source; and

responsive to receiving the telepresence signal, streaming video of the user to a remote location for viewing by the user'"'"'s co-workers.

14. A method as described in claim 13, further comprising:

establishing a telepresence link over the second network with use of the telepresence data source.

15. A method as described in claim 14, wherein the sensor comprises a weight-sensitive chair.

16. A method as described in claim 14, wherein establishing the telepresence link includes displaying, on the single display device, streaming video from the remote location.

17. A method as described in claim 13, wherein the data received from the plurality of local data sources includes audio data, the method further comprising outputting a portion of audio data received from the first local data source and a portion of audio data received from the second local data source to an audio system.