IP-based television messaging services

• US 8,683,510 B1
• Filed: 03/26/2007
• Issued: 03/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Daly, Brian Kevin, Sennett, DeWayne Allan
• Primary Examiner(s): Ekpo, Nnenna
• Application Number:
  US11/691,208
• Time in Patent Office: 2,556 Days
• Field of Search: 725/32, 725/33
• US Class Current: 725/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/235 Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/262 Content or additional data distribution scheduling, e.g. sending additional data at off-peak times, updating software modules, calculating the carousel transmission frequency, delaying a video stream transmission, generating play-lists scheduling strategies for dispatcher in multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/4881; arrangements for scheduling broadcast services or broadcast-related services H04H60/06; flow control in packet networks H04L47/10; establishing a time schedule or organising the servicing of application requests H04L67/62
• 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 21/6175 involving transmission via Internet broadcast-related systems characterised by the transmission system being the Internet H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/64322 IP
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8455 involving pointers to the content, e.g. pointers to the I-frames of the video stream

Abstract

Architecture for the delivery of IP-based messages from wired and/or wireless devices to a television system. The means for delivery can be via an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) technology. The message is processed through a messaging system that obtains a mapping of a message address to an IPTV address, and routes the message to an IPTV network for delivery the desired television system for presentation. Messaging can be via SMS (short message service) for textual content, MMS (multimedia messaging service) for multimedia content, or other messaging technologies, such as instant messaging, an e-mail, for example. Optionally, the message from the user device can include a request for confirmation of delivery of the message to the television. The confirmation can then be routed back over an IP data network to the user device and presented to the user.

Claims

1. A messaging system comprising:

a processor; and

a tangible memory comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising;

receiving an Internet Protocol-based message, sent by an originator, directed to a television system, wherein the Internet Protocol-based message includes a delivery confirmation indicator for presentation to a user, by the television system, in a manner allowing the user to interact with the delivery confirmation indicator;

forwarding, for routing the Internet Protocol-based message to the television system using an address associated with the television system, the Internet Protocol-based message to a routing component;

receiving, via the television system following presentation of the delivery confirmation indicator to the user, a selection from the user confirming delivery of the Internet Protocol-based message and actual presence of the user at the television system; and

transmitting, in response to receiving the selection from the user of the delivery confirmation indicator presented by the television system, and not automatically without actual user input, a receipt confirmation message indicating that the user responded to the delivery confirmation indicator and so is present at a location of the television system;

wherein;

the television system is a first television system;

the operation of receiving the Internet Protocol-based message, sent by the originator and directed to the first television system, comprises receiving the Internet-Protocol-based message wherein the Internet Protocol-based message is directed to the first television system and a second television system that is distinct from the first television system; and

the operation of forwarding the Internet Protocol-based message to the routing component comprises forwarding the Internet Protocol-based message and at least one of an audio attachment and a video attachment to the first television system and forwarding only the Internet Protocol-based message to the second television system, based on a selection made by the originator of the Internet Protocol-based message.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the television system receives the Internet Protocol-based message via an Internet Protocol television network.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a database that maps an address of the Internet Protocol-based message to the first television system.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the address is an e-mail address, a phone number, or an Internet Protocol address.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the first television system includes a set-top box that receives the Internet Protocol-based message.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the Internet Protocol-based message includes a confirmation request for confirming receipt of the Internet Protocol-based message at the first television system.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the Internet Protocol-based message is received from a wireless mobile device.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the Internet Protocol-based message is a multimedia message.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the first television system presents the Internet Protocol-based message via a television of the first television system for perception by the user.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the Internet Protocol-based message includes routing information for addressing a plurality of the television systems, comprising the first television system and the second television system, and routing the Internet Protocol-based message to the plurality of the television systems for presentation.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the first television system stores the Internet Protocol-based message for presentation at a later time.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the Internet Protocol-based message is generated by an emergency system for routing and presentation via the first television system.

20. The messaging system of claim 1, wherein the operations are performed in order to determine whether a person is actually present at a location of the television system.

21. The messaging system of claim 1, wherein the operation of transmitting the receipt confirmation message in response to the user selecting the delivery confirmation indicator presented to the user comprises transmitting the receipt confirmation message to a notified device being different than an originating device that originated the Internet Protocol-based message.

22. The messaging system of claim 21, wherein the operation of transmitting the receipt confirmation message in response to the user selecting the delivery confirmation indicator presented to the user comprises transmitting the receipt confirmation message to the originating device and the notified device.

30. The system of claim 1, wherein the Internet Protocol-based message includes a confirmation request for confirming receipt of the Internet Protocol-based message at the second television system.

13. A method of messaging, comprising:

receiving, at a server comprising a processor, an internet Protocol-based message, sent by an originator, for delivery to a television system, wherein the Internet Protocol-based message includes a delivery confirmation indicator for presentation to a user, by the television system, in a manner allowing the user to interact with the delivery conformation indicator;

routing, via a routing component, the Internet Protocol-based message to the television system, based on a television address associated with the television system, for presentation of message content of the Internet Protocol-based message via the television system to the user of the television system;

receiving, via the television system following presentation of the delivery confirmation indicator to the user, a selection from the user confirming delivery of the Internet Protocol-based message and actual presence of the user at the television system; and

transmitting, in response to receiving the selection from the user of the delivery confirmation indicator presented by the television system, a receipt confirmation message indicating that the user responded to the delivery confirmation indicator and so is present at a location of the television system;

wherein;

the television system is a first television system;

receiving the Internet Protocol-based message, sent by the originator and directed to the first television system, comprises receiving the Internet-Protocol-based message wherein the Internet Protocol-based message is directed to the first television system and a second television system that is distinct from the first television system; and

forwarding the Internet Protocol-based message, via the routing component comprises forwarding the Internet Protocol-based message and at least one of an audio attachment and a video attachment to the first television system and forwarding only the Internet Protocol-based message to the second television system, based on a selection made by the originator of the Internet Protocol-based message.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising presenting the audio attachment to the Internet Protocol-based message.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising presenting the video attachment to the Internet Protocol-based message.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising presenting a graphic as the message content of the Internet Protocol-based message, the graphic including at least one item selected from a group consisting of a map and a chart.

17. The method of claim 13, further comprising routing the Internet Protocol-based message to multiple television systems for presentation of the message content.

18. The method of claim 13, further comprising receiving the Internet Protocol-based message using at least one technology selected from a group consisting of a short messaging service technology, instant messaging technology, e-mail program, or multimedia messaging service technology.

19. The method of claim 13, further comprising translating the Internet Protocol-based message into an Internet Protocol television address that uniquely identifies the television system, and sending the Internet Protocol-based message content with the Internet Protocol television address to the television system.

23. The method of claim 13, wherein

the method is performed to determine whether a person is actually present at a location of the television system.

24. The method of claim 13, wherein transmitting the receipt confirmation message, in response to the user selecting the delivery confirmation indicator presented to the user, includes transmitting the receipt confirmation message to a notified device being different than an originating device that originated the Internet Protocol-based message.

25. The method of claim 24, transmitting the receipt confirmation message, in response to the user selecting the delivery confirmation indicator presented to the user, includes transmitting the receipt confirmation message to the originating device and the notified device.

31. The method of claim 13, wherein the Internet Protocol-based message includes a confirmation request for confirming receipt of the Internet Protocol-based message at the second television system.

26. An Internet-Protocol messaging system comprising a tangible computer-readable storage device having computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform operations comprising:

receiving an Internet Protocol-based message, sent by an originator, for delivery to a television system, wherein the Internet Protocol-based message includes a delivery confirmation indicator for presentation to a user, by the television system, in a manner allowing the user to interact with the delivery confirmation indicator;

routing, via a routing component, the Internet Protocol-based message to the television system, using an address associated with the television system, for presentation of message content of the Internet Protocol-based message via the television system to the user of the television system;

receiving, via the television system following presentation of the delivery confirmation indicator to the user, a selection from the user confirming delivery of the Internet Protocol-based message and actual presence of the user at the television system; and

transmitting, in response to receiving the selection from the user of the delivery confirmation indicator presented by the television system, a receipt confirmation message indicating that the user responded to the delivery confirmation indicator and so is present at a location of the television system;

wherein;

the television system is a first television system;

the operation of receiving the Internet Protocol-based message, sent by the originator and directed to the first television system, comprises receiving the Internet-Protocol-based message wherein the Internet Protocol-based message is directed to the first television system and a second television system that is distinct from the first television system; and

the operation of forwarding the Internet Protocol-based message to the routing component comprises forwarding the Internet Protocol-based message and at least one of an audio attachment and a video attachment to the first television system and forwarding only the Internet Protocol-based message to the second television system, based on a selection made by the originator of the Internet Protocol-based message.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein the operations are performed in order to determine whether a person is actually present at a location of the television system.

28. The system of claim 26, wherein the operation of transmitting the receipt confirmation message, in response to the user selecting the delivery confirmation indicator presented to the user, comprises transmitting the receipt confirmation message to a notified device being different than an originating device that originated the Internet Protocol-based message.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the operation of transmitting the receipt confirmation message, in response to the user selecting the delivery confirmation indicator presented to the user, comprises transmitting the receipt confirmation to the originating device and to the notified device.

32. The system of claim 26, wherein the Internet Protocol-based message includes a confirmation request for confirming receipt of the Internet Protocol-based message at the second television system.