Media appliance
First Claim
1. A media appliance comprising:
- video apparatus for outputting signals to a screen;
a memory storing a communication client application;
a control device allowing a user to control the output of signals from the video apparatus to the screen, thereby selecting a viewing activity, the control device configured to receive audio from the user and to communicate audio received from the user to the communication client application;
a network interface for accessing a packet-based network;
andprocessing apparatus, coupled to the memory, network interface and video apparatus, and arranged to execute the communication client application;
that when executed performs operations including;
enabling the user to conduct bidirectional communications with other users via the packet-based network, the audio reception and communication capabilities of the control device to be utilized by the user in conducting the bidirectional communications, and outputting notifications to the user of incoming communication events received from other users over the packet-based network;
deferring one or more of said notifications of incoming communication events received during said viewing activity, determining a delineation corresponding to a break in the viewing activity for insertion of said notifications that are deferred, and automatically outputting the one or more notifications to the user following said delineation; and
automatically sending, prior to said delineation, automated messages to one or more originators of the one or more incoming communication events received during the viewing activity, the automated messages configured to indicate unavailability of the user to the one or more originators.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A media appliance comprising: video apparatus for outputting signals to a screen; a control device allowing a user to control the output of signals from the video apparatus to the screen, thereby selecting a viewing activity; a network interface for accessing a packet-based network; a memory storing a communication client application; and processing apparatus, coupled to the memory, network interface and video apparatus, and arranged to execute the communication client application; wherein the client application is configured so as when executed to allow the user to conduct bidirectional communications with other users via the packet-based network, and output notifications to the user of incoming communication events received from other users over the packet-based network; and wherein the client application is further configured to defer one or more of said notifications of incoming communication events received during said viewing activity, determine a delineation in the viewing activity, and automatically output the one or more notifications to the user following said delineation.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A media appliance comprising:
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video apparatus for outputting signals to a screen; a memory storing a communication client application; a control device allowing a user to control the output of signals from the video apparatus to the screen, thereby selecting a viewing activity, the control device configured to receive audio from the user and to communicate audio received from the user to the communication client application; a network interface for accessing a packet-based network; and processing apparatus, coupled to the memory, network interface and video apparatus, and arranged to execute the communication client application;
that when executed performs operations including;enabling the user to conduct bidirectional communications with other users via the packet-based network, the audio reception and communication capabilities of the control device to be utilized by the user in conducting the bidirectional communications, and outputting notifications to the user of incoming communication events received from other users over the packet-based network; deferring one or more of said notifications of incoming communication events received during said viewing activity, determining a delineation corresponding to a break in the viewing activity for insertion of said notifications that are deferred, and automatically outputting the one or more notifications to the user following said delineation; and automatically sending, prior to said delineation, automated messages to one or more originators of the one or more incoming communication events received during the viewing activity, the automated messages configured to indicate unavailability of the user to the one or more originators. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method of operating a media appliance having video apparatus for outputting signals to a screen, a network interface for accessing a packet-based network, and a processing apparatus for executing a communication client application;
- the method comprising;
receiving an input from a control device allowing a user to control the output of signals from the video apparatus to the screen, thereby selecting a viewing activity, the control device configured to receive voice signals from the user and communicate voice signals received from the user to the communication client application; executing the communication client application on the processing apparatus of the media appliance operable to enable bidirectional communications with other users via the packet-based network, the control device to be utilized by the user in conducting the bidirectional communications, and output notifications to the user of incoming communication events received from other users over the packet-based network; deferring one or more of said notifications of incoming communication events received during said viewing activity, determining a delineation corresponding to a break in the viewing activity for insertion of said notifications that are deferred, and automatically outputting the one or more notifications to the user following said delineation; and automatically sending, responsive to said incoming communication events received during the viewing activity, without requiring an input from the user viewing the viewing activity, and prior to said delineation, automated messages to one or more originators of the one or more incoming communication events to indicate unavailability of the user to the one more originators.
- the method comprising;
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23. A communication client application for operating a media appliance having video apparatus for outputting signals to a screen and a network interface for accessing a packet-based network, the communication client application comprising code embodied on a computer-readable medium and configured so as when executed on an embedded processor of the media appliance to:
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receive an input from a control device allowing a user to control the output of signals from a video apparatus to the screen, thereby selecting a viewing activity, the control device having integrated functionality for voice communications; enable the user to conduct bidirectional communications with other users via the packet-based network, the integrated voice communications functionality of the control device to be utilized by the user in conducting the bidirectional communications; output notifications to the user of incoming communication events received from other users over the packet-based network; defer one or more of said notifications of incoming communication events received during said viewing activity, determining a delineation corresponding to a break in the viewing activity for insertion of said notifications that are deferred, and automatically output the one or more notifications to the user following said delineation; and responsive to said incoming communication events received during the viewing activity, without requiring an input from the user viewing the viewing activity, and prior to said delineation, automatically notify senders associated with the incoming communication events for which notifications are deferred with automated messages that indicate unavailability of the user and a reason for the unavailability.
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Specification