Communication system and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A television receiver system comprising:
- a television receiver configured to receive a broadcast television signal;
a signal processing apparatus, coupled to the television receiver, configured to process the broadcast television signal to generate a corresponding series of frames of the broadcast television signal for sequential output to a television screen;
a memory storing a communication client application;
a communications processing apparatus, coupled to said memory and said signal processing apparatus, configured to execute the communication client application, the communication client application, when executed, configured to;
capture a frame of the broadcast television signal in response to an input from a user;
generate an image from the captured frame of the broadcast television signal;
automatically set the image as an avatar for the user;
enable bidirectional communications with one or more other users via a packet-based communication network; and
provide the avatar to the one or more other users via the packet-based network to represent the user.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A media appliance and corresponding method, the media appliance comprising a video signal source such as a TV receiver, and signal processing apparatus for generating a corresponding sequence of frames for output to a screen. The appliance comprises a client application programmed to capture one of the frames and use the captured frame to generate an image to represent a user in relation to bidirectional communications over a packet-based network.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A television receiver system comprising:
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a television receiver configured to receive a broadcast television signal; a signal processing apparatus, coupled to the television receiver, configured to process the broadcast television signal to generate a corresponding series of frames of the broadcast television signal for sequential output to a television screen; a memory storing a communication client application; a communications processing apparatus, coupled to said memory and said signal processing apparatus, configured to execute the communication client application, the communication client application, when executed, configured to; capture a frame of the broadcast television signal in response to an input from a user; generate an image from the captured frame of the broadcast television signal; automatically set the image as an avatar for the user; enable bidirectional communications with one or more other users via a packet-based communication network; and provide the avatar to the one or more other users via the packet-based network to represent the user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of communicating over a packet-based communication network, the method comprising:
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receiving a broadcast television signal; processing the broadcast television signal to generate a corresponding series of frames of the broadcast television signal for sequential output to a television screen; receiving an input from a user of the packet-based communication network; in response said input, capturing a frame of the broadcast television signal, generating an image from the captured frame of the broadcast television signal, and storing the image to a predetermined storage location in association with an identifier of the user; and executing a communication client application to enable bidirectional communications with one or more other users via the packet-based communication network, wherein the communication client application configured to automatically retrieve the image from the predetermined storage location, and provide the image to the other users via the packet-based network as an avatar to represent said user in relation to said bidirectional communications. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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12. A method of communicating over a packet-based communication network, the method comprising:
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receiving a broadcast television signal; processing the broadcast television signal to generate a corresponding series of frames of the broadcast television signal for sequential output to a television screen; receiving input from a user of the packet-based communication network; in response said input; automatically capturing a plurality of frames of the broadcast television signal, each of the plurality of captured frames being within a time window of a predetermined length and beginning at a point determined relative to when the user input is received; outputting an indication of the plurality of captured frames of the broadcast television signal to the television screen for perusal by the user; receiving a further user input selecting one of said plurality of captured frames; generating an image from the selected frame of the broadcast television signal, and storing the image in association with an identifier of the user; and enabling bidirectional communications with one or more other users via the packet-based communication network; and providing the image to the other users via the packet-based communication network as an avatar to represent said user in relation to said bidirectional communications. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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13. A media appliance comprising:
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a video signal source configured to supply a video signal; a signal processing apparatus, coupled to the video signal source, configured to process the video signal to generate a corresponding series of frames for sequential output to a screen; a memory storing a communication client application; a communications processing apparatus, coupled to said memory and said signal processing apparatus, configured to execute the communication client application, the communication client application, when executed, configured to; capture a frame of the video signal in response to an input from a user; generate an image from the captured frame of the video signal; automatically set the image as an avatar for the user; enable bidirectional communications with one or more other users via a packet-based communication network; and provide the avatar to the one or more other users via the packet-based network to represent the user. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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Specification